At CDS, we let the work speak for itself. But behind every result is a team member that made it happen. Real People, Real Results is a monthly series that takes a closer look at the individuals who make up our team, exploring their backgrounds, their expertise, and what drives them.
This month, meet Lorraine Gulley, a Client Director at CDS.
Based in CDS’ Washington, D.C. office, Lorraine leads a team of Project Managers in support of client matters across Relativity and DISCO eDiscovery hosting solutions. Her years of experience, deep understanding of the litigation lifecycle, and consultative approach position her to help clients navigate complex matters with confidence and achieve strong, consistent outcomes.
Offering innovative, cost-efficient, and repeatable workflow solutions is central to Lorraine’s approach. Nearly seven years into her time at CDS and with more than 30 years of experience spanning litigation support providers, consulting firms, and legal teams, she is known for building trusted partnerships, supporting comprehensive portfolio management, and generously sharing her insight as a mentor to colleagues across the organization.
What drew you to client service and account leadership, and was there a moment when you knew this was the right path for you?
What’s always drawn me to this work is the opportunity to help people. I love solving client challenges, putting people at ease, and making sure they feel supported, especially during difficult moments. After more than 30 years in the industry, I’d say my greatest strengths are the experience I’ve gained and my ability to sense what clients need and where they want to go, often before they even have to say it. The next logical step in my career was to go from managing my own projects, to assist and mentor a team of project managers.
What’s one misconception clients sometimes have about what it takes to deliver great outcomes?
Clients sometimes underestimate the time and billable effort required to deliver strong results. When deadlines are too aggressive, teams may be pressured to take shortcuts instead of fully thinking through the best workflow. In other cases, clients may push back on billable hours because they do not fully understand the scope of the process.
How has being part of the CDS team changed the way you think about your work?
Being part of a collaborative and innovative organization pushes me to keep learning and growing. It is an exciting time in our industry, and CDS is helping lead that momentum. To stay on that path, all of us at CDS must stay curious, keep learning, and seek out new experiences. That mindset motivates me to keep pursuing new challenges.
What’s your favorite season and why?
Fall is my favorite season. Although I suffer from tons of allergies and I should be miserable, I love the colors. The temperature is perfect and allows me to go back outside and step away from the air-conditioned inside.
How do you stay connected with friends and family despite a full schedule?
I make it intentional to stay connected with family and friends. I can be a bit of a workaholic, but having two children taught me early on to set boundaries with my time. I protect family time and do not compromise on it. Since many of my friends are also busy, we have built in regular time together over the years, like monthly dinners and annual trips.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone just starting their career?
If you’re just starting your career, be a sponge. There’s a lot to learn, and every perspective can teach you something valuable. Find a mentor, look for opportunities to grow, and volunteer for new initiatives. Most importantly, understand that mistakes will happen—when they do, own them, learn from them, and do your best not to repeat them.
We’re glad you took the time to meet Lorraine Gulley! Look out next month as we highlight more of the real people driving real results at CDS. To learn more about CDS, reach out to us at .
