Born and raised in South Dakota, Colleen Zea, JD, CEDS is a graduate of The University of Texas-Austin (2003; BA); The University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law (2008; JD); and The Sedona Conference Institute’s eDiscovery Negotiation Training: Practical Cooperative Strategies (2018; Sidley Austin, LLP – New York, NY).

In January 2011, while operating her law practice based out of Vermillion, South Dakota, Colleen hired digital forensic examiner Dan Meinke, founder of Computer Forensic Resources (CFR) in Sioux Falls, to assist her with a class-4 felony matter that primarily involved digital evidence. Working as a team, they were able to obtain a jury acquittal for the client. Shortly thereafter, Dan hired Colleen to join him at CFR as a legal/technical liaison with specific focus on expanding CFR's services to include electronic discovery.

Throughout her time at CFR, Colleen has used her legal background as foundation to develop a niche role at CFR. As a Certified eDiscovery Specialist (CEDS) and legal-technology consultant/project manager having worked on over twelve hundred (1,200) cases involving digital evidence, Colleen has acquired and continually refines her knowledge, expertise, and practical ability to assist fellow attorneys and legal professionals through the complexities of the discovery process involving digital data and technology in both civil litigation and criminal matters.

Colleen routinely accepts public speaking requests. Contact her directly to inquire.

Licensure & Certifications

Certified Electronic Discovery Specialist (CEDS) - May 2013 (current)

State Bar of South Dakota - Feb. 2009 (current)

Memberships & Affiliations

State Bar of South Dakota

• In-House Section - Board of Directors & Member
• Practice Rules Revision Committee - Member
• Strategic Planning Committee - Member
• Criminal Law Committee - Member
• Mandatory CLE Review Committee - Member
• Bar Commissioner - At-Large (2017 - 2020)

South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association - Member

• Board of Governors (2022 - Present)

The University of Texas at Austin

• Texas Athletics - T-Association: D1 Women's Soccer Letterwinner (1999 - 2002)
• Texas Exes Life Member