Migrating from Clearwell eDiscovery to GoldFynch: A Practical Guide

04 June 2026 by Anith eDiscovery case-migration

Takeaway: Migrating from Clearwell eDiscovery or Arctera does not have to mean starting over. With a clear case inventory, a careful export, a test migration, and basic validation, firms can preserve the data that matters and move to GoldFynch for a simpler, cloud-based workflow with predictable pricing.

Many firms are now reassessing older or more complex eDiscovery workflows. The question is not simply whether the platform still works. The better question is:

Does it still fit the way your team needs to work now?

If your organization wants a more accessible cloud workflow, simpler case management, faster setup, easier collaboration, or more predictable pricing, GoldFynch makes it easy to transition from other platforms.

What is Clearwell eDiscovery?

Clearwell Systems, founded in 2004, has helped legal teams manage large document collections, search case data, review files, and prepare productions for decades. It has undergone numerous evolutions under Symantec, Veritas Technologies, Arctera, and, most recently, Cloud Software Group’s acquisition of Arctera.

Whether you have been using Arctera, or have worked with it since the Clearwell days, if you are looking to move a case to GoldFynch, here is how to do so.

Migrating existing case data from Clearwell eDiscovery

Migration usually makes firms hesitate, and that’s fair. Your case data may include more than documents: privilege calls, issue tags, metadata, productions, custodian details, Bates numbers, and months of attorney work product.

The good news is that migrating does not mean starting over. The key is to break the process into manageable steps.

Start with a case inventory

First, identify which cases actually need to move. You need not import every old matter into the new review platform.

Group your cases into categories such as:

Active cases: Matters that still need review, productions, privilege work, or collaboration.
Recently closed cases: Matters that may need future access for appeals, related litigation, or client questions.
Archived cases: Matters that mainly need defensible storage or retention.
Inactive or duplicate workspaces: Old cases, duplicate data, or matters that no longer need to stay in a live eDiscovery system.

Categorizing your cases helps you avoid moving everything at once. Start with the matters that still carry legal, business, or client-service value.

Decide what needs to be preserved

Before exporting data from Clearwell, decide what information matters for each case.

Depending on the matter, you may need to preserve: Native files, PDFs or image files, Extracted text, Metadata fields, Load files, Custodian information, Family relationships, Tags and issue codes, Privilege designations, Redactions, Bates numbers, Prior productions, and Review notes or comments.

A small internal investigation may only require documents, metadata, and tags. A heavily litigated matter may require a more complete export with production history, family relationships, and privilege intact.

Export the data in a usable format

Once you know what needs to move, export the data from your current eDiscovery environment in a format your new platform can accept: document files, metadata files, DAT or CSV load files, OPT or LFP image load files, extracted text files, production volumes, tag or coding exports.

A best practice would be to generate a load file production for the entire matter, if possible, and then import it into the new platform.

The goal is not just to get the data out. The goal is to make sure the case remains searchable, reviewable, and usable after migration.

Test before migrating the full case

For larger or higher-risk matters, run a small test migration first.

Choose a sample set that includes emails and attachments, tagged documents, privileged documents, produced documents, redacted files, and documents with important metadata fields.

Import the sample, then compare it against the original. Check document counts, metadata, family relationships, tags, and search results. A small test can reveal formatting or field-mapping issues before they affect the full matter.

Validate the migrated case

After the full case is moved, run a basic validation check.

Confirm that:

Document counts are consistent
Metadata fields imported correctly
Email families are intact
Tags or issue codes are available where needed
Prior productions are identifiable
Reviewers can search across the data
New tags, searches, redactions, and productions can be created going forward

A migration is only successful if the case remains functional. Your team should be able to pick up the matter in the new platform without losing context or confidence.

Keep a simple migration record

Finally, document the migration.

Your record should include the original case name, export date, export format, data volume, any excluded data, validation steps performed, and any known limitations. Migration does not need to be complicated, just clear enough that your team can explain what was moved, when, and how it was checked.

GoldFynch: A cloud alternative without pricing surprises

Once you know what you need, the next step is to choose a platform that fits the way your team works now.

GoldFynch is built for teams that want eDiscovery to be simpler, faster, and easier to budget. It runs in the cloud, so there’s no local appliance to maintain and no complicated server setup. You can upload documents easily, search across the whole case, review, tag, redact documents, invite collaborators, and create productions directly from your browser.

GoldFynch also keeps pricing straightforward: per-case pricing with free processing, free production, and unlimited sharing, and no surprise fees. That matters because many firms aren’t just replacing software, they’re replacing uncertainty. You don’t have to wonder whether a routine production or an extra reviewer will add a new line to your invoice. You plan around the case size and keep moving.

Moving to GoldFynch with confidence

Migrating to GoldFynch is a chance to move toward a workflow that is easier to manage, easier to budget, and better aligned with the matters your team handles today.

Start with the cases that matter most, preserve the data your team still needs, and test the migration before moving everything.

With cloud access, free processing, unlimited sharing, and predictable pricing, GoldFynch offers a practical path forward.

Looking for a simpler, more affordable eDiscovery platform? Try GoldFynch.

GoldFynch offers cloud access, drag-and-drop uploads, easy review, unlimited productions and sharing, and predictable, pay-as-you-go pricing. Schedule a demo or sign up for a free case to see if it’s a fit.

It costs just $27 a month for a 3 GB case: That’s significantly less than most comparable software. With GoldFynch, you know exactly what you’re paying for: its pricing is simple and readily available on the website.
It’s easy to budget for. GoldFynch charges only for storage (processing files is free). So, choose from a range of plans (3 GB to 150+ GB) and know up-front how much you’ll be paying. You can upload and cull as much data as you want as long as you stay below your storage limit. And even if you do cross the limit, you can upgrade your plan with just a few clicks. Also, billing is prorated – so you’ll pay only for the time you spend on any given plan. With legacy software, pricing is much less predictable.
It takes just minutes to get going. GoldFynch runs in the Cloud, so you use it through your web browser (Google Chrome recommended). No installation. No sales calls or emails. Plus, you get a free trial case (0.5 GB of data and a processing cap of 1 GB) without adding a credit card.
It’s simple to use. Many eDiscovery applications take hours to master. GoldFynch takes minutes. It handles a lot of complex processing in the background, but what you see is minimal and intuitive. Just drag-and-drop your files into GoldFynch, and you’re good to go. Plus, you get prompt and reliable tech support (our average response time is 30 minutes).
Access it from anywhere, and 24/7. All your files are backed up and secure in the Cloud.

Want to find out more about GoldFynch?

Schedule a Demo