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Hi, I'm Willie Kerns, a Kentucky Technology Forensic Expert.

In today’s world, nearly every moment leaves behind a digital trail—from text messages & social media posts to GPS data & email logs. At the intersection of technology and truth, I help attorneys and corporations unravel that tangled web. With deep expertise in digital forensics, eDiscovery at the local, state and federal court level, I translate complex technical evidence into clear, compelling insights.

My team and I bring both credibility and clarity to the courtroom, boardroom, or living room. Whether it’s uncovering key digital facts or testifying in high-stakes litigation, I bring a calm, confident approach grounded in cutting-edge tech and Southern integrity. If you need clarity in a case clouded by digital complexity, call me.
Let’s talk facts.

What can I help with?

Whether you're facing a legal case, managing a security incident, or just trying to make sense of a digital issue, I provide clear, actionable support at the intersection of technology, law, and investigation. I do it with the patience you'd expect from a Kentuckian, and I take the job my company performs very seriously.   I assist attorneys, businesses, and individuals in uncovering, analyzing, and preserving digital evidence from a wide range of sources—including cell phones, cloud accounts, computers, and corporate systems. From deleted texts and encrypted files to metadata and user behavior, I translate complex data into understandable, court-ready insights.

I also help clients in Kentucky and all over the country navigate high-stakes scenarios like ransomware attacks, insider threats, and cyberstalking—offering both forensic analysis and practical response guidance. My work extends to cases involving foreign nation-state actors, and I serve as an expert witness when needed, explaining findings in clear, credible terms. Whether you're dealing with a civil dispute, criminal investigation, or compliance concern, I bring a balanced approach grounded in technical precision and legal relevance.

Computer and Electronic Discovery (eDiscovery)

 I help attorneys navigate the technical complexities of digital evidence—everything from identifying relevant sources like email servers and cloud storage, to preserving, collecting, and interpreting electronic data in a legally defensible way. Whether you're well-versed in ESI or just encountering it for the first time, I make the process clear, compliant, and tailored to your case strategy.

Electronic Device & Cloud Investigations & Forensics

I assist attorneys, businesses, and individuals in uncovering critical digital evidence from phones, computers, and cloud platforms. From deleted messages and hidden files to user activity timelines, I provide clear, court-admissible forensic insights that can support civil, criminal, or corporate investigations—even when the data seems out of reach.

Compliance & Cyber Risk Analysis

 I help legal teams and organizations understand where digital risks lie—whether it’s gaps in data protection, regulatory exposure, or vulnerabilities in their IT systems. Through detailed analysis and clear reporting, I turn complex cybersecurity and compliance challenges into actionable steps that reduce legal and reputational risk.
A young Willie

About Willie

With over 25 years in the IT and digital investigation field, Willie Kerns is a trusted resource for attorneys, businesses, and government agencies needing clarity in a world of digital complexity. As co-founder of SmartPath Technologies, Willie blends deep technical experience with a sharp investigative eye—delivering digital forensics, electronic discovery, and cyber risk analysis with court-tested precision and a customer-first mindset.

Willie supports attorneys in criminal, civil, and family matters, helping them uncover or defend against digital claims using phone records, cloud data, messaging platforms, and location metadata. His forensic analysis recently helped a local defense attorney clear an accused juvenile of a serious crime by extracting and interpreting Snapchat location data. He also played a key role in a federal eDiscovery case in the Northern District of Alabama, managing the recovery and production of extensive email and text communications from municipal officials.

On the business front, Willie investigates complex cyber crimes such as fraud, theft, and data breaches. In one recent case, he worked with a major eCommerce retailer in western Kentucky to track and document a cyber theft involving their Shopify store, identifying how the breach occurred and what data was impacted. He also assists local and state government agencies with incident preparedness and response—helping them improve resilience against ransomware, phishing, and foreign-state-sponsored threats.

Willie maintains industry certifications from CompTIA, Microsoft, and Cisco, and dedicates over 100 hours annually to continuing education. He is also a state-certified firefighter and active volunteer in Calvert City, KY, where he serves on both the Jackson Purchase Firefighters Association Board and the Calvert City Zoning Board of Adjustments.

From forensic investigations and expert witness services to proactive cyber risk management, Willie Kerns is committed to helping his clients protect, defend, and understand their digital world.

Willie Kerns' CV

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Investigations
Computer & Electronic Device Investigations

My team & I provide in-depth investigations of computers, mobile phones, and other electronic devices to uncover deleted data, user activity, and digital evidence for legal, corporate, and personal cases.

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eDiscovery
Litigation Hold & Electronic Discovery (eDiscovery) services

I assist legal teams in developing effective ESI protocols, identifying favorable electronically stored information, and creating targeted eDiscovery strategies that uncover key evidence without getting buried in data.

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Cybersecurity
Hacker / Cybercrime Strategy & Prevention

We help businesses, attorneys, and government agencies prevent and respond to cybercrime by identifying vulnerabilities, investigating incidents, and developing proactive strategies to stop hackers before they strike again.

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Investigations
Cloud System Security & Continuity

We secure cloud-based systems like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Dropbox by identifying vulnerabilities, implementing security best practices, and ensuring business continuity through robust backup, recovery, and incident response strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Because "I saw it on CSI" doesn't count as expert testimony.

Yes—and in many cases, that digital evidence on cell phones and social media accounts can completely change the direction of a case. Whether it’s Snapchat, standard text messages, or other apps, deleted content and associated location data can often be recovered through forensic tools and analysis. I specialize in uncovering this kind of critical information—helping attorneys and clients build timelines, verify alibis, and challenge false claims.

If you're working on a case where mobile data could play a role, contact me as early as possible. Proper preservation of the device is essential to protecting the evidence.  Contact me before agreeing to any ESI protocol with opposing parties.

When your email account is breached, whether personal or business-related, the attacker almost always leaves behind digital fingerprints. As a cybersecurity and email forensics expert based in Kentucky, I analyze login logs, device IDs, masked IP addresses, email headers, and activity patterns to determine how the breach happened, what was accessed, and when.

In many cases, I uncover actionable clues about who’s behind the attack—whether it’s a disgruntled employee, organized cybercriminal group, or even a foreign nation-state actor. I’ve helped Kentucky businesses, law firms, and government agencies respond quickly and decisively to cyber incidents involving email breaches, ransomware, and insider threats.

Understanding the "how" and "who" is essential for containment, recovery, and—when necessary—building a case for legal action. If your business email, Microsoft 365 account, or Gmail was compromised, contact me immediately. Early response can make all the difference in what we’re able to preserve and uncover.

At SmartPath Technologies, I combine advanced digital forensics tools with real-world legal insight to handle complex eDiscovery services across Kentucky. I help law firms, businesses, and government entities sort through massive volumes of electronic data—emails, text messages, documents, PDFs, mobile data, chat logs, and cloud storage—and extract only what’s relevant and legally significant.

Whether you’re up against tight court deadlines, uncooperative opposing counsel, or don’t know how to begin collecting ESI (Electronically Stored Information), I make the process efficient, defensible, and crystal clear. I support civil litigation, criminal defense, and family law eDiscovery matters throughout Louisville, Lexington, Paducah, Bowling Green, and beyond.

If you're dealing with electronic discovery in Kentucky, don’t wait until data becomes overwhelming—contact me now to get ahead of the curve and protect your case.

As a leading Kentucky-based digital forensics and eDiscovery specialist, I use a powerful combination of professional-grade tools and national expertise to help attorneys, businesses, and government agencies get results. My toolbox includes industry-recognized platforms like Cellebrite, FTK, GoldFynch, eDisco, Autopsy, Microsoft Purview, Google Takeout, and a suite of open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools—designed to uncover deleted messages, hidden files, and critical metadata across devices and cloud platforms.

I also bring the strength of strategic partnerships with top cybersecurity and eDiscovery experts nationwide—including Galactic Advisors and CyberGuard 360. These alliances allow me to offer Kentucky clients access to advanced threat detection, incident response, and large-scale review solutions typically reserved for big city firms—while still delivering personal, hands-on service right here in Western Kentucky.

Whether you're handling a criminal defense in Lexington, investigating fraud in Owensboro, or preparing for litigation in Paducah, I provide clear, defensible digital evidence that stands up in court and gives your case an edge.

If you're looking for a proven forensic expert with national reach and Kentucky roots, contact me today. I proudly serve clients across Louisville, Bowling Green, Murray, and the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky.

In recent Kentucky employee data theft investigations, I’ve helped businesses uncover insider threats using advanced digital forensics and cyber investigation tools. One of the more unique cases involved an employee who forwarded sensitive client emails to their personal Gmail account, then deleted the messages and emptied the recycle bin in an attempt to cover their tracks.

Using system-level email artifacts, browser cache, and forensic imaging, I was able to recover the deleted evidence, including time stamps and recipient details. And when it came time for discovery, I worked with my client’s attorney to subpoena Google—verifying that the emails, along with attachments containing intellectual property (IP), had indeed reached the employee’s personal Gmail inbox. This not only confirmed the breach but also strengthened the legal position for further action.

I’ve also investigated:               
- Use of unauthorized USB drives to extract customer lists
- Employees uploading files to personal cloud accounts (Dropbox, Google Drive)
- Data exfiltration via messaging apps and CRM exports

If you're dealing with a suspicious employee, internal breach, or stolen data, I offer trusted insider threat investigations across Kentucky, serving businesses in Louisville, Lexington, Mayfield, Bowling Green, Benton, Owensboro, Paducah, and surrounding areas.

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Contacts

Phone

1-270-205-4709

Address

75 Oak Plaza Drive
PO Box 454
Calvert City, KY  42029

Socials

Linked In:  J. Willie Kerns
Facebook: SmartPath Technologies, LLC 

Let's talk about your situation...

Whether you're facing a digital crisis, preparing for litigation, or just need expert advice on securing your systems, I’m here to help. From recovering deleted texts and investigating insider threats to building eDiscovery protocols or protecting your cloud environment, I bring over two decades of hands-on experience in digital forensics, cybersecurity, and legal tech strategy. Book a time that works for you, and let’s have a confidential conversation about how I can support your case, your business, or your agency.