Headed to CLOC? So are E.J. Bastien and David Cowen and this episode is your field guide.

Before you start speed-walking the ARIA hallways and hunting for coffee and co-pilots, listen in. E.J. Bastien has spent two decades at Microsoft reimagining what in-house eDiscovery and litigation support can be. He’s leading teams, building AI agents, and solving tomorrow’s problems with tools that most legal teams haven’t even touched yet.

In this pre-CLOC masterclass, we dig into:

• How Microsoft is using GenAI to streamline review, code documents, and surface case-critical facts before a human ever sees them
• What it really means to build a bespoke agent trained on your legal team’s workflows not ChatGPT, but your playbook
• Why perfectionists are out, and “learn-it-alls” are in and how that mindset shift is the secret to surviving (and thriving) in 2025.

You’ll also hear what it takes to lead with confidence, experiment without fear, and stay grounded in the face of constant change.

It's Vegas. It's CLOC. It’s time to stop chasing answers and start trading playbooks.

🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Share this episode and take your career from now to next!

💡To learn more about the future of legal innovation, visit https://cowengroup.com/

Never eat alone!

Guest: Kevin Cohn, Chief Customer Officer, Brightflag
Host: David Cowen, President, The Cowen Group

🎙 This episode of Careers in the Business of Law (CBL) is a masterclass in motion.

Pre-live from the frontlines of CLOC, Kevin Cohn—Chief Customer Officer at Brightflag—joins David Cowen for a candid, strategic breakdown of how legal ops careers are being redefined in real time.

It’s not just theory. Kevin unpacks the real ROI of relationship-driven events, the anatomy of modern go-to-market strategy, and the emergence of legal ops as a strategic powerhouse inside the legal department.

🔑 Six Big Ideas from the Conversation

1. Community-first is the new go-to-market.
Bright Flag doesn’t lead with features—they lead with helping. Their playbook is about solving legal ops problems, not pitching products.

2. Events like CLOC drive Origination, Advancement, and Nurturing.
Think beyond booth traffic. Kevin outlines how events create momentum across the business development lifecycle—and why deep trust matters most.

3. Legal ops roles are moving up the strategy stack.
Titles like Chief Legal Data Officer and Legal Chief Strategy Officer mark a shift from execution to foresight. Legal ops is no longer the backstage crew—it’s co-authoring the future.

4. The champion persona is your north star.
Champions are the change agents inside legal departments. They may not control the budget, but they drive the decision.

5. First-time CLOC attendee? Come with a plan.
Ask questions. Introduce yourself. Set daily KPIs for connection. And before the rooftop parties blur your memory, write those names down.

6. Legal ops is leading the AI era.
While GCs are pulled into geopolitical and enterprise-wide risk, legal ops is best positioned to own digitization, AI integration, and operational change.

Viva Las Vegas. Let’s move from now to next.

Ever wonder how to build a career worthy of a Lifetime Achievement Award? My latest guest, Jay Leib, has done exactly that—and he's here to share how.

From his early days in software sales at RTI, to leadership roles at EY, Relativity, NextLP, and now Reveal, Jay has built his career through radical curiosity, relentless networking, and entrepreneurial grit.

We cover Jay’s jungle gym-like career moves, why curiosity and communication matter more than certifications, and the hacks that helped him create lasting connections—from LinkedIn coffee meetings to mentorship lessons from VC icon Troy Henikoff.

🎧 Tune in for:

• Jay's entrepreneurial story of "cash in, cash out" (and how he learned to handle cash flow stress).
• How answering "rows and columns" in a job interview changed his life.
• Career-defining lessons from EY and Relativity, including the power of focus and punctuality.
• Networking pro tips (and how he credits career success to LinkedIn outreach).
• Jay’s weekend curiosity hacks: AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini) and lifelong learning.

🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Share this episode and take your career from now to next!

💡To learn more about the future of legal innovation, visit https://cowengroup.com/

Legal teams aren’t just tracking data—they’re driving business decisions with it. Today, I sit down with Dave Bernstein, Executive Director, Analytics at Wells Fargo, to unpack the rise of Legal Data Intelligence (LDI) and why it’s changing everything.

Dave shares his unconventional path from 18 years in shipping to legal analytics, how he built a data-driven legal department alongside leaders like Kim Wolf, Edward L., and Tim Davenport, and why AI tools like Microsoft Copilot are set to revolutionize legal work.

💡 One Big Idea: The best legal ops teams don’t just analyze what happened—they predict what’s next.

🎯 What You’ll Learn in this episode:
✅ How Wells Fargo built a high-impact legal data intelligence team
✅ The must-have skills for legal ops professionals (from meta-skills research by Julia Hasenzahl & Brian Meegan at ProSearch)
✅ Why AI won’t replace legal teams—but will replace the ones who don’t adapt (Microsoft Copilot is a game-changer)
✅ The truth about talent transformation—who thrives, who doesn’t, and why (Farrah Pepper & Adam Rouse are leading the way)
✅ The future of legal ops roles (Chief Legal Data Intelligence Officers are on the rise)

📚 Books Mentioned
📖 Be Data Analytical – Jordan Morrow
📖 Be Data Literate – Jordan Morrow

🚀 What’s Next? Meet Dave in Person
Join Dave Bernstein at SOLID Atlanta (Nov 4, 2025) alongside Kim Wolf, Farrah Pepper, and other legal ops leaders as they shape the future of LDI.

🔗 Register for SOLID Atlanta → https://solid.legal/solid-atlanta-2025/

🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Share this episode and take your career from now to next!

💡To learn more about the future of legal innovation, visit https://cowengroup.com/

Legal work isn’t just about managing data—it’s about unlocking intelligence. AI, eDiscovery, and Legal Data Intelligence (LDI) are transforming how firms analyze, predict, and strategize. Are you keeping up?

In this episode, Robert Keeling (Partner, Redgrave LLP) joins David Cowen to unpack how AI, legal data intelligence, and next-gen eDiscovery are transforming the legal industry.

🔹 From Paper to AI: How legal data moved from printed emails to Slack, chat, and AI-powered discovery.
🔹 The AI-Powered Law Firm: Will firms create AI associates like Goldman Sachs?
🔹 Legal Work in 2025: AI isn’t replacing lawyers—it’s changing who does what and how.
🔹 The AI Dividend: How AI is helping legal teams work smarter, reduce stress, and focus on strategy.
🔹 Order to Chaos: How Legal Data Intelligence (LDI) is bringing structure to the AI revolution.

🔔 Tap play now to future-proof your legal career—or risk falling behind.

💡To learn more about the future of legal innovation, visit https://cowengroup.com/

📢 The legal industry is at a tipping point. Are you ready? In this episode, David Cowen sits down with Ted Theodoropoulos, Founder & CEO of InfoDash, to unpack the biggest shifts redefining law firms, legal tech, and knowledge management.

From AI-powered legal services to the VC-style approach to tech investment, this conversation is packed with insights that will help you future-proof your career and your firm.

🔥 What You’ll Learn:
✅ The AI Wake-Up Call: How AI is pushing law firms to rethink innovation, risk, and business models
✅ Beyond Billable Hours: Why firms are shifting from revenue growth to margin expansion and efficiency
✅ The VC Playbook for Law Firms: How firms like Paul Hastings, Sullivan & Cromwell, and Seyfarth Shaw are investing in legal tech startups
✅ KM as a Profit Center: How Ogletree Deakins turned knowledge management into a seven-figure revenue stream
✅ Who’s Leading the Charge? Why firms like Wilson Sonsini (Neuron) and Cooley (Cooley Go) are redefining how legal services are delivered
✅ Career Acceleration: Why lifelong learning, adaptability, and intellectual horsepower are now table stakes

🎯 Who Should Listen?

• KM, Legal Ops, eDiscovery & AI Leaders looking to stay ahead of the curve
• Lawyers & Legal Professionals navigating tech disruption
• Legal Tech Founders & Entrepreneurs building the next big thing
• Anyone interested in how law firms are evolving in the AI era

🔗  Legal Innovation & KM Leaders Mentioned:
🔹 Joe Green (Chief Innovation Officer, Gunderson Dettmer)
🔹 Esther Bowers (KM & Innovation Expert)
🔹 Ed Macnamara (Chief Innovation Officer, ArentFox Schiff)
🔹 Wendy Curtis (Chief Innovation Officer, Orrick)
🔹 Lorie Almon (Chair and Managing Partner, Seyfarth Shaw)

📚 Books Mentioned:
📖 Legal Upheaval by Michele Destefano
📖 The Leader Upheaval Handbook by Michele Destefano
📖 Innovation in Law Firms: Implementing Successful Projects by Stuart Whittle & Catriona Wolfenden

📅 Join the Conversation:
🔥 The Cowen Café – Weekly roundtables on AI, legal careers & innovation
🎤 Legal Week NYC – Meet David & Ted in person at the industry’s biggest event

🎧 Subscribe, Rate & Share!
If this episode sparked new ideas, subscribe, review, and share with your network.

📍 Apple Podcasts | Spotify 

And remember: Never eat alone. 🚀

#LegalTech #KM #Innovation #FutureOfLaw #AI #LegalOperations #LawFirmLeadership

In this episode, David Cowen sits down with Nicole Giantonio, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Epiq, to explore how cutting-edge AI technology, bold investments, and strategic talent development are revolutionizing the legal industry. From Epiq’s game-changing AI Labs to Nicole’s private equity perspective on innovation, this conversation is a masterclass for anyone navigating the evolving world of legal services.

If you’re ready to future-proof your career and understand the forces shaping the next decade of law, this episode is your roadmap.

What’s Inside?

The Talent Shift: Nicole shares how AI is reshaping roles, creating higher-level opportunities, and why training with AI tools is non-negotiable for today’s professionals.

Boardroom Trends: Why Fortune 500 companies and Global 1000 law firms are making massive investments in legal tech—even without a clear ROI.

The Iceberg Effect: Nicole’s analogy explains the hidden creativity and acceleration beneath the surface of the legal industry—and why it’s gaining momentum.

Future of Legal Ops: Get a sneak peek into emerging trends like legal data intelligence, the role of agentic AI models, and how Epic is positioning itself for long-term innovation.

🎧 Love what you heard? Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to Careers in the Business of Law on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your shows. Let’s take your career from now to next. And remember—never eat alone.

Episode Description:
In this episode, David Cowen speaks with Bobby Malhotra, Partner at Winston & Strawn and a founding member of Legal Data Intelligence (LDI). Together, they explore how AI, eDiscovery, and data governance are reshaping the legal industry. Bobby also highlights the power of mentorship, the evolution of legal data intelligence, and the lessons he’s learned from his own career journey. If you’re navigating the future of law, this conversation is a must-listen.

What’s Inside?

• eDiscovery’s Next Chapter: Bobby dives into how the field has evolved from email production to a sophisticated practice that influences case outcomes and strategies.
• The Role of AI in Legal Data: Discover how conversational AI is eliminating friction, accelerating time to insights, and revolutionizing how legal teams manage data.
• Legal Data Intelligence (LDI): Learn about the founding and mission of LDI, a professional network designed to tackle the most complex data challenges across disputes, transactions, and compliance.
• Mentorship and Leadership: Bobby shares how mentorship transformed his career and why building relationships with mentors and mentees is critical to success in the legal profession.
• Going Above and Beyond: Bobby recommends Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara as a blueprint for creating extraordinary client experiences.

Key Mentions:

• Books: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
• Influencers: Kathleen McDowell, John Rosenthal, and Scott Cohen
• Organizations: Legal Data Intelligence (LDI), and  Winston & Strawn

Takeaways

• Leverage AI Tools: Start using conversational AI like ChatGPT to interrogate your data and uncover insights faster.
• Mentorship Matters: Find mentors who align with your goals and reciprocate by sharing your own expertise.
• Join Professional Networks: Get involved with groups like LDI to connect with industry leaders and stay ahead of emerging trends.

🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Share this episode and take your career from now to next!

In this episode, David Cowen dives into the transformative role of Legal Data Intelligence (LDI) with industry leaders Julia Hasenzahl, Jeremiah Weasenforth, and Ashley Christakis. They discuss how meta-skills like strategic thinking and adaptability are reshaping legal operations and explore how experiential knowledge is driving predictive insights across the legal ecosystem.

Key Topics:

• Meta-Skills Matter: Why adaptability, curiosity, and problem-spotting are essential for thriving in LDI.
• Expanding Roles: How LDI professionals are integrating e-discovery, governance, privacy, and risk management.
• Building Talent: The importance of fostering a culture of radical thinking to attract top talent in a competitive market.
• Better vs. Different: The dual need to improve current processes while rethinking how legal data is used to create predictive strategies.

Meet the Guests:

• Julia Hasenzahl : Co-founder and CEO of ProSearch, a leader in applying data intelligence to legal operations and e-discovery.
• Jeremiah Weasenforth: Legal Analytics Director at Edward Jones, pioneering data-driven approaches to legal strategy.
• Ashley Christakis: Senior Manager eDiscovery and Legal Operations at CrowdStrike, innovating the intersection of e-discovery and operational excellence.

Subscribe and Share:
Catch every episode of Careers in the Business of Law on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen.
Take your career from now to next. Never eat alone.

In this episode, David Cowen chats with Kevin Cohn, Chief Customer Officer at Brightflag, about how next-gen technology and AI are reshaping legal operations, the war for talent, and the evolving role of legal professionals. If you’re navigating the future of law, this conversation is your roadmap.

What’s Inside?

• Brightflag’s Impact: Learn how Brightflag uses AI to transform legal billing and matter management for clients like Spotify and SAP, enabling legal teams to shift from admin to strategy.
• Tech & Talent Arms Race: Why GCs are hiring legal ops pros first and how AI is disrupting lower-level work while increasing demand for top talent.
• OKRs in Action: Kevin shares insights from Measure What Matters by John Doerr and how OKRs drive long-term innovation at Brightflag.
• Future-Proofing Your Career: Why training with AI tools like ChatGPT is critical to stay competitive in 2025 and beyond.

Key Mentions -

• Books: Measure What Matters by John Doerr
• Influencers: Tomasz Tunguz, Dave Kellogg, Daniel Young (Shark Ninja), Eva Bogucki (Cargill).
• Podcasts: Brightflag’s legal ops podcast hosted by Alex Kelly.

Takeaways -

• Train with AI: Spend an hour a day with tools like ChatGPT or Gemini to stay ahead.
• Build Your Network: Surround yourself with thinkers and tech leaders to sharpen your career edge.
• Think Long-Term: Apply OKRs to stretch your goals and align them with future trends.

Quotes -

• "If you’re not training with AI, you’re falling behind." – Kevin Cohn
• "Your career is a jungle gym, not a ladder—never eat alone and think out loud with others." – David Cowen

🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Share this episode and take your career from now to next!

Join us as we sit down with Zach Posner, founder of The Legal Tech Fund (TLTF) and the visionary behind the TLTF Summit, to unpack the unprecedented surge of innovation, talent, and investment reshaping the legal industry. From the rise of generative AI to law firms embracing venture capital mindsets, Zach offers insider insights into where legal tech is headed and why now is the time to lean in.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The $1 Billion Day in Legal Tech: How a single day in 2024 redefined the investment landscape.
• Generative AI’s Legal Impact: The explosion of generative AI startups and what it means for law firms and legal operations.
• Legal Tech’s Talent Revolution: Why top talent from Google, Facebook, and Netflix is flocking to legal tech startups.
• The Pyramid of Legal Tech Growth: Breaking down the lifecycle of startups—from early-stage experiments to scalable success.
• Law Firms as VCs: How firms are experimenting with technology and funding innovation to future-proof their practices.
• Retention Through Innovation: Why firms investing in cutting-edge tech are winning the war for talent.

Key Highlights:

• (1:08) ChatGPT’s historic debut and its role in igniting a generative AI gold rush.
• (3:28) The 239% growth in generative AI startups in just eight months—what’s driving this explosive trend.
• (12:13) Why law firms with innovation funds are attracting and retaining top talent.
• (14:17) The Rubik’s Cube analogy: How law firms are experimenting with tech to find the perfect fit.
• (15:03) The importance of focusing tech adoption in high-impact practice areas for maximum ROI.

Connect with Zach Posner:
LinkedIn: Zach Posner

Subscribe and Share:
Don’t miss an episode—find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform. If you’re ready to take your career from now to next, remember: never eat alone.

Join us as we sit down with Paula Reichenberg, founder of NEUR.ON, a groundbreaking legal tech startup addressing multilingual challenges in the legal industry. Paula shares her entrepreneurial journey, from managing her family’s wine business at 16 to stepping onto the TLTF startup stage, and her mission to take NEUR.ON global.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• From Law to Leadership: How Paula’s legal career inspired her to become a founder and solve real-world problems.
• The Power of Pivoting: How a client’s request for translations revealed a massive market opportunity.
• Building NEUR.ON: The story behind the name and how clever branding plays a pivotal role in startup success.
• The Multilingual Legal Challenge: Insights into the critical role of language in global legal operations.
• What’s Next for NEUR.ON: Plans to expand to the US and UK, with a bold vision for growth over the next 12 months.

Connect with Paula Reichenberg:

• LinkedIn: Paula Reichenberg
• NEUR.ON

Subscribe and Share: Don’t miss an episode—find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.

Take your career from now to next. Never eat alone.

What happens when a GC thinks like a CEO, rolls up his sleeves like a contractor, and leads like a startup founder? You get Mark Smolik, Chief Legal Officer of DHL Supply Chain, and a masterclass in legal leadership you can’t afford to miss.

This episode is a front-row seat to how Mark turned blue-collar grit, data discipline, and a sharp eye for ROI into a legal department that runs like a high-performance business unit. We unpack:

• His $37,000-a-claim insight that reshaped risk management.
• A bold AI deployment that eliminates human review in M&A due diligence.
• And the why behind DHL’s Legal Innovation Summit, June 3–4 in Columbus, where his full team will share the playbook.

If you’re wondering how to go from ideas to impact or how to just start, this is the episode. One of the best conversations we’ve had.

🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Share this episode and take your career from now to next!

💡To learn more about the future of legal innovation, visit https://cowengroup.com/

Never eat alone!

 

In this episode, Brian Liu, co-founder of LegalZoom and founder of Overture Law, shares his journey of building not one, but two game-changing legal tech companies. After a wildly successful exit from LegalZoom, Brian dives back into the entrepreneurial world with Overture Law, a platform transforming how attorneys refer clients and share fees—ethically and efficiently.

Key Topics:

• LegalZoom’s Legacy and Lessons:
  • Founding LegalZoom in 1999 and leading it to public success in 2021.
  • Reflections on the challenges of building a legal tech pioneer.
• The Spark Behind Overture Law:
  • Identifying a gap in attorney referrals for non-contingency cases.
  • Creating a platform where attorneys can ethically refer clients and share fees, leveraging innovative technology to streamline connections.
• How Overture Works:
  • Combining LinkedIn, Yelp, and Match.com for attorney referrals.
  • Utilizing generative AI to enhance profiles and aggregating ratings for transparency.
• Building a Second Startup:
  • Recruiting co-founders and developing a minimum viable product (MVP) in four months.
  • Growing the network to over 5,000 attorneys, adding hundreds weekly.

Resources Mentioned:

• Explore Overture Law: Overture.law
• LinkedIn: Brian Liu

Memorable Quote:

"Don’t tackle everything at once. Find one small niche, one customer need, and attack it. You’ll be surprised how big it can become." – Brian Liu

If you’re a founder or legal tech innovator, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice.

Subscribe and share on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your shows.

Take your career from now to next. Never eat alone.

In this episode, Crispin Passmore, a leading voice in legal innovation, unpacks the transformative potential of Alternative Business Structures (ABS), famously pioneered in Arizona. With a rich background as a regulator and policy expert in England and Wales, Crispin brings a unique perspective on how changes in ownership rules are reshaping the legal market globally.

Key Topics:

• What is the Arizona Model? How Arizona has opened the door for non-lawyers to own and invest in law firms, following a decade of success in England and Wales.
• Impact on the Legal Market: The ripple effects of ABS on legal innovation, client choices, and competition, from individual consumers to global corporations.
• The Economics of Change: Why external capital creates opportunities for long-term growth and innovation that traditional partnership models can’t sustain.
• The Role of Regulation: How regulators can balance modernization with oversight and why failing to adapt will result in market-driven change.

Resources Mentioned:

• LinkedIn: Crispin Passmore
• Book Mentioned: Another Country by James Baldwin

Memorable Quote:

"If you free up markets, they grow. Liberalization helps meet the needs of 100% of legal consumers, not just 20%." – Crispin Passmore

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

Take your career from now to next. Never eat alone.

In this episode, we sit down with Ned Gannon, the visionary founder of Coheso and previously eBrevia, to unpack his 14-year journey in the evolving legal tech landscape. As a second-time founder with a proven track record, Ned shares unique insights into the challenges and opportunities of building AI-driven solutions for the legal industry. From scaling eBrevia to its successful exit, to the launch of Coheso, Ned is a seasoned voice in how innovation is reshaping law.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• A Tale of Two Startups: Explore the early days of eBrevia (2011–2012) and how the legal tech landscape has matured since then, creating a more dynamic, fast-paced environment for founders today.
• The Origin of Coheso: Learn how Ned and his co-founders, AI engineers from Carnegie Mellon, are bridging the gap between business and legal teams with a cutting-edge platform designed to manage legal requests, automate routine processes, and prioritize work.
• Market Maturity and Acceleration: Ned reflects on how funding, buyer sophistication, and talent pools in legal tech have quadrupled over the past decade, leading to faster innovation cycles.
• Insights for Founders:
  - The importance of talent spotting and talent slotting in building a successful team.
  - The role of iteration and client feedback in scaling products quickly.
  - Lessons from managing risk capital and limiting dilution to set startups on a trajectory for success.
• Ned’s Day-to-Day: What life as a legal tech founder looks like, from onboarding large clients to iterating on features in response to customer needs.

Connect with Ned and Coheso:

• Website: Coheso
• LinkedIn: Ned Gannon

For Founders, By Founders:
If you’re an entrepreneur in legal tech or just curious about the space, this episode provides a masterclass on building and scaling AI-driven solutions in an increasingly dynamic market.

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your shows. Let’s take your career from now to next.

Never eat alone.

In this episode, we shine a spotlight on Katon Luaces, one of the youngest founders at TLTF 2024. At just 25 years old, Katon took the Startup Stage by storm, presenting his company PointOne to a packed room of investors, customers, and industry leaders. PointOne is revolutionizing the legal industry with its cutting-edge automated time-tracking solution for attorneys, helping them focus on practicing law, not tracking hours.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Startup Stage Reflections: Katon shares what it’s like to pitch in front of 200+ stakeholders at TLTF and offers advice for future founders.
• PointOne’s Origin Story: Discover how Katon’s co-founder, an ex-corporate attorney frustrated with time tracking, inspired the creation of PointOne.
• Magic of Automation: Learn how PointOne uses generative AI and large language models to seamlessly track lawyers’ work in six-minute increments—no interruptions or manual input required.
• From Google Intern to Founder: Hear about Katon’s journey, starting with a gritty self-taught coding effort that led to a freshman-year internship at Google.
• Insights on Building a Team: With co-founders Jeremy Ben-Meir and Adrian Parlow, PointOne is bridging the gap between tech and law, solving real problems with innovative solutions.

Why Listen?
Katon’s story is a testament to grit, adaptability, and innovation. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, a legal professional, or just curious about how the next generation is solving age-old industry challenges, this episode is for you.

Connect with Katon and PointOne:
Website: PointOne
LinkedIn: Katon Luaces

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your shows. Let’s take your career from now to next.

Never eat alone.

In this episode, we sit down with Nathan Walter, CEO and co-founder of BriefPoint, live TLTF. Nathan’s unique story combines the passion of a founder, the skills of a technologist, and the determination to solve one of litigation’s most pressing challenges: the inefficiency and cost of document preparation. Whether you’re a legal professional or an aspiring entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with insights and inspiration.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• The Origin of BriefPoint: Learn how Nathan’s frustration as a litigator led to creating a tool that automates discovery responses and requests, saving attorneys countless hours and leveling the playing field in litigation.
• Legal Aid Impact: Hear how organizations like the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles are using BriefPoint to enhance efficiency and focus on impactful legal work.
• Founders’ Journey: Nathan shares how he met his co-founder, Chris Maffin, while playing online video games and how they’ve built a nimble, high-performing team of four that’s solving real-world problems.
• Inspiration and Resources: Nathan’s top book recommendations for founders include:
  • High Output Management by Andrew Grove
  • Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore
  • Comedy Writing Secrets by Mark Shatz

Why Listen?

Nathan’s passion for innovation and his unique perspective as both a litigator and tech entrepreneur make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in legal technology, entrepreneurship, or the intersection of tech and law.

Connect with Nathan:

• Website: BriefPoint
• LinkedIn: Nathan Walter

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe. Let’s take your career from now to next.

Never eat alone.

In this episode, we’re joined by Carla Swansburg, CEO of ClearyX, live from TLTF. Carla’s incredible journey spans 20+ years in law firms, corporate leadership, and operations innovation at Epic, culminating in her role as CEO of ClearyX—a bold initiative to reimagine how law firms innovate and serve clients.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• ClearyX’s Mission: Learn how ClearyX is leveraging its independence from Cleary Gottlieb to disrupt traditional law firm models, building bespoke solutions that put client needs first.
• Disrupting from Within: Inspired by Clayton Christensen’s Innovator’s Dilemma, Carla explains how ClearyX is addressing inefficiencies, embracing technology, and challenging the status quo in the legal industry.
• The Talent Advantage: Why a fresh, modern approach to work—fully remote teams, geographical freedom, and flexible roles—is key to attracting top talent in a competitive market.
• Building Better Solutions: Carla’s vision for combining technology, consulting, and operational services into tailored solutions that serve clients more effectively than ever.

Why Listen?
Carla’s candid insights will resonate with legal professionals, innovators, and anyone interested in how traditional industries are adapting to 21st-century challenges. Her approach to leadership, talent, and innovation offers actionable inspiration for rethinking the business of law.

Enjoyed this episode? Share it, subscribe, and leave us a review! Join the conversation as we explore what’s next for legal tech and innovation.

Never eat alone. Let’s take this journey from now to next!

In this episode, we’re joined by Casey Tierney, investor and leader at TLTF, live from Key Biscayne, Florida. Casey is the driving force behind TLTF’s startup and scale showcases, helping connect funders and founders to accelerate legal tech innovation. From her start as a bank teller in South Carolina to evaluating groundbreaking startups, Casey’s journey is a testament to grit, curiosity, and vision.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Valuing Innovation: Casey shares how her early career in valuation shaped her perspective on the art and science of assessing companies—and how that translates to today’s legal tech startups.
• Behind the Startup Showcase: Hundreds of applications, 22 startups selected—Casey breaks down how TLTF curates its startup and scale stages to highlight the best of the best.
• What Investors Look For: Passion, grit, and product-market fit. Learn what Casey and her team prioritize when evaluating early-stage companies in the legal tech ecosystem.
• The Role of Generative AI: How platforms like ChatGPT and Gemini are reshaping the way investors and startups operate—and why adoption, not just technology, will define the future of legal innovation.
• A Career in Investing: Casey gives a behind-the-scenes look at her day-to-day, from back-to-back founder meetings to leveraging AI for smarter, faster decision-making.
• Book Talk: Casey’s resolution to read only books older than 50 years has led her to rediscover classics like 1984 and Gone with the Wind—and it might just inspire your next reading list.

Why Listen?
This episode is packed with insights for anyone interested in legal tech, startup ecosystems, or breaking into a career in venture investing. Casey’s practical advice and big-picture vision make this a must-listen for innovators and dreamers alike.

Enjoyed this conversation? Share it, subscribe, and leave us a review! Let’s connect the dots from now to next.

Never eat alone. Let’s build the future of legal tech together.

In this episode, we sit down with Roxanne Petraeus, CEO and co-founder of Ethena, live from TLTF. With a background spanning the U.S. Army, Harvard, and McKinsey, Roxanne brings a unique perspective to reimagining compliance as more than just a checkbox—she’s building a culture-driven revolution.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• From Army to Ethena: How Roxanne’s military experience shaped her understanding of leadership, culture, and ethics—and how that translates into compliance done right.
• Reinventing Compliance: Why traditional compliance training doesn’t work and how Ethena is transforming it into a culture-building tool that drives real behavior change.
• Innovation in Action: Roxanne shares how Ethena works with companies like Figma, Notion, and Pinterest, while also scaling solutions for massive banks and telecoms.
• Lessons for Founders: From raising $50M in funding to navigating the emotional rollercoaster of startup life, Roxanne offers insights for entrepreneurs on building and scaling a business.
• What’s Next for Compliance: AI ethics, whistleblower hotlines, and a proactive approach to the ever-evolving regulatory landscape.

Why Listen?
Roxanne’s grit and clarity will inspire you to think differently about compliance, leadership, and what it takes to build something transformative in a legacy industry. Plus, check out Grit by Angela Duckworth for more on the power of perseverance and passion.

Love this episode? Share it, subscribe, and leave us a review! Find out how to connect with Roxanne on LinkedIn and learn more about Ethena’s mission to reshape compliance for the modern age.

Listen now! Never eat alone. Let’s take this journey from now to next.

Join us live from TLTF, as we sit down with Catherine Kemnitz, Chief Strategy and Development Officer at Axiom, for a no-holds-barred discussion on the future of legal tech, talent, and innovation.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Gen AI’s Impact: Catherine unpacks why generative AI is the “wrecking ball” disrupting legal tech—and why there’s no turning back.
• Evolving Talent Expectations: Discover why the next generation of lawyers demand innovation and why firms stuck in the past risk irrelevance.
• Lessons in Change: Catherine shares wisdom from decades at the forefront of legal tech and explains how embracing risk (and letting go of fear) is the key to thriving in this new era.

Why Listen?
This episode will leave you rethinking the legal industry’s future and your role in shaping it. Catherine’s insights are sharp, inspiring, and packed with practical takeaways for funders, founders, and future-focused professionals.

Love what you heard? Subscribe, share, and leave us a review! Let’s push the boundaries of what’s possible—together.

Listen now!

🔗 Episode Highlights: In this episode, David Cowen sits down with Jon Bartman, Co-Founder of The Law Tech Consultancy. Jon shares his journey as a global connector for legal tech innovators, offering sharp insights into the latest industry trends ahead of the TLTF Summit (Dec. 4-6 in Miami).   💡 What You’ll Learn:

• "Turning Acorns into Unicorns": How Jon helps legal tech startups refine strategies, connect with buyers, and scale globally.
• The Pace of Legal Innovation: Why the last 24 months have been transformative for legal tech, and how startups are outpacing adoption rates in law firms.
• TLTF Startup Showcase: Behind the scenes with Jon as a judge, evaluating innovative, market-ready legal tech solutions.
• Leadership and Vision: How talent shifts and strategic investments signal the rise of new contenders like Kirkland & Ellis in the innovation landscape.

  🎶 Closing Vibe: As a lifelong music enthusiast, Jon dives into his love for Steely Dan, R&B, and Tyler, the Creator. He reflects on how pushing boundaries in music parallels innovation in legal tech.   Special Mentions:

• Jon Bartman
• Zach Posner 
• Rebecca Engel
• TLTF Summit
• Esther Bowers 
• Kirkland & Ellis 

  🚀 Don’t Miss Out: Subscribe to Careers in the Business of Law for exclusive insights from legal innovators like Jon Bartman. Catch Jon and David at the TLTF Summit in Miami, Dec. 4-6. Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform!

We’re not in Kansas anymore. We’re in the Jetsons Era.

Legal Data Intelligence isn’t just tech, it’s talent, timing, and the ability to see around corners.

In this episode, I sat down with Stacy Lettie, Chief of Staff to the General Counsel at Organon, and we went from Disney to data to dogs with AI collars. Yes, really.

We talked:

• Why the future of legal starts with foundations (Small World → Tron)
• What makes a great Chief of Staff
• When imposter syndrome disappears (spoiler: when you earn it)
• And the moment we decided—live, in-person—to build AI agents at Microsoft this July

🧠 Stacy brings the brains and heart. She’s a walking masterclass in Legal Ops > Strategy > LDI leadership.

Shoutout to the OGs of LDI—John Koss, Omar Haroun, Adam Rouse, Bobby Malhotra, Scott Milner, Farrah Pepper, Geoffrey Vance, and Julia Hasenzahl.

And to Jim Collins for the rocket fuel: If someone offers you a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask which seat, just get on.

🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Share this episode and take your career from now to next!

💡To learn more about the future of legal innovation, visit https://cowengroup.com/

Never eat alone!

 

🔗 Episode Highlights:

In this episode, David Cowen sits down with Wendy Chow, General Counsel at Cityblock Health, who shares her journey from the Visiting Nurse Service of New York to leading legal strategy at a fast-growing, mission-driven startup. As a TLTF Advisory Board member, Wendy offers a fresh perspective on legal operations, innovation, and leadership ahead of the upcoming TLTF Summit (Dec. 4-6 in Miami).   💡 What You’ll Learn:

• Generative AI in Legal: How Wendy leverages Gen AI to boost efficiency, team engagement, and operational outcomes.
• TLTF Experience: Wendy’s path from first-time attendee to advocate, championing more in-house counsel at this “curated, engaging, and fun” conference.
• Leadership Lessons: Why hiring a LegalOps expert first transformed her approach to building efficient, business-oriented legal teams.
• Cityblock’s Mission: How the company innovates healthcare for Medicaid and dual-eligible populations through a unique venture-backed model.

  🎶 Closing Vibe: With Fleetwood Mac’s timeless tunes in the background, Wendy shares her love for thoughtful legal tech solutions and gives a special shout-out to Kathy of Streamline AI for her game-changing product design.   Special Mentions:

• Wendy Chow - Cityblock Health
• Zach Posner 
• Rebecca Engel
• Kathy M. Zhu
• TLTF Summit

  🚀 Don’t Miss Out: Subscribe to Careers in the Business of Law for exclusive insights into the future of legal innovation. Catch Wendy and David at the TLTF Summit in Miami, Dec. 4-6. Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform!

🔗 Episode Highlights:
In this episode, David Cowen chats with Dr. Hemma Lomax, a compliance trailblazer whose journey spans the US SEC, Disney, Snap, Zendesk, and now COMPAAS 360. As an advisor for the upcoming TLTF Summit (Dec. 4-6 in Miami), Dr. Lomax shares her bold vision for transforming compliance and legal tech.💡 

 

What You’ll Learn:

1. Innovation in Compliance: Why Dr. Lomax believes compliance should feel like Waze—guiding employees and customers with ease, not friction.
2. Inside TLTF: The "casino of innovation" connecting funders, founders, and customers to co-create groundbreaking legal tech solutions.
3. Personal Mission: How a Ph.D. in human rights law inspired her to operationalize integrity in corporate governance.

🎶 Closing Vibe:
With Otis Redding’s “Mr. Pitiful” playing us out, Dr. Lomax reminds us that embracing criticism and unmet needs fuels entrepreneurial breakthroughs.

🚀 Don’t Miss Out:
Subscribe to Careers in the Business of Law for exclusive insights into the future of law and join the conversation at the TLTF Summit. Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform!

🔥 Episode Highlights: In this inspiring and deeply insightful episode, David Cowen sits down with Kelly Friedman—Chief Legal Data Intelligence Officer and Senior Counsel at Heuristica Discovery Counsel LLP and a pioneer in the legal tech space. Kelly is breaking new ground, leading the charge in Legal Data Intelligence (LDI) and making waves across the industry. With her passion for music, an impressive playlist of 2,500 songs, and her dedication to changing how we think about data in law, she’s a trailblazer you won’t want to miss.   Key Moments:

• [0:34] Meet Kelly, a founding member of Legal Data Intelligence (LDI) and a big believer in the future of legal tech.
• [1:10] Kelly’s journey from commercial litigator to e-discovery business leader and now Chief LDI Officer.
• [3:10] The rise of the "Legal Data Intelligence Officer" title and how it's reshaping the industry.
• [6:00] Why legal decisions today demand more than just a “left-to-right” approach – understanding data in 3D.
• [19:46] LDI’s Architects Program—connecting LDI experts and innovators to collaborate on evolving models.

🎶 Music Meets Law Kelly’s theme song, "I Can Do It with a Broken Heart" by Taylor Swift, fuels her drive. As she says, this song embodies resilience—a value she brings to every challenge in her career.   🌍 Why Listen? If you’re looking to stay on the cutting edge of legal tech or want to know what it’s like to lead in the high-stakes world of data intelligence, this episode is a must-hear! Kelly’s journey and her perspective on data-driven decision-making offer invaluable insights, especially if you're a litigator, in-house counsel, or legal tech enthusiast.   💬 Be Part of the Conversation: Connect with like-minded professionals, explore career advancement tips, and hear from those leading the future of law. Don’t miss out—subscribe and never miss an episode of Careers in the Business of Law!   🎙 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform to stay tuned for more career-transforming conversations!

🎙️ Discover New Horizons in Legal Data Intelligence! Join David Cowen as he speaks with Brad Kolacinski from Control Risks in this enlightening episode. Brad shares how his expertise in e-discovery has expanded into broader legal, compliance, and even crisis management roles, leveraging data intelligence to solve new and complex challenges in today’s business environment.

🔥 Episode Highlights:

• LDI Beyond E-discovery: Brad explains how Legal Data Intelligence is “so much more than e-discovery,” applying its tools and processes to areas like cyber, compliance, and threat intelligence monitoring.
• Proactive Compliance & Threat Monitoring: Learn about Control Risks' proactive approach to threat monitoring, using AI, social media scraping, and data analytics to identify risks and prevent workplace violence.
• Creative Solutions for Global Challenges: Brad shares examples of how LDI is used creatively in real-world cases, from compliance monitoring to environmental litigation, using both traditional and external data sources.

🚀 Special Mentions:

• Brad Kolacinski - LinkedIn
• Relativity
• Ohana Fest

🎧 Tune in Now! This episode is packed with insights for anyone looking to expand their career in legal tech and data intelligence. Learn how Brad and his team are using innovative tools like AI and data analytics to provide proactive solutions for clients. Plus, discover Brad's passion for Pearl Jam as we close with his favorite band!

🎙️ Discover the Power of Legal Data Intelligence! Join David Cowen as he sits down with Alison Grounds, Partner & Managing Director of Troutman Pepper eMerge, for a deep dive into the evolving world of legal data intelligence. From curating the e-discovery process to shaping the future of data governance, Alison shares insights on how this space is transforming and creating new opportunities for legal professionals.

🔥 Episode Highlights:

• Curious & Evangelizing LDI: Alison talks about her journey into Legal Data Intelligence, noting how she’s both "curious and an evangelist" for this growing field, driven by the need to manage legal information intelligently.
• Sun and ROT Explained: Alison unpacks the concept of "sun and rot" — where sun represents valuable, actionable data, and ROT refers to redundant, obsolete, and trivial information that clogs the system.
• Proactive Legal Strategies: With a focus on proactive client strategies, Alison discusses how 70% of her current work is spent on forward-thinking data governance and litigation readiness, a shift from reactive e-discovery.

🚀 Special Mentions:

• Listen to Alison Grounds previous podcast with David Cowen - Click here
• Briordy Meyers - to know more about him listen his podcast here
• Scott Milner - to know more about him listen his podcast here
• Bill Potter - LinkedIn

🎧 Tune in Now! Whether you’re new to legal data intelligence or a seasoned professional, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Learn how data is driving new methodologies, creating proactive legal strategies, and offering fresh career opportunities. Plus, get Alison’s playlist recommendation featuring Leon Bridges!

🎙️ Unlock the Future of Legal Tech! Join David Cowen as he talks with Marla Crawford, General Counsel at Cimplifi, in this dynamic episode of "Legal Data Intelligence Series." Dive into Marla's journey from Jones Day to Goldman Sachs, where she stood up their eDiscovery group, to her current work at Cimplifi. Marla shares invaluable insights on how data intelligence is transforming the legal industry and shaping new career paths.

🔥 Episode Highlights:

• Building eDiscovery from Scratch: Marla reflects on her early days at Goldman Sachs, where she had “a lot of freedom” to create their eDiscovery program and how it shaped her career.
• Legal Data Intelligence’s Impact: Today, Marla is driving innovations in data intelligence, sharing that “the power of data is limitless” and opening up exciting opportunities in the legal field.
• Corporate Legal’s New Role: Marla explains how corporate legal departments are evolving, becoming more than just a “cost center” and instead, key players in driving business value through technology.

🚀 Special Mentions:

• Marla Crawford, Cimplifi
• Goldman Sachs
• Jones Day

🎧 Tune in Now! Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to the field, this episode is packed with fascinating stories and actionable insights into how legal data intelligence is changing the way legal departments operate. You won't want to miss Marla’s expert take on the intersection of law, data, and technology.

 

🎙️ Explore the Evolution of Legal Tech! Join David Cowen as he sits down with Daniel Gold, a legal tech pioneer currently leading at BDO, in this insightful episode of "Legal Data Intelligence Series." Dive into Daniel’s journey from law school to becoming a key player in the e-discovery space, and learn how community and innovation drive the industry forward.

🔥 Episode Highlights:

• From Law Firm to Legal Tech Leader: Daniel recounts his early days in a small law firm, where he transitioned from traditional legal practices to embracing e-discovery and legal technology.
• Building a Community in Legal Tech: Discover how Daniel views LDI (Legal Data Intelligence) as more than just a model—it's a thriving community that fosters collaboration and innovation.
• The Role of Generative AI: Daniel shares insights on the growing demand for AI expertise, emphasizing the importance of prompt engineering and its impact on the legal field.

🚀 Special Mentions:

• Daniel Gold - LinkedIn Profile
• BDO - BDO USA
• George Socha - LinkedIn Profile
• Andrew Seija - LinkedIn Profile
• Nick Robertson - LinkedIn Profile
• Adi Elliot - LinkedIn Profile
• Major Baisden - LinkedIn Profile
• Chris Haley - LinkedIn Profile

🎧 Don’t Miss Out! This episode is filled with valuable insights, fascinating personal stories, and an in-depth look at the evolution of legal technology. Whether you're an industry veteran or just curious about the future of legal tech, Daniel's expertise and experience will leave you both informed and inspired.

Tune in now and discover how legal tech is shaping the future of law!

 

In this episode of "Careers in the Business of Law," part of the LDI Legal Data Intelligence Series, host David Cowen sits down with Scott Milner, Laura Kibbe, and Adam Rouse for a deep dive into the concept of Legal Data Intelligence (LDI). Recorded live from the ILTA conference in Nashville, this episode offers an engaging recap of their session on stage, discussing how LDI is transforming the legal industry.

🔥 Episode Highlights:

• Introduction to Legal Data Intelligence: Laura Kibbe kicks off the conversation by introducing the LDI model and framework, explaining how many legal professionals have unknowingly been practicing LDI for years. The team discusses the eye-opening moment for many attendees when they realized the value and breadth of the LDI community.

• The LDI Framework: Adam Rouse breaks down the LDI template, focusing on the "Initiate, Investigate, Implement" process. He shares insights on how this framework provides a blueprint for legal professionals, eliminating the need to start from scratch on new projects.

• Technology’s Dual Role: Scott Milner discusses how technology is both a challenge and a solution in managing the volume, variety, and velocity of data. He emphasizes how leveraging technology is crucial for legal professionals to keep pace with the accelerating demands of the industry.

• Shifting Legal Roles: The conversation highlights how the role of in-house legal departments is evolving from being a cost center to a strategic partner. Legal professionals are now expected to provide business insights and add value beyond traditional legal advice.

• Diversity in the LDI Community: The panel reflects on the diverse audience at ILTA, from young professionals to seasoned experts, all eager to leverage LDI in their careers. The discussion emphasizes the importance of fostering a community that supports career mobility and skill development.

🚀 Special Mentions:

• Scott Milner - LinkedIn
• Laura Kibbe - LinkedIn
• Adam Rouse - LinkedIn
• Legal Data Intelligence - Website
• ILTA (International Legal Technology Association) - Website

🎧 Tune In Now!

Whether you're new to LDI or a seasoned professional, this episode is packed with actionable insights and expert advice on how Legal Data Intelligence is reshaping the legal landscape. Join the conversation and learn how you can leverage LDI to accelerate your career and add value to your organization.

🎙️ Step into the World of Relationships with Us! Join David Cowen for a heartfelt conversation with Bruce Kasanoff, an accomplished entrepreneur, executive coach, and ghostwriter, on this episode of "Careers in the Business of Law." Discover how the power of relationships and the art of networking can transform both personal and professional lives.

🔥 Episode Highlights:

• From Networking to Relationships: Bruce shares his insights on evolving from a transactional approach to building meaningful relationships.
• A Unique Career Path: Learn how Bruce's diverse background, including his MBA from Wharton and his role as a ghostwriter, has shaped his understanding of relationships in business. 
• Living Your Biggest Possible Life: Bruce talks about the importance of living expansively and being mindful of your connections.

🚀 Special Mentions:

• Bruce Kasanoff - LinkedIn
• Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania - Website
• Marshall Goldsmith - Website
• Joe Bonamassa - Website
• Albert Hall - Website

🎧 Don't Miss Out! This episode is packed with actionable insights, personal stories, and a deep dive into the value of relationships in the legal industry. Whether you're a legal professional or just curious about the power of connections, Bruce's journey and expertise will leave you inspired and informed.

Tune in now and join the conversation on how relationships can elevate your career and personal life!

🎙️ Step into the World of Global Legal Leadership with Us! Join David Cowen for an insightful conversation with Anastasia Shkarina, General Counsel of Unilever in Europe. In this episode of "Careers in the Business of Law," we explore Anastasia's impressive journey, from her childhood aspirations to leading legal operations for a Fortune 100 company.

 

🔥 Episode Highlights:

• From Aspirations to Achievements: Anastasia shares her childhood dreams and the path that led her to become the General Counsel at Unilever. 
• Navigating the Olympics: Learn about Anastasia's role as the Legal Director for the Sochi Olympics, where she thrived in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment. 
• Innovating at Unilever: Anastasia discusses the importance of creativity and resilience in her current role, and how she builds and leads a high-performing legal team. 

 

🚀 Mentions:

• Anastasia Shkarina - LinkedIn
• Unilever - Website

 

🎧 Don't Miss Out! This episode is packed with actionable insights, personal stories, and a deep dive into the evolving role of legal professionals in global companies. Whether you're a legal professional or just curious about the intersection of law and business, Anastasia's journey and expertise will leave you inspired and informed.

 

Tune in now and join the conversation on how legal leadership is transforming in the modern world!

 

This one hits different.

David Cowen sits down with legal operations leader Carl Morrison (Otsuka Pharmaceuticals) for a sharp, high-energy conversation on how legal teams are turning data into strategy, and why now is the moment to clean house, ditch the ROT (redundant, obsolete, trivial), and drive real value.

Yes, we open with Lady Gaga, because transformation has a rhythm.
But what follows is a masterclass in Legal Data Intelligence (LDI) and the future of legal operations.

In this episode:

• Why your data is a goldmine, but only if you mine it right
• How AI is changing early case assessment and risk visibility
• What LDI really means, and why it’s not just about cost control anymore
• How legal ops teams are becoming strategic drivers, not just back-office fixers

Carl also shares what it means to move from dirty data to strategic sun, and how to build a cleaner, smarter, faster-functioning legal department in the age of AI and collaboration.

Whether you’re in legal ops, litigation, InfoGov, or leading a law department, this is your blueprint for going from now to next!

🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Don't forget to share this episode with your peers and colleagues.

💡To learn more about the future of legal innovation, visit https://cowengroup.com/

Never eat alone!

🎙️ Dive into the Future of Legal Tech with Us! Join David Cowen for an engaging conversation with Adam Rouse, the Senior Counsel and Director of eDiscovery Operations at Walgreens. In this episode of "Careers in the Business of Law: Legal Data Intelligence," we explore Adam's dynamic career journey and his groundbreaking contributions to the Legal Data Intelligence (LDI) project.   🔥 Episode Highlights:

• Evolving Roles in Law: David and Adam delve into how traditional roles in the legal field are transforming due to technological advancements and data intelligence. They discuss emerging roles such as Legal Chief Operating Officer, Legal Data Intelligence Officer, and Legal Chief of Staff.
• Careers in Legal Data Intelligence: The conversation highlights the growing field of legal data intelligence and its impact on career opportunities. They talk about the skills required for these roles, including data analysis, strategic thinking, and a deep understanding of legal processes. Adam shares insights on how professionals can transition into these new roles and the potential career paths available.
•  Impact of Technology on Careers: The conversation touches on how technology is not only changing job roles but also the overall career trajectory for legal professionals. They discuss how automation and artificial intelligence are handling routine tasks, allowing lawyers to focus on more strategic and high-value work. This shift is creating new career opportunities and reshaping the legal job market.

  🚀 Founders of LDI Mentioned by David::

• Adam Rouse - LinkedIn
• Jeremiah Weasenforth - LinkedIn
• Jeff Salling - LinkedIn
• Farrah Pepper - LinkedIn
• Scott Milner - LinkedIn
• Josh Kreamer - LinkedIn
• Julia Hasenzahl - LinkedIn
• Omar Haroun - LinkedIn
• Zach Posner: LinkedIn

  🎧 Don't Miss Out! This episode is packed with actionable insights, personal stories, and a deep dive into the evolving world of legal tech. Whether you're a legal professional or just curious about the future of law, Adam's journey and expertise will leave you inspired and informed.   Tune in now and join the revolution in Legal Data Intelligence!

🎙️ Step into the future of law with us! Join David Cowen for a captivating conversation with Jeremiah Weasenforth, the innovative Legal Analytics Director at Edward Jones. This episode of "Careers in the Business of Law: Legal Data Intelligence" promises to be a thrilling exploration of how data is reshaping legal strategies.

 

🔥Episode Highlights:

• Revolutionizing Legal Practices: Discover how Jeremiah is pushing the boundaries of traditional law with groundbreaking data-driven insights. As he puts it, "It's taking a step further beyond the traditional practice of law."
• A Unique Career Path: From spearheading AI projects at Orrick to leading legal analytics at Edward Jones, Jeremiah shares his exciting journey, underscoring the crucial role of process and innovation.
• Behind the Scenes: Get personal with Jeremiah as he talks about balancing a high-powered career with raising four kids, and dive into his eclectic taste in music that includes everything from classical to rock.

 

🚀 Special Mentions:

• Legal Data Intelligence
• David Cowen - LinkedIn
• Jeremiah Weasenforth - LinkedIn
• Edward Jones - Edward Jones
• Orrick - Orrick
• Red Hot Chili Peppers - Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Wendy Curtis - LinkedIn
• Brian Meagan - LinkedIn

 

🎧 Don't miss out! This episode is packed with actionable insights, personal stories, and a deep dive into the evolving world of legal tech. Whether you're a legal professional or just curious about the future of law, Jeremiah's journey and expertise will leave you inspired and informed.

 

Tune in now and join the revolution in Legal Data Intelligence! 

 

In this career and technology episode, David Cowen and Briordy Meyers explore the transition from the traditional EDRM model, designed for document management, to a new paradigm suited for today's data-driven world. They discuss how the vast variety, velocity, and volume of data are driving the need to consider diverse data sources and types, which in turn generates numerous new career pathways and opportunities.   Briordy Meyers dives deep into the transformative impact of emerging technologies and evolving business models on careers and the demand for talent.   Finally, Briordy discusses the Legal Data Intelligence (LDI) project, a flagship initiative that exemplifies how new workflows and values are transforming the legal industry. The LDI project focuses on harnessing the power of data to drive efficiency and innovation in legal practices. By leveraging advanced data analytics and machine learning, the project aims to streamline legal processes, improve decision-making, and create new value for clients. This case study highlights the real-world application of data-driven strategies and the critical role of new career pathways in supporting these innovations.   And if you're a Top Gun fan, you'll love David and Briordy's analogy to Top Gun's Maverick, Rooster, Hangman, and Phoenix.   Join us for this compelling conversation and discover the new career opportunities emerging in our data-centric world.

 

In this riveting episode of Careers in the Business of Law, we sit down with Ilona Logvinova, the trailblazing Director of Practice Innovation at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP. Ilona shares her journey and reveals how she’s driving cutting-edge changes in legal practice. This episode is packed with insights that will captivate anyone interested in the future of law and innovation.

Episode Highlights:

• Journey to Innovation: Ilona recounts her unique path to becoming a leader in practice innovation, sharing pivotal moments that shaped her career. "It’s about pushing boundaries and reimagining what’s possible in legal practice."
• Transforming Legal Services: Discover how Ilona is leveraging technology and innovative strategies to revolutionize legal services at Cleary Gottlieb. "We’re not just adapting to change; we’re creating it."
• Future of Legal Practice: Get a sneak peek into the future of law as Ilona discusses emerging trends and the skills that will be essential for the next generation of legal professionals.

Mentions:

• Ilona Logvinova - LinkedIn
• Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
• McKinsey & Company
• Pierre Gentin - LinkedIn
• Elizabeth Brennan - LinkedIn
• Counting Crows

In episode 08 of Careers and The Business of Law: Legal Data Intelligence Series, Omar Haroun chats with David Cowen about his diverse career, starting at top-tier law firms like Wilson Sonsini and Orrick, and leading into his philanthropic work with Indego Africa. They dive into how Omar's passion for "doing well by doing good" shaped his career, spotlighting the power of legal data intelligence to boost both personal and organizational growth. Omar stresses that the next wave of legal pros needs to be adaptable, ethically driven, and savvy about leveraging data's potential to spark real change.   Key Highlights:

• Omar shares about his multicultural family background, with immigrant parents from Pakistan and Europe, and how their values of hard work and patriotism profoundly influenced him. 
• Omar discusses his transition to Indego Africa, a social enterprise helping Rwandan women. He was inspired by the concept of 'doing well by doing good,' a revelation that came from his interactions with the organization's founders and his personal experiences in Rwanda.
• Drawing on the philosophical teachings of Aristotle, Omar articulates his vision for a fulfilling life through achieving potential and ethical living. He links these ideals to his work at LDI, aiming to empower individuals and organizations to harness the full power of legal data.

Mentions:

• Legal Data Intelligence official site: LegalDataIntelligence.org
• Indego Africa: Indego Africa
• Wilson Sonsini: Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
• Orrick: Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
• Song: Castles in the sand by Jimmy Hendrix

 

In episode 7 of Careers and The Business of Law: Legal Data Intelligence Series, John Koss from Mintz shares his multifaceted career trajectory with David Cowen. They delve into John's transition from Spanish and journalism studies to pursuing a law degree and later an MBA. Throughout the conversation, they discuss the integration of eData consulting, legal operations, and the significant role of eDiscovery in modern legal practices. John also outlines the indispensable skills for future legal data intelligence professionals: adaptability in the face of technological change, strategic thinking, and a proactive approach to professional growth. Key Highlights:

• John delves into his diverse educational background, sharing his journey from studying Spanish and journalism to pursuing law and finally an MBA. His drive for continuous learning is evident as he describes the influence of his academic mother and his athletic background at Northwestern.
• John recounts his initial move to Boston for law school, humorously noting his misjudgments about the city's size compared to Chicago, yet expressing his fondness and decision to make it his home.
• David and John discuss the transformation of legal practices over the decades, highlighting the shift from traditional methods to more efficient and technologically integrated approaches, stressing the need for innovation in the field.

Mentions:

• Mintz's official website: Mintz
• Northwestern University's official site: Northwestern
• Boston University School of Law: Boston University Law
• Suffolk University Law School: Suffolk Law
• Song: Stand Back by Stevie Nicks
• Legal Data Intelligence official site: LegalDataIntelligence.org 

 

Welcome to "Careers in the Business of Law" with David Cowen. Today’s guest is Zach Posner, a dynamic force in the legal tech world. Zach's journey from promoting legal tech startups to organizing impactful summits is nothing short of inspiring. Tune in to hear about his latest ventures, insights on the evolving legal tech landscape, and a special musical mention that might surprise you.

Key Highlights:

• Zach discusses the rapid advancements in AI, particularly the impact of LLMs (large language models) on both startups and incumbents in the legal tech industry.
• Zach explains how the idea for the TLTF Summit came from recognizing their unique position and wanting to accelerate the entire community by bringing key players together.
• Zach highlights the increased sophistication and maturity of new legal tech startups, noting a significant rise in interesting companies from programs like Y Combinator.

Mentions:

1. Zach Posner: LinkedIn
2. The Legal Tech Fund (TLTF): Website
3. The Legal Tech Fund (TLTF): LinkedIn
4. Greg Mazares: LinkedIn
5. Andrew Sieje: LinkedIn
6. Bruce Springsteen: Website
7. Y Combinator: Website

In this episode of Careers in the Business of Law: Legal Data Intelligence Series, David Cowen hosts Laura Kibbe, Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Global Head of Litigation, Legal Operations, and Chief of Staff to the GC at Unisys. Laura shares her transformative journey from traditional litigation at Texaco to pioneering eDiscovery at Pfizer, providing invaluable insights into the evolution of the legal industry and the impact of new technologies.

Key Highlights:

• The Accidental Pioneer: Laura recounts her unplanned yet transformative transition from traditional litigation to eDiscovery at Pfizer. She describes learning on the job with early computer systems and handling vast amounts of data.
• The Relativity Revolution: Laura discusses the launch of Relativity by Andrew Sieja and its revolutionary impact on the legal industry, transforming document management and data handling processes.
• Beyond Litigation: Laura explores the shift from traditional litigation to addressing diverse data sources and new legal challenges, emphasizing the need for a multifaceted approach to privacy, security, and governance issues.
• Embracing Vulnerability and Creativity: Laura talks about the importance of creativity and vulnerability in her career, sharing how admitting what she doesn't know and learning from experts has been key to her success.

Mentions:

1. Jack Welch: LinkedIn
2. Andrew Sieja: LinkedIn
3. Texaco: Texaco
4. Kay Scholer: Kay Scholer
5. Unisys: Unisys
6. George Socha: LinkedIn
7. Tom Barnett: LinkedIn
8. Monica Bay: LinkedIn
9. Sanjay Batra: LinkedIn
10. Outro Song: Livin’On A Prayer

In this episode of Careers in the Business of Law, David Cowen chats with Alison Grounds, Managing Partner at Troutman Pepper eMerge in Atlanta. Alison shares her journey from a summer associate to a leading innovator in legal technology and e-discovery.   Key Highlights:

• Alison Grounds faced a pivotal moment as a 5th-year associate when a critical review questioned her focus on e-discovery. Motivated by this feedback, she researched and connected with pioneers like Ronni Solomon and Tess Blair, ultimately deciding to specialize in e-discovery.
• Alison compares the early days of e-discovery to today's advancements in generative AI. She highlights the ongoing need for creativity and willingness to step out of comfort zones, pointing out, "We're still solving problems, just with different tools."
• To tackle the challenges of generative AI, Alison formed a diverse task force at Troutman Pepper. This group included general counsel, data security, IP, and labor and employment lawyers, showcasing the importance of inclusive discussions for technological adoption.

Mentions:

• Alison Grounds: LinkedIn
• Troutman Pepper eMerge 
• David Cowen: LinkedIn
• Ronnie Solomon: LinkedIn
• Tess Blair: LinkedIn
• Paul Weiner: LinkedIn
• Julia Louis-Dreyfus's Wiser Than Me: Wiser Than Me

In episode 05 of Careers and the Business of Law: Legal Data Intelligence Series, Chris Acosta talks with David about his journey from managing eDiscovery at law firms like Naasiman and Ogletree to leading Legal Data Intelligence at MoFo. He shares about the rapidly changing landscape post-COVID, the birth of LDI as a framework to tackle "redundant, obsolete, and trivial data (ROT)," and how his mentors shaped his leadership style. Chris highlights the importance of strategic business partnerships, the merging of privacy, compliance, and security in data management, and the three superpowers every legal data intelligence pro should have: adaptability, collaboration, and a strategic mindset.

Highlights:

• Chris Acosta discusses the evolving field of Legal Data Intelligence, pointing out the integration of privacy, security, and compliance into data management.
• He explains how the Legal Data Intelligence (LDI) framework was developed to manage "redundant, obsolete, and trivial" (ROT) data, enhancing strategic business partnerships.
• Chris balances his professional life with personal interests like jujitsu and enjoys Phoenix's "If I Ever Feel Better," highlighting his educational background and passion for continuous learning.

Mentions:

• MoFo (Morrison & Foerster LLP): mofo.com
• Ogletree Deakins: ogletree.com
• Phoenix (Band): wearephoenix.com
• Villanova University: villanova.edu
• Johns Hopkins University: jhu.edu
• UC Irvine: uci.edu
• University of Illinois: illinois.edu
• Entourage (TV Show): IMDb Page
• Outro Song: If I Ever Feel Better

“Life is a carnival—and legal ops is leading the parade.”

What happens when strategy, storytelling, and AI collide in the hands of a legal operations leader? You get this high-energy, insight-rich episode with Elizabeth Lugones, VP of Professional Services at Mitratech, a legal tech pro who’s been writing and speaking about workforce automation since before it was cool.

What You’ll Hear:

• Why change management is really just executive storytelling
• How Sarah Sawvell at Honeywell, along with Mitratech and Morae, is crushing implementation through collaboration
• The shift from “cut costs” to “see around corners” in legal value
• How Liz and David use AI agents like ChatGPT + Gemini to create time dividends in real life
• Shoutouts to innovators like Stephanie Corey, Stacey Lettie, Anna Richards, Brittany Leonard, and more

If you’re leading transformation or trying to ride the wave, it’s time to rethink what legal value really means. Elizabeth brings the clarity. David brings the energy. And the future of legal just might be more human than ever.

🎧 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. Share this episode and take your career from now to next!

💡To learn more about the future of legal innovation, visit https://cowengroup.com/

Never eat alone!

 

In this episode of Careers in the Business of Law, David Cowen sits down with Ashley Miller, Vice President of Sales at Litera. Ashley shares her fascinating journey from growing up as a "P&G brat" in Cincinnati to traveling the globe and eventually leading sales at one of the most innovative companies in legal tech. She delves into her career, the evolution of Litera, and the qualities she looks for in top talent. Ashley's story is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of diverse experiences.   Key Highlights:

• Ashley grew up traveling due to her father's role at Procter & Gamble, living in Japan from ages 11 to 16. This global exposure cultivated her independence and curiosity, foundational traits in her career.
• Starting at Dell, Ashley moved through roles at LexisNexis, Kraft Kennedy, and Thomson Reuters before joining Pangea 3, where she focused on ALSP and e-discovery services. At Litera, she drives innovation in legal tech, focusing on efficiency and strategic impact for clients.
• Litera's growth and innovation include developing Gen AI tools like Foundation Dragon, which drastically reduces time on tasks such as analyzing corporate transactions. Ashley highlights the importance of being entrepreneurial-minded and a builder for success at Litera.

Mentions:

1. Ashley Miller: LinkedIn
2. Litera - Litera
3. Procter & Gamble - P&G
4. Farrah Pepper - LinkedIn
5. Blippi (children’s entertainer) - Blippi
6. Blondie - Blondie
7. Pat Benatar - Pat Benatar
8. The Pretenders - The Pretenders
9. Joan Jett - Joan Jett
10. Heart of Glass By Blondie

 

Farrah Pepper is the Chief Legal Innovation Counsel (CLIC) at Marsh McLennan, where she makes things…click. Farrah founded and leads the company’s Legal Innovation & Technology (LIT) team, which includes the LIT innovation lab and the legal data discovery program. Farrah has a long history of building and leading in-house and law firm teams to solve business challenges, create enterprise value and reduce risk. Previously, Farrah was GE’s global discovery counsel, where she served as the large, diverse conglomerate’s first dedicated legal expert on discovery strategy and policy. Farrah created and led the GE Discovery Center of Excellence and reinvented GE’s approach to global discovery and data management to drive dramatic savings, efficiencies and risk reduction. Prior to joining GE, Farrah was a litigator in the New York office of Gibson Dunn, where she was a founder and leader of the firm’s global electronic discovery practice group. Recent accolades for Farrah include being named a Thought Leader by Corporate Counsel (Women, Influence & Power), a Women of Legal Tech inductee by the ABA’s LTRC (Legal Technology Research Center), a member of the Legal 500 GC Powerlist (US), and a fellow in the College of Law Practice Management. Farrah is a lifelong New Yorker and double-NYU grad: NYU College of Arts & Science (B.A., summa cum laude) and NYU School of Law (J.D.).

 

In episode 24 of Careers in the Business of Law: Legal Tech Innovators Series, David Cowen chats with Farrah Pepper about her dynamic career journey from Gibson Dunn to GE and Marsh McLennan. Farrah shares her insights on negotiating for the roles you truly want, the evolution of legal innovation, and the importance of being a "Swiss Army knife" in the corporate world. She also delves into the collaborative spirit of the LDI community and the emerging roles in the legal industry, highlighting the need for creativity, empathy, and a forward-thinking mindset. Farrah's engaging storytelling and vibrant personality make this episode a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of law and technology. (00:08) - Meet Farrah Pepper. David Cowen introduces Farrah Pepper as a dynamo, smart, kind, and humorous. Farrah responds with gratitude, joking about having David as her hype man. (01:59) - Farrah's Journey. David highlights Farrah's impressive career, noting her roles at Gibson Dunn, GE, and Marsh McLennan. Farrah shares insights on how careers and companies have evolved, pointing out the importance of conversations over negotiations. (03:21) - The Innovation Pitch. Farrah recounts how she pitched an innovation-based role at Marsh McLennan, moving beyond her previous e-discovery role at GE. She highlights the value of being a "Swiss Army knife" in solving corporate problems. (07:19) - Riding the Waves Together. Farrah uses a surfing metaphor to describe the collaborative nature of the LDI community, highlighting the shared vision and collective effort of its members to ride the waves of change in the legal industry. (12:14) - Legal Data Intelligence Origin Story. Farrah discusses the community-driven nature of LDI and gives props to Omar from Relativity for galvanizing the project. She points out LDI's focus on broad community involvement and its resources, including job descriptions and use cases. (16:20) - Emerging Roles in Legal. David and Farrah discuss new and evolving roles in the legal industry, such as legal chief of staff, legal chief operating officer, and legal data intelligence officer. Farrah shares her excitement about these opportunities and the creative potential they hold. (22:19) - Farrah's Musical Inspiration. Farrah reveals that her house is filled with Taylor Swift and Broadway music, sharing how Taylor Swift's "I Can See You With a Broken Heart" resonates with her and other legal professionals.

 

Mentions:

1. Farrah Pepper: LinkedIn

2. Gibson Dunn: Website

3. GE: Website

4. Marsh McLennan: Website

5. Relativity: Website

6. LDI (Legal Data Intelligence): Website

7. Laura Kibbe: LinkedIn

8. Nirav Shah from Home Depot: LinkedIn

9. Adam Rouse: LinkedIn

10. Jeff Salling: LinkedIn

11. CLOC (Corporate Legal Operations Consortium): Website

12. ILTA (International Legal Technology Association): Website

13. Solid Atlanta: Website

Outro Song: I Can See You With a Broken Heart

Jerry Levine is the Chief Evangelist and Co-General Counsel at ContractPodAi. Jerry serves as an advisor to customers and the internal client voice, helping to guide global client success and shape overall product vision. As a former global general counsel and Corporate Secretary at Amelia (IPsoft) - and a ContractPodAi customer, himself - he successfully implemented ContractPodAi within IPsoft’s legal department. Jerry also held leadership and consulting positions at both publicly and privately held companies, including Axiom and LexisNexis. He also founded a start-up focused law firm. As a leader in legal design thinking, he has been committed to helping legal professionals become “awesome lawyers” and strategic organizational leads - to drive results and increase market share for businesses. Jerry holds a B.S. in Marketing and Japanese from the University of Maryland, and a J.D. with Honors from Rutgers Law School. He is currently based in New York City.

In episode 002 of Careers in the Business of Law: Legal Tech Innovators Series, Jerry Levine chats with David Cowen about his journey from computer science major to Japanese and marketing student, to crisis PR, and eventually becoming Chief Evangelist and Co-General Counsel at ContractPodAi. Jerry discusses the transformative role of automation in legal processes, the emergence of new roles like prompt engineers, and the importance of continuous learning. He also highlights how legal teams can become strategic business partners and the vital skills needed for the future of legal tech.

(0:09) Meet Jerry Levine: David Cowen introduces Jerry Levine, Chief Evangelist and Co-General Counsel of ContractPodAi, exploring why Jerry and his company are making waves in the legal tech world. David shares his curiosity about ContractPodAi's rise in popularity.

(1:39) What's Happening with Contracts? Jerry explains the "inflection point" in the legal industry, highlighting a shift towards automation and efficiency. He describes himself as an "elder millennial" and discusses how legal teams are now becoming integral parts of business strategy.

(4:53) The Importance of Contracts: Jerry discusses the central role contracts play in driving business operations and how tools like ContractPodAi help extract valuable insights from them. He points out the need for legal teams to work closely with other departments to leverage contract data effectively.

(8:10) Outsourcing and Efficiency: David and Jerry discuss how outsourcing contract management to Alternative Legal Service Providers (ALSPs) can create efficiencies. Jerry stresses that the goal is not to reduce headcount but to optimize existing resources and create new roles.

(10:34) Emerging Roles and Skills: Jerry talks about the transformation of traditional roles in the legal industry due to technological advancements. He mentions the emergence of new roles like prompt engineers and the importance of continuous learning to stay relevant.

(16:35) Jerry's Career Journey: Jerry shares his unconventional career path, from starting as a computer science major to becoming a Japanese and marketing major, leading to his interest in crisis PR and eventually law. He reflects on how these experiences shaped his career.

(20:44) Musical Tastes and Outro: Jerry reveals his love for Postmodern Jukebox, a band that reimagines modern songs in vintage styles. He shares his enjoyment of singing along and invites David to join him at upcoming events.

Mentions:

1. ContractPodAi: ContractPod Ai

2. Jeremy Irons: Jeremy Irons on IMDb 

3. Lehman Brothers: Lehman Brothers on Wikipedia

4. CLM (Contract Lifecycle Management): Contract Lifecycle Management on Wikipedia

5. Temple University Law Japan: Temple University, Japan Campus

6. Postmodern Jukebox: Postmodern Jukebox Official Website

7. Outro song

 

Josh Kreamer is the Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel at Fileread, leveraging his extensive experience in e-discovery, legal operations, and information governance. Previously leading legal services at AstraZeneca, Josh co-founded Legal Data Intelligence (LDI) and is recognized for his strategic insights and passion for empowering legal professionals. His journey in legal tech includes significant roles at CPA Global, DiscoverReady, and Steptoe & Johnson. A Harvard Law School graduate, he has carved a niche in legal strategy and tech innovation, blending practical expertise with visionary leadership. Josh's commitment to advancing the legal field is evident in his collaborative approach and drive to unlock new potential for organizations. Known for his insightful commentary, he brings a fresh perspective to the evolving landscape of legal tech.

In episode 003 of Careers in the Business of Law: Legal Data Intelligence Series, Josh Kreamer talks with David about his journey from aspiring writer to Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel at Fileread. He shares insights on transitioning from legal services at AstraZeneca to shaping the evolving landscape of legal data intelligence. Josh discusses the emerging role of Chief Knowledge Management Officer, the power of finding value in legal data, and how "putting value first" will empower the next generation of legal tech professionals.

(01:17) LDI: Legal Data Intelligence. Josh describes Legal Data Intelligence (LDI) as a framework for understanding the work of legal data professionals. He points out the broad capabilities of e-discovery professionals, explaining how LDI builds a shared vocabulary within core businesses.

(02:28) The Shift to Capabilities. Josh discusses the evolution from function to capability, where companies are focusing more on maximizing employee potential. He notes that e-discovery professionals are now adapting to various platforms and expanding their roles. "We're fast learners, we want to adapt to change, and our capabilities are a lot more broad than the current set of labels might suggest."

(04:50) From Documents to Insights and Stories. Josh shares how the legal industry's focus has shifted from documents to data, insights, and stories. "The evolution that I've seen has been from documents to information to answers and stories." The emphasis now is on uncovering strategic insights to guide decision-making and strategy.

(10:44) From Iowa to Harvard: Josh's Journey. Josh recounts his journey from Iowa to Harvard Law School and his initial intimidation at Harvard. Despite his apprehensions, he realized he could keep pace with his classmates. "I found that I was able to keep pace with them, get ahead of some. I wasn't the smartest guy there, but certainly wasn't the dumbest."

(17:57) The AstraZeneca Jungle Gym. Josh explains his climb within AstraZeneca, starting from legal IT to building the company's e-discovery program. He turned the e-discovery program into a shared services organization that supports multiple business areas, leveraging legal data intelligence.

(23:04) Joining FileRead: The Entrepreneurial Jump. Josh reveals how he joined Fileread after a guest lecture at Columbia. He shares his excitement about shaping the company’s core value proposition. "They needed a core value proposition, the one sentence you can use when you step into an elevator, that'll make the other person say, 'I want to hear more about that.'"

(27:08) Favorite Song: Postal Service - 'Against All Odds'. Josh shares his favorite band, Postal Service, and their cover of the Genesis song "Against All Odds." He describes how the band recorded their album by sending tracks through the mail. "They never recorded in the same room together... That album was my favorite album."

Mentions:

• Josh Kreamer
• FileRead
• AstraZeneca
• Relativity
• Postal Service
• Genesis