

Season 2, Episode 20: Legal Design (with Marty Finestone)
In this riveting episode of Notes to my (Legal) Self, we delve into the innovative world of legal design with Marty Finestone, a seasoned professional who is not just a lawyer but also an artist, DJ, and legal designer. With a rich background spanning over 15 years in private practice, in-house roles, and government, Marty now leads Legal Adjacency, his boutique consultancy. This episode explores how legal professionals can transcend traditional boundaries and become stellar advisors through creative thinking and legal design.
Marty discusses the evolving role of in-house counsel, emphasizing that the true value they bring to an organization lies not just in legal expertise but in how creatively and effectively they solve business problems with legal dimensions. By viewing legal challenges through the lens of legal design—an approach that prioritizes the internal client's needs, interests, and constraints—Marty illustrates how legal professionals can enhance their advisory role and influence within their organizations.
Listeners will gain insights into legal design principles and learn practical strategies for applying creativity to legal operations and documentation. Marty shares compelling examples from his career, where legal solutions tailored to clients' specific communication styles and business objectives led to more successful outcomes. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in elevating their role from a traditional legal advisor to a pivotal business strategist.
By the end of this episode, you will learn:
- How to adopt a legal design mindset to enhance problem-solving capabilities.
- Ways to integrate creativity into legal practices to support and advance business objectives.
- Strategies for transforming the role of in-house counsel to become a more effective advisor and business partner.
Tune in to discover how to break free from conventional legal constraints and bring innovative solutions to complex business challenges.