The Geek In Review

Ryan McClead and Kate Boyd of Sente Advisors share their journey in legal tech, from starting at law firms to launching their own company. They discuss the challenges and benefits of being partners in both work and life, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries and supporting each other.

In this conversation, Kelly Griswold, CEO of Onna, highlights the critical role of data management in legal tech innovation. With a focus on internal collaboration apps, Kelly discusses how Onna empowers enterprises by transforming unstructured data into actionable insights. She delves into the challenges of data access and the importance of building a robust data foundation. The dialogue also covers the surge in private equity in the legal tech field and the future of technology in legal workflows, emphasizing automation and natural language processing.

High school sweethearts turned legal tech power couple, Michael and Jill Bommarito of 273 Ventures, discuss the benefits and challenges of working together. They share insights on developing Large Language Models ethically, managing work-life boundaries, and the reactions they receive from others on their unique partnership.

Dan Lear, VP of Partnerships at InfoTrack, shares his expertise on the evolving legal tech scene from LegalWeek 2024. He discusses the shifting focus from eDiscovery to a variety of technologies, reflecting a surge in innovation. The conversation pivots to the transformative role of AI in law, emphasizing its integration into workflows rather than as a replacement for professionals. Lear also highlights InfoTrack's support for small to medium-sized firms, showcasing how cloud-based solutions can streamline litigation and enhance efficiency.

Nikki Shaver and Chris Ford, the dynamic couple behind Legal Technology Hub, share their inspiring journey of love and innovation. They discuss the frustration that led to creating a centralized platform for legal tech solutions during the pandemic. Balancing their careers and family life, they highlight the importance of collaboration in both personal and professional realms. The couple also dives into global attitudes towards AI in legal tech, showcasing the U.S. as a frontrunner in adoption, fueled by trust in local technology.

The podcast discusses the one-year anniversary of CoCounsel, a generative AI legal research tool, with insights from Pablo Arredondo. They talk about the challenges and successes of implementing AI in legal research, the rapid pivot to GPT-4 technology, and the broader implications of generative AI for the legal industry.

A married couple, Ab and Priti Saraswat, both work in the legal tech industry but in different roles. They met while training to be barristers and later ended up at the same company. They handle disagreements professionally through discussion and debate, setting expectations for work-life balance. Their unique dynamic of being a tech-savvy couple in the industry garners attention and support from others.

Joshua Lenon, Clio's Lawyer in Residence, dives into the latest insights from Clio's Legal Trends Report, revealing productivity gains and revenue growth among law firms. He highlights the unique challenges faced by mid-sized firms in managing workloads and leveraging technology efficiently. The conversation touches on the transformative role of financial technology in enhancing operational efficiency and introduces Clio Duo, an AI tool designed to streamline legal practices. Lenon also discusses the future of legal documentation and a nostalgic nod to Clippy's potential comeback.

In the latest episode of "The Geek in Review," Marlene Gebauer hosts a fascinating conversation with Sonja Ebron and Debra Slone, the dynamic couple behind Courtroom5, a pioneering startup in the Justice Tech space aimed at empowering pro se litigants. As part of the "Love & Legal Tech" series we discuss the personal and professional relationship that propels Courtroom5 forward, providing valuable insights into the intersection of love, partnership, and innovation in the legal tech industry. Courtroom5 stands out in the Justice Tech sector by offering a unique platform designed to educate, encourage, and empower individuals representing themselves in court. Sonja, as CEO, orchestrates a broad range of responsibilities, from technical leadership to marketing efforts, while Debra, wielding her expertise as a PhD Librarian and CTO, focuses on managing the extensive content that forms the backbone of Courtroom5's service. Their combined efforts have earned Courtroom5 recognition and awards, underscoring the impact of their work on providing accessible legal support to those without formal legal representation. The story of how Sonja and Debra met over a game of spades in Durham, North Carolina, adds a personal touch to their professional narrative, highlighting the serendipitous beginnings of their relationship and eventual collaboration. This personal bond, fortified by shared experiences and a mutual understanding of being "screwed over in court," has been instrumental in shaping the vision and mission of Courtroom5. Their complementary skills – Sonja's technical acumen and Debra's information management prowess – enable them to tackle the challenges of running a startup while fostering a shared passion for justice and empowerment. Working together, however, is not without its challenges. Sonja and Debra candidly discuss the continuous effort required to balance their professional and personal lives, emphasizing the necessity of intentional scheduling and the discipline to separate business discussions from personal time. This ongoing negotiation between their roles as business partners and life partners is a testament to their commitment to both their relationship and their venture. Their advice to other couples considering a similar path is poignant: prioritize the personal relationship, ensure a solid foundation before embarking on a business venture together, and select a partner who can significantly contribute to the business's success. Sonja and Debra's story is not just about love and legal tech; it's a narrative of resilience, mutual respect, and the unyielding belief in their mission to democratize legal support. Their story is an inspiring reminder of the power of partnership in navigating the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship. Listen on mobile platforms:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ |  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ Contact Us:  Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gebauerm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@glambert⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads: @glambertpod or @gebauerm66Email: geekinreviewpodcast@gmail.comMusic: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Transcript

In the latest episode of "The Geek in Review" podcast, hosts Greg Lambert and Marlene Gebauer continue their series of interviews at the 2024 LegalWeek conference with guest Bill Piwonka, the Chief Marketing Officer at Exterro. The conversation dives into Exterro's participation at LegalWeek, highlighting the return to pre-COVID attendance levels and the company's successful engagement with customers, prospects, and partners. Piwonka shares insights into Exterro's focus on managing digital risk through the convergence of privacy, compliance, legal operations, litigation support, and cybersecurity response, emphasizing the importance of understanding and mitigating data risk. The discussion also covers Exterro's recent announcement of an existing AI assistant, which differentiates itself by being immediately available for use, contrasting with other future-promised AI technologies. Piwonka elaborates on the broader industry trends, including the pressures on Chief Legal Officers (CLOs) to reduce budgets while expanding responsibilities, as highlighted in a survey conducted with the ACC. He emphasizes the significance of operationalizing and optimizing legal processes to meet these challenges efficiently. The conversation also touches on the differences in ESG strategy between CLOs in the US and those internationally, suggesting cultural and political influences on these approaches. Looking to the future, Piwonka anticipates continued expansion of the CLO's role and responsibilities, especially in managing digital risk and ensuring responsible AI use. He predicts a shift in job roles and the creation of new employment opportunities as AI technologies evolve, rather than a reduction in employment. Piwonka concludes with suggestions on how to connect with Exterro for more information, highlighting the importance of platforms like LinkedIn and the company's website. The podcast emphasizes the evolving landscape of legal technology and digital risk management, with AI playing a crucial role in shaping future practices and strategies within the legal profession.   Listen on mobile platforms:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ |  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ Contact Us:  Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gebauerm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@glambert⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads: @glambertpod or @gebauerm66Email: geekinreviewpodcast@gmail.comMusic: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Transcript