That Tech Pod

Today Laura and Kevin chat with Oshri Cohen about what it means to be a fractional CTO versus a full-time CTO and whether or not you can or should consider vending out your C-suite. With Kevin’s past CTO roles, this one hits close to home and gets a little tense…Oshri Cohen is an expert technologist in more languages, frameworks, architectures and technologies than he cares to count. He is an ex-executive at multiple startups and ex-founder of his own custom development shop. He is disrupting the popular thought that startups need a full-time CTO and could save on average $400K per year in direct technical leadership costs through the use of a Fractional-CTO, which is his primary business.

Today Laura and Kevin speak with Pete Hunt. We chat about what it means to be an engineer, how to tell if an engineer is good and how you get from engineer to CEO, plus Pete weighs in on the Zuck vs Musk debate with his unique perspective having worked at both Instagram and Twitter.  Pete joined Elementl as head of engineering in early 2022, and took over the reins as CEO in November of that year. Pete was previously co-founder and CEO of Smyte, an anti-abuse provider that was acquired by Twitter. Prior to this Pete led Instagram’s web team, built Instagram’s business analytics products, and helped to open source Facebook’s React.js. Their platform is Dagster, a next-generation open source orchestration platform for the development, production, and observation of data assets.

Today Kevin and Laura chat with David Cohen of Reed Smith about their eDiscovery-focused app with the aim of creating a less cumbersome, and fast-updating repository of knowledge, documents and tips for attorneys and clients on the go. We talk about "intense AI," and the convergence of eDiscovery and data privacy. We discuss whether we still need the "e" in eDiscovery and if it is better to be a "master of all" or a legal specialist in 2023. We also cover access to justice issues and other terms that sound like classic Steven Seagal movies. You don't want to miss this pod!David is chair of Reed Smith’s Records & E-Discovery (RED) Practice Group and a member of the firm’s Global Leadership Team. A Harvard Law graduate with more than 35 years of commercial litigation experience, David serves as eDiscovery counsel and information governance counsel to some of the top companies in the world. David also represents clients in complex litigation matters, and counsels companies of all sizes on information governance and litigation readiness issues. He has been recognized individually by Chambers Global, Chambers USA, Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers, and Who’s Who Legal as a top eDiscovery lawyer and litigator. The 70+ lawyer RED Practice Group that David leads has also been recognized by Chambers and Legal 500 as a leading eDiscovery practice. He currently chairs the EDRM Project Trustees and serves on the advisory board of the Georgetown Advanced eDiscovery Institute. He was involved in setting up the E-Discovery Special Masters (EDSM) program in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, has served as an EDSM in multiple cases, and has drafted and supported amendments to state and federal rules focusing on e-discovery. He has authored numerous legal publications and is a frequent presenter at continuing legal education seminars regarding eDiscovery and information governance. He is the principal architect of the E-Discovery App, launched in 2020, and leads ongoing App development and innovation initiatives.  David also received a Law 2.0 “Outstanding Leadership” award in 2022 and the Legal Intelligencer Pennsylvania “Innovator of the Year” award in 2023. You can download the Reed Smith’s eDiscovery app from the Apple Store or Google Play:https://apps.apple.com/us/app/e-discovery-app/id1494005095https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ncc809328710.www&hl=en_US&gl=US&pli=1The primary goal of the Reed Smith’s eDiscovery App is to be a useful resource for everyone in the e-discovery community! App development was led by Reed Smith Partner David Cohen, Practice Group Leader of Reed Smith’s Records & E-Discovery (RED) practice group, with important contributions by lawyers, e-discovery analysts, and support professionals at Reed Smith LLP and its technology subsidiary Gravity Stack. Where permitted and acknowledged, the App also includes, or links to, materials created or compiled by outside professionals. 

Laura, Kevin and Shelby talk about the The Lesbians Who Tech Summit that Laura and Shelby attended in San Francisco last week. The 10th Annual Lesbians Who Tech & Allies Summit takes place virtually and in front of the Castro Theatre and surrounding city blocks. The show attracts over 15K+ LGBTQ Women, Women of Color, Non-Binary, Trans techies & our Allies to attend from all over the world.Lesbians Who Tech & Allies is the largest LGBTQ professional community in the world — committed to visibility, intersectionality, and changing the face of technology and most importantly, the only organization that centers on LGBTQ Women, Women of color, and Non-binary leaders. This event supports the work helping our leaders learn how to code and get the crucial support they need as they face systemic barriers at work.

Today is our Halloween Special! Laura and Kevin swap scary cyber stories with Gianna Whitver, the Co-Founder and CEO of the Cybersecurity Marketing Society and a co-host of the Breaking Through in Cybersecurity Marketing Podcast.  Gianna is also an advisor for cybersecurity and technology companies. Gianna has worked in marketing as an early employee at multiple companies in a broad array of industries, including past roles at cybersecurity companies, at a commercial real estate development and investment firm, and big tech, to name a few. She speaks publicly on marketing, cybersecurity, and entrepreneurial topics, having presented at RSA Conference 365, (ISC)2, and InfoSec World.

Today Kevin and Laura speak with David Adeoye Abodunrin about cyber threat intelligence, compliance versus cyber security and human firewalls. We get into a debate about Zuckerburg vs. Musk, being a prince and much more!With a remarkable track record spanning over two decades, David Adeoye Abodunrin PMP, CSM, CSPO, CSP-SM, MSC is a distinguished authority in Project/Program Management, Agile Transformations, Human Capital Management, Cybersecurity, and Coaching, offering a multifaceted approach to personal and professional and enterprise growth. Holding a plethora of certifications, including being a Certified Scrum Professional- Scrum Master(CSP-SM), Certified Management Consultant (CMC) and Project Management Professional (PMP), he stands as a versatile figure equipped to navigate complex landscapes.Armed with a master's degree in Cybersecurity and specialization in Cyber Forensics and Threat Intelligence, David illuminates strategies to combat cyber threats, safeguard digital ecosystems, and address the nuances of cyberwarfare. His insights resonate with individuals and organizations seeking to fortify their online security measures.David's Agile PM, HR and Corporate leadership acumen sets him apart. By harmonizing his psychology, coaching, project management, and agile expertise, he empowers organizations to embrace agility in their enterprise practices, fostering leadership excellence. His holistic approach extends beyond conventional methodologies, enabling businesses to navigate dynamic environments with adaptability and innovation.

Today Laura and guest host Shelby Busch speak with Alaina Percival about increasing opportunities for woman in tech fields, angel investing, living in Germany and travel in general. Alaina Percival is CEO and co-founder of Women Who Code. Under Alaina’sleadership, the organization has grown to serve 343,000 members in 147countries. Alaina has been published by Forbes, Huffington Post, and The WallStreet Journal. She is an accomplished tech speaker, appearing at WSJ.d Live,CodeMotion Milan, Grace Hopper, Columbia University’s Social Enterprise,Harvard WECode and more. Alaina has spoken on a range of topics fromdevelopment and retention models to intersectional diversity andequity-centered decision-making in data strategy for the United Nations toSocial Justice and Advocacy in STEM at Harvard University.Alaina is also an Angel Investor, a Venture Partner at Valor Ventures, a Scoutfor Picus Capital, and in 2022 she taught WomenLead in Technology at Georgia State University. Alaina has two young sons, loves chocolate, and has been to more than 75 countries

Today Kevin and Laura talk to William McKnight about big data in healthcare, the pros and cons of companies knowing this much about us, being a corporate influencer and much more! William McKnight is an information management thought-leader who has been recognized as the #1 global influencer in big data, cloud, and data center by Thinkers 360, and the #1 global influencer in master data management by Onalytica in 2022.He is the Founder and President of McKnight Consulting Group, which advises many of the Global 2000 companies, including Pfizer, Verizon, UnitedHealth Group, Dell, Oracle, and Scotiabank, on ways to faster grow their businesses with big data.With over 30 years of experience, William is also a highly sought-after speaker who has spoken on four continents for a diverse collection of organizations, including IBM, Microsoft, Oracle, Bank of America, Orange South Africa, and SAP.  He also is a former award-winning IT Vice President of a Fortune 50 company, a former engineer of DB2 at IBM, and an author of the books, "Integrating Hadoop", "Information Management: Strategies for Gaining a Competitive Advantage with Data", and "90 Days to Success in Consulting".

Today Laura and Gabi speak with Elisa Jaffe on the impact of technology on the ever-changing landscape of the consumption of information. Elisa Jaffe is well-known to both TV viewers and radio listeners in Western Washington.Elisa has earned an Edward R. Murrow award and multiple Emmy Awards and for her reporting, writing, and producing. Her career in Seattle includes reporting and anchoring for KOMO 4 News, serving as host and executive producer of Northwest Afternoon, the award-winning daily talk show, hosted the morning drive news radio program Smart Talk Mornings on 570 KVI, and voice-over work for STAR 101.5 Radio and charitable causes.Elisa launched KOMO TV's station's first hour-long morning newscast, "The Morning Express," in 1989 where she introduced Dept. of Transportation traffic cameras to the market after using the then-new technology in one of her news reports. During her journalism career, she covered 9-11, the Oklahoma City bombing, the deadly Northridge, California earthquake, the fall of famous evangelists, and the rise of many reality stars.Elisa is very active in the Greater Seattle community and often can be seen emceeing and supporting fundraisers for a number of organizations.  She is a busy single mom who devotes much of her spare time to non-profits including the Crisis Clinic of King County, Seattle Men's Chorus and Seattle Women's Chorus. Elisa holds a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri at the Columbia School of Journalism.

Today Laura and Kevin chat about Relativity Fest 2023. Laura was onsite in Chicago while Kevin attended virtually. Laura spoke with the Honorable Judge Toni Clarke, Jeff Henry and Stephanie Wilkins on the floor and attended the press briefing where she had a chance to interview Relativity CEO Phil Saunders and Dr. Aron Ahmadia. Laura and Kevin talk about the sessions, the conference set up, the Innovation Awards, Phil Saunders’ take on sunsetting Relativity, Dr. Ahmadia’s take on incorporating generative AI into review and much more!Relativity Fest is an annual conference held in Chicago designed to educate and connect the e-discovery community. It’s the place for legal and tech professionals to talk shop, connect with their peers, and learn from each other in panels, discussions, breakout sessions, networking events and trainings.Phil Saunders is the CEO of Relativity. He is a seasoned technology executive with a hands-on approach to leading core company functions in hardware, software and SaaS, with specific experience in the information security, data protection, Human Resource (HR) tech, and quickly ramping in all things Legal Tech. Prior to joining Relativity, he was the CEO of Cornerstone on Demand and Saba Software. Dr. Aron Ahmadia is the Senior Director for Applied Science at Relativity, where he leads the development of AI capabilities for Relativity One, including AI-Assisted Review, Analytics, and Search. He is an internationally recognized expert on machine learning and artificial intelligence. His specializations include the use of AI in Legal Discovery, Model Risk Management, and Responsible AI. Dr. Ahmadia previously held an adjunct faculty position with George Washington University, and was an inaugural Professor of Computer Science at KAUST, where he taught one of the first coed classes in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Dr. Ahmadia holds a Ph.D. in Applied Math from Columbia University and a B.S. in Computer Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology.The Honorable Judge Toni Clark, was an Associate Judge in Prince George's County Circuit Court, 7th Judicial Circuit from 1998 to 2018 when she retired. She was a member of the Public Awareness Committee from 2001-15, the Maryland Judicial Conference, the Chair of the Public Defender Regional Advisory Board from 2001 to 2009. She was a member of the Court Access and Community Relations Committee and the Judicial Council. She was an Associate County Attorney in Prince George's County from 1987 to 1989. She was a Member of the Special Joint Committee on Minorities in the Legal Profession, a member of the  Redistricting Commission in Prince George's County in 1991, and a State's Attorney, Prince George's County from 1994-95. She also served a member of the  Governor's Task Force on Judicial Nominating Commissions and the State Administrative Board of Election Laws.Jeff Henry is the Director of Sales at Hire Counsel. He is an experienced Director of Business Development with over 30 years of experience working in the legal services industry. He is a strong sales professional skilled in Litigation Management, Arbitration, Sales, Document Management, and Computer Forensics. He previously worked for Exterro, Aureus Tech Systems, ONE Discovery Inc., iCONECT, IPRO and IKON Office Solutions as well as others. Stephanie Wilkins is the Editor In Chief of Legaltech News. She is responsible for content and direction of the Legaltech News publication on the popular Law.com website. She writes on all issues pertaining to technology in the legal sector, with a particular emphasis on the generative AI. She is also a photographer, an AI and technology nerd, a former lawyer, an intrepid solo world traveler and a boxer in training.