Technically Legal - A Legal Technology and Innovation Podcast

A conversation with Kelly Twigger, an E-Discovery veteran and founder of ESI Attorneys and Minerva26. Kelly shares her journey into E-Discovery, stemming from the first-ever ABA event on the topic in the early 2000s, and the rapid evolution of case law and technology that led her to develop E-Discovery Assistant which has now been rebranded Minerva 26. The discussion delves into how Minerva 26, a strategic command center for E-Discovery, curates case law, rules, checklists, and offers on-demand education. Kelly explains the reasoning behind rebranding from "E-Discovery Assistant" to "Minerva 26," emphasizing the shift from data tools to knowledge and strategic insight. The conversation also explores the current challenges legal professionals face in adopting technology, the impact of AI on the legal industry, and the need for updated federal rules of civil procedure to address technological advancements. Key Takeaways: Proactive E-Discovery: The importance of engaging with E-Discovery issues early in a case to save time and money, and to maximize the utility of electronically stored information (ESI). Technology's Transformative Power: ESI, unlike paper, offers immense opportunities to leverage technology for more efficient and effective legal analysis and fact-finding. Overcoming Fear and Expense: The primary barriers to technology adoption in the legal field are fear and perceived expense, which can be overcome through education and strategic planning. AI's Role in Legal: AI is not replacing lawyers but enhancing their capabilities by improving efficiency, accuracy, and providing valuable insights. The Need for Rule Updates: The rapidly changing technological landscape necessitates updates to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure to provide clarity and consistency, especially concerning issues like control over personal devices and the use of advanced E-Discovery tools like Technology Assisted Review (TAR). Episode Credits Editing and Production: Grant Blackstock Theme Music: Home Base (Instrumental Version) by TA2MI   Want to keep up to date about new episodes? Technically Legal Update List. Want to learn more about Percipient (percipient.co)? Follow Chad on Linkedin: Chad Main | LinkedIn Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: Technically Legal | LinkedIn Follow the podcast on Instagram: Technically Legal | Instagram Follow the podcast on X: Technically Legal | X  

Studies determined that at least one litigant does not have a lawyer in 75% of civil cases in the United States. The number is even higher when it comes to family law, domestic violence, housing, and small claims matters. But organizations like Oregon’s Commons Law Center are doing something about it. On this episode, Kamron Graham, the Law Center’s Executive Director, talks about the not for profit law firm’s efforts to provide affordable legal assistance to people that make too much to qualify for legal aid, but don’t make enough to hire a lawyer. The Commons Law Center helps out people facing evictions, have family law issues or need help with wills and estate planning. Kamron initially planned to pursue a career in finance but pretty quickly figured out that her empathy and concern for others probably might not jibe with a Wall Street career. After returning to Oregon after college in the Northeast, Kamron started her career working in group homes, homeless shelters and served a stint with the United Way. These experiences made clear to her that a professional degree might help her have a greater impact on people's lives and give her even more of an opportunity to use her education to help others. So, in her 30s she decided to go to law school.  After law school continued her career helping the underserved, including work for Legal Aid Services of Oregon and work as a public defender. Eventually she landed at the Commons Law Center, starting as a tenant defense attorney and ascending to the role of executive director.  The business model of the Commons Law Center is not free legal work, but charging a sliding scale fee based on a client's income. Currently 70% of the firm's budget comes from fees. The firm is working to become 100% self-sufficient, but in the meantime to fill the gap, the firm leverages tech to streamline their processes and keep costs down. It also relies on donors, foundations, and grants.  Learn more about Kamron.

Bim Dave, CEO of Helm360, is a seasoned expert in legal tech, having transitioned from technical support at Elite to leading a consultancy that enhances law firm operations. He discusses the complexities of data migration and the pivotal role of AI in transforming the legal landscape. Bim highlights how smaller firms can swiftly adopt new technologies compared to larger ones, and critiques the overhyped blockchain buzz while showcasing the potential of collaborative tools. His insights offer a forward-looking perspective on the future of law firms and tech integration.

Yelena Shkolnik, a partner at Jump Capital with a keen eye for transformative legal tech investments, shares her journey from investment banking to venture capital. She discusses what attracts investors to legal tech, emphasizing the need for strong team dynamics and industry insight. Yelena highlights the impact of AI on legal workflows and the necessity for tailored solutions amid traditional practices. With the rise of legal operations in enterprises, she forecasts a bright future for tech that enhances efficiency in the legal sector.

Amanda Tuminelli, Chief Legal Officer for the DeFI Education Fund, visited the podcast in September to discuss her crypto journey, her role with the organization and its objectives. Since then, she was promoted and is now the Executive Director of DEF which is a nonpartisan research and advocacy group working to explain the benefits of DeFi, achieve regulatory clarity for the future of the global digital economy, and help realize the transformative potential of DeFi for everyone. Amanda goes in depth into the DEF’s areas of focus: Research and Advocacy Policymaker Education Messaging for Crypto Companies Research about Blockchain Issues and Regulations Providing “Legal Firepower” to Crypto Causes; and DeFi Project Best Practices Amanda also discusses how lawyers can pursue a career in crypto and why that wasn’t the case a few years ago. It’s not only an option now because the industry is more mature, but also because of the openness of those in the crypto world and their desire for passionate individuals to join them. To get a job in crypto law, Amanda emphasizes the importance of understanding the technology and finding projects of interest.  So how did Amanda get to the DEF? She started out as a securities and white collar crime lawyer, but a case came along that would change her career trajectory. She was working for Kobre and Kim, a law firm focused on disputes and investigations, when the firm was hired by a client accused of running an illegal crypto mining scheme. To get up to speed on the case and get her client out of jail, she had to dive deep into learning about blockchain technology and that is when she caught the bug. A few years later, a friend and former college friend contacted her about joining the legal team at the DeFI Education Fund and she took them up on it. Episode Credits Editing and Production: Grant Blackstock Theme Music: Home Base (Instrumental Version) by TA2MI

David Jenyns, author of 'Systemology' and a business systems expert, shares enlightening insights on systemizing legal workflows. He dispels the myth that legal work can't be standardized, showcasing how proper documentation can enhance scalability and creativity. Jenyns outlines his seven-step Systemology framework and highlights the crucial role of a 'systems champion' in fostering a systems culture. He offers practical tips to start systemizing processes, emphasizing that even bespoke legal work benefits from structured systems.

In this insightful discussion, Sean Fitzpatrick, CEO of LexisNexis North America, UK, and Ireland, shares his extensive expertise in legal tech and AI. He reveals how LexisNexis integrates AI tools like Protégé to boost attorney efficiency and enhance client outcomes. The company’s collaboration with OpenAI is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of reliable data in AI applications. Fitzpatrick also addresses concerns about AI’s impact on jobs, confidently asserting that technology will augment rather than replace legal professionals.

A conversation with Jaron Luttich, co-founder of Element Standard, a legal tech startup designed to bring transparency and organization to litigation. Jaron discusses how Element Standard's "CONTROLit" app and litigation cartography help litigators manage cases, improve client communication, and streamline internal processes. He highlights the disconnect between traditional legal practices and modern client expectations for transparency, drawing comparisons to consumer experiences like ride-sharing and package tracking. Jaron also addresses how the litigation management software can enhance associate training and provide valuable structured data for law firms. The company will be participating the ABA Techshow 2025 Startup Alley. Things We Talk About in this Episode elementstandard.com Jaron Luttich's LinkedIn profile CONTROLit™ by Element Standard - Legaltech Hub Element Standard's LinkedIn page.   Episode Credits Editing and Production: Grant Blackstock Theme Music: Home Base (Instrumental Version) by TA2MI Want to keep up to date about new episodes? Technically Legal Update List. Want to learn more about Percipient (percipient.co)? Follow Chad on Linkedin: Chad Main | LinkedIn Follow the podcast on LinkedIn: Technically Legal | LinkedIn Follow the podcast on Instagram: Technically Legal | Instagram Follow the podcast on X: Technically Legal | X  

This episode involves two people with very distinguished careers. Bridget M. McCormack who now heads the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and Colin Rule, the founder of ODR.com just acquired by The AAA. Bridget has served in just about every role you can in the legal industry. She started her legal career in legal aid and as a public defender handling trials and appeals. She then moved to teaching law school, first at Yale and then Michigan. After her stint as an educator, she decided she wanted to help foster even more change and won a seat on the Michigan Supreme Court where she ultimately ascended to the position of Chief Justice. Fast forward to 2023 and she took the helm of the AAA. One of Bridget’s biggest initiatives at AAA is bringing tech into the arbitration process and that is where Colin Rule comes in. He founded an online dispute resolution (ODR) company, about 15 years ago that ultimately became ODR.com which the AAA just announced it was acquiring. To say that Colin is an ODR OG is an understatement. He literally wrote the book on ODR way back in the early days of the internet. Ebay brought him on board in the early 2000s where he headed up the company’s ODR function. In this episode Bridget and Colin discuss:  AAA's acquisition of ODR.com: The strategic partnership between AAA and odr.com to revolutionize dispute resolution. AI's transformative role in dispute resolution: How AAA is using AI internally and through external tools to improve efficiency and accessibility. The future of dispute resolution: A vision for a more accessible, efficient, and user-friendly system that leverages technology and data.   Episode Credits Editing and Production: Grant Blackstock Theme Music: Home Base (Instrumental Version) by TA2MI

Daniel Rollingher, co-founder of Fabrica, discusses how blockchain technology is transforming real estate ownership. He explains how NFTs simplify buying, selling, and managing properties while enhancing transparency. Rollingher highlights a unique trust model that connects on-chain ownership with legal frameworks and explores the potential for blockchain to disrupt traditional processes like title insurance. He also addresses innovative lending mechanics for land and the benefits of democratizing trust agreements through open-source models.