Technically Legal - A Legal Technology and Innovation Podcast

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.

Jack Weinberger, co-founder of Ajax and a former finance and private equity professional, shares his transition into legal tech. He recounts his journey from banking to entrepreneurship, driven by insights into lawyers' challenges. Highlighting Ajax's innovative AI timekeeping technology, he emphasizes data security and efficiency. Jack discusses the importance of understanding lawyer workflows and hints at exciting features like capturing spontaneous conversations, showcasing how legal tech can transform daily practices for lawyers.

This episode features Tom Dunlop, founder of Summize, a contract lifecycle management (CLM) platform. Tom discusses his unique path to founding Summize, from his background as a professional athlete and lawyer to his passion for solving real-world problems with technology. Key takeaways: The genesis of Summize: Tom explains how his experience reviewing hundreds of contracts manually led to the idea for Summize. Early challenges and the evolution of AI: Tom describes the initial challenges of summarizing contracts using AI in 2018 and how the advent of generative AI has revolutionized Summize's capabilities. Summize's unique approach: Summize differentiates itself by embedding its functionality within popular workplace tools like Slack, Teams, and Microsoft Word, allowing users to manage contracts without leaving their familiar workflows. How Summize works: Tom explains how Summize uses AI to curate contract data and provide summaries that are relevant and tailored to specific business needs. The future of Summize: Tom shares his vision for the future of Summize, including plans to further leverage AI, enhance native integrations, and incorporate validated content from the legal community.  Resources and Links: Summize Website: summize.com Connect with Tom on LinkedIn Keywords: legal tech, contract lifecycle management (CLM), AI, generative AI, contract summarization, legal technology, Summize, Tom Dunlop, Microsoft Word, Slack, Teams, Outlook, DocuSign

Lucas Moskowitz, General Counsel at Robinhood, sheds light on the company's mission to democratize finance, making investing accessible to all. He discusses his intriguing career transition from big law and the SEC to shaping digital finance at Robinhood. The conversation dives into the importance of data-driven regulation, balancing investor protection with innovation. Additionally, Moskowitz explores the potential of crypto and blockchain technologies, emphasizing the need for education in legal circles to navigate these emerging fields.

Scott and Digby Lee, co-founders of AltFee, revolutionize the legal billing landscape with their innovative app designed to replace the billable hour. They delve into the significance of alternative fee arrangements (AFAs), emphasizing the shift towards value-based pricing, especially in the age of AI. Their discussion touches on enhancing client relationships through transparency, the impact of COVID-19 on legal practices, and the integration of technology to streamline billing processes. A must-listen for anyone interested in the future of legal pricing!