Technically Legal - A Legal Technology and Innovation Podcast

Jason Heinze originally wanted to be an architect but got into disability law after taking over his father in law’s practice. To establish his client’s disability claims, he would have them manually enter daily notes into a pain journal, but he often had difficulty getting clients to consistently maintain the journals because they might forget and it was a completely manual process. He thought to himself, there has to be an app for that, but when he looked, he found some that were close, but not exactly what he needed. So, he created his own and called it ClaimData. By using the app, disability claimants can now make pain journal entries via a web app and it will also remind them to enter it.  ClaimData uses a progressive web app model for efficiency and cost-effectiveness. ClaimData integrates with case management systems and plans to expand into personal injury and workers' compensation. The app aims to simplify the evidence-gathering process for attorneys, making it easier to prove disability cases.  

Amanda Tuminelli, Chief Legal Officer for the DeFI Education Fund, visits the podcast to discuss her role with the organization and its objectives. (What is DeFi? It is shorthand for Decentralized Finance and the backbone of DeFi is blockchain technology and smart contracts.) The DeFi Education Fund 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   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

Dru Armstrong, CEO of AffiniPay, a key player in legal fintech, dives into her journey from aspiring lawyer to leading a groundbreaking practice management software company. She outlines AffiniPay's transition from payment processing to acquiring MyCase, creating an all-in-one solution for law firms. Dru also discusses innovative offerings like Affirm's buy now, pay later service, touches on AI integration plans, and shares insights on the unique challenges and surprises of being a CEO in the evolving legal tech landscape.

Lucas Moskowitz, General Counsel at Robinhood, discusses the company's mission to democratize finance, making investing accessible for all. He shares his journey from big law to the SEC, highlighting how diverse experiences shape perspectives. The conversation delves into the importance of data-driven regulation, balancing innovation with investor protection. They explore the potential of crypto and blockchain in enhancing financial markets and stress the need for investor education on these emerging technologies.

Matthew Veale is a European Patent Attorney and UPC Representative at PatSnap, where he discusses innovations in patent law. He reveals how PatSnap's AI transforms patent searches, making them faster and more efficient. Matthew explains AI's superiority in image analysis, enhancing the understanding of patent data. He also emphasizes AI's role in improving client communication during the patent examination process while ensuring human expertise remains vital in identifying inventive steps.

Bridget McCormack, AAA's head, and Colin Rule, ODR.com founder, discuss AAA's acquisition of ODR.com and the future of AI-powered arbitration. They explore the strategic partnership, AI's role in dispute resolution, and AAA's tech initiatives for efficient arbitration processes.

Dr. Heidi Gardner discusses the importance of collaboration in legal teams for better client outcomes, revenue growth, and risk reduction. She emphasizes the value of diverse teams in driving successful innovation and business results. Gardner's insights from 'Smarter Collaboration' highlight the need for cross-discipline cooperation and industry knowledge for effective client service.

Medex Chief Forensic Officer Brandon Epstein joins the Technically Legal Podcast to discuss the purpose built forensic tool for use in legal proceedings. The company counts legal professionals, law enforcement and journalists as its customers. Medex is used to examine digital video files to establish provenance, detect tampering and identify modifications. Users may also use Medex to identify the device type that created the video. As Brandon explains, the type of hardware used to create a digital video file leaves its own fingerprint. By examining the bits and bytes of a video file, Medex can discern whether a video file was created by, say, an iPhone, an Android based device, or even whether it was altered by posting on social media. Brandon got his start in law enforcement as a patrol officer and through that work, he became acutely aware of the importance of video evidence in helping to solve crimes. Fast forward a few years later and he met Medex’s CEO at a conference they hit it off and Brandon was asked to join Medex. Learn more about Brandon.

Haley Altman, founder of Doxly, discusses Litera's AI software Foundation Dragon on a legal tech podcast. The app uses law firm data to empower lawyers in contract negotiations by providing insights on opposing counsel's positions, industry standards for clauses, and access to firm precedents. Altman also shares advice for startups and her entrepreneurial journey from founding Doxly to her current role at Litera.

Entertainment lawyer Chris Edgar discusses his journey from big law to launching Filmtracts, a platform offering indie filmmakers affordable legal assistance. He talks about the limitations of generic contract templates, the development of a legal tech platform for tailored contracts, and the challenges of launching a tech company with VC investments.