Technically Legal - A Legal Technology and Innovation Podcast

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.

Kamron Graham, Executive Director of the Commons Law Center, shares her inspiring journey from finance to championing affordable legal aid. She highlights the alarming statistic that 75% of civil litigants lack representation, particularly in family law and housing cases. The Center uses sliding scale fees and innovative outreach to bridge the justice gap for those who earn too much for legal aid but too little for private services. Kamron discusses the challenges and innovations in non-profit legal services, including the transformative role of technology in enhancing accessibility.

Zach Posner, Co-founder of The LegalTech Fund, shares insights on legal tech investing and successful start-ups. He discusses the Fund's focus on contracting processes and legal services accessibility. Posner stresses the importance of transparency, regular reporting, and iterative product development for entrepreneurs. He also highlights the significance of building a strong founder-investor relationship and evaluating key traits for startup success.

Michael Clark, VP at MasterCard, discusses data ownership in his upcoming book. He emphasizes consumer control, ethics, and bias in data usage. Clark calls for cooperation between regulators and tech industry for fair data management. AI's role in data management is highlighted for the future economy.

Colin Levy, an author and head of legal at Malbek, dives into his journey into legal tech, detailing his transition from paralegal to in-house counsel. He discusses insights from his book, The Legal Tech Ecosystem, which serves as a beginner's guide to legal tech. Colin highlights essential skills for success, stressing data comprehension and adaptability. He explores the importance of structured processes and how legal tech is more than just AI, encompassing practical tools that enhance legal work and innovation.

Professor Tonya Evans of Penn State Dickinson Law School visits Technically Legal to talk about her book Digital Money Demystified. Professor Evans has pretty much held every job in legal from judicial clerk, to Big Law lawyer and now legal educator. She is also the host of the Tech Intersect Podcast which focuses on Web3 and how it will impact the future of work, wealth and creativity.  In this episode, Professor Evans talks about her journey from risk averse crypto doubter to blockchain believer. She emphasizes the importance of lawyers staying ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving world of technology and the need for more education and awareness around crypto and blockchain, not only in law schools but also in other professional fields.To those ends, she founded Advantage Evans Academy, a platform designed for non-technologists to understand the new digital economy. Professor Evans’ book, Digital Money Demystified, is an excellent starting point for anyone wanting to learn more about cryptocurrencies. The book explains blockchain concepts in plain language and debunks many myths about crypto. Such as: Myth: Crypto is Mainly for Criminals. Fact: Blockchain data analysis firm Chainanalysis estimates that only .24 of all crypto transactions in 2022 were for illicit purposes. Myth: Crypto is untraceable. Fact: Blockchain transactions are pseudonymous, but, if recorded on an open blockchain, such as bitcoin, they are transparent and available to anyone to view.. Myth: Crypto is terrible for the environment. Fact: Not all blockchains are energy guzzlers, especially those based on proof of stake validation and it should not be overlooked that the energy consumed by traditional financial markets is much greater. Professor Evans also explains the need for clear crypto regulation and the risk of the United States falling behind if the regulatory environment is not clarified. Learn more about Professor Evans

AltFee, a legal tech startup, aims to replace the traditional billable hour with alternative fee arrangements for fair and transparent legal billing. The Leigh brothers explain how their app helps law firms transition to AFAs and value-based pricing. They emphasize the importance of client-centricity and efficient project scoping. Integrating with Clio for seamless invoicing and transparency in legal fees are also key topics discussed.

Scott Stevenson, co-founder of Spellbook, a legal technology company and computer engineer by training, discusses the intersection of technology and creativity. He shares his journey from video games to founding a legal tech startup and talks about merging his love for music with technology. He also discusses the challenges of standardizing legal work, the evolution of Spellbook, and its features such as clause generation and issue identification. Discover the origins and intention behind the name Spellbook.