In-House Outliers

Mathew Steer (Associate Director of Legal Management Consulting at Deloitte Legal) joins Brightflag’s Kevin Cohn for a special podcast episode about AI’s role in corporate legal departments, including discussions around:Moving from AI proof-of-concepts to rolling out true AI programsMeasuring the ROI of AILeveraging learnings and applying them to deliver valueDeveloping a true vision for AI within in-house teams

On this episode, Sarah Starr (Director of Legal Operations at Generate) joined Alex Kelly to discuss her approach to change management and legal technology evaluations.Sarah also shared insights into her career journey, and offered advice to those who are just starting out in legal operations.

On this episode, Suha Gehrer (Group Head of Legal Operations at Zuhrich Insurance) joined Alex Kelly to discuss the most common challenges and inefficiencies Suha has observed when it comes to implementing legal technology.Suha also shared insights into the career path that led her to legal operations, and how her previous experiences working in procurement informed her perspective on the function.

On this episode, Darek Kochman (Director of Global Legal Operations at Kimberly-Clark) joined the show to discuss how he approaches legal ops initiatives, and the importance of leaning on high-quality data when making decisions.Darek also discussed his fascinating career journey, which led him from the US Army to financial accounting to legal operations.

On this episode, Jeff Barlow (SVP, GC and Corporate Secretary at Momentive Technologies) joined Alex Kelly for an insightful discussion about the key role legal department metrics play in formulating a strategic plan around how legal work is managed, the value of clear communication with outside counsel.Jeff also reflected on his journey to becoming an in-house legal leader, and his advice for those looking to transition to working in-house.

On this episode, Charles Stanley (Senior Manager of Legal Operations and Technology at Vinted) discussed his career transition from CLO to legal operations, and his strategic approach to legal ops initiatives.Charles also shared his thoughts on the growing role of AI and technology within legal departments, and the projects he's most proud of having implemented.

Laura Revie, Legal Operations Senior Manager at FanDuel, blends her creativity from costume design with her expertise in legal operations. She dives into the crucial role of change management for successful tech adoption in legal teams. Laura highlights how AI is reshaping in-house legal practices and the importance of stakeholder engagement. She emphasizes fostering a psychologically safe environment for effective collaboration and shares insights on navigating leadership within legal ops. Her unique journey from theater to technology showcases the versatility needed in today’s legal landscape.

On this episode, Laura Gleeson (GC and VP of Legal & Compliance at Brightflag) joined the show to discuss: The benefits and challenges of transitioning from her role as a partner at a major law firm to working as an in-house legal leader How data transforms what a General Counsel and their in-house team of capable of achieving in terms of legal service delivery The ways in which in-house work is changing in the face of increasing regulations, and how legal leaders can adapt

On this episode, Bridget Franklin (VP of Legal & Compliance at Leaf Home) joined the show to discuss her experience navigating the transition from working at a firm to working in-house, how she's leveraged technology to gain greater visibility into legal spend, and her feelings on the growing role of AI within legal departments.

Kevin Cohn, a key figure at Brightflag with deep expertise in legal operations, shares his insights on the future of legal tech. He discusses the expected rise in legal operations hiring and employee compensation trends. The conversation delves into the transformative impact of AI on legal processes and the necessary adaptations in response to shifting regulations, particularly contrasting the US and EU approaches. Cohn also emphasizes the importance of collaboration and customer support in navigating CLM advancements and overcoming industry challenges.