The Legalpreneurs Sandbox

In this podcast, a session in our ReinventED Legal Business: The Case Studies series, Terri Mottershead, Executive Director, Centre for Legal Innovation (Australia, New Zealand and Asia-Pacific) chatted with Peter Alexander Corner,  Founding Manager, Alternative Contracting and Prof Camilla Baasch Andersen, UWA Law School and Head of the Comic Contracts team. Alternative Contracting was founded on the back of the Comic Contracts Project at UWA, where Peter was working with the lead researcher and partner, Prof Camilla Andersen. As a direct collaboration between research and industry needs, the company specialises in providing fast and affordable bespoke legal illustrations for contracts, regulations, and other legal information. The design of contracts in visual/illustrated form is to ensure transparency, clear behavioural drivers, and improved engagement with, and perception of, contractual relationships. These objectives are also the core of the research being undertaken at UWA and this business. Where the research team continues to explore new applications and test the impact of images in legal contexts, the business provides faster and easier avenues to commercialise the applications of the images to all sizes of businesses. In this session, Peter and Camilla showcased their groundbreaking work, explained its challenges and opportunities, and discussed how research led to doing legal business differently. If you would prefer to watch rather than listen to this session, you’ll find the video in our CLI-Collaborate (CLIC) free Resource Hub here.

CLI Distinguished Fellow, Sarah El-Atm is our guest host for this episode (three of three). Sarah’s 12-month Fellowship explored whether client problems can be better solved by multidisciplinary teams (lawyers and allied professionals). In the third and final episode, Sarah discusses the critical factors and questions law firms should ask as they start to build their own multidisciplinary teams. She discusses these and how they might work in law firms with Anu Briggs, Head of Capability, Development, and Change at Gilbert + Tobin; Jemima Harris, Legal and Strategic Projects Director at Megaport (formerly Head of Legal Operations & Tech at LOD); Hilary Goodier, Partner and Co-Division Head (formerly Partner and Chief Operating Officer) at Ashurst Advance; and Jan Christie, Director, Capability + Organisational Development (formerly Capability and Development Manager) at Gilbert + Tobin. Topics covered in this episode include: How to ensure your clients stay at the centre of your objectives for your multidisciplinary team. The questions you need to consider as you plan out a multidisciplinary approach within your firm. Some of the realities to be mindful of with this new approach in the legal profession. Additional resources: You’ll find additional information of these topics in Sarah’s blog How to start building a multidisciplinary team in a law firm. Don’t forget to tune in for the first and second episodes in this three part series, Episodes 105 and 106, you’ll find them here.

CLI Distinguished Fellow, Sarah El-Atm is our guest host for this episode (two of three). Sarah’s 12-month Fellowship explored whether client problems can be better solved by multidisciplinary teams (lawyers and allied professionals). In this second episode, Sarah identified five key characteristics common to successful high performing multidisciplinary teams in the legal profession. She discusses these in the context of real tangible insights from Hilary Goodier, Partner and Co-Division Head (formerly Partner and Chief Operating Officer) at Ashurst Advance; Katrina Gowans, National Legal Operations Lead at Origin Energy; Mel Scott, Senior Legal Counsel at Megaport; Mick Sheehy, Partner New Law at PwC; Anu Briggs, Head of Capability, Development, and Change at Gilbert + Tobin; Jemima Harris, Legal and Strategic Projects Director at Megaport (formerly Head of Legal Operations & Tech at LOD); and Denise Doyle, Chief Product Officer, Xakia Technologies (formerly Specialist Legal Operations Consultant). Topics covered in this episode include: The five key characteristics that make up successful high performing multidisciplinary teams in the legal profession. Why these characteristics work together to help form successful teams. Additional resources: You’ll find additional information of these topics in Sarah’s blog post What characteristics do you need in a successful multidisciplinary team? Don’t forget to tune in for the first and third episodes in this three part series, Episode 105 and 107, you’ll find them here.

CLI Distinguished Fellow, Sarah El-Atm is our guest host for this episode (one of three). Sarah’s 12-month Fellowship explored whether client problems can be better solved by multidisciplinary teams (lawyers and allied professionals). In this first episode, Sarah identified, analysed and discussed the importance, evolution and nature of multidisciplinary teams in contemporary legal practice. Practical insights and examples were provided by Hilary Goodier, Partner and Co-Division Head (formerly Partner and Chief Operating Officer) at Ashurst Advance; Mick Sheehy, Partner New Law at PwC; Anu Briggs, Head of Capability, Development, and Change at Gilbert + Tobin; Jemima Harris, Legal and Strategic Projects Director at Megaport (formerly Head of Legal Operations & Tech at LOD); and Denise Doyle, Chief Product Officer, Xakia Technologies (formerly Specialist Legal Operations Consultant). Topics covered in the episode include: What a multidisciplinary team is within the context of the legal profession. How the demand from clients is continuing to change, and shape, legal teams. Why it is important to think holistically about a client’s legal problem and not just through a legal lens. Additional resources: You’ll find additional information of these topics in Sarah’s blog posts, Can legal matters be solved better within multidisciplinary teams? and, Is there a place for multidisciplinary teams in the legal profession? Don’t forget to tune in for the second and third episodes in this three part series, Episodes 106 and 107, you’ll find them here.

As 2021 draws to a close, we welcomed back our innovation and legaltech gurus, now also our good friends, for a third year in review podcast: Caryn Sandler, Partner and Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer at Gilbert & Tobin; Warrick McLean, CEO at Colman Grieg Lawyers; and  Graeme Grovum, Head of Technology and Client Solutions at Allens – we discussed the year that was…and it was quite a year! Topics covered in our discussion included: Did we see deep change, transformation or something different altogether in the legal ecosystem in 2021? And, how will that influence where we launch from in 2022? With “digitisation” almost being the word of the year, how did that translate into action (or inaction) in legal practice in 2021? Did data analytics move from numbers on a spread sheet to something pervasive in, and critical to, decision making internally and for clients externally in 2021? How did the concept of the “adjacent business” evolve in 2021 and where did it/will it find its mark? With so much changing in the legal ecosystem, what capabilities/talent did we see prioritised in 2021, how did that redefine the war for talent, and will that change in 2022? And finally, with 2021 almost in the rear-view mirror, what are the top priorities in innovation and legaltech for 2022? Thank you, Caryn, Warrick, and Graeme, such a delight to spend the time with you – can’t wait to see you all same time, next year! To all our friends around the world, thank you for your support in 2021 – we are so grateful to you and for you every year. Our very best wishes to you and your families for a restful, joyful, and peaceful holiday season!

In this podcast, a session in our ReinventED Legal Business: The Case Studies series, Terri Mottershead, Executive Director, Centre for Legal Innovation (Australia, New Zealand and Asia-Pacific) chatted with Sarah Rey, Managing Partner and Melissa Scadden, Partner at Justitia Lawyers and Consultants. Justitia is a workplace law and consulting firm founded in 2005 by two intrepid female lawyers who had a vision of a different way of practicing law. They established a forward-thinking firm that valued flexibility, diversity, a non-hierarchical structure, and prioritised relationships over billable hours. Sixteen years later, the firm continues to evolve, leading with empathy and collaborating with clients and like-minded organisations to build healthy and dynamic workplaces where people can thrive. Topics covered in this session included: How the firm determines and applies its market differentiators The importance of vision and mission in building culture and agility How the firm ensures employee health and well-being remain at the core of its practice The importance and application of empathy in practice and its connection to client centricity How the firm recognises challenges, deals with them, and the importance of sharing lessons learned How law firms can reimagine the pricing of legal services/products and the opportunities that brings for different and better client communications New and emerging opportunities for client engagement – through collaborations, partnerships, events, Just Ask Justitia, Justitia Connect, social media and beyond! How boutique law firms manage things like recruitment, size of engagement, and succession planning If you would prefer to watch rather than listen to this session, you’ll find the video in our CLI-Collaborate (CLIC) free resource hub here.

In this podcast, Ben Gouldson, Director at Clifford Gouldson Lawyers and Schellie-Jayne (SJ) Price, Senior Legal Counsel at Chevron Australia; and Chair, Legal Technology and Innovation Committee (LTIC), Association of Corporate Counsel, Australia shared their experiences and practical mini case studies in how to choose the right ROI/metrics for a legal innovation project. Topics covered in this session included: Why and how to choose the right project, goals and metrics The connection and difference between project goals and metrics The role and function of project metrics Different types of metrics How metrics add value and the important role they play in legal innovation projects The connection between tech, data, metrics, ROI and decision making in contemporary legal practice   You’ll find details about the other episodes in this series here. If you would prefer to watch rather than listen to this session, you’ll find the video in our CLI-Collaborate (CLIC) free resource hub here. Resources referred to in this episode: HBR Guide to Data Analytics Basics for Managers, Harvard Business Review Press, 2018 is available here

In this podcast, Jan Christie, Director, Capability + Organisational Development at Gilbert + Tobin shared her experience, provided practical mini case studies, and discussed the importance of communication for legal innovation projects. Topics covered in this session included: Understanding preferred communications styles Getting clear on your project so you can communicate it effectively Identifying and understanding the different communication needs of all stakeholders Understanding what needs to be communicated (the right information, not all the information all the time) When to communicate – formal vs informal and structured vs unstructured How to communicate – the optimal mix of digital and in-person and different tools for different communication style and stakeholders The importance of structuring and determining the best type of communication for your project team (including establishing a psychologically safe environment) You’ll find details about the other episodes in this series here. If you would prefer to watch rather than listen to this session, you’ll find the video in our CLI-Collaborate (CLIC) free resource hub here.

In this podcast, , Terri Mottershead, Executive Director, Centre for Legal Innovation (Australia, New Zealand and Asia-Pacific) (CLI) and David Bushby, Managing Director, InCounsel previewed a new FREE webinar and podcast series on Legaltech Around the World. The series is being offered by CLI in collaboration with InCounsel. It kicks off in February 2022 with David acting as the series host/facilitator. Faculty for the series compromises 25 amazing legaltech gurus – designers, developers and consumers - from 7 regions around the world. In this session Terri and David discussed: What viewers/listeners can expect from the series Where there may (or may not be) differences between countries and regions Why understanding and exploring tech from a global perspective makes sense especially right now Their aspirations for the series – connecting people and creating opportunities for building great tech for the legal ecosystem.   You’ll find details about the episodes in this series here. If you would prefer to watch rather than listen to this session, you’ll find the video in our CLI-Collaborate (CLIC) free resource hub here. Additional resources: CLI Bi-Monthly Newsletter – subscription details here. InCounsel Weekly – subscription details here.

In this podcast, , Michael Morrissey, Managing Director + Founder, Morrissey Law + Advisory shared his experience in building buy-in for your project inside and outside your legal organisation. Topics covered in this session included: Know your mission Measuring buy-in Garnering buy-in: Communication; Training; Culture building; Taking your team on the journey Maintaining buy-in Reporting: Celebrating the wins; Acknowledging the losses; Recognising the team You’ll find details about the other episodes in this series here. If you would prefer to watch rather than listen to this session, you’ll find the video in our CLI-Collaborate (CLIC) free resource hub here. Resources referred to in this episode: Melissa Lyon – CLI Legal Design Thinking and Doing series Melissa Lyon - Building a user centred approach to innovation projects: video and podcast Maya Markovich - Leveraging the entrepreneurial mindset in your legal practice: video and podcast Brene Brown website