Legal Innovation Spotlight

Ted Theodoropoulos brings together voices from across legal operations, law firms, technology companies, and the access-to-justice community to explore how AI is reshaping the delivery and business of law. From rethinking lawyer training and workflow automation to improving client experience and expanding access to legal services, this recap episode offers a grounded look at how firms can prepare today for an AI-enabled future.

Explore how AI is transforming the legal landscape, from enhancing client reporting with data analytics to the risks of hallucinations in AI-generated documents. Discover personal insights on treating AI like a junior associate and the ethical requirements needed for implementation. Learn about the challenges of market saturation in legal tech and the potential for non-AI automation to boost efficiency. Discuss firm policies and training necessary for navigating this AI-driven future while maintaining high standards.

Ted sits down with Kyle Poe, Vice President of Legal Innovation & Strategy at Legora, to discuss how AI is transforming both the practice and business of law. From his transition out of Big Law to helping firms navigate AI-driven change, Kyle shares his expertise in legal innovation, analytics, and technology-enabled service delivery. With candid insights on client expectations and differentiation in an AI-powered market, this conversation offers practical guidance for law professionals preparing for what’s next.

Ted sits down with Ned Gannon, Co-Founder, CEO and GC at Coheso, to discuss how in-house legal teams are adopting AI native workflows and rethinking the way corporate legal work gets done. From the shift in corporate legal spend to the challenges of change management and measuring ROI, Ned shares his expertise in legal operations, workflow design and AI enabled productivity. With insights on orchestration layers, agentic capabilities and data driven decision making, this conversation helps law professionals understand what the future of modern in-house legal teams will require.

Dom Conte, former lawyer and co-founder of Purple, dives into the challenges law firms face in embracing innovation. He explores the cultural resistance stemming from the 'lawyer mindset' and highlights the critical role of firm-owned data in creating AI-driven solutions. Dom discusses strategies for fostering change, contrasting top-down and grassroots innovation approaches. He argues that non-lawyers and junior attorneys can be key drivers of this transformation, all while emphasizing the importance of adapting to a tech-enabled legal landscape.

In this insightful discussion, Ben Allgrove, Chief Innovation Officer at Baker McKenzie and a seasoned tech lawyer, shares his expertise on the transformative role of AI in the legal sector. They explore innovative pricing models beyond the billable hour, emphasizing the need for hybrid leaders skilled in both law and technology. Ben highlights the importance of orchestrating legal services to stay competitive and examines the rise of challenger firms in a changing landscape. His insights are crucial for law professionals seeking to adapt to an AI-driven future.

Ted sits down with Hayley Stillwell, Associate Professor, and Sean Harrington, Director of Technology and Innovation at the University of Oklahoma College of Law, to discuss how AI is reshaping legal judgment, education, and the “reasonable juror” standard. From their mock jury study “Michael Scott Is Not a Juror” to exploring bias in AI and the future of legal specialization, Hayley and Sean share their expertise in law, data, and innovation. With insights on how AI can both challenge and enhance human judgment, this conversation invites law professionals to rethink how technology is redefining the future of justice.

Jessica Frank, Director of Justice Initiatives at Free Law Project, is a legal tech advocate focused on making justice accessible for all. In this enlightening conversation, she discusses the daunting U.S. justice gap and her innovative Litigant Portal designed to assist self-represented litigants. Jessica sheds light on the significance of open court data and AI in creating equity within legal systems. They also explore the role of empathy in legal help, emphasizing that technology should enhance—not replace—the human touch in law.

Ted sits down with David Perla, Vice Chair at Burford Capital, to discuss how Managed Service Organizations (MSOs) are reshaping the legal industry and what they mean for the future of law firm innovation. From the evolution of capital structures to the cultural challenges of modernization, David shares his expertise in legal finance, entrepreneurship, and business transformation. With insights on how technology, investment, and client demand are converging, this conversation gives law professionals a fresh perspective on staying competitive.

Raymond Blyd, CEO of Sabaio and Legalcomplex, is an expert in legal tech and AI. He discusses the rise of one-person billion-dollar law firms and the transformative impact of AI on legal services. Raymond dives into the challenges of AI hallucinations, investor behaviors post-COVID, and the valuation shifts in legal tech startups. He also highlights the future of AI negotiations between lawyers' AIs and emphasizes the importance of human oversight to enhance AI outputs. Throughout, he remains optimistic about the evolving role of lawyers in this AI-driven landscape.