
Automates
Musings from the brightest industry minds on the state of innovation, knowledge management and start-ups with some workflow & process automation thrown in. Presented by Ben Wightwick from Autologyx, a best of breed workflow and automation platform for legal and compliance professionals seeking to enhance productivity and efficiency.
Latest episodes

Jun 24, 2025 • 52min
Automates #25 - The one with all the knowledge
Patrick DiDomenico, a legaltech veteran and founder of LegalTech Connect, shares insights into the evolving landscape of knowledge management in law. He discusses AI's role and questions if we're re-siloing information. The conversation contrasts the refreshing dynamics of in-house legal departments with traditional law firms, and the challenges of balancing efficiency with billable hours. Attention to technology implementation is crucial, as is navigating speaker fatigue in conferences. Ultimately, fostering community collaboration sparks innovation in legal tech.

May 29, 2025 • 46min
Automates #20 - The one with a visual mind
In this episode of Automates, I sit down with Tim Follett, CEO and founder of Structureflow, to explore the transformative power of visualisation in the professional services industry. Tim shares his journey from a decade-long career as an M&A lawyer to launching a visual modelling platform that simplifies complex structures and transactions. We delve into the importance of reducing complexity in our increasingly information-heavy world and how visual tools can enhance client experiences and improve communication. Tim also discusses the challenges and triumphs of transitioning from law to tech entrepreneurship, offering insights for aspiring innovators. Tune in to discover how visualisation can be a superpower in your professional toolkit and learn from Tim's experiences in building a successful legal tech startup.

May 29, 2025 • 46min
Automates #24 - The one with SKILLS
In this engaging discussion, Oze Benamram, a legal tech advisor with a rich background in knowledge management, explores the evolution of AI in law. He shares insights from his journey in legal tech and the collaborative spirit behind initiatives like the SKILLS summit. Oze discusses the shift towards matter-centric approaches driven by AI and the balancing act between established firms and innovative disruptors. He emphasizes the importance of adapting to technological changes and fostering community to navigate the future of legal services.

May 21, 2025 • 37min
Automates #23 - The one with the TikTok lawyer
This episode, Ben talks to Chrissie Wolfe, a Global Medical & Cosmetic Injury Lawyer, consultant and social media content creator, with over 75000 followers on TikTok.
Chrissie talks to Ben about:
- Striking the right balance for her career as wearer of multiple hats at all times
- Helping entrants into the legal industry fully understand why things are the way they are
- Getting an ADHD diagnosis and using it to her advantage
- Aiming to remove 5% of her least valuable workload through applying technology and automation
- Taking a less conventional route to becoming a lawyer, and how others can too
- How the future does not hold less jobs, just different ones!

Apr 22, 2025 • 47min
Automates #22 - The one with the trendy fractional GC
Our guest this time is Natalie Salunke who explains how the Fractional GC model is working for her and her clients. Natalie and Ben discuss:
- In-house legal departments behaving more as a function rather than as advisors
- Alternative ways of getting access to high quality legal support
- How important 'human' skills are going to be in the future of work
- Focusing on the solution first when in the market for legal tech
- How in-house heads of legal and GCs are compensated in comparison to their private practice counterparts
- The joy of dipping in and out of different sectors in a fractional role

Mar 20, 2025 • 49min
Automates #21 - The one with an AI Titan
Peter Duffy, an AI-first legal tech consultant at Titans, dives into the transformative role of AI in the legal sector. He illustrates how AI can act as a knowledge partner, enhancing human capabilities rather than replacing them. The discussion covers the challenges of tech adoption and the importance of human expertise amidst rapid change. Duffy also debunks myths around Agentic AI, while exploring the blurred lines in the legal tech landscape. Expect practical tips and insights that are sure to elevate your understanding of AI's potential!

Feb 27, 2025 • 53min
Automates #19 - The one who makes all the change
Jana Blount, a legal innovation consultant who previously led change strategy at DLA Piper, shares her insights on driving radical change in the legal industry. She discusses the distinction between radical change and innovation, emphasizing the impact of design thinking on problem-solving. Jana expresses her distaste for the term 'just' in budgeting, advocating for tech tools to access existing strengths to foster greatness. She believes AI should facilitate meaningful change in law, not just financial gain, and highlights the importance of strong client relationships.

Feb 6, 2025 • 44min
Automates #18 - The one with all the lego
Matt Miller, VP at Litera, shares insights from his 18-year journey in legal tech. He discusses the contrasts between scale-up and large tech environments, emphasizing the need for innovation as companies grow. Matt highlights law firms seeking tech-savvy individuals and the demand for modern applications. The conversation also delves into the challenges of leveraging data in the AI age and the importance of understanding customer needs to drive generative AI adoption. It's a fascinating look at the intersection of technology and legal services!

Jan 21, 2025 • 47min
Automates #17 - The one who was first and therefore the best
Jon Bartman, Co-founder of a law tech consultancy and board member of the European Legal Tech Association, shares his insights on the journey from lawyer to tech innovator. He discusses the hurdles and potential in today's crowded legal tech market. Jon emphasizes that implementing technology isn't just for big law firms. They also reflect on the significance of community at legal tech events and explore how generative AI is reshaping legal teams, encouraging firms to adapt to stay competitive.

Dec 12, 2024 • 47min
Automates #16 - The one with a moral compass
This episode of Automates features values-driven Caitlin McFee, Head of Growth at Capacity. Caitlin explains: Her reasons for getting behind the mission of Capacity and how it helps firms operate as better businessesThat firms must look beyond 'wellbeing days' to truly transforming the experience of working in a law firmUsing work allocation as a lever to affect changeThe inherent challenges in attempting to fundamentally change the way the legal industry worksBalancing the needs of the firm and the associates with the desire of the partner to have controlThe cultural differences between the UK and US in adopting techCreating an open and flexible startup culturePlus, here's a link to the referenced must sign up newsletter about everything the legal industry cares about https://legaldigest.beehiiv.com/subscribe