
Pearls On, Gloves Off
Smooth operations keep businesses afloat – but what makes them successful? “Pearls On, Gloves Off” is a new podcast where Legal Ops legend Mary O’Carroll and a motley crew of guests share their insider knowledge from running high-performing businesses. Join us for insightful conversations with some of today’s most respected leaders and luminaries.
Latest episodes

Jan 31, 2024 • 44min
#36 - Embracing AI in Law: A Conversation with Andrew Perlman on the Future of the Legal Profession
In this episode of Pearls On, Gloves Off: Join Mary O'Carroll in a riveting conversation with Andrew Perlman, a visionary in law and technology. As the Dean and Professor of Law at Suffolk University Law School, Perlman is pioneering the future of legal innovation. AI's Legal Landscape: Perlman takes us through the evolution of AI in law, forecasting its transformative impact while addressing confidentiality concerns. Realistic Expectations for AI Tools: Dive into the practicality of AI – efficient, effective, but not flawless. A tool for better legal practices. Generative AI's Potential: Explore the untapped possibilities of AI in law, from drafting documents to streamlining legal services. Redefining Legal Issue Spotting: Lawyers of tomorrow need to be tech-savvy, quick to adapt, and ready to deliver services faster and more affordably. Changing Law Firm Training Models: New lawyers are no longer just learners; they're innovators contributing to a firm's evolution. Suffolk's Legal Tech Frontier: Get an inside look at Suffolk's Legal Innovation and Technology Institute and legal tech lab, where students get hands-on with the future. Skills for the Future Lawyer: Perlman emphasizes a blend of timeless skills like communication and problem-solving, with an essential dash of tech-comfort. The No-Code Lawyer of Tomorrow: Perlman envisions a future where lawyers instruct computers through language, not code, democratizing tech access in the legal field. Stay Connected with Us: Follow Mary on LinkedIn: Mary O'Carroll Ironclad Socials: LinkedIn: Ironclad, Inc., YouTube: Ironclad Channel, TikTok: @ironclad.clm Rate and Review: Love the show? Drop us a line on Apple Podcasts: Pearls On, Gloves Off

Jan 17, 2024 • 45min
#35 - Victim Mindset, Impostor Syndrome, and Subconscious Beliefs - Kim Kokoska, Mary's Executive Coach
In this episode of Pearls On, Gloves Off Mary sits down with her own own executive coach, Kim Kokoska, for a deep dive into the psychology of self-perception and empowerment. Listen in as they unpack some transformative ideas: Victim vs. Observer Mindsets: dissecting the 'victim triangle', featuring the roles of victim, persecutor, and rescuer. They explore how we often oscillate between these roles in interactions. Embracing the Empowerment Triangle: Transitioning from victimhood, they introduce the 'empowerment triangle', a framework comprising the observer or creator, the asserter or challenger, and the nurturer or coach. This model encourages proactive, empowering approaches to life's challenges. Subconscious Beliefs: Delving into psychology, they discuss how our early experiences shape subconscious beliefs, impacting our responses and behaviors in adulthood. The Role of Personal Responsibility: The duo highlights the significance of accepting our current reality, identifying change opportunities, and making conscious choices to shift from victim to observer mindset. Managing Stress Responses: They touch upon the 'fight or flight' reaction in stressful scenarios, emphasizing mindfulness and relaxation techniques for better regulation. Confronting Imposter Syndrome: Kim offers insights into imposter syndrome, linking it to deep-rooted beliefs and suggesting strategies to separate these from our performance. The 'Minimum Effective Dose' Strategy: They discuss how minor, well-targeted changes can lead to significant life improvements, advocating for a minimalistic approach to personal development. Awareness and Adjustment: The conversation wraps up with a focus on recognizing when we slip into a victim mindset and the importance of readjusting to an observer perspective. Connect with Us: Follow Mary on LinkedIn: Mary Shen O'Carroll Stay Updated with Ironclad: LinkedIn YouTube TikTok Love the Show? Rate and Review Us on Apple Podcasts: Pearls On, Gloves Off

Jan 3, 2024 • 50min
#34 - Flex Talent For The Win! With Trista Engel & Jessica Markowitz, executive leaders at Paragon Legal
Mary O'Carroll welcomes the dynamic duo of Trista Engel and Jessica Markowitz, leaders at Paragon Legal and co-founders of Calyx Capital Partners. Both seasoned MBAs from the University of Chicago Booth Business School, they share insights on reinventing legal talent in today's fast-paced world. Flex Talent Revolution: Mary and her guests unpack the concept of flex talent. They argue it's not just an option but a necessity for modern legal departments. Key focus areas? Legal ops, tech tools, and yes, flexible talent! Right Sourcing 101: It's all about matching the task with the perfect resource. Mary delves into this game-changing strategy, where everything from junior attorneys to automation tools plays a role. Real-world Flex Talent Stories: Trista and Jessica bring their experiences to the table, highlighting the versatility and adaptability of flex talent. From managing workload peaks to fitting specialized roles, they've seen it all. Cost-Effective Legal Work: Dive into how flex talent can slash legal costs while maintaining top-tier expertise. The takeaway? Quality work doesn't always mean hefty law firm bills. The Paragon Edge: Get an inside look at how Paragon Legal isn't just employing flex talent but empowering them with a full suite of benefits and a strong sense of team belonging. Culture Fit in Flex Talent Hiring: It's not just about skills. Mary, Trista, and Jessica emphasize the importance of aligning culture, speed, and risk tolerance for successful talent placement. Stay Connected with Us: Follow Mary on LinkedIn: Mary O'Carroll Ironclad Socials: LinkedIn: Ironclad, Inc., YouTube: Ironclad Channel, TikTok: @ironclad.clm Rate and Review: Love the show? Let us know on Apple Podcasts: Pearls On, Gloves Off

Dec 20, 2023 • 47min
#33 - Legal Ops Is Not a Service Org! With Shiela Dusseau, Head of Legal Ops, Ferring Pharma
In this episode of "Pearls On, Gloves Off," host Mary O'Carroll sits down with Sheila Dusseau, whose transition from finance to legal operations has been nothing short of a masterclass in adaptability and strategic thinking. Busting Myths: Shiela and Mary debunk common misconceptions about legal ops. Sheila advocates for a shift in perspective, from seeing legal ops as mere 'support' to recognizing it as a crucial 'partnership' or 'collaboration' within the organization. The Transparency Imperative: A candid moment unfolds when Sheila recounts a conflict arising from a misinterpretation of her role, underscoring the necessity for clear communication and a deep understanding of legal ops across the company. Evolving with AI: Sheila and Mary explore how AI is revolutionizing the legal ops landscape, enhancing the value and intelligence of professionals in the field. GCs as Catalysts for Change: The dialogue shifts to the role of general counsels (GCs) in framing legal ops within leadership teams. Sheila underscores the need for GCs to engage more proactively and transparently with legal ops as equal partners. Prioritizing Impact: A pragmatic discussion ensues on managing 'support' type requests. Sheila shares her strategy of prioritizing impactful projects aligned with organizational goals over indiscriminate task acceptance. Strategic Value and Continuous Learning: The episode wraps up with Sheila’s powerful insights on delivering tangible results, embracing continuous learning, and the importance of innovative thinking in propelling the organization forward. Join us for this enlightening conversation where pearls of wisdom meet the unvarnished truth about the evolving world of legal operations. Don't miss Sheila Dusseau's invaluable insights on "Pearls On, Gloves Off with Mary O'Carroll."

Dec 6, 2023 • 1h 17min
#32 - Ironclad CEO Jason Boehmig on Legal Ops & CLM
In this episode, I'm thrilled to sit down for an in depth conversation with the amazing Jason Boehmig, CEO of Ironclad. Here's what we cover: Jason’s Unique Path: Discover how Jason transitioned from investment banking to law, setting the stage for his future endeavors. The Birth of Ironclad: Jason delves into the origins of Ironclad, highlighting the pivotal moments and decisions. Community at the Core: The rise of the CLOC community and its significant impact on the legal tech world. Entrepreneurial Ups and Downs: Insights into the challenges and triumphs of starting and growing a company in the legal tech space. Legal Ops and the Future: Jason discusses the evolving role of legal operations and the broader implications for the legal profession. AI: The Game Changer: A look into how AI is revolutionizing legal departments and what that means for the industry. Solving Real Problems: Tackling customer issues in the crowded CLM field. The GC and CLO Perspective: The crucial role of GCs and CLOs in adopting and implementing CLM solutions. Ironclad’s Road Ahead: Jason shares his vision for the future of Ironclad and the exciting developments in the legal tech sector. Stay Connected & Spread the Love: Mary's LinkedIn Ironclad's Socials LinkedIn YouTube TikTok If you're enjoying the show, we'd really appreciate your review on Apple Podcasts ❤️

Nov 22, 2023 • 37min
#31 - Offshore Your Legal Ops and More Advice From Abigail Nornoo, Head of Legal Ops at Standard Chartered Bank
In this episode, Mary interviews Abigail Nornoo, Global Head of Operations for Legal, CoSec & Investigative Services at Standard Chartered Bank. She spearheads a team of over 30 professionals, reshaping the landscape of legal ops. From Ghana to London: Abigail recounts her remarkable journey, detailing her transition from Ghana to the heart of London's banking scene, and the inception of her exhilarating career at Standard Chartered. Building from Scratch: Discover how Abigail pioneered the bank's legal ops function, tackling challenges head-on and expanding her role's scope through strategic innovation and leadership. A Diverse Role: As Head of Legal Operations, Abigail navigates various domains, including financial management, risk operations, and analytics, underpinning the entire legal framework of the bank. Team Growth Insights: Learn how Abigail strategically expanded her team from a solo venture to a 30-member powerhouse, emphasizing low-cost location benefits and establishing a Center of Excellence in India. Managed Services vs. Outsourcing: Dive into a compelling discussion about the pros and cons of in-house managed services versus outsourcing, exploring flexibility and infrastructure necessities. AI: The Future Frontier: Abigail shares exciting insights into the bank's focus for the next 12 months, centering on AI to enhance operational efficiency, highlighting the importance of experimentation and identifying potential applications. Thanks for listening! Here's how to stay connected: Mary's LinkedIn: Follow Here Ironclad's Socials: LinkedIn YouTube TikTok Rate & Review on Apple

Nov 8, 2023 • 45min
#30 - How Salesforce Does Legal Ops with Léo Murgel, SVP Legal at Salesforce
In this episode of Pearls On, Gloves Off, go behind the curtain of legal ops at Salesforce with their SVP of Legal and Corporate Affairs Léo Murgel. Topics: From IT mergers to legal ops, Léo discusses the transition Unveiling the pillars of legal ops support and strategy AI’s revolutionary role at Salesforce and the legal realm Legal ops duties—what they entail, their significance Léo’s personal anecdotes on shaping legal ops strategy The synergy of different teams working together Salesforce’s journey through digital transformation The strategic evolution of legal ops How Léo's team at Salesforce navigates new technology integration Crafting a vision for the future in legal ops Emphasizing change management in legal ops teams Stay connected and keep the conversation going after the show: 🌟 Mary on LinkedIn 🌟 Ironclad on LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok 🌟 Rate and Review on Apple Podcasts

Oct 25, 2023 • 36min
#29 - Legal to COO, Centralizing vs. Decentralizing, and the Future of Legal Ops - Nitin Batra, Global COO for Citi Private Bank
In this episode of Pearls On, Gloves Off, we delve into the world of corporate operations with Nitin Batra, the Global Chief Operating Officer for Citi Private Bank. We explore his career journey, shedding valuable light on the influence of his legal operations background, the intricacies of corporate management, and the future of both the private banking sector and legal operations as a career path. - Unpacking the transition from a role focused primarily on legal operations to a broader, revenue-generating function. - The ongoing debate - are business functions better when centralized or decentralized? - A glimpse into the future of legal operations and its growing popularity as a career choice. - Challenges encountered in the establishment of legal operations and overcoming them. - The possibility of transitioning from legal operations to broader COO roles. - The crucial role preemptive structures play in managing corporate responsibilities effectively. - Insight into the daily challenges of managing a corporation's private banking sector as a Global COO. - Differences and similarities between general COO roles and specific department COO roles. - The interaction with legal departments during legal changes execution. - How business decisions and strategies shape operations within a company. - The strategic benefits and complexities of centralizing operations within a company across different functions. Stay Connected & Spread the Love: Mary's LinkedIn: Follow Here Ironclad's Socials: LinkedIn YouTube TikTok Show Some Love: Rate & Review on Apple Grab your headphones and dive in. Legal's never been this lively. 🎧🔥

Oct 11, 2023 • 35min
#28 - Skipping the Firm, Finding a Mentor, Using GenAI - Stefan Nunn, Counsel at TravelPerk
Mary and Stefan Nunn unravel his journey from aspiring veterinarian to Legal Counsel at TravelPerk, highlighting the transformative power of legal operations, the innovative role of AI in the field, and the importance of entrepreneurial education and networking beyond the legal re From Vet Dreams to Legal Themes: A quirky leap from aspiring veterinarian to the legal counsel realm. Obstacles in the Legal Lane: The hurdles and exhilarating transition to legal operations. GW Pharmaceuticals and Self-Funding: Tales of contract administration and a self-funded legal practice course. Legal Ops - The Magic Wand: The transformative power of legal operations: think efficiency and standardization. TravelPerk - More than Just Travel: A deep dive into TravelPerk's tech-driven, efficient ethos where the legal team enables. AI in Legal? Heck Yes!: Generative AI's revolutionary impact on law and TravelPerk's tech-forward strategies. Education 2.0: A call for tech-savvy, entrepreneurial legal education. Stepping into Legal Ops: Golden advice: tribe-finding, mentor-seeking, and wide networking. Beyond Law: The potency of connections outside the legal bubble. The Future of Law: Reflecting on the profession's trajectory and the indispensability of business acumen. Stay Connected & Spread the Love: Mary's LinkedIn: Follow Here Ironclad's Socials: LinkedIn YouTube TikTok Show Some Love: Rate & Review on Apple Grab your headphones and dive in. Legal's never been this lively. 🎧🔥

Sep 27, 2023 • 45min
#27 - Building Community, Reporting to CEOs, and Choosing Vendors with Sarah Irwin, Head of Legal at Tines
In this episode of Pearls On, Gloves Off: Community at its Finest. Dive into the Irish Tech General Council, chaired and founded by Sarah. The LinkedIn Guru. Sarah’s insightful pieces on legal operations and tech are a must-read. A Seat at the Table. Why GCs need to report directly to the CEO in a rapidly expanding company. Choosing a CLM Provider. Sarah's playbook for picking a contract lifecycle management provider. Plus, a golden scorecard and RFP template! Burnout and AI. Sarah’s perspective on lawyer burnout and the revolutionary role of AI in the legal space. The Power of Unity. The sheer force of community building among legal professionals. They share, they care! Dublin's Tech Pulse. How the Dublin tech community is marking its space on the global map. GC Reporting - A Deeper Dive. Understanding the undeniable connection between GCs and the CEO. AI and the Legal Landscape. AI's potential, the upcoming AI act in the EU, and its ripples in the legal arena. Starting From Zero. Hear Sarah's journey of constructing a legal function from the ground up. Spoiler: Contractors and outside providers play a big part. Running Legal Smartly. Legal isn’t just about laws. It’s about efficiency, technology, and smart operations. Connect With Us: Mary’s LinkedIn: Follow here Ironclad's LinkedIn: Follow here Ironclad's YouTube: Subscribe here Ironclad's TikTok: Check us out here Rate and Review: Show us some love on Apple Podcasts!
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