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Notes To My (Legal) Self

Notes To My (Legal) Self

By Olga V. Mack

Hello! Welcome to Notes To My (Legal) Self. Together with our incredible guests, we explore topics of interest to in-house lawyers -- career, practice tips, leadership, the future of law, mental health, legal tech, and much, much more.
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Season 4, Episode 3: Outside General Counsel and Alternative Fee Arrangement with Steven J. Shanker, Esq.

Notes To My (Legal) SelfFeb 06, 2022

00:00
24:03
Season 6, Episode 20: Unveiling the Future of Data Integrity: Exploring the Data Provenance Standards (with Kassi Burns and Olga V. Mack)

Season 6, Episode 20: Unveiling the Future of Data Integrity: Exploring the Data Provenance Standards (with Kassi Burns and Olga V. Mack)

Welcome to "Notes to My Legal Self," a podcast where we dive deep into the intersection of law and technology. In this episode, we're exploring the intricate world of Data Provenance Standards with two seasoned experts in the field, Olga Mack and Kassi Burns. Get ready for a geeky yet enlightening conversation about data, AI, legal technology, and much more!


Key Takeaways:

  • Insight into Data Provenance Standards by the Data & Trust Alliance.
  • How these standards, akin to food safety labels, enhance transparency and trust in data usage.
  • The impact of data integrity standards on various sectors, including healthcare and finance.
  • Exploring the intersection of AI, legal tech, and data governance.


Guest Information:

  • Kassi Burns is a forward-thinking attorney with a decade of experience in AI and Machine Learning.
  • Olga Mack is a legal tech enthusiast and expert in disruptive tech and the future of law.


Special Features:

  • Engaging in rapid-fire Q&A sessions with the guests.
  • Discussion on practical solutions over legal philosophy.
  • Insights into the future of legal education and the impact of AI on small businesses.


Teaser Questions:

  • How can Data Provenance Standards revolutionize trust in AI systems?
  • What are the implications of these standards on your career in the legal tech industry?
  • Can small businesses leverage these standards for growth and opportunity?

"Stay ahead of the curve in the evolving world of legal technology. Follow us for more insightful episodes and join the conversation by sharing your thoughts on how data provenance is shaping the future of AI and legal tech."

Dec 30, 202340:47
Season 6, Episode 19: AWS Report Analysis (with Olga V. Mack)

Season 6, Episode 19: AWS Report Analysis (with Olga V. Mack)

Welcome to Episode 19 of Season 6, where we delve deep into the AWS 'NOV 2023: ACCELERATING AI SKILLS' report. This episode stands out as we take a solo journey with our host, exploring the groundbreaking insights from this comprehensive study. The report, commissioned by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and prepared by Access Partnership, sheds light on the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) across various sectors, focusing on the legal industry.


Key Takeaways:

  1. Transformation in the Legal Sector: AI's role in automating routine tasks, leading to enhanced efficiency and accuracy.
  2. Efficiency and Role Shift: The expected shift in legal professionals' roles towards more strategic activities.
  3. Accessibility of Legal Services: How AI-driven tools can democratize legal assistance.
  4. Ethical and Regulatory Challenges: Addressing the growing concerns as AI integrates into legal practices.
  5. Emerging Skill Requirements: The need for legal professionals to blend legal expertise with AI skills.


Joining us in this insightful discussion is Olga Mack, bringing her expertise to the table as we dissect the AWS report's findings.


Special Features:

  • Interactive Analysis: Our host provides a unique, interactive breakdown of the report.
  • Highlights of Key Predictions: Focusing on the anticipated mainstream adoption of AI in the legal sector.
  • Practical Advice: Tips for legal professionals to adapt and upskill in the AI-driven future.


Teaser Questions:

  • How will AI reshape the legal industry in the coming years?
  • What new skills will legal professionals need to thrive in an AI-integrated environment?
  • How can legal services become more accessible through AI?

Don't forget to engage with us! Share your thoughts and insights on how AI is shaping your industry. Join the conversation, and let's navigate this AI-driven future together.


Enjoy the episode and stay tuned for more insights into how AI is revolutionizing industries, one sector at a time!

Dec 30, 202316:47
Season 6, Episode 18: AI at the Crossroads: Navigating the New FTC Landscape (with Kassi Burns and Olga V. Mack)

Season 6, Episode 18: AI at the Crossroads: Navigating the New FTC Landscape (with Kassi Burns and Olga V. Mack)

Welcome to another engaging episode of 'Notes to My Legal Self,' where we dive deep into the evolving landscape of tech and law. In Season 6, Episode 18, we're thrilled to have Kassi Burns join host Olga Mack as they explore the recent FTC developments affecting AI and consumer rights. This episode promises to be a treasure trove of insights for both legal professionals and tech enthusiasts.


Key Takeaways:

  1. Understanding the FTC's new approach to AI-related products and services.
  2. Insights on the FTC's Voice Cloning Challenge and its implications for consumer protection.
  3. Discussion on the intersection of AI, privacy, and antitrust laws.
  4. Kassi Burns' unique perspective on eDiscovery and emerging technologies.

Kassi Burns, an attorney with a decade of experience in AI and Machine Learning, is known for her expertise in eDiscovery, privacy law, and the legal impacts of blockchain, NFTs, and Web3. Follow her journey and insights on social media via @eDiscoverist.


Special Features:

  • An impromptu proposal and acceptance of co-hosting duties between Olga and Kassi.
  • A lively Q&A session revealing personal preferences and professional opinions on various legal topics.


Intriguing Questions:

  1. How will the FTC's new resolutions shape the future of AI in the legal landscape?
  2. What does the rise of voice cloning technologies mean for consumer rights?
  3. How should businesses prepare for the changing regulatory environment around AI?

Remember to subscribe to Notes to My Legal Self for more insightful discussions. Share your thoughts on this episode using #LegalTechFTC and join the conversation online!


Join us for this enlightening journey into the heart of legal technology and AI regulations with Olga Mack and Kassi Burns.

Dec 30, 202345:10
Season 6, Episode 17: Florida v. California (with Kassi Burns and Olga V. Mack)

Season 6, Episode 17: Florida v. California (with Kassi Burns and Olga V. Mack)

Welcome to Season 6, Episode 17 of "Notes to My Legal Self AI Insights." In this riveting episode, titled "Navigating the AI Legal Landscape: Florida vs. California," we dive into the complex world of AI regulation in the legal field. Join us as our host, Olga Mack, and special guest Kassi Burns explore the contrasting approaches of Florida and California in regulating lawyers' use of AI and Machine Learning.


Key Takeaways:

  1. In-depth Analysis of AI in Legal Practice: Understand the unique ways Florida and California regulate AI usage by legal professionals.
  2. Impact of AI and Emerging Technologies: Insights into how blockchain, NFTs, and web3 are transforming the legal industry.
  3. Future of Legal Profession: Explore the evolving landscape of legal services in the age of digital transformation.


Kassi Burns, a seasoned attorney with a decade of experience in AI and Machine Learning, shares her expertise on the topic. She is known for her deep understanding of data’s impact on legal issues and her involvement in the eDiscovery community.


Special Features: The episode features a lively fire-grill question session, revealing our guests' personal preferences and professional insights on various legal topics.


Teaser Questions:

  • How do Florida and California differ in their legal frameworks for AI use by lawyers?
  • Can emerging technologies like blockchain and NFTs reshape the legal landscape?
  • What ethical concerns surround AI in law, particularly regarding biases and confidentiality?


Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast for more insightful episodes. Share your thoughts on this episode's topic in the comments, and join us in our next discussion on the impact of FTC regulations!


Join us for this enlightening journey through the legal implications of AI technologies, and stay ahead of the curve in understanding the future of law!

Dec 29, 202349:41
Season 6, Episode 16: Corporate Governance Failure in OpenAI (with Duane Valz)

Season 6, Episode 16: Corporate Governance Failure in OpenAI (with Duane Valz)

In this thought-provoking Notes to My Legal Self AI Insights episode, we're dissecting the tumultuous shifts in corporate governance at OpenAI. Join us as we welcome Duane Valz, a seasoned Silicon Valley legal expert, to unravel the events leading to Sam Altman's unexpected departure and the broader implications for AI governance.


Key Takeaways:

  1. The Evolution of OpenAI: A detailed exploration of OpenAI's transformation from a non-profit entity to a complex, venture-backed organization and how this shift impacted its corporate governance.
  2. Sam Altman's Departure: Analyzing the circumstances and aftermath of Altman's exit, including its ripple effects across the AI industry.
  3. Corporate Governance Challenges: Lessons on foresight and strategy for rapidly evolving tech companies, with a focus on maintaining robust governance structures.

Duane Valz, currently serving as VP & General Counsel at Insitro, shares his extensive experience in corporate law and IP strategy, drawing from his roles at Google, Zymergen Inc., and his involvement in several non-profit boards.


Special Features:

  • A deep dive into Duane's Medium article that sparked a significant conversation about OpenAI's governance issues.
  • An analysis of the complexities of OpenAI's corporate structure and its implications for the AI industry.


Teaser Questions:

  • What were the underlying factors that led to the corporate governance failure at OpenAI?
  • How could OpenAI's structure and strategy serve as a cautionary tale for other tech companies?
  • In what ways could OpenAI have navigated its challenges differently for a more stable outcome?


Subscribe to our podcast to stay connected with the evolving world of AI and law. We encourage listeners to share their perspectives on this episode's themes in the comments and join us for our next episode for more enriching discussions.


This episode promises to be a treasure trove of insights for anyone interested in the intersection of AI, corporate law, and technology governance. Join us for an enlightening journey through the inner workings of one of the most influential companies in AI.

Dec 29, 202346:11
Season 6, Episode 15: NIST Workshop (with Kassi Burns Olga V. Mack)

Season 6, Episode 15: NIST Workshop (with Kassi Burns Olga V. Mack)

Welcome to Episode 15 of Season 6, where we delve into the transformative world of AI, sparked by the recent NIST workshop on AI safety and trustworthiness. In this episode, we are thrilled to have Olga Mack and Kassi Burns, an attorney with a decade of experience in AI and machine learning, joining us for a comprehensive discussion.


Key Takeaways:

  1. Insight into marrying AI potential with ethical practices.
  2. Understanding the synergy between tech leaders and policymakers.
  3. Exploring cutting-edge tools and models in AI safety.

Kassi Burns, an attorney and seasoned expert in AI and Machine Learning, shares her perspective on AI’s impact on legal issues and the significance of blockchain, NFTs, and web3.


Special Features:

  • Deep dive into NIST's "A USAISI Workshop: Collaboration to Enable Safe and Trustworthy AI."
  • Exploration of innovative strategies for AI ethics.
  • Discussion on the role of tech leaders and policymakers in shaping AI.


Intriguing Teaser Questions:

  • How can AI development balance innovation and ethics?
  • What are the emerging challenges in making AI safe and trustworthy?
  • How will AI shape the future of legal professions and other industries?

Don't forget to subscribe for more insightful discussions and follow us on Twitter at @AIPodcast for updates.


This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolving landscape of AI, its ethical implications, and the future it holds for various industries. Join us on this insightful journey!

Dec 29, 202342:38
Season 6, Episode 14: How to Use Agent GPT in Law: A Guide to Autonomous AI Agents (with Kassi Burns and Olga V. Mack)

Season 6, Episode 14: How to Use Agent GPT in Law: A Guide to Autonomous AI Agents (with Kassi Burns and Olga V. Mack)

Welcome to Episode 14 of Season 6, where the world of law meets cutting-edge AI technology! In this episode, titled "How to Use Agent GPT in Law: A Guide to Autonomous AI Agents", we dive deep into the integration of AI in the legal sphere with our special guests, Kassi Burns and Olga Mack. Kassi, a seasoned attorney with a decade of experience in AI and machine learning, joins us to share her insights into the evolving landscape of law and technology.


Key Takeaways:

  1. Kassi Burns' journey from transactional law to the forefront of eDiscovery and privacy law.
  2. The role of AI and machine learning in modern legal practices.
  3. Practical applications and limitations of AI tools like Agent GPT in legal settings.
  4. Creative uses of AI agents for non-legal purposes.
  5. Future implications of AI in the legal profession.


Kassi Burns, a Senior Attorney at King and Spalding, is known for her expertise in eDiscovery, privacy law, data breach response, and information law. She brings a unique perspective to the table, emphasizing the importance of AI and machine learning in legal services.


Special Features:

  • Insights into the creation and customization of AI agents for legal and personal use.
  • An intriguing discussion on the conservative nature of AI tools and how to creatively direct them.
  • Perspectives on the ethical considerations and practical applications of AI in law.


Intriguing Teaser Questions:

  • How is AI reshaping the legal industry?
  • Can AI agents like GPT truly understand and work within legal frameworks?
  • What are the innovative ways attorneys like Kassi Burns are utilizing AI in their practice?

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Stay tuned for our next episode, where we continue exploring the fascinating intersection of law and technology.

Dec 29, 202335:34
Season 6, Episode 13: AI Pin (with Kassi Burns and Olga V. Mack)

Season 6, Episode 13: AI Pin (with Kassi Burns and Olga V. Mack)

Welcome to Season 6, Episode 13 of our podcast, where we delve into the captivating realm of AI and wearables. In this episode, titled "AI Pin: The Future of Technology and Law," we're joined by Kassi Burns, a seasoned attorney with a decade of experience in AI and Machine Learning. Key Takeaways: The AI Pin from Humane: We explore this groundbreaking innovation, which is leading the charge toward a screenless era, and its potential impact on daily life and technology interaction. Kassi Burns' Journey: Discover Kassi's unique path in the legal field, her involvement with eDiscovery, and her passion for emerging technologies like blockchain, NFTs, and web3. The Intersection of Wearables and AI: We dive into the challenges and potential of integrating AI into our daily wearables, with a focus on practicality and user experience. Guest Information: Kassi Burns Background: Senior Attorney at King and Spalding, Texas; Expert in eDiscovery, Privacy Law, and AI in legal operations. Special Features: An in-depth discussion on the potential and skepticism surrounding wearables like AI Pin. Insights into the evolution of legal tech and how AI is reshaping the industry. Intriguing Teaser Questions: Could AI Pin herald a new era in our interaction with technology? How does AI and wearable tech intersect with legal practices and data privacy? Don't forget to subscribe for more insightful discussions. Join us in exploring the frontiers of technology and law!

Dec 29, 202335:34
Season 6, Episode 12: Governing AI: What the White House Executive Order Means for Your Clients (with Steven Kelts)

Season 6, Episode 12: Governing AI: What the White House Executive Order Means for Your Clients (with Steven Kelts)

Welcome to Episode 12 of Season 6, where we delve into the pivotal White House Executive Order on AI and its profound implications for businesses and clients. Joining us is Steven Kelts, a renowned lecturer from Princeton's University Center for Human Values and an ethics advisor at the Responsible A.I. Institute.


Key Takeaways:

  1. Overview of the White House Executive Order on AI and its significance.
  2. The role of NIST's risk management framework in regulatory compliance.
  3. The impact of AI regulations on businesses, especially those dealing with the government.
  4. Insight into foundation model registrations and market regulation changes.


Steven Kelts brings a wealth of knowledge from his extensive experience in ethics, AI, and tech firms. His work at Princeton and contributions to IEEE’s Technology and Society Magazine highlight his expertise in ethical action in technology.


Special Features:

  • In-depth analysis of the executive order's implications.
  • Insightful discussions on AI ethics, technology firms, and regulatory landscapes.
  • Steven Kelts' unique perspective on ethical decision-making in AI.


Teaser Questions:

  • How will the executive order reshape the landscape for AI technology?
  • What steps should businesses take to comply with new AI regulations?
  • How does the executive order impact the ethical considerations in AI development?


Stay informed and prepared. Subscribe to our podcast for more insightful discussions on AI and technology ethics. Share your thoughts and questions in the comments or reach out to us on social media.


Join us for this enlightening episode as we navigate the complexities of AI regulation and its far-reaching consequences.

Dec 28, 202341:38
Season 6, Episode 11: How to Test Legal AI Tools Before They Are Ready (with Rayan Krishnan and Langston Nashold)

Season 6, Episode 11: How to Test Legal AI Tools Before They Are Ready (with Rayan Krishnan and Langston Nashold)

Welcome to another groundbreaking episode of our podcast, where we delve into the fascinating intersection of technology and law. In Season 6, Episode 11, titled "How to Test Legal AI Tools Before They Are Ready," we're joined by special guests Rayan Krishnan and Langston Nashold from PlaygroundRL. As recent Stanford graduates with a wealth of experience in big tech, startups, and machine learning labs, Rayan and Langston are at the forefront of revolutionizing legal AI.


Key Takeaways:

  1. Insight into PlaygroundRL: Discover how Rayan and Langston's journey from Stanford undergraduates to AI pioneers led them to develop PlaygroundRL.
  2. Evaluating Legal AI: Learn about the challenges and methods for ensuring the accuracy and safety of legal AI tools.
  3. Future of Legal AI: Explore the potential roles and impact of large language models (LLMs) in the legal industry, balancing technological innovation with ethical considerations.


Rayan Krishnan and Langston Nashold share their unique experiences and perspectives, from academic research to practical applications in AI, particularly in the legal domain.


Special Features:

  • Real-world Applications: Discussions on how legal AI is currently being used in the industry and its potential future developments.
  • Stanford Memories: A glimpse into Rayan and Langston's Stanford experiences and how these shaped their current pursuits.


Intriguing Teaser Questions:

  1. Will lawyers need to become teachers for AI models?
  2. How do Rayan and Langston envision the future of legal AI?
  3. Can AI truly replicate the nuanced decision-making process of a legal professional?


Relevant Links and Resources:

  • Rayan Krishnan’s publication on radiology report evaluation.
  • PlaygroundRL website and information.
  • Studies on current legal AI applications and their implications.


Tune in, share your thoughts, and engage with us in this exciting exploration of legal AI. Your questions and insights are invaluable!


This episode offers a compelling look into the evolving world of legal AI, highlighting the innovative work of Rayan Krishnan and Langston Nashold. Join us in discovering the challenges, opportunities, and future directions of AI in the legal sphere, and how these advancements might shape the industry.

Dec 25, 202346:12
Season 6, Episode 10: Legal AI – Beyond ChatGPT (with Richard DiBona)

Season 6, Episode 10: Legal AI – Beyond ChatGPT (with Richard DiBona)

Welcome to Season 6, Episode 10 of our insightful podcast series, where we delve into the innovative world of legal technology. In this episode, titled "Legal AI Unveiled: Beyond ChatGPT with Richard DiBona," we explore the groundbreaking advancements in AI-powered legal search engines.


Key Takeaways:

  1. Understanding the application of AI in legal tech.
  2. The mechanics behind natural language search in legal documents.
  3. The role of experimentation in leveraging AI for legal purposes.


Our special guest, Richard DiBona, is a skilled software engineer and co-founder of descrybe.ai. Alongside his wife Kara Peterson, Richard has developed a unique legal search engine that simplifies case law research using natural language processing.


Special Features:

  • Insightful discussion on the intersection of AI and legal research.
  • Real-world examples of AI application in legal contexts.
  • Anecdotes about the challenges and triumphs of developing a legal tech startup.


Intriguing Teaser Questions:

  • How can AI revolutionize the way we approach legal research?
  • What inspired Richard to transition from traditional software engineering to legal tech?
  • How does working with a spouse influence the dynamics of running a tech startup?


Tune in to this fascinating episode to discover how AI is reshaping the legal landscape. Don't forget to subscribe for more insightful discussions and leave your thoughts in the comments section!

Dec 25, 202339:08
Season 6, Episode 9: ChatGPT in Your Legal Practice (with Nicki Black and Olga V. Mack)

Season 6, Episode 9: ChatGPT in Your Legal Practice (with Nicki Black and Olga V. Mack)

Dive into the depths of AI in the legal world in Season 6, Episode 9 of our cutting-edge podcast. Join us as we welcome Nicole Black, a New York-based attorney and author, and Olga V. Mack, a legal tech visionary, for a compelling discussion titled "ChatGPT in Your Legal Practice." This episode delves into the integration of AI, particularly ChatGPT, into modern legal practices, examining its potential benefits, challenges, and the future of law in the AI era.


Key Takeaways:


Insight into the practical application of ChatGPT in legal practices.


Strategies for maintaining confidentiality while leveraging AI.


Exploration of document handling, brainstorming, and educational uses of ChatGPT.


Discussion on the importance of tech competency for legal professionals.

 

Special Features:


Expert insights from seasoned professionals in legal tech.


Engaging dialogue format, offering diverse perspectives.


Real-world examples of AI integration in legal settings.


Teaser Questions

  • Can ChatGPT effectively transform legal practices?
  • How can lawyers ensure confidentiality while using AI tools?
  • What are the emerging trends in AI and legal technology?


Subscribe to our podcast for more insights into legal innovation! Join us in our next episode for a deeper dive into specific AI tools for legal professionals. Share your experiences or questions about AI in the legal sector.


Gear up for an enlightening journey through the intersection of AI and law, filled with expert insights, practical tips, and forward-thinking discussions! 🎙️👨‍💼💡

Dec 25, 202322:49
Season 6, Episode 8: Responsible AI Implementation: Overcoming the 90% Failure Factor (with Larry Bridgesmith)

Season 6, Episode 8: Responsible AI Implementation: Overcoming the 90% Failure Factor (with Larry Bridgesmith)

Welcome to Season 6, Episode 8 of our enlightening podcast series, where we delve into the pressing issue of 'Responsible AI Implementation: Overcoming the 90% Failure Factor.' In this episode, we are joined by the esteemed Larry Bridgesmith, a renowned legal innovation and technology figure.


Key Takeaways:

  1. Expert Insights: Larry Bridgesmith, with his vast experience in legal technology, shares his perspectives on the intersection of law and AI.
  2. AI in Legal Practice: Discussion on the benefits, challenges, and ethical considerations for lawyers in the AI era.
  3. The 90% AI Implementation Challenge: Strategies for overcoming the high failure rate in AI implementation in legal settings.
  4. AI's Impact on the Legal Profession: Examining whether AI will replace lawyers and its effect on traditional billing models.


Larry Bridgesmith brings a wealth of knowledge from his roles at the International Institute of Legal Project Management, Lipscomb University, and Vanderbilt Law School. His experience in legal technology innovations offers invaluable insights for our listeners.


Special Features:

  • Larry's journey from litigation to legal tech and innovation.
  • Interactive Q&A on AI's ethical implications in law.


Intriguing Teaser Questions:

  • How can lawyers navigate the ethical minefield of AI in legal practice?
  • Will AI redefine the traditional law firm business model?


Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast for more insightful discussions. If you have any thoughts or questions on this episode, reach out to us through our social media channels.

Dec 25, 202337:46
Season 6, Episode 7: Generative AI That's Instantly Verifiable and Court-ready (with Jacqueline Schafer)

Season 6, Episode 7: Generative AI That's Instantly Verifiable and Court-ready (with Jacqueline Schafer)

Welcome to Season 6, Episode 7 of "Notes to My Legal Self," where we delve into the innovative world of legal technology. In this episode, we're thrilled to host Jacqueline Schafer, a pioneer in the integration of AI into legal practice. As the founder and CEO of Clearbrief and an acclaimed litigator, Jacqueline's insights are sure to enlighten and inspire.


Key Takeaways:

  1. Jacqueline's Journey: From appellate litigator to tech entrepreneur, discover Jacqueline's transition and the motivations behind her pioneering work.
  2. Clearbrief's Impact: Learn how Clearbrief’s AI platform has become a staple in law firms, courts, and government agencies, streamlining legal workflows and enhancing document management.
  3. AI in Legal Practice: Understand the practical applications of AI in legal settings, including generating hyperlinked timelines and scoring the accuracy of opposing documents.


Jacqueline Schafer, a respected appellate litigator, founder, and CEO of Clearbrief. Her accolades include the 2021 Washington State Bar APEX Award for Legal Innovation and recognition in the American Bar Association’s “2022 Women of Legal Tech.”


Special Features:

  • Live demonstration of Clearbrief’s functionalities.
  • Insights into the future of AI in the legal field.


Intriguing Questions:

  • How does Clearbrief transform the day-to-day operations of legal professionals?
  • What are the challenges and triumphs of integrating AI into legal workflows?
  • What does the future hold for AI in the legal industry?


Don't forget to subscribe for more insightful episodes! Join us next week as we continue to explore cutting-edge legal technologies.


Embark on this enlightening journey with us, as we uncover the fascinating intersection of law and technology with one of the field’s most innovative minds.

Dec 19, 202340:32
Season 6, Episode 6: Taming the Generative AI Monster (with Shawnna Hoffman)

Season 6, Episode 6: Taming the Generative AI Monster (with Shawnna Hoffman)

Welcome to Season 6, Episode 6 of "Notes to My Legal Self: AI Insights," where we delve deep into the world of Artificial Intelligence and its intersection with the legal field. In this captivating episode, titled "Taming the Generative AI Monster," we are thrilled to have Shawnna Hoffman, a renowned AI and Blockchain expert, join us. Get ready to dive into a thought-provoking discussion that demystifies AI and explores its ethical dimensions.

 

Shawnna Hoffman, the current President of GuardRail Technologies, boasts an impressive background in AI and Blockchain. Her career includes roles like Chief Technology Leader of Legal Strategy and Operations at Dell Technologies and a decade at IBM in Digital Transformation and Strategy. She is celebrated for her contribution to AI and Blockchain, evident from her speaking engagements at events like the UN Blockchain for Impact and the UN Data Forum.

 

Key Takeaways:

 

Understanding AI's role in human society and the concept of Responsible AI.

Discussion on developing AI with proper ethical guidelines and societal considerations.

Exploring the future of AI, particularly in the context of elections and societal impact.

Shawnna's journey from her early career to becoming a leader in AI and legal technology.

 

Special Features:

 

Information about GuardRail Technologies and its upcoming projects, including an API for integrating with systems like AWS and Azure.

 

Insights into the non-profit education sector led by GuardRail Technologies, collaborating with prestigious institutions like Oxford and potentially Stanford and Berkeley.

 

Teaser Questions:

 

What are the potential societal implications of unchecked AI?

How can AI be harnessed as a force for good while ensuring human well-being and fairness?

What does the future of AI look like in the context of elections and democracy?

 

Don't forget to engage with us! Drop your comments and questions, and join our community of legal superheroes. We'd love to hear from you if you have insights or experiences to share about AI in the legal world. Let's foster a vibrant community where knowledge and ideas flow freely.

 

Join us on this enlightening journey, and let's explore how AI can be a responsible and beneficial tool in our legal arsenal. Tune in now for a riveting episode!

Dec 19, 202338:17
Season 6, Episode 4: AI Audits: Best Practices and Regulatory Trends (with Jey Kumarasamy)

Season 6, Episode 4: AI Audits: Best Practices and Regulatory Trends (with Jey Kumarasamy)

Welcome to Season 6, Episode 4 of our enlightening podcast series! In this episode, titled "AI Audits: Best Practices and Regulatory Trends," we delve into the complex world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) audits with the expertise of Jey Kumarasamy, an associate at BNH.AI. As AI continues to permeate various aspects of our lives and legal practice, understanding AI audits becomes crucial for legal professionals.


Key Takeaways:

  • Understanding the basics of AI audits and their importance in the legal field.
  • Insights into the evolving regulatory landscape, with a focus on New York City's Local Law 144.
  • Jey Kumarasamy's unique blend of legal and technical expertise in AI and data analytics.
  • The role of AI audits in ensuring compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards.


Jey Kumarasamy, a seasoned associate at the boutique D.C.-based law firm BNH.AI, specializes in AI and data analytics. With a rich background in corporate and commercial law, coupled with software engineering experience, Jey offers a unique perspective on the intersection of law and technology.


Special Features:

  • In-depth discussion on the NIST AI Risk Management Framework.
  • Exploration of various laws and regulations applicable to AI systems.
  • Practical insights into conducting AI audits, balancing legal and technical aspects.


Intriguing Teaser Questions:

  • What exactly are AI audits, and how do they impact legal practice?
  • How does New York City's Local Law 144 shape the future of AI regulation?
  • In what ways can AI audits be used as a tool for responsible AI adoption?

Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review for our podcast! Stay informed and ahead in the rapidly evolving field of AI law and governance.


This comprehensive episode not only enlightens listeners on AI audits but also equips legal professionals with the knowledge to navigate this emerging field. Join us for this intriguing journey into the world of AI and law!

Dec 19, 202340:24
Season 6, Episode 5: Generative AI in Law: Resistance Is Futile (with Niki Black)

Season 6, Episode 5: Generative AI in Law: Resistance Is Futile (with Niki Black)

Welcome to another insightful episode of our podcast, where we delve into the fascinating intersection of technology and law. In this special episode, we're thrilled to host Nicole Black, a notable figure in the legal tech world. Get ready for an enlightening journey into the realm of Generative AI and its implications in the legal industry.


Key Takeaways:


  1. Evolution of AI in Law: Grasp the development of AI technologies, including ChatGPT, and their tailored applications in the legal sector.
  2. Practical AI Applications: Explore 10 essential ways AI is revolutionizing legal practices, from document summarization to drafting assistance.
  3. Ethical and Technical Challenges: Dive into the ethical dilemmas, algorithmic bias, and challenges posed by the emerging AI technologies in law.
  4. Strategies for Implementation: Discover actionable strategies for integrating AI into your legal practice, tailored for varying levels of tech expertise.
  5. Future-Proofing Legal Practice: Learn innovative approaches to adopting AI for enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and innovation in legal work.


Nicole Black, an attorney from Rochester, New York, is a renowned author, journalist, and Senior Director at MyCase. With her extensive background in law, technology, and writing, Nicole brings a wealth of knowledge to today’s discussion.


Special Features:

  • In-Depth Discussion on AI: From its foundational concepts to advanced applications in legal contexts.
  • Real-World Examples: Nicole shares practical scenarios where AI is making a significant impact in legal practices.
  • Ethical Considerations: An essential look into the ethical landscape surrounding AI in law.


Teaser Questions:

  • How will Generative AI reshape the future of law?
  • What are the potential risks and ethical concerns associated with AI in legal practices?
  • Can AI in law lead to a more efficient and equitable legal system?


Don't miss out on this groundbreaking conversation. Tune in to gain essential insights into how AI is shaping the future of the legal profession. Follow, share, and subscribe for more thought-provoking episodes!


Join us for this compelling episode where we unravel the complexities and promise of AI in the legal world with Nicole Black.

Dec 17, 202340:24
Season 6, Episode 3: The Digital Legacy Revolution (with Art Shaikh)

Season 6, Episode 3: The Digital Legacy Revolution (with Art Shaikh)

Welcome to Episode 3 of Season 6 of "Notes to My Legal Self: AI Insights," where we delve into the profound realm of digital legacies. In this riveting episode, we're joined by Art Shaikh, the visionary Founder and CEO of DigitalWill.com, to explore how AI is revolutionizing estate planning in the digital era.


Key Takeaways:

  1. Understanding the importance of digital assets in estate planning.
  2. Insights into AI's role in simplifying legal processes in will and estate planning.
  3. Strategies for managing digital legacies and ensuring your digital assets are properly handled.

Art Shaikh, a thought leader in digital estate planning, shares his personal journey and professional insights on integrating AI into legacy planning.


Special Features:

  • In-depth discussion on AI's impact on legal tech.
  • Real-life stories illustrating the importance of digital legacy.


Teaser Questions:

  • How can AI transform the way we approach estate planning?
  • What challenges do we face in managing digital legacies, and how can AI help?


Join the conversation! Share your thoughts on today's discussion, and let's build a community of legal innovators and enthusiasts. Don't forget to nominate someone making waves in legal AI or even nominate yourself!

Dec 17, 202340:08
Season 6, Episode 2: Mastering Legal Prompt Engineering: A New Frontier in Legal Tech (with Dazza Greenwood)

Season 6, Episode 2: Mastering Legal Prompt Engineering: A New Frontier in Legal Tech (with Dazza Greenwood)

Welcome to an intriguing exploration of Legal Prompt Engineering in the latest episode of 'Notes to My Legal Self, AI Insights'. This session, featuring Dazza Greenwood, delves deep into the integration of AI in the legal field, highlighting how this technology reshapes legal processes and decision-making.


Key Takeaways:

  1. Understanding Legal Prompt Engineering: A comprehensive introduction to this emerging field, blending legal analysis, systems design, and data governance.
  2. The Interplay of AI and Law: Insights into the collaboration between legal professionals and engineers in creating AI solutions that adhere to legal norms while enhancing transparency and fairness.
  3. Real-World Applications: An exploration of various legal scenarios where AI is effectively utilized, showcasing both potential benefits and challenges.
  4. Future of AI in Legal Practices: Discussion on the evolving role of AI in law, its potential impact, and ethical considerations.


Dazza Greenwood, a seasoned expert in legal technology and AI, shares his extensive experience, providing valuable perspectives on the significance and future of Legal Prompt Engineering.


Special Features:

  • Analysis of current and future trends in legal technology.
  • Strategies for effectively integrating AI into legal workflows.
  • Examination of the ethical implications of AI in legal contexts.


Teaser Questions:

  • What does Legal Prompt Engineering entail, and why is it critical in today's legal landscape?
  • How can AI be harnessed to support legal professionals while maintaining ethical standards?
  • What future developments can be anticipated in the intersection of AI and legal practices?


Call to Action:

  • Engage in the conversation about AI in law by sharing thoughts and experiences on social media platforms.
  • Nominate individuals who are making significant strides in the legal AI arena for future episodes.
  • Subscribe to stay informed about the latest developments in legal technology.


This episode promises to be a thought-provoking journey through the dynamic realm of legal technology, offering insights into how AI is shaping the future of law. Share this episode to spread knowledge and spark discussions in the legal community.

Dec 14, 202345:05
Season 6, Episode 1: Client Consent in the AI Era: Navigating Legal and Ethical Challenges (with Aileen Schultz)

Season 6, Episode 1: Client Consent in the AI Era: Navigating Legal and Ethical Challenges (with Aileen Schultz)

Welcome to a groundbreaking episode of 'Notes to My Legal Self, AI Insights'! In our Season 6 premiere, we delve deep into the complexities of client consent in the AI-driven legal landscape. Join us as we dissect the legal, ethical, and practical considerations of integrating AI into legal consent processes, featuring expert insights from Aileen Schultz.


Key Takeaways:

  1. Role of AI in Client Consent Processes: An exploration of how AI is being used to facilitate client consent, including its advantages, risks, and the impact on privacy and informed consent.
  2. Legal and Regulatory Frameworks: A detailed discussion on the existing legal structures that govern the use of AI in client consent, highlighting areas of compliance and potential gaps.
  3. Ethical Implications and Principles: A deep dive into the ethical issues raised by AI in client consent, emphasizing the importance of maintaining transparency, fairness, and accountability.
  4. Balancing Innovation with Risk Mitigation: Strategies for leveraging AI technologies in client consent while ensuring strong safeguards for client rights and privacy.
  5. Future Outlook and Best Practices: Insights into emerging trends, practical approaches, and future potential of AI in legal practices, especially in the realm of client consent.


Aileen Schultz, a pioneer in legal innovation and AI governance, shares her extensive expertise, shedding light on this nuanced topic.


Special Features:

  • Insightful analysis of real-world case studies demonstrating AI's application in legal consent processes.
  • A comprehensive discussion on the intersection of AI, law, and ethics.
  • Practical tips for legal professionals navigating AI integration.


Teaser Questions:

  • What are the implications of using AI in legal consent processes?
  • How can legal professionals balance technological advancement with ethical responsibilities?
  • What does the future hold for AI in legal practices, particularly in the context of client consent?


Call to Action:

  • Join our social media platforms to contribute to the ongoing discussion about AI in the legal field.
  • Nominate or self-nominate someone making significant contributions to legal AI.
  • Subscribe for more episodes that blend legal expertise with technological insights.


As we unravel the dynamic interplay between law, ethics, and AI, your participation is invaluable. Engage with us, share the episode, and be part of a community shaping the future of legal practices in the AI era. Stay tuned for more insightful discussions and let's journey together through this evolving landscape of legal technology.

Dec 14, 202334:56
Season 5, Episode 20: Legal Wellness: Beyond Mental Health and One Size Fits All Corporate Wellness Programs (with Ashlee Best)

Season 5, Episode 20: Legal Wellness: Beyond Mental Health and One Size Fits All Corporate Wellness Programs (with Ashlee Best)

Welcome to this enlightening episode of "Notes to My Legal Self," where we dive into the evolving landscape of wellness beyond traditional corporate programs, exploring the intricate connection between mind, body, beliefs, connections, and environment. Our guest, Ashlee Best, a seasoned legal operations leader with a rich history in Fortune 500 companies and startups alike, shares her transformative journey towards holistic wellness and its implications for the legal profession.


Key Takeaways:

  • Ashlee's extensive background in legal operations, spanning over 20 years across tech giants and startups, provides a unique perspective on the intersection of law, technology, and wellness.
  • An exploration of the five pillars of wellness, as outlined by the Mindvalley's Holobody Coaching certification program, through Ashlee's personal and professional experiences.
  • Insights into Ashlee's career transition from legal operations to legal wellness, highlighting her mission to transform the legal ecosystem's approach to health and well-being.


Guest Information: Ashlee Best, a trailblazer in legal operations, brings her innovative mindset to the forefront of legal wellness. With experience in companies such as PeopleSoft/Oracle, Zynga, Pandora, Dropbox, and Asana, Ashlee is now embarking on a new path as a wellness coach, certified by Mindvalley's Holobody program, aiming to revolutionize wellness in the legal profession.


Special Features:

  • Deep dive into Ashlee's holistic approach to wellness, emphasizing the importance of addressing individual needs and the interconnectedness of various wellness pillars.
  • Ashlee's insights into the future of work, technology, and their impact on human well-being within the legal sector.
  • Engaging discussions on how traditional legal operations roles can evolve to include wellness as a core component.


Questions:

  • How can legal professionals integrate wellness into their daily routines?
  • What role does technology play in promoting wellness within the legal ecosystem?
  • Can the principles of legal operations offer a blueprint for implementing effective wellness strategies?

Join the conversation on wellness in legal operations by following "Notes to My Legal Self" on your favorite podcast platform. Engage with us through comments, likes, and shares, and let us know your thoughts on integrating wellness into the legal profession. If you or someone you know is pioneering wellness initiatives in legal or any other field, reach out for a chance to be featured in future episodes.


Embrace this opportunity to rethink wellness in the legal profession with Ashlee Best, as we navigate the path to holistic health and well-being together. Don't forget to engage with the episode and share your insights and experiences. See you in the next episode of "Notes to My Legal Self"!

Sep 18, 202346:30
Season 5, Episode 19: How Can We Get Better Connected (to Our Legal Data)? (with Bo Kinloch)

Season 5, Episode 19: How Can We Get Better Connected (to Our Legal Data)? (with Bo Kinloch)

Welcome to "Notes to My Legal Self," where we dive deep into the world of legal innovation, data management, and the future of in-house legal departments. Today, we're joined by Bo Kinloch, a visionary in the legal operations field, whose eclectic career journey has seen him transition from a musician and game designer to a leading figure in legal ops at Hasbro, Inc.


Key Takeaways:

  • Bo's unique path from the indie music scene and game design to spearheading legal operations.
  • Insights into building Hasbro’s legal ops from scratch, focusing on kids' data privacy and digital product counsel.
  • The importance of integrating design thinking and technical skills in legal operations.
  • Strategies for leveraging data and technology to optimize in-house legal departments.
  • Bo’s perspective on the future of legal ops and his commitment to innovation and community engagement within the field.


Guest Information: Bo Kinloch, former Director of Legal Operations at Hasbro, Inc., is renowned for his strategic approach to legal operations, blending 12 years of in-house experience with his background in game design and software development. Bo's career is a testament to the power of diverse experiences, from his early days in the music industry to leading game design projects and finally, revolutionizing legal operations at Hasbro.


Special Features:

  • A journey through Bo's career transition and how his diverse background informs his approach to legal ops.
  • Discussion on the role of data privacy in digital product counsel, especially concerning children's data.
  • Insights into the digital transformation of legal departments and the significance of community in legal ops.


Questions:

  • How can a background in music and game design enhance one’s approach to legal operations?
  • What strategies did Bo employ to build Hasbro's legal operations from the ground up?
  • How does Bo envision the future of legal ops, and what role does community play in shaping it?


Engage with us! If you have questions or comments about today’s discussion or have suggestions for future episodes, reach out through our podcast platform. Don't forget to follow and subscribe to "Notes to My Legal Self" for more insightful episodes on legal innovation and the future of in-house practice.


Join us on "Notes to My Legal Self" as we explore the innovative world of legal operations with Bo Kinloch, whose career journey and strategic insights offer invaluable lessons for in-house legal professionals looking to navigate the future of law with creativity and efficiency.

Sep 12, 202349:11
Season 5, Episode 18: How to Strategically Start Your New (Legal Ops) Function (with Laurie David-Henric)

Season 5, Episode 18: How to Strategically Start Your New (Legal Ops) Function (with Laurie David-Henric)

In today’s episode of "Notes to My Legal Cell," we dive deep into strategic operations and management within the legal sector. Join us as we explore the captivating journey of Laurie David-Henric, a seasoned professional who has carved a niche for herself in the challenging legal operations and strategy realm. As the current Head of Operations & Strategy for a Fortune 500 company's LCAG function, Laurie brings a wealth of experience and insights from her diverse career spanning multiple continents and legal domains.


Key Takeaways:

  • Strategic Patience: Learn how Laurie's approach of taking a step back to fully understand her role and the needs of her organization led to significant strategic achievements.
  • Building Strategic Partnerships: Discover the importance of fostering relationships with key stakeholders and departments to drive operational excellence.
  • Digital Transformation: Laurie shares her current challenge and excitement around digitalizing the law department, emphasizing the need for simplicity and user-friendliness in system adoption.


Guest Information:
Laurie David-Henric, with a distinguished career in legal operations, brings a unique perspective from her tenure at The Citco Group and now at a leading Fortune 500 company. Her educational background in International Commercial Law and her vast experience across different cultures and legal systems add depth to her expertise.


Special Features:

  • Insightful Questions: "How does one navigate the complexities of digital transformation in a traditional legal department?"
  • Career Path Highlight: Laurie’s unconventional journey from a corporate lawyer to leading business process optimization and now spearheading legal operations and strategy.


Join us next time on 'Notes to My Legal Self' as we continue to uncover the stories, strategies, and insights from legal professionals making a difference. Remember, the journey of legal practice is both challenging and rewarding – embrace it with curiosity and strategic patience. See you in the next episode!

Aug 28, 202342:09
Season 5, Episode 17: What Authority to Cite When Marketing to Lawyers (with Ramtin Taheri)

Season 5, Episode 17: What Authority to Cite When Marketing to Lawyers (with Ramtin Taheri)

Welcome to this groundbreaking episode of our podcast, where we explore the innovative intersection of legal practice and digital marketing with Ramtin Taheri, a trailblazer in the legal field. Ramtin and co-founder Brian Potts have established a pioneering marketing agency that connects brands with social media influencers specializing in legal content. This episode promises to unveil the strategies behind their success and the impact of their work on the legal community and beyond.


Key Takeaways:

  • Insight into the creation and mission of Ramtin's marketing agency.
  • The role of influencer marketing in modernizing the legal field.
  • Strategies for effective marketing to lawyers and law students.
  • Ramtin's journey from in-house counsel to innovative entrepreneur.
  • The future of legal tech and its integration into traditional legal practices.


Guest Information: Ramtin Taheri, in-house counsel at Nice Actimize and co-founder of a Legal Influencer Marketing Agency, joins us to share his expertise. With a background in intellectual property litigation and a passion for legal tech, Ramtin brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table.


Special Features:

  • Insights into the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship in the legal sector.
  • An overview of the latest trends in legal tech and their implications for legal practice.


Questions:

  • How is influencer marketing revolutionizing the way legal services are marketed?
  • What challenges did Ramtin face in bridging the gap between traditional legal practices and the digital world?
  • How can legal professionals leverage social media and legal tech to enhance their practices?


Join the conversation by sharing your thoughts and questions on our social media platforms. Don't miss out on the opportunity to gain insights from one of the legal field's most innovative minds. Tune in, engage, and let's explore the future of legal marketing together.


This episode promises to be an enlightening exploration of how digital trends are reshaping the legal industry, through the lens of Ramtin Taheri's pioneering work. Whether you're a legal professional, a student, or simply interested in the intersection of law and technology, there's something in this conversation for you. Don't miss it!

Aug 09, 202336:11
Season 5, Episode 16: Making the leap from Litigation to In-House (with Christi Disparte)

Season 5, Episode 16: Making the leap from Litigation to In-House (with Christi Disparte)

Welcome to another enlightening episode of "Notes to My Legal Self," where we navigate the complexities and triumphs of legal careers with in-house professionals. Today, we're coming to you from San Antonio, Texas, embracing the new realities of post-pandemic travel and continuing our conversations on the go. In this episode, we dive deep with Christi Disparte, an in-house legal counsel at ENGIE Impact, exploring the often misunderstood journey from litigation to in-house counsel.


Key Takeaways:

  • Debunking myths about transitioning from litigation to in-house roles.
  • Insight into Christi's personal journey and the challenges she overcame.
  • The importance of timing, readiness, and leveraging litigation experience in a corporate setting.
  • A candid discussion on the realities of work-life balance and making a purposeful career shift.


Guest Information:
Christi Disparte shares her compelling transition from being a litigation associate to embracing the role of in-house legal counsel at ENGIE Impact. With a rich background in complex civil litigation, Christi's story is a beacon for legal professionals contemplating a similar move.


Questions:

  • What are the common misconceptions about moving from litigation to in-house counsel?
  • How can litigation experience be an asset in a corporate environment?
  • What does it take to make a successful transition to in-house counsel?

Don't just listen; join the conversation! Share your experiences, ask questions, and let us know your thoughts on today’s topic. If you know an in-house professional with insights to share, recommend them for our next episode. Your interaction enriches our community and helps shape future content.


Join us on this journey of professional growth and discovery, as we uncover the steps, challenges, and triumphs of transitioning from the courtroom to the corporate world with Christi Disparte. Your path to in-house counsel might just start here.

Aug 02, 202331:55
Season 5, Episode 15: What Does It Mean to be a Leader? (with Mary Smith)

Season 5, Episode 15: What Does It Mean to be a Leader? (with Mary Smith)

Welcome to the season finale of "Knowles to My Legal Self," where we explore the intersections of law, leadership, and the personal journeys that shape us. In this potentially last episode of 2022, we're honored to host Mary Smith, the trailblazing President-Elect of the American Bar Association (ABA) and the first Native American woman to hold this prestigious position. Mary's distinguished career spans across high-profile roles in law, healthcare, biopharmaceuticals, insurance, and consulting, making her insights invaluable for anyone looking to make an impact in their field.


Key Takeaways:

  • Mary's groundbreaking election as the ABA President-Elect and what it represents for diversity and inclusion within the legal profession.
  • Insights into Mary's leadership style, the importance of developing leadership skills, and the challenges and triumphs of leading complex organizations.
  • The significance of representation and creating opportunities for Native American girls in STEM through the Caroline and Ora Smith Foundation.

Guest Information: Mary Smith brings a wealth of experience from her roles as an independent board member, former CEO of the Indian Health Service, and her legal career including positions at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, Tyco International, the White House, and the U.S. Department of Justice. Her dedication to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion has been recognized with the ABA Spirit of Excellence Award.


Special Features:

  • A deep dive into the challenges of effecting change within large organizations and the legal profession.
  • Mary's personal journey from a systems programmer to a legal and healthcare leader.
  • Leadership lessons learned from mistakes and successes throughout her career.


Questions:

  • How does Mary Smith envision her presidency impacting the ABA and the legal profession at large?
  • What inspired Mary to start the Caroline and Ora Smith Foundation, and how does she see it evolving?
  • How has Mary's unique background influenced her leadership style and her approach to diversity and inclusion?


Don't miss this enlightening conversation with Mary Smith. Tune in, be inspired, and consider what leadership in law means to you. Share your thoughts with us on social media or leave a review on your favorite podcast platform.

Jul 24, 202335:15
Season 5, Episode 14: Into the Fire: The Journey of an Corporate Legal Generalist with (Stefanie Frank)

Season 5, Episode 14: Into the Fire: The Journey of an Corporate Legal Generalist with (Stefanie Frank)

Welcome to a riveting episode where we delve into the world of in-house legal generalists with the indomitable Stefanie Frank, Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Thriveworks. With a career spanning across various legal terrains and a personal love for weightlifting, running, and rock music, Stefanie brings a unique perspective to tackling the multifaceted challenges within the corporate legal landscape.


Key Takeaways:

  • Stefanie's journey from the Association for Marriage and Family Therapy to Thriveworks, highlighting her transition and growth within the legal domain.
  • An in-depth discussion on the role and responsibilities of an in-house legal generalist.
  • Insights into managing a blend of everyday problems, large-scale projects, and leading a generalist legal team.
  • Stefanie's sources of inspiration and her ongoing journey into thought leadership, emphasizing how it complements her role as an in-house attorney.
  • Practical advice for aspiring legal generalists on navigating career paths and challenges.


Guest Information: Stefanie Frank, a seasoned legal professional with over eight years of experience as an in-house attorney generalist. She currently serves as the Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Thriveworks, a leading mental health services provider in the United States.


Special Features:

  • A sneak peek into Stefanie's personal life, revealing how her passions outside of work influence her professional ethos.


Questions:

  • How does one thrive as a legal generalist in a corporate environment teeming with specialized issues?
  • What are Stefanie's strategies for balancing her professional responsibilities with her personal passions?
  • How can aspiring legal professionals carve out a successful path as in-house generalists?

Join us on this enlightening journey with Stefanie Frank to uncover the secrets to thriving as an in-house legal generalist. Don't forget to subscribe to our podcast, share this episode with your network, and leave us a review with your thoughts and questions. Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and expert insights in our upcoming episodes!

Jul 10, 202335:47
Season 5, Episode 13: Legal Operations: A trendy legal position or a misconceived strategic function? (with Sara Ajmi)

Season 5, Episode 13: Legal Operations: A trendy legal position or a misconceived strategic function? (with Sara Ajmi)

Welcome to a riveting episode where we explore the dynamic world of legal operations, a field that has witnessed significant evolution in recent years. Our special guest, Sara Ajmi, shares her unique journey from an in-house counsel in Morocco to a Legal Operations Specialist in Canada, illuminating the challenges and triumphs of navigating legal departments in today's fast-paced environment.


Key Takeaways:

  • Sara's Background: From Morocco to Canada, Sara's transition into legal operations after an extensive career in law offers insights into the adaptability and resilience required in the legal profession.
  • Legal Operations Explained: Sara delves into her current role, focusing on matter and contract management, legal process improvement, and the strategic importance of legal metrics.
  • Industry Evolution: The conversation highlights how the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of legal operations, stressing its critical role in modernizing legal departments.
  • Challenges and Solutions: Sara discusses common misconceptions about legal operations and the necessity for education and awareness to fully leverage this strategic function within organizations.


Sara Ajmi, a seasoned legal professional and Legal Operations Specialist at a global beauty and personal care manufacturer, brings a wealth of experience and passion for legal department management and leadership.


For more enlightening discussions on legal operations and to stay updated on the latest trends and strategies in the legal industry, subscribe to our podcast and join our community of legal professionals seeking to innovate and excel.

Apr 24, 202330:09
Season 5, Episode 12: The Power of Trust (with Karna Nisewaner)

Season 5, Episode 12: The Power of Trust (with Karna Nisewaner)

Welcome to this exciting episode of "Notes to My Legal Self," where we delve into the heart of leadership, trust, and career growth with one of the most admired figures in the legal world, Karna Nisewaner, the General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Cadence Design Systems, Inc. Join us as we uncover the secrets to building strong teams, fostering trust, and navigating the journey to becoming a General Counsel in the ever-evolving tech industry.


Key Takeaways:

  • The Importance of Trust: Learn how trust serves as the foundation for Karna's successful career and her approach to team building.
  • Career Journey: Gain insights into Karna's path from engineering to law, and how passion for technology propelled her to the top legal position at Cadence.
  • Leadership Lessons: Discover the leadership qualities and practices that have enabled Karna to inspire and unite her team toward common goals.
  • Building Relationships: Understand the significance of cultivating relationships within the team and with executive leadership to drive success.


Guest Information:
Karna Nisewaner has made a significant impact at Cadence Design Systems, Inc., leading worldwide legal operations. Her career spans roles at Intuit, IBM, and private practice, bringing a wealth of experience in intellectual property, corporate governance, and more.


Questions:

  • How does one build a culture of trust within a legal team?
  • What can other leaders learn from Karna's transition from IP law to General Counsel?
  • How has Karna's background in engineering influenced her legal career?


Don't forget to subscribe to "Notes to My Legal Self" on your favorite podcast platform. Share your thoughts and questions for Karna or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes in the comments or via social media.


Join us for this enlightening conversation with Karna Nisewaner, and walk away with actionable insights to apply in your own legal career and leadership journey.

Mar 05, 202336:47
Season 5, Episode 11: Give Away Your Legos: The Case For A Team of Generalists (with Logan Maley)

Season 5, Episode 11: Give Away Your Legos: The Case For A Team of Generalists (with Logan Maley)

Welcome to another enlightening episode of "Notes to My Legal Self," where we dive deep into the world of in-house legal professionals. Today, we're thrilled to have Logan Maley, VP Associate General Counsel at Procore Technologies, as our guest. Logan shares her unique journey from litigation to leading legal strategies at a rapidly scaling tech company. Hosted by Olga Mack, this episode explores the value of being a legal generalist, the power of giving away your "Legos," and how to thrive in the ever-evolving landscape of in-house law.


Key Takeaways:

  • Logan's passion for her role and how she's navigated her career to find fulfillment and impact.
  • Insights into scaling a company from a private entity to a global public powerhouse, through the lens of legal strategy and compliance.
  • The concept of a "team of generalists" and its crucial role in a high-growth tech environment.
  • Personal anecdotes from Logan's career, including how unexpected connections can lead to pivotal opportunities.


Guest Information: Logan Maley, VP Associate General Counsel at Procore Technologies, brings a rich background in law, from litigation to corporate transactions. Beyond her professional achievements, Logan is a dedicated mother, music lover, and the life of every party.


Questions:

  • How can legal professionals balance specialization with the benefits of being a generalist?
  • What does it mean to give away your "Legos," and how can this approach propel your career forward?
  • How does Procore's journey from a startup to a public entity illustrate the evolving role of in-house legal teams?


Do you have questions or want to nominate an in-house legal professional with a compelling story? Reach out to us! Join the conversation and be part of our community of in-house professionals exploring the vast possibilities of our field.

Feb 27, 202324:25
Season 5, Episode 10: How To Stop People-Pleasing & Start Setting Boundaries with Olivia Vizachero

Season 5, Episode 10: How To Stop People-Pleasing & Start Setting Boundaries with Olivia Vizachero

Olivia Vizachero, a former BigLaw commercial litigator and criminal defense attorney, runs The Less Stressed Lawyer, a boutique life coaching practice for lawyers. As a Certified Life Coach, she works with lawyers who are over the overwhelm and want to live lives with less stress and far more fulfillment by teaching them how to manage their mindset and make themselves and their well-being their top priority. She’s also the host of The Less Stressed Lawyer Podcast and a co-author of the book #Networked, a pandemic anthology written by 20 women lawyers about networking and building successful businesses during a global public health crisis.

So many attorneys struggle with achieving balance between their personal and professional lives and end up feeling overwhelmed and anxious as a result. One of the most helpful solutions they can implement to start living lives with less stress and far more fulfillment is to stop people pleasing and to start setting and honoring healthy boundaries. But that's easier said than done. Join Olivia Vizachero, certified life coach to lawyers and founder of The Less Stressed Lawyer, as she teaches you how to put an end to your people-pleasing tendencies once and for all.

Feb 05, 202335:25
Season 5, Episode 9: The No BS Approach to ESG with James Bellerjeau

Season 5, Episode 9: The No BS Approach to ESG with James Bellerjeau

James Bellerjeau was General Counsel of an S&P 500 company for 20 years, and then Head of its Global Sustainability Program. He served as President of the Association of Corporate Counsel Europe and writes the Career Path column for the ACC Docket, the magazine for in-house lawyers. He is a Visiting Researcher at Georgetown University and teaches at the University of Zurich. He serves as an executive coach for newly promoted General Counsels and other senior executives.   

James is currently focused on applying principles of Stoic philosophy to live a good life and achieve satisfaction. Check out some of his thoughts on his blog at www.klugne.com, where he writes about happiness, thinking and decision-making, and moving back to the U.S. after 25 years abroad. He's also recently published a modern version of Seneca's Moral Letters to Lucilius.

What happens when you get an ESG skeptic to run a global, public company Sustainability Program? Interesting things. For one, a strategic focus on creating real impact. For another, battles with stakeholders who each think THEIR issue should be in your strategic focus. Ultimately, you get the No BS Approach to ESG.   

James served for 20 years as the General Counsel of an S&P 500 company, a U.S. global multinational headquartered in Switzerland. During that time, he worked on the company's public sustainability reporting. How well did his GC role prepare him for then running the Sustainability Program for the coming 2 1/2 years?   

We'll discuss how (and why) James made the switch from the GC role to Head of Sustainability. What surprised him about the role. And why he thinks the ESG movement is headed for hard times.


Feb 01, 202331:52
Season 5, Episode 8: The Art of Networking with Megan Lutes: How Her Art Helped Her Become General Counsel

Season 5, Episode 8: The Art of Networking with Megan Lutes: How Her Art Helped Her Become General Counsel

Megan Lutes is the General Counsel and CHRO at Glowforge, Inc., a Seattle-based technology start-up that designs and produces 3D laser printers.  Megan also oversees the HR team, customer support organization, recruiting, and the facilities team at Glowforge. Megan joined Glowforge's executive team during a period of rapid growth. Megan came from heading up the legal team at Convoy, Inc. another Seattle-based technology start up. In addition to her day job, Megan founded and runs Diversity University, a company that provides diversity, equity, and inclusion tools such as trainings, project management, or assists in investigations for companies, law firms, and organizations. Megan's background includes both law firm and in-house experience with previous senior legal positions at Moss Adams, one of the country's largest public accounting firms and Expeditors International, a Fortune 500 international logistics company.  Megan serves on the board of directors for Providence Pediatric Hospice of Seattle, sits on the executive board for ACC  - WA, co-chairing the sponsorship committee. Recently she was awarded the top ten 30 somethings by ACC national,  received the "Legal MVP Award" by SimpleLegal, received the Championing Diversity in Tech award at the Leaders in Tech Law award in New York, she was listed in Marquis 2022 Who's Who in America, was featured in InView magazine and on the International "The Counsel" Podcast, and was recognize by Women, Influence and Power in Law for Championing Diversity in-house and for Innovative Leadership.  She has spoken around the country on a wide range of topics and is seen as a prominent leader in the legal community. She recently published her book The Art of Networking, providing tangible advice for those wanting to work on their career progression or to grow a more robust network. Her robust network has brought her board seats, speaking opportunities, awards, and put her on her path to General Counsel.

Building a robust network is crucial to taking your successes in most areas of your life to the next level. Many people advocate networking, but rarely do people provide actionable and tangible advice on how to network well. Join Megan Lutes, General Counsel and CHRO of a tech start-up in Seattle and author of the Art of Networking for tools and resources to build an incredible network.  She will share several tips from her book. Her insights are valuable to any professional or individual looking to open opportunities and connections.

Jan 15, 202328:08
Season 5, Episode 7: How the SALI Alliance is Standardizing Legal Data — Both for Substantive Law and for the Business of Law with Damien Riehl & Jim Hannigan

Season 5, Episode 7: How the SALI Alliance is Standardizing Legal Data — Both for Substantive Law and for the Business of Law with Damien Riehl & Jim Hannigan

Since 2020, SALI has had great success in bringing together stakeholders — lawyers, vendors, and clients — to come together toward standardizing legal data. This discussion will explore how vendors like Thomson Reuters, Lexis, and Fastcase — as well as some of the largest law firms (e.g., Ogletree) and clients (e.g., Microsoft, Intel) — are implementing SALI. We will also discuss how the SALI API project is making the legal ecosystem more interoperable.

Jan 06, 202341:06
Season 5, Episode 6: Regulatory Taxonomies and Machine-Readable Regulation with Alex Khachaturian

Season 5, Episode 6: Regulatory Taxonomies and Machine-Readable Regulation with Alex Khachaturian

Alex Khachaturian serves as a Director in FINRA’s Office of Financial Innovation (OFI) in Washington, DC.  Alex supports OFI’s mission in the identification and analysis of emerging technologies, laws and regulations, business models, and industry practices (both domestic and international) to inform FINRA’s risk management and strategy goals. His primary area of focus, in recent years, has been at the intersection of technology, law, and regulatory compliance.  Alex’s professional background includes several years of federal government service, law firm practice, and operations within global financial institutions.

Facilitating compliance through innovation will be a key area of focus for years to come in the financial services industry. The industry is increasingly relying on technology to improve both internal operational functions as well as regulatory compliance. In this context, regulatory taxonomies (i.e., a method of classifying and categorizing a hierarchy of key legal, business, and regulatory terms and concepts) have been seen as a way to make regulations more easily processed by a computer and, therefore, potentially less time-consuming and costly for a firm’s legal and compliance staff to review. In addition, application programming interfaces (APIs) can be used to ingest rule content, including the application of regulatory taxonomies to rules.

Join Olga and Alex as they discuss how technology-based tools can allow financial market participants to potentially enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of their compliance efforts, thereby supporting investor protection and market integrity.

Dec 02, 202236:34
Season 5, Episode 5: Law Firms & Legal Ops - Collaborative Partnership or Frenemies? with Tom Stephenson

Season 5, Episode 5: Law Firms & Legal Ops - Collaborative Partnership or Frenemies? with Tom Stephenson

Tom Stephenson currently serves as Director of Legal Operations at Credit Karma. In his role, he focuses on strategic financial management, technology and innovation, operations, and knowledge management for Credit Karma’s global legal function.   Over a decade of varied leadership roles within the legal industry, Tom has worked alongside global law firms, Fortune 500 corporations, legal tech vendors, and consultants to address issues impacting today’s evolving legal operations workplaces. He challenges the next generation of legal operations leaders to dig deep to find and release their inner brilliance through courageous conversations, mentorship, and educational opportunities.   Tom is a national thought leader in alternative pathways for legal operations professionals and regularly speaks as an authoritative voice on innovative legal operations strategies that drive efficiency, innovation, and transparency within an organization, including Harvard Law School.

Driving value through innovation is a core element that moves the legal operations function from a cost center to a value creator. But how do law firms fit into legal ops equation? Join Tom Stephenson & Olga Mack as they pull back the curtains explore how legal ops professionals propel their departments into the future by partnering with law firms and legal tech to deliver strategies focused on collaboration, process efficiency, and operational excellence.

Nov 11, 202233:21
Season 5, Episode 4: Game Changer - Machines vs Attorneys with Jordan Chapnik Kadec

Season 5, Episode 4: Game Changer - Machines vs Attorneys with Jordan Chapnik Kadec

Jordan Chapnik-Kadec brings 15 years of Operations background, 7 of them specializing in Legal Operations for In-House legal department. Jordan holds MBA degree and graduated MIT Sloan School of Management  program for AI business Implications.

In this podcast we will talk about Artifactual Intelligence(AI) evolution to our days and where it meets Legal Industry. We will analyze and compare changes AI brought to other industries. Are we heading into the future where machines replacing attorneys and paralegals? What would that be like....

Nov 02, 202241:07
Season 5, Episode 3: Breaking Down Stovepipes and Silos with Robin Taylor

Season 5, Episode 3: Breaking Down Stovepipes and Silos with Robin Taylor

Robin Taylor leads the global nonprofit, Lawyers Without Borders, harnessing the power of pro bono service to promote the rule of law and increase access to justice. Under her leadership, Lawyers Without Borders trains human rights lawyers, builds case management and trial advocacy skills, provides technical assistance to combat transnational organized crime such as human trafficking and wildlife poaching, and creates sustainable institutions, including the new Kenyan Prosecution Training Institute.

Ms. Taylor has extensive trial and international experience serving more than 20 years at the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ) as an Assistant United States Attorney Investigating and prosecuting cases in federal court specializing in international cybercrime and fraud. Ms. Taylor served overseas as USDOJ’s legal advisor in Stuttgart, Germany as part of a newly-created U.S. interagency team advising the U.S. Department of Defense and European officials on transnational threats, foreign influence, illicit finance, and cyberspace challenges. As the legal advisor to the U.S. Embassies in Jakarta, Indonesia, and Nairobi, Kenya she provided technical assistance to combat terrorism, transnational organized crime, and money laundering, creating trusted networks and multi-agency working groups to improve financial integrity and inclusion. Reflecting on her service, the Kenyan Director of Public Prosecutions said publicly that Ms. Taylor came to Africa not as a doctor with a cure, but as a highly experienced and competent advisor and collaborator to help solve vastly complex and often polarizing issues.

Ms. Taylor is a frequent public speaker who briefed the Joint Chiefs of Staff and regularly lectured at the USDOJ’s National Advocacy Center, the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, European Commission, Eurojust, Global Counterterrorism Form, Defeat ISIS Working Group, United Nations, U.S. Department of State, and Cambridge University, among others. She co-founded "Operation Protect & Defend,” a nationally recognized civil education program; served as a Judicial Applicant Evaluator for the State Bar of California; as the President, Vice President, Treasurer, of Sacramento's Federal Bar Association, and was named a Master of the Bench for the Sacramento Inn of Court.

The military cannot bring peace and security down the barrel of a gun alone. Prosecution will not by itself decrease crime. Global, national, and regional challenges require an integrated and whole-of-government approach. Join Robin Taylor, the Executive Director of Lawyers Without Borders, an international not-for-profit, and former US Federal Prosecutor, for this conversation. She will share real-world stories from prosecuting cases; living overseas in Kenya and Indonesia working for the US Department of Justice; her four years advising and collaborating w US Military; and new assignment leading a global nonprofit to explain how a whole-of-government effort is essential to addressing significant, headline-grabbing criminal and security threats.

Aug 30, 202230:09
Season 5, Episode 2: Coaching In-House Legal Leaders with Aparna Williams

Season 5, Episode 2: Coaching In-House Legal Leaders with Aparna Williams

Aparna Dasai Williams joined Coalfire Systems, Inc. in 2022 as General Counsel. She is an accomplished in-house legal leader with over 20 years of experience scaling and managing global legal teams for high growth private and public software companies. She was previously Head of Legal at Shippo, a venture backed ecommerce company, AGC at Imperva, Inc., a privately held application security technology company, and Senior Director at Symantec Corporation, the world's largest public cybersecurity company at the time. She is excited to be a board member of the Pride Hockey Association, fostering youth hockey for girls and propelling them into success in their education and sports careers. Aparna received her B.A. in Literature and History from the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) and a J.D. from the UNC Chapel Hill School of Law. Aparna is admitted to practice in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC.

It's easy to impress young lawyers with your story and how you overcame obstacles and became a seasoned and respected in-house leader; but usually we leave out a lot of the mundane and repetition and frustration to spin a good tale. It's important not only to share your story, with brutal truth, but to coach the next generation to use their own strengths and perspectives to achieve their own style of success. Join Aparna Dasai Williams, a 20+ year veteran of in-house tech legal, for this episode of NTMLS. She will reveal her trials and errors, and some successes in the journey to learning how to coach and develop the next generation to be invaluable business partners and leaders in their organizations.

Aug 22, 202228:50
Season 5, Episode 1: Evolving Issues in Data Privacy with Alex A. Rosales

Season 5, Episode 1: Evolving Issues in Data Privacy with Alex A. Rosales

Since 2003,  Alex has been advising tech's leading companies on complex commercial arrangements and the handling of personal data. Alex focuses on new products and services and on commercial arrangements involving personal data, responding to data breaches, cross-border data transfers, marketing/ad tech, and data governance. He has provided trainings on evolving areas of data privacy law such as cookie compliance and was recently named to the 2022 Top 50 Lawyers In America list. Alex is certified by the IAPP in both the U.S. and in the E.U. and holds a global MBA from INSEAD in France.

Do you know just how much information companies around the world collect about you? If you did, would this change your behavior online or even in the real world? There is a massive sea change in the way governments around the world are looking at personal data and consumer rights are at the heart of this debate. The companies that "get" privacy will lead the transition to a future where our personal data will be seen for what it is...a global currency...those that don't will lose not only consumer trust but also market share. Big Brother has been watching for a long time. How this story ends is in the hands of big tech and the in-house legal teams that advise them.

Jun 28, 202235:59
Season 4, Episode 20: What's Your More with Gisele Kalonzo-Douglas

Season 4, Episode 20: What's Your More with Gisele Kalonzo-Douglas

Gisele Kalonzo-Douglas is an accomplished legal counsel and trusted advisor to senior management and boards of directors on risk mitigation, ethics and compliance, litigation, and corporate governance.

Currently, Gisele is the General Counsel and Director of Business Affairs for Bethel Gospel Assembly Inc. and The Pavilion Off The Park, LLC. In this role, Gisele is responsible for guiding the organization’s leadership in the identification and mitigation of risk, ensuring adherence with applicable laws and regulations governing tax-exempt and religious corporations and providing oversight over its growing real estate portfolio.

Gisele was previously a criminal defense attorney for a prominent firm in New York City where she represented clients in a variety of cases including white collar crimes and high level felonies. She has argued and litigated in state and federal courts, managing cases throughout all stages of litigation, including disposition at trial.

Gisele, who was born in the Democratic Republic of The Congo, received a Juris Doctorate from Fordham University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts, from The City College of New York. She has been a prior speaker on risk management, property development for churches, and diversity, equity and inclusion. She serves as a Senior Editorial Advisor to Church Law and Tax which engages over 4.5 million Christian leaders worldwide and provides critical content and practical solutions on important issues pertinent to religious organizations. Gisele is an advocate for women, youth and immigrants. She, her husband and son currently reside in Atlanta, Ga.

In 2019, while at a football game, my son asked me what I had wanted to be growing up. I said, I am doing it, I am a lawyer. He looked at me casually and asked, "but what's your more?". How do we get to our more? Gisele will share her search for her more. She will help you discover your "more" and how you can harness this discovery for personal and professional growth.

Jun 21, 202234:14
Season 4, Episode 19: We've Had It Backwards the Entire Time with Chad Aboud

Season 4, Episode 19: We've Had It Backwards the Entire Time with Chad Aboud

Chad Aboud tries hard to be an approachable General Counsel that focuses on genuine and fun relationships built on selflessness and curiosity, so that we all create amazing solutions and find fulfillment in our careers. Chad currently holds a position of a General Counsel at AudienceView, where he creates and leads the Legal function for an int'l portfolio of tech companies. There, he is responsible for developing scalable LegalTech, systems and tools to empower the business and leading cross-functional projects.

In the Legal industry we 've been inundated with self-promotion and the pressure to get the bigger title, salary increase, or book of business. Yet we know that even after meeting these milestones, so many Lawyers remain unfulfilled and dissatisfied with our profession. That's because we've had it backwards. Lifting others first, lifts us in a way that's more rewarding internally and creates greater external success. The best news is that there are so many fast and no/lost cost ways to prove this to ourselves. It just takes a bit of curiosity and humility for our outlook to change.

Jun 06, 202239:52
Season 4, Episode 18: Smart Contracts with Louis Sanchez de Lozada

Season 4, Episode 18: Smart Contracts with Louis Sanchez de Lozada

Dr Louis Sanchez de Lozada is Director Legal Counsel at Unigestion (UK) Limited, a Swiss management company based in London. He has more than 20 years’ experience as a financial and corporate legal counsel in international banks and asset management companies all over  the world. Louis has a solid educational foundation with a PhD in Financial comparative law from University Paris 2 Pantheon-Assas and an infinite passion for LegalTech. During his PhD, he wrote a book on all kinds of fiduciary Funds and investment companies that was published in 2012. He is a qualified lawyer in France and Bolivia and interchangeably uses English, French and Spanish as his working languages and rely heavily upon Common Law, French and European Law for work and for his academic writing.

Instead of painfully negotiating long contracts in Word to set up Investment Funds, you can set up a DAO in the DLT, give some nodes to your investor friends, get some Oracles for the external data, and code a few smart contracts to automate all operational obligations. The machine will do the investor’s ID checks for you, receive their investments and issue some security tokens for them to trade. Meanwhile, you will have time to finally chill, spend time with your family and learn how to code your next contract. Are you a beginner in Blockchain and this sounds like Japanese to you? Or are you an expert and you think that this is too good to be true? Join Dr Louis Sanchez de Lozada, LegalTech expert and authorfor this episode of NTMLS. He will explain step by step how to automate investment Funds. He will help to understand and use the Blockchain, DAOs, smart contracts and Oracles. Most importantly, he will inspire you to find your own path to begin, continue or enhance the automation of your own legal and operational activities. Time to full automation is here. Let’s move forward to the future now.

May 30, 202237:23
Season 4, Episode 17: Relaunching Legal Career with Mindy Berkower

Season 4, Episode 17: Relaunching Legal Career with Mindy Berkower

Mindy S. Berkower is Chief Client Officer and General Counsel of iRelaunch, LLC. iRelaunch, a consulting, events, and content firm founded in 2007, is the pioneer, industry leader, and chief innovator in the return to work space, bringing progressive employers together with “career relaunchers”: educated, experienced professionals seeking to return to work after a career break. Since joining iRelaunch in 2013, Mindy has held multiple cross-functional roles encompassing marketing and communications, audience development, strategic planning, business development, client and partner relationship management, and legal.

Currently, Mindy develops and manages key corporate client relationships, shapes iRelaunch’s overall corporate client practice and policies, and leads iRelaunch’s legal function as the sole in-house attorney. A career relauncher herself, Mindy practiced corporate and securities law in major New York City law firms before taking a multi-year career break to raise her two children. During her time away from paid work, Mindy used and enhanced her skills by project-managing important family undertakings and volunteering extensively in her community, including in what she calls “skin-thickening” PTA leadership roles. She is a lifelong New Yorker and received her JD from New York University School of Law and her BA in Political Science from Binghamton University (SUNY).

Many of us pursue career paths because of parental expectations or fall into a career by accident. Taking a career break can often shed light on one’s true interests and provide direction, leading to a career pivot. In other cases, as with Dorothy in ”The Wizard of Oz,” one’s heart’s desire has actually been close at hand all along. Mindy Berkower shares her story of leaving the grueling life of “big law” to raise her family, having a multi-year career break as a recovering lawyer and community volunteer, relaunching her career in a marketing role for a small company, and eventually, and happily, becoming the solo general counsel at the same company.

May 24, 202239:59
Season 4, Episode 16: Can Web 3 Save The Internet with Duane Valz

Season 4, Episode 16: Can Web 3 Save The Internet with Duane Valz

Duane Valz has led the legal and IP functions at prominent Silicon Valley companies operating at a variety of scales and growth stages. He has been broadly recognized over the past 10 years as one of the world’s leading IP strategists.  Duane is currently VP & General Counsel of Insitro, a venture-backed company applying machine learning and automation to disease target identification and new drug development. Prior to Insitro, he was VP & General Counsel of Zymergen Inc., a molecular technology growth company operating at the intersection of biology, chemistry, automation and machine learning.

Duane was previously a senior member of the Patent Team at Google, where he led strategic IP initiatives bearing on mobile, cloud, web, and open source technologies. He was also previously Associate General Counsel in charge of patent development at Yahoo! Duane began his career at Howard Rice Nemerovski Canady Falk & Rabkin (now combined with Arnold & Porter LLP).  Duane serves on the Board of Directors for SMASH.org, is an advisory board member for UCOP's MESA program, and is on the advisory Board for the National Society of Black Physicists — all organizations focused on supporting underrepresented students in the pursuit of educations and careers in STEM fields.

The assemblage of computing devices, sensors, cloud-based services, artificial intelligence and software applications that make up the internet have transformed our daily lives quite remarkably over the past 25 years.  We enjoy connection, information, entertainment and host of conveniences with an ease and utility previously unimaginable.  But along with those positives has come a shadow side that is increasingly concerning.  This includes intrusive user tracking and targeting, secret government surveillance, cyber bullying, misinformation and distortions of history, election interference and voter manipulation, wide dissemination of conspiracies and violent ideologies, large scale cyber breaches, etc.

Can Web 3 save us from the various ills that are afflicting the Internet?  Its proponents suggest that a new approach to designing web services can help address many of the problems impacting internet users.  In this discussion, Duane Valz will address the promise and possible shortcomings of Web 3.  We'll also discuss what else might be needed to create a more positive internet experience going forward.

May 24, 202241:11
Season 4, Episode 15: Alternative In-House Paths with Kevin Keller

Season 4, Episode 15: Alternative In-House Paths with Kevin Keller

Kevin Keller counseled, advised, invested and been an inventor for a wide variety of start-ups and emerging tech businesses, including being the first in-house legal support for moonshots of some of the worlds largest tech companies.

Kevin  is an engineer and attorney with broad experience that includes privacy, intellectual property, employment, regulatory, compliance, complex commercial contracts and general product counseling. He has developed and led diverse and inclusive teams that supported the development and worldwide launch of innovative consumer and enterprise hardware, software and services, including innovative retail and payment solutions, advanced autonomous robotics, social media, text, audio and video content and physical retail and delivery services.

Law schools rarely show students more than a handful of possible career paths, leading a lot of students to believe that one of the only ways to be successful is to run the BigLaw gauntlet and then turn to working in-House at similarly big and apparent stable companies. In this episode, Kevin Keller will discuss his walk down one of those conventional paths, but also why some of his best career moves and the best career moves of those he knows were not those imagined by law school career counselors and were real leaps of faith. In addition Kevin will explore some of his insights after meeting with hundreds of law students and practitioners over his career to discuss career paths and choices.

May 02, 202234:39
Season 4, Episode 14: Humanizing Tech and Law with Fatima Jafri

Season 4, Episode 14: Humanizing Tech and Law with Fatima Jafri

Fatima Jafri is a Lead Product and Privacy Counsel at Facebook where she leads the Social Impact, Election and Health product teams. She manages all of the legal and compliance issues related to the Blood Donation Products, Covid-19 Information Hub, Racial and Social Justice, Facebook Health Groups, Preventive Health, Voter Information Center and Voter Registration drives.

She was previously at ChargePoint where she focused on the privacy, legal and regulatory regimes around electric vehicle charging stations in the US, EU and Asia. Prior to that she was at Inventus Law, where she practiced corporate law and advised startups on venture financings and other corporate matters.

Fatima is involved with and on the board of a variety of organizations focused on women's leadership, startup growth and legal services including Leading Women in Technology, Asian Law Alliance, TechWadi, Lazardis Institute and Founder's Space. She has a JD from Northeastern School of Law, a Masters in International Relations and Economics from the Fletcher School of Diplomacy, Tufts University and a BA in International Relations and Economics from Trinity College.

Can technology save the world? For decades, tech enthusiasts have made grandiose statements about the power of technology, how lines of code can change the world. Join Fatima Jafri, the Lead Attorney for Social Impact for a LinkedIn this conversation. She will talk about her path into social impact and synthesizing her passion for social justice, impact and equity through the channels of technology.

Apr 25, 202235:18
Season 4, Episode 13: How to Launch a Product Counsel Role with Robert Esposito

Season 4, Episode 13: How to Launch a Product Counsel Role with Robert Esposito

Robert Esposito spent the first eight years of his career as a litigator at the law firms Morrison & Foerster and Bryan Cave in San Francisco, focusing on intellectual property, consumer protection, and business disputes. In 2018, on the verge of GDPR's enforcement date, Robert made the jump in-house as a product counsel at Facebook, where he helped launch social good products and programs. Later, Robert joined Pandora Media, where he led the development of Pandora’s privacy program and worked on digital entertainment services.  Robert currently serves as Senior Legal Counsel, Technology and Product Counsel at Hillspire, LLC, which advises a number of initiatives such as Schmidt Futures, which partners with leaders in the public and private sectors to help scale promising new ideas in science, technology, and society.

In the past decade, in-house legal departments, primarily at large technology companies, began creating a new role called "product counsel." The product counsel role is amorphous.  Most in-house lawyers don't know what product counsel do, let alone the product, engineering, and marketing teams they're meant to serve. Join Robert Esposito, law firm litigator turned in-house product counsel to learn about this "new" type of attorney and how to become one.

Apr 18, 202237:46
Season 4, Episode 12: Why Legal AI Needs Lawyers to Act Now with Wei Chen

Season 4, Episode 12: Why Legal AI Needs Lawyers to Act Now with Wei Chen

Wei Chen is the SVP and Associate General Counsel, Strategic Transactions, at salesforce.com, inc., the global CRM leader that empowers companies to digitally transform and create a 360° view of their customers.  Wei and her team are responsible for providing legal support of Salesforce’s global mergers & acquisitions, strategic investment, real estate and data center transactions.

Wei founded The Atticus Project, a non-profit organization and the curator of CUAD, an open-sourced high quality AI training dataset of legal contracts with 13,000+ annotations crowd-sourced under the supervision of experienced lawyers, and the dataset powering the 2021 ABA Public Target Deal Points Study.  Wei is a member of the Advisory Board of the Berkeley Center for Law and Business and a frequent lecturer on the topics of AI innovations in Legal, including at various legal conferences hosted by TechGC and Transaction Advisors Institute, as well as law schools such as Columbia, Berkeley and Stanford.  As part of The Atticus Project, Wei has mobilized over 50 experienced lawyers to create rich learning materials and provide hands-on legal training to nearly 100 law students and volunteers around the world.

Wei started her legal career at Skadden Arps and then at Cooley. Prior to joining Salesforce, Wei served as the Assistant General Counsel at Sun Microsystems responsible for all of its M&A legal activities. Wei is a sub-4-hour marathoner and an active volunteer in her community and local schools.

Very few legal professionals understand the secret of success of the modern-day AI - it requires a large amount of training data to be able to perform a task that surpasses human accuracy.  The only group of people who can create the training data or perform quality checks are highly skilled legal professionals, but many are oblivious of the fact that their contributions are required to advance the quality of the AI.  A successful legal transformation depends on creating a human-centric strategy that motivates legal professionals to take part.  Its success depends on our ability to design systems and workflows that make the human lawyers’ experience more rewarding than before.

Apr 10, 202234:25
Season 4, Episode 11: It's Ok to Stop Trying to Have It All with Adele Tegger

Season 4, Episode 11: It's Ok to Stop Trying to Have It All with Adele Tegger

Adele Tegger is a 20+ year attorney having practiced in-house the entirety of her career. She has spent her career at some of Orange County's best companies including Boeing, Yamaha, Arbonne and now Western Digital.

Our culture, and the legal field particularly, says you should always be striving for the next level, the next promotion and if you do not you must be lazy. Adele disagrees, you can be an amazing attorney and contributor without wanting to become the General Counsel. You can be a great attorney and not be reaching for the next big client or next big promotion.

Apr 05, 202226:53