Zach Abramowitz is Legally Disrupted
My name is Zach Abramowitz and I am Legally Disrupted. This podcast covers the trends disrupting the legal profession. Once a mild mannered practicing attorney, I now am an entrepreneur and investor in disruptive legal startups. My company, Killer Whale Strategies, helps law firms, legal departments, and anyone else capitalize on the wave of disruption sweeping over the legal industry. Join me as I spotlight key players, significant trends, and innovative companies who are shaking up an age old profession.
Episodes

11 hours ago
11 hours ago
In this engaging conversation, Ilona and Evan discuss their roles and experiences in leading innovation within their respective law firms, Cleary Gottlieb and Fisher Phillips. Ilona, the Director of Practice Innovation at Cleary, shares her journey from McKinsey to leading a transformation journey at Cleary. Evan, the Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer at Fisher Phillips, talks about his shift from labor and employment law into knowledge management and legal technology. The discussion covers their strategies for partnering with early-stage companies, the impact of generative AI on the legal industry, the importance of being thought leaders, and the challenges and opportunities of incorporating AI into legal practices. They also delve into the long-term benefits of working with startups, AI governance, and the future trajectory of AI in redefining the value proposition of the legal profession.
Topics discussed:
IIona's Journey and Role at Cleary
Evan's Career Path and Role at Fisher Phillips
The Impact of Generative AI on Legal Tech
Pre-Generative AI Adoption Strategies
Evaluating Startups and Early Partnerships
Risk Management and AI Governance
Learn More:
Ilona - https://www.pli.edu/faculty/ilona-logvinova-i2002979
Evan - https://www.fisherphillips.com/en/people/evan-shenkman.html
Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/
Follow Along:
Ilona - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilonalogvinova
Evan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-shenkman-5445123
Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
Wednesday Jan 22, 2025
Katya Fisher introduces her journey from a practicing attorney to a tech entrepreneur. She shares her experience of building a successful law practice during the Great Recession and how she acquired a unique set of legal skills. Katya talks about the inefficiencies in the legal world that led her to build Aracor.ai, a legal tech product tailored for in-house counsel of investment firms such as venture capital funds, private equity groups, and family offices.
Learn More:
Aracor - https://www.aracor.ai/
Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/
Follow Along:
Katya - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katyafisher/
Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

Monday Dec 02, 2024
E14 - Are the Lines Blurring Between DMS and AI? NetDocuments CPO Dan Hauck
Monday Dec 02, 2024
Monday Dec 02, 2024
In this episode recorded at the NetDocuments Inspire EMEA conference in London, Dan Hauck outlines the strides made in integrating AI into legal document management. The discussion begins with a reflection on a previous webinar and the decision to avoid common, simplistic AI solutions like chatbots, instead focusing on using LLMs for intelligent document tagging. The development and features of NetDocuments' AI suite, ndMax, are detailed, emphasizing automated processes like semantic search, document metadata enrichment, and contract summarization. The conversation also touches on the importance of embedding AI seamlessly into existing workflows to enhance the work experience for attorneys, improve client service, and retain top talent. Additionally, they explore future enhancements, the integration of custom legal applications, and the overarching strategy of simplifying AI use within the platform.
AI in Legal: A Thoughtful Approach
Developing ndMax: Tackling Legal Challenges with AI
The Shift to Semantic Search
Building Legal Apps with ndMax
AI Integration and Lawyer Experience
Simply Intelligent: The New Messaging
Learn More:
Dan - NetDocuments.com
Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/
Follow Along:
Dan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danhauck
Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

Thursday Nov 28, 2024
E13 - Are Law Firms Succeeding with GenAI? Joe Cohen, Director of Innovation at CRS
Thursday Nov 28, 2024
Thursday Nov 28, 2024
In this episode, Joe Cohen, Director of Advanced Client Solutions at Charles Russell Speechlys, discusses his recent career change and the establishment of a new department at the firm focusing on legal tech, generative AI, legal project management, and process improvement. Joe details the triggers for creating the innovation department and the rapid adoption of generative AI platforms within the firm. He shares insights from the recent Legal Innovators conference panel, the impact of AI on value-based pricing, and its transformative potential on both the practice of law and business models. Joe also explores the challenges and future possibilities of AI in the legal sector, including data limitations and evolving regulatory landscapes.
Creating an Innovation Department
Generative AI Implementation
Value-Based Pricing and AI
Future of Legal AI and Data Challenges
Learn More:
https://www.legalinnovators.co.uk/
Joe - https://www.charlesrussellspeechlys.com/en/people/j/joe-cohen/
Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/
Follow Along:
Joe - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joecohen13/
Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
In episode 12 of Zach Abramowitz is Legally Disrupted, Zach interviews Jeff Franke and Connie Brenton, co-founders of LegalOps.com, ahead of their upcoming conference, "Running Legal Like a Business," in Las Vegas from September 3-6. The discussion highlights the evolution of legal operations, emphasizing the need for community and industry standards, which they aim to foster through their platform.
Learn more about the conference "Running Legal Like a Business" - https://event-2024.legalops.com/
Learn More:
Legal Ops - legalops.com, lawvision.com
Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/
Follow Along:
Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

Thursday Aug 22, 2024
E11 - Is Harvey.ai All Hype? Giupedi CEO Edward Bukstel
Thursday Aug 22, 2024
Thursday Aug 22, 2024
In this episode of Zach Abramowitz is Legally Disrupted, dive into the world of digital health and legal technology with a seasoned entrepreneur who has been at the forefront of healthcare technology since the late 1980s. The discussion covers the evolution of electronic health records, the intersection of digital health and legal tech, and the challenges faced by lawyers in adopting new technologies. Edward Bukstel shares insights on his current venture, which aims to streamline the process for personal injury cases and improve communication between clients and lawyers. The conversation also touches on the competitive landscape of legal tech, particularly the emergence of companies like Harvey.ai and the implications of AI in the legal field.
Learn More:
Edward - https://medium.com/@Connected_Dots, https://www.giupedi.com/
Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/
Follow Along:
Edward - https://www.linkedin.com/in/edward-bukstel-33987a2/
Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

Friday Aug 09, 2024
E10 - GPT Wrappers with James Lee, CEO & Cofounder of LegalMation
Friday Aug 09, 2024
Friday Aug 09, 2024
This episode of Zach Abramowitz is Legally Disrupted delves into the importance of using specialized tools for professionals, drawing an analogy between Snap-on tools at a motorcycle shop and purpose-built applications in the legal industry. It discusses why general-purpose tools like GPT and Claude may not meet the specific needs of professionals, emphasizing the need for tailored solutions that provide confidence and efficiency. The conversation highlights the philosophy of building platforms that cater to the precise requirements of professional users, particularly in legal settings.
The Snap-On Tools Philosophy
The Professional's Preference
Purpose-Built Applications vs. Swiss Army Knives
Optimizing for Legal Professionals
Learn More:
James - https://www.legalmation.com/about/
Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/
Follow Along:
James - https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-lee-9468b64
Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

Wednesday Jul 10, 2024
E9 - How is AI Impacting Law Firm Subsidiaries? Bryon Bratcher, MD of Gravity Stack
Wednesday Jul 10, 2024
Wednesday Jul 10, 2024
In this episode, I sit down with Gravity Stack’s Managing Director Bryon Bratcher for a live conversation on stage in San Francisco at Legal Innovators California (hosted by Artificial Lawyer Richard Tromans) to learn about how Gravity Stack, the subsidiary of Reed Smith LLP, is transforming its service offerings in light of the advances in AI and large language models.
Learn More:
www.legalinnovatorscalifornia.com
www.artifciallawyer.com
Bryon - www.Gravitystack.com
Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/
Follow Along:
Bryon - https://twitter.com/bryon_z https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryon-bratcher-24b1a92/
Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

Tuesday May 21, 2024
E8 - Conversation in Las Vegas at CLOC with Latitude Legal CRO Alex Su
Tuesday May 21, 2024
Tuesday May 21, 2024
Zach sits down with legal influencer Alex Su for an engaging discussion about his unique career journey and insights into the legal industry's future.
Alex's move from legal tech companies to a leadership role at Latitude Legal
Exploring how creating engaging content can amplify one’s influence and impact in the legal sector
The significance of gradual, sustained efforts in achieving long-term professional success
How technological advancements are reshaping the legal profession and the imperative for lawyers to upskill
How artificial intelligence and automation are influencing legal practices and what it means for future legal staffing
The benefits and challenges of flexible staffing models in today’s legal landscape
Learn More:
Alex - https://latitudelegal.com/about/leadership/alex-su/
Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/
Follow Along:
Alex - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-su?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_mweb&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile, https://x.com/heyitsalexsu?s=21&t=Qsv7XtspImwlZU9tcVEi_g
Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

Thursday Apr 11, 2024
E7 - How Lawyers Are Going to Make Money From AI: TermScout CEO Otto Hanson
Thursday Apr 11, 2024
Thursday Apr 11, 2024
Zach talks with TermScout founder about the inspiration for Screens.ai, how LLMs have drastically changed their roadmap and how lawyers will now be able to generate passive income from AI.
Introduction to the Pivot from Term Scout to Screens.ai
Exploring the Pivot: Not Just a Change, But an Expansion
The Success and Services of Term Scout
The Genesis and Vision of Screens.ai
The Gig Economy and Legal Profession's Transformation
Screens.ai: A New Paradigm for Legal Expertise and Passive Income
The Future of Contract Review with Screens.ai
How Businesses and Lawyers Can Leverage Screens.ai
Learn More:
Otto - https://www.termscout.com/, https://www.screens.ai/
Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/
Follow Along:
Otto - linkedin.com/in/ottohanson/
Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz
