Zach Abramowitz is Legally Disrupted

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

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
 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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