PODCAST · business
The PERSUIT Podcast
by PERSUIT
The PERSUIT podcast delivers deep dive conversations into the innovations and issues facing today's legal leaders. Each episode offers actionable insights for more effective outside counsel selection and management to help in-house teams lead with value. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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153
National Grid's Justine Campbell on Leadership, Regulation and Keeping the Lights On
Most legal AI conversations happen in the abstract. Not for Justine Campbell, Chief Legal Officer at National Grid.National Grid runs the electricity and gas transmission networks across the UK and the US, and literally keeps the lights on. In this episode, Justine joins PERSUIT COO Michelle Landy to talk about what AI adoption actually looks like when your industry is heavily regulated, your customers can't opt out, and the margin for error is nil.They cover:Why speed is the wrong metric for legal transformation in a regulated businessHow National Grid is piloting AI tools — and the non-negotiable guardrails around themRunning hackathons with external law firms to co-design solutionsWhat "right-sizing" outside counsel relationships really meansThe capability that will separate leading legal departments over the next few yearsIf you work in legal, compliance, or operations in energy, financial services, healthcare, or any other heavily regulated sector — this one's for you.The world's top in-house teams aren't just managing their firms — they're mobilizing value. PERSUIT.Lead with value.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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152
Executive Presence, ChatGPTing Yourself and Getting "Weirdly Excited" About RFPs
What does it take to stand out, stay human, and lead with authenticity in legal marketing? 💡 In this episode of The PERSUIT Podcast, host Alex Bullington sits down with Rachael Shilling, Director of Marketing & Client Services at Liskow, for an honest, energizing conversation about: 🚀 Standing Out in a Crowded Market How a 90-year-old regional firm competes with global giants by doubling down on its energy-sector roots. 💼 Rethinking RFPs & Client Value Why Rachael loves RFPs, how she first discovered PERSUIT, and how data-driven transparency helps firms win on expertise—not size. 🤖 AI, Empathy & the Future of Legal Work Rachael’s refreshing take on what AI can do—and what it can’t replace: trust, empathy, and real connection. Subscribe to The PERSUIT Podcast to stay ahead of the innovation curve in legal and lead with value.The world's top in-house teams aren't just managing their firms — they're mobilizing value. PERSUIT. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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151
Re-Play: Owning the AI Narrative (Before Someone Else Does)
It's a special crossover episode of the PERSUIT Podcast this week as we re-play Jim Delkousis' recent interview with Mary O'Carroll on the Pearls On Gloves Off podcast. The two cover a lot of ground, including: Leading legal like a businessThe AI reckoning of the billable hourThe hot topic of reverse auctionsBig thank yous to Mary and her team for letting us share this episode. You can subscribe to Pearls on Gloves Off on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.The world's top in-house teams aren't just managing their firms — they're mobilizing value. PERSUIT. Lead with value.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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150
Get the Right People in the Room, with Chris Grant of Goodwin
From re-thinking the billable hour with Effective Fee Arrangements to building trust through transparency, Chris shares how clients and law firms can work smarter—not harder. Discover why the right people, the right data, and the right conversations are key to driving change in the legal industry.The world's top in-house teams aren't just managing their firms — they're mobilizing value. PERSUIT. Lead with value.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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149
Demystifying Legal Accruals with Chris Perry of Apperio
In this episode, Chris Perry, VP of Sales at Apperio, joins the PERSUIT Podcast to unpack why accruals are such a persistent challenge in legal ops—and how to fix them. From inaccurate estimates to strained client–firm communication, accruals impact far more than just finance. Key takeaways: Why hourly billing makes accruals inherently messy The pitfalls of relying on law firm estimates How Apperio uses actual unbilled data to improve accuracy The role of clear communication and expectation setting Why value-based pricing could be a game changer Listen in to learn how to rethink your accruals process. Learn more about Apperio and PERSUIT, book a demo today at http://www.persuit.comThe world's top in-house teams aren't just managing their firms — they're mobilizing value. PERSUIT. Lead with value.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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148
Law Firm Pricing is More Bespoke Than You Think
In this episode of the PERSUIT podcast, host Chris Albrecht speaks with Maui Guevero, Senior Manager for the Legal Advisory Team at PERSUIT. They discuss the evolving landscape of client-firm relationships, the intricacies of law firm pricing strategies, and the critical role of communication in legal services. The conversation also delves into the impact of AI on legal work and how it is reshaping the dynamics between clients and firms. Insights from the PERSUIT Exchange event highlight the need for proactive communication and collaboration to enhance these relationships. Topics include:The client-firm relationship is often tense due to pricing pressures.Law firms can adopt bespoke pricing strategies tailored to client needs.Clients should articulate their priorities to foster collaboration.Clients are becoming more informed about AI capabilities.Both firms and clients need to initiate communication proactively. Find Maui on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmcge/ The world's top in-house teams aren't just managing their firms — they're mobilizing value. PERSUIT. Lead with value.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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147
New FinServ and AFA Legal Spending Data Will Surprise you
Jordan Weinstein, VP of Data & Growth at PERSUIT, shares insights around legal pricing trends for FinServ clients and AFAs, including: Do FinServ clients pay less? Why have some key cost-driving activities in AFAs plateaued in recent years? How can clients and firms take advantage of this research? The PERSUIT Podcast delivers deep discussions around the innovations happening in the legal space. PERSUIT. Lead with value.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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146
Sebastian Lochen: Thyssenkrupp - Innovations and Challenges in Legal Compliance
Dr. Sebastian Lochen, the General Counsel and Head of Compliance at Thyssenkrupp, shares his professional journey within the company, where he began his career in the compliance department in 2011 and rose to lead the legal function in 2021. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Lochen emphasizes the significance of embedding the legal team within the business units to ensure proactive support and early involvement in organizational projects and decisions.Lochen speaks to the environmental and regulatory challenges Thyssenkrupp faces as it transitions to greener technologies, and how the changing business model, driven by regulatory pressures and economic shifts, requires adaptive strategies from the legal team to provide robust support while also maintaining vigilance over traditional risk areas like antitrust issues. The two also explore the evolving dynamics between Thyssenkrupp and its external legal advisors. Dr. Lochen discusses the critical role of law firms in providing innovative solutions and leveraging technology to enhance legal service delivery. He emphasizes the importance of a collaborative relationship with external partners to navigate new regulatory landscapes effectively. 04:36 Expansion of Compliance Programs Since 201107:36 Diversified Industry Ventures Overview09:50 Integrating with Business Operations13:41 Future Challenges: Regulation and Efficiency18:06 AI Compliance Implementation Strategies19:48 Evolving Role of Law Firms24:53 Steel Industry's Green Transition25:46 Navigating Economic and Legal Changes29:33 Nurturing Children's Interests through ExplorationHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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Samallie Kiyingi: Standard Chartered Bank - Building Resilience and Trust
In this episode, Cynthia Lareine interviews Samallie Kiyingi, the global General Counsel for Corporate Investment Banking at Standard Chartered Bank. The two talk about Samallie's impressive career journey, emphasizing her transitions across prestigious organizations like Afreximbank, Clifford Chance, Deutsche Bank, and Standard Chartered Bank. Despite initially focusing on international law and human rights, Samallie’s path led her into finance law, a transition influenced by mentors and opportunities to develop a wide range of skills. Her global career, spanning continents including Australia, Europe, Africa, and Asia, and her current role at Standard Chartered reflect a natural progression towards leveraging finance to foster prosperity.The conversation delves into Samallie’s leadership style, enriched by her culturally diverse work experiences. She discusses the challenges of adapting to different cultural contexts, such as her significant moves from Sydney to London, Cairo, and Singapore. One pivotal moment in her career was negotiating and procuring COVID-19 vaccines for African countries, where her structured finance expertise played a crucial role. Samallie stresses the importance of maintaining personal resilience and celebrating team wins in high-pressure situations. She advocates for clear daily routines, empathetic leadership, and building trust within teams to enhance productivity and innovation.Samallie also shares insights on elevating the in-house legal team's strategic role within organizations. She emphasizes the necessity of relationship-building, over-communicating, and taking ownership to demonstrate value beyond the traditional legal advisory scope. Additionally, as a member of Standard Chartered’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, Samallie highlights the importance of fostering diverse leadership and creating opportunities for underrepresented groups. She balances forward-looking perspectives on technological advancements in the legal field with practical advice for young lawyers on betting on themselves and seeking roles that open future opportunities. Her personal reflections and professional guidance make for an inspiring episode, underscoring her belief in leveraging law and finance as tools for broader societal impact.06:57 Cultural Bias in Leadership Adaptation08:41 Cultural Sensitivity in Workplace Communication14:16 Vaccine Collaboration and Coordination17:16 Managing Stress Through Routine19:28 Celebrating Wins Amid Challenges24:04 Surprise Award Highlights Global Impact27:16 Building Legal-Business Trust30:17 Boosting Personal Visibility at Work32:28 Visibility and Relationship-Building Strategies36:10 Enhancing Diversity Through Senior Engagement40:10 Tech Innovations in Legal Industry43:26 Career Decisions: Prioritizing Future OpportunitiesHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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Tia Sherringham: DoorDash - Making Legal the Department of "Yes, And"
In this episode, Jim Delkousis, CEO of PERSUIT, sits down with Tia Sherringham, General Counsel at DoorDash, to explore how legal can be a true business partner rather than just the department of “no.” Tia shares her journey from being the second lawyer at DoorDash to leading a global legal team of 150, navigating the company through hypergrowth, the pandemic pivot, and its IPO. She also dives into building a problem-solving legal culture, partnering with external counsel, and scaling legal for a global company.From empowering her team with a "Yes, And" mindset to balancing business agility and compliance, Tia offers valuable insights for legal leaders looking to evolve with their companies.For more great episodes of the Innovative Legal Leadership podcast, visit PERSUIT.com[00:01:14] - Tia's Journey to Law and DoorDash[00:03:18] - The Scrappy Early Days as DoorDash’s second lawyer[00:04:23] - The Pandemic Pivot, Pausing the IPO [00:06:51] - Scaling Legal Through an IPO & Beyond[00:12:04] - The DRI Model and Empowering Her Legal Team[00:13:11] - Choosing the Right External Legal Partners[00:17:33] - Legal as the "Department of Yes, And"[00:19:34] - Legal & Marketing Collaboration (Including a Super Bowl appearance)[00:21:32] - The Future of Legal & AI[00:22:40] - Advice to Her 25-Year-Old Self[00:24:25] - Fun Wrap-Up: Tia’s Go-To DoorDash OrdersHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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143
Lynn Charytan: Comcast Cable — Building a Strong Legal Department
In this episode of the Innovative Legal Leadership Podcast, Jim Delkousis sits down with Lynn Charytan, the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of Comcast Cable. Lynn traces her career journey, starting from her early days at the Washington Post, moving on to a 17-year tenure at WilmerHale as a partner, and finally transitioning to Comcast in 2010. She describes the challenges she faced in establishing a legal regulatory function at Comcast without a structured onboarding process and reflects on important milestone moments that shaped her career, including a transformative realization about her leadership approach.Lynn discusses her perspective on leadership, emphasizing the need to empower her legal team to excel rather than focusing solely on her own expertise. She recounts how her department has grown and evolved with the addition of new legal functions like compliance and government investigations. Lynn highlights the importance of having a robust onboarding process to foster a strong team culture. She also touches on topics like cybersecurity, the role of AI in business and legal operations, and maintaining strategic partnerships with external law firms.00:00 Lynn's Career and AI Insights04:49 Establishing a Legal Regulatory Team07:20 Career Transition and Reflection12:44 Empowering Colleagues for Success16:39 Navigating Selective Leadership and Trust18:06 Enhancing Interdepartmental Collaboration23:38 AI's Role in Law Efficiency26:30 Collaborating to Overcome Resistance29:37 Collaborative Firm Negotiations34:18 Understanding Business Strategy for Decisions35:01 Integrating Legal Advisors in Strategy38:58 Shifting Focus: From Self to OthersHear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform.Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.Hosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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142
Angelique Strong Marks: Cars.com — AI, Diversity, and Crafting a Winning GC Narrative
Angelique Strong Marks, Chief Legal Officer, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer at Cars.com, joins us to discuss what it truly means to win as in-house counsel. She emphasizes the importance of understanding a company’s business goals and aligning legal strategies accordingly. Angelique also explores how AI is transforming the legal field, allowing lawyers to focus on more strategic tasks, and shares her unique take on diversity, highlighting the need to redefine success metrics in the legal profession. Tune in for valuable insights into holistic legal strategies, AI’s role in legal operations, and the future of diversity in law.Join us as we discuss:[1:48] Leadership and what it means to win as an in-house legal counsel[7:41] AI and digital transformation in the legal profession[15:48] Why the diversity conversation is still flawedCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:What it Means to Win for In-House Counsel by Angelique Strong MarksHear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform.Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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141
Nisreen Al-Shaker: Nokia — The Rise of Legal Operations and Its Strategic Impact
Nisreen Al-Shaker, Global Head of Legal Operations and Strategy — Legal and Compliance at Nokia, didn’t passionately pursue legal ops. Instead, her diverse experiences in multiple international legal departments naturally pushed her into the dynamic field.Nisreen believes an expansive skillset is essential to understanding the challenges that come with today’s lightning-fast change in the legal industry.She gives us an exclusive snapshot of how her team is embracing innovative tools and collaborating with partners like PERSUIT to establish operational resilience in their Middle Eastern market. Join us as we discuss:[5:23] How legal ops helps in-house teams navigate complex issues[15:04] Partnering with PERSUIT to help unravel spending expectations[23:53] Operational resilience in the face of rapid change[33:11] The rise of legal operations in the Middle EastCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC)Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform.Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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140
Damien Atkins: Aura —Transforming In-House Culture to Drive Value
Damien Atkins, CLO and GC at Aura, a provider of online security solutions, has learned a lot about leadership during his extensive career spanning companies like AOL, Panasonic, and Hershey’s. His reputation has garnered him recognition in multiple publications, including recently being named as one of the most influential executives in Corporate America by Savoy Magazine.Yet he’s always chasing more insights, which is why he launched The Purposeful Leader, a podcast featuring executives from law and business who discuss leadership values. Damien joins us for a compelling conversation about what distinguishes great legal leaders, how they can drive cultural change, and why they need to work outside of the legal box.Join us as we discuss:[4:38] Drawing from the leadership philosophies of great sports coaches[14:06] Creating in-house culture for differentiated value to the business[22:57] Expanding the influence of in-house within the business[36:24] Using technology strategically to drive more impactCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Savoy Magazine: 2024 Most Influential Executives In Corporate AmericaThe Purposeful LeaderHear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform.Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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139
Otilia Phiri: Microsoft — Shaping the Future of Legal Tech
From Zimbabwe to Nairobi, Otilia Phiri has solidified her reputation as a leader in the African legal tech space.As Principal Corporate Counsel for the Africa Regional Cluster at Microsoft, she’s committed to transforming how legal departments support business objectives, promoting diverse perspectives and innovative approaches to in-house projects.Otilia gives us an exclusive peek into how Microsoft is transforming the African continent with exciting new technology and how she thinks AI will give legal professionals more creative freedom.Join us as we discuss:[15:38] AI conversations at Microsoft and African agencies[25:33] Use cases for AI tools in Microsoft’s legal departments[32:08] DEI and career advancement opportunities[46:06] Why old traditions are holding the legal industry backCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Microsoft Africa Development CenterMicrosoft Responsible AI PrinciplesCopilot for Microsoft 365100 Most Influential African Leaders in Technology & TelecommunicationsHear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform.Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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138
Porter Merriman: AutoDesk — Why “Belonging” Has Earned Its Spot in DEIB
How does one begin to measure the social impact of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging initiatives in legal? And how can you get others to buy in? When Porter Merriman, VP & Assistant GC at AutoDesk, helped spearhead her department’s new DEIB program, she knew she couldn’t force people to be fully invested. But she could acknowledge and reward those who were. In this episode of our new Mission Possible series, Porter gives other legal leaders a map to help them charter their own DEIB programs and build diverse partnerships. Join us as we discuss: - Why DEIB can’t be a string of start-stop initiatives (1:54) - Factoring DEIB in the external sourcing process (7:59) - Advice to legal leaders starting internal DEIB programs (14:29) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: AutoDesk FY2023 Diversity & Belonging Report Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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137
Ulrike Schwarz-Runer: Boston Consulting Group — Building a Psychologically Safe Legal Department
Ulrike Schwarz-Runer, Managing Director and Senior Partner, GC and CLO at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), has long been a champion for DEI and psychological safety in the workplace.While she’s overseeing BCG’s global legal operations, she’s also leveraging her position to empower her people to feel safe and heard while participating in international forums on inclusivity.Ulrike shares how BCG is driving DEI initiatives through innovation, effective communication, and expertise deployment.Join us as we discuss:➡️[5:11] Why diverse teams are more effective and innovative➡️[14:32] The importance of psychological safety in the workplace➡️[21:39] Keeping the human connection in digital transformationCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:➡️The Positive Domino Effect of Psychological Safety (BCG)➡️Flexible Teams Are Key for In-house Lawyers to Share Expertise (Financial Times)Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform.Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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136
André Wright: NiSource — How to Get Buy-In for DEI Initiatives in Legal
It takes everyone, from corporate leadership to interns, to drive successful DEI initiatives through an in-house legal department.So, when Forbes recognized NiSource as one of the top employers for diversity in the energy field in 2023, André Wright and his team knew their efforts had paid off.The VP & Deputy GC for NiSource joined us to talk about how they implemented their DEI strategy and share some of the surprising challenges and outcomes of bringing everyone along.Join us as we discuss:[4:05] Carrying out DEI initiatives at the strategic level[11:59] The need to find like-minded suppliers and partners[16:48] Why it’s important to consider opposing viewpointsCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD)NAMWOLFHear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform.Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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135
Kailee Goold: Cardinal Health — Contribution Over Perfection in Building a Better Legal Department Culture
Creating a positive culture is hard — especially in the legal space.Old institutions and ways of doing things are difficult to unseat, and modern corporate legal departments need to lean heavily into building culture that works for both the company and its people equally.Kailee Goold, VP of Litigation and Legal Operations at Cardinal Health, sits down with PERSUIT’s own Michelle Landy to discuss how to disrupt outdated patterns of thinking and behavior when it comes to culture and belonging inside of your organization.When everyone has a seat at the table and is comfortable sitting in it, legal departments win.Join us as we discuss:[3:30] Acting as an “actor in a playground of critics” [6:15] Tailoring DEIB to your department’s culture[11:00] How disrupting existing patterns can impact legal department healthHear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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134
Brent Dyer: Trend Micro — Run Your In-House Legal Department Like a Business
As the Director of Legal Operations, Employment Law, and Litigation at Trend Micro, Brent Dyer is leading the transformation of legal operations within the multinational cybersecurity giant. His journey from aspiring opera singer to legal innovator is not just a fascinating career transition but a testament to the dynamism and versatility required in the legal ops landscape.Brent joins us to unpack the world of legal ops, sharing insights on enhancing operational efficiencies, strategic litigation management, and spearheading initiatives that challenge the conventional law firm model.Join us as we discuss:[6:57] The duality of legal ops and traditional legal work[15:44] Optimizing litigation management and billing issues[26:02] Why law firms need to care more about the client experience[35:15] Underappreciated value of non-lawyers in legal opsHear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform.Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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133
Veronica Gromada: Shook, Hardy, & Bacon L.L.P. — Run for the Fire Hose Instead of the Fire Exit
Most of our guests started their legal journeys in private law firms before pivoting to corporate in-house legal departments. In this insightful episode, the shoe is on the other foot.Veronica Gromada spent nearly 20 years with Walmart’s in-house legal department, leading teams of attorneys, paralegals, and various professionals and managing the retailer’s extensive tort litigation portfolio.Now, as a partner at the prestigious law firm Shook, Hardy & Bacon L.L.P., Veronica is not only overseeing their products liability group. She is also the co-chair for multiple ESG initiatives.Hear how Veronica is using her Fortune One experience to give her colleagues new perspectives on business relationships and how she’s championing diversity in AMLAW firms.Join us as we discuss:[3:03] Pivoting from a massive in-house department to private practice[13:51] Why law firms need to adopt a business mindset[23:56] The challenges of being a black female partner[34:34] How AI will free legal professionals to better serve clientsHear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform.Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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132
Ben Adams: Western Union — Why CLOs Must Be True Problem Solvers
The roles of chief legal officer or general counsel can mean different things in different corporate hierarchies.But if there’s one thing that Ben Adams has learned on his way to becoming CLO and Corporate Secretary at Western Union, it’s that those men and women must be true problem solvers.He’s always reminding his in-house team that a uniform legal background will only get them so far. It’s the willingness to adapt and learn the ins and outs of their business that will take them places. Ben gives us an exclusive peek into how his team manages the legal challenges that can arise in financial services and how they’re cautiously approaching AI to help with international transactions.Join us as we discuss:[7:53] Core values and the Western Union Foundation[19:46] If in-house legal job titles really tell the whole story[28:53] How technology ties into transparency in legal departmentsCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Western Union FoundationHear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform.Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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Sue Manik: Standard Chartered Bank — How Legal Ops Teams Can Justify Value
As AI tools continue to infiltrate the global workforce, how can legal ops teams separate relevant AI services from ill-fitting alternatives? And how can in-house teams best leverage some of these exciting new data models to make informed decisions?Sue Manik, Head of Supplier Performance at Standard Chartered Bank, believes that legal professionals must reevaluate how they think about data if they want to keep up with accelerated innovation.Sue walks us through the changes she’s witnessed in legal operations’ evolution from data-wielding sidekicks to collaborative partners and how Standard’s D&I task force is breaking barriers.Join us as we discuss:[3:10] How embedding in legal operations opens up new opportunities[12:43] Why legal professionals should never take data at face value[20:44] Measuring ROI on legal operations initiatives[33:32] Standard Charter Bank’s D&I task forceHear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform.Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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130
Sterling Miller - Hilgers Graben: The Art of Embracing Opportunities
The role of the GC has come a long way since the days when everyone only wanted to work for big law firms.GCs have now evolved into a more strategic and important role within organizations, where lawyers are doing more of the legal work and interacting with the business. For the role to continuously improve, lawyers must stay endlessly curious, evaluate what they’re doing and improve upon it, and learn how to delegate.This week, we're joined by Sterling Miller, CEO and Senior Counsel at Hilgers Graben PLLC. Sterling’s diverse professional experience has enabled him to strategically adapt to each position, embrace change, and disrupt the legal department.In this interview, we delve into what it takes for the GC to chart a more strategic path within their organization.Join us as we discuss: [08:23] How the GC role has evolved [21:34] How lawyers can be more productive[26:01] How to foster innovation and diversity in the legal departmentCheck out these resources we mentioned during the podcast:Sterling MillerHilgers Graben PLLCPERSUITHear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform.Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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Shane O’Connor – Commonwealth Bank: Successful Change Management in Legal
If lawyers and the legal function are going to thrive in tomorrow’s workforce, they need to be tech-savvy, forward-thinking, and able to project manage. The legal landscape is in a constant state of evolution, and teams must embrace that change to stay ahead. They need to push alternative ways of doing things and work differently. This week, we're joined by Shane O’Connor, General Manager of Strategy and Operations at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia. Shane’s extensive experience across different functions in the banking industry has enabled him to tackle challenges head-on, question the status quo, and implement positive disruption within his organization. In this webinar, we delve into what it takes to initiate change within an organization. Join us as we discuss: - [07:40] How Shane created the legal ops function at Commonwealth Bank - [14:18] Shane’s problem-solving process and how he implemented a rollout - [20:53] Strategies for winning the hearts and minds of lawyers - [24:36] What proper change management looks like Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Shane O’Connor - Commonwealth Bank of Australia - PERSUIT Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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128
Maui Gevero – PERSUIT: Successfully Navigating Mass Arbitration
Unbeknownst to many, mass arbitration is actually something that recently evolved in the legal landscape as an alternative to large class action lawsuits. What should companies be aware of, and how can they deal with mass arbitration successfully? This week, we're joined by Maui Gevero, Senior Manager of Legal Advisory at PERSUIT. We dive into what mass arbitration is and how companies can proactively address challenges arising from this. Maui also shares his views on where the system loopholes are and what companies should do to test different approaches to handling mass arbitrations. He also leaves us with some tips regarding what companies requiring legal consultation must do. Join us as we discuss: - The definition of mass arbitration (00:10) - Maui’s best examples of mass arbitration cases (02:44) - Three steps that companies should follow related to mass arbitration (07:18) Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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127
Inderpreet Sawhney: Infosys — AI’s Impact on the Lawyers of Tomorrow
A lot has happened since Inderpreet Sawhney became General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer at Infosys in 2017. After globetrotting through several firms and businesses, she now oversees an in-house team that is witnessing incredible advances in generative AI firsthand. And like many other GCs and legal professionals, she’s curious to see how these innovations will redefine value in the field. Inderpreet gives us her insights into what generative AI could mean for future lawyers, and some do’s and don’ts when transitioning from big law firms to in-house teams. Join us as we discuss: - How the role of GC has evolved from tactical to strategic (8:12) - Generative AI and its impact on relationships with outside counsel (14:27) - The evolution of the young lawyer’s traditional training ground (25:03) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Infosys Topaz Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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126
Jim Delkousis: PERSUIT —The Power of Value-based Pricing
Nobody loves the billable hour. For too long, law firms have viewed it as a necessary evil, partly because the right technology just hadn’t shown up yet. But now, ChatGPT and large language models have entered the public scene. And Jim Delkousis, Founder and CEO at PERSUIT, is loving every minute of it. Today, he’s watching AI breathe new life into his vision of a legal industry that values outcomes over time. Don’t miss this exclusive peek into how Jim’s career path inspired him to start PERSUIT and why he’s excited about an AI-driven legal industry. Join us as we discuss: - An overwhelming introduction to a powerful international firm (5:03) - Realizing the need for a transparent legal marketplace (19:40) - Why AI will drive the cost of knowledge creation to zero (30:51) Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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125
Cynthia Lareine: PERSUIT — Bridging Client and Law Firm Values
Like many young attorneys, Cynthia Lareine, Director of Community Development at PERSUIT, experienced the relentless grind early in her legal career. Feeling the pressure to always say “Yes,” she survived a culture that viewed clocking out as a sign of weakness. But today, she’s channeling her drive and experience to help advance PERSUIT’s mission to drive better outcomes in the legal industry. In this episode, we revisit Cynthia’s passionate interview as she talks about how she thinks innovation will help transform relationships and bring about real value to the field. Join us as we discuss: - How childhood discrimination influenced Cynthia’s career path (3:44) - The pressures endured by junior associates at large firms (10:02) - How working with the African legal community led her to PERSUIT (23:00) Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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124
PERSUIT: David Falstein — The Alternative Fee Arrangement Myth
Litigation is like war. Long, drawn-out, and unpredictable. Which is why many law firms are reluctant to quote fixed fees for these types of matters. But David Falstein, VP of Product at PERSUIT (and former lawyer and legal sourcing expert at J&J), thinks that’s really just an excuse to delay inevitable change. And he gives a compelling argument as to why AFAs can be a winning proposition for clients and firms, alike. Tune in as we revisit this insightful discussion with David about transparent pricing in fixed fee arrangements. Join us as we discuss: - Debunking the uncertainty around alternative fee arrangements (13:34) - Challenges to transitioning to a fixed fee model in law firms (24:30) - Why billable hours are a mental health nightmare (30:49) Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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123
How AI Will Disrupt the Future Legal Landscape
There’s a lot of excitement and some trepidation around the introduction of AI in the legal ecosystem. One thing that everyone can agree on is that it’s imperative for legal functions across organizations - regardless of size - to start thinking about their AI strategy. The real value comes from learning what’s working and initiating those conversations early on. In this special webinar recap hosted by PERSUIT’s Senior Manager of Legal Advisory Maui Gevero, we discuss how AI is rapidly changing the legal landscape. Listen in as Maui leads the discussion featuring Chris Grant, David Cunningham, and Sean Monahan, who share what they’ve learned about how companies should approach the AI conversation. Join us as we discuss: - What your firm’s overarching AI strategy should be (09:57) - Where Generative AI would have the greatest impact (33:01) - A good way to approach the AI conversation with outside counsel (49:52) Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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122
Unlocking the Power of Value-Based Pricing: An Introduction to AFAs
The hourly bill is a relic in the age of AI. Accelerated change is driving unparalleled efficiency in the legal industry. So it’s time for law firms to stop valuing time and effort over outcomes. Also, it’s just a crappy way to work. In this special webinar recap, PERSUIT’s Director of Legal Advisory, Laura Spalding, and Legal Advisory Manager, Cassieoppia Snowden, present an overview of alternative fee arrangement (AFA) models. From the benefits to practical applications, Laura and Cassieoppia unpack why law firms should adopt AFAs and put the hourly bill in a museum. Join us as we discuss: - Why law firms need to move away from hourly billing (4:20) - A breakdown of AFA families and their respective models (14:51) - Why scoping is the biggest barrier to adopting AFAs (45:00) Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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121
Chris Grant: HSBC — Forget About the Input; Price for Output
There was a time when Chris Grant, Head of Legal Engagement at HSBC, started to second-guess his career path in law. A lack of innovative tools and collaboration to help streamline efficiencies gave him a chronic case of wanderlust as he bounced between in-house and private practice. But now that forward-thinking tech vendors and AI technologies are finding their feet, the future that Chris was waiting for is finally here. Chris gives an exclusive peek into the legal operations of one of the largest financial institutions in the world and how he and his team are meeting aggressive change head-on. Join us as we discuss: - (5:43) Why innovators aren’t exclusive to in-house or private practice - (10:31) 3 things that need to change in the industry going forward - (18:19) How to measure ROI for new legal initiatives - (27:46) The power of conversation and the future of legal ops Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Legal Geek Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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120
Gregg McConnell: Corteva — Always Look for the Next Disruptor in Legal Ops
Thanks to large language models like ChatGPT, legal ops has seen incredible accelerated change over the last nine months. And some teams are still struggling with how much they can reasonably integrate these tools into their processes. Gregg McConnell, Global Director of Legal Operations and Innovation at Corteva, thinks they shouldn’t be afraid to hop on the AI train. But embracing this innovation could bring on a whole new set of challenges for the legal ops teams of the future if they’re ill-prepared. Gregg shares his insights on AI technology’s impact on legal operations and where he looks to find the next great disruptor. Join us as we discuss: - (8:18) What the ideal GC and legal ops partnership looks like - (20:33) Corteva’s internal uses of AI, including a unique set of chatbots - (32:33) How AI will ultimately impact legal ops roles and workflow Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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119
Shannon Thyme Klinger: Moderna — How Generative AI Will Transform Legal
ChatGPT and similar large language models are already making a historic impact on law firms and in-house legal teams alike. So what does the future hold for day-to-day work practices in the industry, and how will we weigh the value of time going forward? In this special episode, we recap our extraordinary webinar with Shannon Thyme Klinger, Chief Legal Officer at Moderna. Jim and other members of the PERSUIT team join Shannon to address the future of AI in legal, as well as answer some burning questions from our audience. Join us as we discuss: - Risk management and compliance concerns with ChatGPT (10:43) - Why AI applications will be essential for legal teams (17:51) - PERSUIT’s ChatGPT study on RFP proposal analysis (25:22) - How large language models will redefine time’s value (38:44) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - The Implications of ChatGPT for Legal Services and Society Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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118
I. Stephanie Boyce: JUSTICE — Everyone Deserves a Seat at the Table
In early 2021, I. Stephanie Boyce made history as the first woman of color to become President of The Law Society of England and Wales (LSEW) in its 200-plus years. During her tenure, she was instrumental in pushing for new socio-economic initiatives, including the ACT (Achieving Change Together) task force. Although her time as acting President is over, her work to advance the DEI discussion by putting words into action is just beginning. The President of the Leicester University Law Society and Board of Trustees member for JUSTICE shares her incredible insights on in-house legal challenges and the future of DEI. Join us as we discuss: - Stephanie’s journey to becoming President of LSEW (3:25) - ACT and other group-driven DEI initiatives (10:05) - Being a steady voice in leadership during times of crises (17:42) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - I. Stephanie Boyce - The Law Society of England and Wales - LSEW Race for Inclusion Report - Achieving Change Together (ACT) - Solicitors Regulation Authority Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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117
Maui Gevero – PERSUIT: Killing the Billable Hour Through Positive Disruption
The growth in demand for legal services has been flat for more than a decade. Can AI help to change this trend and disrupt the way that law firms work? This week we're joined by Maui Gevero, Senior Manager of Legal Advisory at PERSUIT. We dive into some trends that have significantly impacted demand in the legal industry, and how law firms are expanding their teams faster than they’re growing demand. Maui also shares his views on why the traditional law firm business model no longer works, and how AI and machine learning will enable GCs to eventually phase out the billable hour format and be more outcome-driven. Maui and Jim also talk about: - Demand and supply: Trends that have impacted law firms [00:45] - Why law firms are expanding faster than the market demand [3:38] - Why the traditional law firm business model is no longer relevant [10:07] - Why and how law firms need to think about their AI strategy [33:30] Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Maui Gevero - PERSUIT Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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116
Twitter v. Wachtell: How it will end…and what comes next?
Twitter v. Wachtell. What can we expect to happen? And what does it mean for the future of the billable hour? Join PERSUIT’s CEO (and former Biglaw partner) Jim Delkousis as he shares: - Why the case will settle quickly - Why Wachtell has so much at stake in the matter (besides a mere $60M) - How the case exposes legal procurement’s “black box” and why that needs to change Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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115
Catheryn O’Rourke: Reckitt — Can Legal Teams Slay Soul-Crushing Work With AI?
As general counsels and their legal teams sally forth into the age of AI, the lasting impact large language models could have on the industry is a hotly debated topic. Catheryn O’Rourke, General Counsel & Company Secretary at Reckitt, is cautiously optimistic about the potential for AI to abolish “soul-crushing” work. But she keeps herself grounded by leaning on technological experts to help guide her team’s AI strategy. Tune in to hear Catheryn’s insights into innovative tools like ChatGPT and why she thinks GCs are steadily becoming the champions of calm and confidence in the C-suite. Join us as we discuss: - Why getting comfortable with uncertainty is critical to the GC role (11:39) - The ongoing evolution of GCs and their impact on the boardroom (23:46) - Leaning on knowledgeable experts to forecast an AI strategy (37:55) - Shifting to balance ESG efforts with business needs (43:56) Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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114
Twitter v. Wachtell: A Reckoning for Firm Sourcing?
As Elon Musk prepares to go toe-to-toe with legal giant Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz over $90 million in billed fees, this high profile case raises several questions about outcome-based legal fees and how corporate legal teams determine a fair and reasonable price in sourcing their outside counsel. Did Wachtell overstep in their mad scramble to bill a $60 million premium right before Musk closed his Twitter acquisition? Did the board abdicate their duty to shareholders by not questioning Wachtell’s terms? How will this impact how the legal industry measures the value of legal services in the future? Jim Delkousis chimes in with his thoughts on why Musk’s suit matters to the legal industry, and not necessarily for the primary reasons that it’s making headlines. Join us as we discuss: - 3 big questions the lawsuit raises (3:01) - Justifying ROI and determining market value (8:04) - Who was looking out for Twitter’s best interests (12:56) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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113
Mark Gregory — Rolls-Royce: Fixing the Legal Ecosystem Using AI
This week we're joined by Mark Gregory, General Counsel & Corporate Affairs Director at Rolls-Royce We dive into his career as the longest serving exec at Rolls-Royce and the unique perspective it gives him on how his team, and the industry as a whole, are evolving in response to a rapidly changing marketplace. Mark talks about the historic misalignment of interests between in-house teams and their outside firms and why an ecosystem approach is the only way to fix it. Mark also shares his take on how AI will help in doing so, as well as how AI and other technologies will empower GCs to be more effective strategic advisors to the business. Join us as we discuss: - How stepping outside his comfort zone led him to his current role [14:17] - Bridging the gap between today’s and tomorrow’s lawyers [23:11] - How A.I. and automation will help GCs modernize their function [26:52] - The impact of holding your position through drastic changes like Covid & A.I. [35:23] Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Mark Gregory - Rolls-Royce Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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112
Sarah Flint: HubSpot — Embracing AI & ESG in Transformative Legal Operations
Modernizing a large legal department isn’t an easy task. What’s your strategy? Buy tech? Build tech? Experiment until something sticks? This week, we sat down with Sarah Flint, Director of Legal Operations and Technology at HubSpot to see how it’s being done at one of the world’s biggest CRM companies. Join us as we discuss: - Hubspot’s recent wins and challenges in legal ops [8:08] - If legal ops need to come from a legal background [11:47] - What role generative AI has played [15:08] - Forming your ESG Pillars around your company culture[20:27] A critical part of building for the future of your organization, and tackling changes in AI and ESG is to have the conversation about being aligned with your vendors. Asking them how they are moving forward and how they can pivot with you and your organization will have the edge as these new developments in AI and ESG continue to evolve. Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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111
Rozan Simoni: COFCO International — Freedom Works
Rozan Simoni spent his early childhood in Albania under a despotic Soviet regime. Soon after the Berlin Wall fell, U.S. Secretary of State Jim Baker came to visit Rozan’s country. The young Albanian boy never forgot two simple words that Baker uttered that day: “Freedom works.” Today, as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary - North America at COFCO International, Rozan is paying it forward by giving his colleagues the autonomy they need to reach their potential. In this captivating episode, Rozan shares how his journey to the U.S. shaped his outlook on mentorship and why he’s excited about the future of AI innovation in legal. Join us as we discuss: - Mentorship and giving young lawyers autonomy (5:53) - Leaving a positive impact on internal relationships (17:27) - How AI will allow firms to respond to client needs much faster (26:41) Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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110
Cornel Fuerer: Corteva Agriscience — Feeding the World One Change at a Time
How does an organization’s in-house legal team help farmers worldwide feed billions of people? According to Cornel Fuerer, Senior VP, General Counsel, and Secretary at Corteva Agriscience, they start by tackling change one bite at a time. Cornel built up a wealth of private and in-house legal experience during his globetrotting journey toward his current role at Corteva. And he did it by looking at every new challenge as a learning opportunity. In this episode, Cornel shares his incredible career path and how his team is embracing innovation to buy back time to work on the things that matter. Join us as we discuss: - Exploring opportunities with an invaluable life partner (6:50) - Bringing legacy in-house teams together post-merger (12:38) - AI and the value of legal operations during rapid change (19:20) - How innovation is affecting relationships with external firms (29:26) Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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109
Alex Guajardo: Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP — Legal Ops: Who They Are. What They Do. Why We Need Them.
Change is a constant, but when embraced, it becomes a superpower. This week we sat down with Alex Guajardo, the Global Director of Commercial Strategy at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP. Alex shared how she is using change in legal ops to not only stay current but to get a step ahead of the curve. Sometimes we dismiss the power of information in the process of change, but it seems the more we have, the better off we are. In this episode, we not only get an inside look at legal ops, who they are, and what they do, but we also get to see how someone's perspective on change is helping make a difference in real-time. Staying in the know is critical in a legal ops role, and Alex is among the best in the business. Join us as we discuss: - Establishing a brand new global team in a natural disaster’s aftermath (3:58) - Convincing outside firms that low prices don’t always equal good value (10:12) - Why flexibility and data can be legal operations’ greatest strengths (14:24) - How to justify AFAs to the C-Suite and euthanizing the billable hour (23:27) - Alex’s alternate timeline if she hadn’t gone the legal route (27:30) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Alex Guajardo - Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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108
Damon Hart: Liberty Mutual Insurance — Efficiency Is No Longer a Choice
When Damon Hart left big law to join the in-house team at Liberty Mutual Insurance, he didn’t have a specific career goal in mind. But one thing he knew for certain was he wanted to lead change from the front. Today, as Liberty’s Chief Legal Officer, he’s enterprising legal leadership in the C-Suite by working towards the best interests of not just his team, but all 50,000 Liberty employees. Damon gives us an exclusive peek into how he gained the trust of his peers through active listening as well as how he thinks AI will disrupt the legal industry. Join us as we discuss: - How in-house legal departments are comparable to a team sport (8:11) - Gaining the trust of C-Suite peers by being present in the moment (14:36) - AI’s impact on the legal industry and the human connection (22:39) - Why legal firms can no longer ignore tools that drive efficiency (35:19) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Damon Hart - Liberty Mutual Insurance Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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107
Norfolk Southern: Dana Pierre-Louis — What You Do Today Impacts Generations Forever
What drives you? Is it success? Is it the competition? For Dana Pierre-Louis the Deputy General Counsel at Norfolk Southern Corporation simply put, it’s “excellence”. “From a very early age, the insinuation of excellence and doing above and beyond was always there.” – Dana We sit down and talk about everything from what inspired her journey (she started at 7 years old) to how she plans on passing her learnings and experience on to her children. In this episode, we delve into a life of corporate law and how family is a much bigger piece than you may think. Join us as we discuss: - Where it all started for Dana and how it was much earlier than most [2:36] - How pivotal moments, though uncomfortable lead to success [8:54] - How finding the correct place to grow may be one of the most fundamental things in your career [20:28] - The importance find perspective before you find success [32:37] Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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106
Standard Bank Group: Renee Du Preez - You Justify Your Existence By Outcomes
Rene Du Preez always felt she had to jump right in and give her all with everything she did. Rene started her career as the only female associate at her first South African law firm in the early 90s. Since then, the GC at Standard Bank Group has become an advocate and mentor for other African women breaking into the field. Rene shares how her experiences in investment and retail banking helped shape her as a leader and a champion for change in the African legal space. Join us as we discuss: -Testing boundaries when new challenges arise (10:02) - Breaking down the silo mentality across in-house departments (16:58) - Justifying legal work through outcome-driven results (31:47) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Rene Du Preez - Standard Bank Group Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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105
LaTanya Langley: Edgewell — Embrace Your Differences as Your Strengths
According to a March 2023 report from Russell Reynolds, Fortune 500 companies made significant headway in hiring female GCs to lead their legal teams in 2022. But as LaTanya Langley, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary at Edgewell Personal Care, suggested, female legal professionals must continue to use their gifts to take up space. For much of her career, LaTanya had to overcome conventional biases. But instead of wilting, she embraced her differences as strengths and took her spot in the room. LaTanya tells us how she’s leveraging relationships to sponsor other women and young black professionals in the legal industry and what challenges they still face today. Join us as we discuss: - What attracted LaTanya to in-house legal work (4:36) - Collaborating with outside counsel to help young black lawyers (11:14) - Underrepresented groups in legal teams and the C-Suite (17:59) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - National Bar Association Commercial Law Section (NBACLS) - More Diversity, More Experience: Meet the Fortune 500 General Counsels Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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104
Megan Beauregard: Enel North America — Powering DEI Initiatives in the Energy Industry
Megan Beauregard thought she was living out her dream at a small law firm in New Hampshire, but after a client suggested she consider moving in-house, her curiosity was piqued. So when she happened upon a Craigslist posting in 2008 for legal counsel in the energy industry, she knew it was the right time to explore new possibilities. Fifteen years later, as the Chief Legal Officer at Enel North America, Megan is moving the needle in DEI initiatives for her industry. Megan gives us an exclusive peek into the day-to-day of legal professionals in the power sector and addresses the double-edged perception of AI tools. Join us as we discuss: - Chasing curiosity and leaving private practice for in-house (4:06) - Why risk management is her team’s top priority (10:06) - Finding new ways to appreciate your people’s value (18:49) - Why women need to fill more seats at the head table (24:30) Check out these resources we mentioned during the podcast: - Megan Beauregard - Enel North America Hear more stories by following Innovative Legal Leadership on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or any podcast platform. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for Innovative Legal Leadership in your favorite podcast player. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The PERSUIT podcast delivers deep dive conversations into the innovations and issues facing today's legal leaders. Each episode offers actionable insights for more effective outside counsel selection and management to help in-house teams lead with value. Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.
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