Careers and the Business of Law

Welcome to this special episode of "Careers and the Business of Law." Today, we're taking a nostalgic journey down memory lane. Can you imagine a time in eDiscovery when it revolved around boxes of paper, scanning documents, and visits to copy shops? That was the reality for our esteemed guests, Ian Campbell of iConnect and Tom Morrissey of Purdue Pharma. Both Tom and Ian entered the eDiscovery world when it was still in its nascent stages, and they've witnessed its evolution firsthand.

Join us as they share tales of the past, drawing parallels and contrasts to today's digital age, and offering insights into what the future might hold. Whether you're a newcomer to the field or a seasoned professional, this episode promises to be a delightful blend of nostalgia and forward-looking predictions. For more on evolving trends, careers and the business of law, as well as our private events, workshops, and conferences, please follow the Cowen Group at www.cowengroup.com

Description: This week, we're diving deep into the world of law firm innovation – and it's not about the latest tech or software. Our focus today is on the human side of things: talent, culture, and change management. I'm excited to introduce two pioneering guests who are leading the charge in reimagining what the modern law firm can be. Madeline shares her origin story, discussing her background from Panama and wanting to be a maritime lawyer to her becoming the innovation leader at Reed Smith.

Tim talks about his early aspirations to be a fighter pilot, actually being a mailman and pizza delivery guy and his transition into law, eventually leading Ogletree's practice intelligence group to focus on data analysis and innovation. Growing that group from 1 to 30 plus. This is one winding road of unexpected twists and turns. Both discuss the importance of change management vs project management and user engagement in driving adoption of innovative solutions in the legal industry. It's all about the talent.

The interview concludes with a discussion about favorite bands and songs. Wrap-up:

It's clear that the landscape of law is changing, not just in terms of the technologies we use but more fundamentally in how we think about talent, culture, and change. A big thank you to Madeline Boyer and Tim Fox for sharing their insights and innovative approaches.

For more on evolving trends, careers and the business of law, as well as our private events, workshops, and conferences, please follow the Cowen Group at www.cowengroup.com

From wanna-be quarterback at Notre Dame to box delivery at Chicago Legal Copies to the Founder and CEO of one of the world's most successful eDiscovery software companies.

Wendell and I discuss:

His first job and the rearview mirror

The legal landscape over the next 3 years

The workforce of the future and talent on the rise

The benefits and risks of private equity

In office vs. remote vs. hybrid work cultures

Advice to start-ups

Role models and industry leaders that inform and inspire with shout-outs to:

Dave Copps, Eddie Sheehy, John Davenport, Florinda Baldrige, Sophie Ross, Todd Marlin, Andy McDonnell

For more on evolving trends, careers and the business of law, as well as our private events, workshops, and conferences, please follow the Cowen Group at www.cowengroup.com

Join me for an insightful chat as we delve into the life and journey of Haresh Bhungalia. From his childhood dreams of soaring the skies as a pilot to his adventures in Big 4 consulting and entrepreneurial pursuits. We'll touch upon:

Visioning the future of legal business by 2030

• His take on the surge of new legal tech software players
• The evolving role of legal operations in today's world and the future
• Advice for budding legal tech entrepreneurs
• The unique edge that sets Casepoint apart

For more on Cowen Podcasts, Career Coaching, and Leadership Networking Events, please visit the Cowen Group on LinkedIn :https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cowen-group/?viewAsMember=true

Join me for an insightful chat as we delve into the life and career journey of AJ Shankar. From his distinguished academic career in computer science and graduating magna cum laude from Harvard to pioneering Everlaw as a successful entrepreneur. Our conversation will cover:

• The significance of the Harvard Barnwell Award
• Insights into the Berkeley startup ecosystem
• A glimpse into the future of eDiscovery software
• What sets Everlaw apart in the competitive landscape
• Valuable insights for for eDiscovery and legal operations enthusiasts
• AJ's perspective on the future landscape of the business of law.

Insights into the Berkeley startup ecosystem A glimpse into the future of eDiscovery software What sets Everlaw apart in the competitive landscape Valuable insights for for eDiscovery and legal operations enthusiasts AJ's perspective on the future landscape of the business of law. For more on Cowen Podcasts, Career Coaching, and Leadership Networking Events, please visit the Cowen Group on LinkedIn :https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cowen-group/?viewAsMember=true

Andy Wilson: Founder & CEO of Logikcull

Who are the top 6 eDiscovery software CEOs?

If I say Apple - you say Steve Jobs

If I say Amazon, you say Jeff. If I say Tesla, Microsoft or GE you say Elon, Bill and Jack.

But, what if I say, Logikcull, Relativity, Disco, Everlaw, Reveal or Casepoint?

Join me this summer as I interview the top founders and CEO's in the Legal software space starting with the Big 6 of eDiscovery.

In this episode- Andy Wilson founder and CEO of Logikcull.

Andy and I discuss:

Andy Wilson's Background and Education 9:24

Andy Wilson shares his childhood dream of being his own boss and his love for reading comic books and sci-fi. He also talks about his interest in art and how he eventually switched from English and psychology to computer science and then to management science, which combined his interests in both business and software.

Market Velocity and Business Model Comparison 11:31

David Cowen and Andy Wilson discuss the varying rates of change in different market sections and the slow adoption of modern technology. They also compare their business model to their competitors, highlighting their democratization ethos and unique bimodal purchasing options. Wilson uses the analogy of selling water to a building on fire to describe their event-driven market.

• Business model compared to competitors14:37

Identifying Superpowers 17:30

David Cowen leads a discussion on identifying superpowers among the CEOs present. He asks Andy Wilson about his specific superpowers and Wilson shares that he excels in designing easy-to-use systems and making them accessible to customers. Cowen also asks Wilson for advice for law firms and corporate law departments starting their journey in exploring next-gen technology in the e-discovery space.

Cybersecurity Threats to Law Firms and Disrupting Incentive Structures 20:06

David Cowen and Andy Wilson discuss the cybersecurity threats faced by law firms and the need to invest in secure modern technology to handle clients' data. They also talk about the impact of AI on the legal industry and the need to disrupt incentive structures to adapt to the changing landscape.

Commercial Break and Logical Advertisement 26:08

During a break in the meeting, David and Andy do a humorous commercial for Logikcull.

The Impact of Automation on Job Creation 28:40

David Cowen and Andy Wilson discuss the potential impact of automation on job creation, citing McKinsey's report that for every job destroyed during the internet boom, 2.6 jobs were created. They express optimism about the future and discuss the potential for automation in the legal space, including the creation of roles such as legal engineers and chief AI officers. They also discuss the potential for automation to make the law easier to understand and for non-technical attorneys to do good work.

The Future of Legal Services 32:37

David Cowen and Andy Wilson discuss how the mission of Logikcull, is to democratize legal services and make it more accessible to the general population. They predict that the demand for legal services will increase as the cost decreases and access becomes easier. They also discuss the possibility of a new breed of lawyers emerging, specializing in areas such as drone litigation.

The Market and Entrepreneurship 38:04

David and Andy discuss the changing landscape of entrepreneurship and the ability for startups to compete with fewer resources.

For more on Cowen Podcasts, Career Coaching, and Leadership Networking Events, please visit www.Cowengroup.com

Brian Corbin and Ed Sohn share their ex-pat experiences and how it's impacted their careers and families. They discuss the similarities and differences between working in the US and abroad, the challenges and opportunities that come with it, and the complex experiential knowledge that one gains from working abroad.

They also talk about the disruptive force of AI in the legal industry and the need for businesses to invest in human capital that is resilient to this force.

Finally, we explore the future of the legal industry and the net new demand for legal talent and services that may arise in the future.

Key Questions

• How did you get from your childhood dream job to where you are now?6:16

• What skillset or aptitude is required to take an expat assignment?12:38

• How did your experience in India shape your perspective on global legal services?16:40

• What opportunities do you see for growth in the legal industry?26:20

For more on evolving trends and careers and the business of law, please follow the Cowen Group on LinkedIn :https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-cowen-group/?viewAsMember=true

Join us in this episode as we delve into the remarkable journey of David Wang, Chief Innovation Officer at Wilson Sonsini, as he navigates the challenges of defining his role in the legal industry. From humble immigrant beginnings and his mother's Chinese restaurant, David's path has led him to become one of the pioneering chief innovation officers in the legal field.

In this captivating conversation, David shares his insights on the crucial role of a CINO and the profound impact of NextGEN technology on the business of law. As he eloquently explains, while the larger law firms may weather the storm, the rest of the industry will undoubtedly be influenced, and some firms will seize the opportunity to leverage technology, offering innovative value propositions and pioneering new business models.

Delving deeper, we explore how corporate law departments are emerging as the true disruptors in the legal market, thanks to advancements in technology. David reveals how these departments are empowered by technology to undertake tasks previously deemed unattainable and how they are able to hire talent at a more junior level, revolutionizing the legal landscape.

Tune in to this inspiring episode as we uncover the remarkable story of David Wang and gain valuable insights into the evolving world of legal innovation and the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.

For more on Cowen Podcasts, Career Coaching, and Leadership Networking Events, please visit www.Cowengroup.com

Did you know Chuck Kellner wanted to be an astronaut when he was seven years old? How did he become one of the consummate established leaders in the eDiscovery and legal technologies world?

In this episode of Careers and the Business of Law, Chuck and I discuss his journey from aspiring astronaut to temp paralegal to Director of Strategic Innovation at one of the world's top five legal technology firms.

We discuss 30 years of change, what matters most, how to achieve success, the past and future workforce, and finally, his favorite band and song. I could have called this episode lessons from an elder statesman.

The Legal Chief Operating Officer is the newest developing role in the law department. Yet, another sign of growing law department maturity and business savvy. And that means the math and economics are changing.

What is a Legal Chief Operating Officer or Director of Legal Business Solutions, and how does a background in legal operations help you achieve this NextGEN career path?

Greg Kaple shares his career journey into legal operations, business solutions, and his thoughts on the future economics of the corporate law department as well as some Bon Jovi air guitar; "On a steel horse, I ride . Gitty Up, Greg.