Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast

Welcome to "Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast," brought to you by Evisort. In this episode, Memme and Hal engage with Emily LaCroix, Global Data Protection Officer at Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance. Recorded on-site at Harvard Law School during the Executive Innovation Summit, this conversation delves into Emily's unique career trajectory, including her transition from Chief Product Counsel to her current role.

Emily discusses the evolving landscape of data protection, emphasizing the importance of practical application in a complex regulatory environment. Though many of her colleagues are excited about the operational improvements, to remain ethical and compliant, perhaps uptake needs to slow down, and the introduction of strong governance needs to speed up!

She goes on to share innumerable insights on managing contracts as a core component of the insurance business and highlights her experiences in building compliance frameworks that integrate with business strategy.
If you're interested in exploring how AI tools are enhancing contract analysis, data governance, and risk management in the insurance sector, this episode is a must-listen.
Episode Resources

• Emily Lacroix on LinkedIn
• Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Website
• Memme Onwudiwe on LinkedIn
• Hal Marcus on LinkedIn
• Evisort Website

Theme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Welcome to "Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast," brought to you by Evisort. In this podcast, we delve into the dynamic world of legal AI, exploring the critical intersection of law, business, and technology. Join our hosts, Memme and Hal as they converse with industry leaders, legal experts, and innovators to uncover the latest trends, challenges, and breakthroughs in contract management and AI-driven legal solutions.

In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Harold Wu, Chief Procurement Officer at T. Rowe Price. Harold brings a wealth of experience in scaling operations and integrating technology to optimize business outcomes. Join us as we discuss Harold’s journey through the evolving landscape of procurement operations and the strategic role AI plays in enhancing efficiency and transparency within organizations.

Throughout the conversation, Harold shares his experiences on the frontlines of operational transformation, offering insights into the complexities of global operations in a rapidly changing digital world. He emphasizes the importance of leveraging AI to streamline processes, reduce risk, and improve decision-making across business units. Harold also delves into the challenges of maintaining compliance and operational consistency while scaling a global organization, highlighting the vital role of technology in achieving these goals.

With a career spanning various high-impact roles in technology and media companies, Harold has been at the forefront of integrating AI and legal technology to drive business success. His leadership in transforming operational frameworks and his strategic approach to implementing AI in contract management are reshaping how modern organizations approach legal operations.

If you're interested in how AI can revolutionize legal operations, enhance compliance, and drive business efficiency, this episode is a must-listen. Harold Wu’s expertise and forward-thinking perspective offer valuable insights for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of global business in the digital age.

Episode Highlights

• 0:00 - Intro
• 2:25 - Introduction to Harold Wu and T. Rowe Price
• 4:13 - Procurement Contracts: Legal vs. Commercial Perspectives
• 5:41 - The Necessity of Artful Legal Language
• 11:26 - The Art of Contract Negotiation: Bridging Legal and Business Needs
• 12:11 - Creating a Single Source of Truth: The Role of AI in Contract Management
• 18:01  - Navigating Regulatory Changes: The Power of Procurement-Legal Collaboration
• 21:25 - The Role of Commercial Terms in Cost Reduction
• 22:55 - Building a Knowledge Base for Contract Management
• 25:34 - Evaluating AI Tools for Contract Management
• 27:39 - Changes in Procurement Focus: Friction and Velocity
• 29:31 - Advice for Legal Leaders on Collaboration with Procurement

Episode Resources

• Harold Wu Bio on T. Rowe Price Website
• T. Rowe Price Website
• Memme Onwudiwe on LinkedIn
• Hal Marcus on LinkedIn
• Evisort Website

Theme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Welcome to "Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast," brought to you by Evisort. In this podcast, we explore the transformative world of legal AI, focusing on the innovative intersection of law, business, and technology. Join our hosts, Hal and Memme, as they engage with industry leaders, legal experts, and tech visionaries to uncover the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in contract management and AI-driven legal solutions. 
Our special guest today is Carol Hopperton, Legal Chief of Staff at Vonage. Join us as we explore the benefits of technology in the legal field and Carol’s personal experiences with implementing it. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the needs of different teams and customizing technology solutions to improve efficiency. Carol also provides insights on managing acquisitions and mergers successfully. If you're interested in learning how technology can enhance legal operations and drive business outcomes, this podcast is a must-listen.
With a distinguished career that spans prominent technology companies in both the US and UK, Carol has been instrumental in driving business and operational efficiencies through the strategic use of legal technology solutions. Her efforts in establishing a global Legal Operations function at Vonage and her transformative work as VP of Legal Affairs at New Voice Media, leading up to its successful sale to Vonage, underscore her innovative approach to modernizing traditional legal teams. 
Carol's expertise in aligning commercial and legal support with business goals through automation, process improvement, and team restructuring has set new standards for legal departments aiming for scalability and responsiveness. Her insights into the future of legal tech, particularly in contract management and operational optimization, make her a leading voice in the field.
Episode Highlights

• 02:44 - Carol’s Journey
• 10:24 - Driving Adoption in Legal Organizations
• 15:22 - Extracting Valuable Data for Key Players
• 18:57 - Self-Service Workflow Tools
• 20:57 - The Benefits of Exposure to Multiple Specialist Areas
• 24:39 - Engaging with Non-Legal Teams
• 27:01 - Managing Acquisitions
• 33:22 - Future of Commercial Contracting
• 37:20 - Mindset Shifts with the Era of ChatGPT
• 41:27 - Advice for Young Legal Operations Managers

Episode Resources

• Carol Hopperton on LinkedIn
• Vonage Website
• Hal Marcus on LinkedIn
• Memme Onwudiwe on LinkedIn
• Evisort Website

Theme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Welcome to "Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast," brought to you by Evisort. In this podcast, we explore the transformative world of legal AI, focusing on the innovative intersection of law, business, and technology. Join our hosts, Hal and Memme, as they engage with industry leaders, legal experts, and tech visionaries to uncover the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in contract management and AI-driven legal solutions. 
Our special guest today is Connie Brenton, Founder and CEO of LegalOps.com. Join us as we discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on the legal profession. Connie emphasizes the importance of running legal like a business while collaborating with IT departments and staying up-to-date with AI technologies. She shares insights on automating tedious work, elevating the role of legal operations, and leveraging AI for a competitive advantage. 
Connie has been named one of Business Insider's Top 10 Notable Power Players Innovating the Legal Industry. She is the CEO and Founder of LegalOps.com, a community uniting the entire legal ecosystem to drive competitive advantages. As one of the first Legal Operations professionals in the industry, Connie founded and was CEO of CLOC (Corporate Legal Operations Consortium), where she defined legal operations as we currently understand it. 
LegalOps.com is a culmination of her 20+ years of expertise and innovation in the industry, building community and driving leadership. Connie started her Legal Operations career at Sun Microsystems and then launched the Legal Operations functions at Oracle and NetApp, where she served as Vice President of Law, Technology, and Operations.
Chapters

• 00:00 - Intro
• 02:30 - Introduction to Legal Operations
• 04:43 - Legal Operations as a business strategy
• 07:12 - The Evolution of Legal Operations
• 15:25 - Collaboration between Legal Operations and IT
• 18:54 - Skill Sets of a Legal Operations Leader 
• 26:02 - How AI Impacts Day to Day Working in Legal Operations
• 31:03 - The Future of Legal Operations is Data, Data, Data

Episode Resources

• Connie Brenton on LinkedIn
• LegalOps.com Website
• Hal Marcus on LinkedIn
• Memme Onwudiwe on LinkedIn
• Evisort Website

Theme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Welcome to "Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast," brought to you by Evisort. In this podcast, we explore the transformative world of legal AI, focusing on the innovative intersection of law, business, and technology. Join our hosts, Hal and Memme, as they engage with industry leaders, legal experts, and tech visionaries to uncover the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in contract management and AI-driven legal solutions. 
Our special guest today is Scott Westfahl, the Professor of Practice and Faculty Director of Executive Education at Harvard Law School. Join us as we discuss the impact of generative AI on the legal profession, the need for lawyers to develop essential skills like empathy and curiosity, and how AI can free up time for more meaningful tasks. Scott also offers insights into the challenges and opportunities of adopting AI in law firms, and how the legal profession might evolve and embrace innovation. 
After practicing law for ten years, Scott led professional development at McKinsey & Company's Washington, D.C. office for six years, then served as Director of Professional Development at Goodwin Procter LLP, and led the building of a professional development team and program. 
In 2013, Scott joined the Harvard Law School faculty, where he currently leads the HLS Executive Education Program, teaches in the school's J.D. program and collaborates on case writing and research. Scott has won three national awards for designing iStaff, a web-based associate assignment database that links work assignments to professional development goals, and was named one of five "Innovators of the Year" by Law Firm, Inc. magazine in 2008. 
Theme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.


Chapters

• 00:00 - Intro
• 01:33 - Scott Westfahl’s Role at Harvard Law School 
• 05:42 - Why Law is the Least Self-Reflective of Professions
• 11:10 - Changes to the Billable Hour Model 
• 15:10 - The Impact of Generative AI on the Legal Profession 
• 23:50 - Improving Mental Health in the Legal Profession 
• 26:25 - Is Legal Ready for Generative AI?
• 35:19 - Legal Profession vs. Legal Industry 

Episode Resources

• Scott Westfahl on LinkedIn
• Harvard Law School Website
• Hal Marcus on LinkedIn
• Memme Onwudiwe on LinkedIn
• Evisort Website

Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Welcome to "Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast," brought to you by Evisort. In this podcast, we explore the transformative world of legal AI, focusing on the innovative intersection of law, business, and technology. Join our hosts, Hal and Memme, as they engage with industry leaders, legal experts, and tech visionaries to uncover the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in contract management and AI-driven legal solutions. 
Today, our special guest is Mike Haven from Intel. Mike is the Head of Global Legal Operations at Intel and stands at the forefront of innovation in legal operations. Join us as we discuss his inspiring journey from traditional law practice to legal operations. Discover how AI is revolutionizing the legal industry and driving business outcomes at Intel. Explore the potential of blockchain technology in contracts and the future of legal operations.
Mike Haven is the Senior Director, Associate General Counsel, and Head of Global Legal Operations at Intel Corporation. With a rich history that spans roles at Gap and NetApp, and partnership at K&L Gates, Mike stands at the forefront of legal operations innovation. His work, especially in integrating cutting-edge technologies into legal frameworks, and his leadership in the Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC) has profoundly shaped the industry. Mike brings a wealth of knowledge on transforming legal departments to be more efficient, strategic, and aligned with the fast-paced advancements in legal tech. 
Episode Resources

• Mike Haven on LinkedIn
• Intel Website
• Hal Marcus on LinkedIn
• Memme Onwudiwe on LinkedIn
• Evisort Website

Theme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Welcome to "Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast," brought to you by Evisort. In this podcast, we explore the transformative world of legal AI, focusing on the innovative intersection of law, business, and technology. Join our hosts, Hal and Memme, as they engage with industry leaders, legal experts, and tech visionaries to uncover the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities in contract management and AI-driven legal solutions. 
On this episode, we welcome Jenn McCarron to our show. Jenn is the President of the Board of Directors at CLOC, the largest and fastest growing organization for corporate legal operations professionals. This organization provides expert knowledge of best practices to implement policies, processes and technology from active practitioners who are driving change daily.
Join us as we discuss the evolution of legal operations and the exciting future of the industry. We delve into the different phases of legal ops, including Jenn’s framework for Legal Ops 3.0, which focuses on technology, data, and storytelling. Jenn shares her experiences at Netflix and emphasizes the need for adaptability and embracing change in this constantly evolving field. She also touches on the importance of people skills and storytelling in driving change. 
Jenn McCarron is an innovative leader in law technology known for her ability to develop talent, foster growth, and link business expertise with artistry and creativity. Her unique approach — which recognizes that a growth mindset requires a deeply creative process — has enabled her to build teams from the ground up that revolutionize major organizations and the legal operations industry at large. 
Jenn also hosts CLOCs legal transformation-themed podcast, “CLOC Talk,” which examines the field's technical and philosophical elements. Like each of her pursuits, the podcast combines technical expertise and artistry—much like her work as a musician, which has spanned decades of songwriting, composition, touring, and performing. She has also led legal operation teams at tech giants like Spotify and Netflix. 
Episode Resources

• Jenn McCarron on LinkedIn
• CLOC Website
• Hal Marcus on LinkedIn
• Memme Onwudiwe on LinkedIn
• Evisort Website

Theme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so