Mind At Work

In this episode of Mind At Work, Lorna sits down with Yesenia Santiago Egner—known to many as Jessie—a seasoned legal operations strategist who brings more than just frameworks to the table. With over 15 years of experience across financial services, media, and pharma, Jessie has helped shape the evolution of legal ops from behind the scenes and at the helm of major transformations.

But what makes this conversation special is what’s rarely visible on the résumé: a deeply rooted values system, a strong sense of calling, and a belief that legal ops is less about control and more about clarity, service, and growth.

Jessie shares how her career began with a dual degree in law and library science—a path that sparked her lifelong fascination with information, structure, and the systems that hold legal work together. She reflects on the early days of CLOC, the importance of mindset in legal innovation, and how faith and flexibility have guided her through every chapter.

Whether you’re deep in legal ops or just trying to make more intentional choices in your professional life, this is a conversation worth slowing down for.

In this milestone 10th episode of Mind At Work, host Lorna Khemraz (Lead Counsel at Flank) is joined by Tom Rice, Senior Director of Legal at TravelPerk, for a sharp and thought-provoking conversation on the future of in-house legal.

Tom has built his legal career across private practice, UEFA, and now a high-growth tech company — bringing a product-minded, user-first approach that challenges the way most legal teams operate.

Together, they explore:

• Why legal’s obsession with process might be its biggest blind spot
• What it means to think like a product team inside legal
• Whether tech, mindset — or plain old inertia — is holding teams back
• How AI and data can unlock real impact when paired with the right questions

With his no-nonsense style and clear conviction, Tom makes a powerful case for reimagining how legal delivers value.

Tune in to hear what breaking legal’s process addiction really takes — and why the next chapter of legal won’t be built on faster versions of the past.

The legal profession has long been defined by prestige, long hours, and the pressure to fit a mold. But is that really the full story?

In this episode of Mind At Work, Lorna Khemraz sits down with Henry Nelson Case, the lawyer-turned-content-creator who’s challenging outdated industry norms. From his viral videos to his TEDx talk on mental health, Henry has built a platform that goes beyond humor—it’s about real talk on burnout, career growth, and the evolving role of lawyers in a world shaped by AI and new expectations.

Tune in as we discuss:
⚖️ The reality behind the “glamorous” legal career
🔥 Why burnout is still a major problem (and what needs to change)
🤖 AI, automation, and the future of legal work
💡 How lawyers can embrace creativity without sacrificing credibility

AI is transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, but when it comes to legal, adoption is still in its early days. In this episode of Mind At Work, I sit down with Peter Duffy, Founder and CEO of Titans, a LegalTech and AI consultancy that helps legal service providers and in-house teams drive innovative transformation.

We explore why 2024 marked a turning point for AI in legal, the biggest challenges to adoption, and how forward-thinking legal teams are moving from experimentation to execution.

Peter shares his insights on the risks of "shiny object syndrome," why AI needs to be embedded into existing workflows to succeed, and how firms can measure real impact.

Plus, we discuss what’s next—will AI agents reshape legal work? Will law firms be forced to pass on AI-driven cost savings? And are we underestimating just how fast AI capabilities are evolving?

If you’re a legal or business leader thinking about AI adoption, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

How do you bring an engineering mindset to legal operations? What does agile methodology look like in legal teams? And how can AI truly become a collaborator rather than just another tool?

In this episode of Mind At Work, Andrew Krug, Head of Legal Operations at Twitch, joins host Lorna Khemraz, Lead Counsel at Flank,for a deep dive into:

- The role of prioritisation in making legal teams more effective
- Why Legal Ops sits at the center of business, legal, and product teams
- How AI is evolving from tool to partner in legal workflows
- Why curiosity (not resistance!) is the key to navigating legal’s future

With a background spanning IT, defense research, and product management, Andrew brings a fresh, data-driven approach to legal ops—one that every in-house team can learn from.

In this episode, Flank's Lorna Khemraz is joined by Leila El Gharbi—a French-qualified lawyer turned legal tech leader who’s redefining what it means to thrive in the legal industry.

Leila shares her incredible journey, from walking 1,000 miles on a pilgrimage to navigating a career shift that took her from lawyer to legal tech powerhouse. Along the way, she’s learned the value of curiosity, resilience, and owning your individuality.

We dive into:

• The biggest mistakes she made transitioning careers—and the lessons they taught her.
• Why the legal world needs less pretending and more authenticity.
• The power of AI and automation to make work more meaningful.
• How to connect legal work to real business impact (and actually get buy-in).

Leila also opens up about founding Beautiful Souls in Legal Tech, an initiative that celebrates individuality, mental health, and diversity in the legal space.

If you’re ready to be inspired by bold ideas, candid reflections, and a refreshing take on the future of legal work, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Mind at Work, Lorna Khemraz (Lead Counsel at Flank) sits down with Claire Sanders, seasoned General Counsel turned entrepreneur and co-founder of Being Human. Claire’s work focuses on empowering professionals to develop essential human skills—empathy, resilience, creativity—and reveals how these skills are vital in a legal industry increasingly shaped by AI and automation.

Here’s what you can expect:
✅ The concept of a “squiggly career” and how stepping off the traditional path can lead to fulfillment.
✅ Why human skills are as data-backed and valuable as tech expertise.
✅ How AI can free lawyers to focus on what truly matters.
✅ The need to evolve legal education to prepare for a tech-driven future.
✅ The power of curiosity and collaboration in driving meaningful innovation.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone curious about building a future-ready legal career that balances technology with humanity.

🎧 Tune in now to explore how lawyers can thrive in a rapidly changing world.

Learn more about Flank's AI workforce at www.getflank.ai.

In this insightful and inspiring episode, Lorna Khemraz sits down with Effie Dower, VP of Legal at M42, community builder, and passionate advocate for women in law. Effie shares her journey from growing up in a tight-knit Greek community in Wales to making bold career moves, including her recent relocation to Abu Dhabi.

Together, they dive into Effie’s approach to leadership, her experience founding the Women in Law Constellation Network, and how she's leveraging legal technology to transform in-house legal operations. Effie offers candid reflections on balancing a demanding career with family life, building relationships that matter, and the evolving role of AI in the legal profession.

Whether you’re curious about the future of legal tech, building community, or creating a multidimensional legal career, this episode has something for you.

✨ Highlights include:

• The importance of connection and collaboration in law and life.
• Insights on managing career transitions and stepping into leadership roles.
• How AI and tech are reshaping the legal landscape and what it means for lawyers.
• Practical tips on balancing personal passions and professional responsibilities.

Tune in for an engaging conversation packed with actionable insights and moments of genuine inspiration.

In this episode of Mind At Work, Lorna sits down with Ty Ogunade, Contracts Manager at GWI and a U.S.-qualified lawyer, to discuss:

• Ty’s journey from studying law in the U.S. to working at the Alan Turing Institute and his current role at GWI.
• How his love for the creative industries shapes his approach to legal work, including viewing contracts as storytelling.
• The practical ways AI is transforming the legal profession, from drafting contracts to empowering junior lawyers and teams.
• Insights on embracing AI as a tool for growth while balancing its ethical and creative implications.

If you’re curious about AI’s potential in the legal world or want to hear how creativity and innovation can enhance legal practice, this episode is a must-listen.

How can legal teams shed the label of “cost center” and become true strategic powerhouses? What does it take for a GC to align legal priorities with business goals while driving trust and efficiency?

In this episode of Mind At Work, we’re joined by Eugénie Michalopoulos, General Counsel at Blue Optima, who shares her insights on transforming the role of legal teams in today’s fast-paced business environment.

Eugénie discusses:
- Practical strategies to streamline running a lean legal team and deliver value.
- How to cut bureaucracy and build stronger relationships across teams.
- What GCs need to know to lead with impact in the age of transformation.

With a career defined by resilience and innovation, Eugénie’s advice is essential listening for any in-house legal leader looking to maximize their business impact.