Reinventing Professionals

I spoke with Jack Xu, the CEO of PatentPal, a software platform that automates patent drafting. We discussed the elements of the patent prosecution process that are easily improved with technology and how PatentPal interfaces with the US Patent and Trademark Office.

I spoke with Sebastian Hartmann, the Global Head of Technology Strategy at KPMG in Frankfurt, Germany. We discussed his role at KPMG, how law firm and corporate leaders can scale and grow their businesses in the current environment, ways that technology is challenging the business model of traditional professional services firms, and how professional services firms are evolving.

I spoke with David Schnurman, the founder and CEO of Lawline, a leading provider of continuing legal education, and the author of The Fast Forward Mindset: How to Be Fearless & Focused to Accelerate Your Success (Highpoint Executive Publishing, 2019). We discussed his work at Lawline, the inspiration for The Fast Forward Mindset, the most impactful lesson in the book, its 30-day challenge, and suggestions for other entrepreneurs interested in writing a book, among other topics.

I had the privilege of interviewing Jeff McCoy, Haresh Bhungalia, David Horrigan, Shawn Gaines, Ed Walters, Erez Bustan, Patrick DiDomenico, Ian Campbell, Brad Blickstein, Warrick McLean, Helle Schwartz-Grossman, Caterina Latte, Kim Taylor, Craig Carpenter, Scott Wallingford, Scott Winter, Sarah Schaaf, Rick Weber, and Tony Caputo at ILTACON 2019 and this is a mash-up of their perspectives.

I spoke with David Alain Bloch, the co-founder and CEO of Legartis, a developer of an AI-powered contract intelligence software platform. We discussed the genesis of Legartis, ways that technology is influencing contract management, and how artificial intelligence-powered contracts are evolving.

I spoke with Christina Ypsilanti, the Maitre de Maison at the SunRocks Boutique Hotel in Santorini, Greece. We discussed the history of Santorini, Greece and its most popular attractions.

I spoke with Philipp Kadelbach, the founder of Flightright, an automated service that helps passengers check and assert their compensation claims in Europe. We discussed the genesis of Flightright, how it works, the application of legal tech to travel, and whether technology is replacing lawyers.

I spoke with Barry Solomon, executive vice president at Foundation Software Group, the developer of a firm intelligence platform used by lawyers, KM professionals, marketing and business development leaders, and an array of individuals responsible for the business and practice of law. We discussed the value of focusing on firm intelligence over experience management and how it is impacting law firms.

I spoke with Emily Hostage, a vice president at Burford Capital, a publicly-traded litigation finance company. We discussed how litigation finance differs from other forms of capital, the advantages, the difference between how a law firm and a corporate legal department uses litigation finance, ways to evaluate litigation risk, and where the litigation finance market is headed.

I spoke with Vassilis Poravos, the hotel manager at the Domes Noruz hotel in Chania, Crete. We discussed the influence of wellness activities on tourism, how technology is impacting modern travel, and the appeal of the Greek islands.