Reinventing Professionals

I spoke with Chris Cartrett, the executive vice president of Aderant, a legal industry time and billing software company. We discussed how law firms adapting and responding to the changing legal market, examples of innovations that dynamic organizations are implementing, the types of technology that can provide the biggest impact on law firm efficiency and profitability, how a law firm can display agility in its approach, and key areas of potential change in the legal industry.

I spoke with Nancy Mertzel, former chair of Herrick, Feinstein’s intellectual property group, who recently founded Mertzel Law PLLC, a boutique IP law firm. We discussed the genesis of Mertzel Law, the greatest challenges to brand protection in today’s competitive marketplace, the unique obstacles that former large firm attorneys face in launching solo practices, the key qualities for success in today’s environment, and advice for new lawyers entering the profession seeking to achieve work-life balance.

I spoke with Barrie Hadfield, the co-founder and chief technology officer for Workshare, a software company focused on professional services with customers around the world. We discussed the genesis of Workshare, the role that craftsmanship plays in developing software, its partnerships with Google and HighQ, how the legal industry has evolved over the past two decades, and where the legal technology sector is headed.

I spoke with Mike McDonald, the senior vice president and general manager of legal compliance and surveillance for Veritone, an artificial intelligence software company. We discussed the genesis of Veritone, how it adapts artificial intelligence for the legal community, the company’s integration with Relativity, how its technology differs from other tools on the market, and where AI is headed within the legal sector.

I spoke with Charles Mirho, the Chief Legal Officer and co-founder of TurboPatent, the developer of an automated patent creation and analytics system used to produce patent documents and monitor patent quality throughout the prosecution process. We discussed the genesis of TurboPatent, the challenges associated with the current practice of how lawyers review patents, how legal teams are applying artificial intelligence in patent protection, how RoboReview and RapidResponse affect the patent prosecution process, and how patent lawyers can leverage technology to improve the process of responding to office actions by the US PTO.

I spoke with Aaron Crews, the general counsel and vice president of strategy for Text IQ, a developer of technology that helps enterprises manage legal and compliance challenges. Prior to joining Text IQ, Aaron was senior associate general counsel and global head of eDiscovery for Walmart. We discussed his new role at Text IQ, how Text IQ defines AI, what differentiates Text IQ’s technology from others in the marketplace, and how law and compliance are evolving for an AI-future.

I spoke with Jim Cranston, a principal with LawVision Group, a law firm consultancy focused on growing firm revenue, strengthening lawyer confidence, and maintaining client loyalty. We discussed the genesis of LawVision Group, the levels at which business development coaching and training are most effective, what a professional should look for in a business development coach, the most common rainmaker traits, and general misconceptions about rainmakers.

I spoke with Larry Port, the founder and CEO of Rocket Matter, a leading practice management and time and billing software tool for law firms. We discussed how changes in the way lawyers practice are driving the evolution of the company’s technology, its new Atlas Gold edition and redesigned mobile application, the importance of calendaring rules and security to law firm operations, and where the legal industry is headed.

I spoke with Jason R. Baron, of counsel to Drinker, Biddle & Reath, and the founder of The Chelly Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on improving literacy and education for children living in Cambodia. We discussed the genesis of The Chelly Foundation, the organization’s mission, the types of projects it is supporting, and the organization’s fundraising event at Gulliver’s Gate in New York City on Thursday September 14th at 6pm.

I spoke with Abdi Shayesteh, the founder and CEO of AltaClaro, an experiential learning platform for lawyers, who served for fifteen years as a corporate, bank regulatory and finance attorney in Silicon Valley and New York City, as well as throughout Asia, the Middle East and Europe. We discussed the genesis of AltaClaro, the variety of content that it offers, and the evolution of online learning.