In this episode of The Legal Leaders Podcast, host David Lancelot talks with Delphina Turner, former Executive Director of Legal Operations at Panasonic Automotive, about leading legal operations transformation inside a complex, global enterprise.

They discuss:

• Building and scaling modern legal operations without a traditional legal background
• Using technology, AI, and playbooks to accelerate contracting and business outcomes
• Leadership, mentorship, and creating a sustainable legacy within the legal function

Tune in for an unfiltered conversation on legal operations leadership, AI-enabled transformation, and what it takes to modernize an in-house legal team.

Links:

• Connect with Delphina Turner on ⁠⁠LinkedIn
• Follow Legal Leader Community on ⁠LinkedIn⁠
• Join the Legal Leader ⁠Community⁠

In this episode of The Legal Leaders Podcast, host David Lancelot talks with Kasper Hansen, Head of Legal Operations at Arla Foods, about the evolution of legal ops in Scandinavia, the skills today’s legal teams need, and how operational mindset transforms the in-house legal function.

They discuss:

• How Kasper built Arla’s legal operations function from the ground up
• Why data, curiosity, and cross-functional fluency matter more than ever in legal
• The coming impact of AI and why structured data is now a critical legal asset

Tune in for an unfiltered conversation on modern legal operations, the rise of the operational lawyer, and how legal teams can accelerate the business through data and process discipline.

Links:

• Connect with Kasper Hansen on LinkedIn.
• Follow Legal Leader Community on ⁠LinkedIn⁠
• Join the Legal Leader ⁠Community⁠

In this episode of The Legal Leaders Podcast, host David Lancelot talks with Eduardo (Ed) Rastelli, Chief of Staff & Global Head of Legal Operations at IHG Hotels & Resorts, about how modern legal operations is evolving into a true business accelerator — integrating AI, data, people, and technology to transform how global legal teams operate.

They discuss:

• How IHG’s connected BRR model (Business Reputation & Responsibility) unifies legal, risk, compliance, audit, and insurance

• Why the role of legal operations has shifted from spend management to strategic enablement

• How AI, analytics, and people-centered design are shaping the next generation of in-house legal teams

Tune in for an unfiltered conversation on integrated legal operations, AI-driven transformation, and what it takes to build a strategic, data-powered legal function.

Links:

• Connect with Eduardo Rastelli on LinkedIn
• Follow the Legal Leader Community on ⁠LinkedIn⁠
• Join the Legal Leader ⁠Community⁠

In this episode of The Legal Leaders Podcast, host David Lancelot talks with Lisa Mather, a seasoned global legal executive and transformation leader, about her unconventional career path and the evolving expectations of modern in-house lawyers.

They discuss:

• How a dual passion for science and law led Lisa to an “accidental” yet intentional legal career

• Lessons from building a global perspective across Australia, Hong Kong, Prague, New York, Singapore, and Chicago

• How digital transformation, sustainability, and AI are reshaping the future of in-house legal leadership

Tune in for an unfiltered conversation on personal reinvention, global agility, and the profound changes technology is bringing to the legal profession.

Links:

• Connect with Lisa Mather on LinkedIn
• Follow Legal Leader Community on ⁠LinkedIn⁠
• Join the Legal Leader ⁠Community⁠

In this episode of The Legal Leaders Podcast, host David Lancelot talks with Catherine Kemnitz, Chief Strategy & Development Officer at Axiom, about how in-house law is evolving.

They discuss:

• The shift from prestige law firms to empowered in-house careers
• AI’s impact: from research to judgment, strategy, and creativity
• Why law schools must teach adaptability and people skills
• Legal ops and consulting as critical tools for modern GCs
• Core traits for future lawyers: agility, curiosity, and passion

Tune in for an unfiltered conversation on innovation, strategy, and the evolving role of in-house counsel.

Links:

• Connect with Catherine Kemnitz on ⁠LinkedIn⁠
• Follow the Legal Leader Community on ⁠LinkedIn⁠
• Join the Legal Leader ⁠Community⁠

In this episode of The Legal Leaders Podcast, David Lancelot sits down with Scott Brown, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Heriot Brown to explore how legal professionals can take control of their career paths.

They discuss:

• Why job hunting should never start only when you need a role
• How consistent networking and profile building create long-term opportunities
• Practical steps for using LinkedIn, conferences, and authentic connections to future-proof your career.

Packed with candid insights and actionable strategies, this conversation is a must-listen for any in-house lawyer serious about staying ahead in a competitive market.

Links:

• Connect with Scott Brown on LinkedIn
• Follow the Legal Leader Community on ⁠LinkedIn⁠
• Join the Legal Leader ⁠Community⁠

In this episode of the Legal Leaders Podcast, Peter Connor, founder of T-Shaped Legal, shares how in-house lawyers can transform from “just lawyers” into true business partners. Drawing on his career at Sun Microsystems, Citrix, and beyond, Peter explains:

• the T-Shaped Lawyer model
• why adopting a business person mindset is essential
• how AI and technology are reshaping the legal profession.

Tune in to learn practical steps for building future-ready legal teams that lead with strategy, not just contracts.

Links:

• Connect with Peter on LinkedIn
• Follow the Legal Leader Community on ⁠LinkedIn⁠
• Join the Legal Leader ⁠Community⁠

In this episode of the Legal Leaders Podcast, Mark Smolik, CLO at DHL Supply Chain Americas joins host, David Lancelot for a deep dive into the evolution of in-house legal leadership.

Mark shares his journey from rebuilding legal teams to spearheading innovation at DHL, highlighting the qualities of a modern legal leader—curiosity, trust, business acumen, and integrity.

Together they exploreL

• how data is becoming the new foundation for legal strategy
• why strong partnerships with finance and operations are critical
• how AI is reshaping the future of the legal profession

Packed with practical advice and forward-looking insights, this conversation is a must-listen for legal professionals seeking to lead with impact in a rapidly changing world.

Links:

• Connect with Mark on LinkedIn
• Follow the Legal Leader Community on ⁠LinkedIn⁠
• Join the Legal Leader ⁠Community⁠

In this special episode, host David Lancelot is joined by Cory Sumsion (Head of Commercial Legal at Signifyd) and Greg Lorenzon (Associate General Counsel at Clearlink) to explore what it takes to build a scalable “engine room” for the legal function.

Together, they share lessons learned from their careers at organizations like eBay, Zions Bank, and beyoncost center

Key takeaways include:

• Why moving beyond the “more lawyers” model is essential to scale.

• How to apply an operational mindset to disaggregate work and match it with the right resources.

• The importance of centralized intake and funnel models to streamline contracting.

• Real-world insights on introducing self-service, leveraging technology, and using metrics to demonstrate value.

• Strategies to shift perceptions of legal from gatekeepers to growth accelerators.

This episode is packed with practical insights on making legal functions more efficient, data-driven, and business-aligned.

Links

• Connect with Cory & Greg on LinkedIn
• Follow the Legal Leader Community on ⁠LinkedIn⁠
• Join the Legal Leader ⁠Community⁠

In this episode of The Legal Leaders podcast, host Emma Coxhead sits down with Dr Maria Pozza, Director of Gravity Lawyers and New Zealand’s pioneering space law expert. Maria shares her remarkable journey from the UK bar to shaping New Zealand’s space legislation, revealing the pivotal moments, challenges, and mindset shifts that have defined her career.

Listeners will discover:

• How Maria carved out a niche in the little-understood world of space law.

• The importance of clear communication and storytelling in legal practice.

• Why in-house lawyers must be their own cheerleaders and master the art of influencing.

• Practical strategies for embracing change, adopting technology, and building trusted stakeholder relationships.

• How curiosity, resilience, and backing yourself can open doors to unexpected opportunities.

Whether you’re fascinated by the intersection of law and technology or seeking motivation to own your career path, this conversation is a masterclass in turning challenges into opportunities.

Links:

• Connect with Maria on LinkedIn
• Follow the Legal Leader Community on ⁠LinkedIn⁠
• Join the Legal Leader ⁠Community⁠