Automates

This time we chat to James Grice, Head of Innovation & AI at Lawfront. James explains the Lawfront model alongside diving into topics like: - His firm's target of 100% AI adoption - Starting with foundational understanding of AI before moving to more complex applications - Keeping up with the current pace of change in legaltech - The likelihood of an agentic future - His journey from IT to service design to innovation & AI - The concept of a deep generalist And finally, his love of gaming memorabilia - and why sharing personal passions at work can spark authenticity and stronger connections.

Our guest this episode is Troutman Pepper Locke's Director of Innovation Solutions, Max Gladstone. In this frank discussion between legaltech vendor and law firm buyer, Ben and Max discuss: • The role of innovation in a large law firm • What innovation teams consider when looking for new technology solutions • Ensuring value is passed on to clients through use of technology • The all-important relationship between vendors and firms and factors to consider when negotiating • Transitioning innovation to BAU • Saving the firm money vs giving back some work-life balance to the lawyers/attorneys Plus, mad dashes to the airport, applying the Vegas rule or Chatham House rules, and the need for a good Nando's from time to time.

Our guest this time is Patrick DiDomenico, legaltech veteran, founder of the KM&I for Legal Conference and the newly launched LegalTech Connect. Ben and Patrick discuss all things knowledge management, including the following: - The impact of AI on the KM&I landscape. Are we re-siloing information? - Why working with in-house legal departments is refreshingly different from working with law firms - The balance between achieving efficiency in law firms vs satisfying billable hour requirements - The importance of attention when it comes to deploying technology solutions - The ease of 'spinning up' a conference and the concept of speaker fatigue - The type of 'good humans' that knowledge management and innovation seems to attract

In this episode of Automates, I sit down with Tim Follett, CEO and founder of Structureflow, to explore the transformative power of visualisation in the professional services industry. Tim shares his journey from a decade-long career as an M&A lawyer to launching a visual modelling platform that simplifies complex structures and transactions. We delve into the importance of reducing complexity in our increasingly information-heavy world and how visual tools can enhance client experiences and improve communication. Tim also discusses the challenges and triumphs of transitioning from law to tech entrepreneurship, offering insights for aspiring innovators. Tune in to discover how visualisation can be a superpower in your professional toolkit and learn from Tim's experiences in building a successful legal tech startup.

In this episode of Automates, I sit down with Oze Benamram to delve into the evolution of knowledge management and AI in the legal sector. Oze shares his journey from a litigator to a leading advisor in legal tech, highlighting the inception and growth of the SKILLS summit, which fosters collaboration and innovation among legal professionals. We explore the impact of AI on law firms, discussing the balance between established vendors and new disruptors in the market. Oze provides insights into the importance of foundational knowledge management and the potential of AI to transform legal services. Join us as we navigate the complexities and opportunities of AI in the legal industry, offering valuable perspectives for anyone interested in the future of legal tech.

This episode, Ben talks to Chrissie Wolfe, a Global Medical & Cosmetic Injury Lawyer, consultant and social media content creator, with over 75000 followers on TikTok. Chrissie talks to Ben about: - Striking the right balance for her career as wearer of multiple hats at all times - Helping entrants into the legal industry fully understand why things are the way they are - Getting an ADHD diagnosis and using it to her advantage - Aiming to remove 5% of her least valuable workload through applying technology and automation - Taking a less conventional route to becoming a lawyer, and how others can too - How the future does not hold less jobs, just different ones!

Our guest this time is Natalie Salunke who explains how the Fractional GC model is working for her and her clients. Natalie and Ben discuss: - In-house legal departments behaving more as a function rather than as advisors - Alternative ways of getting access to high quality legal support - How important 'human' skills are going to be in the future of work - Focusing on the solution first when in the market for legal tech - How in-house heads of legal and GCs are compensated in comparison to their private practice counterparts - The joy of dipping in and out of different sectors in a fractional role

Our guest this episode is Peter Duffy of Titans, an AI-first legal tech consultancy. Peter is a font of knowledge on all things AI and he shares some of his personal favourite AI use cases, alongside practical tips and tricks for making the most of the technology. Together, Peter and Ben cover: - Considering AI a knowledge partner - The function of AI in elevating rather than replacing humans - The ever present problem of technology adoption - The rapid pace of change and how to stay on top of it - The promise of Agentic AI and whether or not it's simply a marketing buzzword - Is the legaltech market blurring into 'everything, everywhere, all at once'? And plenty more. We'll eat our hats if you don't take something actionable away from this one, folks! Sign up to the Titans LegalTech Trends newsletter here: https://www.titans.legal/the-newsletter

Change maker Jana Blount is our guest on this episode of Automates. Jana reflects on the opportunity she was given to embed a culture of radical change at DLA Piper, and how she has taken that forward into her own consulting business. The podcast covers:The concept of radical change vs the more commonly used term 'innovation'The definition of design thinkingThe aha moment of using design thinking to shift how people in a law firm thought about problemsJana's distaste for the word 'just' when it comes to 'just' a line item in a budget!The importance of allowing tech tools access to your 'good', to allow them to generate the 'great'The belief that AI and technology should be used to drive meaningful change in the legal profession, not just to make more money

This episode, Ben chats to Litera's Matt Miller. In this vendor to vendor discussion, they cover:The difference between working for a scale up versus a large tech company when it comes to product developmentThe trend towards law firms hiring 'thinkers' to put technology to good useThe challenges the pace of change presents to tech vendors looking to lock in long term dealsFinding someone who's equally fascinated with technology advancements and keeping your finger on the pulse!