Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast

When AI is Exhilarating, with Brooks Hall

Join hosts Hal Marcus and Memme Onwudiwe as they speak with Brooks Hall, Legal Operations Manager at Human Interest, about driving AI adoption in legal departments. From gradual implementation to weekly “AI jam sessions,” Brooks reveals strategies for building trust, improving workflows, and fostering innovation. Discover how to integrate AI responsibly while maintaining oversight and efficiency.What You'll Learn:- How to successfully implement AI tools in legal departments by starting with simple use cases and expanding gradually- Why hosting weekly "AI jam sessions" can accelerate adoption and create excitement around new solutions- Strategies for evaluating AI tools in a rapidly changing tech landscape- How to leverage existing tools before investing in new solutions, maximizing ROI on current technologies- How to bridge the gap between legal operations and HR through shared solutions- The approach to managing AI access controls and governance while expanding capabilities- Why creating bite-sized, AI-powered training videos can improve legal department efficiency- How to stay current with AI developments through diverse learning channels like podcasts, social media, and community forumsAbout the GuestBrooks Hall is the Legal Operations Manager, Systems and Technology at Human Interest, where she drives innovation in legal workflows by implementing cutting-edge systems and AI solutions. Since joining in 2022, she has supported the company’s mission to democratize retirement savings by making 401(k) plans more affordable, accessible, and intuitive for small and medium businesses. Prior to Human Interest, Brooks built deep expertise in intellectual property and legal operations serving as Senior Paralegal at Dexcom and Gilead Sciences, where she supported global IP strategies in healthcare and biotech. She began her career as a patent assistant at Bozicevic, Field & Francis LLP, laying the foundation for her legal operations journey. Brooks is passionate about leveraging technology to simplify legal processes and empower teams.Episode ResourcesBrooks Hall on LinkedInHuman Interest WebsiteMemme Onwudiwe on LinkedInHal Marcus on LinkedInEvisort WebsiteTheme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

The AI-Powered Paralegal, with Kristine Custodio Suero

Welcome to Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast, brought to you by Evisort. In this episode, hosts Hal Marcus and Memme Onwudiwe speak with Kristine Suero, Senior Paralegal and Director of Business Development at Schechter Benefits Law Group, about the evolving role of paralegals in an increasingly AI-driven legal industry, ethical considerations, and opportunities for growth in the profession.What You'll Learn:- How paralegals can embrace AI as an assistive tool while maintaining focus on essential human skills and client relationships- Why ethical and responsible use of AI in legal workflows requires clear policies and human oversight- The framework for "future-proofing" the paralegal profession through continuous learning and technology adoption- How paralegals can create hybrid roles by combining traditional legal skills with business development and legal operations- The importance of maintaining client confidentiality and security when implementing AI tools in legal workflows- Why proper training and internal policies are crucial for responsible AI adoption in law firms- The role of paralegals as early adopters and influencers in bringing new technologies to legal teams- How to architect your own career path by identifying opportunities to add value through technology and innovationEpisode ResourcesKristine Custodio Suero on LinkedInSchechter Benefits Law Group WebsiteArticles & Publications:Future Proofing the Paralegal Profession: Navigating AI, Ethics, and Emerging Workflows in the Legal IndustryWhat She-Hulk Gets Right About ParalegalsMemme Onwudiwe on LinkedInHal Marcus on LinkedInEvisort WebsiteTheme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

The ROI of AI: Learnings from Customer Zero

Workday’s deployment of Evisort AI to manage 100,000 contracts yielded such strong results, they bought the company. Now, as “Customer Zero” for contract AI innovation, Workday is helping shape the future of legal technology. In this "special edition” of “Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast,” host Hal Marcus sits down with Greg Bennett and Kristi Johnson of Workday Global Legal Services to glean hard-won lessons from their multi-year experience deploying contract AI to better support M&A analysis, revenue operations, and more. We also discuss their aspirations for the future of in-house legal services with an increasingly AI-powered workforce.What You’ll Learn:Why having a program manager is important for a successful AI adoption.Why synchronizing contract data with CRM systems fosters operational efficiency.The importance of balancing AI and human expertise in contract analysis.How to amplify contract intelligence beyond the legal team. How to leverage custom AI models to extract valuable insights from legacy contracts.Co-host Memme Onwudiwe will be back with Hal in our next episode!Episode ResourcesGreg Bennett LinkedInKristi Johnson LinkedInWorkday WebsiteHal Marcus on LinkedInEvisort WebsiteTheme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

How to Love Contracts, with Laura Frederick

Contracts are more than just legal documents; they’re stories of trust, risk, and negotiation. But how do you master the real-world skills that law school rarely teaches?Welcome to “Meeting of the Minds – The Legal AI Podcast.” In this episode, Hal and Memme sit down with Laura Frederick, founder of How to Contract, to explore what it takes to draft, negotiate, and manage contracts in today’s tech-driven legal world. With over 25 years of experience and a fast-growing global platform, Laura brings a human, strategic lens to commercial contracting.From viral cartoons and daily LinkedIn posts to billion-dollar deals, Laura shares how clarity, empathy, and creativity can change the way legal professionals approach their craft and how AI can support (but never replace) that nuance.What You’ll Learn:Why contracts are less about clauses and more about peopleWhat most lawyers miss when negotiating operational termsHow Laura built a training movement with humor, cartoons, and daily contentThe role AI plays in speeding up the small stuff so humans can focus on big decisionsHow standard contract templates are reshaping negotiations and when to ignore themWhy junior lawyers need more than playbooks; they need context, confidence, and coachingEpisode ResourcesLaura Frederick LinkedInHow to Contract WebsiteMemme Onwudiwe on LinkedInHal Marcus on LinkedInEvisort WebsiteTheme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Nothing Changes Until It Suddenly Does: Talking Legal AI with Bjarne Tellmann

The future of legal services is fundamentally changing, and AI is the reason for it. So, if one is to thrive in this new world, everything must change. In the latest episode of "Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast," hosts Memme Onwudiwe and Hal Marcus welcome Bjarne Tellmann, CEO of FjordStream Advisors and an experienced General Counsel and legal consultant, to explore the transformative impact of AI on the legal profession.What You’ll Learn: How AI advancement is exponentially transforming legal service delivery and business modelsWhy the traditional billable hour model faces disruption as AI capabilities expandThe essential skills modern General Counsel need - technology literacy and business acumenHow law schools must evolve to incorporate practical skills, technology training, and business educationWhy cultural intelligence is crucial for legal leaders managing global teamsThe opportunities for young lawyers to reshape legal services through technology and entrepreneurshipHow legal departments must balance the "partner-guardian" tension while embracing technological changeThis episode proves that winning the game of adapting is not just about how fast you do it, but about how well you do it. Episode ResourcesBjarne Tellmann on LinkedInFjordStream Advisors WebsiteMemme Onwudiwe on LinkedInHal Marcus on LinkedInEvisort WebsiteTheme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Transcending Fear & Building Community with Oyango Snell, Executive Director of CLOC

AI brings fear along with opportunity. When uncertainty reigns, how can you surpass the fear and come out stronger on the other side? Welcome to “Meeting of Minds - The Legal AI Podcast.” In this episode, Hal and Memme sit with Oyango Snell, Executive Director of the Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC), to discuss his journey through the ins and outs of the legal profession and the crucial roles of legal operations and community in an increasingly AI-centric future.What You’ll Learn:How you can evolve from regular day-to-day operations to being a strategic part of the organization. How LinkedIn and professional networking are a great tool for career opportunities in legal operations.Why organizations should invest in legal operations to drive efficiency.How to execute leadership by building a diverse and inclusive team based on competencies.The need to build legal operation education initiatives like CLOC Academy.How to leverage AI in the work space rather than fear its evolution.Episode ResourcesOyango Snell LinkedInCLOC WebsiteMemme Onwudiwe on LinkedInHal Marcus on LinkedInEvisort WebsiteTheme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Managing People, Legal, & AI with LaTanya Langley, CLO & CPO of Edgewell Personal Care

What does the intersection of HR, Legal, and AI look like? In this episode of "Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast," brought to you by Evisort, a Workday company, it takes the shape of an eye-opening conversation with LaTanya Langley - Chief Legal Officer and Chief People Officer at Edgewell Personal Care. What You’ll Learn: How to tap into the unique synergies of the HR-Legal intersection The importance of adapting to and incorporating AI into legal educationNavigating the ethical implications of AI in legal and HR functionsThe skill sets you need to thrive in the coming legal world Why professional risks and unconventional opportunities can lead to career growth and innovationFor fresh perspectives on optimizing technology and AI use in legal, building a future-ready workforce, and leading with empathy, all you need to do is listen in. Episode ResourcesLaTanya Langley on LinkedInEdgewell Personal Care WebsiteMemme Onwudiwe on LinkedInHal Marcus on LinkedInEvisort WebsiteTheme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

From Tech to Legal: Hopping Careers and Maximizing AI with Nancy Milinkovich of Tricentis

Welcome to "Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast," brought to you by Evisort. In this episode, Memme and Hal engage with Nancy Milinkovich, Senior Legal Operations Manager at Tricentis, exploring her unique journey from the world of tech to that of legal. Nancy shines a light on how her beginnings at the telecommunications company, Nortel Network, built a strong foundation in the realm of cutting-edge technology, exposing her to the importance of embracing and adopting disruptive tech and AI solutions, no matter the industry, as well as highlighting how skills can transfer across seemingly unrelated fields. The “Queen of Hopping Careers” further talks about how she made her way into legal, defying the traditional through self-learning, and how her understanding of people has taken her to the top; an understanding she values above all else. Through the course of the conversation, she also helps unpack the ins and outs of AI application in the world of legal today - the right tools to choose, how teams can and should embrace the “gray” of AI, using conversation-based programs in new ways and how different stakeholders in legal practices require different levels of technology adoption to make the entire ecosystem function smoothly! For eye-opening insights on the AI-Legal intersection today, and how to make the most of the moment, tune into this episode now!Get involved and tune in to this insightful episode now.Episode ResourcesNancy Milinkovich on LinkedInTricentis WebsiteMemme Onwudiwe on LinkedInHal Marcus on LinkedInEvisort WebsiteTheme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Building Bridges: How Modern GCs Connect Legal and Business Teams with Brittany Leonard

Welcome to "Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast," brought to you by Evisort. In this episode, Memme and Hal engage with Brittany Leonard, Executive VP for the Association of Corporate Counsel for Central Florida and a respected voice in the in-house legal community.Brittany shares her journey from city government to becoming one of Florida's youngest general counsel, emphasizing how her business-first mindset transformed her approach to legal leadership. She discusses the importance of proactive problem-solving, building cross-departmental relationships, and embracing technology to drive business outcomes.Known as the "GC of LinkedIn" for her influential social media presence, Brittany offers practical insights on breaking down silos between legal and business teams, leveraging AI and technology, and finding fulfillment in legal careers. Her perspective on the evolving role of general counsel and the future of legal operations provides valuable guidance for legal professionals navigating today's changing landscape.If you're interested in learning how modern general counsel can drive business success while building meaningful relationships across organizations, this episode offers invaluable insights for legal professionals at all career stages.Get involved and tune in to this insightful episode now.Episode ResourcesBrittany Leonard LinkedIn Memme Onwudiwe on LinkedInHal Marcus on LinkedInEvisort WebsiteTheme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

2024 Year In Review

In this episode of Meeting of the Minds, hosts Hal Marcus and Memme Onwudiwe wind down as they reflect on a year of insightful conversations with great leaders in legal technology - Jen McCarron, Mike Haven, Scott Westfahl, Connie Brenton, Carol Hopperton, Harold Wu, Emily LaCroix and Debbie Reynolds.Join in as they take another listen to evergreen insights from each thought leader, including: The evolution of legal operations featuring insights from Jen McCarron.The importance of data privacy regulations featuring insights from Connie Brenton.The transformative impact of AI on the legal profession featuring insights from Mike Haven.The role of empathy and Business Acumen in law featuring Scott Westfahl.The importance of data governance and the risk associated with AI featuring Emily LaCroix.The link between procurement and legal terms featuring Harold Wu.The need for data cleansing for effective AI use as shared by Debbie ReynoldsLet’s take a walk down memory lane as the year comes to an end, shall we?Guests BioJen McCarron is the president of the Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC) and a seasoned leader in legal operations, having previously led legal operations at Netflix. With a focus on the evolving landscape of legal operations, she emphasizes the importance of storytelling and data management in driving business outcomes. Jen’s leadership at CLOC underscores her commitment to advancing the profession and fostering innovation.Mike Haven is a prominent legal operations leader and the former Global Head Legal Operations at Intel, recently transitioning into a similar role at Meta. As a past president of CLOC, Mike has been instrumental in shaping the legal operations field, particularly through his work on the Sense Collective. Scott Westfahl serves as a Professor of Practice and the Faculty Director of Executive Education at Harvard Law School. His experience lies on the intersection of legal education and technology. Scott advocates for the development of human skills which are essential for lawyers to thrive alongside advancing technologies.Connie Brenton is a trailblazer in the legal operations field, known for her leadership roles at major corporations, including NetApp, and as a co-founder of LegalOps.com. Connie’s extensive experience and community-building efforts within the legal operations space have been pivotal in fostering innovation.Carol Hopperton is a seasoned legal operations professional with a diverse career that includes leading legal operations at Vonage and navigating the complexities of the legal landscape through various roles. Her insights into the practical aspects of legal operations, particularly in maintaining and optimizing implemented technologies, highlight the importance of continuous improvement in legal service delivery.Harold Wu is the Chief Procurement Officer at T.Rowe Price, where he has successfully saved the company millions annually through strategic procurement practices. His insights into the changing dynamics of procurement, particularly the balance between cost savings and operational efficiency provide a fresh perspective on the interconnectedness of legal and procurement functions.Emily LaCroix is the Global Data Protection Officer at Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, where she focuses on the intersection of data privacy and legal operations. With a background that blends traditional legal roles with a focus on product and data governance, Emily offers a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.Debbie Reynolds, known as the Data Diva is a consultant and advisor specializing in data privacy and governance. With extensive experience working with major law firms. Debbie’s insights into the complexities of data privacy laws and the importance of data cleansing are invaluable to organizations navigating the regulatory landscape. Her expertise in connecting data privacy strategies with practical implementation makes a sought-after voice in discussions about the implications of AI and data management in the legal field. Episode HighlightsThe Power of Storytelling in Legal Operations (06:25)Jen McCarron emphasizes the role of storytelling in crafting data in legal operations and how that improves the communication of value, making it easier to collaborate and achieve the goals in an organization.Embracing Human Skills in a Tech-Driven World (12:48)Scott Westfahl shares why the ability to merge legal and soft skills is the evolution of work. His perspective on legal education reminds us that those who are able to blend technical skills with strong interpersonal abilities will be better positioned to succeed.The Evolving Role of Procurement in the Legal Industry (20:32)Harold Wu teaches that the legal industry must adapt to a new reality that allows for a closely knit collaboration with procurement in order to ultimately drive better business outcomes.Balancing AI Enthusiasm with Governance (24:12)Emily LaCroix’s insights balances the need for ensuring that the adoption of AI is properly explored while also safeguarding organizations from substantial risks.The Importance of Data Cleansing for AI Success (27:56)Debbie Reynolds emphasizes the need for data cleansing and warns against the danger of using unstructured data. She advises that the data fed into the AI systems must be quality and structured data to avoid ineffectiveness and potential AI pitfalls.A New Chapter for Evisort (30:35)The hosts reveal that Evisort has been acquired by Workday and that this acquisition aligns with the long-term vision of enhancing the value of contracts and legal documents across organizations. They express excitement as this development sets the stage for innovative advancements and shows the importance of integrating legal data with broader business functions.Theme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so