Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast

Building Agents & Removing Friction, with Kelly McCord of SimpliPhi

Nothing is stopping your legal team from functioning like a high-performing business unit - except a lack of understanding and clarity on the real potential of AI. In this episode of Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast, hosts Hal Marcus and Memme Onwudiwe sit down with Kelly McCord, Founder and Principal Consultant at SimpliPhi Management LLC and former head of legal operations at HSBC, to explore how to leverage AI and automation to transform legal workflows.
What You'll Learn:
How to cross-train multiple LLMs simultaneously to compound results
Why legal ops professionals need baseline AI literacy, not deep technical expertise
The practical framework for embedding legal earlier in business decisions
How to build AI agents with guardrails that automate routine work while preserving human control
The skill-building path to AI competency in legal operations
How to reduce contract negotiation cycles from weeks to hours using agent-to-agent negotiations
About the Guest:
Kelly McCord is the Founder and Principal Consultant at SimpliPhi Management LLC, a legal operations consulting firm. With over 20 years of experience spanning engineering, business process consulting, financial services, and legal operations (including her role as Head of Legal Operations at HSBC), Kelly has become a pioneering voice in legal technology and AI implementation. Her work helping corporate legal teams integrate cutting-edge AI tools while maintaining quality human oversight makes her a leading voice for legal operations professionals seeking to modernize their functions and demonstrate clear value to the broader organization.
Episode Resources
Kelly McCord on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-m-mccord/
SimpliPhi Website: https://simpliphillc.com/
Workday Contract Management: https://www.workday.com/en-us/products/contract-management/overview.html
Hal Marcus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/halmarcus/
Memme Onwudiwe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/memmeonwudiwe/
Theme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.

Keeping Legal AI Real, with Alex Herrity of adidas

What if we’re chasing the wrong problem? As it turns out, it’s not so much about getting agents ready – it’s about getting ourselves ready to benefit from them. In this episode of Meeting of the Minds – The Legal AI Podcast, Hal Marcus and Memme Onwudiwe sit down with Alex Herrity, Legal Operations Leader at adidas, to explore the strategies and frameworks that unlock transformation and capability for legal teams in the long run. What You'll Learn:How to articulate what you actually want an AI agent to do before building or buying oneWhy simplifying processes before automating them is non-negotiableThe difference between what legal leaders think happens vs. what actually happens operationallyHow to use AI as an intelligence tool to audit your own legal operationsWhy CLMs aren't going away and how they’re evolving How to shift from replacing lawyers to leveling up their workAbout the GuestAlex Herrity is a Legal Operations Leader at adidas with a unique background spanning both in-house counsel and legal technology innovation. Transitioning from commercial law into legal ops around 2017, he has become a thought leader on preparing legal departments for AI adoption. Co-hosting the podcast “Law://WhatsNext” alongside Tom Rice, Alex brings practical, grounded perspectives on legal technology implementation. Episode ResourcesAlex Herrity on LinkedIn: Alex HerrityWorkday Contract Management: WebsiteHal Marcus on LinkedIn: Hal MarcusMemme Onwudiwe on LinkedIn: Memme OnwudiweTheme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

6 Legal AI Themes for 2026, with Workday CLO Rich Sauer

How can legal leaders transition from the "Department of No" to the "Department of Growth"? In this milestone episode of Meeting of the Minds – The Legal AI Podcast, Hal Marcus and Memme Onwudiwe sit down with Workday’s Chief Legal Officer, Rich Sauer, to reflect on a year of explosive AI growth and project the trends for 2026. From his 20-year tenure at Microsoft to leading legal at Workday, Rich provides a masterclass on balancing innovation with responsibility.What You'll Learn:The Three Pillars of Modern Legal: How Workday organizes its legal team around driving growth, protecting the brand, and earning stakeholder trust.Agentic AI & The "Front Door": Why AI agents are becoming the new interface for legal departments to manage high-volume routine inquiries.The End of the Contract Silo: How moving contract data into systems like Salesforce transforms "file cabinet" documents into active business drivers.Navigating the Regulatory Patchwork: Why the EU AI Act, NIST Framework, and ISO 42001 are valuable guideposts for global AI adoption.AI and the Human-in-the-Loop: Why soft skills like trust, empathy, and persuasive communication are more valuable now than ever before.The Legal Business Model Tipping Point: Rich's take on the future of the billable hour and how AI is transforming the dynamic between in-house teams and outside counsel.About the GuestRich Sauer is the Chief Legal Officer & Head of Corporate Affairs at Workday. With a career spanning twenty years at Microsoft and previous experience at Sullivan & Cromwell, Rich is a leading voice on the intersection of technology, global policy, and corporate governance. At Workday, he oversees the responsible AI team and is a primary advocate for risk-based frameworks that unlock business innovation while protecting stakeholder trust.Episode ResourcesRich Sauer on LinkedIn: Rich SauerWorkday Official Website: Workday.comWorkday AI & Innovation: Workday AIEvisort (Part of Workday): Evisort WebsiteRegulatory Frameworks Mentioned:EU AI Act: Official InformationNIST AI Risk Management Framework: NIST.govISO/IEC 42001 (AI Management System): ISO StandardsHal Marcus on LinkedIn: Hal MarcusMemme Onwudiwe on LinkedIn: Memme OnwudiweTheme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

AI, IP, and the Copyright Clash, with Kimberley Odums of IEEE

How can AI shape AND be shaped by the law? In this episode of Meeting of the Minds – The Legal AI Podcast, hosts Hal Marcus and Memme Onwudiwe welcome Kimberley Odums, Senior Counsel of Intellectual Property and AI at IEEE and founder of Lawyers Learn AI, to explore the intersection of legal innovation and artificial intelligence through a futuristic lens. What You'll Learn:How to position yourself as a Legal AI expert on your team by staying informed on critical AI developments Why the New York Times v. OpenAI case matters beyond just the case of publishingWhy the $1.5 billion Anthropic settlement is an important precedentHow to build confidence in AI tools through closed-environment systems leveraging Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) Why pro se litigants are winning cases using AI platforms for $20/month and the impact of this on access to justice The critical distinction between human authorship and AI generation in copyright lawAbout the GuestKimberley Odums is Senior Counsel of Intellectual Property and Artificial Intelligence at the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and founder of the newsletter community Lawyers Learn AI. With a background spanning big law, nonprofit work and solo practice in trademark and brand protection, Kimberley has become a leading voice in the intersection of legal policy and AI development. Her work bridging the legal and tech communities makes her a leading voice in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI regulation and implementation.Episode ResourcesKimberley Odums on LinkedInIEEE 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

Agents, ALSPs and the Future, with Mark Ross of Deloitte

Are we going to see a new CXO in the boardroom - the Chief Contracting Officer? In this episode of Meeting of the Minds – The Legal AI Podcast, hosts Hal Marcus and Memme Onwudiwe sit down with Mark Ross, Principal at Deloitte Legal Business Services, to explore the evolution of legal technology, from early e-discovery to agentic AI.What You'll Learn:How the evolution of eDiscovery created a blueprint for legal technology adoption and transformationWhy generative and agentic AI represent a paradigm shift in legal servicesThe three-bucket framework for measuring ROI in legal tech implementationHow to successfully implement Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) by starting with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) approachWhy contract visibility should precede workflow automation for optimal resultsWhy to expect the emergence of a Chief Contracting Officer role and why multidisciplinary skills will define the future legal departmentWhy legal teams must balance risk management with business enablement to remain strategically relevantWhy traditional legal business models remain resilient even in the face of technological disruptionAbout the GuestMark Ross is Principal and Market Leader at Deloitte Legal Business Services, where he spearheads innovative approaches to legal department transformation. With over two decades of experience spanning from practicing law in the UK to pioneering legal outsourcing operations, Ross has been at the forefront of legal industry evolution. As a self-described "recovering attorney," he has played a pivotal role in shaping how global organizations leverage technology and alternative delivery models to optimize legal operations. His perspective on the intersection of legal operations, technology, and business strategy has helped legal professionals and business leaders navigate the rapidly evolving legal technology landscape.Episode ResourcesMark Ross on LinkedInDeloitte 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

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