ILTA Voices
Episodes
Monday Feb 05, 2024
#0002: (CCT) The Role of AI Powered Chatbots as Digital Research Assistants
Monday Feb 05, 2024
Monday Feb 05, 2024
Every firm currently struggles with making sure all of the knowledge in their organization is written down, up to date, and searchable.
In the future, chatbots could serve as a kind of automated research assistants for firm knowledge. They’d be responsible for answering questions by sourcing information from the right person, document and they could also be used to proactively record tacit knowledge into living documents by periodically interviewing key people about their progress on company initiatives.
In this podcast interview, we discussed the role of AI powered chatbots as digital research assistants and more.Moderator:@Alejandro Vallellanes - Former Senior Manager, Research and Information Alerts, Baker McKenzieSpeakers:@Stephanie Goutos - Practice Innovation Attorney, Gunderson Dettmer, L.L.P.@Avi Saiger - Practice Innovation Attorney, Gunderson Dettmer, L.L.P.@John Scrudato - Legal Engineering and Data Strategy Manager, Gunderson Dettmer, L.L.P.Recorded on 02-05-2024.
Monday Dec 04, 2023
No-One Talks About the F Word – Failing
Monday Dec 04, 2023
Monday Dec 04, 2023
Whether it is a technical implementation, a change management process or simply and idea that didn't work, we all have times when we fail but it is how we deal with it and what we learn from it that matters. In this podcast interview panel session, hear from two panelists on their worst respective experiences and how they overcame the adversity, setbacks and more.
Questions the moderator will ask the speakers:
-Tell me about your experience with the first project or process that you implemented
-What challenges did you face?
-What did you learn from it?
-Do you have some best practices or key takeaways that you can share?Moderator:
@Natasha Tucker - Director, Business Development Operations, Bennett Jones LLP
Speakers:
@Eric Feldman - Wiggin and Dana, Director of Innovation and Knowledge Management
@Rachel Shields Williams - Knowledge Management Enablement & Insights, Sidley Austin LLP
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
APIs: Hype or the Real Deal?
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
Wednesday Oct 18, 2023
More and more vendors are making APIs available, but are they actually worth the investment? Is the data reliable? In this panel podcast, the speakers will explore the various APIs available, use cases, reliability of the content, and how law firms are leveraging external data to supplement or enhance their internal data.
Questions the moderator will ask the speakers:-How did you determine what APIs were appropriate for your organization?-How did you justify your firm’s investment to invest in APIs?-What use cases did you identify, or how have you implemented the APIs in your organization?-What challenges, if any, did you face, and how did you overcome those challenges? -What advice would you give someone looking to leverage APIs in their organization? What were your lessons learned?
Moderator:@Jennifer Mendez - Director of Knowledge Management Innovation, Fisher Phillips
Speakers:@Stacy Rushing - Senior Knowledge Management and Data Analytics Counsel, Fisher Phillips@Paul VanderMeer - CKO at Bilzin Sumberg, LLP
Recorded on 10-18-2023.
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Stop the Robots! Has GenAI Eliminated the Need for Document Automation Tools?
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
Tuesday Sep 26, 2023
The legal industry is ripe for automation. Growing developments in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) have made it easier for firms to generate certain content on-demand. However, has GenAI eliminated the need for traditional document automation tools?
Questions the moderator will ask the speakers:
-With so much hype around Generative AI, how do you continue to make a case for traditional document automation? -What are the benefits of vetted, custom templates versus what GenAI can currently pull together?-What’s the criteria for a document that is ripe for document automation?-Let’s talk about adoption and change management. How can professionals overcome resistance to document automation as an effective strategy?-How can firms measures the ROI of document automation? -Any tips or tricks for getting started or ensuring a document automation project is successful?
Moderator:@Jennifer Mendez - Director of Knowledge Management Innovation, Fisher Phillips
Speakers:@Matthew Basile - Special Counsel at Kelley Drye & Warren LLP and Co-founder of Naya Software@Catherine Bamford - CEO of BamLegal
Recorded on 09-25-2023
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
The Rise of the ”Non-Lawyer” – Threat or Opportunity
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
Tuesday Jul 18, 2023
Some people predict that by 2025 half of legal teams will be staffed by non-lawyers. Will that be perceived as a threat or an opportunity? Do lawyers need to learn legal tech, or can they just hire people who specialize in it but are not lawyers? Do you need to be a lawyer to effectively use legal tech?Questions moderator will ask speakers: - The term “non lawyer” is sometimes perceived as quite controversial. Many people who support the business of law feel it is used to marginalize expertise. With the development of legal technologies being a lawyer is not always a needed qualification to plan, implement and use the tools. In your experience how does it help to be a lawyer or not, when using legal technologies?- Where do you see non lawyers working cases, supporting transactions, being part of case teams, etc. today?- With more and more demand on expertise to “drive” legal technologies, or perform data analysis, do you think layers need to learn these skills? Or can they just hire non-lawyers to work side by side with lawyers? Or both?- Do you think the balance could even tip that within law firms more non-lawyers are leveraged to work and manage cases and lawyers solely focus on the parts that require analysis and practice of the law?- What does all this mean for the legal profession, will the job description of lawyers change over time? Why or why not?
Moderator:@Christiane Matuch - Legal Innovation Manager, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Speakers:@Alyssa Cowley - Associate Director, Knowledge Management, Shearman & Sterling LLP@Harriet Joubert-Vaklyes - Senior Project Manager, Legal Operations, CBRE @Josh Lazar - Founder and Chief Everything Officer, TechThinkTank
Recorded on 07-18-2023
Thursday Jul 13, 2023
Aligning Taxonomies for Marketing and KM
Thursday Jul 13, 2023
Thursday Jul 13, 2023
Common vocabularies are a core requirement if firms want to fully utilize the knowledge created by their attorneys. Organizing those vocabularies into a taxonomy makes it easier to share knowledge across tools and practices. However, many firms don’t create or maintain common taxonomies, resulting in knowledge gaps and a lack of findability.
A common vocabulary, whether it’s something that’s specific to your firm or leveraging existing taxonomies like SALI, is an investment of both time and money, but putting in the effort allows attorneys to quickly find colleagues who have specific skills, experience, or backgrounds.
Questions the moderator asked the speaker:
1.Is there one thing in particular that made you realize that this was a problem, and one that needed to be solved?
2.Talking about taxonomies tends to make people tune out. How did you get buy in from other groups?
3.How do you maintain your taxonomies? Is it a group effort? If so, which groups should be involved?
4.What would be your recommendations for firms that are just starting to engage with this issue?
Moderator:
@Holly Hanna - KM Firm Solutions Manager, Perkins Coie
Speaker:
@Rachel Shields Williams - Director, Knowledge Management, Sidley Austin LLP
Recorded on 07-13-2023
Wednesday Jun 28, 2023
Do You Want to Build a Podcast? Unraveling the Magic Behind ”Entertaining” Content
Wednesday Jun 28, 2023
Wednesday Jun 28, 2023
Your average end user now spends more time consuming and sharing educational entertainment than ever before.
From podcasts to film documentaries, there is a formula that keeps us coming back for more, and ensures the audience retains that information well enough to talk about it with everyone they know. How do we capture that spark in professional learning? As trainers and developers, how do we bring entertainment to education? What looks easier than it actually is, and what is far easier than it looks?
What kind of talent can help you create and execute that vision? In this session, learners will identify the educational fundamentals we see in this genre of entertainment, and then brainstorm opportunities to blend entertainment tactics into our learning strategy to make exciting podcasts.
Questions the moderator asked the speaker:
We’d love to hear your origin story. [Insert what we know about them to show engagement with the panel.] What inspired you to create your current podcast series?
Is there anything that surprised you along your journey?
Many of our listeners work for legal organizations which have contemplated or actually implemented podcasts. What are some things to watch out for when building your first podcast?
My guess is a newbie podcaster may see a decent level of interest in their early podcasts perhaps because of its’ novelty. However, the newbie may see some drop-off over time. What have you found to be successful ways to maintain audience engagement? Related, any tips on building your audience?
Many law firms and other legal organizations have created their own podcasts. What have you found that makes your podcast a differentiator?
I’ve heard of many podcasts bubbling up from within a law firm. As an example, BD has a podcast, Knowledge Management has one, and multiple partners have created one perhaps even in conjunction with partners at other law firms. Assuming there is value in coordinated efforts at a firm, do you have any recommendations for combining forces?
I’ve heard of edutainment – the combination of education and entertainment. What have you learned from other podcasters or your own experience on blending the best of those worlds?
Any practical tips generally – for example, have you found the best duration for a podcast (e.g., 20 minutes, 60 minutes)? Audio quality tips? Upside/downsides to inviting guests? Stick to only audio or sometimes include video?
Moderator:@Alejandro Vallellanes - Former Global Senior Manager of Research, Baker McKenzie
Speaker:@Greg Lambert - Chief Knowledge Services Officer, Jackson Walker L.L.P
Recorded on 06-28-2023
Friday May 12, 2023
Friday May 12, 2023
How can we articulate the value of technology in helping meeting client expectations and improving the bottom line? In this session, the speakers discussed this and more.Questions Glenn will ask the speakers:
-There is a perception by some attorneys that technology is a cost of business and, specifically, only a support function. Where do you think this stems from?
-Based on this perception, each of you have likely identified strategies to convince attorney and leaders that technology is more than simply a cost of doing business. What strategies have you employed or seen others employed to convince attorneys of the benefit of technology?
-The best made plans, particularly for a junior leader, may look great on paper but suddenly become challenging when put to practice. Throughout your career, what obstacles have you faced when employing these strategies? Are there any risks? Have any backfired?
-For new C-suite or director level leaders, what would you encourage them to do to advocate for technology projects particular in light of the current economy? How do you recommend they approach business value/ROI when proposing technology?
-To help with your persuasion, do you engage with client teams such as their legal department) to better understand their business needs?
- We’ve touched on a few of the key stakeholders but there are certainly more. Do you find that you need to approach stakeholders in different ways when convincing them of a technology’s value?
- Can you share any examples of where technology clearly helped the bottom line?
-Any final thoughts?
Moderator:@Glenn Hoxie -Senior Project Manager, Practice Innovation, Paul Hastings LLP
Speakers:@Leslie Brown - Director of Client Value, Blank Rome LLP@Paul Unger - Partner, Affinity Consulting@Jacqueline Schafer - CEO, Clearbrief@Brendan Miller - Legal Innovation Professional and Attorney” (previously Director of Practice Systems & Innovation for AmLaw 100 firmRecorded on 05-11-2023
Friday Apr 07, 2023
The Scourge of the ”Non-Attorney” Heading
Friday Apr 07, 2023
Friday Apr 07, 2023
Overwhelmingly, law firms operate as though attorneys are the ""important"" parts of their business, and that business staff is... well, chopped liver. How can firms adjust/improve their language to change this attitude/perception?
Questions Harriet asked the speakers:• The landscape for hiring and recruiting within law firms has changed a lot since January 2020 (and again since the end of 2022). What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the industry/in convos with peers? What surprised everyone the most about how recruiting/hiring has changed in the legal field? (I’m thinking first year associate pay has got to be a big one!)• What are your predictions for how things will stay the same/change in law firm operations over the next 5-10 years? Do you think attorneys will fundamentally change their expectations around work-life balance? And how are firm resources being marketed to attorneys during their recruiting process (as part of the support package)? (i.e. research departments, LPM, etc)• Let’s talk a bit about the split in law firms between attorneys and “everyone else”… what have you seen across the industry, and do you think those divisions are breaking down, becoming more defined, or something else? I’m also interested in how you think this will play out as the market retracts again: it’s been popular to cut back on administrative staffing in times of financial concern, but that loads more work back onto attorneys—do you see anything differently happening this time around?
Moderator:
@Harriet Joubert-Vaklyes - Senior Project Manager - Legal Operations, CBRE Group
Speakers:
@Jennifer Bluestein - Chief Talent and HR Officer, Perkins Coie@Chris Boyd - Chief Operating Officer, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Recorded on 04-07-2023
Wednesday Apr 05, 2023
Legal Tech: What’s Next?
Wednesday Apr 05, 2023
Wednesday Apr 05, 2023
As more players enter the legal technology market, what trends and advances should we be keeping an eye on? What trends or tools have the potential to radically disrupt the profession? In this podcast interview, the speakers will discuss this and much more!
Questions Jennifer asked the speakers:
1. What will be the most important legal technology trend for lawyers and legal professionals to follow in 2023?2. What trends or tools have the potential to radically disrupt the profession?3. Where should law firms and law departments focus their legal tech budgets in the next year? Three years?4. How will legal technology impact client engagement?
Moderator:@Jennifer Mendez - Sr. Director of Knowledge Management Innovation, Fisher Phillips
Speakers:Joe Borstein - Chief Executive Officer, LexFusionCasey Flaherty - Chief Strategy Officer, LexFusion Recorded on 04-05-2023
Wednesday Apr 05, 2023
How Add-On Services Are Changing the Legal Landscape
Wednesday Apr 05, 2023
Wednesday Apr 05, 2023
Law firms are increasingly expanding their scope and advertising "add-on" services. How can attorneys make use of these to make themselves "stickier" to clients, and how can law firms promote these services in a way that conveys their increased importance to the overall client experience? In this podcast interview, the speakers discussed this and more.
Questions Harriet will asked the speakers:
• Tell us a bit about the evolution of NRF’s Legal Operations department: what was the intended purpose, and how does it interact with the larger business?
• How can attorneys make use of this group (or others within the firm) to make themselves "stickier" to clients?
• How is (or can) the firm promote these services in a way that conveys their increased importance to the overall client experience?Moderator:
@Harriet Joubert-Vaklyes - Senior Project Manager - Legal Operations, CBRE Group
Speakers:
@Al Hounsell - Director - Strategic Innovation and Legal Design, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada
Kathy Goodman - Practice Innovation & Knowledge Counsel, Paul Hastings (London)
Recorded on 04-05-2023