Recent discussions within the legal sector have concentrated on the growing legal operations of the ‘Big Four’ accounting firms and the supposed threat they pose to entrenched law firms. However, as suggested by analysis from the London Lawyer, this menace might be overemphasized. The article points out that despite the Big Four’s aspirational rhetoric about…
Decentralizing legal departments and embedding lawyers directly into various business units remains a topic of debate among general counsels, according to Axiom’s survey. This notion of embedding lawyers is being pushed by business leaders, CEOs, and others, with the intention of increasing the alignment between the business desires and the legal guidelines. The results suggest…
As law firms and legal operations navigate an ever-changing landscape, one organization, the Legal Innovators Network (LINK) is taking a unique, concentrated approach. While large-scale events like the CLOC Global Institute encompass vast event centers on the Las Vegas Strip, LINK is embracing a contrastingly smaller structure. LINK has been facilitating intimate, invite-only assemblies of…
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is stirring different emotions in legal departments across the globe. The early adopters, however, have reached a critical realization – the potential of AI to make them more efficient, strategic business advisers; a key success metric for the in-house attorneys of today. The interplay of emotions, ranging from anxiety to exhilaration,…
In late September, a significant development occurred between the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The two agencies announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU served as a symbol of the agencies’ expressed “good-faith intentions” to work collaboratively. What does the collaboration entail? Details of the…
Whistleblowing hotlines constitute an essential element in regulating the ethical landscape of corporate and legal operations. This article would be particularly informative for legal professionals within major corporations and law firms. A whistleblowing hotline serves as a confidential channel for employees and others to raise their suspicions regarding misconduct within an organization. These hotlines are…
A high-profile case of legal intrigue has unfolded in recent times, with the Robins Kaplan law firm incurring a penalty of nearly $156,000. The firm was found engaging in unsanctioned access to a Dropbox belonging to its litigation opponent, The Pursuit Special Credit Opportunity Fund. The access was deemed more parallel to corporate espionage than…
Harvey AI, an AI tool making waves in the legal profession, is seeing widespread adoption among top-tier law firms such as Allen & Overy, who are leveraging its innovative generative technology capabilities. So in demand is this technology, prospective users face a waiting list before they can embark on their Harvey journey. Among the recent…
In an ever-evolving environment, maintaining pace can be a significant challenge for legal operations teams. With increasing complexity, it’s almost impossible for these teams to meet the necessary speed without the right technology. Given the vital role technology plays, Dr. Cain Elliott from FileVine and Michael Powers from iManage joined a virtual stage on the…
With the rapid digitalization of legal processes across the globe, e-discovery – the identification, collection and production of electronic data in litigation – has become a pivotal point of intersection for various areas of the law, including privacy, cybersecurity, and legal operations. On October 20th, at 2:00 pm ET, an upcoming webinar titled, The E-Discovery…
We are pleased to inform you that the call for nominations for the 2024 Legalweek Leaders in Tech Law Awards is now open. The categories for this year’s awards have been redefined, inviting nominations across a broad spectrum of law firm, in-house, and provider categories. The deadline for award submissions has been extended to October…
As we approach a potential impasse in Congress regarding the budget, it’s crucial to consider the potential impacts of a government shutdown on some of the key legal operations, particularly those pertaining to patents, trademarks, copyrights, and court functions. The following is a brief analysis on what may stay operational and what may cease to…
For professionals navigating the ever-dynamic landscape of legal operations innovation, relief is on the horizon. A new podcast titled ‘UpLevel View’ is set to become a beacon for those who might be feeling overwhelmed by the pace and complexity inherent to this evolving sphere. On a monthly basis, listeners will be privy to exclusive interviews…
Although predictions about the future are always challenging, assessing the deal outlook for both large and small law firms can provide valuable insights into potential market trajectories. While each firm will undoubtedly face unique circumstances, examining overall trends can lead to broadly applicable lessons applicable to professionals in both large corporations and law practices. The…
Securing an in-house counsel role is often an aspiration for many ambitious legal professionals. However, once secure in such a position, some may find themselves in uncharted waters. To bridge this knowledge gap, Ashlyn Donohue, an experienced general counsel from LinkSquares, shares some invaluable advice on the ATL (Above The Law) Non-Eventcast podcast episode. Donohue…
Concerns over the inadequacy of defense funding within the U.S. Criminal Justice System have been recently addressed by the American Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section Chair, Tina Luongo. In a comment that resonates deeply with legal professionals across the sector, Luongo articulated that this funding issue is a “real crisis” impacting not only public defenders,…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is steadily reshaping legal practices, promising greater efficiency and improved decision-making capabilities. However, it appears that the vast majority of in-house attorneys have yet to embrace this technology, harboring uncertainties about their understanding of AI. In fact, the adoption and utilization of AI within their legal operations seem to be more the…
As experienced legal professionals, maintaining the integrity of our data can often take a backseat to more pressing immediate tasks, such as case management and client servicing. However, as we enter the fall season, a period of transformation and preparation, it becomes increasingly important to invest time in cleaning our data to ensure efficiency and…
The legal profession has seen an emerging trend of “side hustles,” or secondary jobs, among senior counsels and partners at top law firms. This shift is particularly observed in the big law scenario, presenting unique opportunities and challenges. General counsels have been prompted to adapt to trends in regulatory, data protection, tech management, legal operations,…
The legal landscape experienced a profound loss last week with the sudden passing of Temple University President, JoAnne Epps. A notable figure in the legal community, Epps left a significant impact both in and out of the legal realm. Of her many accomplishments, the work Epps did to make a difference within the profession was…
As digital technologies take center stage in today’s business operations, the dynamics of eDiscovery – a lynchpin in legal operations – are undergoing noticeable transformations. The influx of new digital communication methods and data storage possibilities, while presenting opportunities for easier and more organized ways of information management, are also sprouting new hindrances that legal…
Last week, legal innovators from across the globe met in New York City for Future Lawyers Week, a one-day legal tech conference. The conference, customized to cater to both law firms and in-house legal teams, saw a broad range of topics being discussed. One of the key talking points from the event was how in-house…
Amidst the technological evolution reshaping our global society, the legal industry has not been left unchanged. Today, we dive into the recent surge in prices by legal tech providers—a development that has raised eyebrows and sparked discourse across the sector. The financial demands exerted by venture capitalists and private equity founders on their legal technology…
In an upcoming webinar, two prominent legal tech companies, Onna and Sightline by Consilio – are contemplating on embracing innovative approaches to revamp eDiscovery workflows for legal professionals. The webinar, scheduled for October 10th, is expected to share perspectives on managing the vast data sources that have become an integral part of corporate and legal…
The adage “do more with less” strongly resonates with this year’s findings published in the “2023 Legal Department Operations Index” by the Thomson Reuters Institute. This comprehensive report, compiled and analyzed through various inputs and online surveys involving 108 legal operations professionals based in the United States, arrives at the conclusion that professionals and organizations…