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...

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 rel...

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...

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...

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 th...

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...

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 t...

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 - Th...

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 thinking The aha moment of using de...

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 development The trend towards law firms hiring 'thinkers' to put technology to good use The challenges the pace of change presents to tech vendors looking to lock in long term deals Findin...

In our first podcast of 2025, Ben is joined by Jon Bartman, Co-Founder of the Law Tech Consultancy. Together they discuss:  The increasingly common journey from lawyer to tech founder The fact that implementing tech is not just a big law play The challenges and opportunities brought by a crowded legal tech market The importance of legal tech founders having a realistic understanding of their marke...

This episode of Automates features values-driven Caitlin McFee, Head of Growth at Capacity. Caitlin explains:  Her reasons for getting behind the mission of Capacity and how it helps firms operate as better businesses That firms must look beyond 'wellbeing days' to truly transforming the experience of working in a law firm Using work allocation as a lever to affect change The inherent ch...

Our guest this episode is Greg Lambert, Chief Knowledge Services Officer at Jackson Walker, co-creator of 3 Geeks and a Law Blog and one half of The Geek in Review podcast, a true OG in the online legal sphere. Some standout points covered: The ease of information sharing within an industry as nuanced as the legal industry The merits of an emerging technologies committee How listening to and under...

This episode, Ben speaks to Bighand CMO Briana McCrory about all things marketing. Bri offers her perspective on: The importance of company culture in encouraging long staff tenures Building a marketing function around changing buyer behaviour Evolving from a single product company to a multi product company The value of data-led research reports at various stages of the buying journey Rapid growt...

Catriona Wolfenden talks us through her journey from reluctant solicitor to Product & Innovation Director at Weightmans.   Discussing the firm's (much to Ben's fascination) 34-strong Product & Innovation team, Catriona covers: Striking the right balance between virtual work and physically getting together with some sharpies and Post-Its. Maintaining culture when split across diff...

Our guest this episode is Jason Dirkx, Director of Practice Technology Solutions at Paul Hastings. Jason offers some excellent insights into the law firm/tech vendor relationship and the optimal set up for a law firm's tech & innovation department. Some snippets: Contrary to popular opinion, lawyers don't need to learn to code or prompt, leave it to the experts! The law firm of the f...

This episode of Automates features a coffee shop chat with none other than Catherine Bamford of BAM Legal. Ben and Catherine discuss: Best practices for assessing the tech landscape and selecting new solutions Bringing Knowledge Management back into the legaltech fold Overly tech-led innovation teams The essential practice of process mapping Embracing the complexity of legal processes without tryi...

Ben talks to Alex Hamilton, who shares the journey that led him to found Radiant Law in 2011, with a new approach to contracts using tech driven tools and a lean approach. Some takeaways:  Fixed fee pricing turns the focus to adding value for clients Relationships are at the centre of contracts, and contracts can kill relationships! Automation and technology frees up humans to apply creativity and...

Glenn LaForce, Chief Knowledge & Innovation Officer at Holland & Knight,  joins Ben on this episode of Automates, where he runs us through his illustrious career and discusses: Why you have to be aligned with your IT function in order to breed success How dorm-storming the firm from all angles can ensure a smooth rollout of tech updates The difference between conducting a proof of value vs...

This episode of Automates features a rare conversation outside of a pub environment for Ben Wightwick and Alex Smith, Global Product Lead at iManage. Alex gives an excellent insight to the structure and function of a product management team within a large Legaltech organisation. Topics include: The ability to execute change quickly once there is a firm foundation in place How market trends can som...

This episode's guest is Tessa Bartley, Head of Legal Technology at Charles Russell Speechlys, who tells us about the firm's new department called Advanced Client Solutions, alongside covering topics such including: Topics covered include: Knowledge becoming strategic again How experts in searching are poised to pivot to writing prompts Shifting your culture to one that accepts constant c...

Ben speaks to Nicole Bradick, Founder & CEO of Theory & Principle, a product design and development firm for the legal industry. Alongside a healthy dose of laughter and sarcasm, they discuss: The power of design thinking Building a varied and experienced team (not necessarily all from the world of legal!) How AI has moved on from simply implementing Chatbots Whether tech users always need...

In this episode of Automates, Ben speaks to Founder and CEO of Syntheia, Horace Wu, in a varied and candid conversation covering: Experimenting with GenAI and typical use cases  Did COVID shift people's attitudes towards transformation?  How technology has gone from 'keeping the lights on' to boosting efficiency  Cultivating a culture when working fully remotely Plus:  the smartest...

Ben catches up with Ryan McClead of Sente Advisors, for this episode of Automates.  Ben and Ryan discuss the ins and outs of innovation including:  • Where is GenAI on the hype cycle?  • Upskilling for GenAI adoption  • Differences in approaches to innovation in the US vs UK and Europe  • The fine line between innovation and knowledge management  • The importance of mapping out your process before...

In this episode, Ben sat down with Cheryl Wilson-Griffin, who this week announced that her company Legal Tech Consultants has been acquired by LegalTechHub. A collaboration between bright minds that is one to watch! Cheryl shares her thoughts on: Non-sexy but essential legaltech Standing out in a crowded legaltech market Building internal advocates to scale adoption of technology within firms The...