File Notes

From helicopter pub crawls in Southland to getting kicked out of university, building a computer business, selling it to a global giant, moving to Malaysia, then abandoning an entire market after discovering firms ran two sets of books, Doug Thomson’s journey eventually led him home to build OneLaw, one of New Zealand’s most trusted legal software systems. We cover:• How a Southland farm kid becam...

Nick Abrahams has had one of the most unconventional careers in law. From starting a comedy club in Tokyo to attending film school in Los Angeles, helping run a dot-com during the boom (and bust), then returning to the law to become a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright, Nick has built a powerful and unique personal brand. We cover: How a Tokyo comedy club and sitcom became part of Nick’s legal detou...

Hunter Steele grew up surrounded by small law. Now, as the founder and CEO of Smokeball , he’s built a legal tech company that helps small firms get more work done in less time. From his early days shadowing his father in a three-person law firm to knocking on doors in Naperville, Illinois, Hunter shares the journey of how Smokeball found product-market fit, expanded across three countries, and be...

Early Stephens didn’t think legal tech would be exciting. Now, as CEO of Actionstep , he’s leading one of the fastest-scaling legal tech companies.  From his early days in tech to learning from industry legends like Dave Duffield, Early has built his career around strategy, competition, and making the right moves. He shares how Actionstep tripled its team in just two years, why giving ownership to...

Helen Mackay , founder of Juno Legal , joins us to talk about why she built a different kind of law firm. After working in-house for Nestlé and Novartis in London and later leading IPOs as a General Counsel in New Zealand, Helen saw firsthand that traditional law firms weren’t designed for lawyers who wanted flexibility. So, she built one that was. ‍ Juno Legal has grown from three lawyers to 33,...

Mary Inman , a leading expert in whistleblower law with over 30 years of experience, joins us to share her incredible journey. As the founder of Whistleblow Law, Mary has dedicated her career to championing those who expose fraud and corporate misconduct. She’s played pivotal roles in high-profile whistleblower cases, including Theranos and Hyundai, and has worked globally to expand whistleblower...

David Lisitsa, founder and director of NewLaw and an expert in legal technology, walks us through the essential steps to implement a legal tech stack tailored to your firm’s needs. From understanding your firm’s requirements to evaluating different software, implementing and training, and optimizing systems post-implementation, this episode is packed with actionable advice. How to identify your fi...

Caralee Fontenele shares her incredible journey from starting law school in her 30s to taking over a law firm with significant debt and transforming it into a thriving seven-figure practice. Her story highlights determination, smart decision-making, and a passion for helping other law firm owners grow their businesses while avoiding burnout. We cover: How she balanced studying law, raising three c...

Jack Newton, CEO of Clio, shares the pivotal moments and strategic insights that propelled Clio from an ambitious startup to a global leader in legal technology. From pioneering cloud-based legal practice management software to reshaping the way law firms operate, Jack’s story is a masterclass in innovation. Jack also discusses how Clio’s evolution mirrors the broader transformation needed in the...

Missed calls could be costing your law firm more than you think. Recent data from Clio’s Legal Trends Report shows how poor client communication is driving potential clients away—and it's more common than you'd expect. William Burry, CRO of VXT, joins Sophie to discuss these findings and explore practical solutions for improving client interactions. From the rise of automation in legal services to...

Shane Goudey takes us on a journey through Silicon Valley's venture fund landscape, from the rise and fall of the dot-com boom to navigating the economic downturns that have since followed. Growing up in Wyoming and influenced by his attorney mother, Shane's path into venture law was anything but typical. In this episode, he shares the lessons learned from his time on Capitol Hill, his shift into...

From people wearing fishbowls on their heads to legends in the legal industry like Jake Gyllenhaal and Camille Vasquez, Filevine’s LEXSummit had it all. But one thing stood out: the phones never stop ringing for personal injury attorneys. So, what happens when first impressions fall through? Here’s the reality: calls are flying in—but how quickly are you answering? How many are slipping through th...

The ALPMA Legal Conference just wrapped up in Brisbane, and VXT was right there in the thick of it. Here's what we learned: Clio’s poised to make a big impact in APAC—watch this space. Actionstep owned the floor with mid-sized firms, while Smokeball took over the smaller ones. Yes, there was a masseuse and a pop-up hair salon. And yes we did partake. Oh, and keynote speaker who survived 6 year...

In this episode, we delve into the importance of branding and digital marketing for law firms with marketing expert Ava Emdadian. Ava shares her career journey from technology marketing to founding Legal Galaxy Marketing, focusing on the unique needs of law firms. Key topics discussed include the shifting competitive landscape, the increasing importance of websites and digital lead generation, and...

In this episode of the File Notes podcast, host Sophie Svenson chats with Mollie Tregillis about the evolution of the legal industry amid rapid technological advancements and generational shifts. Mollie shares her unique career journey—from earning a media communications and law degree to leading a consulting practice in legal operations at Minter Ellison. Experiencing firsthand the "currency...

In this episode, we sit down with Sam Burrett, the AI lead at Minter Ellison, one of Australia’s most innovative law firms. Sam takes us on a journey through his unique role, blending his background in law and philosophy to shape the future of legal tech. We chat about the real impact of AI tools like chatbots and Microsoft’s CoPilot on both productivity and client service and dig into the nuances...

Robyna May takes us through her unique journey from aspiring journalist to a leading expert in legal operations innovation at Verlata Consulting. Robyna delves into the critical role of technology democratization in law firms, showcasing how tools like VXT, Power BI, and generative AI are revolutionizing operations and helping lawyers reclaim valuable billable hours. We explore strategies for seam...

When it comes to cyber attacks on law firms, it's not a question of if, but when. This sobering reality sets the stage for an insightful episode featuring Annie Haggar, who delves into the critical world of cybersecurity for legal professionals. In this discussion, Annie highlights the potential impacts of breaches on reputation and client trust. She shares her professional journey into cybers...

Ryan McKeen, founder of Connecticut Trial Firm, shares his journey from aspiring teacher to becoming a successful personal injury lawyer renowned for his firm's remarkable $100 million jury verdict in the Mikey Cruz case. Ryan discusses the pivotal role of technology in transforming law firms, from marketing strategies and scaling to identifying business opportunities and implementing cutting-...

In this episode, Cameron Madgwick shares his unplanned and diverse career journey, detailing his transitions in and out of the legal industry and his eventual rise to CEO of Gibson Sheet. Cameron begins by discussing his early career at Russell McVeagh and his subsequent roles with New Zealand Rugby, New Zealand Oil and Gas, Contact Energy and PEP ANZ. Each position provided him with valuable expe...

Amy Leong is a lawyer, podcaster, and advocate for female legal professionals to burn bright, not out. Amy shares her personal account of experiencing burnout, anxiety, and depression in what she thought was her dream job. She discusses the warning signs she ignored, the importance of a supportive workplace culture, and the steps she took to seek help and recover. ‍ Amy also delves into her journe...

Scott Moran shares his journey of making the hard decision to leave Duncan Cotterill, one of New Zealand’s largest law firms, after 28 years to establish his own boutique law firm, Moran Law . He discusses the challenges and lessons learned from opening the Duncan Cotterill office in Wellington and offers insights into effective leadership and maintaining a positive law firm culture. Scott also pr...

In this episode, we sit down with Renika Siciliano , the Executive Director of McCaw Lewis. Renika leads the firm's exceptional and passionate lawyers in the Te Tiriti o Waitangi and workplace law areas. Renika provides legal and strategic advice to clients across Aotearoa, New Zealand and has extensive experience in matters relating to Treaty settlement negotiations, Māori governance and iwi...

Joshua Reimer In this episode, we sit down with Joshua Reimer, the managing director and founder of Johnston Reimer Lawyers , for an insightful conversation about building and scaling a successful law firm from the ground up. Starting with just a small corner office 8 years ago, Joshua and his team at Johnston Reimer Lawyers have grown exponentially over the years, now boasting a team of 50 employ...

In this episode, we speak with Sarah Salmond , a commercial lawyer and Partner at MinterEllisonRuddWatts . Sarah found her calling in the world of international trade through a chance encounter while waitressing. Sarah gives us an insider's view of her intriguing journey, from her first exposure to World Trade Organization meetings in Geneva, to her stint at the OECD in Paris, and her transfor...