Legally Speaking Podcast

On today’s Legally Speaking Podcast, I'm delighted to be joined by Jeremy Dein KC. Jeremy is one of the most highly regarded defence counsel in the country, specialising in serious offences including murder, terrorism and organised crime. He has dealt with multiple high-profile cases which have gained significant media attention, as described by chambers and partners. Jeremy is a fighter, and no case is too complex for him. He works tirelessly to ensure the right outcome. So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Jeremy discussing:- The Value and Misconceptions of Criminal Defence Work- An Urgent Need for Prison and Sentencing Reform- Technology’s Transformative Impact on Criminal Law- Advancing Diversity and Leadership in the Legal Profession- Passion and Mentorship: The Keys to Legal SuccessConnect with Jeremy Dein KC here - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-dein-kc-639385b5

On today’s Legally Speaking Podcast, I am delighted to be joined by Sue Wakefield. Sue is the Director and Head of Business Development at ZEDRA. She has over 30 years of experience working in the financial service industry, specialising in onshore trust structuring. Sue holds a number of leadership positions and is a member of STEP.So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Sue discussing:- Why Independent Escrow Providers Are In High Demand- The Importance of Escrow and Trust During Complex Transactions- Escrow Services Expanding Beyond M&A Into Other Industries- The Impact of Tech, Especially In Identification and Verification- Fixed Fees, Attractive Interest Rates and No Minimum Time RequirementsConnect with Sue here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sue-wakefield-tep-14232725

SuperPower Summit 2025: Where Law Meets Tech, Careers & Community What happens when you gather 400+ lawyers from across the UK and Europe, add five powerful tracks, and put diversity at the centre of the conversation? You get BCF25: The SuperPower Summit — the flagship event from the Black Counsel Forum. On our latest Legally Speaking Podcast ™️ LinkedIn Live (proudly sponsored by Clio), I was joined by Sharon Thomas, Founder of the Black Counsel Forum, who shared: 🔴 What makes BCF25 unique — and why it matters for the whole legal profession 🔴 Why the Future Tech & AI Track is a game-changer for Black lawyers 🔴 The biggest challenges facing early-career lawyers right now 🔴 How BCF is driving meaningful diversity and inclusion across the sector 🔴 Practical takeaways from the Career Mastery and SuperPower tracks 🔴 How to get involved and secure your place before tickets sell out Two takeaways: ✨ Innovation and inclusion aren’t separate; they fuel each other. ✨ Community is the true SuperPower for building lasting legal careers. 🎟 Don’t miss out, tickets are going fast 👉www.blackcounselforum.com

On today’s Legally Speaking Podcast, I’m delighted to be joined by Alex Baker. Alex is the Founder of Legal Tech Collective and Legal Tech Foundry. With 20 years of experience in launching and building companies in the UK, Europe, Asia and North America, Alex is currently supporting start-ups in the legal and financial sector. He is passionate about building the future of legal services.So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Alex discussing:- The Urgency for Legal Tech Adoption- The Importance of Empowering Legal Tech Founders- What It Means to Be an AI-Native Law Firm- The Challenges for Traditional Firms- The Cost of Inaction (COI)Connect with Alex here - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/alexpbaker

On today’s Legally Speaking Podcast, I am delighted to be joined by Harsha Chandra Shekar, Vice President of Business Development at Clio and Kirby Oscar, Senior Vice President of Partnerships and General Manager at Scorpion. In June 2025, Scorpion, provider of digital marketing and technology solutions for law firms, announced its strategic partnership with Clio. The partnership solves the disconnect between marketing efforts and generative revenue - giving law firms full oversight from first contact with clients to closing the case.So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob, Harsha and Kirby discussing:- How the Strategic Partnership Between Clio and Scorpion Enhances Law Firm Growth - Integrating AI and Data to Unlock Deeper Marketing And Operational Insights - Collaboration Streamlining Lead Generation And Client Onboarding Processes - The Focus On ROI and Efficiency Driving Better Decision-Making for Law Firms - Evolving a Legal Tech Ecosystem and How it Brings More Innovation And Client-Centric SolutionsConnect with Harsha here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/harshacs1/Connect with Kirby here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirby-oscar-45263583/

On today’s Legally Speaking Podcast, I am delighted to be joined by Becca Horley.Becca is a specialist medical negligence solicitor at a national law firm. She has experience in complex serious injury matters, including brain, birth, psychiatric and fatal injuries. Becca utilises her LinkedIn platform to educate others on advocating for yourself, wellness and improving patient safety. She is passionate about professional empowerment and personal development. Becca was awarded ‘Solicitor of the Year 2025’ at the Birmingham Law Society Awards.So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Becca discussing:- Empathy And Personal Connection In Client Care - Technology Advancements In Medical Negligence Cases - Building Trust And Advocacy For Clients - Power Of Personal Branding On LinkedIn - Consistency And Self-Belief For Professional SuccessConnect with Becca here - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/rebeccahorley

On our final episode of LegalTechTalk Uncovered 2025, we have the honour of speaking with Mia Ihamuotila. She is a passionate advocate for legal design and a returning guest at LegalTechTalk. Mia is actively involved with the Legal Design Summit, promoting it as an inclusive, nonprofit space that fosters genuine human connection and collaboration. Mia emphasizes the importance of mindset, self-awareness, and inner dialogue in driving meaningful legal innovation, particularly when using tools like AI. At the 2025 conference, she participated in a panel on the legal innovator’s mindset and praised the event’s shift towards co-creative, panel-based discussions. Stay tuned at the end for an exciting preview of what’s to follow from here after this miniseries!🔍 We Discussed the Following Questions:❓What Have You Been Getting Up To Since We Last Had You On The Show❓What Is The Difference Between Legal Tech And Legal Design❓What Was Your Session About At Legal Tech Talk This Year❓What Surprised You Most About Legal Tech Talk 2025❓Where Can People Find Out More About The Legal Design SummitSo why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Mia discussing:- Legal Tech Talk Focused On Community Collaboration and Transformation- Legal Design Summit Promoted As Inclusive and Nonprofit Gathering- Panels Replaced Keynotes to Encourage Live Co-Creation and Jamming- Mindset and Inner Dialogue Explored As Core to Legal Innovation- Reset Room Highlighted for Mindfulness and Holistic Conference ExperienceConnect with Mia here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisamborsboom/

On today’s episode of LegalTechTalk Uncovered 2025, we get to speak with Maria M. Borsboom. She is a lawyer and the Vice President of the European Legal Tech Association (ELTA). At Legal Tech Talk 2025, she advocates for using legal technology to serve justice, promote legal literacy, and transform the legal profession through mindset shifts and system redesign. Passionate about inclusivity and innovation, she emphasizes the need for collaboration, stakeholder engagement, and a legal renaissance beyond just commercial tech use.🔍 We Discussed the Following Questions:❓In One Sentence, What Problem Are You Actually Trying To Solve In The World Of Law?❓What’s One Assumption About Legal Tech You Think Most People Get Wrong?❓What’s Been Your Biggest Surprise At Legal Tech Talk 2025 So Far?❓What Can We Expect From Legal Services That They Don’t Get Today?❓What’s Been Your Biggest Aha Moment Or A Standout Moment Thus Far For You?So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Marisa discussing:- Legal Tech Accessibility and Inclusion- Misconceptions Around Legal Technology- The Importance of Mindset Transformation- The Future of Redesigning a Justice System- Legal Literacy and Client EmpowermentConnect with Marisa here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marisamborsboom/

💡 You’ve built the brand. 📈 You’ve grown the audience. 💰 You’ve even got revenue coming in. But here’s the million-pound question… Do you actually own it? On our latest Legally Speaking Podcast ™️ LinkedIn Live (proudly sponsored by Clio), I chatted with Éamon Chawke and Cassine Bering from Briffa - Intellectual Property Lawyers, the team who helped secure the Legally Speaking Podcast™ trademark and protect the brand we’ve worked so hard to build. We covered: 🔴 A clear framework for protecting your brand before it’s too late 🔴 The real risks of delaying your IP strategy 🔴 How to embed long-term value into your brand from day one 🔴 The costly mistakes creators, founders & even legal pros make 🔴 Why IP is more than protection — it’s a valuation driver “Your brand isn’t just an idea — it’s an asset. But only if you protect it.” “Delaying IP protection is like leaving your front door open and hoping nothing goes missing.” If you’re a founder, creator, podcaster or scaling your side hustle — this is your wake-up call. 📌 Protect your assets. Secure your future.

On today’s episode of LegalTechTalk Uncovered 2025, we get to speak with Shennind Awat-Ranai and Maria Madara. They are key members of the dynamic team at KaurMaxwell, a modern, tech-forward law firm known for its agile approach and commitment to innovation. Shen brings a future-focused mindset, particularly with his background in Web3, and champions the integration of legal tech to boost efficiency and client value. Maria complements this with a sharp understanding of generative AI and a passion for streamlining legal processes through smart automation. Together, they represent the new wave of legal professionals embracing change and driving meaningful transformation in the industry.🔍 We Discussed the Following Questions:❓What are some of the biggest misconceptions lawyers still have about legal tech and AI?❓Why is attending events like Legal Tech Talk important for law firms, particularly smaller or more traditional ones?❓What challenges do larger law firms face when trying to adopt new legal technologies?❓What kind of tech-enabled changes do Shen and Maria predict for the legal industry by 2030?❓What’s missing from the current legal tech landscape, according to Shen and Maria?So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob, Shennind and Maria discussing:- How Law Firms Must Embrace Change To Stay Competitive- Why Legal Tech Will Do So Much to Improve Workload for Lawyers- The Importance Of Attending Conferences for Exposure and Innovation- The Need for Integrated, All-In-One Legal Tech Solutions- Future Legal Services Needing to Be Faster and More AutomatedConnect with Shennind here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shennind-awat-ranai-b26418141/?originalSubdomain=ukConnect with Maria here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-madara-96738365/?originalSubdomain=uk

On today’s Legally Speaking Podcast, I am delighted to be speaking with Priya Lele. Priya is a recognised global thought leader in legal technology, innovation and diversity. With experience as a Corporate Finance Lawyer, Director of Legal Transform and Operate at EY, Head of Legal Transformation at a regional law firm in Australia, and Legal Operations Client Solutions Lead at a global law firm in London, she has reshaped how legal services are delivered across continents.Priya is also the Co-Founder and Chair of ‘She Breaks the Law’, a global community of 4,000 women, collaborating to innovate the legal ecosystem.So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Priya discussing:- Priya’s Non-Traditional Legal Career & Innovation Journey- The inspiration behind "She Breaks the Law" - How technology, Especially AI, is Transforming Legal Services.- Diversity, Inclusion and the "No Woman Left Behind" Report- Leadership, Mentorship, and Advice for Future Legal ProfessionalsConnect with Priya here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/priya-lele/

On today’s episode, we are delighted to be speaking with Anna Balabina. She is the CFO and co-founder of casepal, a legal tech company focused on enhancing efficiency for lawyers through an enterprise-grade AI ecosystem. She is passionate about using technology to reduce repetitive legal tasks, such as document organization and information retrieval. At LegalTechTalk 2025, Anna emphasised that AI should be seen as a tool to support lawyers, not replace them. She values networking and gaining real industry insights through events like this, highlighting the growing momentum and innovation within the legal tech space.🔍 We Discussed the Following Questions:❓What Is One Problem You Are Trying To Solve In The World Of Legal?❓What Is One Assumption About Legal Tech You Think Most People Still Get Wrong?❓Which Of This Year's Themes Speaks Loudest To You Right Now And Why?❓What Do You Hope Will Be Finally Fixed In Law By 2030?❓Why Is It Important To Come To Conferences Like Legal Tech Talk?So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Anna discussing:- Legal Tech Is Enhancing Efficiency and Saving Time For Lawyers- AI And Technology Are Tools That Support, Not Replace, Lawyers- Law And Tech Revolution is a Key Theme Driving Innovation- Legal Tech Industry is Rapidly Growing With More Evolving Companies- Conferences Like LegalTechTalk Provide Valuable Insights and Networking OpportunitiesConnect with Anna here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-balabina/?originalSubdomain=de

On today’s episode, we get to speak with Aline Von Duering. Aline is an Off-Counsel at Bonnard Lawson in Dubai and serves as President of the Skill Board for AIJA, the world’s largest young lawyers’ network. She is dedicated to addressing mental health challenges in the legal industry by empowering young lawyers to drive cultural change. At Legal Tech Talk 2025, she highlighted the importance of collaboration, the need for greater tech understanding in law, and the role of legal tech in improving transparency and mental well-being across the profession. 🔍 We Discussed the Following Questions:❓ What’s The Problem You’re Trying To Solve Within The World Of Legal?❓ What’s One Assumption People Have About Legal Tech That’s Just Wrong?❓ Are There Any Sessions You’re Excited About Over The Coming Days?❓ What Will Clients Expect From Legal Services In 2030 That They Don’t Get Today?❓ What’s Been Your Biggest Aha Moment At 2025 Legal Tech Talk?So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Aline discussing:- Mental Health Remains A Major Challenge In The Legal Industry- Legal Tech Can Be Overwhelming Due To A Lack Of Knowledge And Resources- Collaboration Needs To Be Encouraged More Within The Legal Sector- Transparency Will Be A Key Expectation From Clients By 2030- The Growth And Improvement In Legal Tech, Especially In Data Security, Is PromisingConnect with Aline here - https://ae.linkedin.com/in/aline-von-duering

On today’s episode of LegalTechTalk Uncovered 2025, we have the honour of speaking with Kiyala Matanga. She is the Campus Vice President at the University of Law, London Moorgate, an SQE student, and a future trainee solicitor. She's passionate about helping aspiring lawyers position themselves for success, particularly by improving access to legal knowledge and opportunities. Kiyala actively uses platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok to share legal insights and support those at the early stages of their legal careers. She's especially focused on access to justice, legal education reform, and the importance of soft skills in the profession.🔍 We Discussed the Following Questions:❓ What Problem Are You Trying To Solve In Legal?❓ What Is One Assumption People Have About Legal Tech That Might Be Incorrect?❓ What Sessions Have You Most Enjoyed Or Are Looking Forward To At Legal Tech Talk?❓ Which Of This Year's Themes Speaks Loudest To You And Why?❓ What Do You Hope Is One Thing That’s Finally Fixed In Law Five Years From Now?So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Kiyala discussing:- Legal Tech Is More Accessible Than People Think- Law Firms Value Efficiency Over Novelty- Access To Justice Is A Central Theme- Legal Tech Complements Rather Than Replaces Lawyers- Legal Education Needs To Be More HolisticConnect with Kiyala here - https://uk.linkedin.com/in/kiyala-matanga-84281b217

On today’s Legally Speaking Podcast, I am delighted to be joined by Gus Neate.Gus is the CEO and Co-Founder of WilsonAI, an AI-driven platform designed to streamline legal operations for businesses. An engineer by background, Gus qualified as a Private Equity Lawyer at Clifford Chance. He has experience working in the product team at legal tech platform, H4 and multiple in-house legal teams.So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Gus discussing:- AI-Powered Legal Support and Making it Accessible- The Future Of Legal Professionals, Particularly Paralegals- Groundbreaking In-House Legal Transformations- Ethical AI Considerations Moving Ahead- Technological Legal Innovations from Wilson AIConnect with Gus here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gus-neate

On today’s episode of LegalTechTalk Uncovered 2025, we get to speak with Neeta Halai. She is a solicitor, trainer, and founder of New Heights Training. She's passionate about developing emotionally intelligent lawyers by combining legal expertise with human behaviour psychology, emotional intelligence (EQ), and language patterns. At Legal Tech Talk 2025, she moderated a panel on whether legal teams are falling behind in tech and led a workshop on authentic leadership in challenging times. Neeta emphasizes the importance of communication, connection, and EQ in navigating legal innovation. She’s also the author of Skilfully Passing the Solicitor's Qualifying Examination and offers a range of free resources through her website to support aspiring and practising lawyers.🔍 We Discussed the Following Questions:❓ How Do You Stop Your Legal Team Falling Behind The Curve?❓ What Roles Do Communication And Collaboration Play In Legal Innovation?❓ How Can Lawyers Lead With Authenticity In Challenging Times?❓ What Will Clients Expect From Legal Services In Five Years?❓ How Do Human Skills Impact Technology And AI Adoption In Law?So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Neeta discussing:- Importance Of Emotional Intelligence In Legal Practice- Bridging The Gap Between Technology And Human Connection- Creating Holistic, Well-Rounded Lawyers- Legal Innovation Requires Collaboration And Communication- Future Of Law Involves Embracing AI Without Losing The Human TouchConnect with Neeta here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/neetahalai/

On today’s episode of LegalTechTalk Uncovered 2025, we have the pleasure of speaking with Alice Flacco. She is the General Counsel at Microport Scientific, overseeing global legal operations. Speaking at LegaTechTalk 2025, she emphasised the need for legal professionals to embrace technology as a tool for efficiency, not a threat. Alice highlighted the evolving role of GCs as strategic leaders, likening them to orchestra directors managing both tech and human expertise. Despite her demanding role, she advocates making time for conferences to stay connected, learn, and grow. Her key focus is freeing up time to think by leveraging legal ops and innovation.🔍 We Discussed the Following Questions:❓ What is one major problem you're currently trying to solve in legal?❓ What common misconception do lawyers still have about legal technology?❓ Which of the six Legal Tech Talk themes resonates most with you and why?❓ What would you say to legal professionals who feel they don’t have time to attend conferences like this?❓ What is one thing you would like to see improved or fixed in legal services by 2030?So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Alice discussing:- Legal Tech Not Being the Enemy — It’s a Strategic Enabler- The GC Role Evolving From Legal Gatekeeper to Strategic Conductor- Time Investment in Conferences Yielding High ROI- How Efficiency Through Legal Ops & Tech Is Critical- Legal Innovation Being Tangible and RapidConnect with Alice here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aliceflacco/

On today’s episode of LegalTechTalk Uncovered 2025, we speak with Bernadette Bulacan. She is the Chief Evangelist at Icertis, a company focused on transforming contracts into strategic assets using AI-powered intelligent contracting. At Legal Tech Talk 2025, she emphasised the shift from static, paper-based contracts to dynamic, data-driven tools that help organizations make better business decisions. She discussed how legal teams now need contract insights to manage global issues like tariffs and supply chains.🔍 We Discussed the Following Questions:❓ How is Icertis leveraging AI to transform traditional contracts into strategic business tools?❓ What major changes has Bernadette observed in legal tech adoption over the past two decades?❓ In what ways are general counsel roles evolving to align more closely with enterprise objectives?❓ How will the integration of AI agents reshape legal practice and lawyer skillsets in the next five years?❓ What does Bernadette believe is essential for successfully transforming the legal industry?So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Bernadette discussing:- Transforming Contracts Into Strategic, AI-Powered Assets- Legaltech Adoption Accelerating Across the Industry- Growing Strategic Role of General Counsel- The Rise and Future Impact of AI Agents in Legal Practice- Why Collaboration, Data, and Technology are Important for Legal TransformationConnect with Bernadette here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bernadettebulacan/

On today's legally speaking podcast, I'm delighted to be joined by the wonderful Dr Kimberly harms. Dr harms is an international speaker with 30 years of dental, grief, conflict and transition management experience, she is an award winning Best Selling Author. She was the first woman president of the Minnesota Dental Association, and has served as the national spokesperson for the American Dental Association for 21 years. Dr harms is passionate about challenging societal norms surrounding death and end of life planning.So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Kimberly discussing:- End-Of-Life Planning Being An Act Of Love, Not Just A Legal Requirement- Transparent Communication Preventing Family Conflicts After A Loved One's Death- Emotional Legacy: As Important As Financial Inheritance- Confronting Death Openly Helping Families Process Grief More Effectively- How Personal Resilience And Forgiveness Can Transform Traumatic Loss Into Meaningful ImpactConnect with Dr. Kimberly Harms here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-harms-bb524666

On today’s episode of LegalTechTalk Uncovered 2025, we get the exciting opportunity to talk to Madeline Oldfield. Madeline (Maddie) Oldfield is the Head of Data Measurement and Analytics at Google, with a strong passion for civil justice and access to justice. With a background that includes working for the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and leading legal operations for a major Australian bank, she brings a unique blend of tech expertise and legal insight. At Legal Tech Talk 2025, she emphasized the importance of distinguishing between unmet need and unmet demand in the legal space and advocates for leveraging technology to address systemic gaps in civil justice.🔍 We Discussed the Following Questions:❓ What is one problem you are trying to solve in the world of legal?❓ What has been your most surprising moment of the conference?❓ Which of this year's Legal Tech Talk themes resonates most with you and why?❓ Where do you hope legal services will be in five years' time with legal technology?❓ What strategies or actions do you suggest for addressing the problem you're focused on?So why should you be listening in? You can hear Rob and Madeline discussing:- Focus on Access to Justice for All- Madeline’s Cross-Sector Legal Tech Passion- A Call to Action for Civic Engagement- Global Comparison in Legal Tech Usage and Plans- An Exciting Vision for 2030Connect with Madeline here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelineoldfield/?originalSubdomain=au