Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast

Latest Episodes:

How to Love Contracts, with Laura Frederick Jul 01, 2025

Show notes

Contracts are more than just legal documents; they’re stories of trust, risk, and negotiation. But how do you master the real-world skills that law school rarely teaches?
Welcome to “Meeting of the Minds – The Legal AI Podcast.” In this episode, Hal and Memme sit down with Laura Frederick, founder of How to Contract, to explore what it takes to draft, negotiate, and manage contracts in today’s tech-driven legal world. With over 25 years of experience and a fast-growing global platform, Laura brings a human, strategic lens to commercial contracting.
From viral cartoons and daily LinkedIn posts to billion-dollar deals, Laura shares how clarity, empathy, and creativity can change the way legal professionals approach their craft and how AI can support (but never replace) that nuance.
What You’ll Learn:

Why contracts are less about clauses and more about people
What most lawyers miss when negotiating operational terms
How Laura built a training movement with humor, cartoons, and daily content
The role AI plays in speeding up the small stuff so humans can focus on big decisions
How standard contract templates are reshaping negotiations and when to ignore them
Why junior lawyers need more than playbooks; they need context, confidence, and coaching

Episode Resources

Laura Frederick LinkedIn
How to Contract Website
Memme Onwudiwe on LinkedIn
Hal Marcus on LinkedIn
Evisort Website

Nothing Changes Until It Suddenly Does: Talking Legal AI with Bjarne Tellmann May 30, 2025

Show notes

The future of legal services is fundamentally changing, and AI is the reason for it. So, if one is to thrive in this new world, everything must change. In the latest episode of "Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast," hosts Memme Onwudiwe and Hal Marcus welcome Bjarne Tellmann, CEO of FjordStream Advisors and an experienced General Counsel and legal consultant, to explore the transformative impact of AI on the legal profession.
What You’ll Learn:

How AI advancement is exponentially transforming legal service delivery and business models
Why the traditional billable hour model faces disruption as AI capabilities expand
The essential skills modern General Counsel need - technology literacy and business acumen
How law schools must evolve to incorporate practical skills, technology training, and business education
Why cultural intelligence is crucial for legal leaders managing global teams
The opportunities for young lawyers to reshape legal services through technology and entrepreneurship
How legal departments must balance the "partner-guardian" tension while embracing technological change

This episode proves that winning the game of adapting is not just about how fast you do it, but about how well you do it.

Episode Resources

Bjarne Tellmann on LinkedIn
FjordStream Advisors Website
Memme Onwudiwe on LinkedIn
Hal Marcus on LinkedIn
Evisort Website

Transcending Fear & Building Community with Oyango Snell, Executive Director of CLOC Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

AI brings fear along with opportunity. When uncertainty reigns, how can you surpass the fear and come out stronger on the other side?
Welcome to “Meeting of Minds - The Legal AI Podcast.” In this episode, Hal and Memme sit with Oyango Snell, Executive Director of the Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC), to discuss his journey through the ins and outs of the legal profession and the crucial roles of legal operations and community in an increasingly AI-centric future.
What You’ll Learn:

How you can evolve from regular day-to-day operations to being a strategic part of the organization.
How LinkedIn and professional networking are a great tool for career opportunities in legal operations.
Why organizations should invest in legal operations to drive efficiency.
How to execute leadership by building a diverse and inclusive team based on competencies.
The need to build legal operation education initiatives like CLOC Academy.
How to leverage AI in the work space rather than fear its evolution.

Episode Resources

Oyango Snell LinkedIn
CLOC Website
Memme Onwudiwe on LinkedIn
Hal Marcus on LinkedIn
Evisort Website

Managing People, Legal, & AI with LaTanya Langley, CLO & CPO of Edgewell Personal Care Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

What does the intersection of HR, Legal, and AI look like? In this episode of "Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast," brought to you by Evisort, a Workday company, it takes the shape of an eye-opening conversation with LaTanya Langley - Chief Legal Officer and Chief People Officer at Edgewell Personal Care.
What You’ll Learn:

How to tap into the unique synergies of the HR-Legal intersection
The importance of adapting to and incorporating AI into legal education
Navigating the ethical implications of AI in legal and HR functions
The skill sets you need to thrive in the coming legal world
Why professional risks and unconventional opportunities can lead to career growth and innovation

For fresh perspectives on optimizing technology and AI use in legal, building a future-ready workforce, and leading with empathy, all you need to do is listen in.

Episode Resources

LaTanya Langley on LinkedIn
Edgewell Personal Care Website
Memme Onwudiwe on LinkedIn
Hal Marcus on LinkedIn

Evisort Website
Theme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

From Tech to Legal: Hopping Careers and Maximizing AI with Nancy Milinkovich of Tricentis Feb 25, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to "Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast," brought to you by Evisort. In this episode, Memme and Hal engage with Nancy Milinkovich, Senior Legal Operations Manager at Tricentis, exploring her unique journey from the world of tech to that of legal.
Nancy shines a light on how her beginnings at the telecommunications company, Nortel Network, built a strong foundation in the realm of cutting-edge technology, exposing her to the importance of embracing and adopting disruptive tech and AI solutions, no matter the industry, as well as highlighting how skills can transfer across seemingly unrelated fields.
The “Queen of Hopping Careers” further talks about how she made her way into legal, defying the traditional through self-learning, and how her understanding of people has taken her to the top; an understanding she values above all else.
Through the course of the conversation, she also helps unpack the ins and outs of AI application in the world of legal today - the right tools to choose, how teams can and should embrace the “gray” of AI, using conversation-based programs in new ways and how different stakeholders in legal practices require different levels of technology adoption to make the entire ecosystem function smoothly!
For eye-opening insights on the AI-Legal intersection today, and how to make the most of the moment, tune into this episode now!
Get involved and tune in to this insightful episode now.

Episode Resources

Nancy Milinkovich on LinkedIn
Tricentis Website
Memme Onwudiwe on LinkedIn
Hal Marcus on LinkedIn
Evisort Website

Building Bridges: How Modern GCs Connect Legal and Business Teams with Brittany Leonard Jan 17, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to "Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast," brought to you by Evisort. In this episode, Memme and Hal engage with Brittany Leonard, Executive VP for the Association of Corporate Counsel for Central Florida and a respected voice in the in-house legal community.
Brittany shares her journey from city government to becoming one of Florida's youngest general counsel, emphasizing how her business-first mindset transformed her approach to legal leadership. She discusses the importance of proactive problem-solving, building cross-departmental relationships, and embracing technology to drive business outcomes.
Known as the "GC of LinkedIn" for her influential social media presence, Brittany offers practical insights on breaking down silos between legal and business teams, leveraging AI and technology, and finding fulfillment in legal careers. Her perspective on the evolving role of general counsel and the future of legal operations provides valuable guidance for legal professionals navigating today's changing landscape.
If you're interested in learning how modern general counsel can drive business success while building meaningful relationships across organizations, this episode offers invaluable insights for legal professionals at all career stages.
Get involved and tune in to this insightful episode now.

Episode Resources

Brittany Leonard LinkedIn
Memme Onwudiwe on LinkedIn
Hal Marcus on LinkedIn
Evisort Website

2024 Year In Review Dec 20, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of Meeting of the Minds, hosts Hal Marcus and Memme Onwudiwe wind down as they reflect on a year of insightful conversations with great leaders in legal technology - Jen McCarron, Mike Haven, Scott Westfahl, Connie Brenton, Carol Hopperton, Harold Wu, Emily LaCroix and Debbie Reynolds.
Join in as they take another listen to evergreen insights from each thought leader, including:

The evolution of legal operations featuring insights from Jen McCarron.
The importance of data privacy regulations featuring insights from Connie Brenton.
The transformative impact of AI on the legal profession featuring insights from Mike Haven.
The role of empathy and Business Acumen in law featuring Scott Westfahl.
The importance of data governance and the risk associated with AI featuring Emily LaCroix.
The link between procurement and legal terms featuring Harold Wu.
The need for data cleansing for effective AI use as shared by Debbie Reynolds

Let’s take a walk down memory lane as the year comes to an end, shall we?
Guests BioJen McCarron is the president of the Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC) and a seasoned leader in legal operations, having previously led legal operations at Netflix. With a focus on the evolving landscape of legal operations, she emphasizes the importance of storytelling and data management in driving business outcomes. Jen’s leadership at CLOC underscores her commitment to advancing the profession and fostering innovation.
Mike Haven is a prominent legal operations leader and the former Global Head Legal Operations at Intel, recently transitioning into a similar role at Meta. As a past president of CLOC, Mike has been instrumental in shaping the legal operations field, particularly through his work on the Sense Collective.
Scott Westfahl serves as a Professor of Practice and the Faculty Director of Executive Education at Harvard Law School. His experience lies on the intersection of legal education and technology. Scott advocates for the development of human skills which are essential for lawyers to thrive alongside advancing technologies.
Connie Brenton is a trailblazer in the legal operations field, known for her leadership roles at major corporations, including NetApp, and as a co-founder of LegalOps.com. Connie’s extensive experience and community-building efforts within the legal operations space have been pivotal in fostering innovation.
Carol Hopperton is a seasoned legal operations professional with a diverse career that includes leading legal operations at Vonage and navigating the complexities of the legal landscape through various roles. Her insights into the practical aspects of legal operations, particularly in maintaining and optimizing implemented technologies, highlight the importance of continuous improvement in legal service delivery.
Harold Wu is the Chief Procurement Officer at T.Rowe Price, where he has successfully saved the company millions annually through strategic procurement practices. His insights into the changing dynamics of procurement, particularly the balance between cost savings and operational efficiency provide a fresh perspective on the interconnectedness of legal and procurement functions.
Emily LaCroix is the Global Data Protection Officer at Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance, where she focuses on the intersection of data privacy and legal operations. With a background that blends traditional legal roles with a focus on product and data governance, Emily offers a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities presented by AI.
Debbie Reynolds, known as the Data Diva is a consultant and advisor specializing in data privacy and governance. With extensive experience working with major law firms. Debbie’s insights into the complexities of data privacy laws and the importance of data cleansing are invaluable to organizations navigating the regulatory landscape. Her expertise in connecting data privacy strategies with practical implementation makes a sought-after voice in discussions about the implications of AI and data management in the legal field.
Episode Highlights

The Power of Storytelling in Legal Operations (06:25)

Jen McCarron emphasizes the role of storytelling in crafting data in legal operations and how that improves the communication of value, making it easier to collaborate and achieve the goals in an organization.

Embracing Human Skills in a Tech-Driven World (12:48)

Scott Westfahl shares why the ability to merge legal and soft skills is the evolution of work. His perspective on legal education reminds us that those who are able to blend technical skills with strong interpersonal abilities will be better positioned to succeed.

The Evolving Role of Procurement in the Legal Industry (20:32)

Harold Wu teaches that the legal industry must adapt to a new reality that allows for a closely knit collaboration with procurement in order to ultimately drive better business outcomes.

Balancing AI Enthusiasm with Governance (24:12)

Emily LaCroix’s insights balances the need for ensuring that the adoption of AI is properly explored while also safeguarding organizations from substantial risks.

The Importance of Data Cleansing for AI Success (27:56)

Debbie Reynolds emphasizes the need for data cleansing and warns against the danger of using unstructured data. She advises that the data fed into the AI systems must be quality and structured data to avoid ineffectiveness and potential AI pitfalls.

A New Chapter for Evisort (30:35)

The hosts reveal that Evisort has been acquired by Workday and that this acquisition aligns with the long-term vision of enhancing the value of contracts and legal documents across organizations. They express excitement as this development sets the stage for innovative advancements and shows the importance of integrating legal data with broader business functions.
Theme music: "Load" Copyright © 1996 by Hal Marcus.Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Data Is the Food of AI: Navigating Data Privacy and Emerging Tech with ‘The Data Diva’ Debbie Reynolds Nov 26, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to "Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast," brought to you by Evisort. In this episode, Memme and Hal chat with “The Data Diva” Debbie Reynolds, founder of Debbie Reynolds Consulting. This conversation explores the critical intersection of data privacy, AI, and emerging technologies.
Debbie shares her approach to advising major corporations like PayPal, Coca-Cola, and Uber on data privacy strategy. She emphasizes the importance of having strong data governance before implementing AI solutions, warning that "garbage in" leads to "junkyard out."
Using a creative barbecue analogy, Debbie explains how companies can navigate the complex patchwork of privacy regulations across jurisdictions. She offers practical insights on crafting effective data strategies and managing third-party relationships through contracts.
The conversation highlights how ChatGPT and similar tools have democratized AI, creating new privacy challenges that organizations must address. While many are excited about AI's operational potential, Debbie advocates for careful implementation and strong governance frameworks.
If you're interested in understanding how to balance innovation with data protection in the AI era, this episode offers valuable insights for legal professionals, privacy experts, and business leaders.
Get involved and tune in to this fascinating episode now.

Episode Resources

Debbie Reynolds on LinkedIn
Debbie Reynolds Consulting Website
Memme Onwudiwe on LinkedIn
Hal Marcus on LinkedIn
Evisort Website

Analyzing Risk With and From AI: Emily LaCroix on the Future of Insurance Contracting Oct 24, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to "Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast," brought to you by Evisort. In this episode, Memme and Hal engage with Emily LaCroix, Global Data Protection Officer at Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance. Recorded on-site at Harvard Law School during the Executive Innovation Summit, this conversation delves into Emily's unique career trajectory, including her transition from Chief Product Counsel to her current role.
Emily discusses the evolving landscape of data protection, emphasizing the importance of practical application in a complex regulatory environment. Though many of her colleagues are excited about the operational improvements, to remain ethical and compliant, perhaps uptake needs to slow down, and the introduction of strong governance needs to speed up!
She goes on to share innumerable insights on managing contracts as a core component of the insurance business and highlights her experiences in building compliance frameworks that integrate with business strategy.
If you're interested in exploring how AI tools are enhancing contract analysis, data governance, and risk management in the insurance sector, this episode is a must-listen.
Episode Resources

Emily Lacroix on LinkedIn
Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Website
Memme Onwudiwe on LinkedIn
Hal Marcus on LinkedIn
Evisort Website

“Savings, Risk, Friction, and Velocity” Procurement Insights from Harold Wu, CPO at T. Rowe Price Sep 19, 2024

Show notes

Welcome to "Meeting of the Minds - The Legal AI Podcast," brought to you by Evisort. In this podcast, we delve into the dynamic world of legal AI, exploring the critical intersection of law, business, and technology. Join our hosts, Memme and Hal as they converse with industry leaders, legal experts, and innovators to uncover the latest trends, challenges, and breakthroughs in contract management and AI-driven legal solutions.
In this episode, we're thrilled to welcome Harold Wu, Chief Procurement Officer at T. Rowe Price. Harold brings a wealth of experience in scaling operations and integrating technology to optimize business outcomes. Join us as we discuss Harold’s journey through the evolving landscape of procurement operations and the strategic role AI plays in enhancing efficiency and transparency within organizations.
Throughout the conversation, Harold shares his experiences on the frontlines of operational transformation, offering insights into the complexities of global operations in a rapidly changing digital world. He emphasizes the importance of leveraging AI to streamline processes, reduce risk, and improve decision-making across business units. Harold also delves into the challenges of maintaining compliance and operational consistency while scaling a global organization, highlighting the vital role of technology in achieving these goals.
With a career spanning various high-impact roles in technology and media companies, Harold has been at the forefront of integrating AI and legal technology to drive business success. His leadership in transforming operational frameworks and his strategic approach to implementing AI in contract management are reshaping how modern organizations approach legal operations.
If you're interested in how AI can revolutionize legal operations, enhance compliance, and drive business efficiency, this episode is a must-listen. Harold Wu’s expertise and forward-thinking perspective offer valuable insights for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of global business in the digital age.
Episode Highlights

0:00 - Intro
2:25 - Introduction to Harold Wu and T. Rowe Price
4:13 - Procurement Contracts: Legal vs. Commercial Perspectives
5:41 - The Necessity of Artful Legal Language
11:26 - The Art of Contract Negotiation: Bridging Legal and Business Needs
12:11 - Creating a Single Source of Truth: The Role of AI in Contract Management
18:01 - Navigating Regulatory Changes: The Power of Procurement-Legal Collaboration
21:25 - The Role of Commercial Terms in Cost Reduction
22:55 - Building a Knowledge Base for Contract Management
25:34 - Evaluating AI Tools for Contract Management
27:39 - Changes in Procurement Focus: Friction and Velocity
29:31 - Advice for Legal Leaders on Collaboration with Procurement

Episode Resources

Harold Wu Bio on T. Rowe Price Website
T. Rowe Price Website
Memme Onwudiwe on LinkedIn
Hal Marcus on LinkedIn
Evisort Website

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