Technology

Zach Abramowitz is Legally Disrupted

This is a podcast for the people who want to understand and shape the future of the law.

Hey there, I’m Zach Abramowitz and I am Legally Disrupted! 15 years ago, my legal career was disrupted by tech.

Today, I’m advising the some of the most influential legal service providers in the world on their AI strategy and investing in some of the promising #legalAI startups. Every week, I talk to the builders, founders, operators, and decision-makers driving change in a legal ecosystem being reshaped by AI. We don’t just revel in the gloriousness of AI — we do that too! But, we also break down complex ideas and separate signal from noise. Our content focuses on what’s real, what matters, and what everyone else is missing. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get disrupted!

Latest Episodes:

E21 - ChatGPT vs. Legaltech -- Who Will Win? Lawyer & Technologist Carolyn Elefant Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

This episode of Zach Abramowitz is Legally Disrupted features a conversation with lawyer and technologist Carolyn Elefant about whether legal specific tools and legacy software will be able to keep up with general applications like ChatGPT. In this episode:

The Rapid Evolution of AI in Law
The Future of AI in Legal Practice
Exploring AI Tools for Lawyers
Legal Research and AI Integration
The Impact of AI on Legal Research
The Future of Legaltech and AI

Learn More: Carolyn - https://lawofficesofcarolynelefant.com/ Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/ Follow Along: Carolyn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolynelefant/ Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

E20 - From Legacy ML To Generative AI: Serial Legaltech Entrepreneur Charlie Connor Mar 20, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Zach and Charlie delve into the rapid advancements in AI, particularly in the legal tech sector. The discussion transitions to the increasing caliber of entrepreneurs in legal tech and the acceleration of innovation in the field. They reflect on the evolution of legal AI from 2015 to 2023, noting the shift from mere ideas to full-blown products. The conversation also explores the potential for AI to reshape traditional legal processes, improve efficiency, and alter the way legal professionals approach their work, concluding with an optimistic outlook on the future of legal tech. In this episode:

The Rise of Legal Tech Entrepreneurs
AI's Impact on Legal Tech
Challenges and Opportunities in AI Adoption
The Evolution of Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM)
Applying Machine Learning in Legal Tech
Generative AI vs. Automation
AI as a Legal Assistant
Training Lawyers with AI
AI in eDiscovery
The Future of Legal Tech

Learn More: Charlie - https://gravitystack.com/ Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/ Follow Along: Charlie - https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlieconnor Gravity Stack - https://www.linkedin.com/company/gravity-stack-law-llc Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

E19 - Leya Just Rebranded As Legora: Chris Williams, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Community at Legora Mar 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Zach speaks with Legora's head of strategic partnerships and community, Chris Williams, about the rebranding journey and the strategic role of Legora in the AI-driven legal tech landscape. The discussion covers the responsibilities of his role, the transition from selling no-code, low-code platforms to generative AI, and the significant shift in how AI is transforming legal practices. The episode also explores differences between Legora and other AI tools like Harvey, the challenges and opportunities in the market, and the future direction for legal professionals using AI. Tune in to learn about Legora's mission to build the world's first truly collaborative AI for lawyers, enhancing strategic business development while reducing non-billable work. Discover:

The Role and Responsibilities at Legora
Transition from Selling Traditional Tech to AI
The Impact of Generative AI in Legal Tech
Rebranding from Leya to Legora
Collaborative AI for Lawyers
Adoption of AI in Law Firms and In-House Teams
Comparing Legora and Harvey
The Future of Legal Work with AI
Connecting with Legora at Legal Week
Career Opportunities at Legora

Learn More: Chris - Legora.com Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/ Follow Along: Chris - linkedin.com/in/chriswiiiiams/ Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

E18 - Why You Should Come to ILTA EVOLVE This April with Ogletree’s Josh Smith and Tanenbaum Keale’s Ken Jones Mar 10, 2025

Show notes

Zach, Ken and Josh talk about the upcoming three day conference in Myrtle Beach focusing on AI, Cybersecurity and Data Governance. Attendees will have opportunities to interact with cutting-edge AI companies and products.The event features specific presentations, including those by startup community members, covering practical AI applications in fields like legal finance, pricing, collections, and timekeeping.

Register - https://www.iltanet.org/live-events/evolve#speak Follow Along: Josh Smith https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuadsmithcissp/ Ken Jones https://www.linkedin.com/in/kennethejones/ Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz Learn More: https://www.legallydisrupted.com/

E17 - How AI Has Tech Companies Pivoting with Eleanor Lightbody, CEO of Luminance Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Zach interviews Eleanor Lightbody, the CEO of Luminance, about her journey from working at Darktrace to leading Luminance, a legal tech company. Eleanor shares insights from her four years as CEO, highlighting the transformative impact of AI in the legal tech space. They discuss Luminance's growth strategy, the development of their contract lifecycle management tool, and the shift from M&A-specific uses to a broader, more inclusive approach. Eleanor also delves into how generative AI is changing user expectations and behaviors, and emphasizes the importance of balancing current customer needs with future innovations through a specialized 'blue sky thinking' team. Follow Luminance's developments on LinkedIn, their website, and at key industry conferences like Legal Week.

Eleanor's Background
Journey at Darktrace
Transition to Luminance
Growth and Strategy at Luminance
Evolution of Luminance's Focus
Impact of Generative AI
Future Vision and Blue Sky Thinking

Learn More: Eleanor - https://www.luminance.com/team.html Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/ Follow Along: Eleanor - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-lightbody-69a6b784/ Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

E16 - How Biglaw Can and Should Partner with Early Stage Startups, with Ilona Logvinova and Evan Shenkman Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

In this engaging conversation, Ilona and Evan discuss their roles and experiences in leading innovation within their respective law firms, Cleary Gottlieb and Fisher Phillips. Ilona, the Director of Practice Innovation at Cleary, shares her journey from McKinsey to leading a transformation journey at Cleary. Evan, the Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer at Fisher Phillips, talks about his shift from labor and employment law into knowledge management and legal technology. The discussion covers their strategies for partnering with early-stage companies, the impact of generative AI on the legal industry, the importance of being thought leaders, and the challenges and opportunities of incorporating AI into legal practices. They also delve into the long-term benefits of working with startups, AI governance, and the future trajectory of AI in redefining the value proposition of the legal profession. Topics discussed:

IIona's Journey and Role at Cleary
Evan's Career Path and Role at Fisher Phillips
The Impact of Generative AI on Legal Tech
Pre-Generative AI Adoption Strategies
Evaluating Startups and Early Partnerships
Risk Management and AI Governance

Learn More: Ilona - https://www.pli.edu/faculty/ilona-logvinova-i2002979 Evan - https://www.fisherphillips.com/en/people/evan-shenkman.html Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/ Follow Along: Ilona - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ilonalogvinova Evan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evan-shenkman-5445123 Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

E15 - Could “AI For Lawyers” Catch on Faster with In-House Attorneys? Katya Fisher, CEO and Founder of Aracor Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

Katya Fisher introduces her journey from a practicing attorney to a tech entrepreneur. She shares her experience of building a successful law practice during the Great Recession and how she acquired a unique set of legal skills. Katya talks about the inefficiencies in the legal world that led her to build Aracor.ai, a legal tech product tailored for in-house counsel of investment firms such as venture capital funds, private equity groups, and family offices.

Learn More: Aracor - https://www.aracor.ai/ Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/ Follow Along: Katya - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katyafisher/ Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

E14 - Are the Lines Blurring Between DMS and AI? NetDocuments CPO Dan Hauck Dec 02, 2024

Show notes

In this episode recorded at the NetDocuments Inspire EMEA conference in London, Dan Hauck outlines the strides made in integrating AI into legal document management. The discussion begins with a reflection on a previous webinar and the decision to avoid common, simplistic AI solutions like chatbots, instead focusing on using LLMs for intelligent document tagging. The development and features of NetDocuments' AI suite, ndMax, are detailed, emphasizing automated processes like semantic search, document metadata enrichment, and contract summarization. The conversation also touches on the importance of embedding AI seamlessly into existing workflows to enhance the work experience for attorneys, improve client service, and retain top talent. Additionally, they explore future enhancements, the integration of custom legal applications, and the overarching strategy of simplifying AI use within the platform.

AI in Legal: A Thoughtful Approach
Developing ndMax: Tackling Legal Challenges with AI
The Shift to Semantic Search
Building Legal Apps with ndMax
AI Integration and Lawyer Experience
Simply Intelligent: The New Messaging

Learn More: Dan - NetDocuments.com Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/ Follow Along:

Dan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danhauck

Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

E13 - Are Law Firms Succeeding with GenAI? Joe Cohen, Director of Innovation at CRS Nov 28, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Joe Cohen, Director of Advanced Client Solutions at Charles Russell Speechlys, discusses his recent career change and the establishment of a new department at the firm focusing on legal tech, generative AI, legal project management, and process improvement. Joe details the triggers for creating the innovation department and the rapid adoption of generative AI platforms within the firm. He shares insights from the recent Legal Innovators conference panel, the impact of AI on value-based pricing, and its transformative potential on both the practice of law and business models. Joe also explores the challenges and future possibilities of AI in the legal sector, including data limitations and evolving regulatory landscapes.

Creating an Innovation Department
Generative AI Implementation
Value-Based Pricing and AI
Future of Legal AI and Data Challenges

Learn More: https://www.legalinnovators.co.uk/ Joe - https://www.charlesrussellspeechlys.com/en/people/j/joe-cohen/ Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/ Follow Along: Joe - https://www.linkedin.com/in/joecohen13/ Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

E12 - AI and the Future of Legal Ops with LegalOps.com Founders Jeff Franke and Connie Brenton Aug 27, 2024

Show notes

In episode 12 of Zach Abramowitz is Legally Disrupted, Zach interviews Jeff Franke and Connie Brenton, co-founders of LegalOps.com, ahead of their upcoming conference, "Running Legal Like a Business," in Las Vegas from September 3-6. The discussion highlights the evolution of legal operations, emphasizing the need for community and industry standards, which they aim to foster through their platform. Learn more about the conference "Running Legal Like a Business" - https://event-2024.legalops.com/ Learn More: Legal Ops - legalops.com, lawvision.com Zach - https://www.legallydisrupted.com/ Follow Along: Zach - linkedin.com/in/zachabramowitz

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