Episodes

  • Season 11, Episode 4: S.E.E. Communications are the Key to Legal Operations Success (ft. Jeffery Kruse)
    May 19 2025

    Think legal ops success is all about tech and processes? Think again. In this episode, Jeffery Kruse reveals why communication is the real game-changer—and how lawyers can ditch complexity for clarity that actually moves people.

    Continuing our Legal Operations series, Jeffrey joins Olga Mack to break down the C Framework: Simple, Easy, Effective communication that drives real results. From law firms to Fortune 100 companies, Jeffrey shares how better messaging can turn good ideas into real-world action—and why speaking “business” matters just as much as speaking “law.”

    In this episode, you’ll learn:

    • How to communicate clearly in a way that drives change

    • Why legal teams must speak the language of business, not just law

    • The real difference between change management and “improvement management”

    • How to influence without authority—and boost adoption rates

    • Practical tips to simplify presentations, messaging, and strategy

    If you're ready to lead better, get buy-in faster, and make legal ops work for everyone, this conversation is your blueprint. Tune in for smart, actionable advice on building communication muscles that actually make a difference.

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    40 mins
  • Season 11, Episode 3: The Business Wants LegalTech They Just Don't Know It Yet (with Chad Aboud)
    May 15 2025

    Think lawyers hate legal tech? They don’t—they just don’t know how much they need it yet. In this episode, Chad Aboud reveals how to sell legal tech into corporate legal departments and drive adoption that actually sticks.

    Continuing our Legal Operations series, Chad joins Olga Mack for a candid conversation about what really works (and what doesn’t) when bringing new solutions into legal teams. From building internal champions to avoiding post-sale burnout, Chad shares a playbook grounded in empathy, curiosity, and community-building.

    In this episode, you’ll learn:

    • How to sell into legal without selling out your values

    • Why pre-agreeing on “wins” smooths tech rollouts

    • How to build first versions that leave room for growth

    • Ways to engage sales, finance, and account management post-sale

    • How to become a trusted sounding board for lonely legal teams

    If you're ready to turn resistance into momentum—and move legal teams from “maybe” to “let’s go”—this episode is your essential guide. Tune in for real-world strategies, fresh perspective, and a smarter way to sell and implement legal tech.

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    41 mins
  • Season 11, Episode 2: Ops-Course You Can! (with Tanisha Minev)
    May 12 2025

    Think legal ops is just a buzzword? Think again. In this episode, Tanisha Minev shows how smart legal operations can scale your team without burnout—and why the future of law is lean, tech-savvy, and human-first.

    Continuing our Legal Operations series, Tanisha joins Olga Mack to break down what operational efficiency really looks like inside high-growth, fast-paced companies. From AI workflows to lean principles, Tanisha shares the real moves that legal teams can make today to work smarter, not harder.

    In this episode, you’ll learn:

    • How to scale legal teams with less friction—and more impact

    • Where AI and automation fit into real-world legal workflows

    • Why legal ops isn’t a project—it's a mindset shift

    • How to build people-centered legal teams that drive business outcomes

    • How to turn lean legal theory into real-life results (without the jargon)

    If you're ready to ditch busywork and future-proof your legal team, this episode is your playbook. Tune in for a sharp, energizing conversation packed with practical tools and big inspiration.

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    34 mins
  • Season 11, Episode 1: What Clients Really Should Expect From Their Outside Counsel (with Brent Dyer)
    May 9 2025

    Is guilt running your legal career? In this bold episode, Brent Dyer shares why it’s time for lawyers to drop guilt, perfectionism, and people-pleasing—and lead with emotional intelligence instead.

    Closing out our Legal Operations series, Brent and Olga Mack dive deep into the emotional traps that sabotage lawyers' success and how to replace them with clarity, confidence, and self-trust.

    In this episode, you’ll discover:

    • Why guilt is a terrible strategy (and what to use instead)

    • How perfectionism and people-pleasing sneak into legal work

    • How to take up space with authenticity, not performance

    • Why emotional intelligence is the real edge in client service

    • How to build boundaries without apology

    If you're ready to stop second-guessing yourself and lead with purpose, this conversation is your starting point. Tune in for a raw, practical guide to reclaiming your power in the legal world—and beyond.

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    38 mins
  • Season 10, Episode 10: Why Authenticity Matters in Law (with Hannah Beko)
    Nov 13 2024

    Have you ever wondered how authenticity could transform the legal profession? Discover why being true to yourself is a game-changer for lawyers in this episode with Hannah Beko. As part of the "Legal Operations in the Age of AI and Data" book tour, we invite you to explore how authenticity can revolutionize the legal field.


    Join us for an enlightening session with Hannah Beko, a commercial property lawyer and founder of Authentically Speaking. With years of experience coaching and training thousands of lawyers, Hannah is an authority on professional skills development. She’s also the author of The Authentic Lawyer, a podcast host, keynote speaker, and Head of Mission at Legal Studio Solicitors. In this episode, Hannah shares her invaluable insights on the significance of authenticity in law and how it can enhance your professional life.


    In this episode, you'll gain:

    • An understanding of why authenticity is crucial for lawyers.
    • Insights into the historical reluctance towards authenticity in the legal profession.
    • Knowledge on how being authentic improves work relationships and mental health.
    • Practical steps for lawyers to embrace authenticity.
    • Insights on how authenticity impacts leadership in law firms.
    • Tips for junior or aspiring lawyers to be authentic from the start.


    Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from an industry expert. Tune in to this engaging, fun, and educational discussion that promises to provide valuable insights and practical advice on embracing authenticity in the legal profession. Whether you're a seasoned lawyer or just starting, this episode will help you unlock the power of authenticity in your career.

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    31 mins
  • Season 10, Episode 9: Breaking Boundaries: Empowering Lawyers Beyond Legal Roles (with Neil Handwerker and Kimberly Fine)
    Nov 11 2024

    Are you a lawyer looking to explore new career horizons? Or perhaps you're intrigued by the innovative solutions transforming the legal profession? Join us for an insightful episode with Neil Handwerker and Kimberly Fine, visionary co-founders of ex judicata, a platform revolutionizing how lawyers transition into nonlegal roles and offering comprehensive solutions for those seeking new career paths.


    In this episode, we dive into the motivation behind ex judicata and explore why Neil and Kimberly created this groundbreaking platform. We’ll uncover the significance of their work in today’s evolving legal landscape, discuss the challenges within the legal profession, and discover why more lawyers are considering nonlegal opportunities.


    Key Takeaways:

    • Understanding the Shift: Gain insights into why lawyers are increasingly seeking alternative careers and the driving factors behind these shifts.
    • Exploring New Career Paths: Learn about the variety of nonlegal roles available for lawyers and how ex judicata facilitates these transitions, offering support through a unique career diagnostic tool and personalized coaching.
    • Engaging with Talent Executives: Understand how ex judicata connects lawyers with hiring executives and the strategies used to ensure successful placements, leading to fulfilling career pivots.


    This episode is a must-listen for anyone contemplating a career shift or simply curious about the future of legal careers. Hear from Neil and Kimberly as they share their experiences and expertise, offering valuable advice for lawyers ready to explore new professional avenues.

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    38 mins
  • Season 10, Episode 8: Supercharge Your Law Firm with AI Legal Assistants (with Tom Martin)
    Nov 6 2024

    Ready to revolutionize your legal practice? Join us for an electrifying episode on Notes to My (Legal) Self as we explore “Supercharge Your Law Firm with AI Legal Assistants,” featuring Tom Martin, CEO of LawDroid and a trailblazer in legal tech innovation.


    In this can't-miss episode, Tom takes us through the transformative potential of Generative AI in legal practice. With his extensive expertise as a legal AI advocate, lawyer, and founder, Tom highlights how AI can turbocharge your law firm’s efficiency and deliver innovative solutions to traditional challenges.


    Key Takeaways:

    • The Power of Generative AI: Understand how AI legal assistants can enhance your firm's productivity by automating routine tasks and improving client interactions.
    • Real-World Applications: Explore practical use cases of AI in law firms, from lead generation and intake to client communication and document automation.
    • AI's Role in Legal Innovation: Dive into the future of legal services and learn how AI can streamline workflows, allowing lawyers to focus on high-value work.
    • Security and Privacy Concerns: Learn about safeguarding client data when using AI tools and ensuring privacy is protected through encryption and other measures.


    Tom also shares his passion for empowering the legal community through education. He explains how LawDroid’s platform simplifies AI adoption for law firms, making it accessible and intuitive. Whether you’re new to AI or looking to deepen your understanding, Tom’s insights provide a roadmap for embracing AI legal assistants to elevate your practice.


    Practical Next Steps:

    • Explore the potential of AI by experimenting with tools like LawDroid to automate intake and client communications.
    • Understand the importance of data privacy and security by reviewing vendor agreements and ensuring data encryption in your AI applications.
    • Stay curious and continue learning with resources like the LawDroid Manifesto newsletter and LawDroid University, which offer in-depth education on AI’s applications in law.


    Join us for this transformative conversation and discover how to supercharge your law firm with AI legal assistants. Don’t miss the opportunity to stay ahead in the ever-evolving legal landscape!

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    42 mins
  • Season 10, Episode 7: Standard Contracts: Benefits, Challenges, and the Path to Adoption (with Jake Stein)
    Nov 4 2024

    Ready to dive deep into the world of standard contracts and their potential to revolutionize the legal industry? Join us for an enlightening episode of Notes to My (Legal) Self as we explore “Standard Contracts: Benefits, Challenges, and the Path to Adoption,” featuring Jake Stein, co-founder and CEO of Common Paper.


    In this episode, Jake takes us on a journey through the conception, development, and adoption of standard contracts, offering valuable insights into how these standardized agreements could streamline legal workflows, reduce friction, and create a more efficient legal process. We’ll also address the tension between standardization and the need for customization, exploring how lawyers can balance the two.


    Key Takeaways:

    • The Road to Standardization: Discover the journey from ideation to broad acceptance of standard contracts across industries.
    • Impact on Legal Practice: How standard contracts can simplify negotiations, shorten timelines, and allow lawyers to focus on high-value work.
    • Balancing Standardization and Customization: Learn how standards can exist alongside bespoke negotiations, offering efficiency without sacrificing leverage.
    • The Role of Technology: Explore how contract standardization in technology compares to law, where complexity often requires unique solutions.


    Jake also shares his experiences working with lawyers, highlighting that the problem isn't the people—it’s the system. The friction in contracts often stems from a lack of standardization, leading to inefficiencies and opaque agreements. Drawing on examples from real estate and venture capital, Jake emphasizes how standardized contracts can bring transparency, speed, and consistency to legal transactions.


    Whether you’re a legal tech enthusiast, a practicing attorney, or just curious about the future of law, this episode provides a comprehensive look at how adopting standard contracts could reshape the industry and increase access to efficient legal services.


    Practical Next Steps:

    • Consider adopting standard contracts for routine transactions like NDAs, sales agreements, and early-stage fundraising.
    • Evaluate how implementing standards could accelerate your legal processes and benefit both your firm and your clients.
    • Explore partnerships with associations and platforms like Common Paper to help drive the adoption of these standards in your practice.


    Join us for this engaging and thought-provoking discussion. Don’t miss out on learning how standards can provide that “free lunch” of efficiency, benefiting you, your clients, and the entire legal ecosystem.

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    38 mins