What makes a modern data platform actually work inside a law firm?

In this episode, Mark Thorogood, Director of Enterprise Data Operations & Software Engineering at Perkins Coie LLP, breaks down how his team moved beyond on-prem constraints to a DIY lakehouse and logical data fabric that unify insights across the firm. Drawing on lessons from the army and time at sea, Mark explains why standards, simplicity, and focusing on “critical data elements” beat boiling the ocean, and how a business glossary (not just a data dictionary) turns data into decisions.

Mark also shares the nuts and bolts: Databricks and Microsoft Fabric on Delta/Parquet, Denodo for virtualization, and Power BI on the front end, plus the outcomes that matter (costs cut to one-fifteenth, 12× more finished rows, and cycle times moving from months to sprints). We get into API realities (why you’ll cache), medallion-style layers (including their “copper” tier), portfolio-level budgeting beyond matter records, and what’s next with agentic AI producing defensible, explainable analyses across practice groups.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(01:34) Mark's career journey

(02:48) Lessons from the Army and sailing

(05:09) Leadership and team building

(06:21) The importance of data

(08:27) Building a data platform

(12:52) Implementing a lakehouse

(16:03) Architecture inspiration and choices

(17:47) Business glossary vs. Data dictionary

(22:03) Challenges in scaling and API performance

(23:24) Utilizing API data for enrichment

(26:37) Building and managing a data team

(28:52) Client portfolio budgets and AI integration

(30:43) Future of data analytics and AI in legal

(35:18) Virtualization and semantic layers

(36:50) Resistance to change and overcoming it

(38:57) Practical tips for data platform transition

Connect with our guest:

• Mark Thorogood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/methorogood/
• Learn more about Perkins Coie LLP: https://perkinscoie.com/

Connect with Tom:

• Tom Baldwin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tombaldwin/
• Learn more about Entegrata: https://www.entegrata.com

What good is a dashboard if no one’s using it?

In this episode, Jeannine Zito, senior manager of global knowledge solutions at Cleary Gottlieb, talks about how her background in banking shaped the way she thinks about data, strategy, and transformation inside major law firms. She gets into what happens when firms wait too long for the “perfect” data strategy, how information overload slows down adoption, and why the real driver of insight isn’t spreadsheets—it’s storytelling.

Jeannine also shares what it was like to move from JP Morgan into legal, what she learned rolling out a new intranet and firm directory in just nine months, and why the firms getting it right today are focused on building data cultures—not just tech stacks.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(01:09) Janine's career journey: from banking to law

(04:39) Challenges and epiphanies in data management

(11:11) The importance of data quality and context

(14:14) Leveraging data for strategic decisions

(23:49) Future of data and AI in legal industry

(33:54) Balancing immediate wins with long-term strategy

Connect with our guest:

• Jeannine Zito on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeannine-zito/
• Learn more about Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP: https://www.clearygottlieb.com/

Connect with Tom:

• Tom Baldwin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tombaldwin/
• Learn more about Entegrata: https://www.entegrata.com

What makes a data strategy actually work inside a law firm?

In this episode, Carrie Remhof, Director of Firm Intelligence at Troutman Pepper Locke LLP, shares what she’s learned from building, implementing, and reimagining legal data systems across 30+ firms. She talks about the real reasons legal tech projects succeed or stall, why data perfection is a myth, and how firms can adopt a “fail fast” mindset without compromising on risk.

Carrie also walks us through her unique journey from software engineer to legal tech leader, offering candid advice on hybrid profiling, AI adoption, and how to avoid “data hoarding.” Plus, she breaks down how her team used AI to unify attorney bios post-merger, why curiosity matters more than credentials, and what it takes to foster a culture of innovation in a conservative industry.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Intro

(01:20) Career highlights and key learnings

(02:43) Implementing and innovating with Foundation

(06:50) Challenges and strategies in legal data management

(18:31) Adapting to new features and data capture

(19:45) Hybrid profiling and use cases at Troutman

(22:32) Innovative solutions for mergers

(25:03) Fostering a culture of innovation

(31:54) Embracing AI and data projects

Connect with our guest:

• Carrie Remhof on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carrie-remhof-011a39b/
• Learn more about Troutman Pepper Locke LLP: https://www.troutman.com/

Connect with Tom:

• Tom Baldwin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tombaldwin/
• Learn more about Entegrata: https://www.entegrata.com