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Stephanie Corey

UpLevel View

A Careers and Business podcast

#164 in Careers · 🇦🇪
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About the show

Amidst the innovation renaissance in Legal Operations, it's natural to feel overwhelmed. Luckily, the UpLevel View podcast has got you covered! Join UpLevel Ops experts each month for exclusive interviews and unique insights from those who have been there and done that in Legal Ops. We'll be sharing guidance on upping your game as an effective corporate legal leader, straight talk about legal technology, and actionable ways to break out of your comfort zone and take your career to the Next Level. Don't miss a thing - subscribe to the UpLevel View podcast and improve your legal leadership vision today!

Newest episodes

Raising the Bar: What Legal Departments Should Expect from Their Technology and Outside Counsel

38 min

Nathan Wenzel and Craig Raeburn, founders of Legal Operator.ai and previously of Simple Legal, join Stephanie Corey to argue that Legal Ops has the equation backward. Instead of doing more with less, AI should be pushing legal teams to demand more from their technology vendors and their outside counsel. The conversation covers why software prices should fall even as expectations rise, why invoice review has outgrown line-item policing, and why the hourly rate won't die in one dramatic moment so much as quietly erode. Key Takeaways Technology expectations should keep rising, not level off. AI and deep integrations, think Slack, Teams, Outlook, and now MCP connections, mean software should all but disappear into the work instead of becoming one more tool to log into. Software prices should come down, but not because of a race to the bottom. AI lets companies be built, staffed, and operated differently, and that structural shift is what makes lower prices sustainable. Invoice review is overdue for a rebuild. Instead of flagging block billing line by line, AI can organize the work so the real question in-house teams ask becomes whether outside counsel is headed in the right direction. The hourly rate won't disappear in one moment. It erodes quietly, the same way e-signatures already pulled work away from billable hours, as in-house teams route more demand to AI, automation, and alternative providers. Legal Ops has an opening to lead enterprise AI strategy, not just adopt whatever technology the business hands down, a real flip from legal's old place as the last department to get new tech. Links and Resources LegalOperator.ai: legaloperator.ai Legal Operations Consulting, UpLevel Ops: uplevelops.com Thought Leadership articles at UpLevel Ops: uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership UpLevel View Podcast home page: uplevelops.com/uplevelviewpodcast Keywords legal ops technology expectations, AI in legal operations, outside counsel management, invoice review AI, legal te...

AI Without the Burnout: Helping Legal Teams Absorb Change

28 min

Samridhi Jain, staff writer at Legal Tech Hub, joins Brandi Pack to talk about change fatigue, the part of AI adoption nobody wants to plan for. They dig into why access to a tool is only the first step, how leaders can tell the difference between healthy AI use and burnout, and why going back to the basics matters more than chasing the newest agent. Key Takeaways Look internally before looking outward. Before adopting a new process or buying a new tool, map your current workflows and find out where the real friction lives. Not everyone needs to be a super user, and that's fine. A bell curve of AI adoption, roughly eighty percent base users, ten percent app users, ten percent power users, is a healthy and common pattern. Protect the people who move slower instead of turning adoption into a competition. Efficiency gains can become a trap. Automating tasks just to fill the freed-up time with more work leads to burnout even among the most enthusiastic users. Ask where the saved time is actually going. AI readiness starts with data and process hygiene, not agents. Teams that skip playbooks and clean data to jump straight to agentic tools are codifying bad process at a faster speed. ROI measurement needs a human column. Track adoption and efficiency, but also track how people feel about the tools. A dashboard that shows satisfaction dropping as automation rises is telling you something important. Links and Resources Legal Operations Consulting | UpLevel Ops: uplevelops.com (http://uplevelops.com/) Legaltech Hub: legaltechnologyhub.com (http://legaltechnologyhub.com/) Samridhi Jain on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/samridhi-jain-samridhi-writes-legally (http://linkedin.com/in/samridhi-jain-samridhi-writes-legally/) "Change Fatigue in Corporate Legal: Introducing AI Without Losing Your Team," Legal Tech Hub: legaltechnologyhub.com/contents/change-fatigue-in-corporate-legal-introducing-ai-without-losing-your-team (http://legaltechnologyhub.com/contents/change-fatigue-...

What's Next for Legal Ops? Staying Ahead Through the Next Wave of Change

35 min

To mark UpLevel Ops' tenth anniversary, Stephanie Corey sits down with longtime friend Reese Arrowsmith, Executive Vice President of Legal Operations and Administration at Fox, to look back at how far legal ops has come and ahead at what's next. The conversation moves from the earliest days of the profession to document management as the unglamorous foundation for AI, and closes with concrete advice on the skills legal ops leaders need to stay indispensable. KEY TAKEAWAYS Legal ops has already proven its ROI. The job now isn't proving value, it's telling that story loudly enough to change the mind of every GC still on the fence about hiring for the function. AI is only as useful as the body of knowledge behind it. Document management, version control, and basic data hygiene are the unsexy prerequisites that have to happen before any AI layer adds real value. Adoption is harder than rollout. The key to getting a legal team to actually use a new system is finding the trigger moment, a departure, a lost document, a leadership scare, and striking while it's fresh. AI won't replace legal ops, it will expand it. Legal ops is the only function that sits across people, process, tech, and spend, which puts it in position to lead enterprise AI strategy instead of just adopting whatever comes down from the business. Career growth in legal ops now runs through network, quick wins, and information security. Build relationships early, bank small wins for your GC, and get comfortable partnering closely with your CISO. LINKS AND RESOURCES UpLevel Ops: uplevelops.com "AI Doesn't Need Your Data, It Needs Your Workflow" by Brandi Pack, Above the Law: abovethelaw.com/2026/08/ai-doesnt-need-your-data-it-needs-your-workflow KEYWORDS legal ops evolution, legal operations profession, document management legal, knowledge management legal, AI in legal departments, legal ops and AI, legal ops career skills, legal ops adoption strategy, ACC benchmarking legal ops, legal ops value pr...

Similar podcasts

All episodes

Raising the Bar: What Legal Departments Should Expect from Their Technology and Outside Counsel

38 min

Nathan Wenzel and Craig Raeburn, founders of Legal Operator.ai and previously of Simple Legal, join Stephanie Corey to argue that Legal Ops has the equation backward. Instead of doing more with less, AI should be pushing legal teams to demand more from their technology vendors and their outside counsel. The conversation covers why software prices should fall even as expectations rise, why invoice review has outgrown line-item policing, and why the hourly rate won't die in one dramatic moment so much as quietly erode. Key Takeaways Technology expectations should keep rising, not level off. AI and deep integrations, think Slack, Teams, Outlook, and now MCP connections, mean software should all but disappear into the work instead of becoming one more tool to log into. Software prices should come down, but not because of a race to the bottom. AI lets companies be built, staffed, and operated differently, and that structural shift is what makes lower prices sustainable. Invoice review is overdue for a rebuild. Instead of flagging block billing line by line, AI can organize the work so the real question in-house teams ask becomes whether outside counsel is headed in the right direction. The hourly rate won't disappear in one moment. It erodes quietly, the same way e-signatures already pulled work away from billable hours, as in-house teams route more demand to AI, automation, and alternative providers. Legal Ops has an opening to lead enterprise AI strategy, not just adopt whatever technology the business hands down, a real flip from legal's old place as the last department to get new tech. Links and Resources LegalOperator.ai: legaloperator.ai Legal Operations Consulting, UpLevel Ops: uplevelops.com Thought Leadership articles at UpLevel Ops: uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership UpLevel View Podcast home page: uplevelops.com/uplevelviewpodcast Keywords legal ops technology expectations, AI in legal operations, outside counsel management, invoice review AI, legal te...

AI Without the Burnout: Helping Legal Teams Absorb Change

28 min

Samridhi Jain, staff writer at Legal Tech Hub, joins Brandi Pack to talk about change fatigue, the part of AI adoption nobody wants to plan for. They dig into why access to a tool is only the first step, how leaders can tell the difference between healthy AI use and burnout, and why going back to the basics matters more than chasing the newest agent. Key Takeaways Look internally before looking outward. Before adopting a new process or buying a new tool, map your current workflows and find out where the real friction lives. Not everyone needs to be a super user, and that's fine. A bell curve of AI adoption, roughly eighty percent base users, ten percent app users, ten percent power users, is a healthy and common pattern. Protect the people who move slower instead of turning adoption into a competition. Efficiency gains can become a trap. Automating tasks just to fill the freed-up time with more work leads to burnout even among the most enthusiastic users. Ask where the saved time is actually going. AI readiness starts with data and process hygiene, not agents. Teams that skip playbooks and clean data to jump straight to agentic tools are codifying bad process at a faster speed. ROI measurement needs a human column. Track adoption and efficiency, but also track how people feel about the tools. A dashboard that shows satisfaction dropping as automation rises is telling you something important. Links and Resources Legal Operations Consulting | UpLevel Ops: uplevelops.com (http://uplevelops.com/) Legaltech Hub: legaltechnologyhub.com (http://legaltechnologyhub.com/) Samridhi Jain on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/samridhi-jain-samridhi-writes-legally (http://linkedin.com/in/samridhi-jain-samridhi-writes-legally/) "Change Fatigue in Corporate Legal: Introducing AI Without Losing Your Team," Legal Tech Hub: legaltechnologyhub.com/contents/change-fatigue-in-corporate-legal-introducing-ai-without-losing-your-team (http://legaltechnologyhub.com/contents/change-fatigue-...

What's Next for Legal Ops? Staying Ahead Through the Next Wave of Change

35 min

To mark UpLevel Ops' tenth anniversary, Stephanie Corey sits down with longtime friend Reese Arrowsmith, Executive Vice President of Legal Operations and Administration at Fox, to look back at how far legal ops has come and ahead at what's next. The conversation moves from the earliest days of the profession to document management as the unglamorous foundation for AI, and closes with concrete advice on the skills legal ops leaders need to stay indispensable. KEY TAKEAWAYS Legal ops has already proven its ROI. The job now isn't proving value, it's telling that story loudly enough to change the mind of every GC still on the fence about hiring for the function. AI is only as useful as the body of knowledge behind it. Document management, version control, and basic data hygiene are the unsexy prerequisites that have to happen before any AI layer adds real value. Adoption is harder than rollout. The key to getting a legal team to actually use a new system is finding the trigger moment, a departure, a lost document, a leadership scare, and striking while it's fresh. AI won't replace legal ops, it will expand it. Legal ops is the only function that sits across people, process, tech, and spend, which puts it in position to lead enterprise AI strategy instead of just adopting whatever comes down from the business. Career growth in legal ops now runs through network, quick wins, and information security. Build relationships early, bank small wins for your GC, and get comfortable partnering closely with your CISO. LINKS AND RESOURCES UpLevel Ops: uplevelops.com "AI Doesn't Need Your Data, It Needs Your Workflow" by Brandi Pack, Above the Law: abovethelaw.com/2026/08/ai-doesnt-need-your-data-it-needs-your-workflow KEYWORDS legal ops evolution, legal operations profession, document management legal, knowledge management legal, AI in legal departments, legal ops and AI, legal ops career skills, legal ops adoption strategy, ACC benchmarking legal ops, legal ops value pr...

Building a Legal Function That Can Scale

32 min

Summary Nikki Rahimzadeh joined Analog Devices as the legal department was working through a "big T" transformation, triggered by an acquisition that doubled the company's size overnight. She walks Stephanie through what she found (a lot of vision, not much infrastructure) and what she built since: new people, new processes, and a technology stack rebuilt around project management rigor and clean data. The two dig into how Legal Ops professionals without a budget-holding champion can still make the case for investment, and why "fail fast" has become a legitimate strategy for building leadership buy-in. From there, the conversation turns to AI. Nikki argues that no legal team can use AI well without first doing the unglamorous work of data governance, since most legal departments have no idea how much data they actually generate. She also describes how ADI went from a department that had never led on tech to the most active enterprise-AI-tool users in the company, and how proactive communication (use AI, but bring the judgment call to legal) is helping the department stay the trusted advisor even as self-service AI use grows. Key Takeaways A "big T" transformation needs a vision and a budget, but you can build the case without either. Nikki recommends showing incremental, imperfect proof of what's possible before asking for the big investment. Fail fast is now a legitimate Legal Ops strategy. Build something that's a quarter good, use it to show leadership the art of the possible, and leave breadcrumbs toward the bigger ask. AI adoption starts with data governance, not tools. You can't connect anything until you know what data exists, where it lives, and how reliable it is, and legal teams routinely underestimate how much data they generate. Legal Ops has an opening to own AI strategy for the whole enterprise, not just adopt whatever the business hands down, a flip from Legal's historical position as the last department to get new tech. Scalability today is a w...

The Leadership Side of Legal Operations

34 min

Summary Leadership looks very different when an entire profession is evolving. Oyango Snell, CEO of CLOC, joins Stephanie Corey to trace how Legal Ops has moved from fighting for recognition to owning strategic decisions inside the enterprise. They talk through why mismatched expectations, and job descriptions written for a COO but budgeted for a paralegal, still trip up departments trying to build the function right. The conversation turns to AI, where Oyango argues the technology only exposes problems that were already there if a department lacks governance and a clear read on its own data. He closes with a challenge to the field itself: professionals have to invest in their own development, not just wait for a title or a GC to hand them the mandate, and maybe it's time to ask whether "Legal Ops" is even still the right name for what this work has become. Key Takeaways Legal Ops has moved past its identity crisis. The industry spent years arguing for a seat at the table. Now, per Oyango, people are stepping into decision-making roles and simply owning that this is their business, not something "other." A great job description doesn't fix a broken framework. Hiring one person to be a five-page miracle worker on a paralegal budget sets Legal Ops up to fail, and then the framework gets blamed on the discipline. One hire is never the whole fix. Legal Ops success depends on budget, executive support, and being woven into the organization's strategic goals, the same way a new CEO needs a strong team underneath them. AI adoption starts with data governance, not tools. Oyango's advice: understand the business problem first. Buying a CLM or an AI tool because it's trendy, without knowing what you're solving for, is how organizations waste money and stall out. The profession still runs on peer-to-peer sharing. From twelve people comparing notes in a conference room to a global community today, the willingness to share templates and hard-won lessons is what Oyango says...

The New Economics of Legal Work

42 min

Episode Summary In this episode of The Uplevel View Podcast, Stephanie Corey and Brandi Pack sit down with Ryan Walker, CEO and co-founder of General Legal, to explore how AI is transforming the legal industry. Ryan shares his journey from mathematics and early NLP work to building some of the first AI-powered legal tools at Casetext. The conversation dives into a persistent issue: despite massive advancements in AI, legal services remain expensive, inefficient, and largely unchanged for clients. General Legal is tackling this problem head-on with a new model—combining AI-native workflows, embedded legal services, and flat-fee pricing. The result: faster turnaround times, lower costs, and a more integrated client experience. The episode also explores the limitations of current AI models, the importance of human lawyers in the loop, and the emerging power of agent-based systems that can unlock insights from unstructured legal data without requiring heavy infrastructure like traditional CLMs. Ultimately, this episode paints a compelling picture of a future where legal services are more accessible, efficient, and aligned with client needs. Links & Resources General Legal - General Legal | AI native law firm for growing companies UpLevel Ops - Home Page Keywords Legal AI legal tech AI in law billable hour disruption flat fee legal services contract review AI legal operations CLM alternatives legal automation AI agents legal innovation access to justice in-house counsel legal data analytics NLP law firms future of legal services Episode Highlights 00:00–01:00 – Introduction to Ryan Walker and his background in AI and legal tech 01:00–02:30 – How Ryan entered legal tech and why the space fascinated him 02:30–04:20 – The persistent adoption problem in legal technology 04:20–06:05 – Why AI hasn't yet changed the client experience in legal services 06:05–07:30 – Launching General Legal and early traction (0 to 100+ clients) 07:30–09:00 – Embedding lawyers into...

Leading Legal in a Product-Led Company

48 min

Summary In this episode of Uplevel View, Stephanie Corey sits down with Betsy Cantrell, VP of Legal at HighLevel, to explore how legal teams must evolve in fast-moving, product-led organizations. Betsy shares her journey from a highly structured corporate legal environment at Intel to building a scrappy, agile legal function from scratch in a startup. The conversation dives into how legal teams can move from being perceived as blockers to becoming strategic partners embedded within product development. Key themes include integrating legal into product workflows, hiring adaptable talent, leveraging legal operations, and—most critically—embracing AI as a core driver of efficiency, scalability, and relevance. Betsy emphasizes that the biggest risk today isn't using AI imperfectly—it's not using it at all. This episode is a must-listen for legal leaders looking to modernize their function, scale effectively, and stay ahead in an AI-driven world. Links & Resources UpLevel Ops: http://UplevelOps.com Above The Law: http://AbovetheLaw.com Keywords Legal Operations, Product-Led Companies, In-House Counsel, AI in Legal, Legal Tech, Startup Legal, Compliance, Privacy Law, Workflow Automation, Legal Strategy, General Counsel, Legal Innovation, AI Adoption, Corporate Law, Legal Leadership 🎧 Episode Highlights (with timestamps) 00:00–00:33 – Why legal involvement often comes too late in product-led companies 01:13–01:49 – Betsy's journey: from Intel to building a startup legal team from scratch 02:18–03:05 – The cultural shift: from legal authority to proving value 03:05–04:08 – Why legal must understand product and user experience 05:33–06:31 – Hiring for startups: curiosity over specialization 06:53–07:48 – Learning new legal domains (like privacy) on the fly 08:06–08:47 – Why the first hire was legal ops—not a lawyer 11:01–11:27 – The power of exposure and learning across domains 12:21–13:05 – Using competitors and AI as benchmarks for decision-making 15:13–16...

The New Standard for Legal Leadership

41 min

Episode Summary How does Legal move from cost center to growth engine as expectations rise? Ron Bell, Chief Legal and Administrative Officer at Collective Health, joins Steph Corey to discuss the new standard for legal leadership and what it really takes for Legal to prove value, earn trust, and perform when the margin for error is small, and expectations keep going up. Listen to the UpLevel View and improve your legal leadership vision today!   Links & Resources Collective Health: collectivehealth.com Ron Bell: linkedin.com/in/ronsbell/ UpLevel Ops: http://UplevelOps.com Above The Law: http://AbovetheLaw.com   Keywords Legal leadership Cost center to growth engine Legal operations AI in legal Strategic GC Risk management Value storytelling Legal metrics Adaptability Business-first legal Above the Law  Episode Highlights  00:00–02:15 - The rising bar for legal leadership and shrinking margin for error 02:15–03:38 - Why Legal is still treated like a cost center—and how that narrative formed 03:38–04:31 - Reframing Legal from ballast to motor 04:31–05:30 - Legal judgment vs. Legal's true job 05:30–06:39 - Outsource, automate, or stop doing the work 06:39–08:00 - Maintenance, protection, and aspirational legal work 08:00–09:31 - How experienced lawyers learn to focus on what actually matters 09:31–10:26 - AI's role in automating low-value legal work 10:26–12:23 - Why GCs get stuck in the weeds—and how to get out 12:23–13:44 - Stakeholder overload and expectation-setting 13:44–15:20 - Telling the right value story to earn respect and resources 15:20–17:02 - Being brought in early vs. "raining on the parade" 17:02–18:57 - Metrics that matter—and metrics that mislead 18:57–21:19 - Legal ops as strategic partner, not support function 21:19–25:49 - Change management and adoption challenges 25:49–31:49 - AI's impact on legal teams, hiring, and structure 31:49–34:12 - Skills future legal leaders must build 34:12–37:03 - Legal's opportunity...

The End of the Billable Hour: AI, Value, and the New Economics of Expertise

42 min

Summary In the first episode of 2026 for the UpLevel View podcast, Stephanie Corey and Ken Callander sit down with Rita Gunther McGrath, Columbia Business School professor and Wall Street Journal columnist, to talk about how AI is forcing professional services to price outcomes instead of hours. From law firms to in-house legal teams, the rules of value are being rewritten. The question is: who's ready to lead the change? Listen to the UpLevel View and improve your legal leadership vision today!   Episode Highlights 00:00:18 - Introducing Rita Gunther McGrath. 00:02:23 - Definition of strategic inflection points. 00:03:21 - Legal industry disruption with AI. 00:06:47 - Shift from billable hours to value. 00:12:26 - The economic model and compensation structure challenges. 00:23:39 - Historical change movements as a model for legal transformation. 00:32:30 - Training and learning in the AI age. 00:39:36 - The concept of permissionless organizations. 00:40:15 - "Two percent less stupid" book title.   Episode resources: http://UpLevelOps.com Brainwave Newsletter by UpLevel Ops: http://UpLevelOps.com/Brainwave Thought Sparks Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/thought-sparks/id1546758719 Thought Sparks Newsletter on Substack: https://thoughtsparks.substack.com Learn more about Professor McGrath at: http://RitaMcGrath.com   Keywords UpLevel View   Stephanie Corey   Ken Callander   Rita Gunther McGrath   strategy   innovation   Columbia Business School   Wall Street Journal   Thinkers 50   The End of Competitive Advantage   Seeing Around Corners   AI   inflection points   disruption   value-based pricing   legal industry   billable hours   professional services   general counsel   law firms   legal operations   Uber   Airbnb   marijuana legalization   economic model   law firm culture   consulting firms   transformation   change management   in-house teams   apprenticeships   legal training   skill develop...

AI Adoption That Actually Works: How Hanna House Went from Pilot to Playbook

32 min

What happens when a nonprofit embraces AI not for the hype, but for the help? In the latest episode of the UpLevel View podcast, Brandi Pack and Ken Callander sit down with Cristal Cardenas Sanchez, Director, Research & Evaluation, Hanna Center, and Marissa La Brecque, VP of Research and Training, from Hanna Center, to talk about how their grassroots AI pilot turned into a full 2026 roadmap. Hear how they're using GenAI to streamline operations, spark new ideas, and even open the door to a broader range of grant opportunities, without losing sight of their mission.   Highlights Streamlining data collection at Hanna Center. Hanna Center's mission and services overview. Significant data entry challenges faced early on. Custom AI tools drastically reduce manual data entry. Adoption process and early AI successes. Building confidence and addressing privacy concerns. Efficient internal adoption fuels enthusiasm. Insights into using AI for organizational transformation. Impressive ROI from AI tool implementation. Planning and prioritizing AI use cases for next year. Enhancing grant opportunities with AI tools. Recommended starting points for non-profits using AI. Creative applications of AI across departments. Hanna Center's evolving use of AI and future plans.   Episode Resources UpLevel Ops Master Chef GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-oVwrdPo0I-master-chef  UpLevel Ops Wanderlust GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-eDSeep6qT-wanderlust-guide  Thought Leadership from UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership/  LINK (Legal Innovators Network): http://Linkforlegal.com  Connect with Stephanie Corey https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcorey-ulo  https://fr.linkedin.com/company/uplevel-ops  https://uplevelops.com/  https://uplevelops.com/legal-operations-consulting/ https://uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership/ https://uplevelops.com/services/gai-management/ GAI Management Services from UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/services/gai-management/  htt...

The Smart Start to Legal AI: Inside Enstar's Legal Ops Revolution with Peter Calleo and Nick Giuliano

42 min

What does practical AI success look like in legal terms? Peter Calleo and Nick Giuliano from Enstar Group join UpLevel Ops CEO, Stephanie Corey, and UpLevel's Director of Innovation, Brandi Pack, on the UpLevel View podcast. They'll share how UpLevel Ops and the Enstar team led a GenAI program that made Legal faster, smarter, and more connected to the business. No hype, just real-world insight. Listen to the UpLevel View and improve your legal leadership vision today!   Highlights Transitioning from Microsoft Co-Pilot to ChatGPT The role of AI in legal ops pre-pandemic Simplifying legal tasks with AI tools Board minutes drafting revolutionized by GPT-5 Elements of a successful AI pilot program Rapidly expanding use cases for custom GPTs Legal tech transformation and the end of over-engineering The importance of generative AI governance Building a culture of innovation through AI adoption Measuring AI pilot program success with low cost, high reward Executive sponsorship critical to AI adoption success   Episode Resources UpLevel Ops Master Chef GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-oVwrdPo0I-master-chef  UpLevel Ops Wanderlust GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-eDSeep6qT-wanderlust-guide  Thought Leadership from UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership/  LINK (Legal Innovators Network): http://Linkforlegal.com  Connect with Stephanie Corey https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcorey-ulo  https://fr.linkedin.com/company/uplevel-ops  https://uplevelops.com/  https://uplevelops.com/legal-operations-consulting/ https://uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership/ https://uplevelops.com/services/gai-management/ GAI Management Services from UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/services/gai-management/  https://www.intel.la/content/www/xl/es/homepage.html  GAI Management Solutions from UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/services/gai-management/   

From Firefights to Fixed Fees: Strategic Pricing in High-Stakes Legal Work with Katie Armistead

30 min

Litigation: the last stronghold of hourly billing. On the UpLevel View, Steph Corey and Ken Callander talk with Grubhub's Katie Armistead about how legal teams are bringing order to the chaos with phase-based fees, risk-sharing, and value-driven pricing. The era of "We'll see what the invoice says" is over. Take your Legal Leadership Vision to the Next Level: Subscribe to the UpLevel View today.   Guest Additional Info Our guest today is Katie Armistead, Head of Legal at GrubHub. She began her career at Jones Day and holds a BA in Economics from Johns Hopkins University and a JD from Columbia Law School.   Highlights Challenges of Unpredictable Litigation Transition from Hourly to Value-Based Pricing The Catalyst: A Costly Lawsuit Experience Success Payments and Outcome Alignment The Importance of Data and Piloting New Models Overcoming Resistance to Change Impact of AI on Legal Services The Effectiveness of Value-Based Pricing Over Hourly Models Improvements in Finance Team Relations and Predictability Advice for Legal Leaders on Pricing Strategies   Episode Resources UpLevel Ops Master Chef GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-oVwrdPo0I-master-chef  UpLevel Ops Wanderlust GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-eDSeep6qT-wanderlust-guide  Thought Leadership from UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership/  LINK (Legal Innovators Network): http://Linkforlegal.com  Connect with Stephanie Corey https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcorey-ulo  https://fr.linkedin.com/company/uplevel-ops  https://uplevelops.com/  https://uplevelops.com/legal-operations-consulting/ https://uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership/ https://uplevelops.com/services/gai-management/ GAI Management Services from UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/services/gai-management/  https://www.intel.la/content/www/xl/es/homepage.html  GAI Management Solutions from UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/services/gai-management/  April Miller Boise on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/april-...

More Than a Retainer: Value-Based Pricing for Ongoing Legal Advice with Collin Smyser

32 min

Advice & Counsel work is due for a rethink. In this episode of the UpLevel View, Value Strategies Founder and pricing guru Ken Callander is joined by Collin Smyser, General Counsel of OptionCare, to explore how legal departments are moving beyond the billable hour with fixed monthly retainers. Discover how strategic advisory work is being redefined around accessibility, outcomes, and value, not minutes. Tune in and learn how to lead your legal department into a future where value, not hours, drives results. Subscribe to the UpLevel View and improve your legal leadership vision today!   Guest Additional Info Collin Smyser is General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Option Care Health. Collin has decades of in-house experience, including companies such as Walgreens, Kimberly-Clark, and Elanco. At Option Care, he leads legal and governance across a nationwide healthcare provider network. Beyond the boardroom, Collin is driving industry-wide change, from policy panels to advocacy for home-based care.   Highlights Challenges of hourly rate pricing. Predictability and the burden of hourly billing. Perception of value in legal services. Importance of delivering on pricing commitments. Benefits of service level agreements. Predictability reduces internal and vendor frictions. Scoping advice and counsel work. Dealing with changes in the scope of legal work. Using advice and counsel work to secure bigger projects. Implementing change management for pricing models. Handling institutional knowledge in firm transitions. Competitive processes sharpen firm proposals. Starting small with value-based pricing transformations.   Episode Resources UpLevel Ops Master Chef GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-oVwrdPo0I-master-chef  UpLevel Ops Wanderlust GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-eDSeep6qT-wanderlust-guide  Thought Leadership from UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership/  LINK (Legal Innovators Network): http://Linkforlegal.com  Connect with Stephanie...

Future-Proofing Legal – Aligning with Business Goals with April Miller Boise

44 min

What does it take to future-proof legal? Intel's CLO, April Miller Boise, joins host Stephanie Corey to unpack how legal teams can drive business value, embrace AI, and rethink spending with value-based pricing. From leadership insights to flexible staffing strategies, this episode is a blueprint for modern legal transformation.   Guest Additional Info  April Miller Boise is Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer at Intel Corporation, where she leads the global legal, trade, and government affairs teams. Before joining Intel, she served as Chief Legal Officer (CLO) at Eaton Corporation and Meritor Inc. Earlier in her career, she practiced on Wall Street and later led the Cleveland office of Am Law 200 firm Thompson Hine, where she also sat on the executive committee. With a career spanning complex legal and business environments across various sectors, including semiconductors, automotive, and energy, April brings deep expertise in corporate governance, regulatory strategy, and global risk management.   Highlights From legal expert to strategic business partner. Creating alignment with company strategy. Strategy on a Page (SOAP) method. Importance of prioritization in legal work. Introducing SWOT Analysis. Stop, Start, and Continue exercise for efficiency. Alternatives to traditional legal staffing. Leveraging flexible legal talent. Generative AI: A paradigm shift. AI's potential in knowledge management. Training and mentoring in an AI-driven future. Expanding access to justice through AI. The evolving role of future CLOs.   Episode Resources UpLevel Ops Master Chef GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-oVwrdPo0I-master-chef  UpLevel Ops Wanderlust GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-eDSeep6qT-wanderlust-guide  Thought Leadership from UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership/  LINK (Legal Innovators Network): http://Linkforlegal.com  Connect with Stephanie Corey https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcorey-ulo  https://fr.linkedin.com/c...

Leadership, Culture, and Community in Legal Ops: A Greatest Hits Episode of UpLevel View with Heather Reid

28 min

This special episode, hosted by UpLevel Ops CMO Heather Reid, brings together powerful insights from some of Legal Ops' most respected voices. From sticky-note strategy sessions to global legal transformation, we revisit five standout conversations that showcase how leadership, culture, and community are redefining modern legal departments. Featuring Christy Freer, Janene Asgeirsson, Audrey Taranto, Curt McDaniel, Jenn McCarron, and Mike Haven, this episode is a celebration of the people-first strategies and mindset shifts pushing Legal Ops to the Next Level.   Highlights Tapping hidden risks: Humanizing legal tech. Janene Asgeirsson on transforming skepticism to tech enthusiasm. Staying competitive: Embracing legal technology. Capturing business speed and building effective interfaces. Audrey Taranto's business empowerment shift. Generative AI and consulting roles in legal. From cost center to vision: Legal's evolving role. Curt McDaniel's scalable, smarter legal services. Bridging overwhelms strategic legal operations. Legal transformation: A journey of progress. Jenn McCarron and Mike Haven: Collaboration's impact on legal ops. Collective innovation driving the legal industry forward.   Episode Resources UpLevel Ops Master Chef GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-oVwrdPo0I-master-chef  UpLevel Ops Wanderlust GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-eDSeep6qT-wanderlust-guide  Thought Leadership from UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership/  LINK (Legal Innovators Network): http://Linkforlegal.com  Connect with Stephanie Corey https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcorey-ulo  https://fr.linkedin.com/company/uplevel-ops  https://uplevelops.com/  https://uplevelops.com/legal-operations-consulting/ https://uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership/ https://uplevelops.com/services/gai-management/ GAI Management Services from UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/services/gai-management/   

The Importance of GC/Legal Ops; What's Next for the LINK Community x L Suite with Greg Raiten and Shaun Sethna

45 min

Legal Ops is evolving—are you ready? In the March episode of the UpLevel View Podcast, ULO CEO Stephanie Corey is joined by two standout leaders from The L Suite—Greg Raiten, Co-Founder, and Shaun Sethna, General Counsel—for an honest conversation about the evolving relationship between General Counsel and Legal Operations. Together, they explore why Legal Ops is no longer just a support function but a strategic partner in building agile, scalable legal teams. From navigating CLM implementations (spoiler: they're never as easy as they look) to adopting AI and value-based pricing models, this discussion gets into the real-world challenges legal departments face—and the solutions that actually work. The trio also reflects on the recent LINK + L Suite events and the magic that happens when legal leaders and ops professionals share a room (and a few hard truths). Whether you're a solo GC or leading a mature legal department, this episode is packed with insight, candor, and a healthy dose of humor. Don't miss this inspiring conversation—subscribe now and take your legal leadership to the Next Level! Highlights Greg's Insight: Hiring Legal Ops as a first hire. Sean's View: Legal Ops importance across economic cycles. Greg's Observation: Lawyers don't learn operational efficiency. Steph on Legal Strategy: Aligning legal teams with business growth. Greg on Events: Successful merge of communities. Greg's Approach: Legal ops communities and event strategy. Sean's Insight: GC curiosity and legal ops evolution. Greg on Legal Tech: Importance of adapting to change.   Episode Resources UpLevel Ops Master Chef GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-oVwrdPo0I-master-chef UpLevel Ops Wanderlust GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-eDSeep6qT-wanderlust-guide Thought Leadership from UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership/ LINK (Legal Innovators Network): http://Linkforlegal.com Connect with Stephanie Corey https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcorey-ulo https://fr.linkedin.com/company/upl...

Redefining Value in Legal Operations for 2025 with Maureen Harms

35 min

What does value mean in legal operations, and how is it evolving in 2025? Join Stephanie Corey, Co-Founder and CEO of UpLevel Ops, Maureen Harms, VP and Associate General Counsel, Transition Management at 3M, and Ken Callander, Managing Principal of Value Strategies—now an UpLevel Ops company—for an exclusive discussion on the future of legal operations and pricing strategies. Together, UpLevel Ops and Value Strategies offer a powerhouse of expertise, presenting a united vision for delivering transformative results in legal departments. Steph, Maureen, and Ken will delve into the evolving definition of value, the cultural shifts driving innovation, and actionable strategies for optimizing outside counsel management and implementing value-based pricing. Tune into the UpLevel View and enhance your legal leadership vision today!   Highlights Rethinking hourly rates: Shift to value-based pricing. Legal industry's reluctance to change billing methods. Alignment with business objectives equals value. AI's impact on future legal services efficiency. In-house teams reconsidering bringing work internally. Managing change in law firms: A slow but necessary process. Creating competition within legal departments to drive change. Success metrics: Meeting client expectations and budget. Efficient legal spending: The importance of partnering with firms.   Episode Resources UpLevel Ops Master Chef GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-oVwrdPo0I-master-chef UpLevel Ops Wanderlust GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-eDSeep6qT-wanderlust-guide Thought Leadership from UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership/ LINK (Legal Innovators Network): http://Linkforlegal.com Connect with Stephanie Corey https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcorey-ulo https://fr.linkedin.com/company/uplevel-ops https://uplevelops.com/ https://uplevelops.com/legal-operations-consulting/ https://uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership/ https://uplevelops.com/services/gai-management/ Connect with Maureen Harms https://www.lin...

Flexible Solutions, Lasting Impact: ALSPs and the Future of Legal Operations with Monica Zent

33 min

In the January episode of the UpLevel View, UpLevel CEO Stephanie Corey and Monica Zent of ZentLaw discuss the transformative role of ALSPs in legal departments. They tackle misconceptions, highlight ALSP benefits like reducing contract backlogs and fostering collaboration, and share real-world success stories. The conversation explores how ALSPs pave the way for legal tech adoption and future innovations like AI. Packed with insights, this episode is essential for legal professionals seeking Next Level, cost-effective, agile solutions to navigate today's challenges. Guest's Info Monica Zent is a distinguished attorney, entrepreneur, and investor, renowned for her innovative contributions to the legal industry. As the founder of ZentLaw, she reimagined the traditional law firm model by integrating the efficiencies of outsourcing with the strengths of conventional legal practice, establishing one of the nation's leading alternative law firms.   Highlights Strategic hire vs. augmenting with flex talent. Misconceptions about ALSPs and quality of talent. Legal departments using ALSPs for competitive advantage. Clearing backlogs to boost the legal team's reputation. How ALSPs contribute to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Successful onboarding strategies for ALSP partnerships. Try before you buy: converting flexible talent to permanent hires. Future role of ALSPs and flex talent in the legal profession.   Episode Resources UpLevel Ops Master Chef GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-oVwrdPo0I-master-chef UpLevel Ops Wanderlust GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-eDSeep6qT-wanderlust-guide Thought Leadership from UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership/ LINK (Legal Innovators Network): http://Linkforlegal.com Connect with Stephanie Corey https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcorey-ulo https://fr.linkedin.com/company/uplevel-ops https://uplevelops.com/ https://uplevelops.com/legal-operations-consulting/ https://uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership/ https://uplevelops....

2024 in Legal Ops: What We've Learned, What's Next – An UpLevel Ops Roundtable

44 min

On the December episode of The UpLevel View, Stephanie Corey, CEO of UpLevel Ops, is joined by Brian Hupp, Sumi Trombley, and Brandi Pack for "2024 Legal Ops: What We've Learned, What's Next – An UpLevel Ops Roundtable." Reflecting on this year's advancements in AI, workflow automation, and value-based pricing, the panel shares bold predictions and actionable strategies to prepare for the year ahead. Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion to inspire your 2025 Legal Ops goals!   Highlights Discussion about AI trends in workflow automation. Brian on AI chatbots and workflows. Sumi on contract management trends. Brandi on the rapid adoption of AI. Legal professionals under pressure to adopt AI. Importance of not switching models frequently. Brian on the surprise of AI adoption. Change management in AI adoption. Legal operations professionals' role in AI transformation. AI assistance for routine tasks. Outside counsel management challenges. Problems with hourly billing. Ethics of AI-related savings in law firms. 2025 predictions: AI acceleration in legal operations. Upskilling and trust in AI tools. The rise of independent AI agents. Legal operations' strategic evolution.   Episode Resources UpLevel Ops Master Chef GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-oVwrdPo0I-master-chef UpLevel Ops Wanderlust GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-eDSeep6qT-wanderlust-guide Thought Leadership from UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership/ LINK (Legal Innovators Network): http://Linkforlegal.com Connect with Stephanie Corey https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcorey-ulo   https://fr.linkedin.com/company/uplevel-ops https://uplevelops.com/ https://uplevelops.com/legal-operations-consulting/ https://uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership/ https://uplevelops.com/services/gai-management/ 

Creating a Resilient Legal Operations Framework for Uncertain Times with Alison English

34 min

In the November episode of the UpLevel View, Stephanie Corey, CEO of UpLevel Ops, chats with Alison English, Head of Legal Ops at White Cap, about building resilient legal frameworks. They'll share practical tips on aligning strategies with business needs, implementing agile processes, and thriving during uncertain times. Tune in for actionable insights and enhance your legal leadership vision today! Highlights Pivoting in response to a crisis or change. Encouraging teams to embrace change. Legal ops and cross-functional collaboration. Small wins in change management initiatives. Leadership buy-in is essential. Getting alignment with the General Counsel (GC). Leveraging Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) tools. The importance of understanding legal spend. Flexibility and tech-enabled operations are essential. Legal ops as a translator in organizations.   Episode Resources UpLevel Ops Master Chef GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-oVwrdPo0I-master-chef UpLevel Ops Wanderlust GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-eDSeep6qT-wanderlust-guide Thought Leadership from UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership/ LINK (Legal Innovators Network): http://Linkforlegal.com Connect with Stephanie Corey https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcorey-ulo https://fr.linkedin.com/company/uplevel-ops https://uplevelops.com/ https://uplevelops.com/legal-operations-consulting/ https://uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership/ https://uplevelops.com/services/gai-management/ Connect with Alison English https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonenglish/  

Secrets to Implementation Success with Evan Wong

32 min

Join the UpLevel View as Senior Advisors Sumi Trombley and Brian Hupp chat with Checkbox CEO Evan Wong about the "Secrets to Implementation Success." Discover how to navigate legal tech rollouts, overcome roadblocks, and drive team adoption. Gain expert tips on aligning technology with business goals, fostering collaboration, and optimizing legal service delivery. Tune in for actionable strategies to transform your legal department and enhance your legal leadership vision today! Guest Evan Wong is the CEO and co-founder of Checkbox, a multi-award-winning no-code workflow automation platform. Evan has worked with many legal teams globally on their digital transformation projects by leveraging the power of no-code automation. He has helped redefine how lawyers conduct intake and triage, generate documents, provide advice, and facilitate workflows.   Highlights Evan Wong's dream automation: laundry. Process comes before technology. Aligning technology with corporate strategy. Importance of defining success early. Recognizing the signs when to start looking for solutions. The risks of distraction in legal work. How to identify when ready for technology implementation. Cultural and mindset shifts for tool adoption. Perfection as the enemy of good. Importance of early stakeholder alignment. Tips for managing stakeholder feedback. Bringing stakeholders on the journey. Leadership buy-in is crucial for success. The role of training and AI chatbots in change management. Common pitfalls in technology implementation. The need for project management rigor. Importance of intentionality in legal operations.   Episode Resources UpLevel Ops Master Chef GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-oVwrdPo0I-master-chef UpLevel Ops Wanderlust GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-eDSeep6qT-wanderlust-guide Thought Leadership from UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership/ LINK (Legal Innovators Network): http://Linkforlegal.com Connect with Stephanie Corey https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephc...

Reimagining Legal Services: Professor Andrew Perlman on ChatGPT and the Future of Law

38 min

In the September episode of the UpLevel View podcast, "Reimagining Legal Services: Professor Andrew Perlman on ChatGPT and the Future of Law," ULO Founder and CEO Stephanie Corey and Andrew Perlman, Dean of Suffolk Law School, discuss how AI, particularly ChatGPT, is transforming legal research, document generation, and client interactions. Tune in to discover AI's transformative potential and enhance your legal leadership vision today! Highlights Implications of OpenAI on legal services Biggest transformative technology in legal services Lawyers vs. AI: Embrace or fall behind Generative AI drafting and critiquing legal documents Starting to use generative AI in everyday tasks The importance of mastering basic generative AI tools Examples of using generative AI in legal studies assessment Law firms' adaptation to technology; billing model changes Law schools' integration of technology in the curriculum Generative AI: Lawyers practicing at the top of their license Addressing access to justice with legal technology innovations Technology-enhanced legal services as a game changer Episode Resources UpLevel Ops Master Chef GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-oVwrdPo0I-master-chef UpLevel Ops Wanderlust GPT: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-eDSeep6qT-wanderlust-guide Thought Leadership from UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/thoughtleadership/ LINK (Legal Innovators Network): http://Linkforlegal.com Connect with Stephanie Corey https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcorey-ulo https://fr.linkedin.com/company/uplevel-ops https://uplevelops.com/ ULO Custom GPT Master Chef: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-oVwrdPo0I-master-chef CLOC: https://cloc.org LINK: http://Linkforlegal.com 

AI Evolution: One Year Later – Transforming Legal Ops and Embracing the Future with Christian Lang & Whitney Stefko

40 min

In the August episode of the UpLevel View podcast, we are honored to welcome back Whitney Stefko from Ford and Christian Lang of LEGA, who join hosts Brian Hupp and Brandi Pack to discuss advancements in AI capabilities and adoption. We'll explore strides in productivity and efficiency within legal operations, reflecting on past predictions and new developments. Tune in to discover AI's transformative potential and enhance your legal leadership vision today!   Highlights Changes in client interactions regarding GAI over the past year. Whitney on industry's poor change management and needing to focus on the human aspect. Importance of holistic training on technology usage, with anticipation for GPT-5's release. Brandy's perspective on organizational readiness and leadership modeling. The risk of employees smuggling unapproved GAI tools into the workplace. Need for companies to be proactive with AI adoption rather than having a "zero risk" mentality. Brian on the importance of creating safe spaces for AI experimentation. Whitney on the variance in organizations' maturity regarding GAI adoption. Prediction: Increased focus on back-office use cases with clearer ROI in the next year. Christian's prediction: More significant security incidents likely in the next 12 months. Whitney's prediction: Impact of GPT-5 and the rise of hyper-personalized GAI. Discussion on community collaboration and sharing best practices through GAI networks.   Episode Resources General Counsel Thought Leadership Hub at UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/gc_thoughtleadership/ Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, by Simon Sinek: https://www.amazon.com/Start-Why-Leaders-Inspire-Everyone/dp/1591846447 https://linkforlegal.com/ Whitney & Christian's original UpLevel View Podcast appearance in October 2023: https://open.spotify.com/episode/31U353bdPUmpavmuRGTlu2?si=4254ac330d0d4b14 Brandi's article: The AI Advantage: Stay Ahead or Fall Behind: https://www.law.com/le...

Legal Ops in 2024: The Power of Collaboration in Building an Industry with Jenn McCarron and Mike Haven

44 min

The next episode of UpLevel View is an instant classic, as UpLevel CEO Stephanie Corey hosts a discussion on "Legal Ops in 2024: The Power of Collaboration in Building an Industry" with current CLOC President Jenn McCarron and Mike Haven, Head of Global Legal Operations at Intel and recent past President of CLOC. These Legal Ops leaders will explore the critical role of collaboration in legal operations, highlighting how unified efforts drive innovation and efficiency. Steph, Jenn, and Mike will share their experience of creating and leading communities, discussing how these organizations have shaped the legal ops landscape. They will delve into the future of legal tech, the impact of AI and automation, and the essential skills for legal ops professionals. Tune into this episode of the UpLevel View podcast and improve your legal leadership vision today!   Highlights The role of CLOC in industry changes. Witnessing immense contributions and collaboration. Amplifying change within the industry. Driving professional community and support. Impact of networking in legal ops. The significance of CLOC and LINK. Cross-organization collaboration and its benefits. Gen AI potential in democratizing legal services. Creating practical AI use cases. Inclusion of attorney input in AI adoption. Developing adaptive leadership and resilience. The importance of flexibility and adaptability.   Episode Resources General Counsel Thought Leadership Hub at UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/gc_thoughtleadership/ Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, by Simon Sinek: https://www.amazon.com/Start-Why-Leaders-Inspire-Everyone/dp/1591846447 https://linkforlegal.com/ Connect with Stephanie Corey https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcorey-ulo https://fr.linkedin.com/company/uplevel-ops https://uplevelops.com/ ULO Custom GPT Master Chef: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-oVwrdPo0I-master-chef CLOC: https://cloc.org LINK: http://Linkforlegal.com 

Transformation (Big T and Little t) with Christine Ho

18 min

Tune in to the next episode of the UpLevel View podcast, where UpLevel Ops' Senior Advisor Sumi Trombley welcomes Christine Ho, Director of Legal Operations at Confluent, to delve into the art and science of transformation in legal operations. Discover how Christine's resourcefulness crafts both sweeping changes and subtle improvements within her team. Whether revolutionizing strategies or refining daily tasks, learn how mastering the art of being resourceful can propel legal departments forward. Don't miss these actionable insights on transforming legal ops at every level! Listen to this episode of the UpLevel View podcast for an enlightening conversation to help you improve your legal leadership vision today!   Highlights Tackling speed to execution of contracts. Emphasizing the human aspect in transformation. Measuring success with contract volume tracking. Adjusting internal perceptions of legal department bottlenecks. Successful completion of Big-T transformation. Implementing Jira for privacy and compliance team. Pilot program benefits and selection process. Overcoming idea overflow: Prioritization strategy. Struggling with budget constraints for additional transformation. Utilizing ChatGPT for e-billing when budget is a constraint. Importance of cross-functional relationships. Key advice for initiating transformations.   Episode Resources General Counsel Thought Leadership Hub at UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/gc_thoughtleadership/ Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, by Simon Sinek: https://www.amazon.com/Start-Why-Leaders-Inspire-Everyone/dp/1591846447 https://linkforlegal.com/ Connect with Stephanie Corey https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcorey-ulo https://fr.linkedin.com/company/uplevel-ops https://uplevelops.com/ https://linkforlegal.com/ Thought Leadership Resources from UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/legalopsresources/ Connect with Christine Ho, Director, Legal Operations, at Confluent https://www.linkedin.co...

Leadership in the Age of AI with Gabriel Buigas

41 min

Join Gabriel Buigas, EVP of Contracts, Compliance & Commercial Services at Integreon, and UpLevel Ops CEO and Founder Steph Corey in an engaging podcast on "Leadership in the Age of AI." These seasoned leaders share their unique insights from their time at HP and their current roles, discussing the transformative power of AI in legal operations. Tune in for a dynamic conversation full of practical advice on leveraging AI for leadership and innovation in the legal sector. You won't want to miss this Next Level episode of the UpLevel View podcast! Guest's Bio Gabriel Buigas joined Integreon in 2021 and leads the Legal and Compliance Solutions business unit. In this role, Gabriel is responsible for driving the business unit's global strategy including delivery, product development, and go-to-market. Gabriel brings more than 25 years' experience in the legal industry holding both executive in-house legal roles and executive roles at a leading alternative legal services provider (ALSP). His depth of experience as both a consumer and a provider of legal services offers clients invaluable real-world insights and best practices.   Highlights Empowering teams with strategy and context. Essential communication for team buy-in. Integrating technology into legal service delivery. The challenge of adapting to new technology. The role of change management in legal services. The inevitability of AI-driven disruption in legal fields. The potential of Gen AI to reduce traditional workload. Strategic importance of proactive engagement with Gen AI. Corporate pressure to explore Gen AI applications. Embracing tech-enabled service models for experimentation. Practical Gen AI applications in legal operations. Creating capacity for overworked legal teams using Gen AI. Encouraging legal ops professionals to join AI-focused committees.   Episode Resources General Counsel Thought Leadership Hub at UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/gc_thoughtleadership/ Start with Why: How Great Lea...

Navigating the Waves of Change: Leveraging GAI in Legal Operations with Jim Wagner

59 min

Tune into our latest UpLevel View podcast episode, "Navigating the Waves of Change: Leveraging GAI in Legal Operations," where The Contract Network CEO and co-Founder Jim Wagner dives deep into the revolutionary impact of Generative AI on legal contract negotiations and operational efficiency. In this discussion with Steph Corey and Brandi Pack of UpLevel Ops, you'll discover how GAI is reshaping the landscape of legal operations, facilitating quicker resolutions, and transforming strategic decision-making across legal departments. Join us as we explore the potential of AI to streamline processes and foster a more dynamic legal operational framework, making it a must-listen for legal professionals eager to stay at the forefront of innovation. Guest's Bio Jim is a serial entrepreneur in the legal technology community, most recently serving as VP of Agreement Cloud Strategy for DocuSign, which he joined when DocuSign acquired AI leader Seal Software (where Jim served as President) in 2020. Jim has authored multiple patents and is a recognized leader in the fields of artificial intelligence and analytics for contracting. Jim graduated from Duke University Law School, where he is a frequent guest lecturer and serves on the Duke Law Tech Lab advisory board. Highlights The revolutionary impact of GAI. GAI is transforming legal contract negotiations and operational efficiency. How GAI is reshaping the legal operations landscape. Quicker resolutions and improved strategic decision-making. The potential of AI to streamline legal processes. Fostering a more dynamic legal operational framework.   Episode Resources General Counsel Thought Leadership Hub at UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/gc_thoughtleadership/ Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, by Simon Sinek: https://www.amazon.com/Start-Why-Leaders-Inspire-Everyone/dp/1591846447 https://linkforlegal.com/ Connect with Stephanie Corey https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcorey-ulo https://fr...

Unlocking Value: The Power of Value-Based Pricing in Legal with Ken Callander

38 min

Dive into the transformative world of Value-Based Pricing in our latest episode, featuring UpLevel Ops COO/Senior Advisor Elizabeth Lugones and Ken Callander, Managing Principal of Value Strategies LLC. Discover how this shift towards efficiency, transparency, and alignment in legal services can drastically reduce legal costs, ensure budget predictability, foster strong law firm relationships, and boost organizational value. Don't miss this episode of the UpLevel View podcast for an enlightening conversation to help you take your Legal to the Next Level. Highlights How Ken helps manage and optimize legal operations The billing procedures in the legal industry to other professional services industries How law firms can establish value-based pricing The need for time and exercise to fully understand and implement value-based pricing Importance of firm-client relationships in successful value-based pricing models, and the need for communication, trust, and fair business practices The need for clients to consider the value of matters against the cost of the firm and why it's not always cost-effective to opt for the most expensive firm for everything Benefits of value-based pricing Why you should start small when implementing value-based pricing models Episode Resources General Counsel Thought Leadership Hub at UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/gc_thoughtleadership/ Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, by Simon Sinek: https://www.amazon.com/Start-Why-Leaders-Inspire-Everyone/dp/1591846447 https://linkforlegal.com/ Connect with Stephanie Corey https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcorey-ulo https://fr.linkedin.com/company/uplevel-ops https://uplevelops.com/ https://linkforlegal.com/ Thought Leadership Resources from UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/legalopsresources/ Connect with Ken Callander http://linkforlegal.com https://value-strategies.com  

Humanizing Tech in Legal with Christy Freer

28 min

In this engaging conversation, GC of Inspiration Mobility Christy Freer and UpLevel Ops COO/Senior Advisor Elizabeth Lugones delve into crucial aspects of the legal field's transformation, emphasizing legal operations, strategic partnerships, and the essential role of soft skills amidst technological advancements and artificial intelligence. They underscore the challenges and opportunities presented by the evolving legal landscape, particularly in startup environments. Join us for this insightful discussion about the humanization of technologies and the intersection of leadership and technology on the UpLevel View podcast. Highlights How Inspiration Mobility's unique mechanism of collecting EV telematics makes their business data-driven The importance of understanding the value of technology, tracking it, and communicating the same to their clients in a simplified manner How clear communication, understanding financial jargon, and knowing how a project fits into the financial bottom line is essential for successful tech implementation How the adoption of technology allows Christy to focus elsewhere as it creates a safenet of procedures to avoid incomplete contracts or contracts that lack correct information Knowing one's limitations and being ready to make decisions and delegate roles effectively The common perception of the legal department as 'non-revenue generating' How data-driven legal department aids in the revenue generation process Ways to improve the efficiency in legal intake requests, contributing to an overall faster turnaround time   Episode Resources General Counsel Thought Leadership Hub at UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/gc_thoughtleadership/ Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action, by Simon Sinek: https://www.amazon.com/Start-Why-Leaders-Inspire-Everyone/dp/1591846447 https://linkforlegal.com/ Connect with Stephanie Corey https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcorey-ulo https://fr.linkedin.com/company/uplevel-ops https://...

Innovative Excellence: A Guide to Visionary Leadership with Audrey Taranto

40 min

Join the first UpLevel View podcast of 2024, where UpLevel Ops CEO Stephanie Corey engages Audrey Taranto, the innovative General Counsel of Enstar Group. Audrey details Enstar's journey since 2019, showcasing the fusion of legal expertise and operational innovation that earned them ACC Value Champions accolades. The conversation explores groundbreaking initiatives, such as AI-powered contract review and a user-centric chatbot, highlighting strategic alignment and enterprise-wide collaboration. Audrey emphasizes the cross-functional impact and courage to pilot new technologies, making this episode a treasure trove of insights for legal executives and corporate leaders aspiring to transform their legal operations for enhanced value and efficiency. A must-listen for those seeking operational excellence in the legal landscape. Listen to the UpLevel View and improve your legal leadership vision today! Who's The Guest? Audrey Taranto is General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Enstar. Her career is marked by transformative contributions, and she has played a pivotal role in the consistent growth of businesses through her skills in team building, legal acumen, and strategic leadership. Audrey is also known for her adeptness in navigating complexity, earning her the reputation of a pragmatic and trusted executive leader. The Enstar legal team was named a Value Champion by the Association of Corporate Counsel in 2023. She holds a JD from Temple University.   Highlights The importance of having a long-term vision for a sustainable, value-driving legal department How to prioritize initiatives that will have substantial impact and be resource-realistic Importance of cross-functional collaboration within organizations The challenges in implementing document management Exploring the potential of using generative AI to save lawyer time and enhance legal processes Alignment of generative AI with a strong legal ops strategy and its potential in improving the speed and effic...

Fostering Positive OC Relationships with Yusuf Mohamed

25 min

Join the UpLevel View podcast as we discuss the transformative shift in outside counsel management. In this inspiring episode, UpLevel Ops COO/Senior Advisor Elizabeth Lugones speaks with Yusuf Mohamed, Partner and member of the General Counsel practice at Taylor English Duma LLP, and strategies beyond traditional cost analysis and performance monitoring, emphasizing the importance of viewing outside counsel as strategic partners rather than service providers. Listen to the UpLevel View and improve your legal leadership vision today! Who's The Guest? Yusuf Mohamed is a Partner at Taylor English Duma LLP and a member of the General Counsel practice, specializing in corporate and business matters. Before joining the firm, he was at Tesla and played a pivotal role in shaping the company's employment practices, leading the team's growth from one person to a global force of twenty-nine. He began his legal career as a U.S. Department of Labor trial attorney, working on diverse matters, including employment discrimination, investigative cases, and workers' compensation claims. Yusuf has a JD from the University of Georgia's School of Law.   Highlights The challenges of managing legal practices as the organization size grows, especially in implementing consistent engagement with outside counsel The importance of in-house teams being proactive and setting clear expectations for law firms Contrasting the communication methodologies between law firms and in-house departments, noting the differences in audiences and workflow The future potential of more sophisticated AI tools to analyze legal data and envision possible legal risk scenarios Why clients should be hesitant about trying different pricing models, with the understanding that they can revert to old methods if unsatisfied Transparency, conversation, and alignment of interests for achieving mutual benefits   Episode Resources General Counsel Thought Leadership Hub at UpLevel Ops: https://uplevelops.com/gc_though...

Visionary Leadership: A Journey Across Borders with Curt McDaniel

34 min

Dive into visionary leadership with Curt McDaniel, Chief Legal Officer at Ferring Pharmaceuticals, on the UpLevel View podcast. Discover how embracing innovation and a forward-thinking mindset propels an international legal team to new heights. In this conversation with UpLevel Ops' CEO Steph Corey, McDaniel shares his approach to nurturing a vision that transcends borders and how it's infused into Ferring's culture, driving extraordinary achievements. Listen to the UpLevel View and improve your legal leadership vision today! Who's The Guest? Curt McDaniel is the Chief Legal Officer at Ferring Pharmaceuticals. He joined Ferring in 2006 and oversees Legal, Intellectual Property, Compliance, and Privacy activities worldwide. He has more than 30 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, spanning various aspects of the business and many different countries and cultures. Before joining Ferring, Curt worked at Eli Lilly for more than 16 years. He holds a Juris Doctor degree and an M.B.A. from Indiana University, and a B.A. from Purdue University. Highlights His experience and the challenges of leading a mid-size, family-owned company, and how he has driven legal innovation. The concept of "legal design" which focuses on understanding the needs and challenges of the business partner. Building the legal operations department and its role in optimizing legal services. The starting principles for assessing legal services needed and the best ways to provide the services. The changing role of delivering legal services due to technology advancements and the impact on law firms. Using data for improvement and measuring progress was discussed. Importance of assessing the effectiveness of processes through gathered data was highlighted. The importance of celebrating success and recognizing continuous progress was stressed. The idea of a "legal data scientist" having recognized the need for data-based decision-making in the company. The experience of working on large l...

The Fusion of Tradition & Technology with Janene Asgeirsson

28 min

Join us on the UpLevel View podcast to explore the fusion of tradition and innovation within the legal field. In this captivating episode, UpLevel Ops COO/Senior Advisor Elizabeth Lugones guides a discussion with Janene Asgeirsson, Senior VP, Chief Legal Officer, and Corporate Secretary at Analog Devices, on the intricate dance of tradition and technology. Discover how legal professionals are revolutionizing their practice by seamlessly blending time-honored values with the power of AI, automation, and digital collaboration. Tune in to the UpLevel View and improve your legal leadership vision today! Who's The Guest? Janene Asgeirsson is the Chief Legal Officer, Chief Risk Officer, and Corporate Secretary at Analog Devices (ADI). She has more than two decades of law firm experience and senior roles in technology companies and leads ADI's global legal, governance, trade, and compliance functions. Janene's expertise encompasses mergers, acquisitions, litigation, and intellectual property, making her a key advisor to ADI's leadership team and board. Beyond her professional life, Janene is Secretary of ADI's Board of Directors and holds director roles in ADI subsidiaries. She is an avid reader, a performing arts enthusiast, and a certified yoga instructor. Highlights Janene's journey to becoming a lawyer and how her career kicked off at in-house law firms How technology began to influence the practice of law with regards to legal research How technology aids in speeding up legal processes by organizing and interpreting data How adopting technology can increase efficiency and bring more joy to the work An ideal business partnership, emphasizing trust and openness Balancing the human element with business decisions Bricklaying to illustrate the importance of understanding one's role in the broader vision of an organization   Episode Resources Connect with Stephanie Corey https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcorey-ulo https://fr.linkedin.com/company/uplevel-ops https://u...

Managing GAI Risk with Whitney Stefko and Christian Lang

39 min

The second episode of the UpLevel View podcast is a must-listen for those interested in generative artificial intelligence. GAI early adopters Whitney Stefko from Ford and Christian Lang of LEGA cover everything from the origin of their interest in the field to ways the technology can be used to save time and energy. They emphasize the transformative potential of generative AI and urge listeners to embrace it as a crucial piece of the future of the legal profession. UpLevel View hosts Brian Hupp and Brandi Pack lead the discussion about tools that they utilize to allow managed use of GAI, the importance of being proactive in balancing risks and rewards, and thought-provoking predictions about when generative AI will become more widely adopted in the Legal Operations industry and beyond. Who're The Guests? Whitney Stefko is a former Litigator turned Data-driven strategist and Associate Director and Senior Counsel at the Ford Motor Company. Whitney is an Adjunct Professor at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law at Arizona State University and the Founder and CEO of the consulting firm Pollinate Legal. Christian Lang describes himself as a Recovering Corporate Lawyer, Legal Innovator, Writer, Podcaster, and Consultant. When he's not doing all that, he's the CEO and Founder of LEGA, a platform designed to provide law firms with a chance to explore and implement AI technologies at their own pace. Christian is also the founder of the NY Legal Tech Meetup and serves on the AI Accelerator Institute Council (AIAI). Highlights A response to skeptics of generative AI, speaking to its value as a time-saving technology and transformative user interface. The security risks of GAIs to current data practices in law firms, viewing the challenge as more of a familiar territory rather than a new threat. The importance of making sure professionals in an organization understand the rules of using generative AI, not just through lengthy policies but through operationalized, action...

How GAI Transforms Legal Workflow Automation with Sam Flynn

32 min

Discover the transformative potential of generative AI (GAI) in the legal landscape in the PREMIERE episode of the UpLevel View podcast. UpLevel's CEO/Founder Stephanie Corey and UpLevel Ops Legal Tech Analyst and AI Consultant Brandi Pack are joined by the brilliant and delightful Sam Flynn, Founder and CEO of Josef, on the Premiere episode of the UpLevel View podcast. This expert panel discusses the potential of generative AI (GAI) in revolutionizing workflow automation and encourages legal professionals to embrace this rapidly developing technology to stay at the forefront of innovation in the legal field. Who's The Guest? Sam Flynn is the CEO and co-founder of Josef, an automation platform that empowers legal professionals to transform how they work. Before Josef, Sam worked in advertising as a corporate lawyer and associate at the Supreme Court of Victoria. In 2016, Sam built and launched myki Finds, one of the first successful examples of B to C legal tech. With more than 60,000 users in this first month, Sam advocates for using legal tech to bridge the access to justice gap. He currently serves as an advisory board member of the Center for Legal Innovation.   Highlights How to incorporate generative AI in existing workflows The importance of easy access to information How generative AI can adapt to where they are and how they communicate Different ways companies are using generative AI to interact with their knowledge base and collaborate with law firms How AI can enable independent agents and automate prompting on systems How AI is making workflow automation central in legal tech The complications of system integrations Embracing AI as an extension of capabilities   Episode Resources Connect with Stephanie Corey https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephcorey-ulo https://fr.linkedin.com/company/uplevel-ops https://uplevelops.com/ Connect with Sam Flynn https://joseflegal.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuel-flynn/  

Welcome to UpLevel View!

1 min

Amidst the innovation renaissance in Legal Operations, it's natural to feel overwhelmed. Luckily, the UpLevel View podcast has got you covered! Join UpLevel Ops experts each month for exclusive interviews and unique insights from those who have been there and done that in Legal Ops. We'll be sharing guidance on upping your game as an effective corporate legal leader, straight talk about legal technology, and actionable ways to break out of your comfort zone and take your career to the Next Level. Don't miss a thing - subscribe to the UpLevel View podcast and improve your legal leadership vision today! 

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