The Non-Billable Podcast

• How AI is reshaping Big Law - and why firms can’t afford to wait, with ex-Ashurst digital chief

  In this episode, we talk with Tara Waters. Tara is a leading voice in legal tech and a lawyer with more than 15 years’ experience at City firms including A&O, Simmons and Ashurst where she was a partner and chief digital officer - during which time she successfully rolled out AI tool Harvey to all of the firm’s 4,000+ lawyers and business services staff around the world.Tara shares her unique journey from technology to law, highlighting her experiences in legal tech and innovation. She discusses the evolution of legal services, the impact of generative AI, how law firms should assess its ROI and her favourite AI tools on the market.Tara emphasises the importance of adapting to new technologies, the need for investment in learning and development,and the traits that distinguish great lawyers. She also provides insights into the future of the billable hour model.Chapters00:30 Introduction to Tara and Her Journey03:034 Transition from Technology to Law06:20 Building a Diverse Legal Practice09:33 Innovation in Legal Services at Ashurst12:33 Client-Driven Changes in Legal Tech14:55 The Evolution of Legal Tech and AI18:11 Generative AI's Impact on Legal Work21:05 The Role of AI Assistants in Legal Practice23:50 Harvey: A Case Study in Legal AI Implementation27:08 Internal Adoption of AI Tools at Ashurst30:40 Elevating Voices: The Importance of User Stories30:58 Gaining Partner Buy-In for Technology Investments33:20 Measuring ROI: Beyond Cost Savings36:02 The Evolving Role of Lawyers in the Age of AI39:36 Rethinking the Billable Hour Model43:24 Legal AI Tools: Preferences and Industry Trends48:02 Leading Firms in Legal Tech Innovation49:31 Career Advice: Confidence and Continuous Learning54:48 Investing in Learning and Development56:40 The Value of Knowing When to PivotAbout Non-BillableNon-Billable is an email newsletter and media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.Visit our website: ⁠⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/

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• '$20 million is the new benchmark in London’: the City’s top headhunter on the law firm partner hiring frenzy, why firms are paying millions and how the rules of partnership are changing

  In today’s episode, we sit down with Scott Gibson, one of the City’s top headhunters and co-founder of elite partner-level recruitment firm Edwards Gibson. With 25 years in the game, Gibson has seen it all - and according to him, the market is crazier than ever. We discuss what’s driving the hottest law firm partner transfer market in years, why elite firms are paying eye-watering sums, which practice areas are in hottest demand and how the rules of partnership are changing. Scott also reveals what law firms are looking for in lateral hires and gives his advice for associates and junior partners looking to make their mark.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Scott and His Career Path02:03 Current State of the City Talent Market06:11 The Impact of US Law Firms on the Market09:59 High-Profile Partner Moves and Their Implications14:07 The Economics Behind Law Firm Investments17:58 What Law Firms Look for in Lateral Hires21:54 Impact on firms outside the Magic Circle 26:13 Ageism and Retirement in Law Firms30:53 The Pension Dilemma in Law Firms32:42 Capital Contributions and Partner Exits36:31 Navigating Guaranteed Compensation38:30 The Role of Headhunters in Law Firm Recruitment46:07 The Partner Hiring Process55:20 Career Advice for Aspiring PartnersAbout Non-BillableNon-Billable is an email newsletter and media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.Visit our website: ⁠https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/

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• The A&O trainee who built (and sold) a legal tech startup as a side project during his training contract

  In this episode, we sit down with Alexander Kardos-Nyheim, a lawyer who remarkably built a legal AI company as a side project during his training contract at A&O. In 2024 - just as he was qualifying - he sold the business to Thomson Reuters for a life-changing sum of money. Alexander shares his inspiring journey from a young advocate fighting against a developer threatening his community to becoming a lawyer and co-founding his legal tech startup, SafeSign Technologies. He discusses the challenges of balancing a training contract at A&O with the startup, the dynamics of the legal market, and the eventual acquisition by Thomson Reuters. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Alex's Journey02:49 The Catalyst for Becoming a Lawyer05:36 Navigating Law School and Early Advocacy08:07 The Appeal of Big Law Firms10:31 The Impact of Rising Salaries in Law13:14 The Shift in the Legal Market Dynamics15:45 Starting a Tech Business During a Training Contract18:22 Building a Legal Tech Startup20:56 Balancing Work and Startup Life22:58 The Challenges of a Dual Career29:30 Navigating Dual Careers: Law and Entrepreneurship31:50 Pivoting to Legal AI: The Birth of a Startup35:18 Building a Legal-Specific AI Model39:21 Funding and Team Dynamics in a Startup42:49 Acquisition Talks: The Thomson Reuters Interest49:52 Life After Acquisition: New Beginnings at Thomson Reuters54:36 Advice for Aspiring Lawyer-EntrepreneursAbout Non-BillableNon-Billable is an email newsletter and media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.Visit our website: https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/

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