Pearls On, Gloves Off: The Legal Innovation Podcast #90 - Clients "Do Their Own Research." That's A Problem for Law Firms
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In this episode, Mary sits down with Claire Hart, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Legal Officer, and Board Member at Groq, to talk about what legal leaders should expect in the AI era - from their law firms, their teams, and themselves. With senior leadership roles at Google, Blizzard, and Genies, Claire brings a sharp perspective from the intersection of law, business, and technology.
The conversation starts with the LinkedIn comment that got people talking: Claire said she would be horrified to learn that some of the law firms she works with are not using AI. From there, she and Mary unpack why adoption is still so uneven, how the billable hour distorts incentives, what young lawyers need to stay relevant, and why judgment, curiosity, and team design matter more than ever as legal moves into an AI-driven future.
In this episode:- Claire's AI hot take: Why clients should be alarmed if their outside counsel aren't using AI
- The adoption problem: How risk concerns and the billable hour are slowing real change
- Efficiency vs. incentives: Why the tech clients want conflicts with how firms make money
- What young lawyers need now: Judgment, communication, and adaptability over pure technical skill
- The blurring of roles: How lawyers, legal ops, and contract managers are starting to overlap
- What law firms still miss: Why understanding how businesses actually operate is now a competitive edge
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