Podcasts

AI Transformation Without Change Management is Useless ft. Mike Russell

joe.stephens@steno.com (Joe Stephens) — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:45:33 GMT

The only thing more important than embracing AI transformation for legal teams today is being able to communicate the change and manage it. In this episode of Between the Briefs by Steno, hosts Adrian Cea and Joe Stephens sit down with Mike Russell, Head of Global Legal Operations at Expedia Group, to explore just how legal operations is spearheading this movement.

Why Is Legal Still Riding Horses in the Age of GenAI ft. Umair Muhajir

joe.stephens@steno.com (Joe Stephens) — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Law firms have, historically, struggled with change. In this episode of Between the Briefs, hosts Adrian Cea and Joe Stephens welcome Umair Muhajir, Vice President and Global Head of Managed Review at DISCO, for a sharp, honest conversation about what GenAI is really doing to litigation workflows.

Why Paralegals Are Quietly Becoming More Valuable Than Associates ft. Michelle Pendleton

joe.stephens@steno.com (Joe Stephens) — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Paralegals have long been boxed into the role of “document reviewers” but their true value goes far beyond that. And with AI in the mix, their place in law firms is being rewritten entirely. In this episode of Between the Briefs, hosts Adrian Cea and Joe Stephens welcome Michelle Pendleton, Certified Paralegal and eDiscovery specialist at Allen Matkins and President of the San Diego Paralegal Association, to explore how paralegals are quietly becoming the most valuable players in law firms.

Questioning Everything We Think We Know About AI in Law ft. Daniel Schwarcz

joe.stephens@steno.com (Joe Stephens) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The impact of AI on law has been studied through the narrow lens of productivity and profitability. But the reality is much broader than that. In this episode of Between the Briefs by Steno, Adrian Cea and Joe Stephens welcome back Daniel Schwarcz, Professor at the University of Minnesota Law School to discuss groundbreaking empirical research on how AI impacts lawyer performance, legal reasoning and long-term professional development.

Is the Legal System Every Lawyer’s Biggest Enemy? ft. Legal Futurist Sateesh Nori

joe.stephens@steno.com (Joe Stephens) — Thu, 28 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Lawyers can (technically) be the superheroes society needs them to be but the legal system simply doesn’t allow it. With a broken system, flawed legal aid and crumbling structures, justice gets the short end of the stick - but can AI be part of the solution? In this episode of Between the Briefs, hosts Adrian Cea and Joe Stephens welcome Sateesh Nori, Chief Legal Futurist at LawDroid and Senior Research Fellow at NYU School of Law, to explore how justice can truly be democratized.

The Legal AI Game: Why Waiting Might be Better Than Rushing ft. Myah Bowermaster

joe.stephens@steno.com (Joe Stephens) — Thu, 14 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Applying AI to an already bad process is just automating a bad process,” says Myah Bowermaster, Head of Legal Operations at Cvent, in this episode of Between the Briefs by Steno. Tune in as hosts Adrian Cea and Joe Stephens sit down with Myah to explore the truth behind AI adoption in the legal landscape.

AI's Role in eDiscovery and Information Governance ft. Matthew Krengel

joe.stephens@steno.com (Joe Stephens) — Fri, 01 May 2026 04:00:00 GMT

What if legal professionals have been missing the key to responsible AI implementation this whole time? In this episode of Between the Briefs, hosts Adrian Cea and Joe Stephens welcome Matthew Krengel, eDiscovery Counsel and Director of Information Retention Counseling at Cooley LLP, to explore the real solution.

Eric Friedman: Leading the Future of Law and Tech

joe.stephens@steno.com (Joe Stephens) — Thu, 23 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

What does it take to lead one of the world's most prestigious law firms through a global financial crisis, a pandemic, and now, a generative AI revolution?
In this episode, Eric Friedman draws on his three decades of experience at Skadden to dissect the current "headwinds" impacting the legal landscape. Now an advisor to legal tech leaders like Litera and Ironclad, Eric explores why adoption remains the number one hurdle for innovation and how the "client voice" is finally forcing the hands of reluctant law firms. From the "crystal ball" question of the billable hour's future to the potential for AI to move the needle on access to justice, this conversation provides a strategic roadmap for the future of legal services.

High Stakes, Human Impact: Brian Shapiro on Navigating Catastrophic Injury Litigation

joe.stephens@steno.com (Joe Stephens) — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

What does it take to represent families facing the unthinkable? For Brian Shapiro, it starts with deep mentorship and a commitment to strategic precision. In this episode, Brian discusses his journey from a "family of law" to becoming a passionate advocate for individuals impacted by spinal and brain injuries. He pulls back the curtain on his firm’s meticulous intake process, explaining how he identifies red flags early and prepares clients for the psychological rigors of depositions from the very first meeting.
Beyond the courtroom, Brian explores the intersection of technology and law, highlighting how tools like Steno’s Transcript Genius are revolutionizing medical record review and deposition prep. He also dives into his legislative work with the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), discussing the vital importance of protecting access to justice against corporate-backed fee-cap initiatives.

How Judge Paul Raleeh Disrupted Texas Courts Without a Law Degree

joe.stephens@steno.com (Joe Stephens) — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In these volatile and uncertain times, what does it really take to uphold peace? Someone like Judge Paul Raleeh, it would seem. In this episode of Between the Briefs, hosts Joe Stephens and Adrian Cea sit down with Judge Raleeh, Justice of the Peace for Precinct 1 in Collin County, Texas, to explore the critical yet often misunderstood role of justice courts in modernizing local litigation.