The Future Is Bright Podcast

The Future Is Bright Podcast
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Enjoy a front-row seat as Chris speaks with thought-provoking C-Suite executives and leaders from corporations, both public and private, professional service firms, and of course, the legal industry from around the United States.

  1. 23 SEP

    EP #57: Feeling the Squeeze: How Mid-Sized Law Firms Adapt and Compete

    Mid-sized law firms are facing pressure from every direction. Associates are poached with six-figure pay bumps, partners are stretched thin between billing and management, and specialty practices vanish without succession plans. At the same time, clients expect broader reach and deeper benches than many firms can deliver. In this episode, host Chris Batz shares what he’s hearing directly from managing partners and executive committee members across the country. He outlines the squeeze mid-sized firms are feeling - lagging organic growth, talent retention challenges, leadership burnout - and the difficult choices leaders are weighing: scale up, go lean, or join a larger platform. Chris also looks at the emerging role of private equity in law firm ownership and the ripple effects it could have on culture, compensation, and competition. Along the way, he points out steps firms can take now: sharpen strategic vision, invest in leadership and succession, strengthen recruiting systems, and pursue growth through the right mergers or acquisitions. At its heart, this episode asks a question every firm should confront: how do you stay competitive without exhausting the people who make your firm strong?   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Why Mid-Sized Law Firms Are Struggling 03:30 Why Talent Keeps Leaving Mid-Sized Firms 04:28 The Leadership Burnout Crisis in Law Firms 07:37 Scenario 1: Losing Lead Counsel Work to Bigger Firms 11:31 Scenario 2: Rainmakers With No Succession Plan 14:04 Billing vs. Leading — Can Firm Leaders Do Both? 18:19 Growth Choices: Lateral Hires, Acquisitions, or Mergers 24:01 Should Mid-Sized Firms Join Larger Platforms? 26:09 The Hidden Cost of Burnout in Firm Leadership 32:17 How Private Equity Is Changing Law Firms 34:18 Strategies for Mid-Sized Firms to Compete 43:48 Key Lessons for Law Firm Leaders   Connect with Chris Batz: LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbatz/  LinkedIn company page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/columbus-street/ Columbus Street website: https://www.columbus-street.com/  Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    45 min

  2. 9 SEP

    EP #56: Leading from Heart: Jami Wintz McKeon on Loving the Firm, the People, and the Work

    Jami Wintz McKeon, Chair of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, joins Chris Batz and Howard Rosenberg to share her journey from associate to leading one of the world’s largest law firms. She reflects on the moments that shaped her path, including overseeing major integrations, heading the litigation practice, and ultimately stepping into the role of chair.   Jami talks about the personal side of leadership, carrying both the joys and hardships of colleagues, staying connected across a global partnership, and fostering a culture where collaboration comes before credit. She also discusses Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP’s approach to expansion, the role of client needs in shaping growth, and how the firm has embraced AI as an opportunity to strengthen client service.   Jami’s advice for fellow and future law firm leaders is straightforward: you have to love the firm, the people, and the responsibility itself. She shares how gratitude and family keep her grounded and why focusing on what’s working is as critical as addressing what isn’t. At its core, this episode is a look at what it means to lead with both strategy and heart in an industry defined by constant change.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00  Jami Wintz McKeon’s Path to Becoming a Law Firm Leader 02:54  Defining Career Turning Points at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP 05:36  Leading with Connection and Caring for Firm Members 08:28  Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP Global Growth Strategy 13:40  Artificial Intelligence in Law Firms and Client Service 16:35  Advice for Current and Aspiring Law Firm Leaders 20:20  Staying Grounded Through Gratitude and Family 25:40  Inspiration and Leadership Philosophy 29:38  Looking Ahead: The Future of Law Firm Leadership   Links Connect with Jami Wintz McKeon: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jami-wintz-mckeon-1b993746/ Web bio: https://www.morganlewis.com/bios/jmckeon   Connect with Howard Rosenberg: LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrosenberg/ Company web profile: https://www.baretzbrunelle.com/howard-rosenberg   Connect with Chris Batz: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbatz/  LinkedIn Company page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/columbus-street/ Columbus Street website: https://www.columbus-street.com/  Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    32 min

  3. 26 AGO

    EP #55: The Future of Nixon Peabody LLP: Culture, Talent, and Growth with Stephen Zubiago

    Stephen Zubiago, CEO and Managing Partner of Nixon Peabody LLP, joins hosts Chris Batz and Howard Rosenberg to share what it takes to lead an AmLaw 100 firm through growth, competition, and change. He talks about how Nixon Peabody LLP aligns talent strategy with client needs, develops attorneys at every level, and builds a culture where collaboration and entrepreneurial drive matter as much as expertise. Their discussion explores the firm’s focus on industries like financial services, real estate and affordable housing, healthcare, and technology, and why being selective about expansion is key to long-term strength.   This episode also looks at the bigger shifts reshaping the legal profession, including the race for talent, pressure to scale, and the rise of private equity in professional services. Stephen explains why Nixon Peabody LLP has turned down outside capital, how flexible remote work policies have strengthened retention after COVID, and why artificial intelligence is changing the way law is practiced. At the core of his leadership approach is a simple principle: the firm moves forward when its people do.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Stephen Zubiago’s Career Journey 02:49 Vision for Growth at Nixon Peabody LLP 03:54 Attracting and Retaining Top Legal Talent 04:57 Key Practice Areas and Industry Focus 06:33 Balancing Firm Size with Culture and Market Position 11:17 What Differentiates Nixon Peabody LLP 14:01 Private Equity and the Future of Law Firms 16:01 The Partnership Model and Capital Needs 18:16 Managing Pricing Pressures in Legal Services 23:21 Navigating Challenges and Future Opportunities 24:01 Remote Work, Flexibility, and Retention 28:53 Innovation, Industry Focus, and AI in Legal Practice   Links Connect with Stephen Zubiago: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-zubiago-3141815/ Website Bio: https://www.nixonpeabody.com/people/zubiago-stephen-d   Connect with Howard Rosenberg: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrosenberg/ Company Web Profile: https://www.baretzbrunelle.com/howard-rosenberg   Connect with Chris Batz: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbatz/  LinkedIn Company Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/columbus-street/ Columbus Street Website: https://www.columbus-street.com/  Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    31 min

  4. 8 JUL

    EP #54: The Life of David Lat | Attorney, Writer, Speaker & Family Man

    David Lat spent years climbing the legal ladder, clerking, working at Wachtell, joining the DOJ, before realizing that the most meaningful part of his career wasn’t going to happen in a courtroom. Joining Chris Batz and Howard Rosenberg, David talks through the decisions that shaped his path, from writing a cheeky anonymous blog about federal judges to launching “Above the Law” and building one of the most influential voices in legal media. He reflects on the pressure to follow prestige, the pull of creative work, and the unexpected ways his early writing opened doors he didn’t even know existed.   A serious case of COVID-19 in 2020 forced him to pause and take stock. What would it look like to return to writing on his own terms? What parts of the legal world still felt worth exploring? Those questions led to “Original Jurisdiction,” a Substack newsletter where David now shares sharp, thoughtful takes on the profession he never fully left. David also opens up about parenting two young kids with his husband Zach, navigating surrogacy, and finding ways to stay engaged without burning out. This episode is a look at what it means to shift gears without losing momentum, and how the best version of your work might be the one that feels the most like you.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Meet David Lat: From Wachtell to Legal Media 05:41 The Birth of Underneath Their Robes 06:59 Launching Above the Law 10:54 The Rise and Reach of Above the Law 13:25 Why David Stepped Away from Legal Journalism 16:23 A Life-Changing COVID-19 Experience 18:02 Starting Over with Original Jurisdiction 27:00 Legal Parenthood, Surrogacy, and Family Life 31:45 Candid Advice for Aspiring Writers and Lawyers 39:54 Big Law, AI, and the Future of the Profession   Links Connect with David Lat: Substack: https://davidlat.substack.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlat/   Connect with Howard Rosenberg: LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrosenberg/ Company web profile: https://www.baretzbrunelle.com/howard-rosenberg   Connect with Chris Batz: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbatz/  LinkedIn Company page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/columbus-street/ Columbus Street website: https://www.columbus-street.com/  Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    45 min

  5. 17 JUN

    EP #53: Remaining Curious and the Professional Services Executive Journey, with Rebecca Goodman-Stephens, CEO of Moses Singer

    Titles don’t build trust, people do. And according to Rebecca Goodman-Stephens, that’s where real leadership begins. Rebecca is the CEO of Moses Singer, a New York law firm, but her story starts far from the legal world. She grew up across the UK, Switzerland, and France, studied clinical psychology, and built her career in consulting and public accounting before stepping into her current role. Along the way, she kept coming back to the same core skill: understanding people. As she joins hosts Chris Batz and Howard Rosenberg, Rebecca shares how her background shaped her leadership style, and why listening, curiosity, and follow-through matter more than any formal authority. How do you get people to want to work with you? How does one shift a firm’s culture without blowing up what’s already working? Rebecca also talks about her move into legal services and what surprised her most, like how much creativity and momentum she’s found in a space often viewed as slow to change. From evolving compensation structures to narrowing focus and driving intentional growth, she walks through the mindset behind her first two years as CEO. This episode touches on private equity and what legal leaders can learn from the accounting world. Rebecca offers a clear message: don’t wait for outside investment to fix what you haven’t yet addressed internally.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Meet Rebecca Goodman-Stephens 04:04 How Clinical Psychology Shapes Rebecca’s Leadership Approach 08:02 Lessons from Consulting and Public Accounting 12:52 Why Rebecca Moved into Legal Services 15:50 What Surprised Rebecca About the Legal Industry 17:27 Leading Change as CEO at Moses Singer 21:13 Private Equity and the Future of Law Firms 24:23 Building a Resilient, Forward-Looking Organization 26:41 Launching a Business-Focused Law Firm Podcast 27:56 Personal Passions, Family Life, and New York Favorites   Links Connect with Rebecca Goodman-Stephens: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebecca-goodman-stephens-b702665/   Connect with Howard Rosenberg: LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrosenberg/ Company web profile: https://www.baretzbrunelle.com/howard-rosenberg   Connect with Chris Batz: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbatz/  LinkedIn Company page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/columbus-street/ Columbus Street website: https://www.columbus-street.com/  Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    33 min

  6. 3 JUN

    EP #52: Succession Planning and A Seamless Transition with Yakub Hazzard Chair of MSK

    Succession only looks seamless from the outside. Yakub Hazzard shares what it really took to step into the chair role at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP, and why leadership transitions require more than just good timing.   How do you plan for change without disrupting what already works? Yakub walks through the nearly two-year succession planning process that prepared him to take over as chair, from building internal alignment to choosing the right leadership partner. He shares how the firm prioritized culture over convenience, and why that made all the difference.   Yakub also reflects on his journey from paralegal to partner, with a few unexpected stops along the way. Raised in a household of professional athletes, he learned early what discipline looks like up close. Time at NBCUniversal gave him a new perspective on what clients actually need from their lawyers, something he carries into every interaction today.   The episode also covers how the firm is growing with intention, where entertainment law is headed, and how AI is already reshaping the conversation. Yakub’s perspective is steady, strategic, and refreshingly grounded.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Yakub Hazzerd’s Background  04:46 Starting in Law: From Paralegal to Partner 07:06 Going In-House at NBCUniversal 09:00 Returning to MSK and the Shift Back to Private Practice 10:05 Succession Planning and Leadership Transition 13:30 Strategic Growth and Culture-Driven Hiring 18:35 Industry Disruption: Streaming, Gaming, and AI 27:34 Building High-Performing Teams   Links Connect with Yakub Hazzard: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yakub-hazzard-1469b113/  Firm Website Bio: https://www.msk.com/attorneys-Yakub_Hazzard Connect with Howard Rosenberg: LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrosenberg/ Company web profile: https://www.baretzbrunelle.com/howard-rosenberg   Connect with Chris Batz: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbatz/  LinkedIn Company page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/columbus-street/ Columbus Street website: https://www.columbus-street.com/  Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    31 min

  7. 8 ABR

    EP #51: How an AmLaw100 Firm Integrated Technology into Their DNA with Jaime Drozd

    Law firms that treat innovation like a team sport are the ones shaping the future of legal practice.   Chris Batz and Howard Rosenberg sit down with Jamie Drozd, the managing partner at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP, a corporate law firm known for leaning into technology in ways that actually stick. Jamie shares how her path, from commercial litigator to firm leadership, was shaped by early lessons in service, and how those same values now guide her in a role she never set out to pursue.   What does meaningful growth look like for a modern law firm? For Jamie, it’s not about size. It’s about deepening expertise in industries like technology, financial services, and media, while staying rooted in strong client relationships and a culture that prioritizes collaboration over ego.   Jamie also offers a candid look at how the firm is approaching technology, including artificial intelligence. From firm-wide hackathons to building custom AI tools that support legal writing and workflow, Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is taking a hands-on approach to innovation—one that empowers people at every level to think creatively about client service.   This episode leaves listeners with a clear vision: growth that reflects the firm’s values, a workplace that supports both ambition and well-being, and a culture where tech isn’t a trend but a mindset.   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction 02:09 Leadership Roles and Achievements 09:27 Firm’s Growth Strategy 13:19 Embracing AI and Technology 18:25 Internal Drive for Innovation 20:13 Geographic Expansion Considerations 22:52 Transition from Practicing Attorney to Managing Partner 25:57 Hybrid Work Environment and Engagement 30:50 Long-term Vision and Goals   Links Connect with Jaime Drozd: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-drozd-7592733/ Firm Website Bio: https://www.dwt.com/people/d/drozd-jaime   Connect with Howard Rosenberg: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrosenberg/ Company web profile: https://www.baretzbrunelle.com/howard-rosenberg   Connect with Chris Batz: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbatz/  LinkedIn Company page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/columbus-street/ Columbus Street website: https://www.columbus-street.com/  Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    34 min

  8. 25 MAR

    EP #50: Private Equity Dry Powder & Corporate Law Firms with Crispin Passmore

    Private equity is making moves in the legal industry, and Crispin Passmore has a message for firms that think they can ignore it: adapt or risk getting left behind.   Chris Batz and Howard Rosenberg sit down with Crispin, the co-founder of Stratify and a former U.K. regulator turned law firm consultant, to talk about what’s happening on both sides of the Atlantic. Why has the U.K. embraced alternative business structures while the U.S. continues to resist change? Is the legal industry really evolving, or does it just feel that way to those pushing for reform? Crispin shares his perspective on where things stand, why some firms feel no urgency, and what’s fueling the momentum in places like Arizona.   Crispin also dives into what private equity sees in the legal sector: why investors are drawn to it, how they’re already involved, and what it means for firms that want to stay competitive. But money alone won’t solve the industry’s biggest challenges. Governance structures are outdated. Succession planning is a mess. Many firms still operate as if the market hasn’t changed in decades. Crispin explains why those who are looking outward, not inward, will have the biggest advantage in the years ahead.   Change may feel slow, but as Crispin puts it, revolutions rarely happen overnight. When the shift picks up speed, will firms be ready?   Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Introduction to Private Equity in Legal Industry 03:04 Comparison of U.K. and U.S. Legal Market Liberalization 05:50 Success of ABS in the U.K. 08:02 U.S. States Experimenting with Legal Market Liberalization 11:45 Structuring National Practices from Arizona ABS 14:55 Vulnerability of Law Firms to Market Changes 16:45 Private Equity Interest in Legal Market 19:06 Alternative Ways for Private Equity to Enter U.S. Legal Market 21:15 Challenges of Private Equity in Traditional Law Firms 25:13 Changing Dynamics in Law Firms with Private Equity 29:02 Future of U.S. Law Firms with ABS in the U.K. 33:35 Effective Use of Raised Capital by Law Firms 35:17 IPOs vs. Private Markets for Law Firms   Links Connect with Crispin Passmore: Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/crispin-passmore/ Firm Website Bio: https://www.passmoreconsulting.co.uk/about-me   Connect with Howard Rosenberg: LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hrosenberg/ Company web profile: https://www.baretzbrunelle.com/howard-rosenberg   Connect with Chris Batz: LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbatz/  LinkedIn Company page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/columbus-street/ Columbus Street website: https://www.columbus-street.com/  Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

    38 min
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Enjoy a front-row seat as Chris speaks with thought-provoking C-Suite executives and leaders from corporations, both public and private, professional service firms, and of course, the legal industry from around the United States.

Información

  • Creador
    The Future Is Bright Podcast
  • Años de actividad
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodios
    59
  • Clasificación
    Apto
  • Copyright
    © The Future Is Bright Podcast
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    The Future Is Bright Podcast

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