Infogov Hot Seat

Jim Merrifield

Candid interviews with practitioners, consultants and solution providers on hot topics in the information governance industry.

  1. Lawfront CIO: Why AI Is Under-Delivering in Legal Tech

    JAN 14

    Lawfront CIO: Why AI Is Under-Delivering in Legal Tech

    Tony McKenna, CIO at Lawfront, joins Jim Merrifield to discuss why AI is currently under-delivering in the legal sector and what needs to change. From email automation to billable hour evolution, Tony shares his perspective on how law firms can actually transform technology investments into revenue streams. KEY TOPICS COVERED: - Why AI is under-delivering expectations in legal tech today - How AI can transform email management and boost productivity - The critical importance of integrating AI into existing workflows - Why commoditized legal services will drive changes to billable hours - Who remains accountable when AI generates incorrect legal advice - How CIOs must evolve from IT managers to revenue strategists - The rise of business translators in legal operations CRITICAL INSIGHTS: → The buck stops with the lawyer, regardless of AI tool accuracy → AI adoption fails without proper workflow integration → CIOs must understand organizational strategy, not just technology → Administrative roles face the biggest disruption from AI → Resistance to change is the primary barrier to AI adoption → Understanding how to convert technology into revenue is essential SOUND BITES: - "AI can read your emails and respond" - "The buck stops with the lawyer" - "AI is still under-delivering" TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Introduction to AI in Law 02:51 - AI's Impact on Productivity 05:44 - Challenges in AI Adoption 08:27 - The Future of Billable Hours 11:04 - Accountability in AI Usage 13:44 - Skills for Future CIOs 15:09 - Final Thoughts and Advice Whether you're a law firm CIO, managing partner, or legal operations professional looking to maximize AI investments, this conversation provides honest insights on what's working, what's not, and what skills matter most in 2026. Subscribe for more legal technology insights and CIO leadership perspectives. #LegalTech #ArtificialIntelligence #LawFirms #CIOLeadership

    18 min
  2. Law Firm CIO on AI Adoption: The Real Blockers in 2026

    JAN 5

    Law Firm CIO on AI Adoption: The Real Blockers in 2026

    Former law firm CIO Judy Flournoy joins Jim Merrifield to discuss the critical challenges facing legal AI adoption in 2026. With over 20 years leading technology in mid-sized law firms, Judy reveals who holds liability when AI hallucinates, why adoption fails, and what really matters for law firm CIOs today.KEY TOPICS COVERED:- Who is responsible when AI gives bad legal advice to clients- The real reason AI adoption fails in law firms (hint: it's not the data)- Why the billable hour model will survive alongside AI- How data analysis transforms legal pricing models- Why CIOs must understand the entire business, not just technology- The difference between probabilistic AI and deterministic machine learningCRITICAL INSIGHTS:→ The lawyer is always the last mile for verifying AI-generated work→ Understanding the problem before buying AI tools is crucial→ Successful AI adoption requires showing lawyers how it improves client service→ Generative AI was trained to give answers, not to be right→ CIOs need deep knowledge of accounting, business development, and operationsLIGHTNING ROUND ANSWERS:- Most underrated AI capability: It writes- Biggest blocker to AI adoption: Fear- Most exciting shift by 2026: Consolidation- Biggest AI risk for firms: BlindnessTIMESTAMPS:00:00 - Introduction01:37 - Judy's Background in Legal Tech02:55 - AI Tasks CIOs Want to Automate03:50 - Real Blockers to AI Adoption06:14 - Will AI Disrupt the Billable Hour?08:40 - AI Liability: Who Holds the Bag?11:07 - Essential CIO Skills for 202614:05 - Lightning RoundMentioned in this episode: Stanford AI Strategy for Legal Leaders course, EU AI Act, Harvey AI, Lexis, WestlawWhether you're a law firm partner, CIO, legal operations professional, or attorney exploring AI tools, this conversation provides practical insights on navigating AI adoption responsibly.Subscribe for more legal technology insights and CIO leadership perspectives.#LegalTech #ArtificialIntelligence #LawFirms #AILiability

    16 min

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5
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3 Ratings

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Candid interviews with practitioners, consultants and solution providers on hot topics in the information governance industry.