Legal Speak

Hosted by Charles Garnar

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

Legal Speak is a weekly podcast that makes sense of what's happening in the legal industry. Each episode tackles a subject that's worthy of a deep dive—from law firm profit hacks to Supreme Court showdowns to the most promising plays in legal tech. Hosted by Senior Litigation Reporter of the Daily Report Cedra Mayfield and Senior Staff Writer for the American Lawyer Patrick Smith, Legal Speak offers straight talk from experts, plus an inside-the-newsroom perspective on market-shaping stories.

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60 recent

August 27, 2026Episode 54513 min

Legal AI Gets an Upgrade: Inside LexisNexis' New Innovation Lab

In this episode of Legal Speak, Law.com reporter Ella Sherman speaks with LexisNexis CTO Greg Dickason about LexisNexis' new Customer Innovation Lab in New York City that brings legal customers, engineers and designers together to shape future products, alongside technology partners including OpenAI and Amazon Web Services. The pair also discuss LexisNexis' latest agentic AI capabilities in Lexis+ with Protégé, including tools designed to generate Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint content, provide citations and support legal research within document management systems. In addition to discussing the company's efforts to improve user experience, Dickason also explains how LexisNexis is helping build trust in AI-generated legal work while fostering collaboration across the legal technology ecosystem. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield & Patrick Smith Reporter: Ella Sherman Guest: Greg Dickason Producer: Charles Garnar

August 21, 2026Episode 54422 min

The Chair's Seat: Wab Kadaba on Leading in a Changing Legal World

In this episode of Legal Speak, Law.com reporter Alex Anteau sits down with Wab Kadaba, global chair of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, to discuss how the law firm leader is helping steer the firm through an increasingly complex and unpredictable global legal landscape. Recently recognized with the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association's President's Award for his leadership and service, Kadaba offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it means to lead a global law firm. In addition to detailing his management of a large international team and navigating geopolitical uncertainty, Kadaba highlights evolving client risks and changes to the business of law. He also reflects on his intellectual property practice, path to firm leadership and the importance of representation and community involvement. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield & Patrick Smith Reporter: Alex Anteau Guest: Wab Kadaba Producer: Charles Garnar

August 14, 2026Episode 54327 min

From Big Law to Horse Law: Building a Niche Practice at Holland & Knight

In this Legal Speak episode, Law.com Busines s of Law reporter Vivienne Serret speaks with Holland & Knight partner Kayla Pragid about the business of building a niche practice within an Am Law 100 firm. Having founded the firm's equine industry practice, Pragid discusses her path into equine law, how the team serves its clients and the importance of balancing legal strategy with the best interests of the horse. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield & Patrick Smith Reporter: Vivienne Serret Guest: Kayla Pragid Producer: Charles Garnar

July 31, 2026Episode 54221 min

Cox CLO Jennifer Hightower Details AI Strategy, Political Neutrality and What's Next

In this week's Legal Speak episode, Law.com reporter Alex Anteau and Cox Enterprises Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Jennifer Hightower discuss how Cox Enterprises' legal department is navigating technological disruptions and regulatory changes. Hightower reveals how encouraging her team to embrace AI as a core part of its strategy has helped improve efficiency, reduced reliance on outside counsel and freed attorneys to focus on higher-value legal work. In addition to pinpointing her preferred AI tools, Hightower details how company-wide training and budget expectations factored into the technology adoption. Anteau and Hightower also discuss how the executive VP leads her legal team through political polarization to maintain a workplace respectful of diverse viewpoints. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield & Patrick Smith Reporter: Alex Anteau Guest: Jennifer Hightower Producer: Charles Garnar

July 24, 2026Episode 54125 min

Southbound and Down: How Sidley Austin Is Capitalizing on Miami's Big Law Boom

In this week's episode, Legal Speak hosts Cedra Mayfield and Patrick Smith chat with Law.com business of law reporter Vivviene Serret about her new podcast, "Southbound and Down." In its premiere episode, Serret interviews Beatriz Azcuy, the co-managing partner of Sidley Austin's Miami office. Sidley Austin is one of several Am Law 100 firms that have made moves to South Florida within the last five years. The firm is also part of a greater pipeline of Chicago-founded firms flocking to Miami for more than just its weather. In addition to examining the firm's success since entering the market in 2022, the duo discuss client demand and what comes next in the firm's growth strategy. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield& Patrick Smith Reporter: Vivviene Serret Guest: Beatriz Azcuy Producer: Charles Garnar

July 17, 2026Episode 54036 min

Beyond the Deal: HSF Kramer's Justin D'Agostino on Life After a Landmark Merger

In this week's Legal Speak episode, London-based Law.com International reporter Melina Block sits down with global CEO Justin D'Agostino to reflect on HSF Kramer's first year of operation, following its landmark transatlantic merger. In addition discussing the firm's evolution amid rapid change in the legal industry and global economy, D'Agostino reveals how HSF Kramer is navigating geopolitical uncertainty, shifting client demands, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in legal services. The conversation also highlights the firm's approach to innovation, the future of Big Law, and the unexpected role of high-profile legal AI advertising campaigns—including those featuring Jude Law—in shaping the public conversation around the future of legal technology. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield & Patrick Smith Reporter: Melina Block Guest: Justin D'Agostino Producer: Charles Garnar

July 10, 2026Episode 53932 min

From Rankings to Responses: AI Is Changing How Law Firms Get Found

In this week's episode, Legal Speak explores how the rapid rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping law firm marketing and public relations. As AI-powered platforms such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Perplexity increasingly influence how people research legal services, firms are rethinking how they build visibility, credibility and authority in an AI-driven search landscape. Centellic Editor-in-Chief Steve Salkin sits down with Edge Marketing CEO Amy Juers and Play4orm PR Founder and Principal Valerie Chan to discuss their firms' new partnership. The trio also examine how law firms can adapt their marketing and communications strategies to remain discoverable and trusted as AI transforms the way prospective clients find legal information. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield & Patrick Smith Reporter: Steve Salkin Guests: Valerie Chan & Amy Juers Producer: Charles Garnar

July 2, 2026Episode 53831 min

Serving China Just Got Harder: The Hague Ruling Shaking Up Schedule A Cases

In this week's Legal Speak episode, Law.com reporter Alex Anteau and Chicago-Kent College of Law professor Sarah Fackrell examine a recent federal appeals court decision that could reshape how intellectual property lawsuits are served on defendants in China. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit joined the Second Circuit in holding that service by email is not permitted under the Hague Service Convention. The May 29, 2026 ruling is expected to have significant implications for the high-volume Schedule A trademark and copyright infringement cases frequently filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. As one of the earliest scholars to study Schedule A litigation, Fackrell breaks down what the decision means for IP practitioners, international service of process, and the future of cross-border enforcement actions in this episode. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield & Patrick Smith Reporter: Alex Anteau Guest: Sarah Fackrell Producer: Charles Garnar

June 26, 2026Episode 53728 min

Capital Calls: Inside the Debate Over Outside Investment in Law Firms

In this week's Legal Speak episode, business of law reporter Jon Campisi examines the growing interest in outside investment in U.S. law firms and what it could mean for the legal industry. As law firms look for new sources of capital to support growth and manage cash-flow challenges, investors ranging from private equity firms to litigation financiers are exploring opportunities in the legal sector. Campisi sat down with M&A advisers Chris Batz, David Perla, and Howard Rosenberg to discuss the business models that could allow outside investment in law firms. In addition to weighing regulatory hurdles, the group also discusses how increased access to capital could reshape the future of legal practice in the United States. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield & Patrick Smith Reporter: Jon Campisi Guests: Chris Batz, David Perla & Howard Rosenberg Producer: Charles Garnar

June 18, 2026Episode 53825 min

From Billboard Lawyer to Billion-Dollar Brand: John Morgan Reflects

In this week's episode, Legal Speak examines the notable career of renowned plaintiffs' attorney and Morgan & Morgan founder John Morgan through the lens of his new book, "Life Is Luck: John Morgan on Lawyering, Risk and Recognizing Opportunity. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield & Patrick Smith Reporter: Lisa Willis Guest: John Morgan Producer: Charles Garnar