What if innovation in law isn’t about doing things differently, but about thinking differently?

That’s the message from this week’s Legally Speaking Podcast ™️, proudly sponsored by Clio, where I sit down with Monica Zent, founder, investor, futurist, and one of the earliest female pioneers in legal tech.

For over two decades, Monica has been redefining what’s possible at the intersection of law, technology and humanity. From launching ZentLaw in the early 2000s to building the Law Innovation Agency, she’s shaped how firms, corporates and governments can embrace AI and automation without losing the human element.

Here’s what you’ll take away from this episode:

🔴 AI isn’t coming for your job, it’s coming for your inefficiencies.
Monica explains how lawyers can shift from fear to strategy, using AI to elevate their value and deepen client trust.

🔴 Innovation is everyone’s responsibility.
Whether you’re in-house or in private practice, she urges every lawyer to adopt an “innovation mindset”, to question, experiment, and adapt.

🔴 Leadership means looking ahead, not waiting for permission.
Monica’s track record as founder, angel investor, and policy advisor, shows that true progress happens when we anticipate change instead of reacting to it.

Her words that stuck with me:

💬 “The law takes time to catch up, but leadership doesn’t have to.”
💬 “Innovation without empathy isn’t innovation. It’s disruption without direction.”

Monica’s story is a reminder that you don’t need to predict the future of law, you can help build it.

🎧 Tune in to hear how to lead through AI, design smarter legal operations, and future-proof your firm’s strategy. Available on all major podcast platforms!