The first time I saw a neural network visualized, I was completely captivated. It reminded me of looking out over a city at night—tiny lights flickering like neurons, each one telling a story. That skyline of connections? That’s what AI is. Not just code. Not just math. But something bigger—something alive.
And that realization has stuck with me ever since: AI isn’t just about algorithms. It’s about people. And more importantly, it’s about the kinds of relationships we build across disciplines, across industries, and across perspectives.
As legal professionals, we’re entering a new era—one where leadership means more than mastering regulations. It means connecting, collaborating, and creating. Especially when it comes to AI.
In AI, Isolation Is a Liability
Let’s be honest: many of us in law were trained to go it alone. Independent analysis, critical thinking, spotting issues before they arise. That skillset is essential—but in the world of AI, it’s no longer enough.
I’ve seen this firsthand. A few years ago, I worked with a team that built an AI-driven risk tool. It was fast, efficient, and technically impressive. But there was one major problem: it flagged certain demographics as higher risk—again and again. The model wasn’t broken. The data wasn’t wrong. But the process? Isolated. No lawyers. No ethicists. No one asking, “Who might this affect—and how?”
We had to rebuild. Together.
And that experience taught me a lesson I’ll never forget: AI innovation dies in silos. Without connection, even the best intentions can lead to unintended harm.
The Most Powerful AI Tools Are Built with Legal at the Table
One of my favorite examples of AI done right started off… well, bumpy.
An engineering team was building an AI for hiring. Fast, efficient, optimized. The legal team was worried—about bias, transparency, compliance. Their early meetings? Tense. It felt like a battle between speed and scrutiny.
But here’s where the magic happened: they reframed the conversation.
Instead of asking, “What’s legally risky?” the legal team asked, “How can fairness be your edge?” Suddenly, everyone leaned in. Engineers started embedding explainability into the model. Lawyers began co-creating solutions, not just flagging issues. The final product? Not just compliant—but more trusted, more transparent, and ultimately more valuable.
That’s what legal leadership looks like in the AI age: not slowing innovation down, but making it stronger.
Creativity: The Legal Superpower No One Talks About
Here’s something you don’t hear enough in legal circles: creativity matters.
We talk a lot about compliance, risk, governance. But creativity? That’s the secret sauce—especially when it comes to AI.
I once worked with a fintech team building an AI tool for financial decisions. The lawyers were rightly concerned—what happens if the AI gives bad advice? Liability loomed large. The project stalled.
Until someone asked, “What if this tool guided decisions instead of making them?”
That one shift unlocked everything. The AI became a support tool, not a dictator. The risk went down. The user experience improved. Trust soared.
Sometimes, the best legal insight isn’t “You can’t do that”—it’s “What if we tried this instead?” That’s not just lawyering. That’s design thinking.
Connection. Collaboration. Creativity. That’s Leadership.
The truth is, AI doesn’t fail because of broken code. It fails because of blind spots. And blind spots happen when teams build in silos, without talking to the people who see the world differently.
That’s where legal leaders come in.
We’re not just issue-spotters. We’re bridge-builders. Connectors. Translators. The ones who see around corners—not to shut things down, but to help innovation go further.
I like to call it the Dinner Party Test. Even if your AI is technically perfect, if people feel excluded, misjudged, or uncomfortable using it, it’s failed. Just like a dinner party where everything is theoretically right—the menu, the music, the guest list—but the vibe is off. Nobody wants to stay.
So the next time someone tells you the math is sound, ask: does it feel right? Does it work for people? That’s the real test.
What Legal Leaders Need to Remember
If you’re a legal leader working with AI—or even just watching it reshape your field—here’s what I want you to remember.
Silos are riskier than mistakes. Talk to your engineers. Bring in ethicists. Listen to users. Early and often.
Compliance is not the enemy of innovation. It’s your differentiator.
Legal creativity is real—and it’s needed. Don’t just spot problems. Design better paths forward.
Transparency is a feature, not a footnote. If people don’t trust your AI, they won’t use it. Period.
Leadership today means co-creating across disciplines. AI is changing everything. We need each other to get it right.
The future of AI—and law—isn’t just technical. It’s human. And the best legal leaders I know? They’re not waiting on the sidelines. They’re in the room, shaping what comes next.
Let’s keep building together.