Al Hounsell
Amy Monaghan sat down with Al Hounsell, Director of Strategic Innovation at Norton Rose Fulbright, live from ILTACON. If you missed it, you’ll find a recap of Amy and Al’s conversation here.
Introduction and Background
Amy Monaghan introduces herself and her special guest, Al Hounsell, at ILTACON at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville. Al is the Director of Strategic Innovation at Norton Rose Fulbright. His role involves overseeing innovation in legal practice, client service, and fostering creativity within the firm.
Purpose of Attending ILTACON
Al mentions that he is at ILTACON to understand the latest trends in legal technology, particularly generative AI, from both vendors’ and law firms’ perspectives. This knowledge will help shape his firm’s strategy and roadmap.
Panel Discussion Recap: How to Grow an Innovator
- Both Amy and Al were part of a panel titled “How to Grow an Innovator,” along with Tiffani Hamilton-Huynh from DHL, Nita Sanger from Idea Innovate Consulting, and was moderated by Jaclyn Walkins from Sidley Austin.
- The panel focused on the “five C’s” of innovation, which include communication, collaboration, curiosity, courage, and commercially minded. Al highlights the importance of courage in taking calculated risks, especially in a law firm setting where the margin for error is low.
Insights from ILTACON
- Al shares that the most valuable aspect of ILTACON is getting a sense of the “pulse” of legal tech by interacting with various stakeholders, including vendors, consultants, and peers from other law firms.
- He emphasizes that informal conversations about revenue models, particularly how AI might drive new revenue and billing models, are becoming more prominent. This shift could significantly alter law firm structures and operational models.
Impact on Strategy and Roadmap
Al explains that while attending ILTACON won’t drastically change his firm’s strategy, it will provide insights into aligning their existing strategy with current trends. He mentions the importance of understanding what technology is ready now, what needs more development, and where vendors need to be pushed to meet the firm’s requirements.
Surprises at ILTACON
Al is surprised by the sheer size of the conference venue, comparing it to a previous ILTACON at the Gaylord in Maryland. Despite the challenges of navigating such a large venue, he appreciates the vibrant and welcoming atmosphere.
Closing Thoughts
The conversation wraps up with Al and Amy discussing their experiences at the conference. They also reflect on the importance of collaborating with clients and staying aligned with market needs in an AI-powered world.