Shruti Ajitsaria is a partner at A&O Shearman and the head of Fuse, the firm’s legal tech incubator. Since launching Fuse in 2017, Shruti has helped A&O engage with over 60 startups, run dozens of pilots, and turn legal tech from a buzzword into a real driver of value for both lawyers and clients.
In this conversation, Shruti shares how she went from credit derivatives lawyer to leading one of the legal industry's most ambitious innovation programmes. She explains how Fuse works behind the scenes, why A&O Shearman was willing to take a risk on her idea, and what separates the legal tech startups that scale from those that stall.
We also get into how the merger with Shearman & Sterling is expanding Fuse’s reach, what clients really expect from law firms when it comes to tech, and why true innovation in legal isn’t just about adopting tools, but creating a culture that’s open to change.
Whether you’re a founder looking to partner with firms, a lawyer curious about the future of your role, or just someone interested in how a 100-year-old organisation builds like a startup - this conversation is well worth a listen.
Chapters
00:40 From Credit Derivatives to Legal Tech
03:20 How Fuse Was Born
06:17 Launching Fuse and Becoming Partner
08:15 What Makes a Startup Right for Fuse
09:40 Inside the Incubator: How Startups Work with A&O
12:00 Definely, StructureFlow & Building Success Stories
14:23 The Anatomy of a Great Legal Tech Founder
17:50 Fuse’s Impact Inside the Firm
20:41 Legal Tech as Strategy
22:25 Innovation Starts at the Top
26:26 The A&O Shearman Merger and US Expansion
28:23 What Clients Expect in 2025
20:05 Where Legal Tech Disruption Hits First
32:18 Bonus Round: Trends, Hype, and Career Advice
About Non-Billable
Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.
Visit our website: https://www.nonbillable.co.uk
In this episode, we speak with Philip Young - a former City litigation partner, founder of boutique firm Cooke, Young & Keidan, and now co-founder of Garfield AI, the first AI-powered law firm to gain regulatory approval from the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).
Young shares the origin story behind Garfield, which began as a personal frustration with how hard it was for small businesses to recover unpaid debts - even when the law was clearly on their side. After retiring from CYK and taking a road trip across America, he encountered the first wave of generative AI tools and quickly saw the opportunity to build something game-changing: an intelligent assistant capable of running an entire small claims case, from letter before action to trial bundle.
We go deep on how Garfield works, the SRA’s lengthy but supportive approval process, and what it means for the legal industry that a product like this now exists. Young also explains why concerns about overwhelming the small claims courts are misplaced, how he sees AI improving rather than replacing legal work, and why he remains cautious about VC money despite a flurry of inbound interest.
With candid insights on access to justice, the role of human oversight, and how legal services might be delivered in the next decade, this is a conversation about a whole new category of legal services as much as it is about a new AI tool.
Chapters
00:45 From Law to Entrepreneurship: Philip Young's Journey
11:57 The Birth of Garfield AI: Inspiration and Development
24:13 Access to Justice and AI's Role
28:21 SRA Approval Process and Regulatory Challenges
33:30 Garfield's Vision and Future Products
39:45 The Future of Law and AI's Impact on Junior Lawyers
43:30 Finding Garfield and the Story Behind the Name
About Non-Billable
Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.
Visit our website: https://www.nonbillable.co.uk
Kerry Westland leads one of the most ambitious innovation functions of any major law firm - a 70-person team at Addleshaw Goddard dedicated to transforming how legal services are delivered (with and without tech).
In this episode, Kerry shares her journey from paralegal to head of innovation, and how AG has built out a tech strategy that blends vendor tools with homegrown solutions - including AGPT, the firm’s in-house AI assistant that’s now used across the business.
We talk through the evolution of AG’s legal tech stack, how the firm approaches ROI, the rise of GenAI, and the practical challenges of implementing new tools in a legacy profession. Kerry also reflects on what the future of the law firm might look like - and why she doesn’t believe in the “end of the people pyramid.”
From document automation to internal product development, from pricing models to practice group engagement, this is a look at how one of the UK’s top firms is operationalising innovation at scale.
Chapters
00:35 The Evolution of Legal Innovation
03:21 Defining Innovation in Law Firms
06:39 Day-to-Day Responsibilities of an Innovation Leader
09:26 Balancing Technology and Process in Legal Work
12:43 Addleshaw Goddard's Tech Stack Overview
15:30 Managing Technology Demands Across Practice Areas
18:33 Impact of Internal Tools on Legal Work
21:31 Adoption and Use Cases of AGPT
24:26 Cost Considerations in Legal Technology
27:19 Evaluating ROI on Legal Technology
30:17 Impact on Billable Hour Model
32:55 Productising Legal Technology
35:04 Disruption from AI in Legal Services
38:53 The Future of Junior Lawyers
40:38 Envisioning the Law Firm of 2035
44:11 Exciting Innovations in Legal Tech
48:46 Career Advice for Junior Lawyers
50:08 Overcoming Risk to Foster Innovation
51:32 Influential Reads in Legal Thinking
About Non-Billable
Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.
Visit our website: https://www.nonbillable.co.uk
In this episode, we sit down with Peter Limbert, general counsel at Fulham Football Club, to explore what it really means to be the top lawyer at a Premier League football club.
From leading transfer negotiations to protecting the club's brand and navigating ever-evolving regulations, Peter shares a rare look into one of the most complex in-house legal roles in the sports industry.
Peter discusses the intricacies of player transfers - including how deals are structured, what can go wrong, and why payment provisions and sell-on clauses are among the most hotly contested parts of any agreement.
He also breaks down the legal considerations behind shirt sponsorships, brand partnerships, and stadium development, as well as how Fulham enforces its intellectual property rights around the globe.
We also dive into the personal side of the job: how Peter transitioned from aspiring professional footballer to City litigator to Fulham’s first GC, and why he believes staying calm under pressure is the most underrated skill in sports law. He opens up about the realities of working in a highly competitive, emotionally charged environment - where results on the pitch can shape the legal department's week.
Whether you're an in-house lawyer, a sports law enthusiast, or just curious how Premier League clubs really operate behind the scenes, this is an unmissable conversation with someone at the heart of it all.
Chapters
00:40 From Football to Law: Peter's Journey
05:09 Transitioning to Fulham FC: The In-House Experience
08:13 The Role of Legal in Football: A Day in the Life
11:45 Navigating Legal Challenges in Premier League Football
16:27 Broadcasting Rights and Sponsorship: Revenue Streams
26:21 Understanding Player Transfers: The Legal Process
29:31 Jurisdiction and Legal Framework in Football Transfers
31:41 Mitigating Risks in Transfer Agreements
34:00 Funding and Financial Structures of Transfers
35:52 Challenges in Negotiating Transfer Agreements
38:03 The Role and Power of Agents in Transfers
39:38 Understanding Transfer Deadline Dynamics
44:14 The Evolving Landscape of Sports Law
46:31 The Premier League: A Thriving Product
48:37 Qualities of a Successful In-House Lawyer
49:46 Advice for Aspiring Sports Lawyers
51:35 Key Contract Clauses in Sports Law
52:32 The Importance of Pragmatism in Sports Law
54:41 Recommended Reading for Sports Lawyers
About Non-Billable
Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.
Visit our website: https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/
In this conversation, we speak with Tom Goodhead, managing partner of Pogust Goodhead, one of the UK's fastest-growing litigation firms.
Tom shares the extraordinary story behind the firm’s rise - from his early days as a junior barrister handling slip-and-trip cases in Tesco to leading the largest class action in British legal history against mining giant BHP.
Speaking from Rio de Janeiro, Tom describes how a chance meeting with a Brazilian lawyer fighting for 6,000 fishermen turned into a sprawling international legal battle, ultimately securing a $550 million litigation funding deal with US hedge fund Gramercy.
He explains how Pogust Goodhead built the infrastructure to service tens of thousands of claimants across continents, why managing mass litigation is more like running a political campaign than a law firm, and how his team has gone head-to-head with a roster of elite firms including Slaughter and May, White & Case and Herbert Smith Freehills.
Tom also discusses how he thinks about litigation funding conflicts, what it takes to maintain trust with funders, and how Pogust Goodhead is using an innovative synthetic equity scheme to incentivise its lawyers to bet on the firm’s success.
He shares his broader vision for the future: building a global claimant-side powerhouse capable of challenging corporate giants the way Kirkland & Ellis or Quinn Emanuel have dominated commercial defence work.
Chapters
00:50 Introduction to the BHP Case
02:08 The Journey to the Case
06:01 Client Management in Class Actions
10:16 The Scale of the Environmental Disaster
14:00 Commercial Stakes and Legal Strategies
18:01 Litigation Funding and Financial Strategies
23:59 Challenges and Restructuring Decisions
30:03 Transformative Legal Battles: The BHP Case
34:25 Navigating Conflicts with Litigation Funders
41:16 Impact of PACCAR on the Funding Industry
47:05 Attracting and Retaining Legal Talent
56:08 Vision for the Future of Pogust Goodhead
About Non-Billable
Non-Billable is the media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.
Visit our website: https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/
In this episode, we speak with Nnamdi Emelifeonwu, a former Freshfields associate and now co-founder of Definely - one of the UK’s most exciting legal tech companies.
Nnamdi traces his journey building a legal career at a Magic Circle firm and ultimately leaving it all behind to solve a problem he first encountered while working alongside his visually impaired colleague Feargus MacDaeid who would become his co-founder.
Nnamdi shares the story of how he and Feargus turned an initial prototype into a Microsoft Word plug-in - and eventually a fast-growing platform now used by over 100 corporate customers like BT and JPMorgan, and law firm giants including A&O Shearman, Cravath and Milbank.
He discusses the steep learning curve of becoming a founder without a technical background, the early product iterations and how the startup found its first champions at firms like A&O and clients like Deloitte.
He also opens up about the realities of startup life: fundraising, cash flow pressure, making hiring mistakes, and learning to let go of perfectionism - particularly as a lawyer-turned-founder.
With Definely now backed by $7 million in Series A funding from Octopus Ventures and expanding into the US, Nnamdi reflects on the changing role of lawyers in the age of AI and why the future of the profession depends on embracing legal tech.
He also offers candid advice for lawyers considering a move into entrepreneurship, including the importance of resilience, self-belief and maintaining a growth mindset.
Chapters
00:45 Journey into Law: Early Influences and Aspirations
03:29 Training at Freshfields: The Big Law Experience
06:23 The Birth of Definely: Identifying a Problem
09:29 Building the First Prototype: A Solution for Accessibility
12:38 From Idea to Startup: The Entrepreneurial Leap
15:26 Securing Initial Funding: The First Angel Investment
18:38 Developing the Product: Iteration and Feedback
21:35 Gaining Traction: Signing First Customers
23:34 Navigating Early Challenges: Building Relationships with Clients
26:25 Leveraging Legal Expertise: Understanding User Needs
29:57 The Importance of Fundraising in Entrepreneurship
34:36 Shifting Mindsets: From Lawyer to Entrepreneur
36:55 Evolution of the Product: From Definitions to Comprehensive Solutions
39:20 Business Model and Customer Base: Focusing on B2B
42:21 Growth Metrics and Future Vision
44:18 Navigating Competition in Legal Tech
49:02 The Role of AI in the Future of Law
52:49 Challenges and Advice for Transitioning to Legal Tech
55:40 Learning from Mistakes: Hiring and Industry Insights
About Non-Billable
Non-Billable is an email newsletter and media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.
Visit our website: https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/
This is a conversation with Jonathan Watmough.
Jonathan became managing partner of City firm RPC at just 38. Over the next decade, he repositioned it through the global financial crisis, a shifting legal market and the rise of aggressive lateral hiring.
He stepped down in 2016, and has since worn several hats: performance coach, consultant and most recently, non-executive chair of the newly independent litigation specialist Rosenblatt.
He recently published ‘How to Thrive in a Commercial Law Firm’, a book gaining traction among mid-career lawyers and law firm leaders and which is all about helping lawyers make the most of their careers.
In this conversation, Jonathan shares his journey from an accidental lawyer to a managing partner at RPC, discussing the challenges and opportunities within the legal profession. He emphasises the importance of differentiation, leadership, and understanding client needs.
He also highlights the significance of emotional intelligence and relationship-building in achieving success in law. He provides insights from his book, and offers practical advice for junior lawyers on navigating their careers and finding their fit within the world of commercial law.
Chapters
00:40 Introduction to Jonathan
03:42 The Accidental Lawyer
06:31 Navigating the Legal Landscape
09:29 Opportunities in Crisis
12:35 Leadership Lessons from RPC
15:37 Role at Rosenblatt and Lessons for Listed Firms
18:47 The Future of Law Firms
21:38 Insights from 'How to Thrive in a Commercial Law Firm'
32:53 The Importance of Commercial Awareness in Law
40:12 Transitioning from Lawyer to Business Person
47:22 Work-Life Balance in Legal Careers
55:17 Future Client Needs and Career Advice
About Non-Billable
Non-Billable is an email newsletter and media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.
Visit our website: https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/
Today, we speak with Jack Shepherd.
Jack started out as a restructuring lawyer at Freshfields before moving into legal tech via the firm’s in-house innovation team. He now works at iManage - the US-based legal tech company behind the document management system used by most major law firms.
Jack is a well-known voice in the legal tech space and a regular speaker at industry conferences. He often takes a refreshingly contrarian view on AI - not for the sake of it, but because, having been a practising lawyer, he actually understands how lawyers work day-to-day.
In this conversation, Jack shares insights on the evolving landscape of legal AI and technology. He discusses his transition from practising law to working in legal tech, emphasising the importance of understanding the pain points of lawyers and how technology can address these issues.
Jack critiques the current hype around AI, advocating for a more practical approach that focuses on enhancing the legal profession rather than replacing it. He also highlights the significance of project management skills in law, the ROI of legal AI tools and offers advice for lawyers looking to transition into legal tech. The discussion ends with thoughts on future-proofing legal careers and the traits of successful junior lawyers.
Chapters
00:50 From Lawyer to Legal Tech
03:33 Understanding Legal AI: Current Landscape
06:20 The Role of AI in Legal Work
09:25 AI's Impact on Junior Lawyers
12:19 Identifying Pain Points in Legal Practice
15:25 The Future of Law Firms and SaaS
18:40 iManage: Revolutionising Document Management
27:46 Cultural Challenges in Legal Tech Adoption
28:27 Understanding ROI in Legal AI Tools
31:18 Strategic Technology Procurement in Law Firms
34:41 The Role of AI in Law Firm Marketing
36:38 Innovative Legal AI Tools to Watch
40:19 Future-Proofing Legal Careers
40:43 Advice for Lawyers Transitioning to Legal Tech
44:08 Traits of Successful Lawyers
49:25 Recommended Reads for Legal Professionals
About Non-Billable
Non-Billable is an email newsletter and media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.
Visit our website: https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/
This is our conversation with Richard Martin, a former partner at law firms including Jones Day and Speechly Bircham, who, after experiencing severe burnout and a mental health crisis while he was at the peak of his powers, has dedicated his career to improving mental well-being in the legal industry.
Now leading the Mindful Business Charter (MBC), Richard advocates for healthier working practices in law firms and corporate environments.
Richard shares his story, we discuss the state of mental health in the legal industry, which firms are doing good work to address the issue, some advice for lawyers feeling like they’re nearing burnout and how the Mindful Business Charter is tackling the issue
Chapters
00:40 Introduction to Richard and His Journey
03:43 The Impact of Stress and Mental Health in Law
06:10 Personal Experience with Mental Health Challenges
09:10 Transitioning to Mental Health Advocacy
12:10 Understanding the Legal Profession's Mental Health Landscape
15:15 The Role of Personality Traits in Lawyer Burnout
18:05 Current State of Mental Health Awareness in Law Firms
21:20 The Mindful Business Charter Explained
24:10 Challenges in Implementing Mental Health Initiatives
27:10 The Future of Mental Health in the Legal Profession
29:20 Understanding Client Expectations and Lawyer Responsiveness
34:10 The Role of Well-Being in Legal Practice
38:42 Balancing High Performance and Employee Well-Being
39:50 Navigating Burnout and Career Satisfaction
45:12 Advice for Junior Lawyers and Career Ownership
About Non-Billable
Non-Billable is an email newsletter and media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.
Visit our website: https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/
In this episode, we talk with Tara Waters.
Tara is a leading voice in legal tech and a lawyer with more than 15 years’ experience at City firms including A&O, Simmons and Ashurst where she was a partner and chief digital officer - during which time she successfully rolled out AI tool Harvey to all of the firm’s 4,000+ lawyers and business services staff around the world.
Tara shares her unique journey from technology to law, highlighting her experiences in legal tech and innovation. She discusses the evolution of legal services, the impact of generative AI, how law firms should assess its ROI and her favourite AI tools on the market.
Tara emphasises the importance of adapting to new technologies, the need for investment in learning and development,and the traits that distinguish great lawyers. She also provides insights into the future of the billable hour model.
Chapters
00:30 Introduction to Tara and Her Journey
03:034 Transition from Technology to Law
06:20 Building a Diverse Legal Practice
09:33 Innovation in Legal Services at Ashurst
12:33 Client-Driven Changes in Legal Tech
14:55 The Evolution of Legal Tech and AI
18:11 Generative AI's Impact on Legal Work
21:05 The Role of AI Assistants in Legal Practice
23:50 Harvey: A Case Study in Legal AI Implementation
27:08 Internal Adoption of AI Tools at Ashurst
30:40 Elevating Voices: The Importance of User Stories
30:58 Gaining Partner Buy-In for Technology Investments
33:20 Measuring ROI: Beyond Cost Savings
36:02 The Evolving Role of Lawyers in the Age of AI
39:36 Rethinking the Billable Hour Model
43:24 Legal AI Tools: Preferences and Industry Trends
48:02 Leading Firms in Legal Tech Innovation
49:31 Career Advice: Confidence and Continuous Learning
54:48 Investing in Learning and Development
56:40 The Value of Knowing When to Pivot
About Non-Billable
Non-Billable is an email newsletter and media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.
Visit our website: https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/
In today’s episode, we sit down with Scott Gibson, one of the City’s top headhunters and co-founder of elite partner-level recruitment firm Edwards Gibson.
With 25 years in the game, Gibson has seen it all - and according to him, the market is crazier than ever.
We discuss what’s driving the hottest law firm partner transfer market in years, why elite firms are paying eye-watering sums, which practice areas are in hottest demand and how the rules of partnership are changing.
Scott also reveals what law firms are looking for in lateral hires and gives his advice for associates and junior partners looking to make their mark.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Scott and His Career Path
02:03 Current State of the City Talent Market
06:11 The Impact of US Law Firms on the Market
09:59 High-Profile Partner Moves and Their Implications
14:07 The Economics Behind Law Firm Investments
17:58 What Law Firms Look for in Lateral Hires
21:54 Impact on firms outside the Magic Circle
26:13 Ageism and Retirement in Law Firms
30:53 The Pension Dilemma in Law Firms
32:42 Capital Contributions and Partner Exits
36:31 Navigating Guaranteed Compensation
38:30 The Role of Headhunters in Law Firm Recruitment
46:07 The Partner Hiring Process
55:20 Career Advice for Aspiring Partners
About Non-Billable
Non-Billable is an email newsletter and media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.
Visit our website: https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/
In this episode, we sit down with Alexander Kardos-Nyheim, a lawyer who remarkably built a legal AI company as a side project during his training contract at A&O. In 2024 - just as he was qualifying - he sold the business to Thomson Reuters for a life-changing sum of money.
Alexander shares his inspiring journey from a young advocate fighting against a developer threatening his community to becoming a lawyer and co-founding his legal tech startup, SafeSign Technologies. He discusses the challenges of balancing a training contract at A&O with the startup, the dynamics of the legal market, and the eventual acquisition by Thomson Reuters.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Alex's Journey
02:49 The Catalyst for Becoming a Lawyer
05:36 Navigating Law School and Early Advocacy
08:07 The Appeal of Big Law Firms
10:31 The Impact of Rising Salaries in Law
13:14 The Shift in the Legal Market Dynamics
15:45 Starting a Tech Business During a Training Contract
18:22 Building a Legal Tech Startup
20:56 Balancing Work and Startup Life
22:58 The Challenges of a Dual Career
29:30 Navigating Dual Careers: Law and Entrepreneurship
31:50 Pivoting to Legal AI: The Birth of a Startup
35:18 Building a Legal-Specific AI Model
39:21 Funding and Team Dynamics in a Startup
42:49 Acquisition Talks: The Thomson Reuters Interest
49:52 Life After Acquisition: New Beginnings at Thomson Reuters
54:36 Advice for Aspiring Lawyer-Entrepreneurs
About Non-Billable
Non-Billable is an email newsletter and media company for modern legal professionals, brought to you by a small team of former City lawyers and finance professionals.
Visit our website: https://www.nonbillable.co.uk/
