In episode 21 of Careers in the Business of Law, Stephen Poor talks with David about the long arc of technological change in law, the evolving technical skill sets as well as perennial soft skills, and the growth of the strength of access to justice initiatives such as The Bail Project and the Filing Fair project. They also talk Mississippi Delta blues.   Today’s guest is Stephen Poor.  As Chair Emeritus of Seyfarth Shaw, a global law firm, Stephen Poor has significantly contributed to legal innovation, particularly through leading SeyfarthLabs, the firm's R&D arm. Renowned for pioneering SeyfarthLean, a method that enhances legal service efficiency, his leadership from 2001 to 2016 earned him the 2011 Legal Innovator of the Year award. With a foundation in employment law and ERISA litigation, Stephen now shares his expertise on technology's impact on law, change management, and process improvement through writings and his podcast, "Pioneers and Pathfinders." https://www.seyfarth.com/trends/pioneers-and-pathfinders-podcast.html   Music Stephen mentions:  Mississippi John Hurt: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1FdwVX3yL8ITuRnTZxetsA?si=FM6jBiAVSRm_zGf-GvJotQ Mississippi Fred McDowell: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0elA30wLp3RmiPaGtU2jhQ?si=AqDicv5LTMKTLaPpCBHQpA Bukka White: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2gSskdDhLQCx3CQd6XKDhp?si=LAiFl6aFQ8Kg2WlYlmc2Qw Sister Rosetta Tharpe: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2dXf5lu5iilcaTQJZodce7?si=BzrOciq3T9y3GqwwXf5lqA Blind Willie Johnson: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5kO4xdEKLuHHHPreu3UmkZ?si=NshgryeQRTWplLlq6jDm-w   Access to Justice projects Stephen mentions: The Bail project: https://bailproject.org/ Filing Fair project (Stanford): https://filingfairnessproject.law.stanford.edu/   Time stamps: (0:09) - From Yesteryear’s Cutting Edge to Today’s David Cowen introduces Stephen Poor, Chairman Emeritus of Seyfarth Shaw, discussing the remarkable journey from past legal technologies to today's podcasting age. "When you started your career, did you think that you'd be recording podcasts that would go out into the universe and live forever?" Stephen reflects on the unforeseen advancements in technology and how they've transformed legal practices and reminisces about the early days of his career. "What was cutting edge?...The secretaries had mag card typewriters … which was awesome." (1:59) - The First Technology Committee Stephen discusses his involvement in his firm's first technology committee, comparing the debates over 25 vs. 33 megahertz computers to today's terabyte-scale discussions, illustrating the rapid evolution of technology in law. (2:59) - Talent in the Legal Field: Then and Now "The type of talent that you look for...hasn't really changed," Stephen explains. He highlights how attributes like intelligence, curiosity, and connectivity have remained vital, despite massive changes in technology and operations. Stephen points out the significant shift in legal workplaces over the decades, from traditional lawyer roles to diverse professions like data scientists and marketing specialists, enhancing law firms' capabilities and client services. (5:42) - Evolution vs. Revolution in Law Delving into the dynamics of change in legal services, Stephen discusses the impact of generative AI and other advanced technologies on the legal industry, contemplating whether the changes represent evolution or revolution. (7:00) - Navigating New Technologies Stephen emphasizes the role of law firms in helping clients navigate the "bewildering array of solutions" presented by generative AI and other emerging technologies, highlighting the importance of adaptability and informed guidance. (8:28) - The Transformation Ahead Stephen opines that the future of law will be dramatically different, driven by the capabilities of generative AI to change how legal services are provided. (11:38) - Radical Curiosity in Young Lawyers Stephen discusses the challenges an