Josh Kreamer is the Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel at Fileread, leveraging his extensive experience in e-discovery, legal operations, and information governance. Previously leading legal services at AstraZeneca, Josh co-founded Legal Data Intelligence (LDI) and is recognized for his strategic insights and passion for empowering legal professionals. His journey in legal tech includes significant roles at CPA Global, DiscoverReady, and Steptoe & Johnson. A Harvard Law School graduate, he has carved a niche in legal strategy and tech innovation, blending practical expertise with visionary leadership. Josh's commitment to advancing the legal field is evident in his collaborative approach and drive to unlock new potential for organizations. Known for his insightful commentary, he brings a fresh perspective to the evolving landscape of legal tech. In episode 003 of Careers in the Business of Law: Legal Data Intelligence Series, Josh Kreamer talks with David about his journey from aspiring writer to Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel at Fileread. He shares insights on transitioning from legal services at AstraZeneca to shaping the evolving landscape of legal data intelligence. Josh discusses the emerging role of Chief Knowledge Management Officer, the power of finding value in legal data, and how "putting value first" will empower the next generation of legal tech professionals. (01:17) LDI: Legal Data Intelligence. Josh describes Legal Data Intelligence (LDI) as a framework for understanding the work of legal data professionals. He points out the broad capabilities of e-discovery professionals, explaining how LDI builds a shared vocabulary within core businesses. (02:28) The Shift to Capabilities. Josh discusses the evolution from function to capability, where companies are focusing more on maximizing employee potential. He notes that e-discovery professionals are now adapting to various platforms and expanding their roles. "We're fast learners, we want to adapt to change, and our capabilities are a lot more broad than the current set of labels might suggest." (04:50) From Documents to Insights and Stories. Josh shares how the legal industry's focus has shifted from documents to data, insights, and stories. "The evolution that I've seen has been from documents to information to answers and stories." The emphasis now is on uncovering strategic insights to guide decision-making and strategy. (10:44) From Iowa to Harvard: Josh's Journey. Josh recounts his journey from Iowa to Harvard Law School and his initial intimidation at Harvard. Despite his apprehensions, he realized he could keep pace with his classmates. "I found that I was able to keep pace with them, get ahead of some. I wasn't the smartest guy there, but certainly wasn't the dumbest." (17:57) The AstraZeneca Jungle Gym. Josh explains his climb within AstraZeneca, starting from legal IT to building the company's e-discovery program. He turned the e-discovery program into a shared services organization that supports multiple business areas, leveraging legal data intelligence. (23:04) Joining FileRead: The Entrepreneurial Jump. Josh reveals how he joined Fileread after a guest lecture at Columbia. He shares his excitement about shaping the company’s core value proposition. "They needed a core value proposition, the one sentence you can use when you step into an elevator, that'll make the other person say, 'I want to hear more about that.'" (27:08) Favorite Song: Postal Service - 'Against All Odds'. Josh shares his favorite band, Postal Service, and their cover of the Genesis song "Against All Odds." He describes how the band recorded their album by sending tracks through the mail. "They never recorded in the same room together... That album was my favorite album." Mentions: Josh Kreamer FileRead AstraZeneca Relativity Postal Service Genesis