Not all Data Scientists wear lab coats to work. Intapp’s Jennifer Roberts wears a cape!

On the latest episode of The Geek in Review, Marlene and Greg dive into the wonderfully geeky world of data science and its application within law firms and the legal industry. Jennifer Roberts, Manager, Strategic Research at Intapp, discusses exactly what it means to be a data scientist, and why law firms are leveraging them to help run their legal operations. When it comes to “the business of law,” Roberts says this is where the results of data science steps in and shows its value. Data science can help answer questions like, “how can we predict the price of legal services?” “How can we predict the scope of a matter?” “How can we help with legal project management?” And even “how can we predict what a client’s needs are?” Or, “what will these clients buy from us in the future?” Data science and analytics help uncover the facts that not all lawyers and not all legal matters are totally unique. Roberts also helps us answer those naysayers who claim that they do not have enough data, or that they have Filthy Data™. Jennifer brings us some fantastic insights on how law firms are leveraging internal and external data sets to help with the practice of law, and the business of law.

Listen on mobile platforms: Apple Podcasts | Overcast | Spotify

We finish our LegalWeek question of “how are you changing the legal industry” with our final four responses. This week we hear from:

Michael Boggia – Loopup

Damian Jeal – Hubshare

Kevin O’Keefe – LexBlog

Martin Goulet – Wolters Kluwer

Information Inspirations

For anyone following the happenings (and large fines resulting from) the EU’s GDPR, Marlene thinks perhaps this is something that may make its way across the pond. In a recent Corporate Counsel magazine article entitled, “Cisco’s Chief Legal Officer Expresses Support for American Version of GDPR” (subscription needed), Mark Chandler of Cisco supports the need for more regulation on privacy. We are already seeing versions pop up at the state level … we’re looking at you, California. But, it might take federal regulations to help clarify how we protect privacy online.

Greg attempts to move away from his dark space and be “light and fluffy” this week. So what could put him in a better mood than something that might bring about FREE PACER? Greg talks with Emily Feltren of the American Association of Law Libraries, about recent legislation submitted that might finally move PACER from behind a paywall. Emily says the odds are pretty good this time around with a bipartisan bill which is making its way through Congress to stop PACER from charging access fees to the public. AALL has more information on that legislation.

Marlene’s second information inspiration is about “Why People Still Don’t Buy Groceries Online.” Americans buy almost everything online these days, so why hasn’t online grocery shopping taken off? Is this one of the last “tactile” experiences that we are holding on to, or have we just not had the “aha!” moment yet with online grocery shopping experiences? Greg says it helps him stay “light and fluffy” to walk up and down the grocery aisles. Marlene thinks there might be something on the horizon that may make us finally give in and point and click our way through the produce aisles.

The final information inspirations talks about what it really means to have access to justice. In the New York Times opinion piece, “Everyone Needs Legal Help. That Doesn’t Mean Everyone Needs a Lawyer,” Cristian Farias gives some examples of everyday needs which the legal system has made entirely too complex. Not everything should require the assistance of a lawyer to resolve, and there are people out there who are creating ways to help others, without the assistance of a lawyer. Sometimes it takes rolling up your sleeves and coming up with creative solutions to prove that accessing the justice system doesn’t need to be overly complicated.

Look for us at the ARK Library Conference in NYC this week.

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Thanks to Jerry David DiCicca for his original music.