Michele DeStefano
In this episode, Ted sits down with Michele DeStefano, Professor of Law at the University of Miami and Program Chair at Harvard Law School Executive Education, to discuss the role of innovation in the legal industry. From the rise of Chief Innovation Officers to the cultural resistance that often stalls progress, Michele shares her expertise in legal innovation, leadership, and the intersection of law and business. Unpacking why empathy and collaboration are critical for meaningful change, this conversation offers law professionals a candid look at the challenges—and opportunities—facing the future of legal service delivery.
In this episode, Michele DeStefano shares insights on how to:
- Identify and overcome cultural barriers to innovation in law firms
- Understand the real impact (and limitations) of the Chief Innovation Officer role
- Recognise how non-lawyers can drive meaningful change in legal service delivery
- Address personality traits that hinder innovation in traditional law environments
- Reimagine legal education and training in the age of AI and automation
Key takeaways:
- Law firms must evolve culturally—not just structurally—to truly innovate
- Innovation requires empathy, collaboration, and cross-disciplinary skills
- Many CINO roles are under-resourced and symbolic rather than strategic
- AI is transforming both legal workflows and how new lawyers are trained
- Non-lawyers and diverse perspectives are key to sustainable innovation in legal practice
About the guest, Michele DeStefano
Michele DeStefano is a pioneering legal innovator, professor, and author known for her work at the intersection of law, business, and technology. As a professor at the University of Miami and Faculty Chair at Harvard Law School’s Executive Education Program, she champions creativity, collaboration, and culture change across the legal profession. She is the founder of LawWithoutWalls and a driving force behind initiatives that reimagine legal education and service delivery through innovation and client-centric leadership.
“I don’t think that the competency is there for some CINOs. You can’t just miraculously learn how to innovate.”
Connect with Michele:
- Law Without Walls Website: https://lawwithoutwalls.org/
- Michele’s LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelemdestefano/
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