Rodney Harrison

In this episode, Ted sits down with Rodney Harrison, Shareholder at Ogletree Deakins and Co-Chair of the firm’s Innovation Council, to discuss innovation in law firms and the evolving role of technology in legal service delivery. From scaling internal knowledge systems to reshaping compensation models, Rodney shares his expertise in leadership, data strategy, and process improvement. With insights on how to measure ROI in innovation and build trust across legal and business teams, this conversation offers actionable takeaways for law professionals navigating change in a competitive market.

In this episode, Rodney shares insights on how to:

• Build cross-functional innovation councils that include both lawyers and business professionals
• Define and track ROI for innovation beyond revenue
• Navigate compensation challenges while introducing tech-driven efficiencies
• Leverage data analytics to gain a competitive edge
• Use AI to enhance service quality while reducing costs

Key takeaways:

• Innovation needs to be seen as an investment, not a cost
• Measuring adoption, engagement, and satisfaction is key to understanding ROI
• Diverse leadership and perspectives lead to more effective decision-making
• Law firms must embrace scale and technology to remain competitive
• Building trust between legal and business teams accelerates meaningful change

About the guest, Anastasia Boyko

Rodney Harrison is a seasoned labor and employment attorney who has represented companies exclusively in this field since 1996. He brings extensive litigation and advisory experience across a wide range of employment issues, from federal and state court cases to Department of Labor audits and administrative proceedings. In addition to his legal practice, Rodney serves on Ogletree Deakins’ Board of Directors and co-chairs the firm’s Innovation Council, helping drive strategic initiatives that modernize legal service delivery.

How are you using AI to deliver better service for less money? If I just walk around and say, I’m now partnered with X, but don’t talk about what I do with it, that’s innovation theater to me.

Connect with Rodney:

• Ogletree’s Website: https://ogletree.com
• Rodney’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodney-harrison-04274923