Dear Legal Ops: Recent Episodes
Redd Rock Music, LLC
Welcome to Dear Legal Ops, the podcast where wisdom meets wit. Join your hosts, Tom Stephenson and Tommie Tavares-Ferreira, every alternate week, as they unseal an anonymous letter, along with their esteemed guests: community champions, technology trailblazers, experts, and executives. Together they tackle the stickiest situations impacting every generation of legal ops professional. But Dear Legal Ops isn't just a podcast — it's a symphony of empowerment, a vibrant pulse of a brilliant community, and a captivating blueprint for every member of today’s evolving legal ecosystem.
This week we’re getting comfy with Whitney Stefko Dover, Seconded Counsel/Legal Ops+ at Ford Motor & Adjunct Professor at ASU Law School. As we open our anonymous letter from Carrie "Can I Have It All" Bradshaw, we crack open the age-old challenge of balancing career, family, commitments, and personal aspirations. Join us as we discuss practical strategies to manage time effectively and prioritize without compromising well-being. Get your Manolos ready for a sizzling and spirited convo that reveals the art of mixing life's eclectic puzzle into a haute couture masterpiece.
This episode was made possible by our sponsor, Legal.io.
Whitney Stefko Dover LinkedIn: @whitneystefkodover
Dear Legal Ops IG: @dearlegalops LinkedIn: @dearlegalops Facebook: @dearlegalops Twitter: @dearlegalops TikTok: @dearlegalops www.dearlegalops.com
Tommie Tavares-Ferreira Linkedin: @tommie IG: @suttontell
Tom Stephenson LinkedIn: @tstephenson1 IG: @tacotacotomtom
This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast IG: @reddrockmusic www.reddrockmusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we're getting anonymously comfy, but with a twofold twist! Join us as we welcome Tommie Tavares-Ferreira, our new co-host. We're turning the page to a chapter brimming with authenticity, diverse voices, and invaluable insights. As we dig deeper into our letter with Katniss, we’re reminded that our strength lies in unity and our shared passion for growth. So, let’s embrace this new horizon and continue to celebrate our collective journey in the legal ops landscape as we bridge the gap between the voices behind the letters and the vibrant community surrounding us.
This episode was made possible by our sponsor, Legal.io.
Dear Legal Ops IG: @dearlegalops LinkedIn: @dearlegalops Facebook: @dearlegalops Twitter: @dearlegalops TikTok: @dearlegalops www.dearlegalops.com
Tommie Tavares-Ferreira Linkedin: @tommie IG: @suttontell
This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast IG: @reddrockmusic www.reddrockmusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In Season 2 of Dear Legal Ops we bridge the gap between the voices behind the letters and the vibrant community surrounding us. This season introduces dynamic co-host Tommie Tavares-Ferreira and together with Tom Stephenson they chat with seasoned professionals, change-makers, and community champions to explore the diverse legal ops ecosystem like never before
This podcast is made possible by our sponsor, Legal.io.
Dear Legal Ops IG: @dearlegalops LinkedIn: @dearlegalops Facebook: @dearlegalops Twitter: @dearlegalops TikTok: @dearlegalops www.dearlegalops.com
This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast IG: @reddrockmusic www.reddrockmusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, we’re strapping on our Barbie stilettos to take bold steps towards transformative career tracks and getting comfy with Stacy Lettie, Chief of Staff to the General Counsel & Director of Strategic Planning at Organon. As we open our anonymous letter from Moneypenny, we dive into our covert spy’s desire to venture beyond their comfort zone and morph into a Chief of Staff role. So here's to embracing our inner Barbie, striding confidently into new opportunities, and lighting up the world with our unique glow as we redefine the boundaries of our careers. After all, the spotlight doesn’t change us; it merely reveals the strength and brilliance within us all along.
Stacy Lettie LinkedIn: @stacyletti
This episode was made possible by our sponsor, Legal.io.
Dear Legal Ops IG: @dearlegalops LinkedIn: @dearlegalops Facebook: @dearlegalops Twitter: @dearlegalops TikTok: @dearlegalops www.dearlegalops.com
This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast IG: @reddrockmusic www.reddrockmusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we’re getting comfy with Angela Mendenhall, Senior Legal Operations Manager at Convoy, as we open an anonymous letter from Doubtful Dory. We’re diving deeper into our fin-tastic friend's fears by addressing the turbulent waters of career transitions, the impact of individual contributions, and the transformational power of legal operations in any size organization. By embracing new opportunities with the right amount of trepidation, you can better understand how to make the right splash at the right time. And if all else fails, just keep swimming.
Angela Mendenhall LinkedIn | TikTok: @Ange.Law
Dear Legal Ops IG: @dearlegalops LinkedIn: @dearlegalops Facebook: @dearlegalops Twitter: @dearlegalops TikTok: @dearlegalops www.dearlegalops.com
This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast IG: @reddrockmusic www.reddrockmusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we’re getting comfy with Kyle Kelly, Founder & CEO of preDiscovered, and chatting all things artificial intelligence within the in-house landscape. As we open our anonymous letter from M3GAN, an enthusiastic AI evangelist, we’ll dive deeper into the concept of Generative AI, uncovering its implications for the legal industry, and how we’ve seen this before with eDiscovery. But hold onto your hats, because we’re not just stopping at the glitzy surface of automated tasks and rapid negotiations. We’re also talking about the large language model to contemplate whether Generative AI complements, or threatens, the irreplaceable human element of our legal profession.
Kyle Kelly LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kyl3k3lly/ Website: prediscovered.com
Dear Legal Ops IG: @dearlegalops LinkedIn: @dearlegalops Facebook: @dearlegalops Twitter: @dearlegalops TikTok: @dearlegalops www.dearlegalops.com
This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast IG: @reddrockmusic www.reddrockmusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we’re getting comfy with the dynamic Tommie Tavares-Ferreira, Head of Legal Ops at Cedar, as we navigate the bustling landscape of Alternative Legal Service Providers (ALSPs). As we open our anonymous letter from the Cowardly “Outsource-Oh-My!” Lion, we plunge into the depths of this multi-billion dollar industry, challenging the notion of 'alternative' and reimagining ALSPs as an integral tool in our legal ops arsenal. The journey to fostering trust, mitigating risk, and sparking innovation may be riddled with uncertainties, demanding audacity, tenacity, and a willingness to venture beyond the familiar. Remember, these transformative experiences sculpt us, refine our abilities, and fortify our resilience. Together, we're reshaping the contours of legal operations, harmonizing risk with reward, and blending time-honored methods with innovative perspectives.
This episode was made possible by our sponsor, Legal.io.
Dear Legal Ops IG: @dearlegalops LinkedIn: @dearlegalops Facebook: @dearlegalops Twitter: @dearlegalops TikTok: @dearlegalops www.dearlegalops.com
This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast IG: @reddrockmusic www.reddrockmusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we chatted with Pieter Gunst, CEO of Legal.io, about unexpected career paths, the importance of advocating for your professional worth, and what it truly means to form a community. As we open our anonymous letter from Tracy Turnblad, we’ll dive deeper into career success for today’s in-house legal landscape and what it means to find fulfillment and purpose with passion. So sit back you filthy Legal Ops animals and enjoy this next chapter, where we bridge the gap between the voices behind the letters and the vibrant community surrounding us. Together, let's forge a future of work for the legal profession that energizes our careers and nurtures our souls.
This Episode was made possible by our sponsor, Legal.io
Dear Legal Ops IG: @dearlegalops LinkedIn: @dearlegalops Facebook: @dearlegalops Twitter: @dearlegalops TikTok: @dearlegalops www.dearlegalops.com This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast IG: @reddrockmusic www.reddrockmusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we get anonymously comfy with TL/DR Tina Turner and Annie “Grab Your Gun & Checkbook” Oakley. As we dive into our vendor treasure chest, we’ll guide you through software integrations' struggles and successes to ensure you’re not left gooped and gagged as you embark on new implementation endeavors. As we grab a notepad and pour ourselves a glass of wine, we’ll dig deeper into understanding API integrations and ways to avoid foundational cracks that could crumble your technical infrastructure. Finally, we provide some Cliffs Notes core competencies as we cruise down the Legal Ops 101 highway. Baby, grab a life vest as we’re rolling, rolling, rolling down the legal operations river!
Dear Legal Ops IG: @dearlegalops LinkedIn: @dearlegalops Facebook: @dearlegalops Twitter: @dearlegalops TikTok: @dearlegalops www.dearlegalops.com
This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast IG: @reddrockmusic www.reddrockmusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we’re gearing up for the annual Ohio State-Michigan game, getting anonymously comfy with a swamped Sooner, and uncorking that vintage 2007 bottle of disappointment courtesy of Appalachian State. As we dive into the struggles of burnout in the legal operations workplace, we’ll guide you through developing an internal teaming agreement that sets your team up for success as winter approaches. When life catastrophically collides with reality, it's sometimes difficult to remember the importance of staying present and giving yourself gratitude. On this special Thanksgiving Day episode, we’ll set the community table with healthy communication strategies and fill our plates with gratitude for lessons learned, the freedom to make mistakes, and ways to celebrate successes during times of uncertainty.
Dear Legal Ops IG: @dearlegalops LinkedIn: @dearlegalops Facebook: @dearlegalops Twitter: @dearlegalops TikTok: @dearlegalops www.dearlegalops.com
This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast IG: @reddrockmusic www.reddrockmusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we get anonymously comfy with a reposado from Rhode Island and a long typeface named Ariel Bold. As we dive into the struggles of layoffs and the lack of legal operations education during times of economic uncertainty, we'll dig deeper to release intelligent business decisions in our revenue-protecting world. When times get tough, we rely on our communities to help us prevail. And if the legal operations community weathers this severe storm, imagine what will be waiting for us on the other side of the rainbow.
Dear Legal Ops IG: @dearlegalops LinkedIn: @dearlegalops Facebook: @dearlegalops Twitter: @dearlegalops TikTok: @dearlegalops www.dearlegalops.com
This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast IG: @reddrockmusic www.reddrockmusic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome to Dear Legal Ops, the podcast tackling tough topics to inspire and empower the next generation of legal operations professionals. In our debut episode, we’re getting real comfy with a glass of wine, an anonymous letter from the community, and talking about the struggles of imposter syndrome and building healthy relationships in and out of the workplace. How does one become comfortable in their skin when you’re constantly allowing an imposter from Idaho to live rent-free in your head? After all, we’re all just grown-ups trying to navigate a crazy career while simultaneously being human.
Dear Legal Ops IG: @dearlegalops LinkedIn: @dearlegalops Facebook: @dearlegalops Twitter: @dearlegalops TikTok: @dearlegalops www.dearlegalops.com
This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast IG: @reddrockmusic www.reddrockmusic.com
The world of legal operations is tedious, tumultuous, and at times, more dramatic than a Real Housewives reunion. Welcome to Dear Legal Ops, a podcast sharing anonymous stories to empower the next generation of legal operations professionals. Join host Tom Stephenson each week as he offers a fresh, bold look at some of the stickiest situations impacting today’s evolving legal operations community.
www.dearlegalops.com Instagram: @dearlegalops Twitter: @dearlegalops
This is a Redd Rock Music Podcast Instagram: @reddrockmusic www.reddrockmusic.com