Legal Speak

Legal Speak is a weekly podcast that makes sense of what's happening in the legal industry. Each episode tackles a subject that's worthy of a deep dive—from law firm profit hacks to Supreme Court showdowns to the most promising plays in legal tech. Hosted by Senior Litigation Reporter of the Daily Report Cedra Mayfield and Senior Staff Writer for the American Lawyer Patrick Smith, Legal Speak offers straight talk from experts, plus an inside-the-newsroom perspective on market-shaping stories.

Legal Speak is a news podcast hosted by Charles Garnar, with 100 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Charles Garnar hosts Legal Speak, a news show with 100 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Episode #544

  The Chair's Seat: Wab Kadaba on Leading in a Changing Legal World

  Aug 21, 202622 min

  In this episode of Legal Speak, Law.com reporter Alex Anteau sits down with Wab Kadaba, global chair of Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, to discuss how the law firm leader is helping steer the firm through an increasingly complex and unpredictable global legal landscape. Recently recognized with the Georgia Asian Pacific American Bar Association's President's Award for his leadership and service, Kadaba offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it means to lead a global law firm. In addition to detailing his management of a large international team and navigating geopolitical uncertainty, Kadaba highlights evolving client risks and changes to the business of law. He also reflects on his intellectual property practice, path to firm leadership and the importance of representation and community involvement. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield & Patrick Smith Reporter: Alex Anteau Guest: Wab Kadaba Producer: Charles Garnar

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #543

  From Big Law to Horse Law: Building a Niche Practice at Holland & Knight

  Aug 14, 202628 min

  In this Legal Speak episode, Law.com Busines s of Law reporter Vivienne Serret speaks with Holland & Knight partner Kayla Pragid about the business of building a niche practice within an Am Law 100 firm. Having founded the firm's equine industry practice, Pragid discusses her path into equine law, how the team serves its clients and the importance of balancing legal strategy with the best interests of the horse. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield & Patrick Smith Reporter: Vivienne Serret Guest: Kayla Pragid Producer: Charles Garnar

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #542

  Cox CLO Jennifer Hightower Details AI Strategy, Political Neutrality and What's Next

  Jul 31, 202621 min

  In this week's Legal Speak episode, Law.com reporter Alex Anteau and Cox Enterprises Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer Jennifer Hightower discuss how Cox Enterprises' legal department is navigating technological disruptions and regulatory changes. Hightower reveals how encouraging her team to embrace AI as a core part of its strategy has helped improve efficiency, reduced reliance on outside counsel and freed attorneys to focus on higher-value legal work. In addition to pinpointing her preferred AI tools, Hightower details how company-wide training and budget expectations factored into the technology adoption. Anteau and Hightower also discuss how the executive VP leads her legal team through political polarization to maintain a workplace respectful of diverse viewpoints. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield & Patrick Smith Reporter: Alex Anteau Guest: Jennifer Hightower Producer: Charles Garnar

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #541

  Southbound and Down: How Sidley Austin Is Capitalizing on Miami's Big Law Boom

  Jul 24, 202626 min

  In this week's episode, Legal Speak hosts Cedra Mayfield and Patrick Smith chat with Law.com business of law reporter Vivviene Serret about her new podcast, "Southbound and Down." In its premiere episode, Serret interviews Beatriz Azcuy, the co-managing partner of Sidley Austin's Miami office. Sidley Austin is one of several Am Law 100 firms that have made moves to South Florida within the last five years. The firm is also part of a greater pipeline of Chicago-founded firms flocking to Miami for more than just its weather. In addition to examining the firm's success since entering the market in 2022, the duo discuss client demand and what comes next in the firm's growth strategy. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield& Patrick Smith Reporter: Vivviene Serret Guest: Beatriz Azcuy Producer: Charles Garnar

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #540

  Beyond the Deal: HSF Kramer's Justin D'Agostino on Life After a Landmark Merger

  Jul 17, 202637 min

  In this week's Legal Speak episode, London-based Law.com International reporter Melina Block sits down with global CEO Justin D'Agostino to reflect on HSF Kramer's first year of operation, following its landmark transatlantic merger. In addition discussing the firm's evolution amid rapid change in the legal industry and global economy, D'Agostino reveals how HSF Kramer is navigating geopolitical uncertainty, shifting client demands, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence in legal services. The conversation also highlights the firm's approach to innovation, the future of Big Law, and the unexpected role of high-profile legal AI advertising campaigns—including those featuring Jude Law—in shaping the public conversation around the future of legal technology. Hosts: Cedra Mayfield & Patrick Smith Reporter: Melina Block Guest: Justin D'Agostino Producer: Charles Garnar

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on Legal Speak. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.