Michele DeStefano

FoundeR, LawWithoutWalls
Professor of Law and the Larry Hoffman Greenberg Traurig Business of Law Chair, University of Miami
VISITING FACULTY, HARVARD LAW SCHOOL. Program Chair, Harvard Law School Exec Ed AFFILIATED FACULTY, IE Law School Co-Founder, Digital Legal Exchange

Biography

Professor, author, speaker, independent consultant, and facilitator to law firms, corporate legal departments, and legal startups on innovation and technology, culture creation, teaming, and cross-practice, cross-border initiatives.  

Recognized by the ABA as a Legal Rebel and by the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers (North America) as one of top 20 most innovative lawyers, Michele is a professor of law at the University of Miami, a Program Chair and Affiliated Faculty at Harvard Law School, Executive Education, and the founder of LawWithoutWalls, a multi-disciplinary, international think-tank of over 2000 lawyers, business professionals, entrepreneurs, and law and business students that collaborate to hone new skillsets and mindsets and create innovations at the intersection of law, business, and technology. She is also the co-founder and co-editor of the Compliance Elliance Journal, an international an international e-journal of articles in compliance and ethics from around the world. Recently, Michele helped co-create and spearhead the development of the Digital Legal Exchange, a non-profit designed to inspire general counsel and their teams to become digital leaders in their businesses to drive commercial value.

As a professor of law, Michele researches and writes about the growing intersections between law, business, and legal innovation. Her books Leader Upheaval: A Guide to Client-Centricity, Culture-Creation, and Collaboration and  Legal Upheaval: A Guide to Creativity, Collaboration, and Innovation in Law leverage almost 300 interviews of general counsels of large international corporations, partners and heads of innovation in professional services. She has also published a design-thinking guide: The Leader Upheaval Handbook, which guides facilitators on how to lead innovation journeys among multidisciplinary teams using The 3-4-5 Method(tm) that she created and has tested on over 230 teams. Her other recent scholarship includes: Chicken or Egg: Diversity and Innovation in the Corporate Legal Marketplace, 91 Fordham L. Review 1209 (2023) and Don't Let the Digital Tail Wag the Transformation Dog: A Digital Transformation Roadmap for Corporate Counsel, 17 J. Bus. & Tech. L. 183 (2022), and New Suits: Appetite for Disruption in the Legal World (co-curated with Dr. Guenther Dobrauz) Additionally, she has written articles and chapters in books about innovation and entrepreneurship, collaboration and culture creation, diversity in the legal profession, millennial lawyers, compliance and ethics, litigation funding, the role of the general counsel and the court of public opinion, legal education, technology and law, the work product doctrine and the attorney client privilege.

Her work has been published in leading law journals and featured in a range of media including Forbes Women, Fox News, The Financial Times (UK), Time Magazine, US News & World Report, Wall Street Journal, ABA Journal, American Lawyer, Blooomberg Law, Bloomberg News, Corporate Counsel, Harvard Law Today, Harvard Law The Practice, Inside Counsel Magazine, Legal Futures (UK), National Law Journal, The National Jurist, and Law360. 

Michele has been invited to speak about her areas of expertise at a number of law conferences, leading law firms, and law schools including Linklaters, Holland & Knight, KPMG, Dentons, McDermott, Arnold Porter Kaye Scholer, Proskauer Rose, White & Case, Stanford, Harvard, Dartmouth, IE Business School, University of St. Gallen, and Fordham. And she has also delivered keynotes to legal departments within corporations and legal organizations such as Microsoft, DXC, Thomson Reuters, Blackstone, Spotify, ABA, AALS, and NAFSA.  (Click here for a recent review).

Through MOVELΔW, a company Michele founded to help fund LawWithoutWalls, she creates and facilitates bespoke experiential learning programs on client-centricity, culture-creation, innovation, collaboration, teaming, and problem solving for professional service firms and legal departments like Microsoft. Michele also regularly consults about law firm and corporate legal department strategy and operations ethics. Michele received her JD, magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School, and her BA, magna cum laude, from Dartmouth College.

 CV | Video 2013 | Video 2017 | Video 2018 | Podcast 2016 | Podcast 2018 | Linkedin | email |

J.D. 2002, Harvard Law School, Magna Cum Laude
B.A. 1991, Dartmouth College, Magna Cum Laude

Book: Leader Upheaval: A Guide to Client-Centricity, Culture Creation, and Collaboration (March 2024). Testimonials here.

Handbook: The Leader Upheaval Handbook: Lead Teams on an Innovation & Collaboration Journey with The 3-4-5 Method (2024).

Article: Chicken or Egg: Diversity and Innovation in the Corporate Legal Marketplace, 91 Fordham Law Review 1209 (2023).

Article: Don't Let the Digital Tail Wag the Transformation Dog: A Digital Transformation Roadmap for Corporate Counsel, Journal of Business and Technology Law, Volume 17 (University of Maryland) (Fall 2022).

Book: Legal Upheaval: A Guide to Creativity, Collaboration, and Innovation in Law

| Praise for Book| Book Flap| Intro| TOC

Book: New Suits: Appetite for Disruption in the Legal World

 Book Flap| Intro| 

Upcoming or Recent Press + Presentations

2024

@LegalTechTalk (London), 2025-06-26, Michele will be a speaker.

@Womens's White Collar Defense Association, 2025-03-03, Michele will provide a keynote on enhancing leadership style.

@Law.com, 2024-11-11, Michele was featured in an article, Can Lawyers Be Too Client-Centric, by Andrew McKenzie.@Lisbon, Law and Tech 2024, Michele was on a panel about Legal Tech and Digital Transformation of In-House Teams.

@The University of Miami, 2024-11-04, Miami Law hosts event to discuss Professor Michele DeStefano’s latest book.

@The Digital Legal Exchange, 2024-10-29, Michele was interviewed about her recent book Leader Upheaval, by Bill Deckleman.

@The Law Institute of Victoria, 2024-10, Michele will lead interactive sessions on enhancing leadership style and client centricity.

@Meritas Regional Meeting, 2024-10, Michele will lead an interactive session about leadership, client-centricity, culture-creation, and collaboration.

@New Chambers, 2024-10, Michele will lead an interactive keynote on transforming leadership style and client relationships with shifted mindsets.

@LLM Guide, 2024-08-24, Michele was quoted in an article: Law School Integrate AI into Curricula.

@MiamiLaw, 2024-08-19, Michele was featured in an article about being selected for a WIPL award for law firm thought leadership.

@Corporate Counsel Law.Com, 2024-07-29, Michele was selected as a winner in the 2024 Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards in the Law Firm Thought Leadership category.

@Prodonovich Advisory, 2024-07-02, Michele and her book Leader Upheaval were featured.

@Corporate Counsel Law.Com, 2024-07-29, Michele was selected as a winner in the 2024 Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards in the Law Firm Thought Leadership category.

@Book Architecture, 2024-06-24, Michele was featured the Clients Crushin' It newsletter.

@JD Journal, 2024-06-05, Michele was featured in an article: Big Law Firms Integrate Generative AI Training for Summer Associates by Maria Lenon Laus.

@Bloomberg Law, 2024-06-04, Michele was featured in an article: Law Firms Start Training Summer Associates on Using Generative AI by Justin Wise.

@IE News, 2024-05-13, Michele was featured as Guest of the Month: The keys to the importance and success of LawWithoutWalls by Michele DeStefano

@Legal Innovation Conference, 2024-05-22, Michele will provide the closing keynote: Legal & Leader Upheaval: Enhancing Client/Business-Partner Centricity.

@LMA Summit, 2024-04-4, Michele led a workshop on Transforming Leadership Style with The Three Rules of Engagement.

@FDCC Winter Meeting, 2024-02-27, Michele gave a keynote on enhancing leadership style.

@Global Legal Leaders' Mini MBA program, Michele facilitated a 3 hour workshop on leadership, client-centricity and culture creation.

@Pinsent Masons, 2024-01-24, Michele facilitated the KickOff and project development meeting for the One Million Hours Pledge project to  arrest climate change and reduce biodiversity loss.

@Fox News, 2024-01-13, Michele is quoted in an article by Meaghan Dolph, Applying For Law School: Exploring Challenges Students Might Face When Seeking A Law Degree.

2023

@US News & World Report, 2023, 2023-12-6, Michele was quoted in an article by Ashley Merryman, How Law Firms Can Create Positive Workplace Culture.

@Young Partners Retreat Latam, 2023-11-14, Michele led a workshop on how to inspire innovation and a culture of collaboration.

@Legalpreneurs Spotlight Future 50 Video and Podcast series, Michele was interviewed by Terri Mottershead: Legal Leaders, Teams, Innovation, and Collaboration.

@InterLaw's Annual Global Meeting Hosted by BLP in Costa Rica on 2023-10-19 and 2023-10-20, Michele led workshops on leadership development, client-centricity, collaboration, and culture-creation.

@LegalITInsider, 2023-10-11, Michele and her paper, Law Firm Chief Innovation Officers: Goals, Roles, and Holes, were featured.

@PinsentMason's Brainfood, 2023-06-12, Michele was featured in a podcast and quoted in "AI and the Legal Function."

@Bloomberg Law, 2023-05-31, Michele was quoted in, Attorneys Must Certify AI Policy Compliance, Judge Orders.

@Casus Technologies 2023/03/28, Michele presented, "The Future of the Legal Market, Key Trends and How to Adapt".

@LLMGuide.com, 2023-03-15, Michele was quoted in an article: Some Academics are Concerned about Cheating; Others Say the AI Can Prepare Students for Legal Careers That are Increasingly Being Shaped by Technology.

@MiamiLaw Explainer Podcast, 2023-02-27, Michele was interviewed about her article: Chicken or Egg: Diversity and Innovation in the Corporate Legal Marketplace, 91 Fordham Law Review 1209 (2023).

@The University of Zurich, 2023-02-15, Michele presented on The Future of Continuing Legal Education in the U.S.

@Private Client Forum Americas, 2023-02-13, Michele provided a Keynote on collaboration and the human-centered approach to problem solving.

@The Digital Legal Exchange (DLEX), 2023-01-7, Michele co-hosted a Salon event with Giorgia Vulcano, Global Digital Ethics Manager, AB InBev, about the role of compliance and ethics in digital transformation. 

2022

@In-House Connect, 2022-12-14, Michele co-presented with Bjarne Tellmann, GC of Haleon, about their article: "Don't Let the Digital Tail Wag the Transformation Dog." 

@Young Partners Retreat Latam, 2022-11-09, Michele led a workshop on how to inspire innovation and a culture of collaboration.

@IBA Conference in Miami, 2022-10-29, Michele delivered a Keynote to the IBA Law Firm Management Committee Session hosted by Greenberg Traurig.

@IBA Conference in Miami, 2022-11-01, Michele was on a panel hosted by IBA's Alternative and New Law Business Structures Committee, A chameleon in a rabbit's disguise: regulating the provision and use of artificial intelligence for the legal profession - are business structures in sight or in danger?

@​The Digital Legal Exchange Salon Event, 2022-10-25, Michele participated in a fireside chat with Bjarne Tellmann, GC of Haleon, about their article: "Don't Let the Digital Tail Wag the Transformation Dog," moderated by Isabel Parker and Mark Cohen. 

@Minverva Project, 2022-10, Michele was featured as an innovation fellow who participated in creating the new Innovation, Technology, & Design major at the University of Miami, School of Engineering: Innovating from Within.

@Fordham Law School, 2022-10-21, Michele presented a draft of her Essay to be included in the In Memory of Deborah Rhode Colloquium.

@Calloquy launch event, Michele delivered a keynote about Leveraging the New Era of Litigation with Creativity, Collaboration, and Innovation.

@KPMG Global GC Law Conference, 2022-09-20, Michele delivered a Keynote, "Leading and Managing Transformation, Collaboration, and Culture Change." 

@MiamiLaw, 2022-09-07 Michele was on a panel about being a First-Generation Law School Student.

@Global General Counsel Forum, 2022-06-01, in Solage, Napa Valley, Michele presented on the changing demands and roles of General Counsels.

@University of Miami, 2022-07, 2019, Michele is quoted in "New Bachelors for EntrepreneurialInnovators at the College ofEngineering."

@Corporate Counsel, 2022-06-16, "Professor Michele DeStefano Outlines How to Create an Innovative Collaborative Culture."

@IE Law School, Law Ahead,  2022-05-23 "Michele DeStefano's Inspirational Ideas for Leading Innovation in  the legal world." 

@MiamiLaw, 2022-05-02, Michele is featured in, "Experts in Business, Tech and IP Law Selected to Join UM’s Academic Innovation Fellows."

@Gonzaga's 2022 Clarke Family Prize in Legal Ethics Conference, 2022-04-21, Michele delivered a keynote about the ethical use of legal analytics in the law and law practice.

@GG2.net, 2022-03-23, Michele was quoted in "Sundar Pichai, other Google staffers accused of hiding info​."

@Wall Street Journal, 2022-03-21, Michele is quoted in "Google Improperly Invoked Legal Privilege toWithhold Emails, Government Claims​"

@IE Law School, LawAhead, 2022-03-26, Michele presented, Leading & Managing, Collaboration, Innovation and Culture Change

@Instituto CEDEFLaw, 2022-03-11, Michele was interviewed about LawWithoutWalls.

@Law360.com, 2022-02-26, Michele was quoted in: Questions for Remote Attorneys Linger After Fla. Rule Overhaul.

2021

@Law360.com, 2021-12-18, Michele was quoted in: Future of Florida Legal Lab Proposal in Jeopardy.

@Law360.com, 2021-12-15, Michele was quoted in: BigLaw's Big Guns of Revenue Keep Growing. 

@PracticeInsiders.com, 2021-12-15, Michele was featured in a podcast hosted by Dan Toombs of Fast Firms: click here.

@Law.com, 2021-12-14, Michele was quoted in: Can You Change How Lawyers Think and Work? Inside LawWithoutWalls' International Initiative. 

@News @the U, 2021-11-11, Michele and the work that the Academic Innovation Fellows are doing to revolutionize the undergraduate experience was featured, University launches effort to ‘revolutionize the undergraduate experience.

@Legal Innovation & Tech Fest, 2021-11-1, Michele will participate in a Fireside Chat with Bjarne Tellman, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of GSK Consumer Healthcare: Digital Transformation & Corporate Legal Departments: Creating New Forms of Value.

@PWC's Legal Lounge, 2021-10-23, Michele provided a keynote, Transforming Relationships with Creativity, Collaboration, and Innovation.

@Reuters Events: Legal Leaders, 2021-10-19, Michele will moderate a Fireside Chat Bjarne Tellman, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of GSK Consumer Healthcare: Digitally Transforming Legal.

@Levick.com, 2021-10-05, the panel Michele participated in below was featured, The Message vs. The Truth.

@Levick Podcast, 2021-10-04, Richard Levick hosted Michele in a Podcast​ click here and here.

@Law Firm Marketing Summit, 2021-10-05, Michele was be a panelist on Brand authenticity: The message vs the truth.

@K&L Gates, 2021-10-04, Michele provided a Keynote, Leveraging Change with a Culture of Creativity, Collaboration, and Innovation and led an interactive workshop: Innovation Ready? Leading, Driving, and Implementing Change.

@Bloomberg Law, 2021-09-09, Michele was quoted in "Tech Friendly Legal Services Get Lift on Ownership Rules."

@Bloomberg Law, 2021-07-30, Michele was quoted in Flexible Work Could Boost Diversity for In-House Law Departments.

@Law.com, 2021-07-21, Michele was quoted in Post-Pandemic, Law Schools See Legal Tech Education Playing an Even Bigger Role.

@LegalDesignPodcast, 2021-06-20, Think Smaller with Michele DeStefano, Michele is featured in a podcast described as follows: "In this episode Henna and Nina talk to Michele DeStefano who believes that when lawyers figure out how to bring their childhood’s box of crayons back into their work, the world really opens up. Michele is known as an innovative person who has changed the legal industry emphasizing empathy and human-centrism by bringing out great ideas and projects that challenge the traditional ways of working."

@WISBAR News, 2021-06-15, Virtual AMC Roundup: Learning and Perspectives in a Pandemic Year, an over view of talking points from Michele's Keynote was provided.

@The State Bar of Wisconsin's Annual Meting, 2021-06-10, Michele provided a keynote: Legal Leaders: Opportunities for Differentiation in a Digital World. For a pre-conference interview click here.

@Inhouse International Counsel Journal (IICJ), 2021-06-09, Michele was mentioned and LawWithoutWalls was reviewed in LawWithoutWalls Program in the Eyes of an In-House Counsel by ALda Loureiro.

@Bloomberg Law, 2020-06-08 Michele was quoted in article, Cooley Recruits Texas Lawyers, Offering Fully Remote Jobs.

@Mondaq, 2020-06-08, Michele's Podcast with Seyfarth was described (here).

@Seyfarth's #podcast, "Pioneers and Pathfinders," 2021-06-02, Michele is featured.

@Zippia's Job Market for Recent Grads, 2021-06-01, Experts Weigh In, Michele provides her opinions on where the job market for recent law graduates is heading, as well as how they can prepare to enter the industry.

@The LLM GUIDE, 2021-05-13 Michele is quoted in article, The Pandemic is Accelerating the Digitalization of the Legal Profession, by Seb Murray.

@CLOC Global Virtual Institute, 2021-05, Michele was part of CLOC's headlining session: Leading Change: Shaping the Future of Legal Ops

@AALL (American Association of Law Libraries) Innovation Bootcamp, 2021-05-07, Michele provided an interactive keynote, Understanding the Legal Mind: Leveraging Change with a Culture of Creativity, Collaboration, and Innovation

@LexMundi Business Development & Marketing Conference, 2021-04-13 Michele provided the keynote: Transforming Client Relationships with Innovation

@Digital Legal Exchange Podcast, 2021-02-22, Michele hosts Shahar Markovitch, current General Manager, National Intelligence , former Chief Digital & Information Officer, El AL Israel Airlines

@Litera TV, Reinventing Legal with Ari Kaplan, 2021-04-06, Michele was interviewed by Ari Kaplan

@Digital Legal Exchange Podcast, 2021-02-22, Michele hosts Bjarne Tellemann, GC of GSK. 

@University of Miami School of Law, 2021-02-10, Michele and LawWithoutWalls were mentioned in "Law School Education Helps Alumna Launch DC Regulatory and Compliance Career."

@Zippia, The Career Expert, 2020-12-11, Michele was featured in "Experts Weigh In On Current Job Market Trends"

@Future Law Podcast,2020-12-05, Michele was featured in Episode 24, Leader of LawWithoutWalls by Podcast Host, Michael Madison

2020

@Bloomberg Law, 2020-11-19, Michele was quoted in an article by Roy Strom: DeChambeau’s Big Miss at Masters Is
Lesson in Successful Failure

@Legal Festival, 2020-11-19, Michele provided a keynote and Q&A re: "Legal Leaders: Opportunities for Differentiation in a Digital World"

@Americas Women Magazine (Miami Edition), 2020-11-17, Michele was featured: "She's a Professor, Author, Speaker & Independent Consultant & Facilitator to Law Firms. Our Exclusive Interview with University of Miami Law Professor Michele DeStefano"

@IBA annual conference, 2020-11-10, Michele served as a panelist on Reinventing Global Legal Education: A Blueprint panel

@Medium.com, 2020-10-26, Michele was interviewed by FGV Law School (Brazil) about her scholarship, Legal Upheaval and LawWithoutWalls, Interview with Michele DeStefano.

@Ark's Law Firm Innovation Summit, 2020-11-05, Michele provided a keynote: "Filling in the Gaps: Why and How Lawyers Need to Innovate"

@Digital Legal Exchange Podcast, 2020-10-21 Michele hosts Gladys Chun, GC from Lazada Group.

@Answering Legal, 2020-10-22, Michele was video interviewed by Nicholas Werker, Why Lawyers Need to Be Proactive and Always Innovating

@LawIT Legal Summit, 2020-10-19, Michele was Interviewed by Reena Sengupta about "Client Centricity and Digital Transformation in Law."

@Law.com, 2020-09-28 Michele was featured in an article, "Top Innovators: Michele DeStefano Blossoms in Pandemic After 10 Years in Virtual World."

@law.com, 2020-09-28, @daily business review, lists Michele  as one of the top 3 innovators in South Florida, "DBR Awards Season: It's Delayed But Intact."

@OA Online, Michele was mentioned in an article about the Digital Legal Exchange's Sponsorship of the Financial Times Lawyer Event.

@SAL Law Tech Fest, 2020-09-28 Michele was a moderator and a panelist on "Skills at Scale and the Legal Function.”

@Financial Times Digital Lawyers Event,  2020-9-24 Michele was featured along with Mark Cohen in "Meet the Digital Experts"

@Financial Times Digital Lawyers Event,  2020-09-24 Michele moderated a Panel: “Client Centricity: From Services to Experience”

@Financial Times Digital Lawyers Event,  2020-09-24 Michele moderated a Panel: Client Centricity: From Services to Experiences. 

@Power, Privilege and Transformation: Lessons from the Pandemic for Online Legal Education Virtual Symposium, 2020-08-05, hosted by @miamilaw, Michele will moderate the capstone panel re: the virtual classroom. 

@ACC Chief Legal Officers Virtual Roundtable, 2020-07-23, Michele led discussion and break out groups about Diversity, Inclusion and Innovation.

@LawIt, 2020-06-30, Michele will deliver a live webinar: New Law, Big Law, and the Big Four: Why We Need a New Quarterback Now More Than Ever.

@Legal Tech Online Convent, 2020-06-29, Michele will deliver a keynote online: What’s Next for the Inhouse Legal Function After Corona? Accelerating Digital Transformation and Revenue Generation.

@LinkLei, Brazil's first legal social network, on 2020-06-24, Michele will deliver a keynote online: Law & Opportunities.

@Above the Law & Axiom Webinar, 2020-06-24, Michele will be a panelist on the Future of Law.

@OA Online, and @Fox21, 2020-06-16, Michele and her role in the Digital Legal Exchange were highlighted: Digital Legal Exchange Builds Momentum Following First Quarter Launch.

@Chancery Lane Chats, 2020-05-20, Michele is featured in a Podcast: Why Communications and Law are Becoming Yin and Yang Professions.

@Compliance Elliance Journal, 2020-05-20, Michele's book: New Suits: Appetite for Disruption in the Legal World, is reviewed by Christina-Maria Leeb.

@International Bar Association, 2020-05-06, Law Firm Management Publication, Michele’s article, Legal Levers in a Virtual World: Teaming Online to Do Different Things Differently, is published.

@Daily Business Review, 2020-05-06, Michele is named as one of three honorees for Florida's Most Innovative Lawyer of the Year, DBR announces 2020 Professional Excellence Award Honorees.

@MiamiLaw Reporter, 2020-05-30, Michele was featured: Professor Known for Innovation in Research and Teaching Leads Transition to Online Learning During Pandemic.

@Legal IT Insider, 2020-04-08, Michele was featured in a webinar: Post-COVID-19 Legal Landscape, What Should legal Organisations be Thinking About in Terms of Technological Innovation?

@Miami Law Explainer, 2020-04-06, Michele is interviewed by Catherine Skipp, Teaching in the Time of COVID-19.

@FringeLegal, 2020-04-09, Michele was featured in a podcast: Legal Upheaval with Michele DeStefano.

@Legal Innovators Align, 2020-03-18 (Cape Town, South Africa), Michele did a virtual book talk about Legal Upheaval.

@LexBlog.com, 2020-02-12, Michele's panel at Legal Week was reviewed by Ralph Baxter, Legal Week 2020 was Outstanding.

@Law360, 2020-02-06, by Michele Gorman, Michele is quoted about change management in Change Of Heart: How Attorneys Can Get Buy-In For Big Ideas.

@Legal Week NYC Conference, 2020-02-05, Michele will be a speaker on the panel, Change: How to Get Lawyers and Staff to Buy Into Change.

@Law.com, 2020-01-31, Q&A with Michele, How the 'Innovation Tournament in Law' Is Changing the Industry.

@PRNNewswire, 2020-01-30, Michele is quoted in article, Web Use at Odds with Compliance, Security in Financial Firms.

2019

@IE Law School, 2019-12-17, Michele’s article, From Expert Lawyer to Innovative Lawyer, is featured in IE Insights.

@Legal Innovators Align, 2019-11-12 (Johannesburg, Gauteng South Africa), Michele will do a virtual book talk about Legal Upheaval.

@Above the Law, 20219-10-17, Michele's new book, New Suits, is mentioned in Beware The #RobotLawyer Invasion.

@Florida Bar News, 2019-10-15, Michele and LawWithoutWalls was featured, "UM’S LAW WITHOUT WALLS PURSUES INTERNATIONAL SOLUTIONS TO LEGAL, BUSINESS PROBLEMS."

@BGD Abogados, 2019-10-14, Michele's talk about the Secret to Service Differentiation at the Legal Management Forum is featured

@LawAhead Hub at IE university, 2019-10-11, in Madrid Michele presented Legal Upheaval and the New Expectations of Lawyers: What’s Innovation Got to Do With It?

@BGD Abogados, 2019-10-10, Michele's talk at the Legal Management Forum is featured, More than 1,000 professionals come together to reflect on the challenges of the legal profession.

@Legal Management Forum, 2019-10-10, in Madrid Michele presented on why lawyers should practice proactive collaboration towards, innovation.

@Answering Legal, 2019-10-08, Michele’s book, Legal Upheaval: A Guide to Creativity, Collaboration, and Innovation in Law was listed as one of the 11 Books Every Lawyer Should Read in 2019.

@Harvard Law School, Book Talk hosted by The HLSA of MA, 2019-09-18 in Cambridge, MA, Upheaval & Innovation in the Legal Marketplace with Michele DeStefano ‘02.

@University of Miami School of Law, 2019-09-11, Michele's new book, New Suits: Appetite for Disruption in the Legal World is featured, "Legal Industry Undergoing Transformation – Professor DeStefano New Book Explores Phenomenon."

@Forbes, 2019-09-03, by Mark Cohen, LawWithoutWalls is named as an example of a program designed to upskill lawyers "Upskilling: Why It Might Be The Most Important Word In The Legal Lexicon."

@PrawfsBlog, 2018-08-05, Michele is featured, "DeStefano on the Adjacent Possible."

@Wealth Strategies Journal, 2019-08-05, by Jessica Zhang, Michele's recent chapter, Innovation: "A New Key Discipline for Lawyers and Legal Education is featured." 

@ Foro Jurídico, Michele is interviewed, La innovación implica que el abogado aprenda nuevas habilidades (Spanish) Innovation Implies that the Lawyer Learn New Skills (English).

@Forbes, 2019-07-09, by Mark Cohen, LawWithoutWalls is named as an example of "market-aligned, client-centric, legal upskilling programs that have successfully bridged the gap between the marketplace and the Academy" in"Law Schools' Lost Opportunity."

@Bloomburg, 2019-07-03, by Roy Strom, Michele is quoted in "California Opens Door to More Legal Tech Non-Lawyer Roles."

@Financial Times, 2019-06-18, Michele led a discussion group as the resident Expert on Millennials: Do They Really Have Different Expectations from their Careers in the Law From Previous Generations and What are the Best Ways to Manage them in the Law at the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers Conference.

@Georgetown Law School, AM Law 100 Managing Partners Conference on Gender Parity,​ hosted by the Bass Institute, 2019-05-21, Michele led 2-hour idea generation and creative problem solving exercise.

@Dentons Future of Law Dinner for General Counsels, in London, 2019-05-09, Michele provided a keynote and moderated a panel of general counsels.

@Detons Future of Law: Building the Legal Industry of the Future, in Scotland, 2019-05-08, Michele provided a keynote and moderated a panel of general counsels.

@Lawyers Weekly, 2019-05-08, by Jerome Doraisamy, Michele and LawWithoutWalls are featured in "Why law students should partake in legal innovation programs."

@Primerus Conference, 2019-05-03, Michele provided a keynote.

@LMA, 2019-03-28, Michele is featured in Legal Marketing Association podcast with host, Cynthia Voth "Innovate, Collaborate, and Transform Law Firms."

@2019-03-27, Michele gave the keynote for the Global Independent Law Firms Forum hosted in London by Legal Week and The American Lawyer, Why Lawyers Should Hone the Mindset, Skillset, and Behaviors of Innovators.

@2019-03-28 Michele spoke at Legal Ex in London.

@Law360, 2019-03-08, by Michele Gorman, Michele is quoted in "How Inhouse Counsel Can Avoid Being a Nightmare Client."

@TheTechnolawgist, 2019-03-08, by Isabella Galeano, Michele is featured in "Women Leading the Legal Tech Sector."

2018

@Financial Times, 2018-12-13 LawWithoutWalls ranked 2nd and named a “standout” for innovation in collaboration at this year’s Financial Times North America Innovative Lawyer Awards. (Michele, the founder of LWOW received a commendation.)

@Miami Dade Judicial Reception & Holiday Celebration, hosted by the Law Alumni Association, at Carlton Fields, 2018-11-29, Michele did a book Reading and interview with Mark F. Raymond.

@altblog, Colin Levy reviews, 2018-12-11“Legal Tech Book: the Legal Industry’s Guide through the Ever-Changing Global Market” which features a chapter on LawWithoutWalls co-authored by Michele and Erika Pagano.

@The Forum for Florida General Counsel, 2018-12-07, Michele presented on changing demands of lawyers and best practices for collaboration and innovation.

@LegalFutures, 2018-11-28, Dan Bindman calls Legal Upheaval an "Innovation Blueprint"

@ABA, 27 November 2018,  ABA Interview with Michele and Feature of Legal Upheaval, Innovation Rx

@Remaking Law Firms, 16 November 2018, Legal Upheaval is reviewed by George Beaton, "Why Everyone Should Read Legal Upheaval."

@LegalNews, 14 November 2018, Legal Upheaval and Michele are quoted, "Two Paths for 21st-century law firms: innovation or extinction," by Nicole Black.

@Lawyers on Fire,”Lawyers On Fire, A Chat with Michele DeStefano,” Podcast by Carsten Reimann (November 2018)

@LegalIT Insider, 01 November 2018, “Transcript from podcast with Ari Kaplan, Legal Upheaval: A Conversation with Law Profession and Author Michele DeStefano.”

@Ari Kaplan Podcast, 01 November 2018, “Legal Upheaval: A conversation with law professor and author Michele DeStefano.”

@University of Miami, 2018-10-18, Michele presented LawWithoutWalls at the Faculty Showcase.

@Legal Futures, 05 October 2018, Michele and her book, Legal Upheaval, are featured, “Lawyers Need to See Benefits of Innovation Says Guru,” by Dan Bindman 

@Financial Times, 04 October 2018, Michele is quoted by Reena SenGupta, “Law Firms Confront a Question of Identity.”

@LegalSpeak Podcast, 28 September 2018, Michele is interviewed by Karen Sloan, Law.com, “Beyond the Buzzwords: Getting Real About Law Firm Innovation.”

@The Attic, 26 September 2018, Michele is interviewed by Kayleigh Ziolo, “Legal Upheaval: In Conversation with ‘Legal Rebel,’ Michele DeStefano.”

@Above the Law, 25 September 2018, Michele is quoted in “You Want Innovation in Legal? Legal Ops Needs To Drive the Conversation,”  by Mike Quartararo

@Above the Law, 20 September 2018, Michele's book, Legal Upheaval, is reviewed “Innovation in Legal Services: A Pipe Dream or a Necessity,” by Nicole Black

@Legal Innovation Aggregator, Michele is featured as a Thought Leader

@MiamiLaw website, September 2018, Michele's book, Legal Upheaval, is featured

@HLS Celebration '65 15 September, 2018, Michele is featured in a panel on Law Teaching (upcoming)

@Corporate Counsel powered by Law.com: 23 August 2018, Michele's book, Legal Upheaval, is reviewed "GC's Who Want Outside Counsel 'Innovation,' Need to Define it, Author Says" by Sue Reisinger

@Bloomberg Law, Michele's book, Legal Upheaval, is mentioned by Rick Mitchell

@Law360.com, Michele's book, Legal Upheaval, is featured, "Lawyers Need to Disrupt Themselves to Succeed," by Michele Gorman

@Law.com, Michele's book, Legal Upheaval, is reviewed, "Ahead of the Curve: A 'Legal Upheaval' for Law Schools?," by Karen Sloan

@BeyondBillables.com 18 July 2018, Michele is featured in a podcast (upcoming)

@Iberian Lawyer, 27 July 2018, Michele is selected to be a judge for the Iberian Lawyer Gold Awards, recognizing excellence among in-house lawyers and compliance professionals.

@Legal Practice Intelligence: 04 July 2018, Michele judges winners of the 2018 Legal Innovation Index

@The Hedge Fund Law Report: 14 June 2018, Michele is quoted about the role of the Chief Compliance Officer and the structure of the compliance function in "What Fund Managers Should Consider When Hiring and Onboarding CCOs; Determining CCO Governance Structures; and Evaluating Risks of CCO Turnover (Part Two of Three)" by Shaw Horton

@Legal IT Insider: 22 May 2018 Review of Michele's Talk @JDHorizons: Leadership, change, marmalade martini, reinvention, Jam, and hats off for a 50%-plus female line-up.

@JD Horizons, hosted by Janders Dean: “Leading in Law–Habits of Highly Effective Law Firm Leadership & Entrepreneurialism,” (May, 2018 London UK)

@Florida Record, 6 May 2017, Michele is quoted on Litigation Funding in article "Attorneys Don't Favor Regulating Third Party Lawsuit Lenders," by John Sammon

@Dartmouth College, named lecture hosted by the Dartmouth Lawyers Association and Rockefeller Center on Public Policy at Dartmouth College “LawWithoutWalls: Enhancing Access to Justice and Lawyers’ Skills with Innovation" (May, 2018 Hanover, NH USA)

@The Ed Andrew Podcast click here to listen

2017

@Chambers Diversity Summit 2017 moderated fireside chat with María Elena Lagomasino, Managing Partner & CEO, WE Family Offices (hosted by Greenberg Traurig, Nov 2017 Miami FL USA)

@Future Lawyer 2017 Conference hosted by Shifter: “How to Become an Innovative Lawyer: The Proven 3-4-5 Method of Innovation Designed Specifically for Lawyers” (Nov, 2017 Oslo Norway)

@ Legal IT Leadership Summit hosted by iManage, Miami, FL Michele gave a keynote: “How Law is Changing + The Importance of Creating a Culture of Creativity, Collaboration, and Innovation” (Oct, 2017, Miami FL)

@Interlaw conference, 2017-10-17, Michele lead an interactive innovation workshop

Collins, Julia. Possible Futures: Thoughts on what awaits HLS and the legal profession
Harvard Law Today: 29 November 2017

Miami Law Alumni Share Memories and Lessons from their Legal Education
Miami Law: 8 November 2017

Borstein, Joe. alt.legal: Diffusing Innovation In The Law, The Amazing Work of Bill Henderson
Above the Law: 8 November 2017

Neota Logic and LawWithoutWalls Engage in Groundbreaking Collaboration to Apply AI Software to Solve Legal Challenges
Press release: 26 October 2017

Trustee Spotlight: Erika Pagano & LWOW
Awesome Foundation Miami: 9 October 2017

Chisling, Ava. #LegalTechLives with Erika Concetta Pagano
Ross Intelligence: 4 October 2017

Schmidt, Nina. Lær mer om teknologi på Future Lawyer 2017
Advokatbladet: 2 October 2017

Winning LWOW Team Joins International Incubator
Miami Law: 2 October 2017 

20 Most Innovative Law Schools
preLaw/National Jurist: October 2017

@Janders Dean Innovation Index Awards Australia, "Innovation in Law" (August 2017 Sydney, Australia)

UCL Laws Student Joe May part of Allen & Overy Fuse Cohort 
UCL Laws: 20 September 2017

@Chilli IQ Workshop: Collaborative Problem Solving, Rebooting Adaptive Leadership (August 2017 Sydney, Australia)

@Legal IT, LawWithoutWalls winning team is featured in "Allen & Overy FUSE Incubator Supports LawWithoutWalls.org Team Ithaca" (August 2017)

First group of tech companies confirmed to work in Fuse from September (featuring LWOW 2017 winner Ithaca)
Allen & Overy: 24 August 2017

Tech education in law — a call to arms
legalit insider: July/August 2017

Mo, Xiaoning. Chatbot takes on cyberbullying
Australia Plus: 22 June 2017

Coade, Melissa. Law students solve world problems at international ideas fest
Lawyers Weekly: 19 June 2017

@ The Legal Transformation Conference in "Legal Tech & Innovation Developments in the US" (June, 2017 Berlin, Germany).

@ The Costa Rican Bar Association's conference: "Innovation in the Law:  Why Women Attorneys Will Lead the Way" (May 2017, Costa Rico).

Ajamu, Joshua. MLB Students Succeed at LWOW
Bucerius Law School: 15 May 2017

Burke, Brandon. LawWithoutWalls - A Chance to Be Different and to Make a Difference
The Hennick Centre: 8 May 2017

Croft, Jane. Artificial intelligence closes in on the work of junior lawyers
The Financial Times: 5 May 2017

UCL Laws LLM students attend 2017 LWOW Original ConPosium in Miami
UCL Faculty of Laws - News: 3 May 2017

Miller, Jules. Michele DeStefano - LawWithoutWalls

@ Legal Luminary Podcast: "Innovation in the Law," (March 2017).

@ The Chilli IQs 10th Managing Partner Forum: Being an Agent of Change, in Byron Bay Australia, Michele will presented Innovation in Law, The Value Equation. Managing Partners Forum media release.  Click here for a review of the presentation. (Feb. 2017, Australia).

@ The Department of Law of the University of Pavia: Innovating Legal Studies and Practice. (Feb. 6-10 2017) Michele taught the theory, substance and practice of innovation and co-led a Hackathon with Alessandro Philip Maiano for international law students from around the world. (Feb 2017 Milan, Italy)

@ The University of Houston Colloquium organized by Lonny Hoffman, Michele will present a chapter from her upcoming book:  Winning the Innovation Tournament: Tactics to Transform How Lawyers Collaborate (Feb. 2017, United States).

Cohen, Mark A. Legal Education's Other Challenge: Retraining Practicing Lawyers For A New Marketplace
Legal Business World: 27 February 2017

Cohen, Mark A. Legal Education's Other Challenge: Retraining Practicing Lawyers For A New Marketplace
Forbes: 27 February 2017

DeStefano, Michele. Innovation in Law: The Value Equation
10TH Managing Partners Forum: Chilli IQ: 18 February 2017

Lear, Dan. The future of law, in a weekend
Lawyernomics by Avvo: 25 January 2017

@ Harvard Law School, Michele led a two-day Innovation Lab + Hackathon on Legal Education for Professor David Wilkins Problem Solving Workshop (Jan. 2017, United States).

2016

Lawyerist Podcast (Nov 2016) featuring Michele "Learning Creative Problem Solving Skills"

In Inside Counsel (Dec. 1, 2016), "'Yes and' to Pot Trump and 2017," Mike Evers features Michele's Keynote proposing innovation, “yes, and” thinking, and that General Counsels will be agents of change. 

@ ALM's InHouse Innovates Super Conference in Chicago (November 2016), Michele presented "Driving Disruptive Innovation: Redefining How Legal Departments Provide Value."

@ Chambers Diversity Seminar Chile: Challenges and Opportunities for Women in their Legal Career, in association with Carey (October 2016) Michele presented "Skills that Benefit Women in the Current Legal Working Environment: Technology, Team Work, and Creative Problem Solving." (Oct 2016 Chile)

@ Spotify in Fall 2016 Michele presented "The Changing Legal Landscape: How Lawyers Are Meeting (and Exceeding) its Demands" to the Spotify legal department. (Sept 2016 United States)

@ the Harvard Law School's, The Practice, Michele's articles and research in compliance along with the Compliance Elliance Journal (CEJ) (co-founded by Michele and Professor Hendrick Schneider, University of Leipzig) was featured (July 2016, United States).

@ Fordham Law School ILEC 2016 Michele Presented Innovation: How Tomorrow's Lawyers Will Practice. (Summer 2016, United States)

@ the Harvard Law School's, Harvard Association for Law & Business Symposium, Michele moderated a fireside chat with Horacio Gutierrez, GC of Spotify (former GC Microsoft) re: entrepreneurship and corporate governance (April 2016) (Cambridge, United States)

@ the ABA Tech Show in Chicago, March 2016, Michele presented on a panel re: the importance of technology, collaboration, and diversity to solve laws future problems and provide client service. (Chicago, United States)

@ IE Madrid Spain, LawWithoutWalls Kickoff and is featured in the following video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_GAedDwPOg  (May 2016, Madrid Spain)

2015

@ the International Association of Law Schools annual meeting, Michele was awarded the Faculty Innovative Curriculum Award for LawWithoutWalls and presented on legal education, innovation, and technology.

In The Harvard Law School Bulletin, "The Laws of Adaptation," Michele was featured about her research and experience in innovating legal education and practice and about LawWithoutWalls.

In Financial Times, Millennials Demand Start-up Skills, Michele was quoted and winners from LawWithoutWalls were featured. 

@ University of St. Gallen Executive School of Management, Technology, & Law, Michele, as a member of the board of advisers, presented about her latest research on the organizational aspects of the legal and compliance function in the U.S. and about LawWithoutWalls.

@ The Clio Cloud Conference, Michele, presented "Global Law School:  Moving Legal Education into the 21st Century.

@ Microsoft (Seattle, WA) Michele gave a keynote talk about innovation in law and transforming the way lawyers and business professionals partner to solve problems.

@ Ethics & Compliance Initiative (Washington, DC) Michele spoke about LWOW X Compliance, our all-virtual initiative focused on solving problems in ethics and compliance.

@ Richard Susskind's 23rd Annual Ross Priory Conference on the Future of Legal Services (Strathclyde University, Loch Lomond, Scotland) Michele gave a keynote talk on Innovation in Legal Services and Legal Education.

In Bloomberg News, Michele was interviewed about her recent article about privilege protections for litigation funders that was cited and quoted in a recent Delaware case Carlyle Investment Management, L.L.C., et al. v. Moonmouth Company S.A., et al.

Recent Books and Articles Written by Michele

Legal Upheaval: A Guide to Creativity, Collaboration, and Innovation in Law (Ankerwycke Publishing July 2018).

The Law Firm Chief Innovation Officer: Goals, Roles, and Holes, Modern Legal Practice (Fall 2018).

Transforming lawyer-client collaboration and creating lasting change through LawWithoutWalls, co-authored with Erika C. Pagano, chapter in The Legal Tech Book. Reemers Publishing Services GmbH (Fall 2018).

The Chief Compliance Officer: Should There Be a New "C" in the C-Suite? Harvard Law School, The Practice (July 2016).

How Can Law Firms Innovate, Iberian Lawyer (March 2015) (co-author with James Batham, Chief Innovation Officer, Eversheds).

Compliance and Litigation Funding, Testing the Borders of Lawyers' Monopoly and the Unauthorized Practice of Law, 82 Fordham L. Review 2961 (2014).

Claim Funders and Commercial Claim Holders:  A Common Interest or a Common Problem, 63 DePaul L. Review 305 (2014).

Creating a Culture of Compliance: Why Departmentalization May Not be the Answer, 10 Hastings Business L.J. 71 (2013).

NonLawyers Influencing Lawyers: Too Many Cooks in the Kitchen or Stone Soup? 80 Fordham L. Review 2791 (2012).

Hiring Teams, Firms, and Lawyers: Evidence of the Evolving Relationships in the Corporate Legal Market, with John Coates, Ashish Nanda, David Wilkins, 36 Law & Soc. Inquiry 999 (2011).

Taking the Business Out of Work Product, 79 Fordham L. Rev. 1869 (2011).

Advocacy in the Court of Public Opinion, Installment Two: How Far Should Corporate Attorneys Go?, 23 Geo. J. Legal Ethics 1119 (2010).

Advocacy in the Court of Public Opinion, Installment One: Broadening the Role of Corporate Attorneys, 22 Geo. J. Legal Ethics 1259 (2009).

The Corporate Attorney-Client Privilege: Third-Rate Doctrine for Third-Party Consultants, 62 SMU L. Rev. 727 (2009).

Connect with Michele

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