What if the biggest barrier to justice in America is the legal profession itself and the solution begins by rethinking who is allowed to help people solve their legal problems?

Chris Batz and Howard Rosenberg sit down with Natalie Knowlton of Stanford Law School's Deborah L. Rhode Center about the widening gap between the legal system and the people it is meant to serve. Millions of Americans cannot access legal help, including many in the middle class. Natalie argues the problem goes beyond funding. The structure of the profession itself limits who can deliver legal services and how people receive help. This conversation sits at the intersection of Legal Tech, Access to Justice, policy, and innovation.

A central question drives the discussion. Should lawyers be the only people allowed to provide legal assistance? Natalie challenges that long-standing assumption. Many everyday legal needs involve simple processes such as filling out forms or navigating court procedures. Could trained non-lawyers and technology expand access where lawyers are scarce or unaffordable? The conversation explores how emerging Legal Tech tools and direct-to-consumer platforms may help people understand legal problems and identify practical next steps.

The episode also looks at how legal education, regulation, and global experimentation shape the future of the profession. Natalie points to reforms in places like the United Kingdom and Canada that test new service models through regulatory sandboxes. Could similar experimentation help the United States close the justice gap? The discussion leaves listeners with a larger question about the future of law. What would the legal system look like if it were designed around real human needs and genuine Access to Justice?

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Access to Justice and the Future of Legal Services

01:11 Natalie Knowlton's Journey Into Legal Innovation

06:28 Why Most Americans Cannot Afford Legal Help

10:34 Non-Lawyer Legal Services and UPL Reform

12:13 Legal Tech and Direct-to-Consumer Justice Tools

18:42 Legal Innovation Lessons From the UK and Canada

20:35 The Future of Law and Access to Justice

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A top AmLaw chair makes the case that the future of Big Law belongs to firms bold enough to put business leaders in charge, rethink the billable hour, and prove that remote attorneys can outperform the office.

Joe Glynias, Chair of Husch Blackwell, joins Chris and Howard for a candid look at how a national firm grows without losing its footing. At the center is a deliberate structural choice: a non-lawyer chief executive runs the business so lawyers can focus on practicing law. That separation has brought operational discipline, sharper cost control, and growth that has continued well beyond the firm's last major merger. The strategy is simple in theory and demanding in practice: expand where clients need depth and bring in people who fit the culture. What if growth were driven less by geography and more by alignment?

The conversation turns to the pressures facing every firm. AI, rising rates, talent mobility, and private equity are all reshaping expectations. Joe sees AI as a tool that strips out low-value work and elevates judgment. He expects clients to push harder on efficiency and pricing. He remains curious about outside capital as a way to fund innovation, though cautious about what partners would trade away. The throughline is discipline. Protect the culture. Invest with purpose. Stay clear about what makes the firm distinct.

One of the most compelling examples is The Link, Husch Blackwell's remote office model. With hundreds of professionals working outside traditional offices, engagement scores in that group surpass those of in-office teams. Culture and development do not happen by proximity alone. They require intention. Joe closes with a reminder that law at its best is problem solving in service of others. In uncertain times, that calling feels more relevant than ever.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 The Future of Big Law and Modern Law Firm Leadership

08:46 Strategic Growth Through Law Firm Mergers and Client Alignment

15:03 AI in Legal Services and the Shift in Law Firm Economics

25:21 Private Equity, Enterprise Value, and the Law Firm Model

38:44 Remote Work in Big Law and The Link Engagement Model

42:57 Why the Future of Law Is Bright

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A Big Four firm just entered the U.S. legal market and the ripple effects could reshape how law is practiced, priced, and powered by technology.

Tom Greenaway, Principal of KPMG Law US, joins Chris Batz and Howard Rosenberg to explore what that move signals for the profession. Corporate law departments face rising volume, flat headcount, and pressure to cut costs. The traditional billable hour model strains under that weight. So what happens when a global accounting and consulting platform builds a law firm designed for scale from the start? Tom explains how KPMG Law US focuses on managed services, technology integration, and lowering unit cost through platform thinking rather than isolated solutions.

The conversation also turns to talent and culture. What kind of lawyer succeeds in a multidisciplinary environment that includes technologists, data scientists, and accountants? How do firms balance professional rigor with rapid change? As AI adoption becomes measurable and enterprise platforms shape how businesses operate, the bigger question emerges: will law evolve alongside the systems that power modern companies, or risk falling behind them?

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 The Launch of KPMG Law US and Why It Matters

04:46 Technology, AI, and the Changing Legal Delivery Model

11:50 The Future of Legal Staffing and Talent Strategy

18:03 Growth Strategy, Market Positioning, and Industry Impact

21:26 The Future of the Legal Industry and Big Four Influence

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Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm