Eric Friedman: Leading the Future of Law and Tech

April 23, 2026 Joe Stephens

Legal Technology Legal AI Legal Industry Trends

What does it take to lead one of the world's most prestigious law firms through a global financial crisis, a pandemic, and now, a generative AI revolution?

In this episode, Eric Friedman draws on his three decades of experience at Skadden to dissect the current "headwinds" impacting the legal landscape. Now an advisor to legal tech leaders like Litera and Ironclad, Eric explores why adoption remains the number one hurdle for innovation and how the "client voice" is finally forcing the hands of reluctant law firms.

From the "crystal ball" question of the billable hour's future to the potential for AI to move the needle on access to justice, this conversation provides a strategic roadmap for the future of legal services.

What You’ll Learn:

How tech, competitive dynamics, and geopolitics are creating a high-pressure environment.
Why meeting lawyers "where they work" is the only way to overcome the static of new tools.
Why value-based billing might finally gain traction as clients demand to share in tech-driven efficiency gains.
Understanding the complex "Middle Earth" between the business and practice of law to successfully sell to law firms.,
Why we are still in the "early innings" of tech innovation and why declaration of winners is premature.

Want to watch this episode of Between the Briefs instead? Get the full video on YouTube.

About the Contributors

Joe Stephens

Joe Stephens, J.D., is Steno's Director of Legal Solutions as well as a Clinical Lecturer at Texas Tech University School of Law. With over 15 years of experience in criminal defense and public service, he founded and led Texas' largest rural public defender office, which serves a 12-county area. A graduate of The University of Texas School of Law (cum laude) and Vanderbilt University (B.A.), Stephens currently serves as a Board Member of the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyer's Association (TCDLA) and sits on multiple State Bar of Texas committees. His expertise spans the intersection of legal practice and technological innovation in the justice system.

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Adrian Cea

Adrian Cea is Steno's Social Media Manager, leading content strategy, audience engagement, and digital brand-building across platforms. He also produces and co-hosts Between the Briefs, Steno's podcast covering the intersection of legal technology, court reporting, and the future of litigation. With a background spanning content creation, field marketing, and sales at companies like Sell Better and Chili Piper, Adrian brings a multi-disciplined lens to making complex legal tech topics accessible and engaging.

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