The SciTech Lawyer Perspective

ABA Science & Technology Law Section

Join leading legal and industry experts for timely conversations exploring the intersection of science, technology, and the law. From emerging trends to critical policy developments, The SciTech Lawyer Perspective—the official podcast of the ABA Science & Technology Law Section—delivers insights and analysis to help you stay informed and ahead of the curve.

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13 episodes
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Avg 34 min
English

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September 2 · 40 min
From AI to AI-Native: A Conversation with Soxton Founder Logan Brown
What does it really mean to be an AI-native law firm? In this episode of The SciTech Lawyer Perspective, host Aaron Gothelf sits down with Logan Brown, founder and CEO of Soxton, to explore how AI-native legal services differ from traditional firms that simply use AI tools. Logan shares her journey from Cooley to launching an innovative startup, discusses why flat-fee, attorney-in-the-loop legal services are reshaping the market, and explains how AI-first workflows are changing hiring, pricing, client service, and the role of lawyers. Together, they examine whether established firms can truly become AI-native, where human judgment remains indispensable, and what the future of legal practice looks like as artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in the profession.
S2 · E11
August 5 · 28 min
When Science Meets Algorithms: AI, Misinformation, and Public Trust
In this episode of The SciTech Lawyer Perspective, Host Donata Stroink-Skillrud sits down with Kent Anderson and Joy Moore to explore how the Internet, social media, and Artificial Intelligence are transforming the way scientific information is created, shared, and consumed. The discussion examines why misinformation often spreads faster than credible research, how generative AI may accelerate both scientific discovery and fraud, and how the growing influence of technology platforms is shaping public understanding of science.
S2 · E10
July 1 · 40 min
Identity, Trust, and the Legal Foundations of Agentic Commerce: A Proposal for Trust in Depth
In this episode of The SciTech Lawyer Perspective, host Aaron Gothelf sits down with David Fisher, Founder and CEO of Integra Ledger, a blockchain technology company focused on secure interoperability and trusted digital transactions for the legal industry, to discuss his paper, Identity, Trust, and the Legal Foundations of Agentic Commerce: A Proposal for Trust in Depth, coauthored with Bridget McCormack, President and CEO of the American Arbitration Association. The conversation explores how AI agents are rapidly transforming commerce by autonomously negotiating, transacting, and making decisions. At the same time, the trust infrastructure that has historically enabled markets to function, including identity, legal accountability, enforceable agreements, and dispute resolution, has not kept pace. Fisher explains the paper's proposed four-layer "trust in depth" framework, which connects AI agents to human identity, legal entities, enforceable agreements, and authorized delegation. The framework is designed to help agentic commerce scale within the legal and institutional foundations that have long supported human commerce. The original article can be accessed at: https://www.adr.org/news-and-insights/trust-framework-for-agentic-commerce-disputes/.
S2 · E9
June 8 · 30 min
Consent as Friction: Rethinking Digital Consent
In this episode of The SciTech Lawyer Perspective, Host Donata Stroink-Skillrud sits down with Nikolas Guggenberger to discuss his concept of "consent as friction." The episode explores why modern digital consent often fails and how laywers, companies, and regulators should rethink the role of consent online.
S2 · E8
May 4 · 40 min
The Expanding Digital Border: AI, Surveillance, and the Fight for Justice
In this episode of The SciTech Lawyer Perspective, Host Aaron Gothelf sits down with immigration attorney James Chesser and Kit Walsh of the Electronic Frontier Foundation to discuss James' Immigration and Human Rights Law Review article, "The Expanding Digital Border: AI, Surveillance, and the fight for Justice." The episode explores how borders are evolving into AI-driven "digital filters" that predict risk and intent, reshaping what it means to cross and raising urgent questions about accountability. The speakers examine whether these systems make immigration fairer or simply more opaque—and whether their errors are becoming harder to challenge. The original article can be accessed at: https://scholarship.law.uc.edu/ihrlr/vol7/iss1/2/
S2 · E7
April 1 · 30 min
Defending the rule of law with ABA's ROLI
In this episode of The SciTech Lawyer Perspective, Host Donata Stroink-Skillrud sits down with Ravy Uong to discuss the work of American Bar Association's Rule of Law Initiative and its various projects defending the rule of law and Internet Freedom. They explore projects in Southeast Asia and Africa and how lawyers can help defend the rule of law. Invest in Justice, Build a Better World. For more information about ABA Rule of Law Initiatives or to support any ABA project, please visit the ABA Fund for Justice and Education webpage.
S2 · E6
March 3 · 32 min
Why Silos Fail: Governing Cybersecurity, Privacy, and AI
In this episode of The SciTech Lawyer Perspective, host Donata Stroink-Skillrud sits down with Shannon Ralich, Vice President of Compliance and Chief Privacy Officer at Machinify, to explore why siloed governance models fail and how organizations can build integrated, future-ready programs.
S2 · E5
February 4 · 43 min
A Lawyer's Guide to AI: Ten Essential Concepts
In this episode of The SciTech Lawyer Perspective, American Arbitration Association Commercial Vice President Aaron Gothelf interviews ABA Science & Technology Law Section's Chair-Elect, Matt Henshon to discuss his new book, "A Lawyer's Guide to AI: Ten Essential Concepts." The conversation traces AI's development from early predictive models to modern generative tools, emphasizing the role of data, pattern recognition, and prediction. Matt examines what distinguishes generative AI from earlier forms of machine learning, how data quality shapes AI outcomes, and why challenges such as overfitting and opacity pose problems for AI users. From a legal perspective, the episode examines algorithmic accountability, the adequacy of existing legal frameworks, and the issues lawyers and policymakers should be paying the closest attention to.
S2 · E4
January 8 · 32 min
Beyond Cybersecurity: How DORA and NIS2 are Redefining Operational Resilience
In this episode of The SciTech Lawyer Perspective, host Donata Stroink-Skillrud sits down with Gert Taeymans, founder of Tymans Group, for an in-depth discussion of two of the European Union's most consequential technology regulations: DORA and NIS2. Together, they break down what these regulatory frameworks entail, when and how they apply to U.S. companies, and why they matter beyond the EU. The conversation highlights how themes such as operational resilience, third-party risk management, and executive accountability are redefining cybersecurity and governance expectations, with implications that are increasingly global in scope. Explore additional notes featuring topics and insights beyond what we discussed in this episode.
S2 · E3
Dec 3, 2025 · 26 min
AAA's AI Arbitrator: Bridging Human and Machine
In this episode of The SciTech Lawyer Perspective, American Arbitration Association Commercial Vice President Aaron Gothelf interviews Bridget McCormack, President & CEO of the American Arbitration Association, for a substantive discussion on the AAA's groundbreaking new AI Arbitrator. The conversation examines the motivations for developing the tool, the role of large language models in enhancing parties' sense of being heard, the potential for AI to expand access to justice, the ways human arbitrators are supporting and overseeing the system, the safeguards implemented to mitigate AI bias, the prospects and limits of AI in relation to human decision makers, and the unique position of the AAA to lead this technological advancement.
S2 · E2
Nov 17, 2025 · 29 min
Launching your career in law, science, and technology
In this episode of The SciTech Lawyer Perspective, host Donata Stroink-Skillrud talks with Patent Engineer Marguerite Smith about how to launch your career in law, science and technology. They discuss available roles, how to gain experience in the field, the STEM skills that transfer into working in law, science and technology, and practical tips for students. Tune in for an episode full of practical advice and insights.
S2 · E1
Oct 27, 2025 · 33 min
Navigating Criminal Jurisdiction In Space
In this episode of The SciTech Lawyer Perspective, host Donata Stroink-Skillrud interviews Duncan Blake to discuss his article "Space Pirates or Misplaced Labels? Navigating Criminal Jurisdiction On Commercial Space Stations", co-authored with Michelle Chase and Margot Ellis. Topics include the Outer Space Treaty, the viability of applying maritime law concepts to space law, the Law of the Sea Convention, and other jurisdictional issues. Don't miss this episode of the SciTech Lawyer Perspective, where we discuss cutting edge issues in space law.
S1 · E1
Jun 25, 2025 · 36 min
Neurotechnology in The Workplace: A Futuristic Reality
In this episode of The SciTech Lawyer Perspective, American Arbitration Association Commercial Vice President Aaron Gothelf interviews Davis Wright Tremaine Partner Jeremy Merkelson to discuss his article, Neurotechnology in the Workplace: A Futuristic Reality, co-authored with Davis Wright Tremaine Partner Wendy Kearns. Topics include how employers are using neurotechnology to monitor employees, which industries have been early adopters, what type of consent employers must obtain, whether use of such technology can be a condition of employment, and whether algorithmic biases in neurotechnology mirror those in AI. The episode also explores what procedures and tools employers should implement to ensure responsible use. The future is now—don't miss this engaging episode of The SciTech Lawyer Perspective, the official podcast of the ABA Science & Technology Law Section.

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