The Human Side of AI: Why People, Judgment, and Communication Still Run Law (Mark Wasserman CEO Emeritus of Eversheds, Keith Maziarek & Justin Ergler)

In the latest episode of Off the Clock from the Legal Value Network, hosts Keith Maziarek and Justin Ergler sit down with Mark Wasserman, CEO Emeritus of Eversheds Sutherland, for a candid, unscripted look at the realities of modern legal leadership.

Mark pulls back the curtain on the industry's biggest shifts, from managing massive global mergers to navigating the next frontier of business.

Here are 3 key takeaways from the conversation:

• The Imperative of Over-Communication: Mark shares his journey of taking on a managing partner role at 43, realizing within six months the challenges of balancing a massive M&A practice with firm leadership. His number one piece of advice for new leaders? Over-communicate early and often with clients, partners, and business professionals alike.
• The Reality of Global Change Management: Hear the behind-the-scenes story of the 2017 combination that created Eversheds Sutherland. Mark discusses the nuances of merging disparate regional cultures, aligning egos, and why "presencing"—physically showing up at offices from Leeds to the Middle East—is vital to building authentic internal trust.
• AI as a Connector, Not a Displacer: Striking a balance on the industry's hottest topic, Mark argues that while AI will undoubtedly shift billable structures and reduce routine review hours, it will actually increase the premium on human relationships. The future belongs to firms that seamlessly combine data capabilities with elite judgment and empathy.