Are you living someone else’s dream job? In this episode of the Law and Beyond show, host Chantal McNaught sits down with the legendary Cat "TechnoCat" Casey, a global voice in AI and legal innovation.

Cat shares her fascinating journey from studying existential philosophy to becoming a leading voice in AI forensics. We dive deep into the "sunk cost fallacy" that keeps many legal professionals trapped in roles that no longer serve them and discuss how to reclaim the steering wheel of your career.

Whether you are a lawyer, a technologist, or somewhere in between, Cat’s "fractional sparkle" will inspire you to find your own "catnip" in the expanding legal universe.

Brought to you by Novum Global.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Translator Superpower: Why a mastery of language makes you an AI superstar.
• Iron Man Esquire: How to become a tech-enabled legal rockstar.
• The Sunk Cost Fallacy: Recognizing when it’s time to pivot.
• Shadow AI: Why "don't use it" is a dangerous firm policy.
• The Fearless Self-Evaluation: A 30-minute exercise to find your next career move.

Featured Guest:
Cat Casey, Chief Innovation Officer and Author of "AI and Legal Tech" (Wiley).

Connect with the Show:

• Subscribe for more People in Legal insightful interviews.
• Follow Chantal McNaught on LinkedIn for the "Fully Innovative Luxury Lawyer" newsletter.
• Order your copy of AI and Legal Tech by Cat Casey
• Brought to you by Novum Global.

Criminal law is a "very human business." For barrister Emma Moss, it is the space where she stands as the "thin line" between the power of the state and an individual’s liberty. But Emma’s path to the bar wasn't a straight line. It was a journey of pivots, from psychology and HR to returning to law school as a mature student and parent.

In this episode of The Law and Beyond Show, host Chantal McNaught sits down with Emma to explore the expanding legal universe through the lens of criminal defence and legal aid. They dive deep into the emotional weight of the work, the resource imbalances in our justice system, and the vital importance of building a sustainable career through community and "give back."

Emma shares her "win or learn" philosophy, offering raw and practical advice for anyone navigating a non-traditional legal path or struggling to balance empathy with the risk of burnout.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Non-Linear Path: Pivoting from early setbacks to a successful second career in law.
• The Reality of Legal Aid: Standing up for access to justice despite significant resource gaps.
• The Empathy Trap: How to "care just enough" to be effective without burning out.
• Resilience & Self-Care: Moving away from destructive coping mechanisms toward community-based support.
• Breaking Barriers: Why mentoring and "owning your space" are essential for the next generation of lawyers.
• The Tech Mismatch: Emma’s take on the "New Age of Sexism" in AI and why the law is struggling to catch up.

About Our Guest:
Emma Moss is a criminal defence barrister based in New Zealand. A passionate advocate for access to justice, she serves on community law boards and the Law Association’s Next Gen committee, dedicated to breaking down barriers for mature students and diverse practitioners entering the law.

Support the Show:
If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating or review on Spotify! It helps others find People in Legal and the "Law and Beyond" show, and supports our mission to highlight the people shaping the future of the expanding legal universe.

What does a legal tech career look like when you're not a lawyer? In this episode of the Law and Beyond Show, host Chantal McNaught sits down with Claudia Simpson, Senior Data Governance and Business Analyst at Law in Order, to explore how curiosity, saying yes to opportunities, and a people-first approach can build a powerful career in the expanding legal universe.

From litigation support clerk to leading data governance and privacy initiatives, Claudia's journey is a masterclass in non-linear career growth. But more importantly, she shares practical wisdom on navigating AI adoption, building ethical guardrails into innovation, and why governance isn't a hurdle—it's an enabler.

Perfect for aspiring legal tech professionals, law firm leaders, and anyone curious about the intersection of technology, ethics, and society.

Follow Law In Order on LinkedIn to stay connected with updates and insights exploring all things legal tech - from everyday workflows to responsible AI adoption across the industry.

In this Episode:

00:00 – Cold Open: "Ask 'Should We?' Not Just 'Can We?'"

00:20 – Welcome & Claudia's Career Journey

05:30 – What Does a Business Analyst Do?

09:30 – Sociology & People-First Approach to Tech

17:30 – AI, Ethics, and Guardrails

24:30 – Governance as an Enabler & AML Compliance

31:00 – The Isolation Card Question & Book Chat

34:30 – Closing & Ada Lovelace Reference

Books

• Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil - by V.E. Schwab
• The Way of Kings and Mistborn series by Brandon Sanderson
• Principles for Dealing with the Changing World Order by Ray Dalio