Transformation Is for Everyone—Not Just the 2.5%

Hello, Friends and Colleagues,

You’ve heard it before: “Think outside the box! Be an innovator!”

But here’s the reality—only 2.5% of people are natural innovators. That means when you ask your team to "be innovative," you're actually asking 97.5% of them to do something unnatural. Yes, that includes lawyers.

But what if we’re asking the wrong question?

Instead of demanding innovation, what if we focused on change, transformation, and evolution? Because here’s the good news: 100% of us—yes, even lawyers—are natural learners.

Think about it. No one needs an incentive to learn how to scroll on a smartphone. No one gets a bonus for figuring out how to drive in a new city. Humans adapt because that’s what we do.

Recently, Adrienne Go , Kassi Burns , and I worked with legal leaders at an iconic multinational company in New York on how legal teams can be intentional about transformation. Because in a world shifting from SaaS → Augmented SaaS → Agentic AI, it’s not just technology that’s changing—it’s business models, risk profiles, and the role of legal itself.

Let’s talk about how product counsel can thrive in this transformation.

The Business Model Shift: SaaS → Augmented SaaS → Agentic AI

Technology is evolving, but this isn’t just a technical upgrade—it’s a fundamental shift in how businesses operate.

• SaaS: Legal learned to adapt to continuous software updates.
• AI-Augmented SaaS: Now, machines aren’t just supporting decisions—they’re making them.
• Agentic AI: Next, AI will act on behalf of users, introducing entirely new risks and responsibilities.

For product counsel, this means legal can’t just “review and approve” anymore. We need to be embedded in product development, guiding these shifts as they happen.

To dive deeper into how product counsel can thrive in this changing landscape, check our latest book, Product Counsel: Advise, Innovate, and Inspire—a guide to navigating law, technology, and business with confidence.

The Power of Getting Risk "Just Right"

Legal teams often wrestle with a Goldilocks problem: too much risk aversion kills innovation, too little invites disaster.

The key? Rooting legal advice in the product lifecycle.

• Early-stage products: Build legal infrastructure before scaling.
• Scaling products: Navigate regulatory gray zones and global expansion.
• Mature products: Differentiate with trust and compliance as a strategic advantage.

If your legal advice isn’t calibrated to where the product is today, you’re either slowing things down or leaving blind spots unchecked.

Product counsel is the skill that will help you transform as the world transforms. Staying ahead isn’t just about keeping up with regulations—it’s about shaping the future of your company and your career. Let’s collaborate with your department to ensure your legal strategy evolves with your products, your business, and the broader market. Reach out to start the conversation.

Deepfakes Are a Little Too Real—Have You Updated Your Controls?

We’ve reached a point where AI-generated content is nearly indistinguishable from reality. Spotting and effectively mitigating deepfakes isn’t just about having the right policies—it requires a mindset shift.

In a recent training with legal leaders, one key takeaway was clear: traditional risk frameworks aren’t enough. Addressing deepfakes requires a proactive, multidisciplinary approach that brings together legal, compliance, security, and product teams.

If you’re advising a product that involves AI-generated content, ask yourself:

• Do you have clear policies on synthetic media risks?
• Are your disclosures and authenticity checks robust enough?
• Is your company prepared for the legal and reputational fallout of AI-generated misinformation?

If the answer is anything short of a confident yes, it’s time to rethink your approach. The legal risks of deepfakes are evolving fast, and staying ahead requires collaboration across teams. Now is the time to align legal, compliance, and product teams to ensure you’re not just reacting but leading.

Let’s connect and develop a strategy that keeps your organization ahead of these challenges. Reach out to start the conversation.

Turning Rules Into Wins: Compliance as a Competitive Advantage

When most people hear "compliance," they think of slowdowns and roadblocks. But what if compliance could be a market advantage instead of just a legal necessity?

In my recent article, "Turning Rules Into Wins: How Compliance Can Propel Innovation," I explore how companies that embrace compliance strategically don’t just mitigate risk—they differentiate themselves in the market.

• GDPR-compliant companies turned privacy into a competitive selling point, building customer trust.
• Accessibility-focused products expanded into underserved markets, gaining new user bases.
• Fintech companies that leaned into PSD2 compliance secured a first-mover advantage in regulated spaces.

Legal isn’t just about identifying risks—it’s about creating opportunities. When approached the right way, compliance doesn’t just keep a company out of trouble; it helps position it for success.

The Bottom Line: Transformation Isn’t Optional—It’s a Superpower

You don’t need to be part of the 2.5% of natural innovators to thrive in a rapidly changing world. What matters most is the ability to evolve and guide transformation with intention.

In-house counsel must be:

• Tech-savvy – Understanding AI, SaaS, business model shifts, and the broader technological landscape shaping the future of business.
• Business-minded – Recognizing that legal risks are not just obstacles but opportunities to create strategic advantages.
• Embedded in product teams – Advising early and proactively rather than stepping in only when problems arise.

The legal industry is changing, and so is the role of in-house counsel. Where can you shift from resisting change to leading it?

Let’s continue the conversation—reply and share your thoughts.

Warmly,

Olga

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Olga V. Mack is a leading innovator in the legal field, driving digital transformation and championing the use of technology to modernize law. With a focus on efficiency, accessibility, and client-centric solutions, she has redefined traditional legal practices through groundbreaking tools, strategies, and advocacy. As an award-winning legal tech CEO, General Counsel, accomplished author, and sought-after thought leader, Olga is dedicated to empowering the legal profession to embrace transformative technologies and stay adaptable in an ever-evolving world.