Digital Legal Exchange (DLex) is to merge with Liquid Legal Institute (LLI) to create a global legal transformation think-tank that will continue under the LLI name. Effective 1 April, DLex will operate within LLI as a curated legal executive forum.
DLex, a forum for general counsel co-founded by Andersen chief legal officer Bill Deckelman and legal expert Mark Cohen, is particularly strong in the US, UK and Nordic countries and focuses on large multinational corporate GCs. UK leaders such as White & Case chief innovation officer Isabel Parker; ContractPodAI SVP Tanja Podinic; strategic advisor and former LawtechUK CEO Jenifer Swallow; and legal transformation advisor and former LawtechUK director Alexandra Lennox are among its expert panel of faculty advisors.
International legal transformation think-tank LLI, meanwhile, is a non profit organisation that is particularly strong in Central Europe, with many German, Swiss, and Austrian members. Members of DLex will become LLI members and the combined entity will be led by Deckelman and Cohen. Miami law professor Michele DeStefano will continue as lead faculty advisor, and dual member Robert Dilworth, who is managing director and associate general counsel of Bank of America, has been appointed to head a DLE Executive Office to ensure a smooth transition and support DLE activities.
The 1500+ member strategic union is said to reflect LLI’s and DLex’s common goals, methods, numerous corporate dual members, and past collaborations, plus the need for broader perspectives and member representation.
LLI co-founder Dr. Dierk Schindler, on behalf of LLI’s managing board, said: “Welcoming the distinct DLEx community will strengthen LLI’s vision of serving as an international, diverse think tank focused on innovation and transformation in law, embracing all parts and all levels of the organization.”
Deckelman added: “The opportunity to formalize the close working relationship DLEx has had with LLI is very exciting and will create a powerful capability to collaboratively address the significant challenges facing corporate legal organizations in the AI era.”