We’re no strangers to disruption. Throughout our history, AT&T team members have pioneered groundbreaking technologies and reshaped entire industries. We’ve built a culture where experimentation isn’t a side project; it’s a part of how we work.
That innovation extends to all teams and all departments in our company. In our Legal department, LegalEdge is taking a technology-first approach to reimagine the way legal work is done. It’s an incredible opportunity for law students to gain hands-on experience, build the foundation for long-term growth, and drive innovation.
“If you look at the last few decades, AT&T has been at the heart of some of the most complex and fascinating legal cases that exist,” SVP Chief Compliance Officer Bill Ryan said. “As we move forward and take on new legal challenges, LegalEdge team members will help AT&T continue its evolution and find innovative and efficient ways to navigate those challenges.”
A culture based on experience
To take on a task as ambitious as this, you need to have a clear vision. LegalEdge’s approach is heavily inspired by the Legal department’s culture of collaboration and Bill’s own experiences as a teacher.
“One of the things that I have learned from great leaders, and teachers, is to maximize progress, you have to build a culture of trust and transparency. You can’t just say to a student or a team, ‘Here’s a book. Go learn.’ You need to engage, establish culture, and find new ways to consistently get better.”
This is why members of LegalEdge are encouraged to ask questions and experiment. With the rapid pace that technologies like AI are being adopted and evolving, it’s essential to act with urgency. The ultimate goal is the collective growth of each individual, the team, and the company overall.
Another core value of LegalEdge is accountability. Bill explained how his own post-grad job hunt influenced this aspect of the culture. “I was looking to be part of a team that challenged me and offered a certain amount of autonomy over my own performance. This program has that. It’s built on independent responsibility, but also thoughtful training with a support structure. The LegalEdge role really ticks all the boxes I was looking for when I started 30 years ago.”
A varied experience
The culture of LegalEdge provides a consistent experience for team members regardless of the work they’re doing. That’s particularly helpful because our legal teams have their hands on all sorts of areas of law, including litigation, regulatory work, investigations, policy drafting, and contract negotiations.
Putting their philosophy into action, LegalEdge allows for remote work and employs a flexible schedule that allows team members to get creative with how and when they complete their work. It’s just one of the ways they’re putting trust in employees and pushing that personal accountability.
A tech-forward approach
Putting an emphasis on mindset over familiarity with legacy approaches, members of the LegalEdge team embrace curiosity, experimentation, and iteration. The reality is that the industry is rapidly changing and having a deep knowledge of existing systems is just a part of the equation. For that reason, a learner’s mindset and a desire to be on the cutting edge are key components.
“We give our team the space to say ‘Hey, I found this new approach,’ and go ahead and test it. It might not always work out, but we can learn from it and improve next time. That’s what we need to thrive in a landscape of continuous disruption.”
A unique opportunity
While getting a new team off the ground is hard work, the excitement of this moment isn’t lost on Bill. He doesn’t want it to be lost on his team either. “Everyone on this team is in a position to change the way legal work is being done going forward. My hope is that when they look back they feel a sense of accomplishment and take pride in the impact they’ve made on legal history.”
Learn more about LegalEdge
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