Have you ever felt like the least glamorous tasks in your legal role might actually open the biggest doors? Many in-house lawyers strive for visibility in boardrooms and high-stakes deals. However, sometimes the real career-defining opportunities come from work that others dismiss as too tedious, too technical, or too “unsexy.” Integrating in-house counsel legal tech expertise can sometimes make these tasks more rewarding.
In a recent episode of Notes to My Legal Self, host Olga Mack spoke with Marla Crawford, General Counsel of Simplify, about her journey. She went from being assigned to a basement filled with boxes of discovery documents to becoming a pioneer in e-discovery and legal technology. Her story is not just about the evolution of technology in law. For those in-house, it’s about seizing opportunities like legal tech others overlook and transforming them into long-term career advantages.
Watch the full conversation with Marla Crawford here:
How Discovery Work Shaped a Career in Legal Tech
Crawford began her career in big law in the late 1980s, just as large-scale litigation was reshaping how firms handled information. She recalls being given a basement office and the task of combing through boxes of documents before depositions. This work that colleagues considered dull or low-value. Yet she embraced it. Not only did discovery provide her with flexibility as a young mother, it also gave her a unique expertise. This happened at the exact moment when technology, integral to in-house counsel legal tech, was about to change everything.
Her big break came with the Enron case, where she led discovery for Lehman Brothers. That case required reviewing hundreds of thousands of emails—an overwhelming amount at the time. Sitting in the room as the first e-discovery systems were being built, Crawford witnessed the birth of technology-driven legal practice. While others avoided this work, she recognized it as an opportunity to innovate and stand out.
The Future of Law: Legal Tech and Career Growth for In-House Counsel
Crawford’s career is a reminder to in-house lawyers that growth often comes from unexpected places. By leaning into “not sexy” work, she built subject matter expertise that set her apart. This created pathways to leadership. Today, as General Counsel of Simplify, she still straddles the worlds of legal practice and legal tech innovation. She advises her company while also contributing directly to product and workflow design, showcasing how in-house counsel legal tech play a crucial role.
For in-house counsel, the lesson is clear: the future of legal practice lies at the intersection of law and technology. Those willing to adapt, learn, and embrace change—whether it’s e-discovery decades ago or AI today—will be best positioned to lead.
Professional Development in Legal Tech for In-House Counsel
The pace of legal practice has shifted dramatically, from stacks of paper in boxes to millions of digital records processed in real time. With those changes come new demands: speed, accuracy, and collaboration with professionals from other disciplines. This includes technologists, data scientists, and project managers. Crawford emphasizes that adaptability and openness are essential. Holding on to outdated notions of how law “used to be practiced” only risks leaving lawyers behind.
Her advice to legal professionals at every stage—whether just starting out or leading a department—is to see digital transformation as an opportunity rather than a threat. By embracing innovation early, especially in-house counsel legal tech, lawyers not only future-proof their careers but also help shape how law itself evolves.
Watch the full conversation here: Notes to My (Legal) Self: Season 8, Episode 6 (ft.Marla Crawford)
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