As Alex Su Is Named President of Latitude Legal, We Talk about Why AI Is Driving Demand for Flex Talent

Robert Ambrogi (0:03)

Today on LawNext, having just been on this show last February, Alex Su is back. And there's a reason I'm invited him back so soon. Last February, Alex and I recorded a live episode of this podcast over lunch in a Cambodian restaurant in his hometown of Alameda, California. Mics and cameras set up on the table while other people ate lunch all around us. It was part of my LawNext on location series during my extended visit to the Bay Area. And Alex and I talked about his winding career, from Sullivan & Cromwell associate to federal clerk to legal tech startups, to social media influencer and finally the chief revenue officer at Latitude, the flexible legal talent company. Back then, I asked him, what's coming next? And his answer was that as AI got better, the demand for lawyers with real judgment to direct it, check it and own the work would only grow. Seven months later, Alex has proved himself prescient. On the day we recorded this conversation, Latitude announced that Alex had just been named its president, unifying the company's commercial and talent operations under his leadership. During Alex's time with the company, the announcement said it had nearly doubled its client base and office footprint, added hundreds of new law firm and corporate clients, and saw a 52 percent jump in new client acquisition in just the first half of this year. So as Alex joins LawNext for the second time this year, we talk about what's driving that growth, why AI is producing more demand for human lawyers rather than less, why Alex says contract attorney undersells what FlexTalent actually does today, and why he bristles a bit at the label ALSP. I'm Bob Ambrogi and this is LawNext, a podcast that features the innovators and entrepreneurs who are driving what's next in law. Before we get to my interview with Alex, please take this moment to hear from the sponsors who so generously support this podcast.

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Now, let's get to my second conversation this year with Alex Su.

Alex Su, welcome back to LawNext.

Alex Su (2:52)

Glad to be here. Thanks for having me back on, Bob.

Robert Ambrogi (2:54)

Looking forward to talking to you today. You and I were just reminiscing before we started the recording that we had a lot of fun recording a live in-person podcast in a Cambodian restaurant in your hometown of Alameda back in February. That was part of a little tour I was doing and some live recording out in California. That was a lot of fun.

It was.

Alex Su (3:21)

I can't believe I had Bob Ambrogi at my local restaurant in Alameda, but I'm glad you had a chance to swing by. Thank you for making the time then. It was so much fun.

Robert Ambrogi (3:31)

Well, it was kind of a scene. We had the mic and the camera and stuff set up on the table while there are other people in their dining.

You know the place and you knew the owner, so that made it a little more comfortable, but that was great. Thanks so much for doing that. It was a real highlight of my trip out to San Francisco.

Alex Su (3:50)

Of course.

Robert Ambrogi (3:51)

Normally, I wouldn't have you back on the podcast so soon after that, except that you've got some news that was just announced today on the day that we're recording this.

So, I'll let you tell it. What's your news?

Alex Su (4:04)

Well, my news is this. I've just been promoted to President of Latitude Legal. For those who don't know, we are an alternative legal services provider. We focus on providing high caliber attorneys to law firms and legal departments on an engagement basis. We've been growing quickly and for many reasons, we've decided to unify all of our commercial operations under me.

We know that the market is moving very quickly. AI is playing a role in this. It's creating a lot of demand for flexible legal talent. So we thought that this might be the best way to serve our clients and our candidates. So we announced that this morning.

And so, yeah, of course, right on brand, Bob, you just got in front of me quickly. So I'm so glad we have a chance to chat about it today.