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Turning Lawyers into Allies Sean Patrick Butler @spbutler

Turn Lawyers into Allies by Sean Butler - The Lean Startup Conference 12/11/14

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As an entrepreneur, you've probably found lawyers to be more a barrier to innovation than a boon. But by actively reframing their role, you can transform the legal function into an asset rather than a liability. Sean Butler, Senior Corporate Counsel at Cisco, explains how.

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Page 1: Turn Lawyers into Allies by Sean Butler - The Lean Startup Conference 12/11/14

Turning Lawyers into Allies

Sean Patrick Butler@spbutler

Page 2: Turn Lawyers into Allies by Sean Butler - The Lean Startup Conference 12/11/14

Problem

Solution: reframe the issue

How to win them over (3 tips)

What it looks like when you do (2 ideas)

Q&A

Page 3: Turn Lawyers into Allies by Sean Butler - The Lean Startup Conference 12/11/14

Taking risks is essential for startups

For lawyers…not so much

Page 4: Turn Lawyers into Allies by Sean Butler - The Lean Startup Conference 12/11/14

Reframe the lawyer’s role:

business enablement

NOT

risk management

Page 5: Turn Lawyers into Allies by Sean Butler - The Lean Startup Conference 12/11/14
Page 6: Turn Lawyers into Allies by Sean Butler - The Lean Startup Conference 12/11/14

① Tell them it’s OK to fail

…which really means: it’s ok to get sued

Page 7: Turn Lawyers into Allies by Sean Butler - The Lean Startup Conference 12/11/14
Page 8: Turn Lawyers into Allies by Sean Butler - The Lean Startup Conference 12/11/14

② Remind them that legal risk pales in

comparison to other startup risks

…and lawyers should prioritize accordingly

Page 9: Turn Lawyers into Allies by Sean Butler - The Lean Startup Conference 12/11/14

③ Give them the conditions they need to

succeed

• scarce but secure resources

• independent authority

• personal stake in the outcome

Page 10: Turn Lawyers into Allies by Sean Butler - The Lean Startup Conference 12/11/14

① They should be part of your team, not just

someone you call

Page 11: Turn Lawyers into Allies by Sean Butler - The Lean Startup Conference 12/11/14

② They should release their own MVP’s

Page 12: Turn Lawyers into Allies by Sean Butler - The Lean Startup Conference 12/11/14

Turning Lawyers into Allies

Sean Patrick Butler@spbutler

Page 13: Turn Lawyers into Allies by Sean Butler - The Lean Startup Conference 12/11/14
Page 14: Turn Lawyers into Allies by Sean Butler - The Lean Startup Conference 12/11/14