Marco Imperiale, the founder of Better Ipsum, stands out as a distinguished leader in legal innovation, with extensive experience in developing innovative services and products for law firms, institutions, and corporations.We asked Marco three questions regarding his career, vision, and perspectives on his upcoming session at Lexpo'24.

Marco, can you share an 'aha!' moment you experienced in your work as a legal innovator that had a profound effect on your approach or thinking?

"I recall a meeting with numerous equity partners from different law firms. One of them had to leave early to see a doctor due to recent neck surgery. This incident sparked a conversation where everyone at the table began sharing their own health issues. Some mentioned hernias, others talked about structural issues with their vertebral column, a few had undergone surgery, and others had experienced heart attacks. Most of them were under 50 years old. I was the only one fortunate enough to be in decent health, but it was a stark realisation that physical suffering seemed like a price to pay for a successful career in the legal business. Needless to say, the very next day, I invested in an ergonomic chair and booked an appointment with a physiotherapist for a full body check-up."

In your opinion, what are the most pressing challenges our industry faces today?

That’s the million-dollar question. A practical answer would be managing and leveraging generative AI, but I believe focusing on the human factor is even more important. Unless we understand ourselves, our strengths and weaknesses, both as individuals and as teams of professionals, we won’t be able to make the most of the revolution we are experiencing. The sheer volume of innovation and the pace at which we're expected to adapt can be overwhelming. We need to make smart, focused, and sometimes expensive decisions. It feels like the world is depending on us. Unfortunately, this is a marathon, not a sprint. Flexibility and the capacity to rebound from setbacks will determine the ultimate victors.

Can you give us a sneak peek into the topics you’ll be addressing at Lexpo’24 and indicate what attendees can expect to learn?

As you might deduce from my previous answers, I will discuss legal wellbeing. While it’s essential to navigate the rise of AI and technology and make informed decisions for firms and individuals, my focus will extend beyond that. From burnout to the sense of belonging, from anxiety disorders to stress management, sometimes we overestimate our capabilities. I am expecting attendees not just to gain knowledge but also to reflect on how much the legal profession depends on our balance and the significance of how we treat ourselves and others in our professional journeys.