
Law Firm Data Governance
By CJ Anderson
This podcast is for law firm leaders and teams who want to know more about implementing and improving data governance in law firms. Over the seasons, CJ Anderson from Iron Carrot will cover topics including refreshers on the basic concepts, starting a data governance initiative, evaluating progress, getting back on track if it's going wrong, and everything in-between.

Accelerating Digital Transformation
Accelerating Digital Transformation
Law Firm Data GovernanceJan 13, 2023
00:00
09:41

Top tips for a data governance business case
Top tips for a data governance business case
Welcome to Season 2, Episode 10 of the Law Firm Data Governance podcast, the data governance companion for law firm leaders who want to know more about implementing and improving data governance. Each week I'll help you with your law firm's data governance initiative by sharing something I've learned in my 20-plus years of working with information and data in law firms.
Over this season, I'll explore law firm drivers for data governance and the benefits of data governance. So whether you're making the business case to create your data governance capability or getting some support to get started with data governance, I hope this season helps set you up for success.
In this final episode of the season, I’ll share some top tips for shaping your data governance business case.
Jan 27, 202309:20

Better decision ready data
Better decision ready data
Welcome to Season 2, Episode 9 of the Law Firm Data Governance podcast, the data governance companion for law firm leaders who want to know more about implementing and improving data governance. Each week I'll help you with your law firm's data governance initiative by sharing something I've learned in my 20-plus years of working with information and data in law firms.
Over this season, I'll explore law firm drivers for data governance and the benefits of data governance. So whether you're making the business case to create your data governance capability or getting some support to get started with data governance, I hope this season helps set you up for success.
In this episode, I’ll talk about achieving better decision-ready data by formalising (or creating) a data governance capability in a law firm.
Jan 20, 202306:37

Accelerating Digital Transformation
Accelerating Digital Transformation
Welcome to Season 2, Episode 8 of the Law Firm Data Governance podcast, the data governance companion for law firm leaders who want to know more about implementing and improving data governance. Each week I'll help you with your law firm's data governance initiative by sharing something I've learned in my 20-plus years of working with information and data in law firms.
Over this season, I'll explore law firm drivers for data governance and the benefits of data governance. So whether you're making the business case to create your data governance capability or getting some support to get started with data governance, I hope this season helps set you up for success.
In this episode, I’ll talk about using data governance to accelerate digital transformation and why it’s an attention-grabbing use case to include in a business case for data governance.
Jan 13, 202309:41

Easier innovation and collaboration
Easier innovation and collaboration
Welcome to Season 2, Episode 7 of the Law Firm Data Governance podcast, the data governance companion for law firm leaders who want to know more about implementing and improving data governance. Each week I'll help you with your law firm's data governance initiative by sharing something I've learned in my 20-plus years of working with information and data in law firms.
Over this season, I'll explore law firm drivers for data governance and the benefits of data governance. So whether you're making the business case to create your data governance capability or getting some support to get started with data governance, I hope this season helps set you up for success.
In this episode, I’ll talk about how data governance makes collaboration easier and why it’s one of the foundations of successful law firm innovation.
Dec 02, 202206:45

The benefits of a shared language
The benefits of a shared language
Welcome to Season 2 of the Law Firm Data Governance podcast, the data governance companion for law firm leaders who want to know more about implementing and improving data governance. Each week I'll help you with your law firm's data governance initiative by sharing something I've learned in my 20-plus years of working with information and data in law firms.
Over this season, I'll explore law firm drivers for data governance and the benefits of data governance. So whether you're making the business case to create your data governance capability or getting some support to get started with data governance, I hope this season helps set you up for success.
In this episode, I’ll talk about how not having a common vocabulary is a problem and how data governance can help create a shared language for a firm. I’ll also describe some benefits that building a data glossary (or business glossary) can bring to a law firm.
Nov 25, 202207:52

Increasing access to data
Increasing access to data
Welcome to Season 2 Episode 5 of the Law Firm Data Governance podcast, the data governance companion for law firm leaders who want to know more about implementing and improving data governance. Each week I'll help you with your law firm's data governance initiative by sharing something I've learned in my 20-plus years of working with information and data in law firms.
Over this season, I'll explore law firm drivers for data governance and the benefits of data governance. So whether you're making the business case to create your data governance capability or getting some support to get started with data governance, I hope this season helps set you up for success.
In this episode, I’ll talk about how a data governance capability can help increase access to data in a law firm by turning your data gatekeepers into data shopkeepers.
Nov 18, 202206:55

Lowering Data Management Costs
Lowering Data Management Costs
Welcome to Season 2 Episode 4 of the Law Firm Data Governance podcast, the data governance companion for law firm leaders who want to know more about implementing and improving data governance. Each week I'll help you with your law firm's data governance initiative by sharing something I've learned in my 20-plus years of working with information and data in law firms.
Over this season, I'll explore law firm drivers for data governance and the benefits of data governance. So whether you're making the business case to create your data governance capability or getting some support to get started with data governance, I hope this season helps set you up for success.
In this episode, I’ll discuss how data governance can help lower your firm’s data management costs by focusing on operational excellence and why it’s a powerful driver and benefit to add to your business case.
Nov 11, 202207:30

Understanding your clients
Understanding your clients
Welcome to Season 2 Episode 3 of the Law Firm Data Governance podcast, the data governance companion for law firm leaders who want to know more about implementing and improving data governance. Each week I'll help you with your law firm's data governance initiative by sharing something I've learned in my 20-plus years of working with information and data in law firms.
Over this season, I'll explore law firm drivers for data governance and the benefits of data governance. So whether you're making the business case to create your data governance capability or getting some support to get started with data governance, I hope this season helps set you up for success.
Law firms recognise that their clients are their most significant asset but find it complicated to get their arms around the data available to them to help them better support clients and improve their development and targeting of services. In this episode, I will explore how data governance helps law firms better understand their clients.
Nov 04, 202206:57

Law Firm Drivers for Data Governance
Law Firm Drivers for Data Governance
This is Season 2, Episode 2 of the Law Firm Data Governance podcast, the data governance companion for law firm leaders who want to know more about implementing and improving data governance.
Over this season, I'll explore a law firm's drivers and benefits of data governance. So whether you're making the business case to create your data governance capability or making the business case to get some help to get started with data governance, I hope that this season helps set you up for success.
In this episode, I will discuss the drivers influencing a law firm to explore data governance. Since you can’t write a business case without understanding why you are looking to make a change, understanding these drivers is an essential first step.
Oct 28, 202206:42

Why is data governance important for law firms?
Why is data governance important for law firms?
This is the first episode in Season 2 of the Law Firm Data Governance podcast, the data governance companion for law firm leaders who want to know more about implementing and improving data governance.
Over this season, I'll explore a law firm's drivers and benefits of data governance. So whether you're making the business case to create your data governance capability or making the business case to get some help to get started with data governance, I hope that this season helps set you up for success.
In this episode, I'll explore why law firms need data governance and set the scene for the rest of this season's episodes.
Oct 21, 202206:08

Law Firm Data Governance Season 2 Trailer
Law Firm Data Governance Season 2 Trailer
Welcome to Season 2 of the Law Firm Data Governance podcast. I'm CJ Anderson, founder of Iron Carrot. I am thrilled to be back with another season of the data governance companion for law firm leaders who want to know more about implementing and improving data governance.
Each week I'll help you with your law firm's data governance initiative by sharing something I've learned in my 20-plus years of working with information and data in law firms.
Over the 10 episodes in this season, I'll explore a law firm's drivers and benefits of data governance.
So whether you're making the business case to create your data governance capability or making the business case to get some resource to get started with data governance, I hope that I can help set you up for success.
Oct 14, 202200:51

Do you need a data policy?
Do you need a data policy?
Welcome to the Law Firm Data Governance podcast. The data governance companion for law firm leaders who want to know more about implementing and improving data governance.
Each week I'll help you with your law firm's data governance initiative by sharing something I've learned in my 20 plus years of working with information and data in law firms.
In this last episode of season one, I'll begin at the beginning by talking about the data governance policy. I'll explain what it is and what usually goes in one. But then I'll share why I don't believe you need one!
Feb 11, 202206:23

What is a data governance framework?
What is a data governance framework?
Welcome to the Law Firm Data Governance podcast. The data governance companion for law firm leaders who want to know more about implementing and improving data governance.
Each week I'll help you with your law firm's data governance initiative by sharing something I've learned in my 20 plus years of working with information and data in law firms.
In this episode, I'll begin at the beginning by explaining the data governance framework. What it is, who and what to include when creating it and how to build it, so it works effectively.
Feb 04, 202208:29

What is a data strategy?
What is a data strategy?
Welcome to the Law Firm Data Governance podcast. The data governance companion for law firm leaders who want to know more about implementing and improving data governance.
Each week I'll help you with your law firm's data governance initiative by sharing something I've learned in my 20 plus years of working with information and data in law firms.
In this episode, I'll begin at the beginning by talking about the data strategy.
I'll explain why having a data strategy is critical for data governance and for achieving the firm's strategic goals. I'll talk a little about the four crucial elements of a data strategy and who should be holding the pen.
Jan 28, 202207:10

What is data lineage?
What is data lineage?
Welcome to the Law Firm Data Governance podcast. The data governance companion for law firm leaders who want to know more about implementing and improving data governance.
Each week I'll share a new episode that talks about something to help you with your law firm's data governance initiative.
This is Season 1, Episode 7
In this episode of Begin at the Beginning, I'll explain data lineage.
This concept means different things to different teams - and all of them are important. You'll want to understand why you need various data lineages to help your data governance initiative.
Data Lineage is an essential part of data governance because it identifies (and documents) where data starts, how it gets produced, how it transforms and moves through the firm's systems, and how it gets to the end-users.
Jan 21, 202204:42

The data issues log
The data issues log
Welcome to the Law Firm Data Governance podcast. The data governance companion for law firm leaders who want to know more about implementing and improving data governance.
Each week I'll share a new episode that talks about something to help you with your law firm's data governance initiative.
This is Season 1, Episode 6 The data issues log.
I'll explain what it is, why it's helpful, who's usually responsible for it and why it's not the same as a project issues log.
Jan 14, 202209:14

What is a critical data asset?
What is a critical data asset?
Welcome to the Law Firm Data Governance podcast. The data governance companion for law firm leaders who want to know more about implementing and improving data governance.
Each week I'll share a new episode that talks about something to help you with your law firm's data governance initiative.
This is Season 1, Episode 5
In this episode of Begin at the Beginning, I'll talk about what a critical data asset is.
I'll share some definitions and synonyms and explain what they are, what they're for, why it's essential to have them. By the end of this episode, you will be confident about why it doesn't matter what you call them and how you can figure out the critical data assets for your firm.
Jan 07, 202209:10

Why you need both a data glossary and a data dictionary.
Why you need both a data glossary and a data dictionary.
In this episode, I'll begin at the beginning by talking about why you need both a data glossary and a data dictionary.
I'll explain the differences between a glossary and a dictionary, what they are used for, and who is responsible for creating and maintaining them.
One of the biggest causes of data quality issues is a lack of understanding about what the data means. The data dictionary and data glossary try to solve that problem by clarifying what data is being entered in a particular field and what that data represents on a report or in use in another system.
While you may have multiple data dictionaries, you should have only one data glossary for your Firm.
Dec 15, 202106:17

The difference between a data owner and a data steward
The difference between a data owner and a data steward
Welcome to the Law Firm Data Governance podcast. The data governance companion for law firm leaders who want to know more about implementing and improving data governance.
Each week I'll help you with your law firm's data governance initiative by sharing something I've learned in my 20 plus years of working with information and data in law firms.
In this episode, I'll begin at the beginning by talking about the differences between a data owner and a data steward.
I'll explain the differences between ownership and stewardship, why you need both roles to have a successful data governance framework, how you define them and where you might find them in the Firm.
Get the "Data Owners Accountabilities Checklist" from Resources: Iron Carrot
Dec 08, 202108:10

What is the difference between data management and data governance
What is the difference between data management and data governance
One of the most common misconceptions I encounter is the confusion between data management and data governance.
In this episode, I'll begin at the beginning by talking about the difference between data governance and data management.
I'll explain why the confusion between data governance and data management is a problem for you. I'll also share some definitions of the terms and how to use them in stakeholder communications.
Download a copy of the definitions at Resources : Iron Carrot
Dec 01, 202108:45

What is data governance?
What is data governance?
Welcome to the Law Firm Data Governance podcast. The data governance companion for law firm leaders who want to know more about implementing and improving data governance.
Each week I'll help you with your law firm data governance initiative by sharing something I've learned in my 20+ years of working with information and data in law firms.
In this first episode of Season 1, Begin at the Beginning, I'll be answering the best first question: What is data governance?
I'll explain:
what data governance is,
why having a data governance definition is essential, and
what data governance isn't.
Find out more at https://www.ironcarrot.com/podcast
Nov 24, 202106:01

Law Firm Data Governance Season One Trailer
Law Firm Data Governance Season One Trailer
Welcome to the Law Firm Data Governance podcast. The data governance companion for law firm leaders who want to know more about implementing and improving data governance.
Each week I'll share a new episode which talks about a topic that will help you with the data governance initiative in your law firm.
I'm CJ Anderson, and I've been an information professional for a long time. I have worked in law firms for over 20 years.
I hope you'll join me for Season one: Begin at the Beginning, which explains data governance concepts from a law firm perspective.
Nov 17, 202101:04