The Path to AI Maturity: What Leaders Should Consider in the Coming Year (Presented by Above the Law)

Moderator, Lauren Rothrock | Litify

Lauren Rothrock is a seasoned technology and product executive known for driving innovation and client-centric product strategies across SaaS and enterprise platforms. As Chief Product Officer at Litify, she leads the company’s product vision, shaping next-generation solutions that enhance the legal work experience and empower firms to achieve better operational outcomes.

• Education & Credentials
  • Lauren holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Accounting and Finance from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business. She is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in New York, underscoring her strong foundation in finance and business leadership.
• Recognition & Leadership
  • Throughout her career, Lauren has been recognized for leading transformative product initiatives and driving business growth through innovative technology. At Litify, she has spearheaded the introduction of AI-powered capabilities to extract insights from legal documents — a milestone in elevating platform functionality for clients. Her strategic impact and leadership have been highlighted by peers and in industry announcements surrounding her appointment to Litify’s executive team.
• Professional Involvement
  • Lauren is an active leader in product strategy and innovation communities, engaging with founders, investors, and industry partners to promote cutting-edge technologies and market-driven solutions. Prior to her current role, she partnered with high-growth founders and teams at Insight Partners, supporting the scaling of portfolio companies and platform deployments.
• Experience
  • Before joining Litify in 2023, Lauren served as Vice President of Strategy & Innovation at Insight Partners, a leading global venture capital firm where she guided strategic growth initiatives across technology sectors. She also held senior leadership roles at TravelClick, where she managed product and business operations — including P&L oversight and team leadership for client-facing solutions that integrated machine learning for personalized guest experiences. Her diverse experience spans product development, strategic planning, and cross-functional leadership, reflecting a career dedicated to advancing technology that positively impacts users and business outcomes.

Florian W.M. Kreuk, Head of Technology | Carter Mario Injury Lawyers

Florian W.M. Kreuk is a personal injury attorney at Carter Mario Injury Lawyers who is dedicated to advocating for individuals harmed by negligence. Known for his thoughtful, client-centered approach and strong courtroom presence, he represents plaintiffs in complex injury matters with a focus on accountability, fairness, and meaningful recovery. His background in science and law equips him with both analytical precision and persuasive advocacy in high-stakes cases.

• Education & Credentials
  • Florian earned his Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he was awarded the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America Student Research Fellowship Award for his academic research. He later co-authored a comprehensive scientific review addressing iodine prophylaxis in radiological emergencies. He received his Juris Doctor from St. John’s University School of Law, earning multiple merit-based scholarships as well as distinguished recognition in Pre-Trial Advocacy and E-Discovery. He is admitted to practice law in both Connecticut and New York.
• Recognition & Leadership
  • Florian has been selected to the Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” list each year from 2022 through 2025, reflecting peer recognition for professional achievement and ethical standards. He has also been named to The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40 in Civil Plaintiff practice, an honor recognizing outstanding young trial attorneys. These distinctions underscore his growing leadership and reputation within the plaintiffs’ bar.
• Professional Involvement
  • Florian is an active member of the Connecticut Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Connecticut Trial Lawyers Association, and the Milford Bar Association. His involvement in these organizations reflects his commitment to continuing legal education, professional collaboration, and advancement of the civil justice system.
• Experience
  • At Carter Mario Injury Lawyers, Florian focuses his practice on personal injury litigation, representing clients in matters involving motor vehicle accidents, medical negligence, defective products, and serious workplace injuries. He is experienced in managing cases from investigation through litigation and resolution, combining detailed case preparation with strategic advocacy. His work is grounded in a commitment to helping injured individuals and families navigate complex legal challenges with clarity and confidence.

Christopher Shawn Potter, Director of Legal Operations | Johnson & Johnson

Christopher Shawn Potter is a seasoned litigation attorney based in Roanoke, Virginia, with more than 15 years of experience representing clients in a range of civil disputes. Known for his thoughtful approach and commitment to his community, he serves individuals and families in matters involving workers’ compensation, family law, and personal injury, blending strategic advocacy with practical guidance throughout the legal process.

• Education & Credentials
  • Mr. Potter earned his Juris Doctor from Washington and Lee University School of Law, where he built the foundation for his trial and advocacy skills. Following his graduation, he passed the Virginia Bar and has been licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth since 2009. His legal education and longstanding bar admission reflect a solid grounding in both courtroom practice and client counseling.
• Recognition & Leadership
  • Christopher Potter has been recognized by his peers for his professional achievements, having been selected to the Super Lawyers list in Virginia for multiple years including 2022 through 2026. This distinction is based on a rigorous evaluation of peer recognition and professional accomplishment, and it places him among a select group of highly regarded practitioners in his region.
• Professional Involvement
  • He is an active member of the Roanoke Bar Association and participates in the local legal community, engaging with fellow practitioners through bar events and professional development activities. His involvement in these associations underscores his commitment to upholding high standards of practice and contributing to the legal profession locally.
• Experience
  • Throughout his career, Mr. Potter has focused on delivering strong representation in litigation and dispute resolution. In addition to handling complex courtroom matters, he provides counsel in family law issues, workers’ compensation claims, and personal injury cases, striving to achieve fair and practical outcomes for his clients. Based in Roanoke, he has developed deep ties to the community and a reputation for dependable legal advocacy.

Erin Wintersteen, Founder and COO | Wintersteen Casarez Law Corp

Erin M. Wintersteen is the Founder & COO of WC Law Corporation and a seasoned workers’ compensation defense attorney who has spent more than 18 years representing employers and insurance carriers. A California Bar–Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law, she is known for pairing practical business judgment with strong litigation experience, helping clients manage the operational and financial realities of workers’ compensation claims while maintaining a clear focus on outcomes.

• Education & Credentials
  • Ms. Wintersteen earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law, where she was on the Dean’s List, joined the Traynor Honor Society and the American Constitution Society, won a Witkin Award, and served on the McGeorge Law Review staff. She completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of California, Davis, where she was also on the Dean’s List. She is a California Bar–Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation Law.
• Recognition & Leadership
  • Throughout her career, Ms. Wintersteen has been recognized as a leading workers’ compensation attorney in the Sacramento region, including being featured by Sacramento Magazine in 2017, 2018, 2020, and 2021 as one of the city’s top workers’ compensation attorneys. She was also nominated for the 2020 and 2021 Comp Laude Award for Best Defense Attorney, reflecting peer recognition of her advocacy and professionalism in the field.
• Professional Involvement
  • Ms. Wintersteen is currently an advisory member of the Executive Committee of the Workers’ Compensation Section of the California Lawyers Association and is also involved with the Women of Workers’ Compensation community. She previously served as a board member and president of the Valley Industrial Claims Association (VICA), supporting continuing education within the Sacramento workers’ compensation community, and she remains an active member of VICA and the Association of Workers’ Compensation Professionals (AWCP). She is also engaged in her local community, having created and run an online support group for parents of children with special education needs in West Sacramento.
• Experience
  • Ms. Wintersteen has built her career exclusively on the defense side of workers’ compensation, drawn to the unique challenges employers and insurers face when navigating complex, overbroad, or potentially fraudulent claims. Before founding WC Law Corporation, she held a range of leadership roles—including associate attorney, partner, chief marketing officer, and managing partner—at medium to large workers’ compensation defense firms. That breadth of experience informs her approach to building policies and procedures designed to deliver responsive service, efficient case handling, and business-focused legal strategy aligned with client goals.

I. Why AI Has Become Unavoidable in Legal Operations | 1:00pm – 1:10pm

We’ll break down the market forces, client expectations, and competitive pressures making AI a must-have—not a nice-to-have—for modern legal teams.

II. How Legal Teams Are Progressing Along the AI Maturity Curve | 1:10pm – 1:20pm

See where firms and in-house teams really stand, from early experimentation to fully integrated workflows—and how to gauge your own progress.

III. Why Teams Started Using AI And What Their Approach Looks Like Today | 1:20pm – 1:30pm

Learn what initially drove adoption, which use cases gained traction, and how strategies are evolving as teams move beyond pilot programs.

IV. The Biggest Challenges and Misconceptions Around AI Adoption | 1:30pm – 1:40pm

We’ll address common concerns—from accuracy and ethics to cost and culture—and separate real risks from hype.

V. What Leaders Should Be Doing Now to Prepare for What’s Next | 1:40pm – 2:00pm

Walk away with practical, near-term action steps to build governance, improve ROI, and position your team for smarter, scalable AI use.