Clio’s Rebrand & Goal: The Future of Legal AI & Community | Reagan Attle | ClioCon Clips 2026 | E02

Transcript

Robert Hanna (00:00)

Boston, we’re back. Welcome to Clio Con Clips 2026, a special mini-series from the Legally Speaking podcast proudly sponsored by Clio. I’m your host Rob Hanna and we’re back in Boston for our fourth Clio Con once again as an official media partner. What an exciting time to part the global legal community. We’re bringing you exclusive interviews and behind the scenes conversations with Clio’s leadership, legal tech pioneers, Riseman Award winners, and changemakers shaping the future of law.

Groundbreaking developments, legal AI and innovation to the future of our courts and access to justice, we’re getting to the heart of the biggest conversations transforming the legal profession. Expect bold ideas, fresh perspectives, exciting announcements, and practical insights from the people leading the way. So, wherever you’re tuning in from around the world, we’ve got you covered. Welcome to Clio con Clips 2026. Let’s get into it.

Welcome to the Legally Speaking podcast recording live here in Boston for our Clio Con Clips 2026 series and I am joined by name, title and organisation.

Reagan Attle (01:07)

Reagan Attle, Chief Marketing Officer at Clearham. Nice to see you

Robert Hanna (01:10)

And welcome back. Yes, returning guest. Now last time we discovered we were both

rugby scrum half players. So hopefully we’ll keep this conversation moving at a rate of pace that Clio has moved on in the last 12 months. It’s been a hell of a an evolution when it comes to a brand perspective. But you joined I think in 2017. That’s correct. The business was best known for practice management back then. Very much so. Now you’re positioning Clio very much as an intelligent legal work platform with completely reimagined AI experience and that’s very clear across this year’s

Clio Con, how do you communicate such a significant transformation while maintaining the trust of your comp customers who’s basically helped build the brand over the years?

Reagan Attle (01:53)

I I’ve I’ve said this before, but the customers are at the front of everything we do. Um and that’s a you know, really important question and a really um

A question we talk about a lot when we are thinking about our evolution. So, I mean, number one, yes, Clio is going through this transition, but we’ve brought our customers along through it by getting their feedback. Yeah. that is, you know, the number one thing that we are always keep at the ethos of our culture, of the way that we build, of the way that we think. But we also have to think about things that they don’t necessarily know that they want or want from Clio at this point in time. Because if we simply

Ask them what would you want from your practice management provider or your legal tech provider? They would probably give us practice management like answers. Yes. And so that’s where really the innovation comes in place, and really where we have to start thinking about what do we think our customers want based on what we know about them. And that’s what we’ve been doing, and that’s what we’ve been really thinking about when it comes to you know building a legal, a global legal AI company.

Robert Hanna (02:59)

And and

successfully, you know, we’ve seen that journey as we’ve been partnering with you since 2021. Um, the latest Legal Trends report, which I think I’ve said in every interview, I’d highly recommend people checking it out. It’s one of the most comprehensive pieces of data to make informed decisions, particularly if you’re serious about legal innovation and legal tech. But the report revealed 82% of consumers want to know when their lawyer uses AI, and 70% say transparency increases their trust. So yeah, almost every

Every AI company claims to be revolutionizing something where we are today. So as a CMO of Clio, how do you cut through the hype and build genuine lasting trust? And how do you balance bold innovation with realistic expectations?

Reagan Attle (03:39)

Yeah, I mean I think there’s a I mean the reality is is we we l AI is changing everything so fast. It’s really hard to um

To know that you’re gonna get everything perfect or um right as you build. And so we have to build it internally, we have to test it internally, we have to understand what our customers care about the most, and what our customers care about the most is being able to provide the best client experience they possibly can. And the best client client experience and is is preserving their um their reputation. Yep. Their facts are trusted, and so what we put at the forefront.

of everything that we’re building is the idea that we’re going to be able to provide you AI that you can trust. Yes. And we do that by providing the integration of context. And I think you know the context we’ve talked about this a lot, Jack talked about this a lot, it comes from many things, but that’s really, really important to us.

Robert Hanna (04:36)

Yeah,

and you know you’ve been very, very strategic with the acquisitions. You know, last year billion dollar acquisition of V-Lex, um, you’ve made some extraordinary moves, ShareDoo, obviously Page been announced just this year, Clio Con Learn Hands, you know, and I’m sure more to more to follow. So each of those brings its own technology, culture and reputation. And you’ve recently rebranded as well. So how do you bring these businesses together with one compelling vision without losing what made each of them quite special?

Reagan Attle (05:03)

Yeah, that’s a great question. So, I mean, number one, all of the acquisitions we’ve done, we’ve done with intention. Yeah. You know, there is a very definitive reason why these companies become a part of Clio. What are they bringing? In most cases of the ones that you said, they’re helping us build a better product, a more trusted product.

um A product that allows for more context to be built for our customers. um We also spend a lot of time talking about what uh integration looks like. How do we make this a great experience for the acquired company and their employees? Because culture is really important for us at Clio. I think that speaks to like how Clio Con goes. I think that speaks to how our customers love us. And so we put all of our acquired companies’ employees through our culture camps to have them really understand who Clio.

Clio is, we bring them along through an integration plan so that they understand why they’re here, what they can build, and then we we we’ve obviously buy them uh the the companies for the um the knowledge and the depth of their products. So we want to be able to bring those ri and retain those employees because they bring that knowledge and that in depth information.

Robert Hanna (06:15)

And just hearing, you know, there’s real thought behind that. And you mentioned, of course, Clio Con. We’re going from beyond

Limits to boundless obviously with Seattle coming up, but this is my fourth Clio Con and what always stands out is the incredible community that is around us and you’ve now announced you know as I said Seattle 2027 the theme is boundless so what inspired the evolution to go from beyond limits to boundless and how do you keep Clio Con feeling genuinely personal as the community is growing exponentially the amount of new people this year is testament to that growth.

Reagan Attle (06:45)

Yeah, I Clio Con gets bigger every year. Um and it’s something that we talk about because my first Clio Con was twenty seventeen. I was um

Gosh, I can’t remember the number, but let’s say there was about 900 people there or 700 people there or something like that. And I remember being instantly just in awe. Even as a smaller conference, I was in awe of you know the conference organizing team and what they did and how how thought the thoughtful they were, but I was also in awe of the customers um and how much they loved being here. They loved connecting with us, they loved our like our our clions, our employees. And so every year when we

plan every year when we talk there’s gonna be bigger numbers. We we just we we think about it with that in mind. We think about how do we bring that community, how do we bring that culture of Kleons, how do we bring that you know that relationship and those moments where we can talk to our customers where they can feel like you know we’re the same company. We’re just growing with them. Yes. So I think how we do it is is I I don’t think it’s the straight answer. I think it’s just being very deliberate about it and talking about it and thinking about

you know, every moment and every touch point with the same lenses we did when we were two hundred person conference and it started. Yeah.

Robert Hanna (07:59)

Go as you grow, and you you’re continuing to grow, continuing to add to the community, and it it’s just a really nice sense when you come to these places of what Clio’s built. And I think that’s testament to the culture you’re touching on before. AI is definitely changing how people are actually finding clients, you know, finding lawyers. So, again, going back to the legal trends report, 46% of US adults would consult AI before contacting a lawyer, yet only 6% consider firms’ use of AI or modern technology actually a deciding factor for which one they go out.

choose. So what does that tell us about the future of legal marketing and how can law firms ensure they don’t just get being found but actually trusted and chosen as the firm that they need to use?

Reagan Attle (08:40)

So I think there’s a a few you know, the three threads in that question. Um so the first thing is, um, why do clients want to know that their law firms are using AI? I can’t answer that question with like absolute certainty, but what I do know is folks are looking for transparency and understanding if if they can trust the person that they’re working with. And in any profession I think that’s the case. It’s just AI is changing what their

you know, used to be used to and their evaluation criteria of of working with a lawyer. Often clients are dealing with really heavy, complex situations. Often there’s a lot at stake for them personally, maybe bigger. And so I think the question of like why they want to understand that it really centers around understanding the components, the different components that give them the decision of whether they can trust the person that they’re working with. So I think you you said, you know, but only six percent end up

choosing the lawyer because well, really, they’re probably not educated enough to know what actual tool is is the most helpful or what actual situation AI is used is the most helpful. It’s just again, it’s just helping them understand some of the rumors they’ve heard um about AI and then building that relationship as it goes.

Robert Hanna (10:03)

Yeah, I think really well said. What I want to talk about now is obviously facts tell but stories absolutely sell and you’re not just sort of selling outcomes, you know, it’s not simply tech technology, it’s outcomes that you’re you’re trying to I guess get out there. This year Clio has announced a very connected AI experience. And you’ve got Vincent projects, you know, Clio phones has been announced, you know, more’s gonna come down the line, I’m sure. You know, you each one of those solving a different problem, but they’re supporting the bigger vision and mission obviously to transform the legal experience for all. So how do you communicate one?

Reagan Attle (10:39)

So number one, we’re building a connected s uh a c connected platform because we believe that’s easier for our clients, our customers, to be able to work within. Yeah. We understand if they can again the co I talk about context a little bit. Um if they have if the if AI has the context that enables them to do faster, quicker, better work, then they’re going to be able to produce

better work for their clients. And I so I think when we talk about the the whole CLIO ecosystem together, the platform that’s connecting everything, we’re talking about it as a direct outcome or positive outcome for a the way that a lawyer works and that it brings all that together. But that and then turns into a better outcome for the client because you know it’s it’s got a better output ultimately.

Robert Hanna (11:25)

And again it’s been a huge year since we last sat down. Um what does the next twelve months look like for you? What are you most excited about?

Reagan Attle (11:35)

It’s been a huge year. Yeah. Um, you might have asked me this question last year, I don’t remember, but you know, I don’t know that I know. Like this every you know, it’s everything’s changing so fast. It’s just we’re just on a a rocket ship right now and I’m just so excited to be a part of it. Um but we’ve got

More product innovation coming. Um, you know, our our chief product officer, John Foreman, is uh, you know, is an unbelievable brain and has been, you know, thinking about ways that we can improve the client experience, thinking about ways that we can pli improve the lawyer experience, and I know that we’re gonna continue to see that. I think you can expect us continuing to evolve on all the things that Jack talked to you about and in particular that connected experience and that platform. And I think you can expect

Some really innovative things from Clio in terms of how we help them service their clients. Okay.

Robert Hanna (12:29)

Question now. Clear talks a lot about hearing from the customers from a technology sort of point of view. You take on board their 30-back, you want to develop from a branding perspective, you’ve been through a rebrand, how much social listening or feedback have you taken that’s informed the rebrand, if at all?

Reagan Attle (12:46)

Clients are always um again, I mean I said this so many times, but our customers always are the way we build, again, all their feedback. So yes, of course their feedback was taken into account. But it was it was more about feedback about what they believe Clio is. Right. So when you ask uh customers how they help uh how how Clio helps them, what impact they have on their lives, on their work, you know, there was really this um this answer of

Something that was bigger than just a practice management solution. And that’s really what we what what had us reflecting on where we needed to go next. In particular last year we acquired V Lex. Um V-Lex absolutely changed Clio. Uh it changed what we could offer. It changed what we could provide our customers. And I you know we once that acquisition was complete, it really made us sit down and think the future for Clio is gonna look a lot different.

the future of Clio is looking a lot different and we needed to bring the brand and connect that more to where we were. It wasn’t even where we are, it was where we were. So that, you know, moving from a practice management solution with the clock and the tick. Yep. Actually I could probably explain that a little bit more.

Robert Hanna (14:03)

And the pain, yeah.

Reagan Attle (14:04)

Yeah, the the Clio logo originated around you know being a practice management provider. In the center of the logo is a is a clock and a check mark. That stands really for time tracking, billing, and task management. And that was what Clio did and did really well. Um that no longer was who we are. We are much more than that. And so we had to really think about how how do we keep the approachability and the friendliness of our brand.

whom people had gotten to know from us because that’s where when you come back to social listening, that’s what we would hear from our customers. But then be bolder and more confident in our stance and I think we really reflected that in our new brand.

Robert Hanna (14:48)

Yeah,

and just for people who might just be then clicking on the Clio socials or your website, just tell us about, you know, the the logo and I get get a bit more meaning behind that. I like that Jack gave an overview of what you’re looking into the the pane of glass, but I wanna hear it from your perspective so when people look at that and think, I get it.

Reagan Attle (15:03)

Uh

yeah, so if you if you look at the the the glyph which is the icon next to the name Clio, um in the center you’ll see a a square

uh like a a simple square, a transparent square. And really what that reflects is as Clio in this in the center of this ecosystem of the legal industry. Yes. and surrounding that you’ll see uh a some circles and really what that reflects is um the centrality of the different things that Clio connects to. Yes. And uh and again then we kept

We really retained if you look at the actu the Clio word mark, you actually see a lot of the similarities that you saw in the old logo and that was really bringing together what the approachability again, like I said, of who Clio is and what people were reflecting of us. We didn’t want you to look at our logo and say, Clio’s a totally different company. We wanted you to still feel like it was the same company that you knew and and loved, but also that we had evolved and we were evolving through our brand.

Robert Hanna (16:07)

Exactly, you took the words out of my mouth. I was just saying it’s just a natural evolution, isn’t it, of where you’re going to to double down on that mission to transform the legal experience for all and that absolutely reflects that. Okay, before I let you go, you’ve helped shape Clio, you know, through almost a decade of extraordinary growth. Um, you know, and you’ve made a huge impact with with with what you’ve been doing along with your your teams. Imagine we’re at Clio Con 2030, so beyond Seattle next year, when a lawyer, law student, judge hears the name Clio, what’s one thing you want them to think about or feel?

Reagan Attle (16:38)

When a lawyer thinks about Clio, I

Yeah.

Robert Hanna (16:45)

Okay, nice. And what would make you personally most proud if you were to think of your legacy? What would you think do you know what? I’m most proud of that.

Reagan Attle (16:54)

this is an easy one. I I am so committed and you know, I’ve been here for for almost a decade, as you said, I’m so committed to the lives of these employers. This is a tough profession. Yeah. You know and you’re dealing with tough issues, tough work days, tough work hours. I just wanted them to believe that we’ve made their lives a little bit easier. Yeah.

Robert Hanna (17:14)

You’re

removing friction, I think you’re removing drudgery and bringing the fun back. We were at the channel Partner Day the day before Clio Kahn and Damian Real were saying in his talk about how it can be fun to practice again. Um we like to think that we do the research ahead of the series and ask the right questions. But if you are interviewing you right now, what’s the right question we should be asking you?

Reagan Attle (17:33)

I mean this is maybe a yeah, I’m not sure if this is a question you’re looking or answer you’re looking for, but a a lot of times people ask me why I’m still at Clio because that’s a long time to be at a

Robert Hanna (17:44)

That’s

loyalty. So what’s kept you loyal and interested and motivated then?

Reagan Attle (17:49)

So I I mean I’m still at

Clio this many years, and I always I I answered this a few ways. One is because there’s an incredible culture and we’re having an incredible amount of impact on people. I feel very tied to the mission of transforming the Legal Experience for All because we live and breathe that here at Clio. So one is because they let me. I believe in this company and I’m you know I’m honored to be a part of this team. The culture at Clio is special. um

But really do believe that the work that Clio is doing is having a an impact.

Robert Hanna (18:27)

And it just came to my head actually, I remember you telling me the story of how Jack hired you. Yeah. Is that sort of that first interaction and that trust in you want

Reagan Attle (18:37)

Absolutely.

Robert Hanna (18:38)

to continue?

Reagan Attle (18:40)

Yeah.

Robert Hanna (18:41)

Maybe just give some more a refresher to that ’cause that actually touched me when you shared that story.

Reagan Attle (18:44)

Okay.

So yeah, so n I’d I’d known Jack. We we were both from Vancouver. Um and so the the tech industry is small and I had met him a f a couple times in previous years. He was looking for a new head of marketing and he had reached out. Um but I was I believe six or seven months pregnant. Yeah. Um so you don’t show up in an interview at six or seven months pregnant without acknowledging that you’re Yeah. Um so I I just said look, I’d love to talk to you but I’m I’m I’m pregnant and I you know, I don’t know what those

next steps are for me or the timeline for me um in terms of accepting another job and he said well come on let’s just let’s just chat. And um first of all

says something to you. Yes. We chatted and it was a great conversation. And then I said, look, I I really don’t know what’s um you know what’s gonna happen, but you know if I if I know someone, if I can refer someone, I will happily do that. And he said, well let’s also stay in touch. And so you know again mean something. So about three months later I think my son was about three months old I said I’m gonna get back in touch like I’m gonna get back in touch with Jack. So I reached out to him conversations proceeded uh from there and I started about six

And the rest is his

Robert Hanna (19:56)

And the rest is history.

And look what you’ve done. It’s been i incredible. Okay, let’s just quickly talk about Clio Con in Seattle. Uh tell us what we can expect and what you’re most excited at the moment.

Reagan Attle (20:05)

Oh

I mean Seattle’s almost my hometown. So this is Seattle’s actually a really incredible city. Um and uh Clio Con’s gonna be uh bigger once again. The venue is stunning. Uh it is a brand new vent venue in the center of Seattle. It is um built with a like a a real nod to the environment and to the you know ecosystem around uh Seattle. So it’s green, it’s blush, it’s there’s full of light, so it’s just a beautiful

venue, center of the city. Seattle’s known for its music, its coffee, its culture. It’s a really, really, you know, interesting city. So I think you can expect some, you know, what you can expect normally from Clio Con, which is incredible keynotes, really good sessions where you can learn about Clio, you can learn about the industry, you can learn about you know the business of law and then we’re gonna have a lot of fun.

Robert Hanna (21:01)

I can’t wait. And I always enjoy having you on the show. So it just needs to say huge congratulations on a successful year and we’re gonna wish you lots of continued success. But for now, if people want to get in touch with you, learn more about you, where can they go? Share any social media handles and we’ll look

Reagan Attle (21:15)

Yeah, so I’m on all the so the all the socials. Reagan Attle is not a common name and so you can look me up.

Robert Hanna (21:20)

Thanks so much, Reagan, from all of us here live at Boston for ClearCon Clips 2026. Over and out. Thank you for listening to this week’s episode. If you like the content here, why not check out our world leading content and collaboration hub, the Legally Speaking Club, over on Discord? Go to our website, www.legallyspeakingpodcast.com. There’s a link to join our community there. Over and out.