Hey there Legal Rebels! 👋 I'm excited to share with you the 9th episode of the 2025 season of the LawDroid Manifesto podcast, where I will be continuing to interview key legal innovators to learn how they do what they do. I think you're going to enjoy this one!
If you want to understand the power of international networks, entrepreneurial grit, and how technology can foster meaningful connections in the legal profession, you need to listen to this episode. Patricia is at the forefront of reshaping how lawyers engage with each other globally and has a unique perspective forged through decades of pioneering legal work across multiple jurisdictions.
Building Communities and Connections in a Global Legal Landscape
Join me as I interview Patricia Gannon, founder of Platforum9 and Gannon Advisory, whose remarkable career spans from the West of Ireland to the Balkans and beyond.
In this captivating episode, Patricia shares her journey from studying law in Dublin to building a 250-person law firm across eight markets in post-war Balkans. She reveals how her early exposure to influential figures like Mary Robinson and her experience at the European Commission shaped her international outlook. Patricia then dives into her latest venture, Platforum9 - an innovative social audio app designed to connect lawyers globally through curated communities and conversations.
Her insights highlight the importance of curiosity, adaptability, and human connection in an increasingly technology-driven legal landscape. This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in legal innovation, international practice, or building meaningful professional communities in our digital age.
The Skinny
Patricia Gannon, founder of Platforum9 and Gannon Advisory, shares her extraordinary journey from a small Irish village to building a major law firm in the post-war Balkans. With deep roots in international law and European integration, Patricia leveraged her entrepreneurial spirit to create opportunities where none existed. After 20 years leading Karanovich & Partners, she's now revolutionizing how lawyers connect globally through Platforum9, a social audio app that creates curated communities around professional content. Her story demonstrates the power of curiosity, adaptability, and human connection in driving innovation within the legal profession.
Key Takeaways:
Building strong networks and international connections has been a cornerstone of Patricia's success throughout her career
Early exposure to strong role models like Mary Robinson shaped Patricia's belief in what was possible
When building Karanovich & Partners, Patricia focused on creating value through market intelligence rather than traditional referral relationships
Platforum9 addresses the needs of time-poor lawyers by providing "content snacking" - short, focused conversations on relevant topics
In a world increasingly reliant on AI, Patricia emphasizes preserving human connection and communication skills among lawyers
Entrepreneurship requires persistence, willingness to take risks, and surrounding yourself with supporters who believe in your vision
Cross-disciplinary experience and curiosity are powerful assets for legal innovators
Notable Quotes:
"When my kids were small, I remember being asked, what does a lawyer do mommy? And I'm like, I help people, you know, and I think if we look at it like that and frame it like that, it's quite a nice thing because we do. We help our clients." - Patricia Gannon (00:02:22-00:02:37)
"Having had these strong, civilly active women around us in these formative years where this can-do mentality is there, just go for it... that is super empowering." - Patricia Gannon (00:09:16-00:09:27)
"I think lawyers of the future, we need to support in our structures systems that allow them to be more curious and agile and give them enough time to be able to do that." - Patricia Gannon (00:21:53-00:22:06)
"Building that brand continuously over time, using the tools, using networks, using podcasting, using whatever's out there, but be consistent about your messaging." - Patricia Gannon (00:24:35-00:24:44)
"In a world where everyone's hopping on an AI bandwagon, we believe it's important in a services community, in a services world, and we are legal services, that we absolutely retain the soft and what I call hardcore skills of being able to listen, being able to communicate, being able to articulate our differences." - Patricia Gannon (00:46:26-00:46:47)
"For an entrepreneur of any sort, you've got to be willing to lose everything. Like the risk is huge... If I don't do this, I'll really not forgive myself in a way for not even trying." - Patricia Gannon (00:51:08-00:51:37)
Clips
Advice for Legal Entrepreneurs
Building a Law Firm During Wartime
Early Legal Influences
Life In the Balkans
Market Intelligence as Value Creation
Patricia's journey exemplifies how legal innovators can transcend traditional boundaries to create meaningful impact. From her early days volunteering at Free Legal Advice Centers to building a pioneering law firm in challenging post-war conditions, and now developing a technology platform to connect lawyers globally, she demonstrates that entrepreneurial thinking combined with a human-centered approach can transform the legal landscape.
Closing Thoughts
What strikes me most about my conversation with Patricia is her remarkable ability to see opportunity where others might only see challenges. Whether it was building a law firm from scratch in post-war Serbia or creating Platforum9 to address the need for meaningful professional connections in our digital age, Patricia embodies the innovative spirit that drives legal evolution.
Her emphasis on preserving human connection in an increasingly AI-driven world particularly resonates with me. As we embrace new technologies, we must remember that the core of legal practice remains human relationships and communication. I believe Patricia's work with Platforum9 offers an exciting model for how technology can enhance rather than replace these essential connections.
For anyone with entrepreneurial aspirations in the legal space, Patricia's journey offers invaluable lessons about persistence, adaptability, and the courage to pursue your vision even when the path forward isn't clear. As she so eloquently put it, sometimes success is simply defined as trying something you believe in, regardless of the outcome.
By the way, as a LawDroid Manifesto subscriber, I’d like to invite you to an exclusive event…
What: LawDroid AI Conference 2025
Day 1 - 7 panel sessions, including top speakers like Ed Walters, Carolyn Elefant, Bob Ambrogi, and Rob Hanna—they’re well familiar with how to harness AI as a force multiplier.
Day 2 - It will also feature 3 hands-on workshops from AI experts and demos from over a dozen legal AI companies where you can discover the latest and greatest technology to get you ahead.
Where: Online and Free
When: March 19-20, 2025, 8am to 5pm PT
How: Register Now!
Click here to register for free and secure your spot. Space is limited. Don’t risk being left behind.
Cheers,
Tom Martin
CEO, LawDroid
P.S. Check out the Day 1 & Day 2 schedule—packed with panels, workshops, demos, and keynotes from the industry’s leading experts.
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