Howard Rosenberg Interviews Trisha Rich, Partner, Holland & Knight

In this episode of The Future Is Bright podcast, Howard Rosenberg, head of Talent Intelligence + Acquisitions at Baretz+Brunelle, and his co-host Chris Batz welcome Trisha Rich, partner at Holland & Knight. Trisha leads the firm’s Legal Profession Team, a unique group focused on legal ethics, professional responsibility, and the business of law. Working from both Chicago and New York, she is an NYU Law School professor and incoming president of the Chicago Bar Association.

In a compelling conversation, Trisha shares her front-row view of how legal ethics and firm ownership structures are evolving as private equity and new business models reshape the legal profession. She breaks down the real-world impact of Alternative Business Structures (ABSs), Management Services Organizations (MSOs), and what this means for law firm investment, regulation, and the future of legal services. With wit and depth, Trisha demystifies complex regulations and explains why legal innovation is not only necessary—but already happening.

Episode Highlights

• Legal Ethics in the Spotlight
  Trisha explains how the legal ethics community has gone from niche to high demand, with law firms and investors now regularly seeking out her team’s insight. She discusses why lawyers suddenly want to understand regulations that used to be seen as obscure.

• What ABSs and MSOs Are—and Why They Matter
  Listeners will gain a clear understanding of Alternative Business Structures (ABSs) and Management Services Organizations (MSOs)—what they are, how they function, and how they differ. Trisha outlines the rules around non-lawyer ownership, fee splitting, and why these models are central to the legal industry’s transformation.
  
  
• Why the Legal Industry Is Having a “Perfect Storm” Moment
  Trisha unpacks why now is a pivotal time for law firms. She points to the convergence of AI, capital investment, and talent market disruption, creating a rare opportunity for strategic growth and innovation.
  
  
• Investors Meet Law Firms: A Culture Clash—and Opportunity
  Hear how private equity and legal professionals are learning to speak each other’s language. Trisha shares entertaining behind-the-scenes moments of lawyers and investors trying to understand each other’s priorities—and why these conversations could benefit the public if done right.
  
  
• The Philosophy of Ethics and the Business of Law
  Trisha’s background in philosophy and her journey from rural Michigan to Big Law partner add a personal dimension to the episode. She shares how her passion for ethics led her to build a practice at the intersection of legal compliance, risk, and innovation.

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About the Podcast:
On The Future Is Bright, Howard Rosenberg and Chris Batz engage with thought-provoking C-suite executives and leaders from corporations, professional service firms, and the global legal industry. Each episode uncovers insights on leadership, innovation, and the evolving dynamics of the modern professional landscape.

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