Richard Brzakala
About Richard Brzakala
Richard Brzakala is the Senior Director of Global External Legal Services at CIBC and a recognized expert in legal operations and project management.
Title and Current Roles
Richard Brzakala is the Senior Director of Global External Legal Services at CIBC. He also serves on the Board of Advisors at the Blickstein Group and is a member of the EPIQ E-Discovery Executive Client Advisory Board and the Consero Corporate Legal Operations Advisory Board.
Previous Work Experience
Richard has held numerous roles across various organizations. He was the Director of External Legal Services for CIBC from 2010 to 2023. He has also worked in advisory roles for Wolters Kluwer ELM Solutions and as a Legal Executive at Thomson Reuters Legal Executive Institute. Prior roles include project management positions at RBC Bank, where he led initiatives in legal analytics and e-billing software implementation.
Education and Expertise
Richard Brzakala studied Political Science and Government at York University, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1987. He is recognized for his expertise in legal operations, legal project management, and legal database analytics.
Publications and Thought Leadership
Richard has authored notable works such as 'The Impact of COVID-19 on the Future of Legal Operations and the Legal Marketplace' and 'Show Me The Math: The Importance of Cost Estimates When Engaging a Law Firm,' both published in 2020. He is also a frequent speaker, podcast host, and panelist in the legal operations field.
Consulting and Strategic Advisory
Richard has provided strategic consulting services for major financial institutions and corporations, including TD, BMO, National Bank, Scotia Bank, RBC Dain Rauscher, CIBC FCIB, RBC, CIBC, Intact Insurance, Wal-Mart, FMC, DuPont, CEB, and Verax Solutions. He is sought after for his expertise in legal sourcing, project management, and convergence strategy advice.