Robert Ambrogi Blog
We devoted last Friday’s Legaltech Week to a tribute to Monica Bay, the longtime editor-in-chief of Law Technology News, who died last week from complications from a neurological disease. In addition to sharing our own remembrances, we invited members of the audience to come on cam or mic and share theirs.
Among those who did were John Tredennick, Cathy Kenton, and John Shaughnessy. A highlight was the call-in from Jon Bream, music critic at the Star Tribune, who told tales of Monica’s days as a music writer, including Jon and Monica’s backstage adventure during The Band’s final concert, the one memorialized in the film The Last Waltz.
Others used the chat to share stories about Monica. The chat transcript is below, after the video.
(You can also listen to this as an audio podcast.)
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CHAT TRANSCRIPT
00:20:00 Austin Holian: I probably had an advertiser pull at the last minute
00:24:38 Jeffrey Brandt: Monica was a force of nature…
00:26:52 Joseph Scott: So nice of you to celebrate and honor Monica. One of a kind and remarkable. It was a privilege to know her and an honor that she insisted on taking me to a Yankee game during their last week in the old stadium. A true positive force in legal tech. Truly miss her
00:26:55 gretchen desutter: She was a bottle of champagne – bright, effervescent, joyful and brilliant – in a world of average bottles of wine. She brought Law Technology News to a new level, which was why she was recruited from her former publication in CA.
00:27:30 Jeffrey Brandt: I love that comparison @gretchen!
00:27:32 Robert Ambrogi: @Gretchen Well said.
00:27:38 Joe Patrice: Gretchen!!!
00:28:31 Cathy Kenton: A perfect comparison @gretchen!
@David, she always needed supplies!
00:28:59 Laura Keeler: Agreed, what a wonderful metaphor @Gretchen! That speaks volume of her character.
00:29:54 Victor Li: I went to law school in New Orleans. That show really was on all of the time.
00:30:20 gretchen desutter: She was extremely proud of your work together David on your 9/11 stories. That story profoundly affected her, like so many, but as a true journalist she felt that story was so important for the business communities.
00:31:02 gretchen desutter: Words Monica hated: Solution and no. 🙂
00:32:38 John Kuttler: I happened to run into Monica and Yvonne Dornic at an Orioles game, of all places. Of course the O’s were playing the Yankees, which is why Monica was there. Very small world!
00:33:03 John Tredennick: I would be happy to share a story or two about Monica. Funny ones really.
00:35:19 gretchen desutter: A favorite scene with Monica was a Twins v Yankees game. Monica was sitting with Jon Bream, today the most tenured rock journalist in the United States (Star Tribune). The two of them competed for a position writing for Rolling Stone covering bands, and Monica got the gig. They stayed friends forever. I need to find one of her Rolling Stones articles. IF someone has one, please send me the link.
00:40:57 Jeffrey Brandt: wow. I can’t imagine her afraid of anything!
00:49:27 LegalType: That’s what friends are for.
00:49:46 CJ Webster: Such great stories.
00:52:06 Richard DiBona: you need to say “616 you’re on the air” like Larry King
00:55:26 gretchen desutter: Check out JB’s books on Dylan, Led Zeppelin and Prince. Fantastic writing.
00:56:22 Joe Patrice: It’s the Martin Scorsese movie that isn’t about the mafia…
00:57:10 Victor Li: it’s also the one that doesn’t star leo or de niro
00:59:21 gretchen desutter: Great insight JB – who she was as a friend and human. Her Karma gods are watching you.
00:59:36 Laura Keeler: I am thoroughly enjoying all of these exciting stories about her life! It’s neat to hear from people who knew her at different eras and also how much she impacted the community with connecting & bringing people together.
00:59:56 Stefanie Brown: I love hearing these stories. I never met her but of course have seen her name in various places. She sounds like a wonderful person.
01:00:23 David Horrigan: @Gretchen: “Karma Gods” or in Monicaspeak, “Karma Gawdz.” 🙂
01:01:24 David Horrigan: @Gretchen: “Karma Gods” or in Monicaspeak: “Karma Gawdz.”
01:02:20 Robert Ambrogi: I posted pics of that Times Square moment in this piece: https://www.lawnext.com/2023/10/i-am-deeply-saddened-to-report-the-death-of-monica-bay-friend-mentor-and-role-model-to-so-many-in-legal-tech.html
01:03:43 John Tredennick: If you want a picture of Monica, I can share one.
01:04:42 Jeffrey Brandt: Monica is all the stories of the week 🙂
01:05:07 Laura Keeler: 😄 @Jeffrey
01:05:37 John Tredennick: I emailed it to Bob
01:06:05 John Tredennick: Share it
01:06:18 Laura Keeler: Since David is a special guest this week, does he want to share more?
01:06:27 John Tredennick: Share it here on Zoom
01:06:41 LegalType: Legal tech is a lot about community, isn’t it?
01:06:49 Joe Patrice: Not sure you can put pics in the Zoom chat
01:07:08 Laura Keeler: Agreed @legaltype
01:07:41 Cathy Kenton: I used to send her Peet’s on a regular basis!
01:08:06 Dave Rakowski: They were originally the NY Giants 😉
01:08:21 Victor Li: she was also alec baldwin’s mom on 30 rock
01:10:06 John Tredennick: As I recall, Monica would do December flights to keep her status
01:10:15 gretchen desutter: Monica: Brilliant woman. Fantastic writer. Amazing human. Terrific friend.
01:10:31 Laura Keeler: These are such fun memories — thanks to all
01:10:46 LegalType: Bye
01:10:51 Martha MacPherson: Thank you, Bob!
01:10:52 LegalType: Thanks
01:10:52 Cathy Kenton: Thanks Bob and everyone for the memories!