5 Questions with Phil Leslie: Pioneering Innovation in Economic Consulting

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 5 Questions is a periodic feature produced by Cornerstone Research, which asks our affiliated experts and senior professionals to answer five questions related to their work.

We interview Phil Leslie, Cornerstone Research’s Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, to gain his insights on the intersection of economics and technology in the age of artificial intelligence (AI).

Dr. Leslie discusses his approach to driving innovation, his previous roles at Amazon and UCLA Anderson School of Business, and how to leverage new technologies while maintaining analytical rigor.

As a professor and researcher, you’ve spent decades studying and teaching the intersection of economics and technology. How does your academic background inform your approach to driving innovation and growth at Cornerstone Research?

Cornerstone Research’s support of experts is a pillar of the firm’s success.

My academic career—seventeen years studying and teaching industrial organization—deeply shapes my perspective. I understand how academic experts work, and I look forward to drawing on that experience and developing innovative ways to strengthen how we support our experts as testifiers.

Even while working at Amazon, I stayed closely connected to the research community, attending conferences and engaging with evolving economic thought. The field of economics is always advancing, including incredibly exciting ways in which AI is transforming approaches to research and analysis. At Cornerstone Research, we’re harnessing these innovations to deepen the rigor, efficiency, and reliability of our work—without losing sight of the analytical standards our clients rely on.

We’re focused on combining innovation with discipline, and curiosity with caution, always upholding our commitment to excellence.

You navigated a complex, rapidly changing industry during your time at Amazon. What lessons did you learn from your experience there and how will you leverage them at Cornerstone Research?

One core lesson is that innovation must be grounded in clarity of purpose. And even in risk-averse environments, innovation requires a culture that embraces experimentation. Fostering a mindset that values smart, calculated risk-taking is a key differentiator and a competitive advantage.

At Amazon, innovation wasn’t about chasing trends—it was about aligning capabilities with strategy and capitalizing on new opportunities. Those same principles apply at Cornerstone Research. Our innovation agenda is focused on strengthening what we already do exceptionally well and expanding our ability to serve clients in new ways.

How do you see Cornerstone Research positioned to lead in applying technology to economic and financial analysis?

Cornerstone Research is already an established, respected leader, with a reputation for analytical excellence and client service. Our opportunity lies in using technology to reinforce and elevate that foundation.

Clients rightly expect evidence-based decision-making and clear, transparent reasoning. As we continue to integrate AI and data science into our workflows, we’re focused on tools that enhance—not obscure—our analysis. That means we must also educate stakeholders—and this will be a key part of my role—about the value of these technologies and how they strengthen our work on behalf of clients and in support of experts.

Cornerstone Research is already an established, respected leader, with a reputation for analytical excellence and client service. Our opportunity lies in using technology to reinforce and elevate that foundation.

What role will advanced data analytics play in the future of litigation-focused consulting?

Data is already central to what we do, but the scale and complexity of litigation are increasing. Decision-makers want clarity, but the problems we’re helping solve at Cornerstone Research—like merger simulations, demand modeling, or market design—are often anything but simple.

Emerging technologies now allow us to process vastly larger data sets from more sources, and even more thoroughly audit our analytical processes. We’re committed to using these advances to produce faster, more transparent, and more reliable results, without compromising on depth or rigor.

As AI transforms industries, including economic consulting, how do you see it shaping Cornerstone Research’s work and the support it provides to clients?

AI won’t replace human judgment, but it can accelerate our ability to get to the heart of a case. For example, we’re seeing the emergence of AI-enhanced econometrics, which offer promising new tools for litigation modeling. By automating labor-intensive tasks—such as coding, document review, or data cleaning—we free up time for deeper analysis and strategic insight.

Our innovation agenda is focused on strengthening what we already do exceptionally well and expanding our ability to serve clients in new ways.

At Cornerstone Research, we continue to develop new technologies and analytical approaches that benefit our clients. The challenge—and the opportunity—is to embrace these developments thoughtfully. We’re focused on combining innovation with discipline, and curiosity with caution, always upholding our commitment to excellence. For over 35 years, we’ve built our reputation on delivering the highest quality work, and we’ll never compromise on that standard.

Phil Leslie
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Phil Leslie

Chief Technology and Innovation Officer