Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics

Generative AI is everywhere, including inside many law practices, creating documents, analyzing data, researching, and creating content. But what happens when AI makes a mistake? Who’s liable? The implications could be enormous, are we may see a new wave of liability litigation. It’s a brave, new world without a lot of legal guardrails. There are existing, vague, nonspecific “tech” and business practice laws, then there emerging – AI specific – laws that aren’t backed by a lot of precedent from the courts. Privacy laws, data usage, intellectual property laws, even state and federal rulings, have created a jigsaw puzzle for lawyers to apply in the AI space. Guest Graham H. Ryan is an experienced litigator and an author and frequently quoted commentator on tech issues and the emergence of generative AI and its consequences. Ryan says it might help to look back to the “wild west” of the Internet’s earliest days and the infamous “Section 230” that has helped decide who’s liable for what when it comes to digital content. How far does Section 230 go when AI starts creating content instead of simply searching for it? And when does Congress get involved? Proceed with caution. Resources: International Association of Privacy Professionals, IAPP IAPP “AI Governance Global 2024” conference “The AI Industry Is Steaming Toward A Legal Iceberg,” Wall Street Journal quoting Graham Ryan Harvard Journal of Law and Technology “Department Of Justice’s Review Of Section 230 Of The Communications Decency Act Of 1996,” U.S. Dept. of Justice Moody v. NetChoice, LLC, via SCOTUSblog “Sanctions for Fake Generative AI Cites Harm Clients,” Bloomberg Law Analysis “The EU Artificial Intelligence Act” “Schumer Launches New Phase In Push For AI Bill,” Politico American Bar Association American Bar Association Litigation Section Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Erin Andrea Craske joins me to discuss the critical aspects of branding, emphasizing the common pitfalls businesses face in their branding strategies. She highlights the lack of engaging branding within the legal industry as a prime example of widespread branding issues. Erin stresses the importance of understanding that regardless of the industry, whether B2B or B2C, the target audience consists of humans, and emotional connection is key to effective branding. She argues that many companies fail to convert potential clients into actual clients because they overlook the emotional and psychological factors that influence decision-making. The conversation also covers the significance of targeting specific customer segments and the necessity of imbuing brands with emotional value to differentiate them from competitors. Erin Andrea Craske, an award-winning strategist, boasts a 20-year career, culminating as Global Head of Consumer Brands. With expertise in strategic development, profitability, leadership, and communication, she's an ICF-certified executive transformation coach. Leveraging 16 years of leadership, she empowers conscious business rebels to succeed and create positive impacts. Erin gives listeners actionable tips on: 0:00 Intro 03:29 The core of branding - getting people to make the decision in the way we want them to when it comes down to the right time 05:16 How to move people through the decision process rather than assume action 11:14 The money drain on acquisition/awareness when you're not using a strategy 14:55 Adding the emotional piece into consideration to really speak to clients 18:07 The bottom of the funnel, emotionally 22:33 Taking your overthinking out of the brand and focusing on your potential client/customer 23:45 Lead with the questions you most get from your clients 26:44 Book Review 34:24 One big takeaway Resources mentioned in this episode: The Art of Happiness by The Dalai Lama Connect with Erin here: https://linktr.ee/eacraske https://www.erinandreacraske.com Connect with me Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Karin on Twitter Karin on LinkedIn Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook https://conroycreativecounsel.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The return of an annual tradition: NALA CEO Vanessa Finley joins hosts Jill Francisco and Tony Sipp to talk about all things NALA, including the upcoming NALA Conference & Expo in Louisville, Kentucky July 11-13. (It’s hybrid, live or online, so if you can’t make it in person, you can still take part). Enjoy both fun and serious sessions, including keynote speaker Iliana Oris Valiente, CPA, CA, as she shares insights into the role of AI and the paralegal profession, while you earn valuable CLE credits. And if you attend in person, you also get the chance to watch recordings of any sessions you miss and pick up those extra CLE hours. Plus, our own Jill Francisco will be a featured speaker, and you can meet co-host Tony Sipp in person as well. Stop by and say hello. Hear all the conference has to offer, how to register, how to attend in person or online, one day or all, and even learn about early bird and group discounts. Don’t be left out. It’s a big year for NALA. Hear about the upcoming member survey (including a salary survey, are you being paid fairly?) Watch your inbox for a link to the survey. More? How about the latest on NALA core competencies and the expanding role of paralegals! This is a jam-packed episode. If you have insights you’d like to share or a topic you’d like us to take on, please send us a note at [email protected] and [email protected]. Mentioned in This Episode: NALA Conference & Expo 2024 NALA, The Paralegal Association NALA Paralegal Core Competencies NALA YouTube Channel American Association for Paralegal Education NALA Talks DEI Microlearning Episode 1: Access to Justice with Michael Houlberg, IAALS Equality Ohio “Exploring the Vital Role of Paralegals in the Legal System” By James David Louisville Tourism Office Prior episode, “Live From The 2023 NALA Conference: An Inside Look” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if, instead of tech competence being this scary, overwhelming thing, we showed lawyers how to engage with technology in a more lighthearted, even playful, way? The reality is—tech competency doesn’t have an endpoint, but the process of continuous learning shouldn’t be dull and confusing. Sarah Glassmeyer joins Dennis and Tom to talk about her perspectives on technology education for attorneys, the latest trends in the legal tech world and new AI developments, and growing your knowledge of technology by building on small skills, one at a time. As always, stay tuned for the parting shots, that one tip, website, or observation that you can use the second the podcast ends. Have a technology question for Dennis and Tom? Call their Tech Question Hotline at 720-441-6820 for the answers to your most burning tech questions. Sarah Glassmeyer is director of data curation for Legaltech Hub. Show Notes - Kennedy-Mighell Report #364 A Segment: Fresh Voices on Legal Tech with Sarah Glassmeyer Legaltech Hub - https://www.legaltechnologyhub.com/ Legal Tech & Innovation Explorer - https://explorer.sarahglassmeyer.com/ https://sarahglassmeyer.com/ B Segment: Continued conversation with Sarah Glassmeyer Parting Shots: The WayBack Machine - https://archive.org/ The McGill Big 3 Exercises - https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=P8YiZO3OGjk&ab_channel=BrianCarroll1306 Pivot Podcast - Future of Work: AI - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-of-work-ai/id1073226719?i=1000651291436 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could your marriage/relationship use a little spice? Maybe you’ve put your business before your partner? In this episode, Stephanie talks with relationship coach and host of the Make More Love Podcast, Ellen Dorian, about enhancing your intimate relationships. As Ellen says on her show, it’s time to “make more love: with your wife and in your life.” Links from the episode: Check out Omnizant The Passionate Partners Project Make More Love Podcast Connect with Ellen If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Should our criminal courts exist to punish or reform those who have broken the law? Every case is unique, but in those involving mental health, a rehabilitative approach may be beneficial. Rocky Dhir talks with Judge Brent Carr about his long years of service in the Tarrant County Mental Health Court, which had the overarching goal of improving outcomes for people with mental illness impacted by Texas’ justice system. They discuss the efforts of the Texas Judicial Commission on Mental Health, the Specialty Courts Advisory Counsel, and the programs that address mental health issues in many areas of the law, including cases involving sex trafficking, drug offenders, family law matters, veterans, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The New York courtroom where Donald Trump is on trial is apparently unpleasant. Is that the former president's doing? The world may never know. Also, the fact that the racists are coming for Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson isn't surprising -- but who gave them the green light? And, a judge learns a valuable lesson about hot mics and why you should always assume someone is listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big trials are keeping our TJIO team away from the mic, so the support staff hijacked the podcast to share their insights on office dynamics. Learn how to improve your own office with candid comments from our paralegals and IT team members, and find out how you can help them help you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When the Trump administration's policy of separating families at the country's borders was announced, opposition from the public and the legal community was swift. The outcry and judicial decisions led to a reversal of the administration's stated policy. But detention and family separation have a long history in this country, history professor Ana Raquel Minian says. Minian, who immigrated from Mexico to the United States right before the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, has made an academic career studying immigration, incarceration and detention. As a young adult, Minian followed the news of Guantanamo Bay Naval Base being used to detain people who might be connected to those attacks. But in researching their new book, In the Shadow of Liberty: The Invisible History of Immigrant Detention in the United States, Minian discovered the base was first used as a detention center under President George H.W. Bush to hold Haitian refugees. Minian uses the personal experiences of four immigrants to walk readers through the history of immigrant detention in the United States: Fu Chi Hao, a Chinese Christian attempting to escape the Boxer Rebellion in 1901; Holocaust survivor Ellen Knauff, a war bride of an American GI who arrived at Ellis Island in 1948; Gerardo Mansur, a Cuban who joined the Mariel boat lift in 1979; and Fernando Arredondo, a Guatamalan asylum seeker who was separated from his daughter by border officials in 2018. In this episode of The Modern Law Library, Minian shares details of these stories with the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles. They also discuss the shifting motivations behind changes in the immigration system, parole versus detention, and how attorneys can help immigrants currently in detention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bored with your run-of-the-mill marketing campaigns? Maybe it’s time for you to make a musical! Jared brings on Jacob Sanders to learn all about the recent release of NinjaCat’s Big Data Day – a corporate musical. They talk about the history of these sorts of marketing ventures and their uniquely fun and tactical advantages. They also dig into how super effective use of your data will help you run a better, more profitable business. Next, the Rump Roast! In a new trivia game called “Large Fathers”, Jacob must answer questions about big daddies of historical pop culture. ----- Also in this episode—Jared, in general, hates musicals (Sorry, Jacob). No spoilers here, but a very select few did make Jared’s remarkably minuscule shortlist. ----- Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest. Our closing track is Sepulveda by Midnight Daydream. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When workers are recovering from a workplace injury, there are psychosocial factors, mental factors, which can impede the recovery from physical injuries. Things such as a worker’s recovery expectations, fear of pushing too hard or performing activities that may restrict the benefits of physical therapy and hamper recovery, or even new negative feeling about their job and perceived injustices over how a supervisor or employer reacted to the injury. Can these “mental” factors prolong recovery and delay a return to productive work? Guest Vennela Thumula, Ph.D., works at the Workers’ Compensation Research Institution – a nonprofit, objective provider of research and analysis – and is the lead author of this year’s WCRI report, “Importance of Psychosocial Factors for Physical Therapy Outcomes.” The role of psychosocial factors is increasingly being recognized as a major factor in recovery. Understanding a clients’ mental state – and its impact on recovering – may be just as important as their injury diagnosis when it comes to achieving full compensation and helping them return to a full, productive life. Just because you can’t see an injury doesn’t mean it isn’t there. What you hear on this episode of Workers’ Comp Matters may change how you approach each client’s individual situation. Mentioned in This Episode: Workers’ Compensation Research Institute “Importance of Psychosocial Factors for Physical Therapy Outcomes,” WCRI, Vennela Thumula et al. Previous appearance on Legal Talk Network “Examining State Variations in Opioid Dispensation with WCRI’s Vennela Thumula” Previous appearance on Legal Talk Network “2015 Workers Compensation Research Institute Conference: Cost and Impacts of Physician Dispensing Drugs” Keele STarT Back Screening Tool “Multidimensional Screening for Predicting Pain Problems in Adults: A Systematic Review of Screening Tools and Validation Studies,” National Library of Medicine via National Institutes of Health Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Expert Service Provider Dan Thompson of Dee Gee Rehabilitation Ltd. discusses the impact of AI on the claims handling process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You’ve opened your firm, hung out the shingle, and taken the leap. Now that you’ve made it a year or two, what’s next? There’s no step-by-step guide for small and solo practitioners, but you can learn from those who established a solo practice and made it through the first few years and how they’re moving forward. Hear guest Joanne Martin’s story, how she learned to hire, add relevant tech, and build on her success. Martin is the founder, managing director, lawyer, and accredited mediator at Align Family Law, a boutique law practice based in Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Hear how she joined professional organizations, expanded her marketing, and drove her practice to the next step. As you grow, you can build a network of like-minded professionals, ask clients for a Google review, manage and improve your branding and website, and hire a pro when you need technical help (and even personal coaching). You’ll learn as you go, but you can also learn from others. Once you get your feet under you, it can be tempting to be overly cautious with your emerging practice, but growth is essential. Spend the money when you need to, hire when the practice demands. Get better and bigger. Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at [email protected] Topics: Launching a solo firm is hard. But so is taking that firm to the next level. Hear tips for growing beyond a one person show Adding associates and support staff may sound challenging, but making the right additions builds your business and takes routine tasks off your shoulders. It’s OK to spend on the tools and professionals you need, such as legal and practice management software and professional help optimizing your tech, even professional coaching. Mentioned in This Episode: Collaborative Family Separation Professionals Legends Legal Marketing AlignFamilyLaw.ca Clio (Grow, Manage, Documents, and Payments) Microsoft 365 DivorceMate Adobe Melissa Shanahan, Velocity Work coaching Previous appearance, “A Second Career: Building a Solo Law Practice Later in Life” Previous episode, “Productivity Boost: Real Uses of AI in the Software You Already Have” Previous episode, “Google, Maps, And Business? This is YOUR Episode” Previous episode, “A Better AI, Built For Lawyers: Results You Can Finally Trust?” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of former President Trump’s criminal cases, the hush money trial, is currently underway in a New York City courtroom. Jury selection for this case was a lengthy and controversial process which included Trump’s lawyers scrutinizing potential jurors’ social media, Judge Merchan giving Trump a warning for reacting to a potential juror in court, and the dismissal of one seated juror due to their concerns over the intense media coverage of the trial. In this episode, Craig is joined by Betty L. Dunkum, Esq., Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Victory Trial Consulting, as they spotlight jury selection. Craig & Betty discuss the process, strategy, and what attorneys should look for in a juror. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Stephanie catches up with the original Lawyerist podcast host, Sam Glover. In addition to a brief walk down memory lane, hear how Sam is working to make our court systems more accessible to the public and how lawyers could think differently about the value they provide. Additionally, Zack talks with Joyce Brafford from TimeSolv about project management, budget tracking, and determining the value of your cases and your time. Links from the episode: Increase your billable hours with Timesolv-start your free trial today! If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when forensic science is later found to be false? ----- Forensic science is a cornerstone of our criminal justice system. Unfortunately, not all sciences used to prosecute people are reliable. So what happens when forensic science is later debunked? Does that mean everyone convicted by it goes free? The short answer is no. Tune in to hear why. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Environmental law is a dynamic field that evolves rapidly with new challenges as they emerge but also against the backdrop of the politics of state and federal administrations. Regulatory focus shifts from administration to administration and crisis to crisis, creating a challenging area of law for those who practice it. Our guest, David Mandelbaum, is a shareholder with the firm of Greenberg Traurig and has practiced environmental law since 1984. He’s seen a lot, from focusing on solid waste landfills decades ago to today’s challenges created by a changing climate. Legal procedures vary from state to state in addition to how the federal government oversees environmental issues, challenging practitioners to understand the law and the issues and the procedural process. Laws and statutes are in constant flux. For newer lawyers, Mandelbaum says the constant changes in the field of environmental law level the playing field between experienced attorneys and those getting out of law school. Changes come so fast that a new lawyer who has studied the latest regulations and cases can be on equal footing with someone who has practiced in the field for decades. In this field, it’s never “the way we’ve always done it.” If you’ve ever considered a career in environmental law, this discussion may open your eyes to new opportunities. Resources: “SEC Adopts Rules to Enhance and Standardize Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors,” SEC.gov Superfunds and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency “EPA Imposes First National Limits On 'Forever Chemicals' In Drinking Water,” NBC news Pennsylvania Environmental Law Forum 2024 Different Career Paths in Environmental Law Nurturing the Future of Animal Law American Bar Association on Environment, Energy, and Resources American Bar Association American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's see if it pays off as well as a billionaire covering up an affair. ----- Donald Trump's hush money trial kicks off after a week of Trump alienating everyone involved in the process by refusing to respect basic decorum and attempting to skirt the gag order by arguing that RTs aren't endorsements. The Am Law 100 is also out and we talk through some of the key takeaways and Judge Ho tried to defend his take on forum shopping and it's... not good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Checklists help us avoid mistakes and allow our brains to focus on higher thinking. Follow along as we use pro tips from a checklist expert to create a fail-safe prep list for mediations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your competitor is using YOUR name to promote themselves, and you’re totally ticked, but what can you do? Later, learn the very best ways to spend your marketing budget to grow your business. Generating clients for yourself by mentioning your competitor is sketchy, right? Or, is it? In the words of every lawyer ever, “It depends.” Gyi and Conrad analyze a particular instance of an aggressive brand practice Ben Glass highlighted in a recent LinkedIn post. A very questionable strategy used by one of his competitors could easily have misled consumers, so, ick, but is there an okay way to use a brand conquest strategy? The guys unpack the philosophy and ethics behind this type of marketing approach. Pop quiz, hot shot. You’ve got $5,000 for your marketing budget. What do you do? The possibilities could run in a variety of directions, and Gyi and Conrad share several creative takes on what kind of impact can be made with your investment. The News: Everybody is in the digital media business—maybe even your bank! Yep, JP Morgan has started an ad agency… What do we think about this? - JPMorgan Creates Marketing Agency Built on Purchase Data Paid search is still king, but is regicide coming? - U.S. search ad revenues hit record $88.8 billion in 2023 Mentioned in this Episode: The Next LHLM Office Hours will take place on May 3rd. Join us on LinkedIn! Mockingbird Legal Marketing 2024 Review Gladiator Law Marketing Agency Review 2024 The Bite - Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Newsletter! You Asked, We Answered || A Line in the SPAM - LHLM Episode Leave Us an Apple Review Lunch Hour Legal Marketing on YouTube Lunch Hour Legal Marketing on TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bestselling author and lawyer John Grisham joins LSC Board Member Robert Grey for a conversation on how his journey from small-town lawyer to big-time author influenced his philanthropic priorities and made him an advocate for access to justice. Grey, who serves as president of the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, interviewed Grisham at a D.C. forum for LSC’s 50th anniversary on April 9. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Litigators are used to being in front of a jury. But have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a member of that jury? What are jurors watching? What do they notice? Guest Chauntis Jenkins-Floyd, an experienced litigator, recently served on a jury. And what she learned as a juror is eye opening. Like most of us, Jenkins-Floyd has been summoned for jury duty and dismissed each time. But this time was different. In this episode, she describes her experiences in the selection process, intake, and deliberation. Jenkins-Floyd took it all in. She learned about the jobs and childcare pressures jurors have. She saw what happens in the jury room. “All of my senses were tingling. As a trial lawyer, I never get to see this part,” she explains. What she learned will change how you present your next case. Hear how important your moves are to a jury, starting the moment you enter the courtroom. Eye contact, body language, and even where people sit. Everything matters. How prepared and confident do you look? How friendly and comfortable are you with your client? Jenkins-Floyd explains what jurors are watching. How you ask questions, starting with voir dire, sets up jurors and helps them subconsciously put themselves in your client’s shoes, even without saying it. Jurors watch and see everything you do. Get an inside peek. Resources: American Bar Association American Bar Association Litigation Section Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marketing and sales are keys to building your business. But where do they meet? It takes two to tango, and “Intake” is the junction. Good intake is always worth the effort. Guest Bo Royal is co-founder of Pareto Legal and has worked with several Fortune 1,000 companies and scores of law firms. He specializes in helping small and medium sized law firms build their business and strengthen their intake process. Data tracking and quality matters. Follow the trail, understand how the marketing funnel is working and where to get prospects in the door and sign that retainer. Intake is about nurturing inbound leads – the results of your advertising and marketing – and turning them into clients. Intake can make or break all of your marketing and sales efforts. Don’t build a “leaky bucket.” You worked hard, and spent a lot, to develop leads. This is an important episode that can help you go that last mile from generating interest to capturing revenue. Track the “journey” of every prospect. It’s not luck, it’s a process. Mentioned in this Episode: Pareto Legal Pareto PPC LinkedIn Lawmatics Needles legal software Hubspot Clio Grow Google Analytics for beginners Join The Un-Billable Hour Community Table Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Bennett Hein, the founder of Backlinks.ai, discusses the role and impact of backlinks in driving organic traffic, enhancing domain authority, and improving website ranking. He explains the importance of quality over quantity, automating outreach using AI, and the potential pitfalls of pursuing low-quality backlinks. The discussion also highlights tactics like reporter outreach, using platforms like HARO and Featured, as well as the value of legitimately earned backlinks from reputable sources like Forbes and CNN. Bennett Heyn is an experienced entrepreneur and side hustler. He is from Cincinnati and attended Ohio State University. Upon graduation, he joined Adobe in San Francisco and started an SEO agency. Bennett gives listeners actionable tips on: 0:00 Intro 2:48 What domain authorities are 03:42 Example of how your domain authority could go down 05:15 How you damage your domain authority 09:37 Leveraging HARO 14:25 Strategies to get quality backlinks 18:20 Do backlinks matter 20:01 What makes a good backlink 20:29 Should you have backlinks to things with a lower DR than you 21:10 Book Review 22:15 One big takeaway Resources mentioned in this episode: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie Connect with Bennett here: https://www.instagram.com/bennett.heyn/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennettheyn https://backlinker.ai Connect with me Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Karin on Twitter Karin on LinkedIn Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook https://conroycreativecounsel.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The second brain is a source of carefully curated information, but what’s the best way to access and interact with that wealth of content day to day? Dennis and Tom unpack the concept of “The Daily Me”—customized daily news—and whether it could be a solution for keeping up with content stored in a second brain. In their next segment, the guys prompt ChatGPT to ask them a question. This time, this leads them to ponder the 18-year evolution of the podcast and potential updates to freshen up the intro. As always, stay tuned for the parting shots, that one tip, website, or observation that you can use the second the podcast ends. Have a technology question for Dennis and Tom? Call their Tech Question Hotline at 720-441-6820 for the answers to your most burning tech questions. Show Notes - Kennedy-Mighell Report #363 A Segment: Second Brain Project: The Daily Me The Daily Me: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daily_Me My Yahoo: https://my.yahoo.com Feedly: https://feedly.com Notion https://www.notion.so Stoop Inbox: https://stoopinbox.com Readwise Reader: https://readwise.io/read Notta.ai: https://www.notta.ai B Segment: A Question from ChatGPT Parting Shots: PowerOutage.us: https://poweroutage.us Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We hit our 500th Episode! Instead of looking back, the team decided to look to the future. So naturally that led us to Stephanie interviewing our own AI bot lovingly named Lasso the Lab Coach. Hear for yourself exactly what an AI bot trained on all things Lawyerist has to say about how to create your firm’s branding. This one is....different! Additionally, Zack talks with Waseem Daher, a human from Pilot, about the benefits of a virtual and fractional finance and accounting team. Links from the episode: https://Pilot.com/lawyerist/ If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We continue breaking down the U.S. News & World Report law school rankings and the chaos that its new methodology introduced. And we know exactly who to blame for breaking these rankings. Elon Musk recently went in for a deposition defended by Quinn Emanuel's Alex Spiro and earned a motion for sanctions. And a Berkeley Law protest goes viral, but all the "free speech" talk misses the mark. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The lack of diversity when it comes to race, gender, sexuality, disability and social class within the legal profession is nothing new. However, the last decade has marked a gradual increase in diversity across all fields. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nitrous oxide is primarily used to make whipped cream, so why is it being sold in smoke shops? That’s what Johnny Simon wanted to know…and his winning argument will help remove this insidious poison from many communities. Hear the dramatic trial story, the personal toll on the victim’s family, and the landmark verdict in part two of our story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your CRM software isn’t just some technical database that should be hidden away somewhere. If you’ve got it, flaunt it! And, congratulations, you’ve made it through the first quarter. So, what checkups should you be doing on your marketing campaign? ___ As you meet people, either online or out in the wide world, you should be considering each and every new connection as a way to grow your CRM database. It takes time and discipline to do it right, but it’s totally worth it to grow your business. Gyi and Conrad discuss the possibilities that lie within a robust CRM system and how to meaningfully and effectively leverage those connections. We’re 90 days in, everyone. How did Q1 go for you? Gyi and Conrad outline all the things lawyers and marketers should start measurably seeing after three months in the full swing of their marketing strategies. Is your target audience working? Are you hitting your priorities? What needs to change? The guys talk through all the questions you should be asking and the benchmarks you should be reaching at this point in the year. The News: So, what should we expect from Google in the next 12 months? Well, Conrad just did a session on it at Mass Torts Made Perfect, so he’ll give you an overview! Universal Analytics is seriously done-zo on July 1, so if you’re still using it, get out now. LocalU is coming to Detroit, and Gyi gets to help! LocalU taps into industry leading experts to teach about stellar SEO content. Check it: LocalU Detroit 2024 Mentioned in this Episode: The Bite - Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Newsletter! Diverse Marketing || 30 Days In - LHLM Episode Leave Us an Apple Review Lunch Hour Legal Marketing on YouTube Lunch Hour Legal Marketing on TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Law Professor Mary Sarah Bilder discusses the amazing story of Eliza Harriot, a rare female public lecturer who delivered a University of Pennsylvania program attended by George Washington as he met in Philadelphia with delegates to draft the US Constitution. Harriot’s performance likely inspired the gender-neutral language of the Constitution and her advocacy inspired countless young women to consider a college education and fight back against exclusions based on sex, gender, and race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many young law students begin their studies with high hopes of generating change by becoming a lawyer and advocate, but what does this lofty dream look like in the real world? Leah Haberman talks with Professor Dorothy Roberts about her career as a lawyer, professor, author, and activist. Professor Roberts shares how her unique skills led her to leverage her curiosity and passions to become an expert on racial interconnections and tensions in many legal issues, particularly those involving reproductive injustices and child welfare. She shares many tips for law students on how to bring focus to their strengths and interests, embrace collaboration, and make small but meaningful changes in the world; one day at a time. Dorothy Roberts is the 14th Penn Integrates Knowledge Professor, the George A. Weiss University Professor of Law & Sociology, and the Raymond Pace & Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander Professor of Civil Rights at University of Pennsylvania. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So much of our communications and societal existence is housed online, so e-discovery is the major way we gather evidence. Jared talks with Cat Casey about the AI spectrum within the e-discovery world, explaining the many ways varying elements of machine learning and AI have created more powerful tools for attorneys. They also discuss the promising future of AI in e-discovery and the legal profession. This time on the Rump Roast, Jared quizzes Cat on cat-themed song lyrics. Is Cat an expert on feline musical appearances? We shall see. Everybody keeps asking about AI, so Jared’s delivering! There are quite a few budding AI softwares tailor-made for attorneys, so what tools are worth your attention? Jared reminds everyone—lots of the things you already use have had AI baked in for a long time, so use it. Security is important, folks, so picking vetted technology over an unknown/free tool could definitely keep it from coming back to bite you in your ethically questionable ass. Cat Casey is Chief Growth Officer at Reveal Brainspace, helping lead innovation and direction for their legal technology solutions. ----- Since you're listening to Cat on the mic this episode, the logical next step is to listen to this cat inspired playlist. ------ Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest. Our closing track is Banksy by Lunareh. Links Mentioned: Women in eDiscovery Operation Safe Space SPLASH Pledge Law Rocks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the early morning hours of March 26, 2024, Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed after a Singapore-based cargo ship named the Dali, lost power and hit the bridge's pillar. According to officials, eight people were on the bridge that morning when it fell: two were rescued, two bodies were recovered, and four are presumed dead. Crew members on the Dali were all safe. In this episode, Craig is joined by LSU law professor and LSU President Emeritus, Tom Galligan, as they spotlight the Baltimore bridge collapse. Craig & Tom explore the incident through the lens of admiralty law, liability, litigation, impact, and how to prevent future disasters involving vessels. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meet Teresa Beck and Claire Gibson, two successful and experienced litigators who are deeply involved in the ABA Litigation Section’s Woman Advocate Committee and its two books featuring essays from women in the legal profession: “Her Story: Lessons in Success from Lawyers Who Live It” (2017) and the recent follow-up “Her Story: The Resilient Woman Lawyer’s Guide to Conquering Obstacles” (2024). The new book addresses the challenges women face in the legal profession and the things organizations and firms do, often unintentionally, that make it harder for women in law, all told through personal stories of struggles and successes. Beck and Gibson, both committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, discuss these collections of stories that tap into the experiences of litigators in a range of practice groups, from corporate to government positions. These are situations that arise everywhere, from the courtroom to the boardroom to the lunchroom. Why do women in law still face so many challenges and obstacles? It’s nice to imagine gender disparity is a relic of the past, but the statistics tell a different story. There is work for all of us to do, not only toward gender equality but also in racial and ethnic disparities in the legal profession. The stories in these books examine situations that exist, even in organizations that believe they have erased barriers. Fixing the problems starts with acknowledging that they persist. Everyone can learn from this discussion. Resources: Women Advocate Committee American Bar Association “Her Story: Lessons In Success For Lawyers Who Live It” “Her Story: The Resilient Woman Lawyer's Guide To Conquering Obstacles, Book 2” K. Brooke Welch Jessica Blaemire Michal Rogson Steven Velkei Dunlap, Bennett & Ludwig Klinedinst Attorneys American Bar Association American Bar Association Litigation Section Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sara has a heartfelt conversation with long-time Labster and owner of a thriving appellate law firm Tim Atler, about overcoming self-doubt and fear and embracing bold and impactful strategic decisions. Through candid dialogue and poignant reflections, they explore the transformative power of self-awareness and courage as true business leaders. From navigating daunting uncertainties to embracing vulnerability, this episode inspires firm owners to embark on their own journey towards fearless, strategic decision-making and professional fulfillment. Links from the episode: If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Minor Accident Turns Fatal ----- Zavion Johnson was bathing his four month old daughter when she slipped from his grasp and hit her head on the tub. He immediately checked her for injuries but found nothing. Tragically, she harbored unseen internal injuries that Zavion was unaware of. Later in the day, his daughter suddenly turned color. Zavion rushed her to the hospital but it was too late. She died shortly after. Moments after his daughter’s funeral, Zavion Johnson was arrested for murder under a medical theory called “Shaken Baby Syndrome”. It would take 17 years for the criminal justice system to realize its mistake. This is his story... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The State Bar of Texas Board of Directors approved the nominations of Denise Scofield, of Houston, and Santos Vargas, of San Antonio, as president-elect candidates at its meeting on September 30, 2023. Texas lawyers will vote for the president-elect and district directors from April 1 to April 30. The winner will serve as president-elect from June 2024 to June 2025 and as president from June 2025 to June 2026. For more information, go to texasbar.com/elections. [The content for this episode was recorded as a live webcast video on March 26, 2024, at the Texas Law Center in Austin, TX.] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Haphazard ranking serves as a reminder that service hasn't quite found the right formula after law schools started withdrawing their data. _______________ The full U.S. News & World Report law school rankings are out and they are... something. Duke is tied with Harvard? NYU nearly drops out of the top 10? Are we just hurling darts at a dartboard here? In a sense, yes. At least ever since law schools started withdrawing their cooperation. Meanwhile, a Biglaw firm tried to promote healthy sleep despite being the primary reason associates don't sleep and Trump's bond in the NY civil fraud case looks a little suspect. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our goal is to lift you up with every episode, and today we are sharing our mentor’s most valuable life lessons. We hope these ideas help you get through the day with a little more grace, a little less angst and a lot more confidence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Trespassing plus time equals adverse possession,” Paul Golden writes in his new book, Litigating Adverse Possession Cases: Pirates v. Zombies. When someone has occupied or used a piece of property as though they own it for long enough, a court could determine that they are the rightful owner—regardless of what the paperwork says. It’s a concept more popularly discussed as squatter’s rights. In this episode of The Modern Law Library, Golden speaks with the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles about the ancient concepts underlying modern adverse possession law; some quirky state laws; and why societies would allow land to be transferred in this way. They also discuss how the plain meaning of terms like “hostile” are changed when used in adverse possession cases, and Rawles raises a hypothetical—taken from real life—of a neighbor’s crooked fence. During Golden’s first appearance on The Modern Law Library, he explained how the lack of a written contract could be navigated by a savvy lawyer. In his new book, Golden guides attorneys and their clients through the finer points of arguing for and against adverse possession claims. He shares some of the errors he’s seen pop up in adverse possession cases, and offers advice for how to avoid common pitfalls. Modern Law Library listeners have been given a promotional discount code for Litigating Adverse Possession Cases: Pirates v. Zombies through May 10, 2024. For 20% off, go to the ABA’s online shop and enter LAPC2024 at checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode’s discussions around the Community Table: AI is all the rage in the public media, but how are lawyers using it in real life? For starters, it can help you with written communications. Tone down an angry brief or client communication. Write advertising or blog communications. Even create Excel formulas. (But remember, it’s a tool, not a replacement for your skills!). How do you convey the value of a paid consultation? Help clients understand what they get by paying for a professional consultation. Sometimes it starts with an explanation that every case is different, and only a paid consultation can explore all available options before hiring an attorney. Tell prospects what they can expect from you and your conversation is more than a sales call. Marketing is important. And it’s expensive. How do you know when you’re getting the right ROI? It takes some math. Do you know how much you’re spending and how many paying clients are a direct result? Plus, the risks and rewards of posting your firm’s phone number prominently. Sometimes putting your number out there generates spam and time-wasting calls when a simple online scheduling tool could be more efficient. What’s right for you? Mentioned in this Episode: ChatGPT 4 Paxton AI for legal profession “Michael Cohen Says He Unwittingly Sent AI-Generated Fake Legal Cases To His Attorney,” NPR Microsoft Excel “PPC For Lawyers: It's About Cost Per Client, NOT Cost-Per-Click,” Lunch Hour Legal Marketing on Legal Talk Network “Getting Started With Local Services Ads,” Google Calendly Join the next Community Table live. What’s on your mind? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Attorney Greg Lewis from the law firm Vernis & Bowling of Charlotte, NC discusses the advantage of Alternative Dispute Resolution in the litigation process. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guests from the online bankruptcy service Upsolve and Philadelphia Legal Assistance (PLA) discuss a new, free web resource for people struggling with student debt on Talk Justice. PLA received funding from a 2023 LSC Technology Initiative Grant for the project and brought on Upsolve to develop the tools. Their goal is to raise awareness of available debt relief programs and provide guided assistance for qualified borrowers to pursue student debt elimination. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dave Sobel shares his insights on the significant impacts of AI technology and provides guidance on choosing IT service providers for law firms. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing AI as a transformative technology but encourages a balanced approach, highlighting the slower pace of actual implementation versus predictions. Dave introduces the concept of 'hard trends' in technology to aid in future planning and stresses the critical role of human oversight in using AI ethically and effectively. Additionally, the conversation covers practical advice on improving law firms' operations through strategic IT partnerships, focusing on measurable business outcomes and security precautions against malware and hacking. Sobel advocates for putting people first, underscoring that investments in human relationships are key to successful technology adoption and business improvement. Dave is the host of the Business of Tech podcast, and owner of MSP Radio. Dave is regarded as a leading expert in the delivery of technology services, with broad experience in both technology and business. He owned and operated an IT Solution Provider and MSP for over a decade, both acquiring other organizations and eventually being acquired. This firm was a winner of multiple awards, including being a finalist for Microsoft’s Worldwide Partner of the Year in the Small Business Specialist category. After his MSP experience, he has worked for multiple vendors at such companies as Level Platforms, GFI, LogicNow, and SolarWinds, leading community, event, marketing, and product strategies, as well as several M&A activities. Dave gives listeners actionable tips on: 00:00 Intro 01:47 Relating the AI technology explosion to iPhone and the top 3 things to remember when something explodes like this 07:09 Now is the time to think about our ethics and how we will use AI 09:24 AI Checkers - Be skeptical, ways we are already using AI that we may not be thinking 13:30 Good content always needs good craftsmanship, using AI to accelerate and assist our work 16:33 What are the big topics the IT technology realm 19:15 Example of an IT Provider can give the best service and implement tools or systems that are tied to revenue 26:31 Are security issues, malware, hacking the first thing that people talk to him about 28:11 I think my website was hacked - why are they doing that to me? 33:01 Is it anyone's fault in particular if your DO get hacked 37:56 Book Review 40:04 Trends he is already looking at for AI 42:53 What's one thing that works Resources mentioned in this episode: Flash Foresight by Daniel Burrus Connect with Dave here: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/davesobel/ https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/ https://www.youtube.com/mspradio/ https://businessof.tech/ Connect with me Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Karin on Twitter Karin on LinkedIn Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook https://conroycreativecounsel.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Lives and Stories of the Wrongfully Convicted _______________ Welcome back listeners. There is so much left to cover. In upcoming episodes, we will explore topics like Junk Science, Plea deals, Eyewitness Misidentifications, and Evidence Preservation. There is an amazing lineup of guests. We will hear from real-life exoneree Amanda Knox, Oscar nominated filmmaker Matthew Cook, Hollywood producer Scott Budnick, and famed attorney David Rudolph from The Staircase, a Netflix documentary. So stay tuned... The first episode of season 2, ‘Zavion’s Story’ drops April 11th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leveraging AI in your practice can help you create better client experiences and become a more efficient lawyer. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Mitch Jackson about ways to integrate AI into your practice to speed up legal service delivery. Mitch talks through current ethics of AI use and offers many examples of ways to use AI in your day-to-day tasks, including research, document analysis, templates, chatbots, and so much more. Mitch Jackson is the CEO of Jackson and Wilson, a California litigation law firm, and founder of Maneuver Mediation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dennis has been ever the optimist about all things GenAI, and Tom was perhaps a bit more skeptical, but have they both changed their tunes? The guys hash out their current perspectives and share how they are applying GenAI in both their work and personal lives. They also caution lawyers to really learn the ins and outs of GenAI tech so they can use it ethically and effectively in legal practice. Later, Dennis and Tom answer a question from ChatGPT about whether they might like to do a live episode of the podcast! As always, stay tuned for the parting shots, that one tip, website, or observation that you can use the second the podcast ends. Have a technology question for Dennis and Tom? Call their Tech Question Hotline at 720-441-6820 for the answers to your most burning tech questions. Show Notes - Kennedy-Mighell Report #362 A Segment: Changing Directions on Generative AI? B Segment: A Question from ChatGPT Parting Shots: Ten exercises you should do whether you are 25 or 75: https://twitter.com/chrisboettcher9/status/1768951396064182350/?rw_tt_thread=True Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI - https://www.amazon.com/Co-Intelligence-Living-Working-Ethan-Mollick-ebook/dp/B0CM8TRWK3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Culture. You’ve heard the word a million times. But what is it really and how can we influence the culture of our teams and our clients? In this episode, Stephanie dives in to learn more about culture with Marcus Collins, author of For the Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do; and Who We Want to Be. Links from the episode: Check out For the Cluture by Marcus Collins If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Breaking down the action-packed final week of March. ___________ Special guest Liz Dye joins us to talk about the week that was. First, we delve into the abortion pill oral argument where even most of the conservatives scoffed at the right-wing effort to let an Amarillo courthouse second-guess the FDA on science. Almost as though the Chief Justice just tried to crack down on that practice. But along the way Neil Gorsuch showed off his (lack of) research skills and Alito and Thomas sought to revive the legal legacy of a chronic self-pleasurer. Then we check out the end of the showdown between Ron DeSantis and Disney that looks like a major victory for DeSantis until you, ya know, actually read the settlement agreement. Finally, Trump's got another gag order and went straight to work setting up the inevitable contempt hearing over it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices