Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics

In our debut episode of Season 4, Amanda Knox joins the show to talk candidly about her story and share her passion for shedding light on the issues of wrongful conviction and criminal justice reform. Knox spent nearly four years in an Italian prison and eight years on trial before being exonerated of murder charges. The case made international headlines for nearly a decade and thrust Knox into the spotlight. Her story and wrongful conviction were then chronicled in a 2016 Netflix documentary, and in Amanda's own New York Times best-selling memoir, “Waiting to Be Heard." In this edition, she talks with Jonathan Amarilio and Trisha Rich about how her public and private identity have been shaped by these events, her attempts to reclaim her own narrative and her passion for criminal justice reform. Special thanks to our sponsors: InfoTrack, and Smokeball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most of the spotlights are on the U.S. Supreme Court when it comes to legal cases that impact civil rights. But state supreme courts are the final arbiters of what each state's own constitution dictates. They can have enormous influence on Americans' civil rights and daily lives—and there isn't nearly as much scholarship available on them, particularly when it comes to civil rather than criminal cases. Political scientists James L. Gibson and Michael J. Nelson hope to change this with their new book, Judging Inequality: State Supreme Courts and the Inequality Crisis. When Gibson and Nelson set themselves the task of analyzing civil cases and the court makeups of all 50 state supreme courts, they realized without additional manpower it would be a daunting one, they tell Lee Rawles in this episode of the Modern Law Library podcast. With the help of students, they created a database to track the outcomes of seven kinds of civil cases that would come before each court, and looked to see which courts tended to support the "haves" against the "have nots." They also analyzed the backgrounds of each justice, to the best of their ability. One of their most important findings? It's not as facile as a red state/blue state divide. In this episode, Gibson and Nelson discuss the work that went into their study, the results they found most surprising, and what they as political scientists think that the legal profession should be discussing when it comes to the highest courts in each state. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In many med mal and trucking cases, it’s not always clear if an employer is liable for the actions of their employee. The issue of Agency is vital for knowing whom you can sue and what you can potentially recover for your client. Today’s podcast clarifies general issues of Agency and points out how recent changes in Missouri law severely limit the damages you and your client can recover from medical malpractice. An insightful episode for lawyers and laypeople because negligence can happen to anyone. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your expert may know the case file forwards and backward, but are they ready for the opposing council’s cross? Have you provided all materials needed to secure their opinion? And did you prep them on key semantics like the difference between “probable” and “possible”? Erica Slater of the Simon Law Firm joins John and Erich to share tips on how to prepare your expert for depo to help them communicate and defend their opinion in a clear and convincing manner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our 50th episode features a deep dive into 2021 legal marketing trends and a look ahead at 2022. First, news: With a million new COVID infections nationwide, ALM’s New York Legalweek conference has been postponed to March 8-11. And a report on significant changes to Google’s vicinity advertising algorithm that may affect your firm. Gyi and Conrad also discuss interesting statistics from Justia’s annual survey. Most notably, some 17% of surveyed firms are backing away from Google ads. Why? Plus, what’s going on with local service ads and what firms are saying about their overall legal marketing spend. And surprising stats about LinkedIn, websites, and blogs. New client intake data from Clio.com’s Legal Trends Report finds prospective clients are turning to video conferencing and texting. Are you? And … the return of Conrad’s Crystal Ball. How will shifting economic factors—and, oh yeah, COVID—affect legal marketing? There’s a lot to think about. So how does marketing evolve? Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, and Clio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Experts discuss how the legal system operates in rural communities and how to expand access to justice in these regions on the latest episode of Talk Justice. -hosted by Legal Service Corporation President Ron Flagg. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How has the landscape changed for law students nowadays compared to 10 or 15 years ago? How are the challenges similar or different from what you may have experienced when you were in law school? In this episode, I sit down with Samantha and Haylie, Co-Hosts of the Ladies Who Law School Podcast, and 3L Law Students in Oklahoma City. We talk about: How the pandemic has affected law students Which beliefs are outdated in the legal industry compared to years before How the outlook on Big Law has changed for the next generation of lawyers Being a law student and studying the law amidst some of society's most defining moments Resources mentioned in this episode: Law School Confidential by Robert H. Miller Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you working outside the law and ethical boundaries of Google Business functions? Or are competitors passing you by? Law practice marketing is one of the Internet’s roughest neighborhoods. Google has the tools, but what are the guardrails, and how does Section 230 dictate how far you – or your competitors – can go? Guest Eric Goldman, co-director of the High Tech Law Institute at Santa Clara University, digs deep into this fascinating and confusing field. If you haven't already, check out Part 1 of our conversation with Dean Goldman. Plus, news: The new Local Search Rankings Factor report is out (hint, maybe geotracking isn’t all that), and maybe a looming trademark fight between law firms Hello Divorce and Hello Prenup. And in the 2021 Clio Legal Trends Report, lawyers say tracking revenue is the most crucial factor for measuring business health and growth. But is it? --------- At the top of the episode, Conrad and Gyi take a moment to share their horror at the tragedy of the November 30th Oxford High School shooting, reflecting on the pain events like this cause not only for the victims, but for their beloved Michigan community at large. The guys, and the producers at Legal Talk Network, invite you to join them in showing your support to the victims of this terrible event by contributing to funds set up for the victims via the links below. Gofundme Oxford Bank --------- Sponsor music provided by SoundStripe: Got Me Like by Dr. Delight Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, and Clio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Suicide has been a pervasive issue in the legal profession for many years, but the more we understand and talk about this issue, the more help we can give to those at risk. JoAnn Hathaway and Molly Ranns talk with Erica Grigg about her personal experiences and her insights on how to recognize signs and talk to someone you fear may be considering suicide. They also discuss the impactful ways Lawyer Assistance Programs provide support to legal professionals and help with suicide prevention. Erica Grigg is director of the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A year has passed since Pro-Trump protestors attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2o21. So, one year later, what has resulted from that dark day in 2021? And what progress have we made? On Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Craig Williams is joined by Gregory P. Magarian, professor of law at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis, to reflect on the January 6th Capitol insurrection. Craig and Greg will take a look at the investigation by the January 6th committee, the impact of the insurrection, the people involved, and where we go from here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy New Year! To ring in 2022, host Rocky Dhir welcomes Warren W. Harris and Kirsten Castañeda to look back at 2021 appellate law happenings and explore the lessons to be learned. Warren and Kirsten discuss topics from their recent appellate law articles for the Texas Bar Journal and offer guidance for attorneys on current issues. Warren W. Harris is a partner in Bracewell in Houston, where he heads the firm’s Appellate Practice Group. Kirsten Castañeda is an attorney with Alexander Dobose Jefferson LLC. Special thanks to our sponsor, Clio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sonia Russo is joined by Shawn Hoover (a first chair trial attorney with the Georgia Capital Public Defenders), Anthony Santos (a deputy district attorney in Jefferson County, Colorado), and U.S. Army Major Earl Wilson (the chief of military justice at the first cavalry division at Fort Hood, Texas). Together, they deep dive into the criminal justice system from the perspective of lawyers of color. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Chief Justice released his year-end report on the federal judiciary and informed us that everything is fine and there's nothing to see there. While multiple issues threaten the legitimacy of the courts, Roberts assured the country that he's got some webinars that can solve everything from sexual harassment to market manipulation. Alan Dershowitz also closed off 2021 with not one, but two embarrassing TV appearances as he struggles to maintain relevance. Welcome to 2022! Special thanks to our sponsors, Lexicon and Nota. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ever said something in a meeting that is ignored when you say it, but suddenly becomes a great idea when repeated moments later by a male in the room? Are you passed over when solutions are being discussed, but at the top of the list when the work is dished out? If you often feel invisible, you are not alone. This episode covers subtle ways to be heard and acknowledged in your next meeting. Try our tips. And if all else fails, you can always wear a unicorn head... Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Expert witnesses can make or break your case. Not only do they need to understand the facts of the case and the subject matter, but they must also clearly communicate their position to the jury. But you can’t always count on credentials alone. In this encore presentation, Trial attorney Erica Slater of The Simon Law Firm joins John and Erich to discuss expert evaluation strategies that can help avoid surprises in the depo, trial, and invoice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So many young lawyers and recent grads are hungry to earn a law clerk position. As prefaced in the ‘Law Clerk Handbook’ by Judge Alvin B. Rubin and his clerk Laura B. Bartell, “the partnership between a federal judge and the judge’s clerk can be a splendid and mutually rewarding relationship”. Host Dave Scriven-Young sits down with Judge Joan Lefkow of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and her former law clerk Gerard Belfort now at Ballard Spahr. Together they discuss what law clerks do, recommendations for earning a clerkship, and tips for litigators in front of the court. Stay tuned for Darryl Wilson’s litigation tips about conflicts of interest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You work so hard every day in your firm to build a more profitable practice. But then you take a look at the numbers, and wonder why there isn’t much income left at the end of the day for you. Budgets can feel overwhelming. We create them to help us stay on target, but feel like money is being spent everywhere – how is it really contributing to your bottom line? In this episode, I speak with Brooke Lively, Founder of Cathedral Capital, to talk about why budgets suck, and how to run a more profitable business. Cathedral Capital is a company made up of a team of CFO’s and Profitability Strategists who help entrepreneurs turn their businesses into profitable companies. Brooke is a highly regarded international speaker and author. With expertise in growth management, creative problem solving and profitability strategy, Brooke has been featured in international media including Forbes, CNBC, and US News and World Report. We talk about: The Rule of Thirds when it comes to finance for your business The importance of designing a compensation plan that is right for your firm Different ways to diversify your compensation options Benefits of a profit plan and how it can help you strategize effectively Resources mentioned in this episode: From Panic to Profit: How 6 Key Numbers can make a 6-Figure Difference in your Law Firm by Brooke Lively No Ego by Cy Wakeman The EOS Life by Gino Wickman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Debbie Foster joins Dennis and Tom once again for their yearly “Pardon the Interruption”-esque recap. The trio examine oodles of issues and advancements (or lack thereof) in both legal tech and the profession in general. And, miraculously, even though there seems to be no recognizable competition going on, Tom wins the day! Have a technology question for Dennis and Tom? Call their Tech Question Hotline at 720-441-6820 for answers to your most burning tech questions. Debbie Foster is the managing partner for Affinity Consulting, and is a nationally recognized thought leader on efficiency and innovation in professional legal organizations. Special thanks to our sponsors, Colonial Surety Company, ServeNow, and Nota. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Part Two of our discussion on how to take a deposition dives into deeper issues, such as asking the ultimate issue in a case, tips for handling evasive witnesses, and how to get the information you want when the request is deemed overly broad or burdensome. John wraps up our discussion with his most important depo-taking tip; how to remember key points from any deposition and have them at your fingertips for future analysis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've made it through another year. Well, almost. We probably shouldn't start counting our bats and pangolins before they've hatched. Joe and Kathryn look back at the wild ride of 2021 and make some predictions about what 2022 holds. Also... it's that time of year to send in your Lawyer of the Year nominations. Special thanks to our sponsors, Lexicon and Nota. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A discussion of major developments in 2021 for access to justice and civil legal aid communities, legal technology and regulatory reform. Host: Jason Tashea, LSC Emerging Leaders Council Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We know the pillars of marketing: acquisition, production, and purpose. But in this episode of the Un-Billable Hour, class-action guru Gerald Maatman gets down to basics and talks about your marketing bedrock: your brand. Building your practice starts before you ask for a client’s business. It’s about your brand, what you’re already known – and respected – for. Hear how developing expertise, building knowledge, public speaking, and thought leadership earns you the business before you even make the call. There’s a lot to work on here, from giving every case your all, to learning to see the challenge from your client’s perspective, to creating lasting relationships. It’s not easy, and it’s not fast. But a thriving law practice is not about luck. It’s about hard work that never ends. Learn valuable lessons from a true business leader. Special thanks to our sponsors LawClerk, Alert Communications, LawYaw, and Scorpion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christmastime is here, and Jared has company! Producer Evan may or may not have been kidnapped, and Engineer Adam may or may not have been creeping outside Jared’s house, but everybody’s ready for some holiday cheer. Come sit by the crackling fire as Jared saves Christmas yet again. ----- Since it's our Christmas special - and in honor of producer Evan's Scroogish nature - I've put together a list of just horribly depressing holiday music. Enjoy! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/25un4L0Z4NSGI8VNP5vfCD?si=79dcd116619d42ef ----- Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest. The music for the Legal Trends Report Minute is I See You by Sounds Like Sander. Our holiday themed music is O Christmas Tree by Ryan Saranich. Special thanks to our sponsors TimeSolv, Clio, Scorpion, and Alert Communications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When designing your firm’s website or marketing materials, it can be overwhelming to want to ‘get it right’. Oftentimes, we forget that design has many iterations, and that the first draft of anything we create is rarely the final version. So, when it comes to your service design, are you designing assets with your clients in mind? Are you studying and taking into account how your potential clients are searching for and finding you? This week on the show, I spoke with Sérgio Taveres, who has a PhD in Culture and Technology, and works at the Helsinki studio of lead design agency Frog. He approaches strategy and foresight with design techniques. We talk about: The difference between art and design How the design process works and why it’s meant to be ever-changing Why design should be about the potential client and not about you as the firm owner How to design your marketing around your client or potential client The key role that empathy plays in client relationships and marketing design Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcast host Meg Steenburgh welcomes recent grad Shannon Knapp and fellow law students Sarah Roberts and Tiffany Love to get their perspectives on law school, legal practice, and life! They each discuss their unique student and real-world experiences—sharing the paths they’ve chosen to pursue, tips for self-care and motivation, and what has helped them handle the rigors of law school and entrance into the profession. Shannon Knapp is a recent graduate of Syracuse University School of Law and an Associate Attorney at Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC in central New York. Sarah Roberts is an entrepreneur based in eastern Texas and a 2L at Syracuse University School of Law. Tiffany Love is an Air Force spouse, civilian paralegal, and 3L at Syracuse University School of Law. Thank you to our sponsor NBI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Physical aspects aren’t the only changes in federal litigation, according to two veteran Chicago litigators. They think jurors, particularly those younger than age 40, are much more forgiving when a witness is caught lying, few care whether a party admits to drug use, and many expect significant documentation from law enforcement trying to defend misconduct charges. Special thanks to our sponsor, LawPay. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The holidays can be tough for so many, and after a divorce or separation, it can be very hard on children. So how can divorcing or divorced couples better manage the holiday season? On Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Craig Williams is joined by attorney Kelly Chang Rickert to discuss divorce and the holidays. They take a look at co-parenting, putting children first, and how to make your child’s holiday the best one yet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New year, new … job? The legal field is struggling to find paralegals and fill vacancies during the “Great Resignation.” For paralegals, that creates opportunities to break into the field or to advance your career. Guest Tony Sipp, a paralegal manager for a national law firm, says it’s more important now than ever for paralegal professionals to know their worth, highlight their skills, and pursue their dreams. Firms are hiring now. Hear what hiring managers are looking for today – from soft skills to tech, including e-filing and e-discovery and Zoom and Microsoft Teams. Listen to Sipp’s valuable job seeking and interviewing tips as we head into a promising year for paralegals. Even if you’re happy where you are, it doesn’t hurt to look around or ask for what you want. Special thanks to our sponsors NALA, ServeNow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Digital court reporting has been invaluable throughout the pandemic, and new tech in this area continues to help court proceedings run more smoothly. Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway chat with Tony Sirna about how AI can work hand-in-hand with digital reporters, how these tech and human elements aid in both in-person and virtual proceedings, and what has changed as a result of pandemic-era changes in the courts. Tony Sirna is the legal strategist and customer success manager at Verbit.ai. Special thanks to our sponsors, Alert Communications, Blackletter Podcast, Scorpion, and Smokeball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the year winds down, folks seem a little extra agitated. A judge called her colleagues names and got booted from the bench. A partner bailed on his firm rather than get the scientifically proven vaccine. Meanwhile the legal press jumped on news of another round of salary raises as an extra dose of year-end drama that didn't actually happen. 2021 is bad enough, folks... don't try to make it any extra. Special thanks to our sponsors, Lexicon and Nota. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In her debut novel, All Her Little Secrets, attorney Wanda M. Morris has written a legal thriller full of corporate intrigue and small-town secrets. Morris takes readers inside Atlanta boardrooms and back into the past of her heroine, Ellice Littlejohn. What would possess someone to react to the sight of her boss (and longtime married lover) shot to death in his office by closing the door and walking away without alerting anyone? The trauma behind Littlejohn's actions becomes clearer as readers discover more about her background, and they may have a hard time putting down the novel as Littlejohn tries to discover the real reason behind her subsequent promotion at work. Is she a pawn, a token or a fall guy? Can she protect the people she loves and make sure her long-buried secrets don't rise from the grave? In this episode of the Modern Law Library, Morris discusses her 13-year journey towards publication, tips she has for fellow lawyers who want to write books, and the motivations behind her characters' actions with the ABA Journal's Lee Rawles. While this interview remains spoiler-free, Morris reveals the backstories behind some of the characters in her book, and shares her thoughts on the real-life racism that is reflected in Littlejohn's experiences as the only Black woman attorney in an executive suite. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to John Simon, the three most important things to do when taking a deposition are to listen, listen and listen. But after that, what makes the difference between a depo that covers the facts and a depo that closes the case? Attorneys John Simon, Tim Cronin and Erich Vieth discuss when to deviate from your outline, what to do if opposing counsel tries to intimidate you, and why it’s important to get non-verbal responses into the record. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The phrase “Work-Life Balance” is considered inadmissible by the female trial attorneys at The Simon Law Firm. In an encore presentation of this popular episode, you’ll find out why Amy, Erica, Liz, and Mary refuse to accept this stressful mindset and offer tips that can help you release a little guilt and truly enjoy the holidaze. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The end of the year means the start of new opportunities for next year. It’s time to think about business metrics, what you’ve learned, and how to build on that. It’s never too late to start planning ahead. Conrad and Gyi talk about ways to look back not just on last year’s revenue, profitability, retention, but also on team health, team building, and trust. What can you do better? Plus, the guys review the year that was for the podcast, recount their favorite episodes from 2021, and share their resolutions for the show for 2022. Special thanks to our sponsors Alert Communications, LawYaw, and Clio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you tired of trading time for money? If you said yes, this episode is for you! Kimberly Bennett teaches us how you can have more time for what you love, without the burnout, by making a few changes to your services, and by integrating subscriptions into your offerings. Kimberly is the Co-Founder of Fidu, a client experience platform, which was named the viewer’s choice winner and the $100,000 grand prize winner in the 2021 Launch//Code Developer Contest by Clio as determined by this year’s esteemed panel of judges. She is an avid traveler, lover of technology, legal industry disruptor, speaker, business coach, and an attorney who runs K Bennett Law LLC - - a boutique, virtual, brand strategy law practice offering on-demand and subscription legal services to CEOs and Executive teams. In addition to running K Bennett Law, Kim is the co-founder of Fidu Legal, co-founder of Atlanta Legal Tech, serves on the board of ABA TECHSHOW, is an advisor to CaseText, and has been recognized as a Women of Legal Tech and Fastcase50 honoree. We talk about: Why law firms should consider subscription-based services How to not trade time for money Tips to adding subscriptions to your firm How subscriptions actually help your clients The difference between a subscription and retainer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can certain audio experiences actually enhance your energy and focus? Dennis thinks so. Tom’s a skeptic. The debate ensues! Later, the guys lay out their personal tech wishlists this holiday season. If you’re looking for a few gift suggestions for the techies and/or favorite podcast hosts in your life, tune in! As always, stay tuned for the parting shots, that one tip, website, or observation 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 answers to your most burning tech questions. Special thanks to our sponsors, Colonial Surety Company, ServeNow, and Nota. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our government has been earnestly campaigning against ransomware and cybercriminals — seizing cryptocurrency, offering bounties, and issuing frequent alerts. Sharon Nelson and John Simek talk with Ariel Parnes about the tactics involved in this war on ransomware, implications for lawyers, the importance of constant vigilance during the holidays, and who to call if you’re the victim of an attack. Ariel Parnes is co-founder and chief operating officer at Mitiga, a cloud incident readiness and response company. Special thanks to our sponsors CaseFleet and PInow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ron Carey, chief revenue officer with expert service provider Esquire Deposition Solutions, LLC discusses how effective use of data is changing the trial deposition process. Special thanks to our sponsor, AM Best Company, Best’s Insurance Professional Resources, including Qualified Member attorneys, adjusters and expert service providers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The position of general counsel has evolved during the past decade, with today’s GC serving as a strategic C-suite partner, playing a pivotal role in corporate decision-making on critical business issues. GCs also are focused on managing in-house teams to maximize value to the business – both strategically and operationally – not only for today but for the future. What do in-house legal leaders need to know to better balance and optimize myriad factors and stakeholders to achieve greater value and success? Join host Charles Volkert and Rich Cohen, a managing director with Robert Half’s legal consulting solutions practice, as they discuss the current state of legal department operations, staffing and service delivery – and a strategic roadmap to greater effectiveness and value for the future. They examine: A holistic review approach to evaluate all functions of the legal department Analyzing review findings and identifying actions to create measurable and sustainable value for their organizations Conducting technology assessments to determine data-driven solutions and other legal tech applications to streamline workflows Balancing and optimizing work with internal clients, external influencers, outside counsel and legal department staff Legal assessments that provide critical and objective hiring insights for outside counsel, deepen engagements, boost quality of service and create value Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lift your practice by lifting others. Host Adriana Linares talks with attorney and community leader Eugene Pettis about how his lifelong commitment to community service built his brand and his business. Pettis, the first African American president of The Florida Bar, made a conscious effort to carve out time for giving back, leading literacy and education efforts and fostering open, honest communication while seeking solutions. Public service builds connections, brand, and ultimately business. “We’re on this earth to do better by others,” he says. But don’t forget, a business doesn’t build itself. Be bold. Pettis, who has represented Fortune 100 companies including ExxonMobil and Starbucks, says he’s never shied from approaching even the biggest potential clients. Plus, we have a special upcoming mailbag edition on Office 365 and all things Microsoft. Got a question? Contact us at [email protected]. Topics: Service above self. Know the value of community service and helping others. If you see a problem, solve it. If you have a good idea, act. Community involvement builds your brand. Be bold. Don’t shy from approaching the biggest potential clients. New Insights, brought to you by Nota by M&T Bank Veteran attorney and mediation professional Liz McCausland answers questions from new solo Stephanie Larenas Question 4/4: “I am so nervous about putting myself out there. What are some tips you can give me about doing it confidently?” Special thanks to our sponsors, Lawclerk, Alert Communications, Abby Connect, and Clio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2005, the United States government issued an unprecedented indictment against the Chicago mafia, naming the entire Chicago Outfit as a criminal enterprise. The indictment was the culmination of the FBI's "Operation Family Secrets" investigation, which began when the son of notorious mob boss Frank Calabrese Sr. decided to cooperate with the government and recorded countless hours of conversations with his father about the mob's criminal activities. "Operation Family Secrets" became the “Family Secrets Trial,” which ended with murder and racketeering convictions for most of the Outfit’s top leadership. In this edition, host Jonathan Amarilio and co-host Jennifer Byrne discuss the case with Markus Funk, one of the lead prosecutors in the trial that put a hit on the Chicago mob. Special thanks to our sponsors: InfoTrack, and Smokeball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week, a handful of Biglaw firms contacted Above the Law trying to rewrite their whole firm image. International firms still headquartered overseas trying to rebrand as American and firms historically embraced as for growing up outside the NYC white-shoe culture wanted to be portrayed as Knickerbocker blue bloods. Who thinks this will work? Also, we discuss Latham's holiday party COVID debacle and have an extended discussion of the canons of statutory interpretation and the Formula 1 season finale that could end up in an international court. Special thanks to our sponsors, Lexicon and Nota. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Workers’ compensation cases take many forms and cover myriad workplace injuries. In this episode, guest Christopher Hug dives into one very specific area, maritime industrial accidents, injury, and compensation. Hug specializes in maritime industrial cases, often under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act and the very specific Defense Base Act, a World War II creation that covers workers on overseas assignments under contract to the military. The Defense Base Act is especially interesting in that it covers workers in all fields on military installations, from mechanical workers to teachers or even dentists and can include both physical and emotional disability. Compensation is most often handled through private insurers. In addition, Hug explains case timelines, representation across jurisdictions, and how lawyers are compensated for their representation. Special thanks to our sponsors, PInow and MerusCase. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AJ Shankar, the founder and CEO of e-discovery platform Everlaw, likes to say his company’s technology is designed to help clients find needles in a haystack. But he notes that the haystacks that law firms and corporate in-house teams have to confront have grown in size and complexity in recent years. This has prompted cloud-based Everlaw to enhance and broaden its e-discovery offerings. Special thanks to our sponsors, Alert Communications and Smokeball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The end of the year means parties, presents and perhaps a little bit of stress. Get back in the spirit of the season with this episode’s timely tips on trickle-down office gift-giving, professional party behavior, and a much-needed nudge to take time for a purposeful analysis of your goals and excuses for this year and next. And don’t forget your accountabilibuddy! Happy holidays from all of us at Heels in the Courtroom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Of course you know you need to prepare for a depo, but can you improve your preparation? Tim Cronin, John Simon, and Erich Vieth examine research techniques, exhibit organization, and technical considerations that can help you better understand the issues, and your deponent. Tune in for timely tips that will help you feel more confident and better prepared for your next deposition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Experts discuss how the pandemic and natural disasters affect domestic violence survivors on the latest episode of Talk Justice. Their conversation highlights how the legal system is responding to the increased threat. Host: LSC President Ronald S. Flagg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Beatles, beloved by the world and quite possibly the greatest band of all time, had a break-up that left fans reeling for years. So, what went wrong? Jared analyzes the “Get Back” sessions, glories in the creativity and genius therein, and shares his take on who was really responsible for the band’s demise. Next up, Jared brings on Jason Chan to chat about the shift to online networking brought about by the pandemic. Jason offers tips and tactics for fostering authentic connections and seeking out diverse contacts. Finally, this time on the Rump Roast, Jared lays out a variety of team-building exercises tried by offices around the globe, and Jason must rate whether they’re worth trying… or giving a hard pass. Jason Chan is the Principal of the Law Offices of Jason Chan. ----- In honor of the new Beatles 'Get Back' documentary on Disney+, here's a collection of some of my favorite Beatles songs, from the White Album onward. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7dlZ7JiC541b1g2MXVt0ZR?si=3d2c8f82a0c44233 ----- Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest. The music for the Legal Trends Report Minute is I See You by Sounds Like Sander. Our closing track is New Girl by Noah Smith. Special thanks to our sponsors TimeSolv, Clio, Scorpion, and Alert Communications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do we as women shy away from creating social media content? Perhaps our perfectionism creeps in, our fears and doubts about being seen in a big way show up, or worse, making a mistake and worrying about how we will recover. These are all things we talk about in today’s episode, and I wanted to bring on Davina Frederick as she has real-life examples of how she has navigated through some of these hard moments herself. When it comes to creating content, there’s no “right” or “wrong” way, it’s about the way that feels best to you. And we do need to show up, we need to take up that space, because our clients are waiting for us to do so. Davina is a Florida-licensed attorney, law firm growth strategist, and founder of Wealthy Woman Lawyer, LLC®. Wealthy Woman Lawyer® helps women law firm owners scale their law firm business to and through a million dollars in annual revenue with total ease. We talk about: The mistakes women lawyers are making when it comes to content marketing Why you can’t and shouldn’t do it all on your own The fears around showing up and being a perfectionist Overestimating how widely-seen your content is Why you should take inventory of your content and remove what is no longer relevant Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Collaboration tools, technologies that people use in order to work with each other, are useful for law firms of all sizes, and they don’t need to break the bank! Helping attorneys to communicate, meet, create and work on documents, share files, and other activities, these tools help lawyers collaborate with all the people they work with – co-workers, clients, opposing counsel, the courts – anyone with whom a lawyer interacts as part of a law practice. Collaboration tools can include Zoom and Microsoft Teams for meeting, Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat to work on documents together, or tools like Box, Dropbox, or OneDrive for file sharing. On Balance hosts Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway welcome Dennis Kennedy and Tom Mighell to hear their many insights on collaborative technologies. They offer tips on assessing needs, selecting the right tools, and thoughtfully introducing new technology into your law firm’s processes. Check out Dennis and Tom’s book: The Lawyer's Guide to Collaboration Tools and Technologies: Smart Ways to Work Together and their podcast: The Kennedy-Mighell Report. Dennis Kennedy is an information technology lawyer and legal technology pioneer based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Tom Mighell is currently senior consultant for Contoural, Inc., working with corporations to improve their records management and e-discovery practice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices