Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics

Recorded live at the ABA Techshow, Zack Glaser interviews Cole Popkin, a digital forensics senior analyst at Proven Data, to shed light on the increasingly relevant field of digital forensics for legal professionals. Cole shares how understanding the basics of digital forensics can benefit lawyers in all practice areas, from litigation to transactional work and firm management. Cole explains the types of information that can be recovered from digital devices, even after deletion, and addresses common misconceptions surrounding encryption. He also reveals the potential for unintentional data leaks and provides practical, actionable steps lawyers can take to enhance their digital security and protect client confidentiality. You'll also hear Cole explain the direct relevance of digital forensics to specific legal scenarios, such as how deleted text messages and metadata analysis can be crucial in personal injury and family law cases. So, join us for this episode, recorded live at the ABA Techshow, and get a realistic and accessible overview of digital forensics that will empower you to be more informed and secure in your use of technology, all without needing to become a forensics expert. Listen to our other episode about data security: #512: Tech Things You Should Know but Are Too Afraid To Ask, with Zack Glaser Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist #481: Getting Clients into the Cloud, with Laura Kaminski from ShareFile(Sponsored) Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! 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! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction: Digital Forensics Beyond Litigation 3:08 - Real-World Applications: Building Timelines & Location Data 4:35 - The Unexpected Data in Your Car: Vehicle Forensics 6:33 - Uncovering Information on Phones: Beyond Text Messages 8:55 - Protecting Yourself and Your Clients: Security for Attorneys 11:57 - Surprising Discoveries: Height Analysis from Video & More 14:35 - The Evolution of Digital Forensics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guest Huascar Matos is a paralegal professional and the new president of the International Practice Management Association (IPMA). He has a varied background including a degree in Spanish and time in the fashion and art industry. After an unusual and unexpected path, he has found himself as a director of paralegals at the firm of Foley & Lardner. It’s an exciting time for the IPMA as members consider international expansion, the “elephant in the room” of artificial intelligence, and the evolution of a constantly changing profession. AI may shake up the game, but Matos reminds us the legal profession is never static, enduring the shift from paper to e-discovering, the addition of computer capabilities, and other technologies. Paralegals, Matos says, will adjust and adapt as they always have. Being part of an organization such as IPMA helps paralegals understand new trends and learn new skills. Robots are not going to take over your job, but AI could help you do it better. Hear about Matos’ own career path and the advice he has for those new to the profession. Stepping up, volunteering for new duties, and learning as you go will build your career and get you noticed. Don’t put yourself in a box. Be a “legal MacGyver.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

And the world continues to melt. ----- We've got key financial data from the top law firms and the takeaway is that it's good to be a big firm. The Am Law 100 this year revealed that more and more firms have joined the super rich and things look bright for Biglaw. Unless someone triggers a global depression or something. We also discuss what it means to be "bipartisan" in an environment where the intellectual stars of the conservative legal movement are ALSO lining up to call out the Trump administration as a threat to the rule of law. Finally, we flag a troubling law school story about scholarships getting cut when admissions gets blindsided by applications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Execution by lethal injection is seen by many Americans as a less barbaric alternative than older methods like hanging, firing squads and electrocution. It is easy to assume that the process must resemble euthanasia procedures for terminally ill people or pets. The reality is very different, says Corinna Barrett Lain, a law professor and death penalty expert. Lain didn’t initially intend to make the death penalty her primary area of study, she tells the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles in this episode of the Modern Law Library. A former prosecutor in Virginia, Lain did not begin her work out of opposition to the death penalty. But the more she discovered about the realities of the administration of lethal injections, the more she was compelled to demystify the process. In Secrets of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection, Lain upends a lot of conventional wisdom about lethal injections. For example, the three-drug protocol used by most states was not a drug cocktail arrived at through scientific research. Rather, in 1977, after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed executions to resume after a 10-year hiatus, Oklahoma medical examiner Dr. Jay Chapman was asked by a state legislator to come up with an alternative to the state’s rickety electric chair. Though Chapman admitted he was “an expert in dead bodies but not an expert in getting them that way,” he proposed combining sodium thiopental, pancuronium bromide and potassium chloride. “You wanted to make sure the prisoner was dead at the end, so why not add a third drug,” the book quotes Chapman as saying. “Why does it matter why I chose it?” In contrast, an overdose of a single drug, pentobarbital, is what is commonly used by veterinarians in animal euthanasia. “Lethal injection is not based on science,” Lain writes. “It is based on the illusion of science, the assumption of science.” In this episode, Lain and Rawles also discuss botched executions, shady sources used by states to procure the drugs used for lethal injections, and how Lain’s scholarship has impacted her views of capital punishment as a whole. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There’s a new pair of Heels in the Courtroom. Get to know Katie St. John and hear about her path to plaintiff’s law and recent trial success stories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dan Lear talks with Jordan Turk of Smokeball about her career and how she moved on from her work as an attorney to get involved in legal tech companies. Jordan offers realistic tips for lawyers on how to be creative in your career path and venture into new arenas. Later, they chat about Jordan’s many CLE class offerings for lawyers and which topics are currently top of mind, including AI, fee agreements, cross-examinations, and much more. Jordan Turk is Director of Education and Attorney Development at Smokeball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Experts discuss improving housing stability through collaboration between landlords, legal aid and other partners on Talk Justice. This panel discussion was recorded at LSC’s April 9 Access to Justice forum. LSC recently released a research brief on this topic, “Beyond Eviction: Landlords as Essential Partners in Housing Stability.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Case management software’s AI and automations will continue to become more essential in lawyers’ everyday practice, but attorneys should still maintain a human touch to ensure high quality in their work. Dan Lear talks with Jim Garrett about his ideology and approach to AI tools and how to apply them in effective ways in your law firm. Later, if you're feeling very out of the loop on AI’s uses in legal, Dan and Jim share tips for becoming AI-literate in manageable ways. Jim Garrett is Chief Technology Officer at Assembly Software, a legal profession provider of innovative case management software. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Copilot is a powerful tool for lawyers, but are you making the most of it within your Microsoft apps? Tom Mighell is flying solo at ABA TECHSHOW 2025 and welcomes Microsoft’s own Ben Schorr to the podcast. Ben shares expert insights into how lawyers can implement Copilot’s AI-assistance to work smarter, not harder. From drafting documents to analyzing spreadsheets to streamlining communication, Copilot can handle the tedious tasks so you can focus on what really matters. Ben shares numerous use-cases and capabilities for attorneys and later gives a sneak peek at Copilot’s coming enhancements. 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. Ben Schorr is Senior Content Program Manager at Microsoft. Show Notes: Microsoft Copilot Copilot Prompt Gallery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if the key to better legal work isn’t just smarter tools but more inclusive ones? Susan Tanner, Associate Professor at the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, joins Zack Glaser to explore how AI and universal design can improve legal education and law firm operations. Susan shares how tools like generative AI can support neurodiverse thinkers, enhance client communication, and reduce anxiety for students and professionals alike. They also discuss the importance of inclusive design in legal tech and how law firms can better support their teams by embracing different ways of thinking to build a more accessible, future-ready practice. The conversation emphasizes the need for educators and legal professionals to adapt to the evolving landscape of AI, ensuring that they leverage its capabilities to better serve their clients and students. Links from the episode: NetDocuments NetDocuments Demo Request Listen to our other episodes about diversifying learning strategies and the AI revolution: #405: The Diverse Way People Think, with Temple Grandin: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist #551: Becoming the AI Driven Leader, with Geoff Woods: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist #550: Beyond Content: How AI is Changing Law Firm Marketing, with Gyi Tsakalaki and Conrad Saam: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! 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! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. Chapters: 00:00 – Intro and Lawyerist's New Programs 03:50 – NetDocuments with Patric Thomas 10:49 – Meet Dr. Susan Tanner 12:30 – AI and Legal Ethics 13:30 – What is Universal Design for Learning? 20:59 – Applying Universal Design in Legal Practice 24:45 – Using AI to Support Diverse Thinkers 29:33 – AI as a Communication Partner 34:01 – Law Students and AI Adoption 38:04 – AI for Lawyer Productivity and Mental Health 44:00 – Enhancing Critical Thinking with AI 46:00 – Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If the post-conference blues are taking hold, fear not! InfoTrack’s Legal Up conference is right around the corner with plenty to look forward to. Lisa Kirkman welcomes Alex Braun of InfoTrack to discuss Legal Up 2025, the largest FREE virtual conference available for legal professionals. The conference strives to be people-centric, offering sessions for individuals with diverse life experiences in a wide variety of practice areas. If you’re looking to enhance your career, gain new insights, and network with peers, register now! Legal Up 2025 takes place April 23-24. Learn more: Legal Up 2025 Alex Braun is Product Marketing Manager at InfoTrack US. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

US News and World Report released its most recent law school rankings with a side of chaos, but the big takeaway is the scrambling and erosion of the "T14" as an organizing concept. Is it time to dismiss the rankings as arbitrary? At least until law schools agree to cooperate again. Also, Surrendergate continues and the "we'll do some pro bono for veterans" deal has turned dramatically, with the White House now claiming the authority to "assign" Biglaw firms to work on administration projects. Sound familiar? Along the way, firms are starting to lose senior lawyers fulfilling critical firm roles while the most recent defectors alienate the overwhelming majority of their team. Finally, the Supreme Court has issued some unanimous rebukes in defense of due process and the administration does not seem to care. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone said they couldn’t win this case. But being the most prepared people in the room helped Dave Cates and Katie St. John secure a significant verdict in a difficult venue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"May you live in interesting times." For immigration lawyers, that old proverb is now a reality. Ever since the start of the second Trump administration, immigration lawyers have been busier than ever, and they have plenty on their plates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode’s discussions around the Community Table: An attorney realizes she’s waited too long to fire someone and knows there may be repercussions. But sometimes, the cost of keeping a problematic employee outweighs the consequences of letting them go. What’s best for the firm? What if you can’t fill the position and work piles up? Nothing stays the same, even in marketing. Attorneys question the value of “pay per click” online advertising. Hear what firms are seeing, especially in Google ad words. Is the “golden age” of pay per click over? As rules change, you are one algorithm change from trouble. Communicate with your marketing team and diversify. Imagine if you had to move to a new city, or if you simply wanted to. If it’s not a corporate gig, and you’re hanging out a shingle, it takes some work to ramp up. Network, network, network. Develop a marketing plan that ensures your name gets out and clients can find you. Cliocon 2025 Ask us anything for the Community Table. Leave us a question online Join the next Community Table live. What’s on your mind? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Meals on Wheels does more than just provide home delivery of healthy food for Seniors. President Christine Winge reminds us that maintaining human connection is a critical and essential part of physical and mental health as we grow older and risk becoming more isolated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s it like to be a prosecutor in a case so high-profile it was dubbed “the trial of the century”? This special episode of Litigation Radio features guest John Meadors, the veteran murder trial prosecutor hired by the South Carolina Attorney General’s office to help prosecute prominent South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh in the sensational 2023 murder trial. In South Carolina, there had perhaps never been a more highly watched and scrutinized trial, and reporters and TV trucks filled the courtroom and the streets. Hear how Meadors and the prosecution team maintained focus and composure under the glare of television cameras and inside a packed courtroom facing a highly skilled and experienced defense team. The pressure during the weeks-long trial was enormous as reporters struggled to uncover every detail while attorneys and the court worked to maintain decorum and ensure a fair and just outcome. Meadors will join the American Bar Association’s Litigation Section Annual Conference as a guest in a session titled, “The Court of Public Opinion: Litigating in the Media Spotlight.” In addition to the conversation with John Meadors, this episode features Larry Kristinik, Chair of the ABA Litigation Section, who provides tips on preparing for large legal conferences, and Judge Griselda Vega Samuel, who highlights the upcoming ABA Litigation Section Annual Conference in Chicago. Mentioned in This Episode: “'He lied and lied!' John Meadors closing argument in Alex Murdaugh trial: full video” YouTube “Trial of Alex Murdaugh,” Wikipedia “To Crown a King, Kill the Law,” by Leonard Niehoff, Detroit Daily News Professor Leonard Niehoff: “Mathew Rosengart, Power Litigator Who Freed Britney Spears From Conservatorship, Closes Chapter of Representing Pop Superstar,” The Hollywood Reporter American Bar Association 2025 Litigation Section Annual Conference April 30 – May 2, American Bar Association American Bar Association Litigation Section Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lawyers know they need to think about processes and efficiency in their practice, but it’s not always easy to map your workflows when you’ve got so much else on your plate as a busy attorney. Dan Lear welcomes Lauren Murphy to learn how she helps law firms automate workflows to create reliable consistencies in their processes. Implementing automation helps firms streamline everyday tasks, discover solutions to pain points, prevent missed details, and boost growth. Lauren Murphy is Vice President of Product Market Strategy at ProfitSolv. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With the explosion of AI products, apps, software integrations, and more, many attorneys have no small amount of nervousness about whether they should trust this technology and, if so, how to use it to their advantage. To discuss AI’s current place in legal work and its future potential, Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway welcome Sateesh Nori, legal innovation strategist and professor at NYU School of Law. They examine the many helpful uses for AI in everyday legal work, discuss AI in access to justice, and address the ethical and regulatory questions surrounding this technology. Later, Sateesh looks ahead to consider what legal professionals and law students should do to prepare themselves for a future with increasing AI use in the practice of law. Sateesh Nori is a lawyer, law professor, senior non-profit executive, legal strategist, and author of “Sheltered: Twenty Years in Housing Court”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deferred contracts are becoming a powerful tool in Major League Baseball, allowing teams to stretch massive payouts over decades — but what does that mean for the sport? In this episode, Craig is joined by Jeremy M. Evans, attorney and CEO of California Sports Lawyer, to discuss the rise of deferred contracts and how they’re reshaping financial strategy in baseball. Craig and Jeremy break down how teams like the Dodgers are leveraging media revenue, why private equity is entering the conversation, and what lessons MLB might take from other leagues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Boosting efficiency starts with basic tools your law firm probably already has! But, if you’re not engaging with your tools effectively, your firm may very well be falling behind the competition. Niki Black and Stephanie Everett talk with Dan Lear about their session on enhancing law firm workflows and client experience with simple, innovative technology. Embracing tools for scheduling, finances, communications, and more improves your firm’s productivity, draws in new clients, and helps you do your best work. Nicole Black is an attorney, author and journalist, and serves as the principal legal insight strategist at MyCase (AffiniPay). She is the nationally-recognized author of “Cloud Computing for Lawyers” and co-authored “Social Media for Lawyers: The Next Frontier”. Stephanie Everett is CEO and a Law Firm Business Coach at Lawyerist and serves as Affinity Consulting Group’s Chief Growth Officer. She is a co-author of Lawyerist's book, “The Small Firm Roadmap”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Attorney Craig Dobson, an expert on ethics and professional responsibility, joins Stephanie Everett to talk about the ethical and professional responsibility concerns lawyers face in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. They discuss how solo and small firm attorneys can stay compliant while leveraging new tools, the importance of confidentiality and competence, and the fundamental need to maintain diligence in your practice. Craig and Stephanie examine alternative fee structures beyond just hourly billing and provide guidance on ethical practices around lawyer pricing models. Craig also shares how he’s approaching billing in his own practice and why lawyers need to be proactive about understanding the risks. Read Craig’s article: Overview | Full Article Listen to our other episodes about ethics and alternative billing practices: #350: Ethics in Your Business: It's More than Regulations, with Susan Liautaud Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Legal Talk Network #488: The Power of Value-Based Pricing, with Shaun Jardine Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist #543: What Lawyers Need to Know About the Ethics of Using AI, with Hilary Gerzhoy Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist #547: Legal Tech You Need for Flat Fees, with Adriana Linares Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! 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! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:18 Lawyerist Coaching 05:22 Expense Tracking in MyCase 10:01 Integrating Finance with Practice 14:54 Immigration Law and the Current Administration 17:53 Specialization and Maintaining Competence Across Multiple Areas 22:39 Lawyer Pricing Models in an Era of Uncertainty Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Starting a law firm straight out of school? Meet Philip Mauriello, an attorney who wasted no time launching his solo practice just three months after passing the bar. In this episode, host Adriana Linares revisits her conversation with Philip, who shares the smart, scrappy strategies that helped him build a successful business from the ground up. From freelancing to build startup capital to picking the right tech stack before day one, Philip shares real-world strategies for getting up and running fast. Plus, Adriana Linares and Rio Laine from ALPS Insurance break down why thinking ahead, specializing early, and planning your growth can reduce risk and lead to long-term success. Hear the original episode with Philip Mauriello. Learn more about ALPS Insurance. Receive email notifications every time we release a new episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What’s new for NALA in 2025? Get the scoop from guest Vanessa “Vinnie” Finley, the CEO of NALA since 2019. There’s plenty of news about the upcoming NALA conference and new initiatives to help you be your best professional self. 2025 is no ordinary year for NALA as the paralegal association celebrates 50 years. Start with the latest on the 2025 NALA Conference & Expo, July 10-12 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Earn continuing education credits, network, learn new skills, and hear about NALA’s plans for the future. Early bird registration ends May 7. Plus, dig into NALA’s newest national survey on utilization compensation and learn about trends in pay, billing, and benefits. You’ll also hear about new limited licensing programs, AI, and trends across the field. And we’ll talk about NALA’s new Resource Navigator, pulling together vendor information and the newest in tech, and a new collection of relevant articles and updates on NALA’s free Paralegal Brief page. Even more? How about a review of NALA’s work with affiliates and students nationwide and an upcoming free webinar on billable hours. This special episode has it all. Mentioned in This Episode: Vanessa Finley, prior appearance on Paralegal Voice, “The Year Ahead For NALA, Plus A Preview Of The 2024 Conference” Vanessa Finley, prior appearance on Paralegal Voice, “The NALA Paralegal Jobs Report: Get Paid What You’re Worth!” NALA, The Paralegal Association NALA Conference & Expo 2025 NALA Resource Navigator NALA Paralegal Brief Get involved with NALA Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

And now we have a tracker for that! ----- After a few weeks of watching some law firms stand up to facially illegal demands from the Trump administration... and more law firms rapidly cave to those same demands, we put together a helpful tracker to keep clients, potential laterals, and law students fully aware of where firms currently stand. But we depend on you out there to keep us up-to-date! Meanwhile, more associates have taken a stand against their surrendering firms and some law students have already told the firm recruiting events that they aren't interested in firms that can't stand up for themselves. Also the February bar exam numbers were terrible. 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

Jorge Goldstein entered the fields of science and law at a time of immense change for them both. In the 1970s, huge strides were being made in biogenetics and microbiology, and in the 1980s, the intellectual property community was being asked to answer some giant questions they raised, like: How can you describe life, legally? Can a living being be patented? Who owns the material from your body? The 45 years since the groundbreaking 1980 case of Diamond v. Chakrabarty, in which the U.S. Supreme Court decided that living organisms could be patented, have been an intensely busy time for microbiologists, biochemists, genetic researchers, and the patent lawyers who serve them. Goldstein, who holds a PhD in chemistry from Harvard University and a JD from George Washington University Law School, has been on hand to witness and help shape many of the resulting debates. In Patenting Life: Tales from the Front Lines of Intellectual Property and the New Biology, Goldstein weaves stories from his own life and practice with the fascinating histories behind some well known medications, lesser known scientists, and groundbreaking court cases that will shape future scientific ventures. In this episode of the Modern Law Library, he and the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles discuss the book and the fascinating career he’s had. In the book, Goldstein explains many of the scientific developments behind technologies like CRISPR in a way that lay people can understand, while offering humanizing looks at the quirky and sometimes flawed scientists who made those discoveries. Large moral and ethical questions are raised about how technologies are developed, commercialized and put into practice, and he does not shy away from the discussions. He also offers his perspective on how patent law can be improved to fund further scientific advancements while also protecting innovation. Goldstein and Rawles discuss key cases that helped shape genetic research, and some of the major changes he’s seen in legal theory over his career. They also discuss tikkun olam, a concept in Judaism about how our actions can repair and improve the world. It’s something Goldstein feels is a proper focus for science and for law, and they discuss two of the pro bono projects he has worked on with indigenous communities in which he can use patent law to protect their rights. Finally, Goldstein offers advice to young scientists and attorneys who are interested in practicing in these fields, and shares his opinion on what artificial intelligence could mean in the patent law sphere. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not all used law firm computers have to end up in a landfill! PCs for People can take your retired computers, securely delete old data, and refurbish them for low income households. Zack Glaser talks with Loren Williams about PCs for People’s mission to provide technology access to those in need. They discuss the processes involved in ensuring data security in their operation and explain how your law firm can donate to this eco-friendly, community-serving program at facilities all over the country. Learn more at www.pcsforpeople.org. Loren Williams is Regional Account Manager at PCs for People, a nonprofit social enterprise that specializes in secure and environmentally friendly IT recycling. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legal and tech experts come together on Talk Justice to discuss what generative AI is, how the growth of algorithmic decision-making can harm low-income people, and the need for people and institutions implementing AI to develop robust methodologies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Not a week goes by without another new AI tool hitting the market, and this flood of product choices can be incredibly overwhelming for any consumer, lawyers included. So, how do attorneys figure out what they need and which tools are trustworthy? Dennis and Tom talk through the many categories of AI tools and explain how learning to use major LLM tools is essential in understanding AI’s uses and capabilities. They discuss ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Copilot to give legal professionals a sense of how to engage effectively with AI tools and then offer their take on how to narrow down the multitude of AI choices for your law firm. Later, can Tom guess Dennis’s favorite and most-used AI tool of late? Tom recruits ChatGPT to help him guess! 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. Links Mentioned: LTH GenAI Legal Tech Map: February 2025 | Legaltech Hub ChatGPT by OpenAI Claude by Anthropic Gemini by Google Copilot by Microsoft NotebookLM Outlook Calendar in Microsoft Teams Personal Strategy Compass - by Dennis Kennedy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Catherine Sanders Reach, Director of the Center for Practice Management at the North Carolina Bar Association, joins Zack Glaser to answer pressing questions about integrating AI into legal operations. Catherine explains how to identify breakdowns in workflows, choose purpose-built AI tools, and calculate the return on investment for tech solutions like Microsoft Copilot. She also shares practical advice on automating tasks like document templates, client intake, and email management while emphasizing the importance of documenting processes for efficiency. This episode is packed with actionable insights for lawyers looking to streamline their practice with AI. Hear Catherine’s other appearance on Lawyerist Podcast: #444: Streamlining Legal Operations for Success, with Catherine Sanders Reach: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Listen to our other episodes about artificial intelligence: #551: Becoming the AI Driven Leader, with Geoff Woods: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist #550: Beyond Content: How AI is Changing Law Firm Marketing, with Gyi Tsakalakis and Conrad Saam: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist #546: Unlock Law Firm Growth: AI Marketing Secrets with Karin Conroy: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! 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! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. Chapters / Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction 6:17 Meet Catherine Sanders Reach 7:19 How to Kickstart Generative AI Processes 10:53 Microsoft Copilot 13:00 AI Tools Lawyers Should Consider Using 14:36 Agentic AI 20:14 Why You Need a Needs Assessment 23:49 Evaluating Productivity 27:11 Let Go of Perfectionism 28:44 Image Generation 31:46 Why You Need Policies and Systems 35:38 Dictation Tools 38:22 The AI Tool to Watch Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The skies above us have a legal framework all their own, but many attorneys have limited knowledge of this expansive area of the law. Can your neighbor fly his drone into your yard? What’s the difference in legal responsibilities between private aviators and commercial airlines? How is AI impacting flight and flight training? Rocky Dhir welcomes Kent Krause to discuss the basics of aviation law and dig into its evolving issues and changes. Later, 2025 began with a succession of tragic and unsettling airline incidents. Should we be concerned about this disproportionately large number of accidents in air travel? Rocky and Kent discuss the details of these events and examine the laws, safety frameworks, and failures that came into play. Kent Krause is a partner at Craddock Davis & Krause, LLP, in Dallas, TX. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The legal profession upholds expectations for civility, inclusion, and wellbeing, but a new study by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism found that bullying is still a systemic issue in legal practice. Trisha Rich and Mathew Kerbis welcome Erika Harold to the podcast to discuss the study: Bullying in the Legal Profession: A Study of Illinois Lawyers’ Experiences and Recommendations for Change. Erika explains how their research was conducted and which groups within the profession were found to be most at risk. They also discuss how lawyers can take action to increase awareness and prevent future harm. Erika N. L. Harold is the Executive Director of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A great divide is developing. ----- Following the Paul Weiss surrender we discussed last week, Skadden preemptively followed suit agreeing to commit $100M in pro bono payola to the MAGA cause. Bringing to light some embarrassing email policies in the process. But other Biglaw firms showed a little more life, with Jenner & Block and WilmerHale suing the administration over its retaliatory executive orders. And a major firm announced an end to on-campus recruiting, which seems like a bad policy for both students and the firm. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Attorney Dave Cates partnered with Tim Cronin on a recent product case where the judge ordered a new trial based on defense misconduct. We’ll share the details and discuss how getting too deep in the weeds can actually save your case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After a long career in the corporate world, Beth Wilbur decided she would serve children as the Executive Director of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Monterey County. She discusses the incredible work that CASA volunteers do to support children in the foster care system and how they change lives through their efforts. She describes her motivation as a moral call to protect children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Alan and Judson Pierce reflect on nearly two decades of the Workers Comp Matters podcast with an examination of unusual or bizarre claims and cases. A reminder, while some of these cases may have puzzling or humorous elements on their face, it’s never funny when a person is hurt. We may wonder what people were thinking when these incidents happened, but we can learn from each case. For starters, always expect the unexpected. An employee who thought her boss provided gluten-free pizza was actually fed pizza with gluten in it (what followed after her Workers’ Comp claim was denied is educational and clever). Or an octogenarian, part-time attorney who slipped and fell when he was summoned from his home office to a workplace office and claimed it was an exception to the “going and coming” rule? How about the “personal comfort doctrine” and the breakfast sandwich incident? These and other unusual cases spotlight both employee behavior and how Workers’ Comp rules vary by state. They may challenge the way you view your own cases. This episode is well worth your time. If you have thoughts on Workers’ Comp law or an idea for a topic or guest you’d like to hear, contact us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Referenced Links: Thomas A. Robinson blog, WorkCompWriter.com Walter A. Zerofski's Case, Masscases.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On March 15th, 2025, the Trump administration defied an oral order from U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg to stop the flights of Venezuelan migrants headed to a Salvadoran prison, after the administration used the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport more than 200 alleged members of the Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang to El Salvador with no due process. In this episode, Craig is joined by Virgil Wiebe, Professor of Law from the University of St. Thomas School of Law, as they discuss the recent deportation of Venezuelan migrants and federal Judge Boasberg's ruling, blocking the Trump administration from deporting noncitizens. Craig & Virgil talk about the Alien Enemies Act, defying the judiciary, and next steps for individuals who are deported without due process. Related Episodes Senators Weigh In on Immigration, The Constitution, and Obama’s Executive Order Unaccompanied Minor Immigrants: Push and Pull Factors of Immigration Inside Human Trafficking: Sex & Labor Trafficking, and the Fight to Protect Victims Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mentors help you build skills, gain confidence and are there for you when you need trusted advice on practically anything. Mary brings her mentor (and Dad) Attorney John Simon into the discussion on the power of positive mentorship. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get inspired and stay inspired as a solo legal practitioner. Guest Paige Greenlee started her firm, Greenlee Law PLLC, in 2014 and is still going strong on her own. Hear how she does it. Keeping the lights on, and keeping track of cases, business, even contract help is a full load, but you can do it. Having worked for large firms, Greenlee realized she wanted to control her own business, use the technology that worked for her, and manage her own calendar and cases. But as so many have noted, you learn the law in law school – not business management. Hear how Greenlee leaned on family experiences, mentors, and her own trial and error to keep the lights on, keep the cases coming in the door, and stay organized and efficient. Here’s a hint, a lot of running a solo practice comes down to making a business decision and then outsourcing the implementation. Greenlee learned to delegate tasks, including accounting and technology management. And as she started to build her practice, she learned to find and hire the right assistants to manage day-to-day duties. She relies heavily on tech tools – the right tools, not cheap imitations – to eliminate the forest of paper documents that comes her way daily. Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at [email protected] Topics: Hear how a successful solo law firm founder learned to practice law, enjoy her life, and take care of the day-to-day chores it takes to run a business It’s easy to fall into the habit of trying to do everything yourself. Learn when to “outsource,” turning over business issues such as bookkeeping and administration to contract employees and firms. When it comes to your tech, don’t skimp. If you need it, get it. “Good enough” is rarely good enough. Mentioned in This Episode: Clio Legal Tech Microsoft 365 for Business NetDocuments ScanSnap Gliss Marketing and Consulting TrialPad Florida Bar Association ABA TECHSHOW 2025 Clio Cloud Conference 2025 Clio Legal Trends Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if law firms didn’t have to be owned by lawyers? In the UK, non-lawyer ownership has been shaking up the legal industry for over a decade, bringing in private equity, corporate structures, and even stock market listings. But has it led to innovation or just new ethical dilemmas? Corinne Staves, a UK legal expert, joins Lawyerist Podcast to reveal the surprising ways this shift has (and hasn’t) transformed the profession. Listen to our previous episodes about non-lawyer ownership: #354: A Look at the New Non-lawyer Firm Ownership Reform, with Lori Gonzalez: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist #355: A Look at the New Non-lawyer Firm Ownership Reform, Pt.2, with Allen Rodriguez: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist #221: The State of the Legal Profession, with ABA President Robert M. Carlson: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! 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! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. Chapters / Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction & ABA TECHSHOW Announcement 2:50 Meet Corrine Staves 3:44 How Non-Lawyer Ownership Works in the UK 6:03 Why the US is Afraid of Non-Lawyer Ownership 8:41 Can Non-Lawyer Ownership Threaten Attorney Ethics? 12:18 Unexpected Benefits of Non-Lawyer Ownership 17:17 Does This Hurt Small Law Firms? 20:31 Advice for US Lawyers Considering This Model 23:20 The Future of Law Firm Ownership Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this powerful, and deeply emotional and inspirational episode, acclaimed author and speaker Jesse Leon tackles sensitive issues including human trafficking and substance abuse and how he rose above the challenges on his path to success. Leon grew up homeless, addicted, and sexually trafficked. But he survived and is here to remind all of us that we all matter, and we can grow and rise above. None of us are alone. Leon shares his struggles and ultimate triumph as motivation and inspiration. No matter where you are in life, you are important, you can overcome. We are all warriors. If you’re struggling, if you’re hurting, there is help. People do care about you. There is help out there. Mentioned in This Episode: “I’m Not Broken” by Jesse Leon, available at Amazon National Public Radio (NPR) “'I'm Not Broken' Is About Being Broken — And Building a New Life” 2022 MenHealing.org NALA, The Paralegal Association NALA Conference & Expo 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Courage seems to be in short supply in Biglaw. ----- Paul Weiss folded immediately in the face of Trump's threat, offering the president pro bono services and a retreat from DEI. For a firm that built its reputation on litigation, the move came as a surprise. A Skadden associate called upon the industry to develop a backbone. So she's not going to be working there any more. There are a lot of dumb things about the administration's mass deportation to an El Salvadoran prison, but its unironic inversion of the burden of proof is definitely the scariest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI is majorly, seriously, (annoyingly?) impacting law firm marketing, and it’s not just about content generation. What’s a lawyer to do? ----- In this special LHLM episode, Gyi and Conrad air their chat with Zack Glaser of the Lawyerist Podcast. Artificial intelligence has its sticky fingers in everything nowadays—even the world of law firm marketing. It’s changing the way consumers behave and changing the way ad agencies strategize in your market. So, how do you continue to compete, and where can you leverage AI to make a real difference? Zack, Gyi, and Conrad hash out how to make AI work for you, not against you. The News: Google’s still working toward world domination: Google makes its biggest-ever acquisition | CNN Business Joy Hawkins noticed some data anomalies in CTRs. What’s up? Come see us at some upcoming conferences! Gyi will be at ABA Techshow in Chicago, and Conrad’s headed to Mass Torts Made Perfect in Las Vegas. Then, they’ll both get together (virtually) at Infotrack’s Legal Up for another delightful website teardown. Links Mentioned: Lawyerist Podcast Suggested LHLM Episodes: Google Local Service Ads: To Brand or Not to Brand? Connect: The Bite - Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Newsletter! 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

Guests from a Wisconsin program creating web platforms that help users solve legal problems discuss their Legal Tune Up tools on Talk Justice. LIFT, or Legal Interventions for Transforming Wisconsin, was formed by lawyers and nonprofit leaders who wanted to create resources to address the access to justice crisis in their state. Leveraging the state’s public databases like Wisconsin Circuit Court Access, commonly referred to as CCAP, they have developed free, web-based tools that allow users to identify and solve some of their civil legal issues without assistance from a lawyer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Legal Report from Robert Half, host Jamy Sullivan talks with Ranti Okunoren about the top legal trends for 2025. They discuss the impact of AI and automation on legal practices, the challenges of integrating new legal tech, and the role of compliance officers in ensuring regulatory adherence. The conversation also covers data privacy, cybersecurity, the rise of alternative legal service providers, and how the roles of paralegals and lawyers are evolving in the age of AI. Tune in to gain valuable insights on how legal professionals can navigate these emerging trends and stay ahead in the evolving legal landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s tax time. No, we’re not referring to a specific date. For your business, every day is tax time. Guests Jackie and Adam Williams are married and co-own Pennywise Tax Strategies, a firm focused on helping small businesses navigate tax codes to keep more of their hard-earned money. Jackie Williams is a CPA and veteran tax specialist, and Adam Williams is an attorney and serial entrepreneur who became frustrated with large tax bills. Managing a business and your business taxes is more than handing over a stack of receipts to an accountant once a year. Many business owners don’t know enough about the tax system and miss opportunities to maximize earnings through intentional tax strategies throughout the year. Look at the future, not the past, when you think about taxes. Payroll, cash flow, metrics, records all matter and all fit together every day, not just at the end of the tax year. This requires a shift in your mindset. Keep more of your money, reinvest it in your business, and get more out of life. Tax strategy is not just for billionaires, it’s for you. Understand incentives baked into the tax code and how you can use tactics including the switch from sole proprietor to LLC or S Corp structures. Think this isn’t for you? Wait until you hear how much money, real money, you can save. Hear the actionable things you can start doing today. Mentioned in This Episode: The Un-Billable Hour podcast website Join the next Community Table live. What’s on your mind? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legal teams work best when their operations run smoothly and efficiently, and developing innovations must be kept in mind as teams hone their legal operations strategies. Dennis and Tom talk with legal tech experts Amy Brookbanks and Michael Kennedy about their work helping lawyers and in-house legal teams work through problems with effective technology solutions. They discuss strategies for defining necessities in workflows to help lawyers understand how to implement technology to optimize their practices. They also discuss their career paths in the legal field and discuss current happenings in tech, AI, collaboration, and much more. 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. Amy Brookbanks is Legal Operations Consultant at Addleshaw Goddard. Michael Kennedy is head of R&D (Innovation & Legal Technology) at Addleshaw Goddard. Show Notes: Addleshaw Goddard LLP Tech Talks | Addleshaw Goddard LLP LinkedIn - Amy Brookbanks LinkedIn - Michael Kennedy Innovation Graduate Scheme 2025 Braintoss Retrospectives with OneNote Tom and Dennis on Video! Copilot Legal AI Live on LinkedIn the second Friday of every month TextExpander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready to take notes. In this episode, successful litigators and guests Monette Davis, Mark Romance, and Joseph Schaeffer walk us through 10 steps for setting up a successful litigation practice and being a successful litigator. Whether you’re fresh out of law school or setting off on your own after working for a firm, these tips will propel you forward. Your reputation is vital. Hear how to become the most trusted person in the room and a good teammate with a clear, honest voice. Build your reputation with everything you do, whether that’s being impeccably prepared or simply being on time and organized. Think about how you want others to see you (and what you want them to say about you when you’re not in the room). Little things matter, like knowing the rules. Not just the stuff you learned in law school, but state and local rules, even rules specific to an individual judge. Being a top litigator is all about being professional, honest, trustworthy, dependable, and prepared. Take advantage of this insightful, heartfelt mentoring session from three litigators who have been there, done that, and built successful careers. (And don’t forget to be good to yourself.) Resources: American Bar Association American Bar Association Litigation Section Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Geoff Woods discusses his book, 'The AI Driven Leader,' exploring how AI can serve as a thought partner for lawyers and business owners. He emphasizes the importance of adapting leadership skills to navigate technological disruptions, the strategic use of AI in business, and the mindset shift required to embrace these changes. The conversation also covers practical applications of AI in legal practice, the risks of inaction, and resources for further learning. Links from the episode: Schedule a demo with Tabs3 The AI-Driven Leader Chapters: 00:00 – Intro & Invite to Stephanie’s Birthday in Chicago 3:31 – An Interview with Tabs3 10:12 – AI Driven Leadership 10:49 – Leadership Skills Need to Evolve 13:35 – Strengths of Humans vs. Machines 15:06 – Using AI as a Thought Partner 18:44 – A Whole New Way of Thinking About Using AI 20:01 – AI as a Business Advisor 25:50 – Examples of CRIT in action Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices