Episodes Archive - Legal Talk Network

American Bar Association Litigation Section

#571: What DEI Really Means for Small Law Firms, with Tanya Hernandez

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 11:00:36 +0000

Many law firm owners want to foster inclusive workplaces—but aren’t sure how to do it without missteps or performative gestures. Professor Tanya Hernandez of Fordham Law School joins Stephanie Everett to unpack what DEI really means, where it comes from legally, and how small firms can approach it with clarity and intention.

The conversation explores how unconscious bias shows up in hiring and evaluation, why culture fit can be a red flag, and how to implement practical guardrails that promote fairness without needing a big HR department. Tanya also clears up legal misconceptions about DEI post–Supreme Court ruling and offers smart, research-backed tips for making firms more equitable—without making a scene.

This episode is a thoughtful guide for law firm leaders who want to build stronger, fairer teams—one intentional decision at a time.

Listen to our other episodes on DEI & Belonging:

#450: The Power of Building Belonging, with Dr. Terrell Strayhorn Apple | Spotify | Lawyerist

#105: How Small Firms Can Promote Diversity, with Dr. Heather Hackman Apple | Lawyerist

#242: Brave, Not Perfect, with Reshma Saujani Apple | Lawyerist

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.

Chapters/Timestamps:

2:09 – Meet Professor Tanya Hernandez: DEI Legal Scholar

2:44 – What DEI Really Means: The Civil Rights Foundation

6:41 – Why Small Firms Should Care: The High Stakes of Small Teams

9:46 – Culture Fit or Bias? Rethinking How We Hire

17:04 – Guardrails: Tools to Catch Your Own Bias

22:07 – Is Your Culture Inclusive? Rethinking Team Bonding

24:04 – Where to Start: Learning from the Next Generation

26:14 – Asking the Right Questions: Curiosity Without Burden

28:27 – DEI Is Not Illegal: Clarifying Misconceptions

30:54 – Skip the Slogans: Doing the Real Work Without Performative DEI

Lawyers Getting Really High On AI Hallucinations

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 14:00:59 +0000

It was a very bad week for lawyers and hallucinations. A federal judge had to withdraw an opinion with fake cites. One Biglaw firm fired a partner over an invented case, while another firm got tossed off a case over AI shenanigans. And the scribe of Ashurbanipal got mercilessly trolled by a judge pointing out that his fake AI cite apology included… another fake cite. Why does it seem like this is all getting worse? A Biglaw firm pushes its start date leaving incoming associates in the lurch and Alina Habba might be the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey. Or maybe not. Or maybe yes.

3 trial court judges share the tough cases that stuck with them | Rebroadcast

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 11:00:30 +0000

This month, we’re revisiting some standout conversations from our archives. In this episode, three seasoned trial court judges reflect on the cases that have stayed with them throughout their years on the bench.

—–

All judges have cases that stick with them and linger in their memories. Sometimes it was because of the high profile of the case, and sometimes an obscure case had personal resonance because of the people or issues involved. In this episode of the Modern Law Library, the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles speaks with Judges Russell F. Canan, Gregory E. Mize and Frederick H. Weisberg, who all sit on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia. The three judges were contributors to and the editors of “Tough Cases: Judges Tell the Stories of Some of the Hardest Decisions They’ve Ever Made.” Canan, Mize and Weisberg share their own stories, including why Canan’s well-meant gesture to avert an injustice in a gun case still troubles him. Mize explains why a child-custody case haunted him for decades, and what happened when he tracked down the now-grown child as he was deciding whether to write about it for “Tough Cases.” Weisberg talks about dealing with the emotional fallout from overseeing a case where a mother had murdered her four children.

EP 914- Using AI in Your Practice

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 11:00:23 +0000

Are you using AI as a colleague or a crutch? Recent research and our personal experience can help you decide how to utilize this tool without turning off your brain.

A Time for Goodbyes. Longtime Host Dave Scriven-Young Signs Off

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 11:00:47 +0000

In this episode, we say farewell to longtime host Dave Scriven-Young as he turns the podcast hosting duties over to James “Jim” Reeder and Michal “Mic” Rogson. Beginning with the next episode, Jim, an accomplished commercial trial litigator, and Michal, a veteran litigator who strives to turn complex legal issues into clear, concise arguments, will continue Dave’s passion for helping lawyers and law firms thrive.

Dave leaves with a few words of advice for both rising young attorneys and established firms looking to the next step. “Build a career that you’ll still love in 20 years,” he says. Curate your life, not just your résumé, and do the things that bring you satisfaction. Learn to say no early in your career. Not every challenge is right for you, and too much static can lead to burnout. Build relationships and guard your reputation, people remember you as a person long after they’ve read your résumé. Assess every step of your career and pivot as needed, people and situations change. And finally, know when to lift up others, help those coming up behind you, be a mentor, and share what you’ve learned.

Dave will continue to remain active in the Litigation Section of the American Bar Association and is always eager to meet listeners and share stories at Litigation Section events.

Resources:

American Bar Association

American Bar Association Litigation Journal

First Responders and Workers’ Comp, Understanding Workplace Injuries and PTSD

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 11:00:25 +0000

What happens when a first responder is hurt on the job or suffers from job-related post-traumatic stress? We depend on these heroes among us, always there when we need them most. But many must depend on Workers’ Comp professionals to help them when they are injured.

Guest Paolo Longo is a partner with the law firm Bichler & Longo PLLC in Orlando, Florida. He specializes not only in helping injured workers, but also those injured workers who happen to be first responders.

While physical threats are ever-present, PTSD is more common than many know. The hard part is getting victims and doctors to open up and talk about it. Police, fire, and corrections professionals are tough people. But the stress and injuries they suffer are real.

How do first responder Workers’ Comp cases differ by state? Where do some issues fall under the so-called “presumption law?” First responders today are exposed to hazardous materials, toxic smoke, and traumatizing situations. As advocates push awareness of the physical and mental challenge they face, it’s up to Workers’ Comp attorneys to stay current.

If you have thoughts on Workers’ Comp law or an idea for a topic or guest you’d like to hear, contact us at JPierce@ppnlaw.com or APierce@ppnlaw.com.

Fresh Voices on Legal Tech with Kimberly Bennett

Ally Kvidt — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 11:00:02 +0000

Subscription and flat fee legal services have endless potential for modern law practice, and with legal tech by your side, you can scale with this fresh billing model. Dennis and Tom talk with Kimberly Bennett of Fidu about her experience developing subscription legal services and her current perspectives on the state of legal tech in the profession. They discuss Kimberly’s career path, how Fidu got its start, and her thoughts on the transformative potential of AI in legal practice.

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.

Kimberly is Co-Founder and CEO of Fidu, a client experience platform to help you sell, deliver, and scale your flat-fee & subscription legal services.

Show Notes:

#570: Uncover Your Firm’s Journey with the New Small Firm Scorecard™, with Stephanie Everett

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 11:00:53 +0000

Your law firm isn’t just a business—it’s an evolving system. And what works in one stage of growth can sink you in another.

In this episode, Zack Glaser and Stephanie Everett introduce the new Lawyerist Small Firm Scorecard, a tool that helps lawyers identify which stage their firm is in—and what to focus on next.

Stephanie breaks down the four key stages of firm development, shares the reasoning behind the Scorecard’s redesign, and explains how understanding your stage changes everything: from hiring to marketing to long-term planning.

Lawyerist Lab is evolving alongside the new scorecard, offering coaching clients a more personalized, stage-specific growth path. If you’re building a law firm with long-term goals, this episode will help you step back, recalibrate, and take the right action for where you are now.

Listen to our other episodes on Law Firm Growth :

#568: How to Build a Law Firm You Can Sell, with Victoria L. Collier Apple | Spotify | Lawyerist

#560: Stop Doing Everything Yourself! Unlock Your Law Firm’s True Potential with Leticia Desuze Apple | Spotify | Lawyerist

#527: Casting Your Vision and Leading Your Firm, with Kevin DeShazo Apple | Spotify | Lawyerist

#522: The EOS Secret to Mastering Law Firm Challenges, with Mike Paton Apple | Spotify | Lawyerist

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.

Chapters/Timestamps:

0:00 – Episode Introduction and the Power of Unplugged Vacations

4:49 – Tabs3 Spotlight: Practice Management That Adapts to You

14:48 – Why the Small Firm Scorecard Got a Makeover

16:50 – Inside the New Scorecard: Defined Benchmarks, Real Clarity

19:10 – The Healthy Firm Model: The Six Pillars of Sustainable Growth

21:00 – Mapping Your Firm’s Stage: Launch, Build, Grow, or Exit

27:26 – Coaching Evolved: How the Scorecard Shapes Lawyerist Lab

30:58 – From Overwhelm to Focus: Coaching Like a Personal Trainer

34:38 – What to Do Next: Take the Scorecard, Get a Plan

EP 615- 12 battle tested rules for Voir Dire Part Two

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 11:00:31 +0000

Part Two provides six strategies to help remove unfavorable jurors, better frame your case and deal with damages. But to do so, you must focus on the worst part of your case and prepare to reframe it.

Are You Thinking Long Term? – Empowering Your People & Building Legacy

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 23 Jul 2025 08:00:43 +0000

Investing in your people is the absolute best thing you can do in your law firm. Later in the pod, you want your business to grow for years to come, so what are the key ingredients to make that happen?

When your people feel valued and are given the opportunity to learn and grow, your business will reap the benefits right alongside your thriving, fully engaged employees. With that in mind, Gyi and Conrad have lots to talk about today. First, how can you convince your firm to send you to the Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Summit? Astute marketing tactics lead to long-term business growth, so investing in the in-house marketer is the smart thing to do! Later, as a law firm owner, what other future-minded perspectives should you be pondering? The guys talk through brand development strategies and everyday tactics that give you staying power in your market.

The News:

Ben Sessions’ social media vendetta resulted in a win! – County prosecutor resigns amid misconduct fight with judge
Google Local Ranking Documentation Updated, but it’s kinda/sorta just a nothingburger.
This is a thing now: Google Business Profiles Automatically Adding Social Media Links To Businesses

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Diary of an In-House Marketing Director

Connect:

AI Features and Your Website | Google Search Central | Documentation

Aging With Dignity: How Legal Services Keep Seniors Safe

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 14:15:13 +0000

Legal experts discuss the critical role civil legal services play in addressing the legal needs of older Americans on Talk Justice. Last year, LSC-funded legal organizations assisted more than 312,000 Americans age 60 and up with their legal problems. Issues surrounding wills, power of attorney and advance directives are common for aging Americans, and seniors are often targeted for scams and fraud. These legal crises can exacerbate other stressors, such as rising housing costs and medical issues that can undermine seniors’ safety, stability and ability to age in their home with dignity and autonomy.

Immigration and Employment Law, Today’s Tangled Web

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 11:00:15 +0000

When it comes to foreign workers inside the United States today, the world of immigration law has seemingly been upended. It can be hard to keep up with rapidly evolving events and rulings, but with clients and employers at risk, professionals who represent them can’t afford to fall behind.

When do employers check work authorization, and how often can they? What do employers need to be looking for? And what industries are most affected?

While the Trump v. Casa case may not have brought the clarity many in labor and employment law sought, it was simply a procedural move that limits jurisdiction, it’s not the final word. This gets confusing in a hurry as the labor and employment professionals grapple with protective status, refugees, temporary status, and workforce eligibility issues.

Hear insights from accomplished guests Jonathan Grode and Ingrid Nava into where shifting immigration policies may affect labor and employment law and what some of these decisions mean across the country and across labor sectors. In today’s uncertain times, it’s important to understand the limits of what employers can do, even when they are trying to do the right thing, as well as the rights of employees. Confused? You’re not alone.

Jeremy Evans on Leadership, Breaking Away, and Knowing When to Pivot

Ally Kvidt — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 11:00:24 +0000

Jeremy Evans, founder of California Sports Lawyer and past president of the California Lawyers Association, joins Amanda Arriaga and Lynette Paczkowski on the second episode of Leading the Bar, the podcast from the National Conference of Bar Presidents designed to help lawyers engage and grow as leaders.

Evans shares insights from helping lead the creation of CLA after its historic separation from the State Bar of California, explaining why voluntary bar associations are uniquely positioned to focus on education and advocacy. He reflects on how his passion for sports—including visiting all 30 Major League ballparks—helped shape his career, and encourages lawyers to think deeply about their goals and embrace the courage it takes to pivot.

Evans also discusses how bar leaders can stay connected to their members, avoid mission drift, and balance the personal and professional benefits of volunteer leadership. This episode offers practical lessons for any lawyer interested in building meaningful relationships, creating positive change, and leading with purpose.

California Lawyers Association: http://calawyers.org/
California Lawyers Foundation: https://calawyersfoundation.org/
California Sports Lawyer: https://www.csllegal.com/
National Conference of Bar Presidents: https://ncbp.org/

The Texas Floods: Warnings, Staffing Cuts, Climate Change, & How to Protect Ourselves from Extreme Weather

Ally Kvidt — Fri, 18 Jul 2025 11:00:33 +0000

On the 4th of July, extreme rainfall ripped through Central Texas, causing catastrophic flash flooding, leaving 119 dead and over 160 missing, with numbers climbing. The National Weather Service (NWS), which has recently experienced staffing cuts under DOGE & the Trump Administration, came under fire from local Texas officials who criticized the insufficient warnings ahead of the extreme weather.

In this episode, Craig welcomes Professor Jim Blackburn, environmental lawyer and co-director of the Severe Storm Prevention, Education and Evacuation from Disaster (SSPEED) Center at Rice University. Together, Craig and Jim discuss warnings, impact of staffing cuts, climate change, policy, and how we can protect ourselves from extreme weather.

#569: Your Head is a Crappy Office, and Other GTD Principles for Attorneys, with David Allen

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 11:00:47 +0000

Many lawyers feel overwhelmed by never-ending to-do lists, constant context-switching, and the mental clutter of trying to keep it all straight. In this episode, Zack Glaser talks with productivity pioneer David Allen, author of Getting Things Done (GTD), about how lawyers can break free from chaos and reclaim control—both personally and as a team.

David shares the five key steps of the GTD framework and explains why a “clear mind” isn’t a luxury —it’s a leadership necessity. You’ll learn how to stop relying on your brain as a filing cabinet, how to set up simple systems that actually stick, and how to build a law firm culture where everyone knows what to do next.

We also explore concepts from his new book, Team: Getting Things Done with Others, including how to reduce bottlenecks, clarify roles, and avoid burnout by working smarter not just harder.

Whether you’re a solo lawyer juggling everything or a leader scaling a team, this episode will help you create space to think, lead, and grow.

Listen to our other episodes on systems & productivity:

#419: Free Yourself from Productivity, with Oliver Burkeman Apple | Spotify | Lawyerist

#514: The Hidden Value of Doing Less, with Leidy Klotz Apple | Spotify | Lawyerist

#485: Unleash Your Law Firm’s Potential with an Internal Coach, with Robin Carberry Apple | Spotify | Lawyerist

#516: Flexing Your Discipline Muscle to Stay Motivated, with Sara Muender Apple | Spotify | Lawyerist

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.

Chapters/Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: What Is GTD and Why Lawyers Need It

00:46 – Staying Ahead of the Wave: Zack’s GTD Takeaway

02:18 – Brain Dumping for Clarity: A Lawyer Coaching Example

05:34 – Introducing the Small Firm Scorecard

09:54 – Meet David Allen: Creator of Getting Things Done (GTD)

13:47 – Mind Like Water: The Mental State of True Productivity

15:59 – Your Brain Is a Terrible Office: The 5 Steps of GTD

24:52 – From Inbox to Action: Making Systems Stick

27:06 – Avoiding Burnout with Weekly Reviews

31:25 – From High Performer to Dysfunctional Team

34:46 – The Soccer Analogy: Great Players Still Need Teamwork

39:28 – The Power of Saying No: GTD’s Boldest Lesson

42:32 – First Steps: Start by Capturing What’s on Your Mind

Historic Justice: Investigating Cruelty and Death at Florida’s Dozier School for Boys

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 16:30:02 +0000

For over a century, The Dozier School for Boys held dark secrets behind its gates. Allegations of abuse, forced labor, and unexplained deaths had often come up throughout its history, but the full reality of what happened during its time in operation was largely unknown. Maggie Mendenhall-Casey talks with forensic anthropologist Erin Kimmerle about her mission to bring justice to the forgotten children of Dozier. Erin shares the story of her investigation, including her processes for locating unmarked graves, the community backlash and political resistance she faced, and the continuing efforts for justice and reunification with victims’ families.

Read the full account in Erin’s book: We Carry Their Bones: The Search for Justice at the Dozier School for Boys

Erin H. Kimmerle, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of the Florida Institute for Forensic Anthropology and Applied Science at the University of South Florida

Who Knew Biting Other Lawyers Was Frowned Upon?

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 16:00:52 +0000

Biglaw summer associate let go after biting upwards of 15 people at the firm. Now that sounds crazy, but that’s because it is. We also discuss a lawyer’s biting response to a demand letter. A lot of the professional decorum advocates objected to the tone, but at a certain point how does the profession pushback against aggressive and unfounded demands without public shaming? There’s not another readily accessible disincentive. Finally, we address the gnashing of teeth in conservative media ecosphere over Superman being an immigrant and the knots they’re willing to tie themselves into in order to avoid the obvious.

EP 913- Fostering Strong Team Relationships

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 11:00:13 +0000

Your success depends on your team. We talk with one of our paralegal team members about ways to build trust and encourage better collaboration.

How agentic artificial intelligence could shake up the legal industry

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 16 Jul 2025 11:00:07 +0000

For lawyers, artificial intelligence agents could completely change the way that they do their jobs, handling things such as legal research, document creation and managing workflows with little human supervision. But if we’ve learned anything since the dawn of the generative AI revolution, the potential benefits of agentic AI come with risks and possible consequences, as well.

Exploring Voting Behavior and Civic Engagement with Mindy Romero

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 11:00:51 +0000

Mindy Romero is the founder and director of the Center for Inclusive Democracy that is part of the USC Sol Price School of Public Policy based in Sacramento, California. Romero is a political sociologist whose research focuses on political behavior and race/ethnicity. The research and reports of the Center seek to explain patterns of voting and political underrepresentation, particularly among youth and communities of color in California and the U.S.

Under Pressure: Confronting the Mental Health Crisis in Law

Ally Kvidt — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 11:00:56 +0000

We see higher rates of mental illness, divorce, alcoholism, and more in the legal profession, but what can we do to change it? In the difficulties of the practice of law, some attorneys struggle to care for themselves in the midst of the critical care they must provide their clients. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Rick Barinbaum to gain a deeper understanding of the adversarial systems lawyers must operate within and how to protect wellbeing in the midst of these challenges.

Rick Barinbaum, LMSW, is a clinical social worker, educator,and practitioner.

Fresh Voices on Legal Tech with Mathew Kerbis

Ally Kvidt — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 11:00:26 +0000

New approaches to legal service delivery are propelling us into the future. Don’t get left behind! AI and automations are making alternative service delivery easier and more efficient than ever. Dennis & Tom welcome Mathew Kerbis to learn more about his expertise in subscription-based legal services.

As always, stay tuned for the parting shots, that one tip, website, or observation that you can use the second the podcast ends.

Have a technology question for Dennis and Tom? Call their Tech Question Hotline at 720-441-6820 for the answers to your most burning tech questions.

Show Notes:

Local Library Tech Resources
Travel Extension Cords!
Malwarebytes – Scam Guard
Legal AI Live
Perplexity

How to Rank with Google AI Mode

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 14:40:43 +0000

How do you get AI overviews and AI mode to promote your content? Gyi and Conrad detail out all the current guidance for better content performance.

The way people use search is changing. You definitely want to make sure your content is getting to your audience, and AI search experiences like AI Overviews and AI Mode may require a change in your tactics. Gyi and Conrad talk through the current guidance from Google to help you stand out in your market. Finding ways to provide genuinely unique content and a great site experience are key! And, learn how to employ the E-E-A-T principles for even more good content boosts in search.

Learn more about Google AI Content Guidelines:

Google Search’s guidance on using generative AI content on your website

The News:

Fear, uncertainty, doubt? Nah, it’s just the Google Core Update of June 2025.
A recent bunch of Google LSA notifications caused confusion and delay. Sheesh.
Ben Sessions’s very public vendetta against the shady behavior of some folks operating in his local courts is a sight to behold! Check out Ben’s Facebook page for more.
Another acquisition! Clio buys vLex, and this could be an exciting game changer.
Clio and Scorpion recently reached an exclusive partnership agreement for marketing services — More on this to come.
In the wake of the tragic Texas Floods, there are ways you can help. The Texas Disaster Legal Help Group will need more volunteers for years to come.

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Big Money — Who Owns the Future of Law? – Lunch Hour Legal Marketing

Connect:

Hear the original episode with Andrew Schierberg

From Paralegal to “Paraleader.” What Legal Recruiters Look For.

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 11:00:37 +0000

Guest and professional legal recruiter Tracey Perkins says in 2025 every paralegal professional should know the importance of technology, especially AI. But she stresses the best paralegals always manage the tech and never let the tech manage them. AI is a tool that can spur efficiency, but it will never replace the mind and analytical skills of a skilled paralegal professional.

In the rapidly advancing world of legal tech, grit matters. You’ve got to keep up. Pushing yourself through even the toughest challenges builds the professional you are destined to become. Perkins is a paralegal professional, educator, and legal industry recruiter who has driven herself forward for more than 20 years. She brings the lessons she learned to every aspect of her life and strives to share each one with every student and every job seeker.

Plus, learn insider tips for when you’re applying for a new position: Don’t include photos on your resume, learn to professionally format everything. Time is money, so get to the bullet points and focus on clear, concise communication. No fluff, no fillers. (And please, no silly email addresses, keep it professional). Hear Perkins’ golden rules for building professional relationships and her pro tips for your LinkedIn page. Get fired up and get hired.

Building a Practice with Purpose: How One Former Police Chief Built a Client-Centered Law Firm | First Flight #6

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 11:00:23 +0000

What does it take to pivot from a career in law enforcement to launching a solo elder law practice? In this episode of New Solo’s First Flight series, Adriana Linares sits down with Andrew Schierberg, a former police chief who retired after 20 years of service and started a second career in law. Andrew shares how he found his passion for elder law, why he chose a holistic service model, and the systems he put in place to build a client-centered firm in Northern Kentucky.

From his decision to practice law on his own terms to hiring a care coordinator as his first team member, Andrew’s story is one of intentional design, service-driven values, and entrepreneurial smarts. Later in the episode, Adriana is joined by ALPS Insurance’s Rio Laine to talk about hiring smart, supervising staff, and how the right technology and documented workflows help safeguard your growing solo firm.

Learn more about ALPS Insurance.

Receive email notifications every time we release a new episode.

#568: How to Build a Law Firm You Can Sell, with Victoria L. Collier

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 11:00:10 +0000

Most law firm owners build a business that depends entirely on them—then wonder why no one wants to buy it.

In this episode, we talk with Victoria Collier, founder of Quid Pro Quo, about how to build a firm that’s not only profitable, but truly sellable. Victoria shares what she learned selling her own estate planning and elder law firm after 18 years—and how she now helps other lawyers do the same.

You’ll learn what buyers actually look for (hint: it’s not just revenue), why your firm needs to run without you, and how a shift in mindset can create more freedom and future value. Victoria also shares surprising truths about law firm sales—like the possibility of getting cash upfront—and how AI is quickly becoming a key part of due diligence for buyers and sellers alike.

Listen to our other episodes on the selling your practice:

#369: Selling Your Practice, with Tom Lenfestey Apple | Spotify | Lawyerist

#326: A Succession Plan for Your Law Practice, with Tom Lenfestey Apple | Spotify | Lawyerist

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.

Chapters/Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: The Mindset of a Sellable Law Firm

02:45 – The Dangers of Being the Bottleneck: Why Delegation Matters

06:58 – Lessons from a Successful Firm Sale: What Works and What Doesn’t

09:22 – What Buyers Look For: Red Flags and Green Lights in Your Firm

21:52 – Surprising Realities of Selling a Law Firm: Financing and Debt

31:21 – AI’s Role in Increasing Your Firm’s Value

34:02 – Life After Law: Preparing for Your Next Chapter

36:46 – The Fundamental Mindset Shift: Owning a Business, Not Just a Job

37:50 – Taking the First Steps Toward a Sellable Firm

The Hallucinations Are Winning

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 15:15:54 +0000

Has the era of the mid-sized firm come to an end? Probably not, but with increasing nationalization and the financial pressures that go along with it, mid-sized firms are consolidating and a valuable segment (and price point!) may be lost. Lawyers have faced a steady stream of sanctions for citing fake cases generated by AI, but now a judge officially blessed an order based on AI-hallucinated cases as a critical firewall in the war against machine slop is breached. While AI holds out promise for access to justice, the risk of a lawless free-for-all looms. Speaking of lawless free-for-alls, the Chief Justice explains that he doesn’t care about substantive criticism of the Court because he has votes and the critics don’t.

EP 614- 12 Battle Tested Rules for Voir Dire Part One

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 11:00:59 +0000

Our first six rules address how to ask questions, how to listen and ways to probe sensitive issues during voir dire.

Try estate law for a practice with work-life balance, says ‘Lifestyle Lawyer Revolution’ author

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 09 Jul 2025 11:00:13 +0000

Laura Cowan started her career in finance, earning a CPA and working at Ernst & Young and Goldman Sachs. When she decided to go to law school at 35, she knew that she wanted to launch a boutique firm with a practice area that complemented that financial background. Estate law seemed a good fit—but fate threw her a curve ball just as she launched her firm.

“I had to turn my entire practice virtual overnight in 2020 in New York City because of COVID,” Cowan tells the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles in this episode of the Modern Law Library. “I moved to Rhode Island to shelter in place with my dad. During that couple of months that I was sheltering in place, I still had to get my law firm running. I had a business to run and bills to pay. So I made everything virtual, and I really streamlined everything. And what I found was that I could make pretty easily $10,000 a month, working just a couple of hours a day.”

She has now leveraged the experience of launching an all-virtual estate-planning practice into a coaching program, 2-Hour Lifestyle Lawyer, to help other lawyers launch similar practices. Her new book, Lifestyle Lawyer Revolution: Live a Life You Love (Without Leaving the Law), is full of tips and advice for building a personalized practice to provide work-life balance for attorneys.

“Now, what we found is that there’s a lot of lawyers who are happy working a lot more than that and are happy earning a lot more, but the name of the business really comes from just this idea that you can still be a really great attorney without working 10 hours a day, and you can make a nice living without working 10 hours a day,” says Cowan.

A key part of not working too many hours is to hire appropriate assistance, even as a solo just starting out, says Cowan.

“What I see a lot of is lawyers that spend too much time in the weeds of executing and doing all these different things that an admin could be doing, and not spending enough time doing what the lawyer should be focusing on,” says Cowan. “So they’re both working too much and not making enough money, which is the worst possible combination.”

Cowan encourages estate attorneys to hold community workshops to help people understand the importance of wills and trusts. She says it’s an excellent way to establish connections that can lead to further business.

“The real reason that people hire us is because of the connection,” Cowan tells Rawles. “And I firmly believe this. People don’t hire you because you’re the best drafter in the world. They hire you because of the way that you make them feel. So use AI and technology behind the scenes to help you get your work done and deliver a really great client experience, but never forget that it’s going to be that that makes them hire you.”

In this episode, Cowan also discusses the benefits of value-based pricing versus the billable hour; attracting the client base you want to target; and how to deal with your biggest frenemy: technology.

Community Table: Candidates With Grit But Not Experience. Plus, Resolving Employee Communication Problems.

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 15:15:30 +0000

Host Christopher T. Anderson and team are at the Community Table. Real answers, no script. In this episode, a job candidate is a great cultural fit but doesn’t have the skills. And, what about an employe who doesn’t communicate like you?

EPISODE NOTES:

In this episode’s discussions around the Community Table:

A law firm owner finds an associate candidate who seems like a good “culture” fit and has great qualities. There’s potential, but not the experience and skills for this position. Does the firm take a chance and invest, find another role for the candidate, or look for a more polished attorney?
What to do with an employee who doesn’t fit the office culture and struggles to communicate with coworkers? Even worse, efforts to develop communication skills fall flat. Can this ever work out? Christopher’s insights will surprise you.
Where do you stand on the old mantra “hire slow, fire fast?” The panel challenges assumptions and adages that somehow seem to hang on.

Ask us anything for the Community Table. Leave us a question online.

Join the next Community Table live. What’s on your mind?

REFERENCES MENTIONED:

“Extraordinary Attorney Woo,” Wikipedia

Malcolm Gladwell’s Revisionist History podcast

American Bar Association Litigation Section

Cliocon 2025

How to Assess Security and Safety in Schools K-12: The Product War Continues.

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 11:00:36 +0000

Expert Service Provider Joe Hendry from Qualified Member Cosecure Enterprise Risk Solutions addresses liability and risk associated with assessing security and safety in schools.

Unlocking the Power of Medical-Legal Partnerships

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 11:00:15 +0000

A doctor and lawyer discuss the success of medical-legal partnerships (MLPs) on Talk Justice. They describe how MLPs support communities, improve patient outcomes and help to alleviate the burden on the health system. By allowing medical and legal professionals to collaborate and address the root causes of health problems that have legal solutions, MLPs promote a holistic approach to healthcare.

The Law of War

Ally Kvidt — Mon, 07 Jul 2025 11:00:45 +0000

The law of war is a component of international law that regulates the conditions for initiating war. With the Israel-Iran conflict raging on, and in a significant escalation, on June 21st, the United States retaliated against Iran by striking three of their nuclear sites. In response, Iran launched a strike against a U.S. air base in Qatar. After the strikes, President Trump promoted peace and announced a ceasefire, only to be met with more strikes and a continuance of the Israel-Iran conflict. So what is the law of war? And how does it apply to the current conflict between Iran, Israel, and now the United States?

In this episode, Craig welcomes back Rachel E. VanLandingham, Lt Col. (ret.), Co-Associate Dean of Research & Irwin R. Buchalter Professor of Law at Southwestern Law School. Together, Craig and Rachel discuss the law of war and the potential impact on our military, our country, and our relations with other countries.

Why John Adams Defended the British Soldiers During the Boston Massacre Trials | An In Dispute Re-Broadcast

Ally Kvidt — Fri, 04 Jul 2025 11:00:55 +0000

This Fourth of July, we’re spotlighting one of the most iconic trials in American history. While the next regular Lawyer 2 Lawyer episode will drop on Monday, today we’re revisiting one of America’s earliest and most pivotal legal battles: the Boston Massacre trial. This episode comes from Craig’s recent miniseries In Dispute, exclusively on Legal Talk Network.

When an unruly crowd of angry colonists attacked a small platoon of British soldiers in 1770, five Bostonians were killed and several others wounded. John Adams, a then-34-year-old lawyer who would eventually become the second president of the United States, took on a bold and unpopular defense of the soldiers and orchestrated their trials in a way that defied conventional thinking. To better understand the historical context of the Boston Massacre, what actually went down, the aftermath of the tragedy, and the surprising takeaway trial lawyers should have after hearing John Adams’ closing arguments, Attorney J. Craig Williams invites you to bundle up and relive the astounding altercation that’s still talked about to this day.

LINKS:

Listen to all episodes of In Dispute: 10 Famous Trials That Changed History
Purchase the e-book.
Purchase the hardcover.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR VOICE ACTORS:

Scott Well as John Adams

Alan Chudnow as Samuel Quincy

Skyler C. as Josiah Quincy

Alan Parsons as Captain Thomas Preston

Robert Mattson as Samuel Adams

Dan Ring as Daniel Calef

Patrick Correia as Richard Palmes

Kate Kenney Nutting as the female witness

Neil Harvey as the British Soldier

Brian Driesen as Benjamin Lee

Andrew Clark as Thomas Handaside Peck

Robert “Terry” Terelak as Ebenerzer Bridgham

Jud Pierce as Dr. John Jeffries

Christopher Rogers as John Hogdson

#567: From Quiet to Confident: Redefining Success as an Introverted Lawyer, with Heidi Brown

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 11:00:59 +0000

This episode of the Lawyerist Podcast offers a thorough exploration of understanding introversion, shyness, and social anxiety, and how these traits can be leveraged as strengths, particularly in the legal profession. You’ll hear Zack Glaser’s conversation with law professor and author Heidi Brown, who shares insights from her book, The Introverted Lawyer.

Heidi provides clarity on the distinctions between being an introvert—someone who processes information internally and recharges with solitude—versus shyness or social anxiety, which stem from a fear of judgment or criticism. Heidi Brown, a public speaker and author who identifies as an introvert, demonstrates that it’s possible to be confident and professionally effective while embracing introversion.

You’ll discover how introversion can be a “superpower,” bringing valuable assets such as active listening, thoughtful problem-solving, empathy, sensitivity to nuance, and strong writing skills to any professional dynamic. The conversation also covers practical steps for introverts to show up authentically and confidently, including mental and physical reflection techniques, reframing negative self-talk, and developing pre-game and game-day routines for high-pressure situations.

Heidi offers perspectives on supporting introverted team members to foster a shared vocabulary around individual strengths. Learn how to recognize and harness your unique qualities, or those of your team, to excel in the legal profession.

Listen to our other episodes:

#564: The Gift in the Struggle: Leveraging Emotional Intelligence for Growth, with Sara Muender Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist

#535: Lawyer Burnout: 5 Hidden Signs You’re About to Crash, with Natasha Evans Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist

#506: Managing Stress & Avoiding Burnout, with Emily Nagoski Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.

Chapters/Timestamps:

00:00 Introversion, Shyness, and Social Anxiety Defined

05:14 Internal vs. External Processing: Understanding Different Communication Styles 15:56 Introversion as a Superpower in the Legal Profession

18:32 Authenticity and Confidence: Mental and Physical Strategies

25:52 Embracing the Blush: Reframing Physical Responses

30:52 Building Confidence: The Power of Pregame and Game Day Routines

34:29 Supporting Introverts in the Workplace

41:36 Your Place in Law: A Message of Empowerment

Counseling the Counsel: The Emotional Reality of Legal Work

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 03 Jul 2025 11:00:26 +0000

Lawyers often face relentless exposure to stress and trauma, whether navigating emotionally charged areas of the law, handling high-stakes matters, or confronting a host of other pressures inherent to the profession. On top of this, they must also address the emotional toll legal issues may take on their clients. Few attorneys are equipped with the tools to manage this alone, but there are counselors, support programs, and resources available to help. Rocky Dhir talks with Alicia Freeman of the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program (TLAP) about navigating emotional distress (both for attorneys and clients) and accessing needed support. They discuss how to appropriately engage with clients’ emotional needs, set healthy boundaries, and provide necessary resources.

Contact TLAP:

1-800-343-8527

tlaphelps.org

Alicia Freeman is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and a bachelor’s in political science. She is a TLAP Clinical Professional for Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program at the State Bar of Texas, the owner of Freeman Counseling and Consulting LLC, and co-host for the “My Therapist Needs a Therapist” podcast.

Supreme Court A Hot Mess

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 16:00:21 +0000

Taking a sledgehammer where a chisel — or better yet nothing — would do, the Supreme Court nixed injunctions it didn’t like by striking down the power to issue universal injunctions totally and addressed schools teaching that gay people exist by expanding strict scrutiny to parents lodging religious complaints. But at least they whined and took swipes at each other over it! Meanwhile, Justice Sonia Sotomayor figured out that if the majority wants to hide their rulings, the dissent can characterize them on their own. Also, the University of Florida Law School gave a top prize to a paper advocating a Whites-Only Constitution. The professor? Trump-appointed federal judge. The school’s effort to explain itself left a lot to be desired.

EP 912- Lessons from our Clerks

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 11:00:21 +0000

Our clerks share candid insights on how we can enhance their experience (and their work product) from the interview process to doing “real work” at the firm.

Pro Tips for Arbitrations and Mediations

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 11:00:48 +0000

Mediation has become the rule, not the exception, in litigation. It’s a half a billion-dollar industry with some 90 percent of cases settled outside the courtroom. That’s why mediation and negotiation skills are so critical for all litigators regardless of practice area. It’s about knowing how to manage a mediation and knowing how to find and agree to a mediator or arbitrator.

Host Jim Reeder is a longtime, accomplished litigator with a deep understanding of the nuances of successful mediation. And guest John Barkett is an experienced, internationally recognized, and board-certified mediator and arbitrator, overseeing settlements in complex cases involving environmental law and construction.

Mediating or arbitrating a case is a complicated and deeply rewarding field, as Barkett explains. Not only are experience and training crucial, but a successful outcome can also rely on a mediator’s temperament. For litigators, finding the right mediator is vital. If you haven’t been involved in a high-stakes arbitration or mediation, you will be someday.

Get real insights you can use from true pros, from choosing the right mediator to preparing clients for their role and making your opening presentation. Learn what you need to do in advance and how to evaluate risks and likely outcomes before you walk into a session.

Plus, a quick tip from Elizabeth S. “Beth” Fenton, author, experienced attorney, and co-chair of the American Bar Association’s Mental Health & Wellness Committee.

Resources:

American Bar Association

American Bar Association Litigation Section committee on Mental Health & Wellness

Protecting Whistleblowers with Louis Clark

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 11:00:44 +0000

For over 40 years, Louis Clark has led the Government Accountability Project (GAP), an organization dedicated to protecting whistleblowers and ensuring government accountability. During the Trump administration, GAP is overwhelmed with the number of government employees seeking support in disclosing illegal, unethical, and fraudulent conduct. It is also addressing a new form of retaliation against whistleblowers, physical harm, and death threats. Learn more about the organization and its work at https://whistleblower.org.

EP03: How to Breakthrough a Stonewall

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 11:00:09 +0000

Viewers want to know how The Case Doctors handle unreasonable and obstructionist opposing counsel, as well as what point they would involve the Court during contentious discovery and negotiations. Plus, how one law firm is coping with the theft of a $1.5 million referral fee hackers stole and insurance is refusing to cover.

On the Go: Your Tech-Enhanced Summer Vacation

Ally Kvidt — Fri, 27 Jun 2025 11:00:07 +0000

Summer is the perfect time for travel, and the right tech tools can help you get even more enjoyment out of your wanderings! Dennis & Tom talk through a comprehensive list of travel-focused technology to assist with planning, organization, security, and comfort. Whether you’re heading out for business or leisure, the guys offer a variety of practical tips to help you travel smarter.

As always, stay tuned for the parting shots, that one tip, website, or observation that you can use the second the podcast ends.

Have a technology question for Dennis and Tom? Call their Tech Question Hotline at 720-441-6820 for the answers to your most burning tech questions.

Show Notes:

A Segment: On the Go: Your Tech-Enhanced Summer Vacation

Layla.ai
Mindtrip.ai
OneDrive https://onedrive.live.com
1Password https://1password.com/
Nord VPN https://nordvpn.com/
Airalo https://www.airalo.com/
Apple AirTags https://www.apple.com/airtag/
Tile Tile Pro | Bluetooth Tracking Devices | Life360
Wise Multi-Currency https://wise.com/us/
AirBnB https://www.airbnb.com/
ResortPass https://www.resortpass.com/
Flighty https://flighty.com/
TripIt https://www.tripit.com/web
AirPod Pro https://www.apple.com/airpods-pro/
Google Translate – https://translate.google.com
Google Lens
Anfier M3 Translator Airbuds https://theanfier.com/
Anker Chargers https://www.anker.com
Epicka Universal Amazon.com: EPICKA Universal Travel Adapter, European Travel Plug Adapter – International Power Adapter Worldwide Charger with USB-C & 4 USB-A Ports, Travel Essentials for Italy, Japan, Europe, UK (TA-105, Grey)

B Segment: AI Predicts Tom’s Use of AI for His Vacation

Parting Shots:

Personal Strategy Compass – https://dennis538.substack.com/p/personal-strategy-compass
Perplexity Labs – https://www.perplexity.ai/hub/blog/introducing-perplexity-labs

Summer Assignment: Get Comfortable With Video and Launch Your Content

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 11:00:56 +0000

Guest Jared Correia of Red Cave Law Firm Consulting helps law firms run better and helps lawyers live their best lives. In addition, he’s both an attorney and an avid podcaster and writer. In this episode Correia and good friend, host Adriana Linares, dive into how law firms can leverage video content to build their business and how to outsource tasks and maximize technical efficiencies.

Correia explains step by step how lawyers can get in the video content game. Buy a tripod, fire up your cell phone, and get started. Modern platforms are your friend, from YouTube to LinkedIn, Loom to VideoAsk, even Zoom.

Make mastering the art of video your goal this summer. Hear where you can find subject ideas, edit and publish, and use AI to turn recordings into articles.

Plus, managing remote contract workers to streamline your business, creating “role-based access” to your files, automating tasks and workflows, and getting the most out of the software that’s already on your desk.

Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com

Topics:

If you’re not leveraging video content to build your business, you’re probably losing out to someone who does. Make mastering video production and distribution your summer goal (hear how to get started).
Make use of the newest tech tools – and learn how to use the tools you’re already paying for – to automate, streamline, manage, and outsource your daily tasks.
Plus, a special guest, Legal Talk Network producer Adam Lockwood drops by to share some pro podcasting and video tips for beginners.

Resources:

YouTube

Loom video

VideoAsk

Riverside.fm video editing

Microsoft Office tools

Acuity scheduling

Kevin Stratvert on YouTube

ABA Techshow 2026

Clio Cloud Conference 2025

Legal Toolkit podcast, Legal Talk Network

Legal Late Night podcast

Above The Law podcast

“How Law Firms Can Leverage Video Content To Drive Business”

“How Remote Staff Can Help Small Firms Punch Above Their Weight”

“Helping Hands: The Value Proposition Of Remote Work For Law Firms”

Previous appearance on New Solo, “Solo, But Not? Shared Office Space (Plus, Chatbots and A.I.)”

Previous appearance on Legal Talk Network, Un-Billable Hour, “Separating The Wheat From The Chaff In Legal Tech (And AI)”

#566: Building Solutions from Legal Experience, with Katya Fisher

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 26 Jun 2025 11:00:09 +0000

What happens when a lawyer stops accepting inefficiency as “just the way things are”? In this episode, Zack Glaser talks with attorney and legal tech founder Katya Fisher about her journey from launching a solo practice during the Great Recession to building scalable tools for transactional lawyers.

Katya shares how her legal experience—spanning BigLaw, in-house, and solo practice—revealed pain points in the dealmaking process that technology still hadn’t solved. She explains how she went from identifying those issues to building software that brings clarity, organization, and efficiency to high-stakes legal work.

Along the way, Katya unpacks:

The scrappy start to her legal career

How working solo gave her an edge inside a global corporate group

What legal professionals need to know about scaling their ideas

Why tech tools fail lawyers—and how that can change

Whether you’re a lawyer thinking beyond the billable or simply curious how innovation happens in the legal world, this episode delivers practical insights with an entrepreneurial twist.

Listen to our other episodes on entrepreneurship:

#411: Staying Entrepreneurial at a Bigger Firm, with Nick Pleasants Apple Podcast | Lawyerist

#268: Riding the Entrepreneurial Rollercoaster, with Cameron Herold Apple Podcast | Lawyerist

#205: Entrepreneurial Poverty & Why Average Law Firms Lose, with Mike Michalowicz Apple Podcast | Lawyerist

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.

Chapters/Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction: The Entrepreneurial Lawyer

01:02 Quarterly Planning: Intentional Business Growth

07:15 Solo Practice Origins: Scrappy Beginnings

13:36 The Competitive Advantage of Broad Experience

17:51 ADHD as a Superpower: Hyperfocus and Foresight

23:36 Accurately Identify a Business Problem

30:40 From Idea to Product: Building a Product or Workflow

36:10 Articulating Vision and Gaining Buy-In

41:14 Lessons Learned: Advice for Aspiring Innovators

Big Money — Who Owns the Future of Law?

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 20:30:17 +0000

Non-Lawyer ownership, alternative business structures, venture capital pushing out the little guy… scary, right? Yeah, we get it—but should you be so worried about these new trends coming to law-firm business management? And later, Gyi and Conrad dig into Google’s content guidance to help you understand how to effectively leverage content for your business & marketing strategies.

For attorneys, the very thought of non-lawyers profiting off the practice of law is pretty darn repugnant. So, naturally, most lawyers are united in their distaste of venture capitalism, private equity, and big business making its way into digital marketing and law firm ownership. Is this resentment justified? Gyi and Conrad talk through the changing landscape of law firm business structures and what lawyers need to consider as they navigate this new reality.

Next, what can you do to make sure your content stands out amongst your competitors? The guys discuss Google’s SEO fundamentals for creating content their algorithm will promote. Figuring out how to drive traffic to your website might feel like a guessing game, but there are real, tactical methods for creating expert, trustworthy content that gets boosted by search engines. Check out more from Google: Creating Helpful, Reliable, People-First Content | Google Search Central | Documentation

The News:

Jason Hennessey’s firm Hennessey Digital was purchased by private equity.
Answering Legal has launched a free AI-powered chatbot. You don’t have to be a customer to use it, so you might as well check it out.
The Lunch Hour Legal Marketing website is live! And, coincidentally, you can sign up for the very exciting Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Summit right on our website! Hurry on over for that sweet early bird discount.
CallRail’s Voice Assist comes out of beta mid-July! Keep an eye out for it.
Hit us up to do an Ignite Pitch at the LHLM Summit! If you’ve got 5 minutes worth of quirky, nerdy insights on a relevant topic, Gyi and Conrad would love to consider your pitch.

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

HELP! My Marketing Agency Was Acquired — What You NEED To Know

What’s In a Brand?

Connect:

Hear the original episode with Kimberley Felton

Chapters (Times Approximate)

0:00 Gyi Griswold Goes Michigan Roadtrippin’

2:48 The News

8:47 Is Venture Capital Getting Greedy?

21:30 Help With Google’s Helpful Content

You Catch More Judges With ‘Honey’ Than With Vinegar

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 14:00:45 +0000

Except those judges aren’t going to like it when you catch them. Like the poor lawyer here who called a judge “honey” during oral argument and entered a spiral of no return. We also had a dramatic week at the Supreme Court, with Justice Gorsuch trying to start something with Justice Jackson and Justice Jackson shutting it right down, and Sam Alito using his concurrence to complain that the transgender care ban is an act of discrimination… and the he wants the Court to be more proud of it. And Vault put out its law firm prestige rankings. Hopefully nothing went down immediately after their survey that radically changed how people perceive the firms!

EP 613- Fighting for Constitutional Rights Part 3

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 11:00:25 +0000

Do you know how the government can define away your property rights? Or the basis for the Lemonade Freedom Movement? Through public interest litigation, Attorney David Roland fights for our mutual humanity.

New Data on Arizona and Utah’s Innovations After 5 Years of Legal Reform

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 17:30:30 +0000

Stanford researchers discuss new data on legal services innovations in Arizona and Utah on Talk Justice. Five years ago, Arizona and Utah launched unprecedented experiments in legal services delivery. Now Stanford has published a report, “Legal Innovation After Reform: Five Years of Data on Regulatory Change,” which provides comprehensive data on what worked, what didn’t and what it means for expanding access to justice. These findings build on a previous report that the Rhode Center published after the first two years these regulatory reforms were enacted.

AI, Not Taking Over the Practice of Law, But Changing It

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 11:00:47 +0000

AI is real and it’s rapidly advancing the practice of law. Guest Austin Brittenham is the co-founder of the legal AI company 2nd Chair. As an attorney, he recognized the inefficiencies that plague the legal profession and put his background in computer tech to work to create an AI platform that both recognizes the unique challenges facing lawyers – including security and confidentiality – while speeding workflow and maximizing output.

AI has been put to work in a lot of “lawyer-adjacent” areas of law such as web design, intake, and billing, but Brittenham recognized the need for a model that helps lawyers practice actual law.

He says AI won’t replace lawyers, but it may change how lawyers are viewed. If AI can automate mundane tasks, such as drafting paperwork, attorneys may be able to get back to their traditional role of a true “counsellor,” providing meaningful guidance.

Hear about what’s coming in the future and, more importantly, what’s here now. Start slowly, learn the state-by-state rules, and see where you can get in the game. If you’ve been curious about AI and how it will change the practice of law, you’ll want to catch this episode.

#565: Becoming the AI Driven Leader, with Geoff Woods (Remastered)

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 19 Jun 2025 11:00:48 +0000

This special remastered episode of the Lawyerist Podcast features Stephanie’s conversation with Geoff Woods, author of The AI-Driven Leader. We’re re-releasing it due to positive feedback on the depth of this discussion, ensuring you’ll gain new insights and “aha!” moments with every listen.

In this episode, we explore AI’s transformative power, viewing it not as a threat, but as a liberator that enhances our work. We dive into the five core human skills to emphasize in an AI-driven world: strategic thinking, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, and creation. We demonstrate how to leverage AI strategically, from evaluating business plans to acting as a growth-minded board member, and you’ll hear how we’re integrating AI into our own leadership meetings.

Geoff shares real-world examples of using AI as a “thought partner” to stress-test major strategic decisions, even creating an “AI board of advisors.” He also provides practical applications for lawyers, such as using AI to review NDAs, stress-test legal arguments, and role-play closing arguments with AI as your jury. To guide your own AI journey, Geoff outlines his “CRIT” framework (Context, Role, Interview, Task) for effective prompting and highlights the importance of understanding AI model settings for data privacy and confidentiality.

Listen to our other episodes on the AI revolution:

#555: How to Use AI and Universal Design to Empower Diverse Thinkers with Susan Tanner Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist

#553: AI Tools and Processes Every Lawyer Should Use with Catherine Sanders Reach 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!

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.

The AI-Driven Leader

Chapters/Timestamps:

0:00 – Episode Introduction and Why This Remastered Version is Special

1:22 – AI as the Next Big Shift for Lawyers

6:28 – Geoff Woods: Redefining Leadership in the AI Era

9:11 – The Five Core Human Skills Enhanced by AI

10:36 – Strategic AI: Beyond Basic Tasks

14:24 – AI as Your Strategic Thought Partner

19:47 – Navigating AI: Threat vs. Opportunity for Lawyers

20:56 – Practical AI Applications: NDA Review and Valuation

28:51 – Building Your AI Habit: The “CRIT” Framework

32:19 – AI Security and Data Privacy for Legal Professionals

34:40 – The Risk of Inaction and Building the Future Firm

The Jerkstore Called, They’re Not Running Out Of Lawyers

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 15:15:51 +0000

According to a new survey, lawyers think their law firms are really tolerant of jerks. Are they right about that, or just overly sensitive? The DC Bar election ended in a blowout, but why? For all the complaining about some wild theories on social media, the simpler reason is that leading a bar association in 2025 means standing up to the administration and Pam Bondi’s brother never convinced the members that he’d be able to do that. In fact, the right-wing fear of strong bar associations has gotten so serious that the Florida supreme court actively kneecapped their state bar. And we talk about attending David Lat’s Original Jurisdiction party, which you should also be reading.

EP 911- First Generation Attorneys

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 11:00:42 +0000

Liz and Elizabeth share some advice on succeeding as a first generation lawyer. Top tip: nurture your network. Here’s how.

Barrister’s new mystery novel offers glimpse inside the Inner Temple

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 11:00:19 +0000

Since it was seized from the Knights Templar in the 14th century, the Inner Temple in London has housed acolytes of a different sort: men (and eventually women) who serve as advocates of the law. Sally Smith spent her legal career—and now is spending her retirement—inside the 15 acres that comprise the Inner Temple, now one of the four Inns of Court.

Smith has previously written non-fiction books about historical crimes and legal figures. When she decided to turn her hand to writing fiction, the familiar setting of the Inner Temple was the perfect setting for her new mystery novel, A Case of Mice and Men.

Set in 1901, mere months after the death of Queen Victoria, A Case of Mice and Men introduces a new (and very reluctant) sleuth to the literary scene. Sir Gabriel Ward KC is happiest either when holed up in his Inner Temple lodgings with his books, or when making a compelling case in front of the High Court judges. A solitary, particular and cerebral man, Ward is not looking for excitement beyond the intellectual. But he finds it early one morning when he trips over the body of the Lord Chief Justice of England, which has been left on the doorstep of his professional chambers.

The ancient privileges afforded to the Inner Temple mean that no policeman is allowed to enter without permission, and an aghast Ward is told he will conduct the investigation himself or be at risk of being kicked out of his lodgings. Unused to the world outside the Temple walls, or of conversing with any women apart from his old nanny or his mother, Ward must stretch himself to discover who killed Lord Norman Dunning.

All the while, Ward is also wrestling with a knotty legal issue involving the rights to a bestselling children’s book, and will need to exercise all his skills on behalf of his client, the publisher of Millie the Temple Church Mouse. Written by a mysterious author, the book has been a runaway success, bringing throngs of children to the Temple Church and spawning toys, games and an American publishing deal. Now that the author has reportedly surfaced and is demanding her share of the money and control of the intellectual property, what will happen to Millie the Temple Church Mouse?

In this episode of the Modern Law Library, Smith and the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles discuss the launch of this new series, which will contain at least three books following Ward’s adventures. Smith describes her own career as a barrister, and why she chose to set the series at the beginning of the Edwardian era. She also discusses the issues of class, gender and the complex world within the walls of the Inner Temple.

The Risk Landscape for Legal leaders: 2025 and Beyond

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 11:00:27 +0000

In this episode, host Jamy Sullivan welcomes Chad Volkert, Global Solutions Leader at Protiviti, to explore the evolving risk landscape outlined in the Executive Perspectives on Top Risks survey. From economic uncertainty and shifting workplace dynamics to rising labor costs, privacy concerns, and AI-related compliance risks, Chief Legal Officers and General Counsels are navigating one of the most complex eras in corporate risk management. Chad breaks down the top near- and long-term risks facing legal departments and shares how forward-thinking legal leaders are adjusting strategies to stay resilient, compliant, and competitive in 2025 and beyond.

Women of Color: The MVPs of the Social Justice Movement with Vanessa Daniel

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 11:00:12 +0000

Vanessa Priya Daniel’s first book, Unrig the Game: What Women of Color Can Teach Everyone About Winning, centers the work of women of color in social justice movements. Daniel discusses her personal journey from community organizer to the founder and Executive Director of Groundswell, a philanthropy organization committed to intersectional organizing. She shares the three superpowers of successful WOC leaders that we can all adopt: a 360 vision, boldness, and generosity.

Say “Yes” to Leadership: A Conversation with Dana and Keith Cutler

Ally Kvidt — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 11:00:57 +0000

Legal lions and TV judges Keith and Dana Cutler join Amanda Arriaga on the inaugural episode of “Leading the Bar,” a new podcast from the National Conference of Bar Presidents designed to help lawyers engage and grow as leaders. With over 75 years of collective experience, the Cutlers, known for their roles on “Couples Court with the Cutlers” and “Cutler’s Court,” share their insights into the importance of bar leadership for the health of the legal profession.

Dana Cutler, the first Black woman president of the Missouri Bar, shares how profoundly she was able to advance her career by simply “showing up and saying yes.” She discusses the challenges she faced in modernizing a bar association and implementing strategic operational initiatives. Keith Cutler, a past president of both the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association and the Jackson County Bar Association, encourages connecting with the next generation of lawyers and helping them use their passions to more effectively drive changes.

Bar associations have a vital role in upholding the rule of law and protecting the constitution. Dana and Keith point out how leaders must represent the entire legal community, even those with differing opinions, to ensure inclusivity and preserve the bar’s integrity. Their unique experience informs their practical advice on essential communication skills for every lawyer, emphasizing the power of active listening and responding with kindness to foster productive relationships. This episode is inspiring and a reminder of the support available to young lawyers within the bar leadership community.

Chapters/Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: The Paramount Rule of Law and Our Democracy

02:14 – Why Get Involved in Bar Leadership: The Cutlers’ Journey

04:00 – The Evolution of Bar Leadership: Engaging New Generations

07:27 – Presidential Challenges: Modernizing the Bar and Strategic Vision

16:14 – Navigating Hot Topics and Preserving the Bar’s Integrity

24:55 – The Invaluable Role of NCBP: Support and Shared Solutions

28:22 – Judicial Wisdom: Communication and Relationships in Law

33:53 – Balancing Life and Law: Hobbies and Personal Passions

37:10 – Beyond the Bar: What the Cutlers Would Do

Protests, the Military, Newsom v. Trump, the Insurrection Act, & Martial Law

Ally Kvidt — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 15:00:34 +0000

In response to the recent protests in Los Angeles, sparked by ICE raids, President Trump deployed 2,000 National Guard troops to L.A, and now 700 active duty Marines have joined, bypassing the authority of Governor Gavin Newsom and estimated to cost taxpayers an estimated $134 million. This stirred discussions over whether the President could use the Insurrection Act of 1807 & declare Martial law and whether these actions can be enforced.

In this episode, Craig is joined by Rachel E. VanLandingham, Lt Col. (ret.), Co-Associate Dean of Research & Irwin R. Buchalter Professor of Law at Southwestern Law School.

Together, Craig and Rachel discuss the use of martial law & the Insurrection Act in response to protests, the military’s role, Newsom v. Trump, and whether the deployment of troops to Los Angeles constitutes martial law.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Newsom v. Trump

Fresh Voices on Legal Tech with Sarah McCormick

Ally Kvidt — Fri, 13 Jun 2025 14:00:56 +0000

Legal practice technologies help you provide better, more efficient services for your clients, but how do you leverage them to improve your practice? Dennis & Tom talk with Sarah McCormick about her collaborative tech approach that helps lawyers understand how to apply technology in legal practice. They discuss everyday essentials in legal tech, AI applications for both lawyers and law students, and Sarah also shares insights from her unique career path leading to expertise in legal operations, service delivery, and education.

As always, stay tuned for the parting shots, that one tip, website, or observation that you can use the second the podcast ends.

Have a technology question for Dennis and Tom? Call their Tech Question Hotline at 720-441-6820 for the answers to your most burning tech questions.

Sarah McCormick is the Director of Legal Service Delivery at Honigman LLP.

Show Notes:

Leveraging ChatGPT for travel planning
How to Protect Yourself From Phone Searches at the US Border
Organization — Smart Folders and Tags

Redefining Success: One Immigration Lawyer’s Path from Burnout to Balance | First Flight #5

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:00:27 +0000

Can a young lawyer balance motherhood, burnout, and building a solo practice? In this episode of New Solo’s First Flight series, Adriana Linares talks with immigration attorney Kim Felton, whose legal career was born from necessity and built with purpose. After facing rejection while pregnant and being let go from a hostile firm, Kim turned to contract work and eventually launched her own immigration practice and consulting company, Innovation Litigation.

Kim shares how she carved her own path using legal tech, project management tools, and an unshakable drive to create a family-friendly law firm not just for herself, but to help other attorneys do the same. Later in the episode, Adriana and ALPS Insurance’s Rio Laine discuss how documenting procedures, adopting the right case management system, and creating a positive work culture can protect your practice and your peace of mind.

Learn more about ALPS Insurance.

Receive email notifications every time we release a new episode

AI Is Here, How Will Paralegal Professionals Remain Vital?

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:00:23 +0000

AI is coming, and it may be coming for your job. Guest Dan Lear, vice president of partnerships at the litigation solutions company InfoTrack, shares how paralegal professionals can adapt and remain vital. Spoiler, you can’t ignore the AI revolution, but you can learn, evolve, and deliver insights and human skills that AI simply can’t match.

File, case, and data management has come a long way, from physically moving boxes of paper filings to electronic management, and Lear has done it all, from moving paper files to his current position legal tech. Along the way, Lear advanced from a file clerk position to a career as a paralegal professional, then earning his law degree. Now he’s exploring and embracing AI capabilities.

Having worked as a paralegal, Lear understands how vital the profession is to the practice of law, at times even “training” newly minted attorneys as they transition from learning the principles of the law to actually getting the job done.

As Lear explains, lifelong learning, networking, and building strong connections will become increasingly important moving forward, whether you’re a newcomer to the field or an experienced veteran.

#564: The Gift in the Struggle: Leveraging Emotional Intelligence for Growth, with Sara Muender

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 11:00:01 +0000

In this insightful episode of the Lawyerist Podcast, we invite you to explore the profound interplay between personal resilience and professional advancement. Join business coach Sara Muender and host Zack Glaser as they guide us through the essential process of reframing failure and leveraging hardships for significant growth.

You’ll discover how encountering obstacles or experiencing a dip in professional momentum often reveals deeper, underlying emotional dynamics. We underscore the critical importance of emotional intelligence and the strategic prioritization of human experience over purely technical or strategic solutions. Sara shares how AI tools, while invaluable for streamlining operations like project management, also provide significant support in mitigating overwhelm and burnout, allowing you to shift focus from mere tasks to your overall well-being.

This conversation offers a compelling perspective on navigating your unique challenges, emphasizing that genuine resilience stems from directly engaging with difficulties, not from avoiding them. We’ll discuss why comparing your professional journey to others can be unproductive and how embracing even uncomfortable emotions can become a potent catalyst for your development. If you’re seeking to cultivate a more robust understanding of your professional hurdles and harness emotional intelligence for sustained success, this episode provides invaluable guidance.

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.

#516: Flexing Your Discipline Muscle to Stay Motivated, with Sara Muender

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist

#535: Lawyer Burnout: 5 Hidden Signs You’re About to Crash, with Natasha Evans

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist

#506: Managing Stress & Avoiding Burnout, with Emily Nagoski

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction & AI’s Role in Work

01:50 – AI for Project Scoping & Management

03:47 – AI, Client Feedback & Emotional Intelligence

04:40 – Overcoming Overwhelm with AI

07:10 – Finding “The Gift in the Struggle”

08:04 – Battling Burnout & Comparison Traps

13:53 – The Power of Slowing Down

16:11 – Embracing Failure & Building Resilience

22:29 – Failure as Data, Not Personal Worth

23:41 – Personal Tragedy & Finding Meaning

29:22 – The Relativity of Pain & Self-Improvement

34:35 – Facing Hard Truths & Growth

So Long And Thanks For All The Bonuses

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 15:00:51 +0000

Paul Weiss fancied itself clever when it offered Trump pro bono payola in exchange for dropping an illegal executive order. Instead it keeps hemorrhaging senior lawyers with more departing to join the recent rainmaker spinoff and associates reportedly high on the new firm’s wish list. While litigators are largely driving defections from surrender firms, at what point does a hollowed out litigation department start to impact the firm as a whole? Harvard Law Review found itself harassed by the government and it looks like the reason might be a snitch burrowed into the White House. And the one-track partnership model took more hits with Ropes & Gray and Debevoise agreeing to add non-equity tiers.

It Ends With Lawsuits: Unpacking the Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Legal Battle

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 11:00:39 +0000

Ironically, there is no end in sight for the drama between “It Ends With Us” co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. The feud stemming from their fractured working relationship during the film’s production and release continues to offer up splashy headlines almost daily. Allegations of sexual harassment and retaliation led to smear campaigns and then further lawsuits claiming defamation, extortion, libel, and more. Can we make sense of their tangle of legal actions? Tracy Brammeier and Kellie Snyder welcome a panel of legal experts including Jeff Becker, James Hemphill, and Kyla Miller to discuss the details of this case, the intensity of public perception and social media reactions, and what we might expect as the case moves forward.

Kyla Miller is an attorney in Mayer Brown’s employment, litigation, and counseling practice where she counsels employers in highly sensitive personnel matters.

James Hemphill is a trial and appellate lawyer with Graves Dougherty Hearon & Moody where he has practiced First Amendment and media law for more than 30 years.

Jeffrey Becker is founder of Swanson, Martin & Bell’s entertainment and media law practice group where he helps clients resolve contractual and business disputes.

How ethics reforms in Arizona led to LegalZoom’s law firm

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 11:00:30 +0000

When Arizona changed its ethics rules in 2020 opening the door for alternative business structures and nonlawyer ownership for law firms, it sent shock waves throughout the legal industry. Nicole Miller, the chief legal officer of LegalZoom, speaks to the ABA Journal’s Victor Li about LegalZoom’s experience in Arizona thus far, as well as general issues relating to regulatory reform and alternative business structures.

EP 612- Fighting for Constitutional Rights Part Two

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 11:00:11 +0000

Our conversation with Constitutional lawyer David Roland continues as he discusses recent challenges to your rights and how you can hold task forces and government accountable.

Stand Up to Stand Out

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 08:00:52 +0000

Is standing up for a cause you believe in a help or a hindrance to your business? The fear of losing clients who think/believe differently might keep you from publicly supporting the things you value, but is that actually good for your business (and you)?

When it comes to support and activism, many professionals shy away from proclaiming anything that could narrow their market, but fine-tuning your appeal is exactly what you need to do to grow your business. Gyi and Conrad discuss why standing for something is much better than standing for nothing, and it even helps you position your brand in your market. If you’re perceived as a generic lawyer of no distinction, you’re going to have a tough time connecting with your community. Authenticity is good for business, and the guys share how leaning into your values can really help your law firm grow.

The News:

Our esteemed friend Eric Goldman wrote up a great piece on the latest court ruling on brand name conquesting: NJ Supreme Court Blesses Lawyers’ Competitive Keyword Ads (With a Baffling Caveat).
A new partnership between CallRail and RingCentral looks promising for all those involved. Here’s the deets: RingCentral | CallRail Integration
Well, we’ve had a good run. Zuck announces AI for ad management (to end Gyi and Conrad).
Don’t believe anything you see on the internet, kids. Nancy Mace’s Astroturfing is deceptive marketing at its worst—ick.
Register now for the Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Summit at the Bellagio in Vegas! We’ll kick things off on September 22nd. Hope to see all you in-house marketers there. Today, we’re announcing some of the great speakers and timely topics you can look forward to. Tune in for more details!

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Google’s Search Monopoly in Jeopardy: This New Antitrust Ruling Changes Everything

What’s in a Brand?

Connect:

Thomson Reuters CoCounsel

The True Impact of Eliminating LSC for Everyday Americans

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 15:30:29 +0000

A judge, legal aid director and legal aid client come together to discuss the potential impact of the White House’s proposal to eliminate the Legal Services Corporation (LSC) on the latest episode of Talk Justice. On May 30, the Trump Administration announced its proposed federal budget for 2026, calling for the elimination of LSC. In light of this, Flagg guides the guests through a conversation about the tangible impacts of defunding civil legal services, explaining how the impact will be felt at every level.

The Explosion of E-Discovery

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 11:00:50 +0000

E-discovery is one of the hottest areas of litigation today. AI chats, Slack and social media, and confidentiality concerns are big news. As the field advances, it’s becoming increasingly important that legal professionals understand not just how to manage their own team’s data, but also what to ask for in discovery.

Guest Nicole Gill, author of Best Practices for E-Discovery: A Practical Handbook (American Bar Association), explains how new sources of digital data emerge almost daily and how rules of collecting and preserving data trails, as well as data generated by AI chatbots, are constantly evolving. You need to stay up to date or you’ll be left behind.

Knowing how to broadly expand your discovery requests can be crucial. It’s every attorney’s duty to understand the digital environments where important information, records, and communications live (and sometimes hide). Snapchat, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Slack are changing the way your own clients, and any subject of discovery requests, communicate. What must be preserved and what can be reviewed? And how are countries outside the United States (including China and the EU) managing data and privacy?

Plus, a quick tip from guest Lindsay Polega as she explores the value of taking on pro bono work. It can be hard to take a full-time job fighting for justice. Those jobs don’t pay well, and many attorneys are wrestling with overwhelming student loans. But you can still do good by taking on some pro bono work, helping others while getting back to the ideals that got you into the field of law.

Resources:

Slack

Snapchat

ChatGPT

American Bar Association

American Bar Association Litigation Section

Community Table: Alternative Fee Structures, Virtual Receptionists, and a Second Office

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 11:00:09 +0000

In this episode’s discussions around the Community Table:

To meet client demand, firms are exploring alternative fee structures, such as flat-rate billing. Clients are paying for results, not hours. Today’s tech, including AI, can make your firm more efficient and settle cases faster. Hear how you can experiment with different fee structures and where they may, or may not, work.
Do you need a real receptionist, or can you get by with an outsourced, virtual one? There can be advantages. Clients today expect more, including 24/7 availability. Virtual receptionists can be available around the clock, and modern technology can offer lower costs, greater capacity, and add-ons such as multiple languages.
As your firm’s footprint expands, you may consider opening an office in a new territory. Dig into the pros – and many cons – of expanding your reach and the creative alternatives to physical office space (even sending a ride-share company to pick up distant clients and bringing them to you).

Leading the Bar Trailer

Ally Kvidt — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 19:00:07 +0000

Bar presidents share strategies, tools and insights for attorneys growing into leadership roles. Learn from real stories of growth, crisis management, and innovation in NCBP’s Leading the Bar podcast. Listen monthly for compelling stories the next generation of lawyer-leaders can use to develop skills, confidence, and vision to lead with purpose and integrity.

“The Untold Secrets to Thrive as a Lawyer” with Judy Selby

Ally Kvidt — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 11:00:38 +0000

Drawing from over 30 years experience in legal practice, Judy Selby’s newest book offers a wealth of knowledge for attorneys looking to move forward with confidence in their legal career. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway sit down with Judy to learn her insights on creating meaningful relationships with clients while growing a brand that reflects your personal values. And, when it comes to wellbeing, Judy has practical, realistic advice that helps attorneys avoid the pitfalls that could negatively impact their progress.

Read Judy’s book to learn more! The Untold Secrets to Thrive as a Lawyer: Six Steps to Ignite Your Legal Career Even if You Didn’t Go to Harvard or Yale

judyselby.com

Birthright Citizenship, Trump’s Executive Order, & a SCOTUS Showdown

Ally Kvidt — Fri, 06 Jun 2025 11:00:50 +0000

On January 20th, 2025, President Trump issued Executive Order (EO) 14160, limiting birthright citizenship. This was met with backlash, as the constitutionality of the order was questioned. On May 15, 2025 SCOTUS heard oral arguments regarding a challenge to the order and a decision is expected to be released by late June or early July 2025. The courts have temporarily blocked the implementation of the Executive Order while constitutional challenges proceed.

In this episode, Craig is joined by David C. Baluarte, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and a Professor of Law at CUNY School of Law. Together, Craig and Dean Balaurte discuss Trump’s executive order to end birthright citizenship, recent oral arguments before SCOTUS, the constitutional fight for birthright citizenship, and the potential impact of this upcoming decision.

Mentioned in this Episode:

United States v. Wong Kim Ark

Inside the State Bar: A Presidential Perspective

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 11:00:56 +0000

What exactly does your state bar president do, anyway? A very presidential trio joins Rocky Dhir for today’s conversation examining this leadership role and its many responsibilities. Rocky welcomes Past-President Cindy Tisdale, current President Steve Benesh, and President-Elect Santos Vargas to learn more about their efforts for fellow lawyers and their desire to address unmet needs in the profession throughout the state.

Later, they dig into the history of the State Bar of Texas, explain the current structure and operation of the organization as a whole, and share how Texas legal professionals can get more involved in Bar programs.

#563: Beyond the Traditional: Creating Future-Proof Legal Offerings, with Rachel Allums and Allison Harrison

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 11:00:42 +0000

Step inside a real-world example of legal innovation as two Lawyerist Lab members, Rachel Allums and Allison Harrison, reveal how they partnered to create Safe Sendoff, a new company addressing common legal needs for young adults.

Rachel and Allison identified a need for legal documents like powers of attorney and HIPAA releases when young people turn 18. They decided to join forces, sharing costs and leveraging their individual firm experiences to develop a product that serves both young adults and their parents. Beyond providing crucial legal forms, Safe Sendoff also includes an “Adulting 101” course, which educates young people on the responsibilities and rights that come with turning 18, covering topics from employment rules to filing taxes.

Their discussion highlights a new service delivery model offering automated, cost-effective solutions. Rachel and Allison share how their experience running their individual law firms informed their approach to building Safe Sendoff, allowing them to expedite the process of defining their purpose, vision, and ideal client. They also emphasize the benefits of working with a shared coach through Lawyerist Lab, which helped keep them on track. You’ll learn about their commitment to transparent, upfront pricing and their focus on delivering valuable legal support through recorded explanations and automated processes, making high-quality legal information accessible at a fraction of the cost.

If this discussion sparks questions about optimizing your firm’s operations or identifying new opportunities, consider exploring the “free small firm scorecard” at lawyerist.com/scorecard. It’s a quick assessment to help you get a data-driven view of your firm and identify areas for smart improvements as you embark on your own innovation journey.

Listen to our other episodes:

#407: Serving Clients Through Alternative Business Structures, with Mike Payne and Chad Huebsch Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist

#368: Using Strategy Intensives for Your Firm’s Success, with Anne Romanello Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist

#320 A Labster Call, with Aaron Thomas Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.

Chapters/Timestamps:

9:31 – Introducing Safe Sendoff: A New Venture

11:49 – The “Adulting 101” Component & Why Young Adults Need These Documents 15:14 – The Partnership Journey: Challenges and Synergies

17:48 – Building a Second Business Differently

22:46 – The Business Model: Beyond the Billable Hour

25:24 – Lessons Learned and Advice for Entrepreneurs

28:53 – What’s Next for Safe Sendoff: Marketing and Growth

Sex Asteroids, Sleazebags, And Meme Police

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 11:00:45 +0000

Lawsuit against former Texas SG alleges bizarre cosmic sex fetish. The administration made two significant changes to the judicial nomination process, firing the ABA from its neutral evaluator role and kicking the Federalist Society to the curb. The latter move came with an epic rant declaring Leonard Leo a sleazebag. Broken clocks and all. And Kash Patel lays out the FBI’s priorities and child predators and terrorists are now lower on the most wanted list than, “your neighbor who posted an 8647 joke.”

How a Florida murder and an unlikely justice created a ‘criminal procedure revolution’

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 11:00:29 +0000

In Chambers v. Florida and the Criminal Justice Revolution, historian and former ABA Journal reporter Richard Brust lifts the veil on a case that laid the groundwork for some much more famous civil rights victories.

On May 13, 1933, shopkeeper Robert Darsey was robbed and murdered in Pompano, Florida. Four Black migrant farm workers—Izell Chambers, Walter Woodard, Jack Williamson and Charlie Davis—were seized and pressured by the local sheriff into confessing to the murder under threat of lynching. Their appeals eventually reached the U.S. Supreme Court through the efforts of some dedicated African American attorneys, and succeeded in 1940.

In Justice Hugo Black’s written opinion for the majority, the justice drew parallels between the Jim Crow regime in the American South and the rise of authoritarianism and fascism in Europe. Chambers v. Florida forbade the use of psychological coercion—such as threatening to turn prisoners over to lynch mobs—as well as physical abuse to extract confessions. The court’s ruling declared that the protections of the Bill of Rights extended into states’ criminal cases, and began to change the kinds of cases that made it onto the Supreme Court docket.

Brust sees it as part of a trio of cases, which includes Moore v. Dempsey (1923) and Brown v. Mississippi (1936), that led to a “criminal procedure revolution,” he tells the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles.

In this episode of The Modern Law Library, Brust discusses the lawyers who worked on the case, most prominently Simuel D. McGill, a Black attorney in Jacksonville. He delves into the generational differences between the Floridian defense lawyers and the attorneys of the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund who would go on to win key civil rights battles. He explains why Justice Black would have been considered an unlikely author for this opinion. And he shares what he could discover about the fates of Chambers, Woodard, Williamson and Davis after the trial.

EP 910- Ask The Mediator with Jill Bollwerk

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 11:00:15 +0000

Plaintiff attorney and mediator Jill Bollwerk offers practical tips and insights that can help you be more successful in your next mediation.

What’s In a Brand?

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 08:00:19 +0000

Branding, re-branding, brand refresh… What does it all mean? Well, a rose by any other name might smell as sweet, but your business could really stink if your branding strategy is lacking. Learn how to optimize your brand, master your messaging, and position yourself for success.

Branding, positioning, and messaging are distinct and essential elements for your law firm’s strategy, but not all lawyers have a handle on the meaning and functions of these components in the scope of their business. Gyi and Conrad take us through the basics of branding and explain the critical (and perhaps greater) importance of positioning and messaging. Learn how being true to yourself can help you create a meaningful, intentional path forward for your legal business.

Come see us! The Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Summit will be held September 22-24 at the Bellagio in Las Vegas. Register now!

The News:

Well, Avvo’s been sued (again). Do we care?
Allegedly, AI is screwing businesses over left and right by publishing utter falsehoods. Yay.
Kevin Indig has some good insights here: The first-ever UX Study of Google’s AI Overviews: The Data We’ve All Been Waiting For.

Suggested LHLM Episodes:

Marketer vs. Marketer

Links:

The Unbillable Hour — Rebranding: Define Your Firm, Define Your Practice

rebrandingexperts.com

Connect:

Simplexico | The Legal AI Consultancy | Free Course: AI Essentials for Lawyers

EP02: Defending a Defensive Client

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 11:00:47 +0000

The Case Doctors explain how they’ve managed clients who are passionate about their cases after a viewer asks them how to handle a client has a short temper and gets defensive when asked tough questions. The hot topic in this episode is about how a high-profile e-cigarette case involving allegations of exploding batteries got removed to federal court.

Making It Easy to Give Back with Anna Chu

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 03 Jun 2025 11:00:13 +0000

We The Action has a simple premise – lawyers have the power to do good. The organization started in 2017 to help connect lawyer with pro bono causes, from immigration and domestic violence representation to non-profit governance and tax issues, from voting rights to copyright. Anna Chu, the Executive Director, describes how nimble organization started the Federal Workers Defense Network to provide pro bono support for the thousands of federal workers who were fired from their positions in violation of law and without legal process. You can find pro bono opportunities at https://wetheaction.org/lawyers

Exclusive Remedy: The “Great Bargain” (and the Exceptions)

Ally Kvidt — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 11:00:10 +0000

Let’s talk about the “exclusive remedy,” what it means, why Workers’ Comp matters, and the exceptions. The concept of exclusive remedy is based on the principle that in exchange for care and benefits, a worker injured on the job may surrender some options for additional remedies.

If you’re covered by Workers’ Comp, the ability to challenge the employer in court for injuries and pain and suffering may be limited. Workers’ Comp is the remedy. We are covered by Workers’ Compensation because that can be a good thing, but we may give up the right to sue. Ideally, it’s a fair deal for workers and employers. “The Great Bargain.”

But there are twists and turns. Negligence, bad faith, family medical leave needs, disabilities, “double compensation,” and third-party interests all add to the puzzle. When does an injured worker get the “green light” to seek compensation outside of the exclusive remedy?

And what about non-injury damages like defamation, malicious prosecution, slander, or mental anguish? Or what if a “leased” employee (think temp agencies) is hurt? While the exclusive remedy simplifies the management of workplace injuries in many cases, it’s not always as clear as it seems, and it’s important to know where the exceptions lurk. The goal is always to make injured workers whole. Every case matters.

If you have thoughts on Workers’ Comp law or an idea for a topic or guest you’d like to hear, contact us at JPierce@ppnlaw.com or APierce@ppnlaw.com.

Back to Basics: Understanding AI Tools from the Ground Up

Ally Kvidt — Sat, 31 May 2025 00:27:13 +0000

Much of our AI exposure comes from the media headlines highlighting its best and worst-case scenarios, but does that give attorneys an accurate view of AI’s uses and capabilities? Dennis and Tom talk with Uwais Iqbal about his work in the legal AI space and his focus on helping attorneys understand and implement AI in legal practice. Uwais emphasizes the importance of educating lawyers on the basics of AI so that they can move forward with discernment in tech acquisition to enhance both workflows and client experience.

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.

Uwais Iqbal is the founder of Simplexico, a London-based AI consultancy.

Show Notes:

Simplexico

TextExpander

Case Management and Accounting Tech: Implementation, Migration, and Integration

Adam Lockwood — Thu, 29 May 2025 16:10:08 +0000

Take a deep dive into today’s case management and accounting tech with one of the leading voices in legal technology, Allan Mackenzie, the founding partner of the firm Efficient Legal.

Moving from older systems and into the cloud can open lots of doors, affordably. Even small firms can dig into today’s modern technology to help manage documents, accounting tasks, and more.

Iron out the wrinkles in your data management, connect platforms, and work seamlessly and efficiently. Case management systems have evolved to include dashboards, workflows, document assembly, phone call and text messaging systems, and even accounting tech and credit card processing. Hear what Mackenzie looks for when he sets out to build the right-sized system for a law firm, whether that’s a solo practice or a large organization.

Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com

Topics:

Think your legal software and systems are fine because they’re what you’ve always used? Think again. Six months is an eternity in legal tech, and if you haven’t reviewed and renewed your software suite, you could be leaving money on the table.
Integrate everything, including your billing, collections, and your phone calls, into every part of your firm, from information management to confidential storage and efficient search and recall.
Your clients are texting more than ever. Today’s case management systems incorporate technology to securely receive, sort, and store text messages.

Resources:

Clio Legal Tech

MyCase

Smokeball

CARET (formerly Zola)

Previously on New Solo, “Winning The Battle: When It’s Time To Modernize But There’s One Holdout”

Previously on New Solo, guest Peggy Gruenke, “What’s New in Legal Financial Management? An Expert’s Perspective”

Previously on New Solo, guest Amanda Moore, “Money Management 101 for Solo and Small Firm Professionals”

Clio Cloud Conference 2025