Legal Education Podcasts - Legal Talk Network

‘Secrets of the Killing State’ exposes realities of lethal injection

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 23 Apr 2025 11:00:04 +0000

Execution by lethal injection is seen by many Americans as a less barbaric alternative than older methods like hanging, firing squads and electrocution. It is easy to assume that the process must resemble euthanasia procedures for terminally ill people or pets. The reality is very different, says Corinna Barrett Lain, a law professor and death penalty expert.

Lain didn’t initially intend to make the death penalty her primary area of study, she tells the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles in this episode of the Modern Law Library. A former prosecutor in Virginia, Lain did not begin her work out of opposition to the death penalty. But the more she discovered about the realities of the administration of lethal injections, the more she was compelled to demystify the process.

In Secrets of the Killing State: The Untold Story of Lethal Injection, Lain upends a lot of conventional wisdom about lethal injections. For example, the three-drug protocol used by most states was not a drug cocktail arrived at through scientific research. Rather, in 1977, after the U.S. Supreme Court allowed executions to resume after a 10-year hiatus, Oklahoma medical examiner Dr. Jay Chapman was asked by a state legislator to come up with an alternative to the state’s rickety electric chair. Though Chapman admitted he was “an expert in dead bodies but not an expert in getting them that way,” he proposed combining sodium thiopental, pancuronium bromide and potassium chloride. “You wanted to make sure the prisoner was dead at the end, so why not add a third drug,” the book quotes Chapman as saying. “Why does it matter why I chose it?” In contrast, an overdose of a single drug, pentobarbital, is what is commonly used by veterinarians in animal euthanasia.

“Lethal injection is not based on science,” Lain writes. “It is based on the illusion of science, the assumption of science.”

In this episode, Lain and Rawles also discuss botched executions, shady sources used by states to procure the drugs used for lethal injections, and how Lain’s scholarship has impacted her views of capital punishment as a whole.

Meet the sheriffs who believe they are ‘The Highest Law in the Land’

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 18:30:50 +0000

The first image conjured in your mind by the word “sheriff” might be the protagonist of a Wild West movie or Robin Hood’s foe, the Sheriff of Nottingham. But unless you’re a resident of Alaska, Connecticut, Hawaii and Rhode Island, there’s likely an elected law-enforcement official in your area who holds that title.

In The Highest Law in the Land: How the Unchecked Power of Sheriffs Threatens Democracy, lawyer and journalist Jessica Pishko takes a deep dive into the history of this position in American life, and at a far-right movement hoping to co-opt the role of sheriff to advance extreme conservative policies.

There are some 3,000 sheriffs in the United States, one per county (or county equivalent). In this episode of The Modern Law Library, Pishko and the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles discuss how the rural/urban divide impacts the demographics of sheriffs. Ninety-seven percent of the land area in the United States is considered rural, but only 20% of the people live in those rural areas. In the 2020 census, Greene County, Alabama, had 7,730 residents and one sheriff. Cook County, Illinois, which contains the city of Chicago, had 5,275,541 residents and one sheriff. This leads to a larger proportion of sheriffs representing a rural and more conservative demographic, Pishko says.

Pishko explains the “constitutional sheriff” movement, including its similarities to other fringe movements like the sovereign citizens. Adherents claim that sheriffs alone have the power to interpret how the Constitution and the first 10 Amendments should be enforced in their counties. They claim that state governments, the federal government, the president and the U.S. Supreme Court have no power over sheriffs, and that as elected officials, sheriffs are answerable only to their constituents.

In this episode, Pishko also describes the large role sheriffs have in incarcerations, how their enforcement powers differ or overlap with police, and what disciplinary or oversight measures are available when a sheriff abuses their office. Pishko and Rawles also discuss the roles sheriffs might have in local elections, and whether they might have an impact on the 2024 presidential election.

#518: Why Every Lawyer Needs to Master Storytelling—And How to Do It, with Kate Tellers

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 11:00:29 +0000

Stories are powerful—not just in the courtroom, but in business, with your team, and your life. And, yet, telling a great story is hard!

Stephanie chats with Kate Tellers, senior director and a host of the Peabody Award winning Moth Radio Hour and co-author of How To Tell a Story, about bringing our stories to life.

Links from the episode: 

The Moth

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free!

Tests into and out of law schools—what’s changing and why

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 14 Aug 2024 11:00:42 +0000

The LSAT is facing competition from the JD-Next exam, and many states are reconsidering their licensing methods as the bar exam as we’ve known it sunsets in 2028. Kellye Testy, the executive director and CEO of the Association of American Law Schools, talks with the ABA Journal’s Julianne Hill about why those changes are happening now and what it means for law schools and students.

Why John Adams Defended the British Soldiers During the Boston Massacre Trials

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 16 Jul 2024 11:00:04 +0000

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:

Sign up for our newsletter so that you’re the first to know when new episodes drop!
Listen to J. Craig Williams’ other podcast, Lawyer 2 Lawyer.
Tell us what you’re looking forward to the most for this show on LinkedIn, Facebook, X or Instagram!
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

Salem Witch Trials: How The Hysteria Went Terribly Awry

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 11:00:18 +0000

In 1692, claims of satanic rituals, ghosts, and seemingly “afflicted” children stirred puritanical imaginations, deepened by petty rifts between powerful families and rival congregations in Salem Village (now known as Danvers, Massachusetts). In response to the growing number of citizen complaints and imprisonments, Massachusetts Bay Colony Governor William Phips appointed a man with no legal training to preside over the trials. More than a dozen poor decisions and questionable verdicts later, townspeople became all too familiar with death sentences by hanging. Hear the full story unravel with voiceover reenactments, historical context and present-day reflection from Attorney J. Craig Williams.

LINKS:

Sign up for our newsletter so that you’re the first to know when new episodes drop!
Listen to J. Craig Williams’ other podcast, Lawyer 2 Lawyer.
Tell us what you’re looking forward to the most for this show on LinkedIn, Facebook, X or Instagram!
Purchase the e-book.
Purchase the hardcover

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR VOICE ACTORS:

Troy Starr as John Hathorne

Doreen Wiley as Sarah Good

Kevin McGrath as Cotton Mather

Dave Scriven-Young as Stephen Sewell

Evan Dicharry as Judge

Georgia Well as Bridgett Bishop

The Rising Costs of Google Ads || Traffic for Traffic’s Sake?

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 13 Dec 2023 09:00:12 +0000

Google ad prices keep increasing, but a lot of lawyers feel like their Google marketing isn’t getting them where they want to go. Later, should you keep content that brings in plenty of web traffic but no new customers?

Is Google engaging in some sneaky tactics? Ad prices continue to rise, but many lawyers are feeling like their Google ads are less and less effective. What’s going on here? Gyi and Conrad talk through the increasingly convoluted ad space and how to actually reach your target clients.

Later, a listener asks a question that merits its own segment—what do you do when you have a web page that generates a lot of organic traffic but doesn’t convert to clients? The guys discuss whether all traffic is good traffic and what you should do with a weirdly performing page from a variety of marketing perspectives.

The News:

Once again, Elon’s employing some seriously questionable tactics against his naysayers, and it’s hard to imagine he’s accomplishing anything other than shooting himself in the foot: Elon Musk to advertisers who try to blackmail him: ‘Go f**k yourself’
Danny Sullivan, Google’s Search Liaison, says major changes are coming to search rankings, so buckle up, folks. We may be experiencing some turbulence.
Also from Google—structured data changes. Check out these articles from Search Engine Journal: Google Highlights Forums & Profiles With New Structured Data and Google Search Central: New in structured data: discussion forum and profile page markup.
And, well, Google’s definitely monopolizing the news (again): Jerry Dischler of Google Ads has Resigned.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Ask a question—get some swag!

Leave Us an Apple Review

Lunch Hour Legal Marketing now on YouTube

Lunch Hour Legal Marketing on TikTok

CLA Annual Meeting – New Lawyers

Legal Talk Network — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 19:47:18 +0000

The New Lawyers Section aims to connect and support new lawyers in the state of California through events, educational programs, publications, and more! Hosts Lindsey Dean and Emma Raimi-Zlatic talk with incoming section chair Jake Zindulka about the ins and outs of the section and his top advice for new lawyers. He also highlights the importance of networking opportunities and how they help new lawyers develop relationships within the professional community.

Get the support you need during the first 8 years of legal practice! Learn more at: New Lawyers – California Lawyers Association

CLA Annual Meeting – Real Property Law

Legal Talk Network — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 19:28:11 +0000

Catherine Stock and Kyle Bagshaw welcome Frantz Farreau, new chair of the Real Property Law Section, to discuss valuable takeaways from the conference for real estate attorneys. Frantz discusses the new legal issues arising in this area of the law and highlights events, webinars, practice solutions, and more that his committee provides for members.

Learn more at Real Property Law – California Lawyers Association and listen to their podcast-style webinar, What’s Up With Us?

CLA Annual Meeting – A Conversation with Jeremy Evans & Betty Williams

Legal Talk Network — Sat, 23 Sep 2023 19:11:25 +0000

Lindsey Dean sits down with CLA President Jeremy Evans and President-Elect Betty Williams to hear about the latest developments within the California Lawyers Association. They discuss the origins of the CLA and its uniquely crafted goals aimed at being a unifying force amongst California attorneys. They also share insights on upcoming projects and future goals.

Learn more at: California Lawyers Association

Learning Legal Technology—What Needs to Change?

Ally Kvidt — Fri, 08 Sep 2023 11:00:59 +0000

Is our current approach to legal tech education helping or hurting lawyers? Dennis and Tom think through this question out loud, pondering whether lawyers can truly learn what they need to know through the typical legal tech conference session or CLE class. The guys might not agree, but they hash out their thoughts on learning opportunities, tech engagement, new approaches to tech-ed resources, and more.

Later, time for another round of Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down! Dennis reveals his latest scheme for creating better legal profession standards for technology competence, placing both Tom and himself on a “task force” of sorts. Does Tom want to join in on this tech-competence dictatorship? Tune in to find out.

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.

As Dennis mentioned, be sure to check out episodes from the Fresh Voices Series:

Show Notes – Kennedy-Mighell Report #347

A Segment: Learning at Legal Tech Conferences

B Segment: Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down

Parting Shots:

Notebook LM: https://notebooklm.google/
Displaying and Evidencing Contract Terms in a Post-Visual Era” – https://www.michiganstatelawreview.org/vol-20222023/2023/4/6/displaying-and-evidencing-contract-terms-in-a-post-visual-era;

LTRC Roundtable Discussion: Phishing and Email Scams – https://www.lawtechnologytoday.org/2023/08/ltrc-roundtable-discussion-phishing-and-email-scams/

The Right to Repair Your Stuff with Gay Gordon-Byrne

Ally Kvidt — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 16:00:14 +0000

Nearly every person has had the frustrating experience of being told that an appliance or piece of electronic equipment cannot be repaired. Why are we told that a laptop cannot be repaired when the battery dies or that our dishwasher needs to be replaced when the electronic control panel malfunctions? In this episode, hosts Trisha Rich and Jennifer Byrne chat with Gay Gordon-Byrne, founder of the Digital Right to Repair Coalition (repair.org), about the far-reaching economic and environmental benefits of empowering consumers by protecting their right to repair their own stuff.

Is family court too flawed to be fixed?

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 11:00:43 +0000

Jane M. Spinak did not set out to write a book arguing for the abolition of family court. She thought she would be making the case for a set of sensible reforms. But the more she dug into the history of the family court system, the previous attempts at reform, and the examples of real world harms the system had caused, the more she began to believe there was no saving it.

In this episode of the Modern Law Library, Spinak speaks with the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles about her philosophical journey and the writing of her new book, The End of Family Court: How Abolishing the Court Brings Justice to Children and Families.

Spinak walks Rawles through the origins of the family court system at the turn of the 20th century. The movement began with Northern and Midwestern progressives, usually white middle- and upper-class women, who felt there needed to be a way to make the children of recent immigrants into “real Americans.” They also believed, as Spinak does, that adult court was not a place for juvenile offenders.

Over the next century, the purpose and purview of family courts expanded and changed. Today, family court judges may consider juvenile criminal offenses, status offenses, custody cases, adoption, the removal of children from their parents and truancy cases. What has remained constant is the uneven enforcement of child safety laws, which fall primarily on poor and minority families.

“It is doubtless true that many children of the well-to-do are saved from coming before the courts because their families have greater resources and are often able to obtain special care for their children,” reads a report from the Children’s Bureau in the 1930s cited in The End of Family Court. “Whereas the children of the poor are more likely to be referred to courts or committed to institutions when they develop serious behavior problems.”

In this episode, Spinak shares experiences from her four decades in the family law arena, discusses how the children and families impacted by family court are leading movements for change, and explains how family court jurisdictions could shrink as communities step up to support families.

Environmental Law Series: The Clean Air Act

Ally Kvidt — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 11:00:11 +0000

The Clean Air Act also known as (CAA) is a comprehensive Federal law that regulates all sources of air emissions. The 1970 CAA authorized the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) to protect public health and the environment.

In this episode of our Environmental Law series, host Craig Williams is joined by Trish McCubbin, a retired Professor of Environmental Law at the Southern Illinois University School of Law, as they spotlight CAA, its impact, progress, and how we as a society can reduce air pollution.

Bench Bar Breakfast (State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2023)

Ally Kvidt — Mon, 03 Jul 2023 14:45:33 +0000

Rocky Dhir chats with Bench Bar Breakfast speakers Justice Debra Lehrmann and Timothy Berg about the mission and efforts of the Uniform Law Commission. They explain what the ULC does, the processes of projects undertaken by the commission, and how their acts provide consistency while still promoting the autonomy of the states.

Justice Debra Lehrmann is the Senior Justice on the Supreme Court of Texas.

Timothy Berg is General Counsel at Fennemore Craig, P.C.

Police Decertification & SB 2

Ally Kvidt — Fri, 23 Jun 2023 11:00:09 +0000

On September 30, 2021, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 2 (SB 2), also known as the Kenneth Ross, Jr. Police Decertification Act of 2021, establishing a statewide system to decertify or suspend officers who have committed serious misconduct.

So what constitutes police misconduct? And how is SB 2 shaping police departments? In this episode, host Craig Williams is joined by guest Marshal Arnwine, Jr., an Advocate for the Criminal Justice Program at the ACLU of Northern California. Craig and Marshal discuss SB 2, decertification due to police misconduct, transparency in police departments, and the impact on states’ decertification/revocation laws.

Summer Reading Lists & Tips on the Fediverse

Ally Kvidt — Fri, 02 Jun 2023 11:00:32 +0000

Whether you’ve got a summer trip planned or not, it’s always a good time to start a really great book. Dennis and Tom talk through their personal summer reading goals and how they approach the curation of book lists that hit business and pleasure in equal measures.

Later, what the heck is the Fediverse? Twitter’s slow death has us all a bit annoyed and increasingly disengaged, but social media is still a big part of how we humans interact, so what’s next? Dennis and Tom explain “federated platforms” and what they promise for our future social media 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.

False Confessions (Part 2)

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 24 May 2023 17:00:04 +0000

Despite best intentions, parents can be their child’s worst enemy during an investigation. And innocent people can know the same facts that only guilty criminals do. But how are these things possible? In this part two of two, we talk all about it with Making a Murderer’s Laura Nirider, Certified Forensic Interviewer David Thompson, and former Washington D.C. Police Detective James Trainum.

TECHSHOW 2023: NFTs, Web3, and IP Law

Legal Talk Network — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 18:50:15 +0000

The virtual world of NFTs and Web3 is developing rapidly, and within this space, intellectual property disputes are now cropping up at a similarly rapid pace. Diane Littlejohn, Kristen Roberts, and Jessica Neer McDonald talk through their TECHSHOW presentation on trademark and copyright issues arising from NFTs and Web3 and share how to assess goals and uses for virtual content to decide what protections a creator may need.

Diane Littlejohn is an attorney currently serving as the Executive Director of the Technology Law and Policy Center at North Carolina Central University School of Law.

Kristen G. Roberts, Founder & Managing Attorney at Trestle Law, APC is a California-based intellectual property attorney who helps business owners build a bridge from their brands to their bank accounts.

Jessica Neer McDonald is founder of intellectual property law firm Neer McD PLLC, based in Miami, Florida

ABA TECHSHOW 2023: The Lowdown

Legal Talk Network — Tue, 28 Feb 2023 19:33:56 +0000

Gyi Tsakalakis gives the lowdown for ABA TECHSHOW sessions, events, and special speakers. Stay tuned for Chicago travel-foodie tips, plus a skosh of stoic wisdom. #Mirth

Clio Cloud 2022: Insights from Clio’s 2022 Legal Trends Report

Legal Talk Network — Tue, 11 Oct 2022 16:30:01 +0000

Data contributed by tens of thousands of legal professionals has given us new insights into the workings of today’s law firms. Laurence Colletti talks with Joshua Lenon and Rio Peterson of Clio to learn more about the findings of the 2022 Legal Trends Report. They discuss how trends have changed between their pre- and post- pandemic data and examine how current events (i.e. a potential recession, changing work styles, hiring trends, etc.) are affecting law firm operations across all areas of the profession.

Joshua Lenon is Lawyer in Residence & Data Protection Officer at Clio.

Rio Peterson is Senior Affinity Partnerships Manager at Clio.

The Life of a Lawyer, Start to Finish: Lifelong Learning

Legal Talk Network — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 11:00:31 +0000

On the last episode of our The Life of a Lawyer Start to Finish series, we discussed Hobbies & Travel with attorney Steven Lefkoff. In this episode, we move on to the next rung of the ladder: Lifelong Learning.

Host Craig Williams is joined by attorney, entrepreneur, and teacher Kelli J. Proia, founder of Lawducate. Craig and Kelli explore lifelong learning, discuss the importance of a continuous learning plan through education and training, the impact on career and personal growth, and the perks of being a lifelong learner.

EP605 – Self-Awareness

Legal Talk Network — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 11:05:59 +0000

Self-awareness in the courtroom can make a real difference. Should you intervene or just sit back and let the awkwardness linger when someone misses cues from the judge or jury? Can you teach self-awareness? And if so, how? In part two of our deep dive into self-awareness, you’ll get a few tips on how to enhance your ability to read the room and respond appropriately, even when others don’t.

What You Need to Know About Trauma-Informed Lawyering

Legal Talk Network — Mon, 12 Sep 2022 11:00:58 +0000

Understanding the impact of trauma helps lawyers to better connect with and care for clients. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Aylysh Gallagher and Alexander Rusek about their recent article, An Introduction to Trauma-Informed Lawyering, to educate lawyers on being mindful of trauma and its effects when interacting with clients. They outline signs and symptoms, offer insights on appropriate responses that help avoid retraumatization, and share tools and resources for further education.

Aylysh B. Gallagher is an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office in Lansing, MI, where she specializes in felony cases involving intimate partner violence.

Alexander S. Rusek is an attorney in the greater-Lansing, MI area whose practice focuses on complex mass action and class action civil litigation, business law & litigation, criminal law, and appellate law.

Ripped From the Headlines: Alex Jones and Inadvertent Waiver

Legal Talk Network — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 11:05:38 +0000

In the midst of Alex Jones’ defamation trial, the whole world found out that an almost unthinkable blunder had been committed by his attorneys, resulting in an inadvertent waiver of privilege that majorly impacted his case. How did this happen? What do legal professionals need to learn from this high-profile gaffe? Digital Detectives hosts Sharon Nelson and John Simek welcome Craig Ball to talk listeners through events in the Jones trial, the actions of the lawyers involved and Texas’ unique rule regarding inadvertent production, and the systems and tools all attorneys must employ to avoid such an egregious error in their own practice.

Read Craig’s full blog post on the subject: Ripped From the Headlines: Alex Jones and Inadvertent Waiver.

Craig Ball practices as a Special Master in electronic evidence and discovery, is a longtime adjunct professor at Texas School of Law and Tulane Law School, and writes and speaks around the world on e-discovery and computer forensics.

A Deep Dive Into the Released Dobbs Decision, with Vice Dean Keith Bybee

Legal Talk Network — Thu, 30 Jun 2022 11:01:13 +0000

Even though much has been said about the prematurely leaked draft decision of Dobbs, there’s a great deal to unpack now that the final opinion has been issued. Law Student Podcast host Meg Steenburgh welcomes back Syracuse University College of Law Vice Dean Keith Bybee to explore the reasoning of the opinion as well as the newly released concurring and dissenting opinions. Get a handle on this landmark decision that has raised many questions for law students and professors alike.

Professor Keith Bybee is Vice Dean and Paul E. and Hon. Joanne F. Alper ’72 Judiciary Studies Professor at Syracuse University College of Law.

Team Coco; An Insider’s View on Great CLEs; and “Course Correction”

Legal Talk Network — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 16:00:36 +0000

Continuing legal education was slowly moving online even before COVID-19 hit, but nowadays, online, in-person, and hybrid CLE programs are all just part of the norm. Jared chats with Bruce Richard about what the post-pandemic CLE experience is like for attendees and the benefits of becoming a CLE speaker.

Later, they guys play Jared’s latest game – “Course Correction!” Jared gives both real and fake online course descriptions, and Bruce must decide which oddball classes are really out there for your consumption.

And, love him or hate him, Conan O’Brien has been a mainstay of comedy and late-night TV for decades. Listen in for Jared’s thoughts on why Conan is the best late-night talk show host ever.

Bruce Richard is program attorney for Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc. (MCLE│New England).

Just because we’ve finished our conversation about continuing education doesn’t mean you’re done studying. Check out this episode’s playlist all about learnin’ and schoolin’.

Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest.

The music for the Legal Trends Report Minute is I See You by Sounds Like Sander.

Our closing track is At Sea by In This World.

Think you won’t pass the July bar exam? So did many others, but they did, say lawyers

Legal Talk Network — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 11:00:32 +0000

If you are studying for the July bar exam, you’re not going to memorize every flashcard for the Multistate Bar Examination, and that’s OK. You can still pass.

Professor Kenton Brice on Training the Next Generation of Lawyers and the Future of Legal Tech

Legal Talk Network — Thu, 16 Jun 2022 10:59:44 +0000

Today’s law students grew up side by side with technology and typically view it as an integral part of their lives and futures as lawyers. As such, today’s law schools are working to support students through more robust legal technology training and development. Digital Edge hosts Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway talk with Kenton Brice about his involvement with the Digital Initiative at the University of Oklahoma College of Law to get a sense of how technology is being leveraged in a tech-forward school. They also discuss how the Corporate Legal Operations Consortium (CLOC) and legal ops are using technology to increase access to justice, and Kenton shares his thoughts on what tech trends point to new possibilities for the future of law.

Kenton Brice is the director of technology innovation at the University of Oklahoma College of Law and directs the OU Law Center for Technology & Innovation in Practice and the College’s Digital Initiative.

The Science of Legal Writing: An Interview with Judge Robert Bacharach of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

Legal Talk Network — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 12:00:39 +0000

In this edition, host Jonathan Amarilio and co-host Margaret Mendenhall Casey are joined by Judge Robert Bacharach of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit to discuss his recent book “Legal Writing: A Judge’s Perspective on the Science and Rhetoric of the Written Word” and what advocates should consider when crafting persuasive arguments.

Special thanks to our sponsors: InfoTrack, Posh Virtual Receptionists, LLC, and Smokeball.

Understanding the Weaponization of Social Media with P.W. Singer

Legal Talk Network — Mon, 28 Mar 2022 11:00:27 +0000

Information and disinformation campaigns are centuries old, but our social media era has given new and rapid thrust to the sharing of ideas, both for good and ill intent. Meg Steenburgh and Peter W. Singer discuss his book, LikeWar: The Weaponization of Social Media, which analyzes the poisonous effects of disinformation on politics, war, and social issues worldwide. They look at the role of governments, laws, and individuals; and our collective responsibility to support digital literacy and engage in positive digital citizenship.

Peter Warren Singer is strategist at New America, a Professor of Practice at Arizona State University, and founder and managing partner at Useful Fiction LLC.

Thank you to our sponsor NBI.

Russia v. Ukraine: The Policy and Legal Considerations of an Unprovoked Attack on a Sovereign Nation

Legal Talk Network — Tue, 08 Mar 2022 12:00:07 +0000

In the conflict instigated by Russia in Ukraine, we have already seen numerous and outrageous Russian violations of the Laws of Armed Conflict, but what legal recourse is there against these acts? Meg Steenburgh of the ABA Law Student Podcast interviews Judge James E. Baker to learn about the interplay of law and war on the international stage. Judge Baker examines Russia’s actions to date and offers insights on how the U.S. and other international players can and/or should respond as they follow the rule of law. They also discuss new uses of AI in war, historical examples that compare to Ukraine’s struggle against its aggressor, and why law matters even if a wartime opponent refuses to adhere to it.

Judge James E. Baker is director of the Syracuse University Institute for Security Policy and Law, a professor at the Syracuse College of Law and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, and a Distinguished Fellow at the Georgetown Center for Security and Emerging Technology, Georgetown University. He previously served as a Judge and Chief Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

Thank you to our sponsor NBI.

The Life of a Lawyer, Start to Finish: How to Succeed in Law School

Legal Talk Network — Fri, 04 Mar 2022 20:50:25 +0000

As you may recall, we’re running a new series we call The Life of a Lawyer, Start to Finish, where we explore the experience of becoming and being an attorney, from applying to law schools through retirement and everything in between. On our last episode in this series, we discussed How to Get Into Law School with the Deans of Admissions from both Harvard & Yale Law.

In this episode, we move on to the next step and discuss “How to Succeed in Law School”, and we’re pleased to be joined by someone who wrote the book on how to do just that! Host Craig Williams is joined by attorney Isaac Mamaysky, author of Letter to a One L Friend: A Little Guide to Seeing the Big Picture and Succeeding in Law School, which helps students navigate the challenges of law school.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Posh Virtual Receptionists.

National Conference of Bar Presidents 2022: Executive Presence and Authentic Leadership

Legal Talk Network — Tue, 01 Mar 2022 13:01:04 +0000

Storytelling is a powerful tool for building influence and trust. Joe Sullivan talks with Ann Marie Houghtailing and Laura Fink about their talk at the NCBP Virtual Midyear Meeting and its takeaways for bar leaders on leveraging personal stories to forge authentic connections with others.

Joe Sullivan is NCBP President-Elect and Executive Council Member, and a partner at Davis, Hatley, Haffeman, & Tighe, P.C.

Ann marie Houghtailing is co-founder and CEO at Story Imprinting.

Laura Fink is founder and CEO at Rebelle Communications.

Need to sharpen your legal writing? 10th Circuit Court judge shares his tips

Legal Talk Network — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 12:00:06 +0000

There’s plenty of conventional wisdom about what makes a good legal brief or court opinion. Judge Robert E. Bacharach of the Denver-based 10th Circuit Court of Appeals says that when judges socialize, their conversations often devolve into discussions about language and pieces of writing they enjoy or revile.

But Bacharach decided he wanted to dive deeper, to see what the science of psycholinguistics could teach lawyers and judges about how written words persuade an audience. The result was his new book, Legal Writing: A Judge’s Perspective on the Science and Rhetoric of the Written Word, published by the ABA.

Legal Writing is a slim volume, but it’s packed with tips. It considers details as microscopic as a serif on a letter and as macroscopic as how to create an outline for an argument. In this episode of the Modern Law Library podcast, Bacharach chats about his own writing process; shares his top takeaways from the psycholinguists he consulted; and offers his advice for young litigators looking to hone their skills.

Do We Really Need the Bar Exam?

Legal Talk Network — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 12:00:41 +0000

Recent bar exam criticisms have left many in the legal sphere questioning whether the test really does what it claims. Is it still an essential step in legal licensure, or is it just a tired tradition? To help law students understand the many facets of this issue, Meg Steenburgh welcomes Josh Block and Adam Allington to discuss arguments for and against the bar exam that were recently aired in a three–part series from the UnCommon Law podcast.

Josh Block is the executive producer for video and audio at Bloomberg Industry Group.

Adam Allington is a senior audio producer for podcasts at Bloomberg Industry Group and host of the UnCommon Law podcast.

Thank you to our sponsor NBI.

A First Year Recap From a New Family Law Practitioner

Legal Talk Network — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 20:30:39 +0000

After passing the bar, attorney Cassandra Michel knew she wanted to open her own family law practice, Aloha Divorce, focusing on amicable divorces and family law.

Adriana dives into how a new lawyer can open a successful practice as she walks through the process of establishing a brand, creating a business plan, and networking. Choosing the right tech, deciding on using a home office, shared office, or standalone brick and mortar? Marketing? Sponsorships? Referrals? Even learning to efficiently block off time and learning how to say “no” when the client isn’t the right fit. It’s all part of getting out there and going solo. Yes, you can.

Plus, we have a special upcoming mailbag edition. Got a question? Want to share some insights? Contact us now at newsolo@legaltalknetwork.com.

Topics:

Get organized before you open the door. Understand your brand, your goals, and even yourself.
Home office, virtual practice, shared workspace, or standalone office. What’s right for you?
Choosing and using the tech you need. Learn how a new solo practitioner balanced the right tech at the right price.

New Insights, brought to you by Nota by M&T Bank

Veteran attorney and mediation professional Liz McCausland answers questions from new solo Stephanie Larenas:
Question 2/4: “How to pick your niche in an ever-more diversified market?”

Special thanks to our sponsors, Lawclerk, Alert Communications, Abby Connect, and Clio.

Want to change a veteran’s life through pro bono? There’s a manual for that

Legal Talk Network — Wed, 20 Oct 2021 11:00:46 +0000

Since World War II, more than two million service members have been discharged from U.S. military service with a status other than “honorable discharge.” Having a discharge that falls below a certain level can impact a veteran’s access to pensions, GI Bill education benefits, health care, insurance or home loans, as well as carrying a stigma.

But when a veteran’s circumstances are given another look, there may have been mitigating factors that weren’t considered at the time of their discharge. As we’ve gained more understanding of conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction, it’s become clear that some behaviors once seen as prompted by malice or poor character might instead have been a symptom of mental illness or a rational response to trauma like military sexual assault. A discharge status could also have been given as an act of retaliation, or because of bias and discrimination.

There can be a possible remedy: requesting a military discharge upgrade. For the first time in 30 years, there is a new manual to help guide veterans and their legal counsel through the process of requesting an upgrade, giving a fully updated look at a process that can be challenging to navigate. In this episode of the Modern Law Library, the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles speaks with Dana Montalto, one of the authors of the Military Discharge Upgrade Legal Practice Manual and an attorney and instructor with the Veterans Legal Clinic at Harvard Law’s Legal Services Center.

Getting a discharge upgrade can be life-changing for a veteran, and the work can be done by a pro bono attorney, says Montalto. It’s not an area of the law that features in law school classes, which is one of the reasons there was a push to create this new resource. In this episode, Montalto shares how she became involved in veterans legal services, answers some common questions lawyers have when considering pro bono work in this area, and talks about the many people and organizations who took part in the yearslong process of creating this resource.

The Explosion of Mediation: An Alternative to Trials

Legal Talk Network — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 15:00:04 +0000

At the beginning of the pandemic, the eruption of COVID cases forced courts across the nation to close their doors. In its place, attorneys, judges and clients opted, where possible, to participate in virtual proceedings through phone calls and video platforms. Over a year later, with a backlog of cases clogging courts, and limited in-person proceedings, attorneys have increasingly turned to the alternate dispute resolution of mediation to resolve their cases.

On Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Craig Williams is joined by David A. Hoffman, the founding member of Boston Law Collaborative, LLC, as they take a look at the explosion of mediation during the pandemic. Craig and David discuss the push for mediation as an alternative to trials, and what the future holds for jury trials.

Feel audio isn’t enough? Check out a video of the conversation here.

Career Shift: How Krystal Williams Pivoted from Business to Law

Legal Talk Network — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 14:30:17 +0000

Meg Steenburgh welcomes Krystal Williams to discuss her unconventional path to law. After many years as a business professional, Krystal’s hunger for learning led her to shift her sights to law. She shares some of her experiences as an older student and discusses where her legal career has taken her in the years since law school.

Krystal Williams is founder of Providentia Group, chairman of the board of KinoTek Software, and founder of The Alpha Legal Foundation.

Thank you to our sponsor NBI.

How Developments in Structured Settlements Affect Today’s Insurance Claims Environment

Legal Talk Network — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 12:00:27 +0000

Expert Service Provider Dan Finn from Finn Financial Group LLC discusses how insurance professionals and their counsel overcome structured settlement obstacles.

Special thanks to our sponsor, AM Best Company, Best’s Insurance Professional Resources, including Qualified Member attorneys, adjusters and expert service providers.

Prepare Now: California’s New Legislation Raises the Privacy Bar

Legal Talk Network — Mon, 27 Sep 2021 14:30:11 +0000

On Nov. 1, 2020, California voters passed Proposition 24, known as the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020 (CPRA). Beyond establishing new and comprehensive compliance requirements, the regulation broadens the definition of businesses bound by the law and creates a privacy enforcement agency that’s expected to be stricter and more defined than before. While the CCPA remains in effect until superseded by the CPRA Jan. 1, 2023, impacted companies are already starting to study additional requirements imposed by the CPRA and address where their privacy practices must change.

Our speakers examine key requirements that differ from the CCPA, new obligations it introduces, higher penalties for non-compliance, businesses impacted, both within and outside the state, and more. They discuss a systematic, step-by-step approach to review existing privacy processes – for example, dealing with privacy notices, disclosures, retention schedules, data minimization and limitation – and identify areas where changes are required. They also offer strategies to leverage practices to comply with the new privacy law as well as requirements from other jurisdictions.

Robert Half is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. Robert Half project attorneys do not constitute a law firm among themselves.

The Law School Deans Roundtable Edition

Legal Talk Network — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 16:00:16 +0000

In this edition, host Jonathan Amarilio and co-host Kernisha Padilla are joined by Dean Hari Osofsky of Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and Dean Jennifer Rosato Perea of DePaul University College of Law for a roundtable discussion about the current state of legal education. The group discusses many hot button topics, including the pandemic’s impact on legal education, law school enrollment and employment trends, the cost of tuition and its relationship to the student debt crisis, the increasing focus on diversity in the legal profession and more.

Special thanks to our sponsors, CourtFiling.net, InfoTrack, and Smokeball.

EP228 – Cognitive Science in the Courtroom

Legal Talk Network — Wed, 22 Sep 2021 11:00:43 +0000

How we think influences how we persuade and how we respond to what we see and hear. Learn the science behind effective metaphors, the power of familiarity heuristics and the importance of emotion in decision-making and discover how cognitive science can help you craft more effective arguments in the courtroom.

SB 8, Its Impact, and the Future of Roe v. Wade

Legal Talk Network — Fri, 17 Sep 2021 17:00:15 +0000

Back in May of this year, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law Texas Senate Bill 8, better known as SB 8, one of the most restrictive abortion bills in the nation. SB 8 went into effect on September 1st, 2021, after the US Supreme Court refused to strike it down. Since then, the constitutionality of SB 8 has come into question, and the potential threat to the constitutional rights of women and other persons has taken center stage.

On Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Craig Williams is joined by Dean Kimberly Mutcherson from Rutgers Law School as they take a look at Texas’ abortion law, SB 8. Craig & Dean Mutcherson discuss the impact of the law, the legal, ethical, and bioethical concerns stemming from SB 8, its constitutionality, and what it means for the future of Roe v. Wade.

The Lanham Act Turns 75!

Legal Talk Network — Thu, 16 Sep 2021 18:25:32 +0000

We may not give much thought to how trademark laws affect our daily lives, but the Lanham Act has played a huge role in protecting us as consumers. How? Rocky Dhir welcomes intellectual property experts Joe Cleveland and Craig Stone to discuss the evolution of trademark law and its functions in our economy. They also honor Texas Congressman Fritz Lanham’s contributions to this area of the law and explain how his namesake Act has promoted trust and reliability in United States commerce and inspired other countries to model their laws after its statutes.

Joe Cleveland is a director and shareholder at Brackett & Ellis, P.C., and has practiced in the area of commercial and intellectual property litigation for over 20 years.

Craig Stone is Senior Counsel, Intellectual Property at Phillips 66 Company.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Clio.

EP226 – Anti-Trust Litigation with Tony Simon

Legal Talk Network — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 11:00:34 +0000

As corporations become more powerful and pervasive, individuals are finding it harder to protect their products and intellectual properties. Tony Simon shares anti-trust insights from his 30 years of business litigation experience with The Simon Law Firm and discusses tactics, pitfalls, and some of the more secretive practices of major corporations that impact us all.

Masks in our Schools: Controversy, Litigation & Politics

Legal Talk Network — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 10:30:19 +0000

As students across the country return to classrooms, the controversy surrounding masks has reached a fever pitch. In at least 14 states, lawsuits have been filed either for or against masks in schools. This has led to protests, litigation, and even violence. Just this week, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights launched investigations into five states that have banned mask mandates in schools, alleging that the governors are violating the civil rights of students with disabilities.

On Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Craig Williams is joined by professor Ellen Wright Clayton, JD, MD. Together, they take a look at the mask controversy in schools and communities across the United States. The conversation focuses on mask mandates, public health law, parental freedom, and litigation surrounding these issues.

Paralegals Back to School: It’s a New (Tech) World

Legal Talk Network — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 15:00:17 +0000

The legal profession was already going online and high-tech. But COVID disruptions, working from home, and remote legal processes have supercharged those changes.

Are you up to speed?

Host Jill Francisco – a veteran paralegal and classroom instructor – interviews attorney and longtime professor Todd Richardson about today’s classroom experience. It’s more than lectures and books. Today’s learning includes new technology, working collaboratively online and in person, and leveraging digital tools to expedite cases, gather information, and navigate the modern legal jungle.

Richardson explores how legal education is changing and how vital learning today’s tech keeps a paralegal valued and vital in the workplace.

He also touches on areas where soft skills still play an important role. Knowing how to integrate tech with interpersonal skills can build and maintain relationships so important in the legal community.

Special thanks to our sponsors CourtFiling.net, NALA, and ServeNow.

Legal Education

Legal Talk Network — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 17:09:33 +0000

Mathew Kerbis, of the ‘Financial Wellness Minute’, talks about a topic near and dear to his heart (legal education) with Kyle McEntee, the co-founder and executive director of Law School Transparency. Together they discuss the inputs and outputs that can impact a career before it gets started. Issues like cost, school ranking, and licensing can all play a part in those early job options but what can we learn from it? How do we optimize? Stay Tuned for the ‘Financial Wellness Minute’ when Mathew discusses the value of life insurance (even for young in-debt lawyers).

Special thanks to our sponsor, The Velvet Hammer.

The January 6th Select Committee, the Hearings, and Subpoenas

Legal Talk Network — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 10:30:01 +0000

After failing to form a bipartisan committee to investigate the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol Complex, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi instead formed a select committee. However, accusations of partisanship have been leveled at the committee, particularly after Pelosi eliminated House Minority Leader McCarthy’s offered committee members – representatives Jim Banks of Indiana and Jim Jordan of Ohio.

Last week, police officers from the U.S. Capitol Police and Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department appeared before the committee, giving their accounts of what happened that day. Since the hearings have started, the subject of subpoenas has come up, particularly for those who spoke with former President Trump that day. Representative Adam Kinzinger, one of the Republican committee members, indicated that this committee would use its subpoena power stating “I would expect to see a significant amount of subpoenas.”

So will this select committee use their subpoena power? And how difficult will it be to get members of Congress, and maybe even the former president to testify before the panel? On Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Craig Williams is joined by professor David A. Super from Georgetown Law, as they take a look at the creation of the House select committee and the investigation of January 6th. Craig and David discuss the hearings, the possibility of using subpoenas, and where this is all headed.

NCBP 2021: DEI – Does Your Seat at the Table Change the View?

Legal Talk Network — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 16:59:39 +0000

Hosted by Juan Thomas (former National Bar Association President), this episode features an in-depth conversation with future American Bar Association President Reginald Turner. Together they discuss the value of mentors, his vision for leadership, and the importance for young lawyers to get involved with the ABA.

This podcast was recorded live at the August 2021 Annual Meeting of the National Conference of Bar Presidents (ncbp.org).

NCBP 2021: Setting Standards and Measuring Your Bar’s Success

Legal Talk Network — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 16:52:48 +0000

The Pandemic forced the legal profession to innovate and modernize its operations. With minds now open to change, this is the perfect time to implement much needed adjustments to help close the access-to-justice gap. This episode features host Patrick Palace (past Washington State Bar Association President) interviewing Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack from the Michigan Supreme Court. Together they discuss how the legal profession is not meeting the needs of the public, current drivers for change, and programs out there delivering results.

This podcast was recorded live at the August 2021 Annual Meeting of the National Conference of Bar Presidents (ncbp.org).

NCBP 2021: Mandatory Bars and Regulatory Sandboxes

Legal Talk Network — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 16:42:54 +0000

Utah Supreme Court Justice Constandinos “Deno” Himonas updates us on the regulatory changes aimed at closing the access-to-justice gap nation-wide. Hosted by Thomas Rombach (former State Bar of Michigan President) and Joe Sullivan (former State Bar of Montana President), this episode delves into sandbox programs, non-lawyer ownership of law firms, and new advertising rules as well as the process for change in the legal profession.

This podcast was recorded live at the August 2021 Annual Meeting of the National Conference of Bar Presidents (ncbp.org).

NCBP 2021: Shaping the Future in the Legal Profession

Legal Talk Network — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 16:35:10 +0000

We’re headed back to our offices, bar associations, and the courts, but what does that mean for the future? While some wish to go back to the way things were before the pandemic, others recognize a big opportunity to improve the legal profession and move the needle forward. Hosted by Jayne Reardon from the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, this episode talks about those issues and more with Laura Farber and William Bay from the ABA Coordinating Group on Practice Forward.

This podcast was recorded live at the August 2021 Annual Meeting of the National Conference of Bar Presidents (ncbp.org).

NYC’s Scary Biometric Data Law

Legal Talk Network — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 17:54:32 +0000

It might alarm you that New York City businesses are collecting and sharing your biometric data (e.g. facial recognition, retina scans, etc.). A new law is supposed to curtail that practice but as you will hear, it won’t stop it. Michael Graif from the Mintz Law Firm joins us.

Special thanks to our sponsor Nota.

GoFundMe’s Border Wall

Legal Talk Network — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 15:39:14 +0000

Governor Abbott wants to complete the border wall with a combination of redirected state funds and private contributions. Normally the Federal Government finances projects like that but when it decides not to, is Texas allowed to step in? Professor Eugene R. Fidell from New York University Law School joins us to answer that question plus much more.

Special thanks to our sponsor Nota.

The Legal Issues Surrounding Homelessness

Legal Talk Network — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 10:30:05 +0000

In cities across our nation, homelessness is an ongoing problem. According to the 2020 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress, completed by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development prior to COVID, roughly 580,000 people were experiencing homelessness in the United States on a single night in 2020. This represented the fourth consecutive year in which homelessness increased nationwide.

The severity of this problem has led to high profile conflicts on how to address the crisis. In April of this year, US federal judge David O. Carter issued a 110 page order necessitating the city and county of Los Angeles to find shelter for all unhoused residents of Skid Row, as well as requiring an audit of any spending related to the homeless. Alleging that Judge Carter’s ruling is a violation of the separation of powers, the city and county appealed the matter to the 9th Circuit, who heard arguments this month.

So, how do we combat homelessness? And is enough being done by city officials? On Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Craig Williams is joined by professor Gary Blasi, from UCLA School of Law and Breanne Schuster, staff attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, as they discuss the legal issues surrounding homelessness, separation of powers, current legislation, and what is being done to combat this nationwide problem.

Can the raucous history of Chicago’s lakefront teach us how to preserve land for public use?

Legal Talk Network — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 11:00:50 +0000

Chicago’s lakefront with its parks, museums, beaches and public spaces is an accident of history. But can we take lessons from that history to create sustainable and environmentally responsible public spaces? Joseph D. Kearney and Thomas W. Merrill look at the political, commercial and legal wrangling–some of which involved very strange bedfellows–that led to the development of lakefront land and its preservation for public use in their new book, Lakefront: Public Trust and Private Rights in Chicago.

From the enigmatic Aaron Montgomery Ward, who amassed a massive fortune that funded his legal battles to keep the lake views from his flagship store, to the rapscallion “Captain” George Wellington Streeter, whose squad of armed squatters long held the land that now forms the neighborhood of Streeterville, Kearney and Merrill share the backstories of a number of the historical figures who helped make the Chicago lakefront what it is today. They also dig into one of the city’s most ambitious engineering projects: reversing the flow of the Chicago River to carry its sewage away from Lake Michigan–to the dismay of the cities downstream.

Quirks of urban history and competing public and private interests led to landmark cases which created legal doctrines still in use today. And the legal wrangling is far from over; in recent years, a Star Wars museum proposed by George Lucas and the presidential library of Barack Obama have both run into lawsuits over how lakefront land can be used and developed.

In this episode of the Modern Law Library, Kearney and Merrill discuss the shenanigans that ultimately gave the city and the state of Illinois one of its most priceless parcels of land and preserves it for public use. They also discuss how they envision other local, state and federal entities could use some of this history when designing land use regulations and protecting resources for public use.

How one bankruptcy software company had a banner year despite filings hitting a low

Legal Talk Network — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 10:59:38 +0000

When COVID-19 began hitting the United States hard in spring 2020, Janine Sickmeyer was among those in the bankruptcy world who thought that there would be a tsunami of cases. But contrary to the prognostications of many, the influx of bankruptcy matters never materialized.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Alert Communications and Nota.

Financial Wellness (Part 2)

Legal Talk Network — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 15:27:27 +0000

In this part two of two, Sonia continues her conversation with Ravi Ramanathan and Mathew Kerbis about financial health. In this episode, they discuss what you need to consider before refinancing your student loans, the recommended savings everyone should have, and whether or not the Nintendo Switch can save you money. {hint} … It’s about less subscriptions and more Mario.

Special thanks to our sponsor, The Velvet Hammer.

Financial Wellness (Part 1)

Legal Talk Network — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 15:09:59 +0000

In this part one of two, Sonia Russo is joined by her friend and unofficial financial advisor Ravi Ramanathan as well as our financial wellness segment host Mathew Kerbis to talk about ways to become and remain financially healthy (even early in your career). Among the many topics of discussion are higher cost of living, managing student loans, and living within your means. {hint} … It’s either brunch or property.

Special thanks to our sponsor, The Velvet Hammer.

Rights of Nature & the Law

Legal Talk Network — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 10:30:20 +0000

The Declaration of Independence famously states “that all men…are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights”. But do those or similar unalienable rights extend beyond people? According to groups like the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature, our ecosystem – the trees, oceans, animals and mountains – are entitled to rights of their own.

So was the Declaration of Independence too limited in its language? Does nature have its own “self-evident” rights? On Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Craig Williams is joined by Lindsey Schromen-Wawrin, an attorney at Shearwater Law PLLC, to discuss what rights we have to access nature, whether there is a requirement for the government to preserve nature for us, and if we have any legal rights to force the preservation of other species.

Where to Learn More About This Topic:

The Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund is a leading voice in the effort to advance the rights of nature through local and state lawmaking.

Lindsey’s paper from the Tulane Environmental Law Journal, Representing Ecosystems in Court: An Introduction for Practitioners, is intended as a quick primer for lawyers.

Toward a Universal Declaration of the Rights of Wetlands is a recent paper by law professors and wetland scientists that succinctly describes the need for and framework of rights of nature for wetlands.

The authors of the above paper also created an extensive timeline of the expansion of legal rights. They are also working toward getting the international Ramsar Convention on Wetlands to recognize rights of wetlands.

In May 2021, researchers working with European parliamentarians released the report Legal Paradigm Shifts for a New Environmental Law, which explores more of the concepts underlying rights of nature.

Presidential Impeachment Trials

Legal Talk Network — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 18:06:00 +0000

Congressman Jamie Raskin joins Dave Scriven-Young to give us a behind-the-scenes tour of what a Presidential Impeachment trial looks like as they discuss the last efforts from the House of Representatives to impeach former President Donald J. Trump.

Stay tuned for Darryl Wilson’s tips on artificial intelligence and the legal issues that may arise.

Declaration of Independence

Legal Talk Network — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 16:14:04 +0000

Wishing you a wonderful holiday weekend with pomp, parade, and Illuminations from one end of this continent to the other… Happy 4th of July!

California vs. Texas

Legal Talk Network — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 16:38:41 +0000

The Affordable Care Act survived another Supreme Court challenge in ‘California vs. Texas’. But what was actually resolved and what does that mean for future challenges to Obama Care? Aron Solomon from Esquire Digital law-splains.

Special thanks to our sponsor Nota.

SCOTUS & Religious Freedom

Legal Talk Network — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 10:00:14 +0000

The Supreme Court has seen a number of religious freedom cases so far in 2021. In a 5-4 ruling in Tandon v. Newsom, the high court struck down COVID-related restrictions on group religious activities in private homes. Also, in Fulton v. Philadelphia, a case involving a Catholic group that objects to placing foster children with same-sex couples, SCOTUS ruled that the city of Philadelphia violated the First Amendment when it froze the contract of the Catholic Foster Care Agency.

So, did the addition of Justice Amy Coney Barrett impact these religious freedom cases? Do these decisions set any sort of precedent for future cases? On Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Craig Williams is joined by Professor Jim Oleske from Lewis & Clark Law School, to discuss SCOTUS & religious freedom, focusing on the shadow docket, the rulings stemming from COVID restrictions, and the impact these rulings will have on future cases centered around religion.

Is Google a Public Utility?

Legal Talk Network — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 16:29:48 +0000

Ohio’s Attorney General Dave Yost filed a lawsuit to turn Google into a public utility so it can be regulated as a common carrier. This might sound far out but Ohio’s unique law gives them legal grounds to try it. But what does all this mean? Harold Feld from Public Knowledge gives us the skinny.

Special thanks to our sponsor Nota.

Tech Fiction’s Future Law (Part 2)

Legal Talk Network — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 22:29:45 +0000

In this part two of two, Sonia Russo talks with Hema Lochan who participated in the American Bar Association’s Legal Tech Fictional Writing Competition. Together, they discuss her short story ‘F(A.I.)LED US’ which is about the unintended consequences for using artificial intelligence (instead of a lawyer) in a future criminal justice system. Stay tuned for the Financial Wellness Minute when contributor Mathew Kerbis discusses how and why everyone should keep an inventory for future insurance claims.

Special thanks to our sponsor, The Velvet Hammer.

Tech Fiction’s Future Law (Part 1)

Legal Talk Network — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 22:09:42 +0000

In this part one of two, Sonia Russo talks with the winner of the American Bar Association’s Legal Tech Fictional Writing Competition, Theresa Yuan, about her winning dystopian-future short story ‘In The Matter of Infinite Monkeys’ and how it cautions against over-trusting predictive algorithms to determine what kind of person a child will become. Can technology really predict a child’s fate? And what happens if it can? Stay tuned for the Financial Wellness Minute when contributor Mathew Kerbis shares the wisdom and rewards for paying your student loans early.

Special thanks to our sponsor, The Velvet Hammer.

Career Preparedness: Navigating Career Choices in Law School and Beyond

Legal Talk Network — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 19:39:36 +0000

Thankfully, career opportunities for law students and new lawyers seem to be increasing as COVID concerns abate. But, how can you best prepare yourself for actually getting the job you want? Meg Steenburgh welcomes Howard University School of Law’s Lauren Jackson to discuss tips and tactics for pursuing a fulfilling legal career. She emphasizes the importance of networking from day one of law school and advises students to keep an open mind about the opportunities that come their way.

Lauren R. Jackson is assistant director of career services at Howard University School of Law and a legacy-focused attorney with a passion for helping entrepreneurs, small businesses and everyday dreamers through her consulting agency, The L. Renee Group.

Attorney Client Privilege with Edna Epstein

Legal Talk Network — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 17:57:12 +0000

Famed author and attorney Edna Selan Epstein stops by to talk with Dave Scriven-Young about Attorney Client Privilege, how it’s developed over the years, and related ways to save cost in discovery. In addition, they talk about starting her firm, lessons she’s learned, and much more.

Stay tuned for Darryl Wilson’s tips on the scope and use of Attorney-Client Privilege.

Packing the Court

Legal Talk Network — Fri, 21 May 2021 11:00:45 +0000

Court packing is defined as “the act or practice of packing a court and especially the United States Supreme Court by increasing the number of judges or justices in an attempt to change the ideological makeup of the court.”

Last month, Congressional Democrats introduced legislation to expand the Supreme Court from nine to 13 justices, and President Biden announced the formation of a commission to study the court’s structure, including the number of justices and their length of service. Of course, this has led to yet another controversy along party lines.

On Lawyer 2 Lawyer, host Craig Williams is joined by Tonja Jacobi, professor of law at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law, to discuss packing the Supreme Court, the politicization of the High Court, potential reform, and next steps.

Startling Stats from the BakerHostetler Data Security Incident Response Report

Legal Talk Network — Thu, 20 May 2021 17:04:11 +0000

Data security risks are constantly evolving, and the past few years have only shown increases in the number of attacks faced by companies and organizations around the world. To examine these trends in depth, Sharon Nelson and John Simek welcome Craig Hoffman to look at the most recent stats from the BakerHostetler Data Security Incident Response Report. Craig offers insights into many of the report’s findings, including the marked escalation in ransomware incidents, rising risks for previously untargeted industries, whether the work-from-home shift brought about an increase in security incidents, and much more. He also shares tips for what your first steps should be if your business suffers a data security breach.

Craig Hoffman is a sought-after digital risk advisor who co-leads the Digital Risk Advisory and Cybersecurity team at law firm BakerHostetler.

Special thanks to our sponsors CaseFleet and PInow.

#329: How Ownership Controls Our Lives, with Michael Heller & James Salzman

Legal Talk Network — Thu, 20 May 2021 10:30:35 +0000

Authors and professors, Michael Heller & James Salzman, talk to us about the rules of ownership in our lives and what role lawyers play in all this.

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free!

Thanks to TextExpander, Postali, and ESQ.Marketing for sponsoring this episode.

Racism in the Legal Profession

Legal Talk Network — Mon, 17 May 2021 14:25:09 +0000

As far as the legal profession has come, there are still elements of racial inequality and it’s not always easy to see. Host Sonia Russo talks with attorneys Tiana Towns, Andrew Hairston, Paulina Vera, and Jerome Crawford about their personal experiences with racism while practicing law. In addition, they discuss microaggressions, implicit bias, and the importance of self-care. Stay tuned for the Financial Wellness Minute when contributor Mathew Kerbis shares practical tips for saving money.

Special thanks to our sponsor, The Velvet Hammer.

Uh Oh… it’s Civics Time!

Legal Talk Network — Fri, 07 May 2021 14:55:29 +0000

Can you name all the Supreme Court Justices or tell us which Amendments are in the Bill of Rights (no Googling)? American Bar Association President Trish Refo reveals the results of their most recent civics survey. Tune in to see how your knowledge stacks up.

Special thanks to our sponsor Nota.

#304: How to Discover and Lean Into Your Strengths, with Becca Syme

Legal Talk Network — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 11:30:36 +0000

Author and thought leader Becca Syme talks with us all about what it means to not only discover, but actively lean into your strengths and use them in different areas of your life.

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free!

If you’d like to learn more about creating goals that align with your personal vision and lifestyle, check out our resource page on personal goals.

Thanks to Smith.ai, LawPay, TextExpander and Back Office Betties and for sponsoring this episode.

Global Legal Hackathon 2019: Empowering Women To Be More Legal Tech Savvy

Legal Talk Network — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 21:55:28 +0000

Legal technology needs more involvement from women — here’s a look at how to be a part of this exciting industry. In this On The Road report at the Global Legal Hackathon in Tel Aviv, Israel, host Cori Goudchaux talks to Inbal Baumer about encouraging women to take more risks in the startup world, especially in legal technology. She discusses why she became the mentor for GROWL and how creating a more gender-diverse environment can help the legal industry.

Inbal Baumer is the co-founder and CEO of LegalUp, a legal document automation service.

Cyber Security Awareness Training

Legal Talk Network — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 20:47:50 +0000

You might think that all you need to avoid cyber schemes is common sense, but even the biggest law firms require employee training to avoid attacks. In 2017, DLA Piper, the largest law firm in the world, suffered a catastrophic cyber attack. In this episode of Digital Detectives, hosts Sharon Nelson and John Simek talk about how important cyber security awareness training is and potential training methods firms can use to instruct employees and partners. They share basic training tips and expand on the different kinds of common schemes, like phishing, ransomware, and social media attacks.

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Ethical Perils of Social Media for Lawyers and Judges

Legal Talk Network — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 14:34:44 +0000

Of the 46% of judges using social media, 80% are on Facebook and over 30% are on LinkedIn, but activity on social media presents a number of ethical dilemmas for judges, attorneys, jurors, and litigants. In a recent case in Georgia, a judge stepped down after being scrutinized for sending a friend request to a litigant on his upcoming trial calendar and later releasing her on a personal recognizance bond. Similar activities from other judges and attorneys have resulted in violations of both the Code of Professional Conduct and the Code of Judicial Conduct, from unauthorized practice of law across state lines and breaching attorney-client privilege to posting inappropriate comments and sending friend requests to litigants and related attorneys. These ethical perils extend to jurors, who must be reminded of their own limitations in social media use with regard to pending trials. On this episode of The Digital Edge, hosts Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway interview Judge Herbert B. Dixon, Jr., discussing stories of collateral damage associated with inappropriate social media use and ways legal professionals can avoid ethical missteps. Stay tuned at the end for Judge Dixon’s 4 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Posting on Social Media.

Judge Herbert B. Dixon, Jr. sits on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia and is a former chair of the National Conference of State Trial Judges. He is the technology columnist for The Judges’ Journal magazine and a former member of the ABA Techshow Planning Board. Judge Dixon is Senior Judicial Advisor to William & Mary Law School’s Courtroom 21 Project, the Presiding Judge for the Superior Court’s Technology-Enhanced Courtroom Project, and a frequent speaker on topics related to the intersection of law and technology.

How to be a Good Legal Negotiator

Legal Talk Network — Mon, 09 Dec 2013 11:29:55 +0000

Ringler Radio, host Larry Cohen along with colleague, Bill Wright, and special guest Professor Seth Freeman, J.D., a highly-rated professor of negotiation and conflict management at NYU’s Stern School of Business and at Columbia University, discuss negotiation tactics, in particular the art of skilled legal negotiating, along with observations and advice to attorneys when it comes to preparation.

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