Legal Entertainment Podcasts - Legal Talk Network

Documentary — Richie Furay

Richie Furay — Live From the Playroom and The Ominous Approach of Autonomous Agents

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 07 Nov 2024 09:00:43 +0000

What’s the next big thing coming in AI? Autonomous agents, that’s what! Currently, you have to drive the process of genAI by honing the iterations of your prompt. But, an autonomous agent can do that stuff without you worrying your pretty little head, dear lawyer. So, what’s there to know about this latest tech evolution? Jared’s here to talk about attorney use cases and whether this tech may be used for good or ill.

Later, the AI apocalypse isn’t upon us yet, so let’s enjoy some awesome music. Jared welcomes Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Richie Furay who, among other accomplishments, was a member of the great American bands Buffalo Springfield and Poco. Jared and Richie talk through his history, digging into many colorful moments from his experiences in the music industry. Richie performs live on the podcast, and he and Jared discuss his upcoming documentary.

Need more Richie? Jared’s got you covered.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Spellbook Associate, effectively acting as a junior associate in a law firm.

Spellbook Launches Gen AI Agent that Can Plan and Execute Complex Transactional Workflows | LawSites by Bob Ambrogi

LawNext Podcast: Ep 256: All About Spellbook’s New AI Agent, Capable of Performing Complex Legal Tasks, with CEO Scott Stevenson

Richie Furay

The Chicago Black Sox Trial: How 8 Players Went From the Dugout to the Courtroom

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 11:00:02 +0000

The infamous cheating scandal from the 1919 World Series, between the Chicago White Sox and the Cincinnati Reds, broke America’s belief in the purity and innocence of baseball. As the story slowly unfolded, it became filled with all the colorful characters you’d expect from 1920s America: baseball players with catchy nicknames, short-tempered gangsters/gamblers immaculately dressed in business pinstripe suits, newspaper reporters and radio broadcasters with flowery descriptions of the trial as if itself was a baseball game, and even New York mob boss Arnold Rothstein, who was alleged (but never proven …) to be the impetus of the scandal.

Unfortunately, the Black Sox trial transcripts were lost long ago, requiring modern-day historians to rely on newspaper reports of trial testimony, which sometimes were sensationalized for their readers and at other times were directly contrary to one another. From this reality, admittedly many of the facts about the scandal we examine in this episode are (true to this show’s title) In Dispute.

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.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR VOICE ACTORS:

Todd Berger as Eddie Cicotte

Brandon Harpold as Shoeless Joe Jackson

Adam Lockwood as Carl Victor Little

Alan Chudnow as “Sleepy Bill” Burns

Chad Trudeau as James “Ropes” O’Brien

Dennis Kennedy as David Zelzer

Tom Mighell as Al Spink

Jim Brady as Commissioner Landis

Lily Spader as Newspaper Journalist #1

Nathan Todhunter as Newspaper Journalist #2

Thomas Wolfe as Radio Broadcaster #1

Cari Lockwood as Radio Broadcaster #2

‘Company’ is the perfect short story collection for spooky season

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 21:00:58 +0000

Most—though not all—of the 13 short stories in Company deal with members of the Collins family. Three generations of narrators bear witness to the changing fortunes of the family, and as with any witness statement, everyone has a different perspective on what actually happened. Also, there are ghosts—and at least one witch.

The matriarch and patriarch of the Collins family ran a jazz club in Atlantic City. Their four daughters and eight grandchildren face issues of race and class, fecundity and infertility, marriage and divorce.

In this episode of The Modern Law Library, the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles speaks with author Shannon Sanders about the similarity between crafting a perfect brief and a short story, and its differences from novel writing. They discuss the ways families are built, through biology, shared experiences and legal paperwork.

Sanders shares how she balances her full-time legal work, her family life and her work as a writer. She also offers tips for people looking to publish their short stories in magazines and literary journals. The hardback version of Company is available now, and the paperback will be released on Nov. 12.

The Wild West in Court: Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday’s Fight for Freedom After the O.K. Corral

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 11:00:16 +0000

Thirty shots fired in thirty seconds at the O.K. Corral left three men dead and three more wounded and turned into a month-long trial with some thirty witnesses in late fall 1881. Since then, their legendary gunfight with the Clantons and McLaurys has kept the town of Tombstone, Arizona alive and has been the source of inspiration for many books and films over the years.

125 years later, many questions are still left unanswered: Were the Clantons and McLaurys cattle thieves deserving of their death? Why was Doc Holliday, a gambler and notorious gunslinger, deputized by Virgil Earp? Why did the coroner’s inquest not issue a verdict? And this 1880s criminal trial asked the original Star Wars question: who really fired first?

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.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR VOICE ACTORS:

David Woodham as Wyatt Earp

Scott Well as Wesley Fuller

Jeremy Brown as Ike Clanton

Ken Sutherland as Prosecutor Lyttleton Price

J.D. Freedman as Defense Attorney Tom Fitch

Jamie Duarte as Sheriff Johnny Behan

Hon. Franz E. Miller, ret. as H.F. Sills

Wylie Aitken as Judge Spicer

Legal thriller author David Ellis’s day job? Appellate court justice

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 29 Aug 2024 11:00:39 +0000

Justice David W. Ellis has served on the Illinois Appellate Court for the 1st District for nearly 10 years. But readers may know him better as author David Ellis, writer of more than a dozen legal thrillers.

Ellis had enjoyed creative writing as a youth, he tells the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles in this episode of The Modern Law Library. But during his college and law school years, he was focused solely on his legal career path. It wasn’t until he had been in practice for a few years that this changed. During a vacation at the beach, he suddenly decided that he was going to write a novel—and once that goal was set, he worked relentlessly towards it. And in 2002, he won a prestigious Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for that first novel, Line of Vision.

Both branches of Ellis’s career have seen tremendous returns. He made national news in 2009 as the prosecutor of the impeachment of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich before the state senate. He was the youngest-serving justice in 2014 when he joined the Illinois Appellate Court for the 1st District, which serves Chicago and Cook County. And along the way, he published 11 novels, including the four-book Jason Kolarich series. He was a finalist for the ABA Journal-sponsored Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction in 2012 and 2013. He has also co-written nine books with James Patterson, the latest of which (Lies He Told Me) will be released in September.

In this episode, Ellis and Rawles discuss his July release, The Best Lies. The germ of an idea that became The Best Lies started off with the notion of a main character who was a diagnosed pathological liar. When the book opens, Leo Balanoff, a criminal defense attorney in Chicago, has just been arrested for murder. Police have collected DNA and fingerprints at the scene that are a match for a college-era bar fight Leo was charged for, and the victim had an ugly history with one of Leo’s clients. Over the course of The Best Lies, twists and turns across multiple timelines and through multiple points of view begin to reveal what really happened. Ellis weaves a tale combining corporate espionage, violin concertos, police corruption and the Estonian mob.

Ellis also discusses his writing process, his 3:30 a.m. wake-up time, the similarities in his creative and legal writing, and how his judicial ethics concerns sometimes impact his editorial decisions.

Why Abolitionist John Brown Became the First American To Be Executed for Treason

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 11:00:30 +0000

Countless historians have debated whether abolitionist John Brown was, as President Lincoln put it, a “misguided fanatic,” or, in the words of Malcolm X, “the only white man worthy of joining his Organization for Afro-American Unity.” Rather than categorize John Brown or define his place in history, our goal with this episode is to examine his trial from a lawyer’s perspective, allowing you to understand how he became such a controversial figure.

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.

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR VOICE ACTORS:

Troy Starr as John Brown

Doug Bryson as Court Reporter

John Doe as John Allstadt

Evan Dicharry as Albert Grist

The Untold Stories of Attorney Clarence Darrow

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 01 Aug 2024 11:00:59 +0000

Lawyers long considered the legendary Clarence Darrow to be an attorney to emulate, but closer examination of his career shows a condemnable pattern of unethical tactics and empty courtroom arguments. To debunk the popular culture myths surrounding Darrow, Rocky Dhir welcomes author and attorney Mike Farris to discuss the facts in his book, Blowhard: Windbaggery and the Wretched Ethics of Clarence Darrow. Mike shares details from his research that uncover evidence of jury bribing, intimidating witnesses, and other unprincipled conduct throughout Darrow’s career in a time where ethics rules failed to hold him accountable.

Mike Farris is a writer and retired entertainment attorney in Dallas, Texas.

‘Shaping the Bar’ author says bar exam protects legal profession, not public

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 11:00:48 +0000

The goal of the bar exam is to be a gatekeeper for the legal profession and protect the public. But the current system, dominated by the Uniform Bar Examination, gets a failing grade from Joan Howarth, an academic, an attorney and the author of Shaping the Bar: The Future of Attorney Licensing.

How does Google know who you are? | Authorship v. Expertise

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 24 Jul 2024 08:00:21 +0000

You wrote some stuff, have great expertise, have great content… but does Google care? The guys hash out how to establish your cred and boost your content with tactical authorship strategies.

Conrad still values the bygone era of Google’s authorship attributions, but Gyi’s all about the latest on expertise with E-E-A-T. Who’s right, and how is authorship recognized by search engines across the breadth of the internet? Gyi and Conrad throw down on best practices for helping your content demonstrate Google’s E-E-A-T criteria and solidify the importance of your authorship. And, it’s not just about you publishing on your own domain. The guys explain how to effectively expand out onto other reputable platforms/publications to help search engines value and promote your expertise.

Learn more here:

Creating Helpful, Reliable, People-First Content | Google Search Central | Documentation

And here:

Author markup best practices

The News:

There’s not a lot of control over how brands show up on Google—will this change anything? – Maximize performance on Search with updates to query matching
Google killed off its business messaging. What’s the deal? – Changes to Google Business Profile Chat
Gyi and Conrad will both be at some upcoming events! Come see them at Auto Crash Litigation 2024 and Law Firm Summer Reboot Camp.
And, for even more of Gyi’s mellifluous tones (oh, and marketing know-how), check out his appearance on the ABA Legal Rebels podcast.

Mentioned in this Episode:

LHLM Episode – Google’s Algorithm EXPOSED – What Matters and What Doesn’t – Legal Talk Network

Mockingbird Legal Marketing 2024 Review

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

Summer reading picks and why a YMCA-funded crusade against obscenity matters today

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 20:15:05 +0000

Do you need some distractions during vacation travel or while lying directly under your A/C unit and sweating? It’s time for The Modern Law Library’s summer recommendations episode, in which host Lee Rawles shares her pop culture picks with you, plus a re-airing of one of our older episodes with current relevance.

As states navigate a post-Dobbs world, a series of federal and state regulations known as Comstock Laws are being discussed as avenues to further restrict access to abortion drugs and birth control. In 2018, with Roe v. Wade still the law of the land, Rawles and Amy Werbel discussed the fiery namesake of those laws and Werbel’s book Lust on Trial: Censorship and the Rise of American Obscenity in the Age of Anthony Comstock. It sheds light on how a 19th-century U.S. Postal Service agent funded by the Young Men’s Christian Association created obscenity restrictions so sweeping that medical textbooks were seized and destroyed for displaying anatomical diagrams.

Rawles also shares some favorites from what she’s been reading and listening to since our 2023 year-end pop culture picks episode. If you have your own favorite reads so far in 2024, send your recommendations to books@abajournal.com with a brief description, and we may choose to highlight them on our social media.

Mentioned in the episode:

BOOKS

The Three Dahlias, A Very Lively Murder and Seven Lively Suspects by Katy Watson
The Appeal and The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett
Buried in the Sky: The Extraordinary Story of the Sherpa Climbers on K2’s Deadliest Day, by Peter Zuckerman and Amanda Padoan
Scurvy: How a Surgeon, a Mariner, and a Gentlemen Solved the Greatest Medical Mystery of the Age of Sail, by Stephen J. Bown

PODCASTS

What’s the Spread? Legislating Sports Betting & Fantasy Sports in TX (State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2024)

Ally Kvidt — Thu, 27 Jun 2024 15:00:13 +0000

Currently, all sports betting in Texas is illegal, despite the fact that many people believe there is a gray area around app-based betting. In reality, Texas does not yet allow for sports betting, but potential legislation might legalize this type of gambling and change the state’s approach to this issue. Rocky Dhir talks with presenters Kevin Vela and Blake Hart to learn more about what regulations currently exist and what may change in the near future.

Introducing: In Dispute: 10 Famous Trials That Changed History

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 19 Jun 2024 11:00:49 +0000

J. Craig Williams has a brand new show ‘In Dispute: 10 Famous Trials That Changed’ right here on Legal Talk Network! Join us as we take a journey through time to discover the most interesting and impactful court cases in world history. Go beyond the basic historical accounts recapped in law school textbooks and soak in every aspect of the trials with fascinating reenactments of actual conversations preserved through trial transcripts and court reporters. Then, receive an exclusive courtroom backstage pass to hear legal analysis and modern-day reflections from Seasoned Attorney J. Craig Williams. Get ready to dive into the trials of the Salem witches, Chicago Black Sox, OJ Simpson, McMartin preschool childcare providers, and more! The first episode ‘Salem Witch Trials: How The Hysteria Went Terribly Awry’ is available to listen to now.

LINKS:

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Subscribe on Spotify
Sign up for our newsletter so that you’re the first to know when new episodes drop!
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:

Meghan Steenburgh as News Reporter
Daniel Rover Singer as William Jennings Bryan
Scott Well as Clarence Darrow

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

First Look at In Dispute: 10 Famous Trials That Changed History

Ally Kvidt — Fri, 14 Jun 2024 11:00:05 +0000

Enjoy this exclusive first look at the J. Craig Williams’ new podcast series ‘In Dispute: 10 Famous Trials That Changed History’ coming to Legal Talk Network June 18th. Go beyond the basic historical accounts recapped in law school textbooks and soak in every aspect of the trials with fascinating reenactments of actual conversations preserved through trial transcripts and court reporters. Then, receive an exclusive courtroom backstage pass to hear legal analysis and modern-day reflections from Seasoned Attorney J. Craig Williams. Get ready to dive into the trials of the Salem witches, Chicago Black Sox, OJ Simpson, McMartin preschool childcare providers, and more!

LINKS:

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Subscribe on Spotify
Sign up for our newsletter so that you’re the first to know when new episodes drop!
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:

Meghan Steenburgh as News Reporter
Daniel Rover Singer as William Jennings Bryan
Scott Well as Clarence Darrow

The Official Trailer for In Dispute: 10 Famous Trials That Changed History

Ally Kvidt — Tue, 11 Jun 2024 11:00:17 +0000

Join us as we take a journey through time to discover the most interesting and impactful court cases in world history. Go beyond the basic historical accounts recapped in law school textbooks and soak in every aspect of the trials with fascinating reenactments of actual conversations preserved through trial transcripts and court reporters. Then, receive an exclusive courtroom backstage pass to hear legal analysis and modern-day reflections from Seasoned Attorney J. Craig Williams. Get ready to dive into the trials of the Salem witches, Chicago Black Sox, OJ Simpson, McMartin preschool childcare providers, and more!

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 hardcover

Emerging Legal Ethics for AI; How-Tos for AI in Law Practice; & “Michigan Man”

Ally Kvidt — Fri, 10 May 2024 08:00:19 +0000

AI’s prime directive is to give you answers, buuuut… it might just be telling you what it thinks you want to hear—with no concern over providing actual verifiable facts. This issue (and oodles of others) have initiated a trickle of case law/guidance/opinions/etc. in the legal AI scene, and you, dear lawyer, want to be on the right side of legal ethics on this one. Jared breaks down the latest developments on this topic to give you a better understanding of where things are headed.

Next, some of us are, admittedly, BS-ing our way through all this AI stuff, but Josh Noffke really and truly uses AI as much as he possibly can in his law firm. Since the rest of us are still muddling through, Jared welcomes Josh to give attorneys tool recommendations and pointers on use-cases for AI in their law firms.

Later, it turns out that Josh played as a walk-on for the University of Michigan’s football team, so the Rump Roast is dedicated to team trivia! The guys play “Michigan Man” to test both Josh’s knowledge and reputation as a former Wolverine. Serious stuff.

Ah, Michigan. The mitten shaped state that gave us Motown.

Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest.

Our closing track is Renegade by The Revolution.

‘In the Shadow of Liberty’ shines light on American immigration history

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 01 May 2024 11:00:14 +0000

When the Trump administration’s policy of separating families at the country’s borders was announced, opposition from the public and the legal community was swift. The outcry and judicial decisions led to a reversal of the administration’s stated policy. But detention and family separation have a long history in this country, history professor Ana Raquel Minian says.

Minian, who immigrated from Mexico to the United States right before the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, has made an academic career studying immigration, incarceration and detention. As a young adult, Minian followed the news of Guantanamo Bay Naval Base being used to detain people who might be connected to those attacks. But in researching their new book, In the Shadow of Liberty: The Invisible History of Immigrant Detention in the United States, Minian discovered the base was first used as a detention center under President George H.W. Bush to hold Haitian refugees.

Minian uses the personal experiences of four immigrants to walk readers through the history of immigrant detention in the United States: Fu Chi Hao, a Chinese Christian attempting to escape the Boxer Rebellion in 1901; Holocaust survivor Ellen Knauff, a war bride of an American GI who arrived at Ellis Island in 1948; Gerardo Mansur, a Cuban who joined the Mariel boat lift in 1979; and Fernando Arredondo, a Guatamalan asylum seeker who was separated from his daughter by border officials in 2018.

In this episode of The Modern Law Library, Minian shares details of these stories with the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles. They also discuss the shifting motivations behind changes in the immigration system, parole versus detention, and how attorneys can help immigrants currently in detention.

Brand Conquesting: Dirty and Underhanded? || How would you spend $5000?

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 08:00:52 +0000

Your competitor is using YOUR name to promote themselves, and you’re totally ticked, but what can you do? Later, learn the very best ways to spend your marketing budget to grow your business.

Generating clients for yourself by mentioning your competitor is sketchy, right? Or, is it? In the words of every lawyer ever, “It depends.” Gyi and Conrad analyze a particular instance of an aggressive brand practice Ben Glass highlighted in a recent LinkedIn post. A very questionable strategy used by one of his competitors could easily have misled consumers, so, ick, but is there an okay way to use a brand conquest strategy? The guys unpack the philosophy and ethics behind this type of marketing approach.

Pop quiz, hot shot. You’ve got $5,000 for your marketing budget. What do you do? The possibilities could run in a variety of directions, and Gyi and Conrad share several creative takes on what kind of impact can be made with your investment.

The News:

Everybody is in the digital media business—maybe even your bank! Yep, JP Morgan has started an ad agency… What do we think about this? – JPMorgan Creates Marketing Agency Built on Purchase Data
Paid search is still king, but is regicide coming? – U.S. search ad revenues hit record $88.8 billion in 2023

Mentioned in this Episode:

The Next LHLM Office Hours will take place on May 3rd. Join us on LinkedIn!

Gladiator Law Marketing Agency Review 2024

You Asked, We Answered || A Line in the SPAM – LHLM Episode

Users keepers: Pirates, zombies and adverse possession

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 11:00:38 +0000

“Trespassing plus time equals adverse possession,” Paul Golden writes in his new book, Litigating Adverse Possession Cases: Pirates v. Zombies. When someone has occupied or used a piece of property as though they own it for long enough, a court could determine that they are the rightful owner—regardless of what the paperwork says. It’s a concept more popularly discussed as squatter’s rights.

In this episode of The Modern Law Library, Golden speaks with the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles about the ancient concepts underlying modern adverse possession law; some quirky state laws; and why societies would allow land to be transferred in this way. They also discuss how the plain meaning of terms like “hostile” are changed when used in adverse possession cases, and Rawles raises a hypothetical—taken from real life—of a neighbor’s crooked fence.

During Golden’s first appearance on The Modern Law Library, he explained how the lack of a written contract could be navigated by a savvy lawyer. In his new book, Golden guides attorneys and their clients through the finer points of arguing for and against adverse possession claims. He shares some of the errors he’s seen pop up in adverse possession cases, and offers advice for how to avoid common pitfalls.

Modern Law Library listeners have been given a promotional discount code for Litigating Adverse Possession Cases: Pirates v. Zombies through May 10, 2024. For 20% off, go to the ABA’s online shop and enter LAPC2024 at checkout.

The Lawyer’s Guide to Conversions || Listener LSA Queries

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 27 Mar 2024 08:00:36 +0000

Ladies and gentlemen! Tonight’s main event is a rough and rowdy throw down over: What exactly is a conversion? Later, LSAs are confusing, amIright? Gyi and Conrad shed some light on how to make the most of your marketing dollar.

So, you’ve just placed a Google ad, written a social post, or sent out a newsletter. Then, you sit back and hope for… what, exactly? There is definitely some argument about what a conversion is and isn’t in your marketing scenario, so get ready for some heat as Gyi and Conrad rumble over their diverging philosophies. However, at its core, the guys agree that a conversion happens when a user takes the desired action (whatever that may be) which, in turn, grows your business. They discuss how this plays out in the real world to help lawyers understand best practices in their marketing efforts.

Later, the guys answer Local Services Ad questions from listeners. How long will LSAs be king for small firms? Do you really have to increase your budget to compete with legal behemoths on Google? Can effective targeting solve ad problems? Gyi and Conrad give their best takes on how to understand the nuances of the system.

The News:

Is this whole TikTok ban for realsies? Questionable — Bill that could ban TikTok passed in the House. Here’s what to know
Google Integrates Social Media Posts Into Google Business Profiles Gyi and Conrad talk about how to make the most of it.
Sooo… the Google March 2024 spam update is done rolling out. Did it make any difference?
Coming your way: DIY AI-assisted website stuffs that power your marketing—GoDaddy Launched Airo
And, we’re excited, folks! The First LHLM: Office Hours took place on March 15 and the guys are super grateful for all those who got involved. Join Gyi and Conrad again on March 29.

This Podcast Rated [PG] by the Podcast Association of America* for mild language and bad lawyer jokes.

*not a real thing

Mentioned in this Episode:

Conversion Confusion Cleared Up – LHLM

Last Episode

How not to use TikTok

James Patterson dishes on his new legal thriller, ‘The #1 Lawyer’

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 14:45:19 +0000

In his newest release, The #1 Lawyer, James Patterson partnered with co-author Nancy Allen to tell the story of Stafford Lee Penney, a criminal defense attorney in Biloxi, Mississippi, who’s never lost a case. But after handing a high-profile murder trial involving the son of a mobster, Penney finds himself on the other side of the bench as a defendant himself, charged with murdering his own wife.

Patterson says one of the major benefits of working with co-authors is pulling from their experiences to make his books more accurate and true to life. When he wrote The President is Missing with Bill Clinton, the former president could tell Patterson the inside details of how a Secret Service detail worked. When he wrote Run, Rose, Run with Dolly Parton, she walked him through the production cycle for a song.

Allen, who conducted more than 30 jury trials as a prosecutor in Missouri and taught law for 15 years at Missouri State University, contributed her firsthand courtroom experience to The #1 Lawyer. Patterson says they worked to make everything as accurate as possible—while still allowing for a good story. It’s the pair’s second book together, following a previous standalone novel, Juror #3.

In this episode of The Modern Law Library, Patterson shares some of his favorite law-related pop culture picks; news about new and ongoing projects; and describes a very special birthday event with Dolly Parton. He also discusses how his children’s series Maximum Ride got caught up in Florida book bans in 2023. For fans of Patterson’s breakout success, the Alex Cross series launched in 1993 with Along Came a Spider, the author shares updates about what’s next for the intrepid detective—including details about the upcoming Amazon Prime TV series Cross, starring Aldis Hodge.

Bull$#!% You Hear at Legal Conferences || What Are You Reading?

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 08:00:39 +0000

This time, the guys unpack Google’s latest headlines, caution lawyers against some highly questionable speakers at legal conferences, and share the latest books to add to your reading list.

Today’s big thing—The News:

Google’s latest core updates are really trying to crack down on spam and garbage content. Will it work? Gyi and Conrad talk through what it all means for you. Check out: Google’s Search Status Dashboard for Ranking and Google Is Finally Trying to Kill AI Clickbait.
Disgusting, but predictable––Google’s February LSA update was super gross: Google tests Branded Local Service Ads with opt-out option.
Gyi explains how Google is trying to reduce spam in some areas through quality rater guidelines, but they don’t seem to care about it when it comes to ads: Search Quality Rater Guidelines: An Overview.
Conrad rants against Google’s Pay Per Click (PPC) tactics, so to wrap your head around PPC marketing in general, try LHLM 101: Advertisement Buying Alphabet Soup and Search Engine Land’s What is PPC – Pay-Per-Click marketing?

Later, there are a fair amount of conference sessions these days in which the speakers are paying big money to pitch their message/product to attendees. What do we think of this practice? Gyi and Conrad both have their own take, but the bottom line is: there’s a lousy content issue at conferences, and the guys share IRL examples of session claptrap you should avoid.

Finally, what have the guys been reading lately? For Conrad, Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, tells the story of the messy process of building a successful business. And Gyi has been reading all of Tiago Forte’s books, including Building a Second Brain and The PARA Method for organizing your digital life.

Mentioned in this Episode:

LHLM Office Hours are coming March 15th! Register or View Here

The Game Changing Attorney Podcast: The Brutally Honest Guide to Public Speaking

It’s Goog Enough! – Blind Five Year Old

3 Simple Rules for Safer GenAI Use; AI’s Role in Legal Practice; and “Brother Up”

Ally Kvidt — Fri, 08 Mar 2024 09:00:24 +0000

Adjusting to the new and persistent presence of AI in the legal world isn’t easy, but it is necessary. Jared welcomes brothers Justin and Luc Cary, an attorney and software engineer, respectively, to unpack the current state of AI in business and legal uses. They discuss current safety issues, emerging guardrails, best practices for research, AI in legal tech software, and more.

Later on in the Rump Roast, the guys play “Brother Up”, where Justin and Luc must identify famous brothers in history and pop culture.

And, should you be entering confidential information into generative AI tools? Well, there are layers, folks, but in the current AI environment, lawyers should never assume their data is secure. That being said, Jared doesn’t want to throw a wet blanket on the AI revolution, he just wants you to know the three simple things that will enable you to use these tools safely and ethically.

Justin Cary is an attorney at Drummond Woodsum.

Luc Cary is associate director of machine learning at Invitae.

Since we have the Cary brothers with us this week, here’s a playlist all about siblings!

Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest.

Our closing track is Promised Land by Brian Brown

‘When Rape Goes Viral’ looks at why cases like Steubenville happen

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 15:45:56 +0000

Three high-profile cases of sexual assault in 2012 followed a basic pattern: A teenage girl was sexually assaulted at a house party by one or more teenage boys while she was incapacitated by alcohol. The attacks were recorded and the photos, videos and stories were shared on social media or via texts. The photos and videos were used to ridicule the victims among their peers. Those texts and posts later became evidence in criminal cases. These incidents took place in Steubenville, Ohio; Maryville, Missouri; and Saratoga, California, and sparked national conversations about youth, technology and sexual assault in 2013.

“The question gnawing at everyone, myself included, was: What were these kids thinking?” writes Anna Gjika, a sociology professor who studies crime and gender issues. More than 10 years later, Gjika has attempted to answer that question in her new book, When Rape Goes Viral: Youth and Sexual Assault in the Digital Age. She took a close look at the three attacks in 2012, but identifies a number of similar instances that have happened more recently.

One of the elements the public found shocking about the cases was how many bystanders filmed or photographed the unconscious girls or the sexual assaults as they were occurring, without intervening. In talking to people involved in the cases and to teens in general as part of her research, Gjika found that the young people did not think of their social media as archival so much as “of the moment.” They filmed and posted what was happening around themselves because they were used to doing that. “Sharing an experience has become an integral part of the experience,” Gjika writes.

In this episode of The Modern Law Library, Gjika and the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles discuss her research into generational attitudes towards social media and sexual assault; the promises and pitfalls of digital evidence in sexual assault cases; how social media can be empowering or degrading for survivors; the social responsibility held by the legal community and the tech industry; and what interventions could be effective to prevent such assaults from taking place.

Digital evidence like cellphone videos and texts can be extremely beneficial to prosecutors looking to prove incidents of sexual assault, particularly when victims are unable to recount their experience because they were unconscious or impaired during the attacks. But Gjika explains that this kind of evidence is not uncomplicated. The way juries perceive the evidence will still be filtered through societal expectations and prejudices. Defense attorneys do not have the same access to digital evidence from tech companies, and usually lack capacity to process immense amounts of data. The expertise, willingness and resources of police departments and prosecutors’ offices to seek out this evidence also vary widely. And the victims can be further traumatized by the use in court of images and video of their assaults, and the knowledge that the images continue to be disseminated on the internet.

In closing, Rawles and Gjika discuss what actions can be taken by schools, the legal community and the tech industry to prevent such attacks or to assist victims whose assaults have been digitally documented. Gjika believes educational programs and trainings for teens need to focus on peer groups and norms, rather than emphasizing individual responsibility, and “must be grounded within adolescents’ lived experiences, rather than on adult fears and anxieties.” She also argues that adults as well as teens would benefit from “ethical digital citizenship initiatives,” where concepts like privacy and online decision-making could be discussed. And she suggests the creation of government-funded organizations to assist survivors with removing digital content from the internet.

Law Firm Marketing Mastery in 30 Minutes—GUARANTEED! || r/HiddenGems

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 09:00:36 +0000

Lies, betrayal, false promises… Valentine’s Day may look like it just took a very unromantic turn, but Gyi and Conrad are here to rescue you from a potentially toxic agency relationship. And later, Google’s Hidden Gems might not be all it’s cracked up to be.

We guarantee (okay, we hope!) that you’ll love this podcast, but what about when an agency guarantees success? Flashy promises from marketing agencies are probably always absolutely sketchy, and Gyi and Conrad want to make sure no one takes advantage of you. The guys share the warning signs you should look for when considering a relationship with a new agency.

Next, what’s the deal with Google’s new update, Hidden Gems? It’s meant to bring real user experiences and content to the forefront, but is it actually helping? Forums like Reddit and Quora can be a strategic place to put yourself out there as a lawyer, but don’t be a skeezeball about it. Gyi and Conrad talk through unintended problems arising from Hidden Gems—far too often resulting from users manipulating the system.

The News:

Local Service Ad bombings truly suck, and Google needs to prevent business competitors from using these gross tactics.
AI is coming to Google Maps to help you discover new places through AI Local Guides. Attorneys—pay attention to how this could impact the ways people find your law firm!
Speaking of maps, they’re currently showing up significantly lower in Search Engine Results Pages. How will this affect your business?

Mentioned in this Episode:

What are Hidden Gems? – Google Search ranking improvement aims to surface hidden gems

Beyond SEO

Hreflang: The Easy Guide for Beginners

Remote Work: Dude, It’s Fine; Onboarding Legal Technology; and Art by Rob Joyner

Legal Talk Network — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 17:00:56 +0000

Backsliders are the worst, and if you’re making your employees come into the office after years of successful remote work, then, well… you’re the worst. Jared weighs in on the remote/in-office work debate to help you take a hard look at why you’re doing what you’re doing—and whether your reasoning is utter bullshit.

Next, Jared welcomes first-time guest Rob Joyner to talk about how technology adoption is the means to the end of future-proofing your law firm. To some lawyers, new tech may feel like the great unknown, but failing to learn and implement it will make you fall behind your competitors. Jared and Rob talk about the latest in AI and other essential legal tech and the best ways for law firms to stay current.

In the Rump Roast, Jared forgoes his typical torturous games, because Rob has a legit cool hobby to talk about. You can learn more about it at paintedjoyner.com.

Rob Joyner is Senior Vice President of Business Development at Centerbase.

Since we talk about artwork – a departure for us, for sure – here are some songs related to art.

Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest.

Our closing track is Spoken Word by Renderings.

Diverse Marketing || 30 Days In

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 31 Jan 2024 09:00:57 +0000

100 episodes! Thanks for listening, LHLMers. This time, we’re focusing on the business and community benefits of expanding into new language markets for your law firm. Plus, what should be accomplished in the first 30 days of a new marketing year?

What should diversity look like in your legal marketing? The ever-growing Spanish-speaking market has made attorneys realize there are many underserved populations in need of greater access to legal services. Whether it be Spanish or another language, what is the best way to reach out to new client populations in your area? Gyi and Conrad share what they’ve learned thus far about inclusive marketing strategies that serve communities more broadly and effectively.

Later on, what progress should lawyers and marketers expect to see after the first thirty days of their engagement/campaign/strategy/whatever? The guys talk through potential benchmarks in a variety of circumstances and the data-gathering frenzy that should eventually become measurable, meaningful metrics for your firm.

The News:

LSA Reporting – you can now see more about your local service ads through Google’s interface, but it still kinda sucks.
Google Business Profile Websites will be turned off on March 1st. Are they quietly sneaking off into the night?
Google is laying off hundreds from their advertising teams. What gives?
The Stafford Jersey Swap was quite a thing.

Mentioned in this Episode:

US Hispanic Population Stats

LHLM Episode: The Anatomy of an Annual Plan || Top KPIs for Law Firm Growth

Obnoxious Email Responses; Data Security for Dummies; & “Doubling Up”

Legal Talk Network — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 09:00:42 +0000

Why is it that law firms are a frequent target for data breaches? Make no mistake, attorneys, you’ve got a lot of sensitive, valuable data that a threat actor would love to get their hands on. If your cybersecurity isn’t effective, you’re opening yourself up to a whole lot of ethical and legal issues. Jared chats with David Aaron about preventative measures lawyers should employ, what to do if you suffer a breach, and current cybersecurity trends.

Later on in the Rump Roast, the guys play “Doubling Up”––where Jared quizzes David on trivia devoted to people blessed with a first-name first name and first-name last name. You get it, right?

And, is anything more annoying than email? Not in Jared’s estimation. He shares his thoughts (read: rants) on the vexing email follow-ups people tend to send with irritating regularity.

This episode, we covered some annoying email tactics, so we made the playlist all about the proper messaging.

Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest.

Our closing track is Christmas Time is Lambs Farm by Sam Barsh.

Conrad’s Crystal Ball: The Re-Re-Return — Sponsored by CallRail

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 09:00:48 +0000

Gyi and Conrad gaze deeply into the hazy future of law firm marketing in 2024, but are they true fortune tellers or phonies? They talk through the successes of predictions past and offer their insight into the uncertain future.

Time to dust off the crystal ball, but first, the guys take a look back and show off their brilliant powers of prediction with a whole slew of spot-on prophecies that did, in fact, come to pass in 2023. In-house marketers increased, lawyers took to social media in bigger ways, brand affinity/awareness tactics were key, and more! And, uh… y’know—nevermind that bit of a psychic blind spot on the massive AI renaissance.

Next, let’s take a look at the most significant trends of 2023. The guys unpack the major happenings in AI, the legal business sphere, marketing strategies, social media engagement, and all the other things competent soothsayers must examine as they ponder eternity.

Finally, the future. Gyi and Conrad gaze into the depths of the mystic orb, and what lies ahead is clear—more and more AI is coming into the practice of law. What else? We’re not giving it all away! Listen in to find out.

Many thanks to our friends at CallRail for sponsoring this extra LHLM episode.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Mindful Gifting || Resolutions Past and Future

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 15:30:49 +0000

If you’ve never put much thought into gifts, maybe it’s time to ponder the influence and effect of a perfectly personalized present. And, how did the guys’ resolutions go last year? Eh… you’ll see.

Unexpected, unnecessary gifts can be pretty darn impactful, and they might just be an awesome way to express your esteem for a valued professional peer. Gyi and Conrad encourage listeners to forgo the pears and apples and consider a thoughtful, personalized gifting strategy that truly shows others you care.

Next, the guys answer a listener question on Google SGE. What are its long-term prospects? Will it play a role in Search? Gyi and Conrad hash out their prognostications.

It seems we love to hate ourselves for failing miserably at New Year’s resolutions. The guys share their successes and lack thereof on 2023’s personal, professional, and podcast goals, and talk about their bright, shiny hopes for 2024.

The News:

Take that, robocallers/texters! The FCC has adopted new rules closing ‘lead generator” loopholes.
Is print coming back? Great Legal Marketing has an excellent print newsletter, so maybe, just maybe, you should consider one as well.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Jared’s Obscure Holiday Viewing Guide; Building Your Law Firm C-Suite; and Correia Family Stories

Legal Talk Network — Thu, 28 Dec 2023 09:00:34 +0000

If your firm is experiencing operational challenges you just can’t seem to overcome, you might be in need of some C-suite help. Lawyers don’t necessarily want to take on the business responsibilities of running a practice, and there are many flexible ways to get the business guidance you need. Jared talks with Seth Tuman of 2GO Advisory Group about how either fractional or full-time C-suite professionals can help attorneys take their law firms to the next level.

Later, you’re in for a holiday treat on the Rump Roast with the return of Correia Family Stories! Jared’s mom and brother, Pat, share some of their favorite holiday memories. Was it Jared or his sister who was responsible for the pine needle in Pat’s eye? And, who knew Scattergories could be so delightfully awkward? Listen in for more.

And, last but not least, if you’ve always wanted to elevate your holiday entertainment aficionado status, Jared has all the little-known titles you need to watch to become a truly well-versed movie snob.

The holiday’s are a good time to connect with your roots, so in honor of my mother and brother joining, here’s a playlist of Portuguese music to honor my family’s native land.

Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest.

Our closing track is Christmas Time is Coming by Moments.

Bad Math – Undercapitalization || Riches in the Niches?

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 27 Dec 2023 09:00:16 +0000

Bad math might be holding you back from your business goals, and, later, is it a good or bad idea to diversify your legal practice areas?

Lawyers aren’t known for their math skills, but those who are business owners need to understand how to budget their money for continued growth. In fact, if you’re not investing enough in your marketing, you might be moving backwards. Gyi and Conrad talk through strategies for effective marketing investments that will help you reach your business goals.

To maximize your revenue, should you undertake multiple niches in your legal practice? It depends. Practice area diversification isn’t all bad—in some markets it might work well for you, but it can also be problematic. They guys break down the pros and cons of a multi-niche legal practice.

The News:

This video looks amazing: Hands-on with Gemini: Interacting with multimodal AI – YouTube. But now it’s looking like we’ve been misled: Google shares sink following reports that some of their AI demo was faked.
Joy Hawkins has informed everyone that they basically don’t exist after hours on Google unless they run a 24/7 listing.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Maximum Lawyer

https://www.reddit.com/r/LawFirmMarketing/

Perfect Albums, Vol. 5; Analyze This; “Overrated, Underrated—Thanksgiving Edition”

Legal Talk Network — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 17:15:39 +0000

Searching for state court data used to be a huge pain in the ass, but data analytics has almost entirely fixed it, giving attorneys searchable databases in just about every state. What else has data analytics done for the profession? Plenty. Jared talks with Nicole Clark about how the aggregation of legal data has given us a much deeper understanding of courts, judges, and law firms—and even gives lawyers an edge in the courtroom. Trigger warning: they also give a nod to AI and its major contributions to legal data analytics.

It’s almost Christmas, but let’s take a look back at Thanksgiving! Jared and Nicole play “Overrated, Underrated, Properly Rated—Thanksgiving Edition” to determine whether beloved Thanksgiving traditions like stuffing, football, and uncomfortable political conversations are given their due.

Though controversial in its day, Paul Simon’s “Graceland” is a perfect album. After a run of personal and professional disappointments, Simon hit upon some pretty fortuitous inspiration that led to this pristine collection of musical craftsmanship. Jared unpacks the surprising and varied Americana-meets-world-music vibe of “Graceland”, the most popular album of Simon’s career.

Nicole Clark is co-founder and CEO at Trellis Research Inc.

We celebrate Paul Simon’s perfect album ‘Graceland’, with our episode + this playlist.

Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest.

Our closing track is Life of the Party by Dr. Delight.

Our favorite pop culture picks in 2023

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 06 Dec 2023 12:00:42 +0000

It’s the time of year when The Modern Law Library hosts like to look back on the media we’ve enjoyed, our annual pop culture picks episode. This year, host Lee Rawles is joined by three ABA Journal reporters: Julianne Hill, Amanda Robert and the Journal’s newest employee, Anna Stolley Persky. Naturally, the four discuss their favorite books, but they also have movies, TV shows, podcasts and even a play to recommend. From documentaries to audiobooks, listeners will find ways to occupy the holiday season and the new year. For the full list of recommendations, go to ABAJournal.com/2023picks.

How is the true crime genre impacting the way people think about innocence?

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 12:00:25 +0000

Human beings have told stories about violence and victims from our earliest records. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, newspapers and magazines flourished on crime coverage. Hollywood has churned out crime movies and TV shows, based both in fiction and non-fiction. But after the incredible success experienced by the podcast Serial in 2014 and the documentary series Making a Murderer in 2015, a new wave of popular media exploring real cases of potential wrongful convictions burst upon the scene.

While Diana Rickard didn’t consider herself a “podcast person,” her interest as an academic was piqued. The criminology professor began listening to Serial, and became fascinated by what she saw as a new expression of the true crime genre, dubbing it the “New True.”

“These series deserve our attention for what they reveal about our societal understanding of crime and punishment,” Rickard writes in her book The New True Crime: How the Rise of Serialized Storytelling Is Transforming Innocence. “Through them, audiences are receiving ideological messages about punishment. They are also sites where inequality, power and racism are openly examined, playing a role in our public conversations about who is and is not deserving of punishment and who is and is not protected by law. In addition, by using the term ‘New True,’ I am also suggesting these series indicate a new way of constructing truth itself. Questioning the finality of verdicts, framing facts as in the eye of the beholder, the new series unmoor our faith in what is knowable.”

In this episode of the Modern Law Library, Rickard explains how she sees the New True podcasts and documentary series as differing from older media. She and the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles discuss the differences between crime reporting and this serialized storytelling, and whether the New True series are managing to avoid some of the ethical pitfalls of traditional crime reporting. They also delve into whether debunking things like flawed forensic science or false confessions for the general public may have shifted the way people think about wrongful convictions.

Rickard shares what she has heard from legal experts in the innocence community about the benefits—and drawbacks—of cases catching the eyes of New True producers. She also reveals what surprised her most when she researched the Reddit communities that gather to discuss New True cases.

LinkedInGPT || Red Flags for Firing Your Agency

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 09:00:52 +0000

What do we think of using AI in social content creation? It’s complicated. And, the guys share the surefire signs that mean it’s time to drop your digital marketing agency.

With ChatGPT by our side, social media might just have the potential to become more inauthentic than ever. If, that is, you employ AI to generate your content full-time. So… should you? Gyi and Conrad talk through the current state of ChatGPT-aided content creation, explaining how to use it for what it’s worth, while leaving its lame, boring robot side out of your socials.

For today’s LHLM question, a listener asks about the value, or lack thereof, in hiring a local celebrity for your marketing scheme. Does it work? Is it fraught with peril? The guys hash it out.

Spotty communication? Red flag. No data access? Red flag. Certain indicators really do prove that it’s time to oust your digital marketing agency. Things get a little heated as Gyi and Conrad outline a full list of things that just aren’t acceptable, so you’ll know when to give your agency the boot.

The News:

Google is using click data as a ranking factor, because apparently Google users… like it? Ugh.

It’s Goog Enough! – Blind Five Year Old

The latest announcements from Google are promising personalization:

Open AI is letting you make your own version of ChatGPT:

OpenAI announces platform for making custom ChatGPTs – The Verge

Mentioned in this Episode:

Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Podcast: The Anatomy of an Annual …

How Much Should You Pay for AI Tools?; Insurance Best Practices; and “Historic Mistakes”

Legal Talk Network — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 17:00:58 +0000

As lawyers, you constantly assess the risks of your clients, whether in their business practices, court cases, personal relationships, or a multitude of other things. So, managing risk for your clients is what you do, but when was the last time you took a hard look at your own liabilities? Jared welcomes Mark Bassingthwaighte of ALPS Insurance to chat about common risks in modern legal practice. Mark’s approachable take on insurance could help just about anybody understand what they need for their law firm, and he and Jared also talk through current ethics considerations around AI and cybersecurity.

Then, in the Rump Roast, Jared tests Mark’s expertise on authentic blunders in a game called “Historic Mistakes.” Did the Titanic sink because of a sleepy watchman? Was Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination the result of a forgotten fancy hat? Listen in to find out.

And, lastly, everybody’s rolling out their AI tools/extras/whatever, and pricing for these things is truly all over the place. Jared ponders this issue—as a lawyer, you need to be able to keep up with the other guy, but how much should all this cost you?

Mark Bassingthwaighte has been a Risk Manager with ALPS, the nation’s largest direct writer of lawyers’ malpractice insurance, since 1998.

Since we talked about mistakes – those lawyers make + historical ones, have a listen to our playlist featuring songs about fucking up.

Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest.

Our closing track is Night Whispers by Dr. Delight.

Law grad turns culinary passion into TikTok fame and a brand new cookbook

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 12:00:52 +0000

Like many others, Jon Kung figured law school would be a safe harbor to weather the storms of the Great Recession. But after emerging from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 2011, Kung changed course.Kung, who is non-binary, says the realization the practice of law was not for them hit after they helped the local prosecutor’s office achieve a conviction in a murder trial. They received a full-time job offer with that office, but decided to turn down the job offer and look for other work. Over the next several years, they established themselves in the Detroit culinary scene, hosting secret pop-up dinners and dumpling classes, and honing their take on “Third Culture cuisine.”

Kung was born in Los Angeles, and spent their childhood in Hong Kong and Toronto before landing in Michigan for college and law school. Their recipes combine elements of Chinese and North American cuisines and cooking techniques.

“This new fusion that I’m referring to as ‘third culture’ takes a more thoughtful approach to the genre,” Kung writes in the introduction to their new cookbook, Kung Food: Chinese American Recipes from a Third-Culture Kitchen. “Third culture embraces each side as equal, drawing from a lived experience that is immersed in both or multiple cultrues, once again taking the mentality of the American culinary renaissance that came around in the 2010s and granting the rest of us the ability to take part in it.”

In this episode of the Modern Law Library, Kung discusses their new cookbook with the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles—who made the Beef & Broccoli Potpie, the Shrimp Paste Dumplings and the Parmesan-Curry Egg Fried Rice from the book—and shares their favorite meal tips for starving law school students. Kung also shares how they went from word-of-mouth pop-ups to social media fame.

In 2020, when the pandemic made their pop-up meals impossible and the murder of George Floyd prompted massive protests in their home state, Kung began using their TikTok account @jonkung as a place to find community and share recipes. They quickly began gaining followers, and started being approached to partner with brands on projects like developing recipes based on anime series. Kung shares the story of how they were offered the publishing deal for Kung Food, and what it’s like to be a social media influencer.

The Anatomy of an Annual Plan || Top KPIs for Law Firm Growth

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 09:00:59 +0000

Where is your law firm headed in the next year? We know you want to improve your business, and here’s how! Later, a good plan relies on good data. Gyi and Conrad discuss the most important KPIs for your firm.

You want growth for your law firm, so what’s your plan? Gyi and Conrad have had too many lawyers tell them, “I don’t know… you tell me!” So, that’s what we’re doing today. The guys break down the key elements of a top-notch annual plan that can be tailored to your particular business objectives.

Then, it’s question time! How does ChatGPT/AI affect marketing and SEO? Can you still stand out amongst the crowd? Gyi and Conrad discuss. Don’t forget to send in your questions and get a b-e-a-utiful Lunch Hour trucker hat.

And, last but not least, we’re bringing it back to your annual plan, dear lawyers. The guys each share their top 3 KPIs for measuring where you want to go with your law firm.

The News:

The walls are coming down, folks! MyCase now has an integration with CallRail.
Just a heads up—Google’s LSAs have, by and large, dropped from 3 to 2.
SEOs, you made a mess of the internet… as usual:
- Did SEO experts ruin the internet or did Google? – The Verge
Congrats to the authors of Tiger Tactics: Powerful Strategies for Winning Law Firms. This book is definitely worth a read.
As we mentioned, 50% of people are not comfortable with their lawyers using AI, and Pras of the Fugees is one of them:
- Fugees’ Pras Michel Demands Retrial, Says Lawyer’s Use of AI Botched Final Argument.

Mentioned in this Episode:

A New Era of Advertising; Perfecting Workplace Communication; and “A Rose By Any Other Name”

Legal Talk Network — Fri, 27 Oct 2023 18:00:24 +0000

Whether there’s a generational divide, unhelpful technology, a lack of emotional intelligence, or, really, a whole bunch of other issues—communication is hard. And, when communication breaks down, your business just doesn’t operate like it should. Is there any way to bridge all these gaps and interact effectively in your workplace? Jared talks with Rachael Bosch about her strategies for helping both individuals and teams understand each other better and overcome challenges in their professional lives.

In the Rump Roast, Jared and Rachael play “A Rose By Any Other Name”—a game entirely focused on… deodorant! Jared tries to stump Rachael with a variety of real and made-up slogans.

And, speaking of deodorant, Jared’s monologue took a deep, unpleasant dive into what is apparently acceptable on network TV commercials these days. It’s pretty revolting. Has Jared gone too far this time? Probably.

Rachael Bosch is the founder of Fringe PD.

We talked about how to cover up for your stankiness, and so we put together some songs about smells.

Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest.

Our closing track is I’m Drowning by Dr. Delight.

You Asked, We Answered || A Line in the SPAM

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 25 Oct 2023 08:00:21 +0000

The weary travelers are back! After collecting your most pressing marketing questions at the latest legal conferences, Gyi and Conrad are ready to answer you right here on the podcast. And later—you better learn how NOT to annoy your audience, because no one likes a spammer.

We at the Lunch Hour pod took down your marketing questions at Clio Cloud 2023 and MTMP, and the guys are ready to answer the first three of many! If you’ve been wondering about effective client meetings, social media positioning, and targeted referrals, listen in for Gyi and Conrad’s expertise.

Later, when is your marketing too much? There is a line, folks, and you definitely don’t want to cross it. The guys talk about marketing and social media etiquette and the stuff you need to think about when you engage with your target audience.

The News:

Get ready to make a big spend on TikTok’s physical ads! It’s a thing now: Introducing Out of Phone: TikTok Beyond the Mobile Screen.
Capture Now could help you fix the intake problems at your law firm.
Clio launches Clio Duo and the insights it has to offer will most likely really change the way lawyers work.
NGage Chat is still being super lame and selling your leads, just like we told you in this episode: 5 Ways To Make Your Google Profile Pop || Is Your Chat Service Selling Your Leads?
Gyi and Conrad were on the Game Changing Attorney Podcast.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Clio’s 2023 Legal Trends Report

Sci-Fi Roundup; Document Management with Microsoft 365; and “Star Tours”

Legal Talk Network — Thu, 12 Oct 2023 16:00:05 +0000

Document management is a must in legal, and Microsoft 365 has plenty of ways to organize and process your documents for you. So, what do you need to know about it? Jared welcomes Keith Vallely to talk through the uses of SharePoint, OneDrive, and other Microsoft features to help attorneys understand the nuances of Microsoft’s methods for document management.

The Rump Roast digs deep into tricky Star Wars trivia in a game Jared likes to call “Star Tours.” Do you know what language is written on Darth Vader’s chest plate? Does Keith know? Listen in to find out.

And, Jared taps into his unapologetically nerdy side to analyze the current sci-fi offerings in the multiverse and beyond. So, if you’re in need of some excellent escapism, Jared has plenty of recommendations for the sci-fi movies and shows you should watch.

Keith Vallely is Vice President and Senior Consultant at Epona USA.

Since we talked about a lot of different sci-fi IP – including Star Wars – let’s enjoy a list of the best sci-fi movie needle drops of all-time.

Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest.

Our closing track is Tenderness of You by Cast of Characters.

Dispatches From The End Of Analog Lawyering

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 15:20:17 +0000

Joe checks in from the 2023 Clio Cloud Conference joined by Legaltech News editor-in-chief Stephanie Wilkins, dean of legal tech journalism Bob Ambrogi, and Legal Talk Network producer Laurence Colletti to talk about legal technology and the small law market. We talk artificial intelligence, hot legal trends, and access to justice.

5 Fresh Takeaways from Clio’s Legal Trends Report || The Case Against ROI

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 11 Oct 2023 08:00:42 +0000

Live from Clio Cloud Conference—the 2023 Legal Trends Report is hot off the presses and Gyi and Conrad have some compelling thoughts on what it’s showing us this time around. Later, they dig into the problems and limitations associated with current perceptions of ROI.

Should you trust AI for good legal advice? Apparently, 27% of you do, but that stat is making Gyi and Conrad pretty concerned about your qualifications as a lawyer… Yikes. The guys unpack this finding and other notable insights from the 2023 Legal Trends Report.

Later, is tracking ROI truly helpful or even really possible for most law firms? Conrad’s got a soap box here, dear listeners, so get ready. For the most part, stop getting hung up on ROI metrics and point your growth mindset elsewhere.

The News:

Google v. DOJ — Yeah, there’s some stuff you won’t like:
Google Maps sued for sending someone off a bridge.
- Family sues Google alleging its Maps app led father to drive … – CNN
Google Local Chat
- Google Local Chat With A Live Agent Rolling Out?
Startup Alley Nominations are now open!
- 2024 ABA TECHSHOW Startup Alley Application – LawSites

Mentioned in this Episode:

Target Markets: Why They Aren’t Just for Marketers [A Quick Guide]

3 Real-Life Uses for Generative AI in Legal; Empowering Women Lawyers with Rachel Clar; & “Town in Upstate NY, Town in Rural Alabama, or Discontinued Household Cleaner?”

Legal Talk Network — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 19:45:20 +0000

Women attorneys are intelligent and brave, but they still face particular challenges in the legal profession. Jared chats with Rachel Clar of Interconnected Us about her mission to create safe environments for women in law to get the support they need to grow their influence and flourish in legal practice.

Later, in perhaps the most uniquely named Rump Roast game yet, Jared and Rachel play “Town in Upstate NY, Town in Rural Alabama, or Discontinued Household Cleaner?” And, yeah—the name is pretty self-explanatory.

And, we know you’re sick of hearing about AI, but Jared still has a few things that need to be said. First, don’t be a moron and believe everything AI tells you, and second, *do* save yourself time by using AI for contracts, emails, and generating workflows.

Rachel Clar is founder and CEO at Interconnected Us.

We talked about how law firms can use generative AI tools right now, so here’s a playlist about AI, designed by AI. Hey, we had a nice run.

Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest.

Our closing track is Night Whispers by Dr. Delight.

The World’s Most Famous Doll (Who Shall Remain Nameless for Legal Reasons) Goes to Court to Protect Her Brand

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 22:00:36 +0000

With the success of Margot Robbie and Greta Gerwig’s blockbuster movie, we are once again living in a doll’s world. Toymaker Mattel has long had a reputation for aggressively defending its Barbie-related intellectual property. Hosts Trisha Rich and Maggie Mendenhall Casey are joined by K&L Gates partner, Alexis Crawford Douglas, to discuss the intellectual property aspects of the movie, the origin story of the Barbie doll and the most interesting and impactful IP cases that have been part of the ongoing quest to protect the iconic doll brand.

Tales of 3 generations of Black women intertwine to form ‘Memphis’

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 11:00:53 +0000

Admittedly, Tara M. Stringfellow became an attorney simply because her first book of poetry didn’t sell and she needed an income. But after a few years at Crown Castle in Chicago doing family and real estate law, she left, heading straight to the Master of Fine Arts program in creative writing at Northwestern University to get back into the writing game—this time with a lawyer’s sharpened pencil.

LHLM 101: Targeting in Marketing || Geotargeting Misadventures

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 08:00:02 +0000

The guys do a whole session on targeting—what it means and how to do it—and then dive deep into a case study on a well-known attorney’s geotargeting mishap.

Welcome back to school, kids. Today’s lesson is all about hitting the marketing bullseye—with targeting! Now, targeting means that you are putting the right message in front of the right person at the right time. How do you do that? Gyi and Conrad focus this session of LHLM 101 entirely on helping you understand how to identify and connect with your target market to gain more clients for your law firm.

Later, Conrad recently stumbled upon a Facebook ad specifically targeting Pennsylvania car accident victims… but he wasn’t IN Pennsylvania. So, why did this ad appear outside of its target area, and does this equate to sending marketing investments up in smoke? Gyi and Conrad analyze this particular example of a geotargeting blunder and share their thoughts on how lawyers should approach the complexities of area-specific advertising.

The News:

From the Googly Googs at Google:
- Something’s up with the Local Pack.
- Gyi’s thoughts on what to do about Google’s core algorithm update and AI policy changes.
ClioCon is coming, and LHLM has swag!

Mentioned in this Episode:

The Geotargeting Mishaps of a Pennsylvania Lawyer

Good Vibes, Jimmy Buffett; Chuki Obiyo’s Laws for Growing Your Law Firm; & “Fake-Ass Holidays”

Legal Talk Network — Thu, 14 Sep 2023 08:00:54 +0000

Chuki Obiyo has made a science of growing law firm businesses, with plenty of research to back up his time-tested strategies. Jared talks with Obiyo about how to form deeper connections with your network, tips for start-up firms, and leveraging social media and other technology to promote business growth.

Later, who knew September had so many stupid holidays? Apparently, Jared did, so you’re in for a treat on the Rump Roast. Jared and Chuki play “Fake-Ass Holidays” to showcase September’s plethora of silly celebrations.

And, Jimmy Buffet had a life well-lived. Jared pays homage to the late musician, highlighting his greatest songs, memorable collaborations, and more.

Chuki Obiyo is managing director of business development at Vedder Price.

We talked about the recent passing of Jimmy Buffett. So, let’s pour out a little rum for our fallen homie.

Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest.

Our closing track is Kokobongo by Alessandro Gugel.

5 Essential Tips for Going Solo; “Live from the Playroom” with Mark Oblinger

Legal Talk Network — Fri, 01 Sep 2023 19:30:28 +0000

It’s been 563 days, but we’re finally back in the Playroom with musical guest Mark Oblinger. Mark holds the double distinction of being an Emmy-winning/Grammy-nominated musician AND having a longtime connection with this very podcast! Tune in for Jared and Mark’s chat about his colorful career in music and audio. Mark highlights his time playing with bands like Firefall and Pure Prairie League, his successful stint in the tv-music world, and his current budding career as a solo artist.

And then, the good stuff! Mark performs two of his songs live, including his slightly darker, melancholy version of the classic hit “Amie” by Pure Prairie League.

Learn more about Mark and his upcoming tours and projects on his website.

Mark’s done us the kindness of putting together an absolutely stellar playlist for our enjoyment. Check out some of the songs that inspire his work and maybe become inspired as well.

Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest.

Our closing track is Little Bird from Mark’s 2019 album High Water Line.

Want to Win at SEO? Delete Your Content || Drafting Your Marketing Dream Team: Round 3

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 23 Aug 2023 08:00:09 +0000

Does SEO demand that you prune old content from your website? And, Gyi and Conrad pick The Face and The Guest during round 3 of the marketing dream team draft.

Improving your SEO performance is always a good idea, but there have been disagreements of late as to whether deleting underperforming content is a means to that end. So, what’s the deal? Should you, indeed, prune legacy content? As usual, the answer may not be black and white, but Gyi and Conrad draw from their years of experience to explain how to analyze performance in order to decide what to do with older content.

Later, time for round three of drafting your marketing dream team! Conrad picks The Face—an individual your law firm puts forward to rally affinity toward your business. Gyi picks… The Guest! Who’s that? Someone whose respected expertise translates into podcasts, events, speaking engagements, and more.

The News:

So, CNET is deleting old articles to try to improve its Google Search ranking. Google’s Danny Sullivan and John Mueller say, “No, absolutely not”, but Gyi and Conrad say, “Hmm…”
Also sensational—The ABA just pulled an Op-Ed on lawyer reforms —what’s that all about?
Lawmatics has some cool new features, and so does CallRail Labs. Could it be that they both listened to this LHLM?

Mentioned in this Episode:

Our other Marketing Dream Team picks:

10 Best Legal Marketing Podcasts Every Lawyer Should Listen To

5 KPIs You Need Now; Asking the Right Questions About Software; & “Dream Podcast Music”

Legal Talk Network — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 15:00:58 +0000

Lawyers, you really actually do need to use KPIs—that’s Key Performance Indicators for those of you who *still* haven’t kept up with good business practices. Do it! And, Jared’s here to help with a breakdown of the 5 KPI categories you need to start keeping track of, like, yesterday.

Next, software demos! If you’re paralyzed with indecision about what software to use, a demo could help, but only if you ask good questions throughout the process. Jared welcomes Andreas Becker to talk about the importance of planning and strategizing to gain the knowledge you need to solve problems and increase productivity with new software.

And, the Rump Roast takes yet another new turn, this time leaving us with Jared & Andreas dreaming about the songs they’d love to use in their podcasts if royalties weren’t a thing.

Andreas Becker is director of business development of Lawyaw at Clio.

If we had no limit on the money we could spend for music, can you just imagine what music we’d use on this show. Well, IMAGINE NO MORE! Andreas and I share our dream picks for podcast music:

Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest.

Our closing track is Chillabye by Midnight Daydream.

EP 722- I’ve Had It!

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 15:00:32 +0000

We’re done with opposing counsel’s snarky emails, loud yawners, attorneys who think their years of experience means the law should be bent for them and people who creep out our kids. Laugh along as we vent about everyday annoyances and share the good stuff that makes up for all that crap.

Trial lawyer’s tales include wins, losses and international intrigue

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 11:00:27 +0000

The year was 1961. Freshly minted attorney James J. Brosnahan had been on the job as a federal prosecutor in Phoenix for two days when he was handed his first trial: a capital murder case. Twelve days into the job, he’d won his first jury trial, and caught the trial bug. (Though to his relief, the two young defendants escaped the death penalty.) For the next six decades, Brosnahan chased every opportunity to present to a jury, in both civil and criminal court.

In his new memoir, Justice at Trial: Courtroom Battles and Groundbreaking Cases, Brosnahan selected 19 of the more than 150 cases he brought before a jury. Each case reflects an issue he sees as being critical to current cultural events, and he feels the losses are as important to share as the victories. He’s fought for press freedom, a woman’s religious right to give sanctuary to undocumented migrants, and for a female corporate chairperson unfairly targeted because of her gender. His international experiences include trying to prevent a client from being framed by dictator Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines, and fighting for justice for assassinated lawyers in Northern Ireland.

In this episode of the Modern Law Library, Brosnahan shares some of these stories with the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles, elaborating on the most important lessons he’s learned about juries, offering tips for aspiring litigators, and sharing what it was like to be Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s classmate at Harvard Law.

Bull$&*! Marketing & the Goobers Who Buy It || How Super are Super Lawyers?

Ally Kvidt — Wed, 09 Aug 2023 08:00:02 +0000

Bullshit actually works sometimes, but Gyi and Conrad still don’t like it. And, are so-called Super Lawyers actually extraordinary in any way?

Even though the guys hate marketing bullshit, they happily bullshit their way through a chat with returning FOP Paul Faust! Paul gets razzed a bit after a 2019 DotCom Magazine cover story resurfaced and gained him another round of congratulations from his professional peers. But, Paul gets the last laugh, ‘cause all this BS gave him plenty of renewed exposure.

Speaking of bullshit, what’s the deal with Super Lawyers and other similar distinctions bestowed upon attorneys? Are they reputable? Are they worth paying for? Do they get eyeballs directly onto your law firm and help you grow your business? Ehhh… it’s neither a yes or a no—Gyi and Conrad discuss.

The News:

Musk is rebranding Twitter, we guess, but it’s looking more like he’s just trying extra hard to run the whole platform into the ground — Twitter Turning Into X Set to Kill Billions in Brand Value.
Things aren’t looking much better for Zuck at the moment — Threads Users Down By Half (still!).
And, Conrad interviewed John Henson about The Crackdown Against Lead Generators.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Paul Faust is the president and co-founder of RingBoost and a nationally recognized expert in the use of local and toll-free phone numbers in marketing.

LHLM Episode: The Mad Proliferation of Lawyer Coaching || Lawyer Has Gas… and He’s Giving It to You

Law Firm Alchemy

Charlie Mann’s Podcast: They Don’t Teach This in Law School

The Super Lawyers Selection Process