Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics

Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), released a report on U.S. life expectancy. Keren Landman, senior reporter from Vox, wrote an excellent piece on this report, detailing the takeaways including the impact of COVID 19, the rise of infant mortality, and how the States compared to other countries on life expectancy.  In this episode, host Craig Williams is joined by guest Michael Ulrich, Assistant Professor of Health Law, Ethics, & Human Rights at Boston University's School of Public Health and School of Law, to discuss the recent CDC Report on U.S. life expectancy. Craig & Michael explore the possible legal implications of this report, and the political, environmental, and social influence on U.S. life expectancy. Mentioned in this Episode: Provisional Life Expectancy Estimates for 2022 US Life Expectancy No Longer Catastrophic, Now Merely Bad By Keren Landman

Guest Keith Ellison is the Minnesota Attorney General and the author of the book “Break The Wheel: Ending the Cycle of Police Violence,” a reflection on the 2020 murder of George Floyd and what we've learned. Ellison oversaw the prosecution and conviction of former police officer Derek Chauvin.  On May 25, 2020, Floyd died during a brutal arrest by Minneapolis police in public view. The killing set off protests across the country. Arresting officer Chauvin was convicted of second-degree murder and pleaded guilty to federal charges. Three other officers were convicted of state and federal charges. The city of Minneapolis paid Floyd's family $27 million.  Ellison explores the findings of his book and his experience representing victims of police violence. He walks through Chauvin's prosecution, the strategy, jury selection, and how video shot by a 17-year-old bystander fit. Can we change policing and rebuild trust between police and communities?  Ellison also shares his career path from law school to the U.S. Congress and to becoming the first African American and Muslim America elected to Minnesota statewide office. It's an inspiring story and proof that following your passion can make a difference. Plus, in our Quick Tip segment: Incorporating storytelling into your legal writing.  Join the Litigation Section's virtual book club on December 12 at 1 PM ET to discuss books and other content focused on personal growth and mental health and wellness! Visit https://www.jotform.com/233055582985163 for more information and to register. Resources: George Floyd Justice and Policing Act “Break The Wheel,” by Attorney General Keith Ellison 2024 Environmental & Energy, Mass Torts, and Products Liability Litigation Committees' Joint Regional CLE Program American Bar Association American Bar Association Litigation Section

Picture this: an estate planning attorney with a twist—owning a law firm by day and conjuring up imaginative, offbeat celebrations for the dearly departed by night.  In this intriguing episode, Sara interviews Jolene Blackbourn, Labster and trailblazing estate planning attorney and entrepreneur, who has taken a distinctive approach to end-of-life celebrations.  Learn how Jolene blends her passion with her profession with her unique method of infusing her love for Halloween culture into the traditional landscape of estate planning. We invite you to challenge your notions about end-of-life planning while celebrating the magic of honoring individuality and explore ways to seamlessly blend law and creativity into your practice.    Links from the episode:    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!  Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, NetDocuments & LawPay. for sponsoring this episode. 

Payable sometime in 2024... of course. ________________________ Milbank got the ball rolling several weeks ago with a round of raises. Cravath has now upped the ante for more senior associates and the Biglaw landscape has finally decided to pile on. Where is all this going and what does it all mean? We've got thoughts. Meanwhile Amy Wax went ahead and invited a white nationalist back to campus and one of her students is disappointed that people weren't nicer about it. Finally, a new lawsuit presents an ethics issue spotter involving Trump lawyer Alina Habba.

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.

Not every cross examination has to be adversarial. If you come on too strong with a witness who is trying hard to be helpful, you may prove your point but lose your case. We'll talk about how to pivot your attitude and watch your nonverbals when cross examining a nice person so you win the facts without losing the jury.

Are you satisfied when your firm is “good enough”? Professional development coach Elise Holtzman challenges you to strategically examine your workplace and your personality to improve your business, create more successful communication and develop the leadership skills you and your firm need to succeed.

Disinformation and deepfakes, accelerated by AI, pose an existential threat to our democracy and elections, and as a country, we are simply not ready says The California Institute for Technology and Democracy (CITED). Drew Liebert and Jonathan Mehta Stein believe that what is needed is an impartial source for policymakers, the press, and the public that will provide expertise related to AI regulation as it applies to campaign communication and election integrity.

In this episode, Robert Brill shares his expertise on how to optimally use advertising for business growth. He emphasizes the importance of creative development every 3-4 weeks, iterating ad creatives based on performance and audience resonance.  Robert discusses the shift from keyword targeting to a more broad targeting strategy, which gives Meta's (formerly Facebook) machine learning algorithm the chance to find a business's best customers through accumulated data. He also elaborates on the importance of having a holistic marketing strategy that covers all levels of a sales funnel. He suggests that the most significant metric is the algorithm chosen and how effectively it achieves the business's objectives such as generating more leads. Robert Brill has worked in advertising for 20 years, and is the CEO of Brill Media, a media buying agency that focuses on precision advertising for business growth. The company has been honored 10 times across Inc 5000 and Financial Times 500.  Robert gives listeners actionable tips on: [0:00] Intro [1:15] The design of an ad - what works, when should you change it and how many ads should you start with [2:57] How do you refine ads [5:15] Explaining why people feel they see the same ad over and over, [7:00] How Facebook markets to you [10:15] What's the first step if your ads aren't going well [13:00] What Meta wants from us [15:50] How to remarket [18:25] Funnels and creating a strategy [22:00] Robert's Book Review [28:40] What should people be looking at as their campaigns go out - are there red flags? [32:30] One big takeaway from this episode Resources mentioned in this episode: Pre-suasion by Robert Cialdini Connect with Robert here: http://instagram.com/brill_media http://twitter.com/brill_media https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertbrill/ https://www.facebook.com/BrillMediaUS/ https://brillmedia.co Connect with me Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Karin on Twitter Karin on LinkedIn Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook https://conroycreativecounsel.com 

Another fresh voice! If we don't have diverse groups in the legal world, we may miss the mark on many issues facing the profession. Flo Nicholas of DEI Directive joins Dennis and Tom to offer her perspectives on legal technology and how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices benefit the legal community. Flo offers up her expertise in these areas and explains the current trends in plain language to help listeners gain a clearer understanding of the scope and positive impacts of intentional DEI. She also talks about her unique career path and what led her to her current work in data-driven diversity.  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. Flo Nicholas is co-founder and chief operating officer at DEI Directive.  Show Notes - Kennedy-Mighell Report #353 A Segment: Fresh Voices on Legaltech - Flo Nicholas LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nonboringlawyer/  DEI Directive: https://www.deidirective.com/   B Segment: Continued discussion with Flo Nicholas Parting Shots: Be proactive with technology! Getting a rental car? Don't download your information.  Go ahead and rearrange your office. 

Stephanie talks with law firm owner and Lawyerist Lab member Allison Harrison about why the job of managing your business is never done and how to navigate the endless opportunities. Bonus: Get inspired with some creative way to describe team roles.   Links from the episode:   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!  Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, NetDocuments & LawPay. for sponsoring this episode. 

Legal professionals are goal-oriented and driven to succeed. But as we approach a traditionally stressful time of year – the holiday season – it's important that we remember what's important and to balance work and life and our own health.  Guest Sonya Sigler is an accomplished attorney who now devotes herself to executive coaching and consulting as well as speaking and writing. Her focus is on work/life balance, understanding your own goals and needs, and focusing on personal development and growth. Mental health and managing burnout in the legal field is crucial.  Sigler's story started as a busy mom and attorney and volunteer. She was juggling as many roles as she could when she wound up in an emergency room with heart attack-like symptoms. It wasn't a heart attack, but it was a wakeup call. Sometimes you need to put yourself first and say “no.”  During the holidays, we may feel obligated to do too much. Listen to yourself, and if we need to decline an invitation or a volunteer request, it's OK. As Sigler says, we all deserve a life we don't need a vacation from. Mentioned in this Episode: Books by Sonya Sigler Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), Mayo Clinic Vistage Hallmark Holiday Movies, Countdown To Christmas San Diego Paralegal Association SDPA, Virtual Lunch With Leaders

Elon Musk files a facially ludicrous lawsuit and Trump argues that sexual assault doesn't count on airplanes _____________ After promising a thermonuclear lawsuit against Media Matters, Elon Musk showed up to court with a string of claims that would fail under his own recitation of facts. Meanwhile, Donald Trump takes aim at the Federal Rules of Evidence in a bid to undermine the E. Jean Carroll case and Stephen Miller goes after Macy's in a cheap publicity stunt.

Bing. Another email. Bing. Update on disturbing international unrest. Your heart hurts but…. Bing. Your exercise app interrupts with a workout nudge. Bing. Meeting reminder, and you realize you forgot to send that text. Bing. Another email. Bing. It's just…too…much. We're suffering from information overload. If you are too, join us as we talk through the stress and try to re-center in a healthier place.

Would you like to generate more business? Elise Holtzman is founder of The Lawyer's Edge, a leadership development firm that helps attorneys become more proactive about business development and career acceleration.

Attorneys Jack Delany and Kristen Worley from the law firm Marshall Dennehey address managing catastrophic claims from a legal perspective and protecting clients.

Experts discuss the status of alternative legal service delivery models, the various forces pushing regulatory reform forward and the biggest obstacles to changing the legal system on LSC's “Talk Justice” podcast. Inspired by a recent report from the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal System (IAALS), “Community & Cooperation: Action Steps Toward Unlocking Legal Regulation,” host Cat Moon brought Stacy Rupprecht Jane and Lucian Pera together for a conversation that approaches regulatory reform from diverse angles.

Throughout his career in “big law” and fintech, guest Abdi Shayesteh struggled with the legal profession's lack of formal training. “It was sink or swim” with every new challenge, he says. There had to be another way to help associates become better lawyers.  Law school may not fully prepare graduates to practice law, and the old apprenticeship model – learning on the job – has fallen apart as new lawyers are expected to produce billable hours from the start, and clients expect to pay for results, not teaching new lawyers. After practicing law for years, Shayesteh founded AltaClaro, an online platform built to train law school graduates how to actually practice law by applying practical skills training in a structured, online environment. Attorneys deserve better, and so do clients.  Hear how AltaClaro's approach combines experiential learning techniques to help attorneys build skills and confidence in a low-risk environment. Lawyers learn, do, and review at their own pace with practice documents, contracts, and clients. Then they go through each exercise with a live, experienced, vetted professional.   New attorneys get the skills they need, and firms get the fully trained associates they want. Mentioned in this Episode: Clio Cloud Conference Join The Un-Billable Hour Community Table

In this episode, Jeff Felton discusses his expertise in using email marketing to retain existing clients and attract new ones. He warns against a referral-only marketing strategy, advocating instead for a more comprehensive approach.  To enhance client relations and build a positive reputation, Jeff proposes using newsletters, regular content creation and capitalizing on trust, generosity, and a human-focused brand strategy. He also underscores the importance of positioning oneself as a thought leader in their respective market.  Jeff is an email marketing strategist and copywriter who helps service-based professionals hustle less for leads and build armies of loyal fans. In 10 yrs of marketing experience, Jeff has worked with 40+ brands, written thousands of marketing emails and written hundreds of web pages. Jeff gives listeners actionable tips on: [0:00] Intro [1:50] Building your entire firm on referrals [3:40] Jeff's experience creating his business [4:50] Pushing through valleys of your business [7:40] Repositioning and creating your niche offer [13:15] Where to start your content system [15:30] Why a blog is not a place to assume your clients are spending their time [20:25] Giving away the sauce [24:35] Building trust with your clients [30:30] The ‘attract' piece of the puzzle [35:35] How to start a conversation around a blog post [40:00] Long term nurturing [42:25] An example of a newsletter campaign [48:10] Leveraging quizzes [49:30] Jeff's book review [53:30] One big takeaway from this episode  Resources mentioned in this episode: Marketing Rebellion by Mark Schaefer Connect with Jeff here: https://www.instagram.com/content.remedy/ https://twitter.com/HeyJeffFelten https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-felten/ http://www.contentremedy.co   Connect with me Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Karin on Twitter Karin on LinkedIn Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook https://conroycreativecounsel.com 

Professor Tony Ghiotto went from the battlefield to the classroom. He started his legal career in the Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps, and he explains how his career took him from Afghanistan to a law school classroom.  Saddled with student debt, and after an unexpected meeting with a JAG representative, Ghiotto found himself in the Air Force. Within his first two weeks as a full member of the JAG, he was in the courtroom trying a case.  There were pros and cons. Struggles included feeling overwhelmed and making mistakes early on, but the pros were getting a lot of courtroom experience in a hurry and learning on the job. From practicing law in a tent in Afghanistan to a boardroom in Washington, DC, “It made me grow up and gave me some direction,” Ghiotto says. Thanks to the JAG, he practiced in multiple fields. One of his oddest cases involved a low-flying jet causing a cow to give birth prematurely. His criminal cases ranged from traffic tickets to reviewing wartime procedures and civilian casualties. If you've ever considered starting a legal career in the military, this is a don't-miss episode. (And, bonus, Ghiotto is open to mentoring any young lawyer considering a JAG career. Drop him a note).    Stephen C. Dinkel served as the associate producer on this episode of Young Lawyer Rising.   Resources: Why Should You Become a JAG Officer? Army JAG Careers Provide Financial Incentives for Those Interested in Foregoing the Traditional Path The Army Judge Advocate General's Funded Legal Education Program American Bar Association American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division Air Force Judge Advocate General Corps JAG School  University of Illinois College of Law

As we near the end of our environmental law series, we turn to our beloved oceans. The Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act of 1972 also known as MPRSA, is one of several key environmental laws passed by the US Congress in 1972. The Act regulates the disposition of any material into ocean waters, unless expressly excluded under the MPRSA.  In this episode of our Environmental Law series, host Craig Williams is joined by Professor Robin Craig, the Robert C. Packard Trustee Chair in Law from USC Gould School of Law, as they discuss MPRSA, its origin & history, purpose, and impact.

The holiday season is here which often brings fun, parties, stress, and a whole host of emotions. That's why we are revisiting one of our favorite conversations with Annie Grace on some strategies we can use to rethink our relationship with alcohol.   Links from the episode:   The Naked Mind by Annie Grace   The Alcohol Experiment by Annie Grace     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!  Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, NetDocuments & LawPay. for sponsoring this episode. 

Donald Trump sought a mistrial in his New York trial based, in part, on our articles being "humorous, irreverent." The GOP frontrunner did not succeed. Ron DeSantis messed with the rights of professors and now has to pick up the tab for their Biglaw lawyers. Or, more accurately, Florida taxpayers will pick up the tab. But that's just the price Floridians have to pay to help their governor finish third in the primaries! We're still waiting to see if more firms join the Milbank pay scale, but in the meantime a host of anonymous naysayers are mouthing off to the press in a pathetic effort to dissuade the market from following suit.

We know you've been anxiously awaiting this episode, and it's Sharon and Jim's favorite podcast of the year — Tech Toys for the Holidays! Tune in for their specially crafted wishlist for all the technology enthusiasts in your life. This edition of The Digital Edge will be Sharon and Jim's final podcast. We are so thankful for their many years of camaraderie, great conversations, and help in keeping us up with the latest in legal tech. Goodbye and happy trails to our dear friends. We wish you the best in years to come! 2023 Tech Toys: Permission Slip by Consumer Reports Weatherman Umbrella   Echo 2 Smartpen - Livescribe Pocket Tripod - Wallet-Sized Phone Stand MW08 | Noise Cancelling Wireless Earbuds - Master & Dynamic Surface Arc Mouse - Microsoft   Rocketbook Core Reusable Smart Notebook Shokz OpenRun Headphones | REI Co-op Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 Razer Kiyo Pro Streaming Webcam: Full HD Smart Garage Control | myQ Handheld Portable Clothes Steamer  ChatGPT Version 4.0 Flash Drive for iPhone  Leather Tech Organizer - Satchel & Page  Handheld Digital Microscope Core Meditation Trainer: Meditation Device for Relaxation & Stress Relief  Camera Detector C10 Pro – Professional Bug RF Detector, Hidden Camera Finder, Anti Spy Sweeper, GPS Tracker, Listening Device, Cell Phone Scanner Illuminate History With Our Titanic Wreckage Epoxy Resin Art - Etsy Star Trek-Like 'AI Pin' - PCMag

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.

Most of us get so caught up in our hectic day-to-day world that we forget to appreciate our achievements and the people who bring us joy. So slow down and share a moment with us as we reflect on our greatest gifts and let gratitude be your attitude this week. Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Heels in the Courtroom.

Koon v. Walden is still making an impact on opioid prescribing in America, but insurance companies and legislatures are putting higher hurdles in place to limit damages and restrict the patient's ability to have their day in court. In this update, Johnny Simon and Tim Cronin discuss the impact of the case on prescribing behavior, nationwide medical training, and potential opioid litigation.

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: Lily Ray on LinkedIn: New ways to find just what you need on Search New ways to find just what you need on Search - The Keyword Open AI is letting you make your own version of ChatGPT: OpenAI announces platform for making custom ChatGPTs - The Verge   Mentioned in this Episode: https://www.reddit.com/r/LawFirmMarketing/ Lunch Hour Legal Marketing Podcast: The Anatomy of an Annual ...  Ask a question—get some swag! Leave Us an Apple Review  Lunch Hour Legal Marketing now on YouTube  Lunch Hour Legal Marketing on TikTok

Did we ever learn a lot during the once-in-a-generation health event that was COVID! Guest Dr. Bogdan Savych of the Workers Comp Research Institute (WCRI) is a policy analyst who is studying the lasting effects of the illness, as well as lingering cases of Long Covid.  What is “Long COVID?” How big is the problem? Is it even real? Is a pandemic an occupational disease? Savych is investigating who should pay and who decides how much a claim is worth. Imagine months, maybe years, of shortness of breath, brain fog, anxiety, and chest pain. The question is whether the workplace is responsible.  For Workers' Comp attorneys representing clients, this becomes an issue of connecting the workplace to the initial infection, then to “Long COVID,” and finally to the worker's ability or inability to return to work.  If you're confused, this is the place to start. Four years after the onset of COVID, we're still learning new things and still committed to helping workers recover and get back to their jobs.  Mentioned in this Episode: Workers Compensation Research Institute, WCRI “Long COVID in the Workers' Compensation System in 2020 and 2021,” by Dr. Bogdan Savych Dr. Bogdan Savych's previous appearance on Legal Talk Network Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, CDC, “Long COVID Or Post-COVID Conditions” National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH  

Before killing George Floyd, Officer Devin Chauvin had at least 18 misconduct complaints lodged against him. Despite this history, Chauvin was elevated to training new officers. How could this happen? UCLA Law Professor Joanna Schwartz, author of Shielded: How the Police Became Untouchable, explains how courts have constructed multiple legal barriers to holding police accountable, making it nearly impossible for victims of police misconduct to obtain damages or to seek changes to police department's practices and policies. In the end, she offers steps to dismantle some of these barriers and improve public safety.

The past few years have been a roller coaster ride for the student loan borrowers who owe a combined $1.7 trillion. Now, the pandemic forbearance is over. So, what's next? Guest Latife Neu is an attorney who runs her own Pacific Northwest firm specializing in student loans and bankruptcy. The bill collector is coming, the pause is over. What are your options? As an attorney, you may have your own debts, or you may be helping clients deal with these new pressures. What happens if you or a client can't make a payment or can't rearrange finances? Loan policy has bounced between the Supreme Court and the White House, and the policies are anything but clear. Talk about student loans, parent plus loans, bankruptcy, the pause-restart-pause rules, and it gets complicated in a hurry. There's nothing simple about this stew of public and private loan borrowing, forgiveness, and repayment. This mess is likely affecting you and your clients in one way or another. Student loan repayment is anything but simple, and the pieces are in constant flux. But at least you can understand the questions to ask and the paths to explore. This issue affects pretty much all of us and all of our clients. RESOURCES: Join the Litigation Section's virtual book club on December 12 at 1 PM ET to discuss books and other content focused on personal growth and mental health and wellness. Visit https://www.jotform.com/233055582985163 for more information and to register. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) IDR (Income Driven Repayment) Account Adjustment More IDR Account Adjustment information Garnishments and Offset Orders for Student Loans  Student Loan Bankruptcy Discharges and Limits (Oh, It's Complicated) Federal Rules On Discharging Student Loan (Justice Department)  IRS Student Loan Forgiveness Rules, IRS.gov American Bar Association Bar Association Litigation Section

In this conversation, Max Gutsche, co-founder of Unifier, a content scaling platform, discusses how his platform uses AI to scale already existing content into different formats, providing a highly efficient way to repurpose knowledge.  Contrary to generic AI generators, Max emphasizes the importance of starting with unique and creative knowledge and then using AI tools to spread it across different formats. He notes that investing huge amounts into unproven innovations often leads to failure, drawing an analogy with restaurants that test, refine, and settle on a successful menu.  Max also stresses the importance of consistency, failure absorption capacity, and recording unique thoughts for content generation in the ever-evolving AI and marketing landscape. The discussion also covers potential legal issues with AI-generated content and predictions about the use of AI in producing web content. Max gives listeners actionable tips on: [0:00] Intro [2:00] Background of content generation with AI, how it works and benefits for a law firm [5:00] Where does the AI controversy come in [8:35] Downfalls or potential issues with not well done AI content [10:43] What the hallucination is in ChatGPT [12:00] Complications of doing this well [13:40] What other legal issues are at stake [16:25] Where do you see this heading [28:45] Max's book review [31:25] Emphasizing the idea of failure and how you react [34:25] One big takeaway from this episode Resources mentioned in this episode: How Innovation Works by Matt Ridley Connect with Max here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maximiliangu/ https://www.unifire.ai/   Connect with me Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Karin on Twitter Karin on LinkedIn Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook https://conroycreativecounsel.com   

The @theBar podcast is taking a holiday break in November and will return in December with new content. This episode, previously released in July 2021, discusses the conservatorship of Britney Spears, providing insights that complement her new memoir, "The Woman in Me," released after the conservatorship ended in November 2021. ----------- In this edition, Jonathan Amarilio and co-host Jennifer Byrne are joined by California probate attorney Justin Gold to discuss a topic that is sensational, delicate, concerning, and much in the news: the conservatorship of Britney Spears. Justin explains how the conservatorship system is supposed to work, its pros, its cons, and how it – at least according to press accounts – seems to have failed Britney Spears.

The AI hype cycle is pretty much all Dennis and Tom (and everybody else) hears about these days, so what happened to the other “hot” tech we were excited about barely a year ago? After a little digging, the guys find out that other tech does, in fact, still exist! They talk through current happenings in crypto, blockchain, NFTs, the metaverse, and more. And, since AI is still a pretty big deal, they also offer up resources to help listeners keep up with the rapidly changing AI landscape.  Later, it kinda feels like every tech podcast is interviewing AI vendors these days, but is this trend just resulting in lame, ultra-redundant content? Dennis and Tom discuss.  As always, stay tuned for the parting shots, that one tip, website, or observation that you can use the second the podcast ends. Have a technology question for Dennis and Tom? Call their Tech Question Hotline at 720-441-6820 for the answers to your most burning tech questions. Show Notes - Kennedy-Mighell Report #352 A Segment: Whatever Happened to the Last Game-Changing Technologies in Law How to Talk to an AI - https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/interactive/2023/how-to-talk-ai-chatbot-chatgpt/ How to Improve Your Company's Use of AI with a structured approach to prompts: https://hbr.org/2023/11/improve-your-companys-use-of-ai-with-a-structured-approach-to-prompts AI Time to Impact - https://aittention.beehiiv.com/ The Batch - https://www.deeplearning.ai/the-batch/   B Segment: Why are Legal Tech Podcasts only interviewing AI Vendors? Parting Shots: James Keane Memorial Award Nominations are open - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc0LSmgDrMan6OCVtjVkgFqDaFAFMESxgo_E1fg8Q45XuQK9Q/viewform?pli=1 ODISTAR Desktop Vacuum - https://www.amazon.com/ODISTAR-Endurance-Cordless-Rotatable-Keyboard/dp/B07Q128V6W?th=1 

For many years, Sharon Nelson and John Simek have hosted the Digital Detectives podcast to bring practical advice and much needed guidance to help attorneys protect their law firms. In this, their final episode, they finish off with yet another round of current stats on cybersecurity issues and the measures to take to ensure your data's safety. Sharon and John's good friend David Ries joins them for this last conversation, where they explain the latest threats and give advice for improving security practices to protect the future of your law firm.  Thank you, Sharon and John, for all the time, energy, and dedication you have poured into Digital Detectives. We wish the best for both of you in your retirement! Your parting words to us should be echoed back to you—please take care of yourselves and each other.  If you should ever need Sensei's digital forensics, managed technology and managed cybersecurity services, find them at senseient.com. David G. Ries is Of Counsel in the Pittsburgh PA office of Clark Hill, PLC, where he practices in the firm's Cybersecurity, Data Protection and Privacy Group.

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.

Personal injury attorney Joshua “Josh” Bonnici left his first job out of law school to launch his own firm. Starting from scratch, just nine months later he hired his first employee and has been growing ever since. Bonnici built on his own love of cycling to focus on bicycle accidents and injuries, helping bicyclists in the bustling city of San Diego. Now he's known as “The Bike Guy” and stands out in the crowded personal injury field by specializing in an area he's passionate about. He's an example of specializing in something you love, and he's sharing his story with new lawyers just starting out. Bonnici walks us through, step by step, how he took advantage of an available incubator system, learned on the job from a mentor, and built his practice and his reputation. Hear how he got started, networked, built a brand, made himself memorable, and hired an assistant to make himself more productive. Real lessons from real life.  Got questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com   Topics: “Follow your passion” is common advice. But in the case of guest Josua Bonnici, his passion for bicycling helped him stand out in the crowded personal injury field.  Hiring your first employee. Why it's scary and why it's necessary. How to develop a website and social media presence with a library of videos and testimonials.    Resources: California Lawyers Association Thomas Jefferson School of Law San Diego Bar Association   Joshua Bonnici previous appearance on Legal Talk Network's “On The Road” podcast

You are leading your law firm, but you can't do everything. In this episode, Stephanie talks with Cameron Herald about what a second in command looks like and how to find one to help you unlock your next goals for your business.   Links from the episode:   The Second in Command by Cameron Herold   Leadership Training Course     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!  Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, NetDocuments & LawPay. for sponsoring this episode. 

It's been over a week and no firm has yet to announce that it will match Milbank's latest series of raises. Or, more accurately, cost of living adjustments. Meanwhile, Cravath took the plunge on income partnerships, becoming the latest firm to abandon the time-honored one-tier partnership model. And the turmoil over Nixon Peabody's effort to sneak Donald Trump onboard as a client sparks calls for leadership change.

In Episode Five of Results Don't Lie, defense experts take the stand. But a few things aren't adding up, and Tim and Johnny discover missing records that could derail the entire defense. Hear the stunning multi-million dollar verdict, the definitive appeal decision, and the positive impact this case made upon the American medical system.

Legal professionals are not immune to the pull of platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube Shorts. Some are even using short-form videos to inform clients about their law practice; build their business or brand; or shed light on the culture of BigLaw, crafting short-form video content giving an insider look at the profession. Among them is Alex Su, a former lawyer and head of community development at Ironclad, a contract management software company.

In Part Two of our winning case analysis, Amy Gunn and Liz Lenivy discuss witness prep, damages and dubious defense tactics. Win or lose, big cases can take a toll on attorneys, and Amy candidly shares how she will recharge her resolve and routine after celebrating one of the biggest verdicts in her career.

Have you been nervous about saying yes to a virtual assistant? In this episode, Stephanie talks with Raquel Gomez and Dimitri Rico, founders of Stafi, about why a VA may be the missing link for your team's growth, how to get started with the process, and tips to making the relationship a success. Bonus! Listen to the end to learn about an exclusive discount Stafi is offering Lawyerist's listeners!  Links from the episode:  Check out Stafi and reference Lawyerist to claim your discount!  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!  About Stafi  Stafi is a virtual staffing company that provides highly qualified virtual staff to law firms. They go beyond just providing staff by offering HR support, onboarding, management, and continued education for the staff they assign. They ensure the quality of their professionals through a rigorous vetting and screening process, and address concerns about security and reliability by implementing measures such as background checks, training, and backup plans for power outages. 

In this episode's discussions around the Community Table:  We start with an attorney who wants to create a fair referral compensation policy for his associate, a “grinder” who does everything asked. Recently, through a contact, the associate started bringing in new business. How does a firm set up a referral fee schedule? What's fair to the associate and the firm? How to create effective, inviting “meet the attorney” videos as a relationship-building step with potential clients. What to include? What topics? How personal? Where do you post them on your website, or do you control when a potential client sees these?  When it's time for a managing attorney or a director of operations, start by understanding the duties of each position and the experiences needed. One position requires a background in law; the other needs experience running a business (that includes facilities management, finance, and the overall operation of your office).  Mentioned in This Episode: Robert's previous appearance on the Community Table “Community Table: Using Vacations to Strengthen Company Culture” WizeHire Legal Recruiting  LinkedIn Talent Solutions Join the next Community Table live. What's on your mind?

Experts discuss how legal services contribute to veteran suicide prevention on LSC's “Talk Justice” podcast. The most recent data places the veteran suicide rate at 57% higher than non-veterans. Research indicates that social factors contribute to veterans' suicide risk. Many of these factors that harm veterans' mental health relate to civil legal problems that can be addressed with the help of an attorney. For more information on veterans' legal needs and helpful resources, visit lsc.gov/spotlight-veterans-rights.

In this conversation, marketing expert Allison Kay talks about the crucial roles that Search Engine Optimization (SEO), email marketing, and audience research play in helping brands attract their desired audiences. Emphasizing the importance of a service-based approach to business, Allison discusses how to optimize brand strategy and its alignment with SEO to get the best results for service-based businesses.  The conversation includes discussions about engaging ideal clients, understanding their needs, optimizing online content for search engines, improving brand authority, enhancing team dynamics and workplace culture, and much more. Allison also stresses the value of shifting from generic marketing strategies to ones tailored to specific customer needs to improve brand visibility and relevance. Alison K supports brands putting good into the world with marketing consulting and training. She shows you how to make your marketing ethical, doable, and lovable so you stick with it to get the goods and do more good. Her mandate: to raise marketing literacy for founders and small but mighty teams making a difference in the world. No matter how many fart jokes or bad puns it takes. When not acting the weirdo online, she can be found sharing her snacks with her two pet parrots in Nova Scotia, Canada. Allison gives listeners actionable tips on: [0:00] Intro [1:30] Brand strategy in terms of service based business and why it's different [4:10] How does SEO tie in with brand engagement [5:50] Psychology of SEO and branding, and how it brings you closer to your customer and convert faster [13:40] Authority and domain authority [20:10] Asking your clients how they position you [24:40] Why being a thought leader is not a strategy [33:35] Taking golden nuggets and improving them over time [36:35] Allison's book review [40:30] One big takeaway from this episode Resources mentioned in this episode: The Song of Significance by Seth Godin Connect with Allison here: https://www.instagram.com/alisonkconsults/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonknott/ https://alisonkconsulting.com   Connect with me Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Karin on Twitter Karin on LinkedIn Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook https://conroycreativecounsel.com   

In August of this year, the Michigan Task Force on Well-Being in the Law released a comprehensive report outlining current recommendations for supporting law student, lawyer, and judicial wellness. JoAnn Hathaway talks with co-chairs of the task force Molly Ranns and Justice Megan Cavanagh about their efforts to address common struggles in the profession, including high rates of depression, anxiety, and substance use. The task force also aims to form an ongoing Commission on Well-Being in the Law which would focus on promoting a healthier culture within all spheres of the profession.  Read the full report here: MICHIGAN TASK FORCE ON WELL-BEING IN THE LAW And find more information on the commission at: onecourtofjustice.org Justice Megan K. Cavanagh is an Associate Justice on the Michigan Supreme Court.

According to the Georgetown Law Library, Art Law can be defined as “the body of law, involving numerous disciplines, that protects, regulates and facilitates the creation, use and marketing of art. Those involved in the practice of art law look to a variety of disciplines, such as intellectual property, contract, constitutional, tort, tax, commercial and international law to protect the interests of their clients.” In this episode, host Craig Williams is joined by guests, attorneys Gabrielle C. Wilson & Yaél M. Weitz from Kaye Spiegler, as they spotlight art law. They will discuss the emerging trend of colonial art restitution, stolen and misappropriated art, and how AI has impacted art and copyright law.

When the Oakland As needed to find a way to compete with the high-dollar salaries of other teams, they focused on new KPIs (getting runners on base) and the ideas in Moneyball were born. In this episode, Stephanie talks with Jeff Krause about how lawyers might take a similar approach with their law firm.  Links from the episode:   The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy    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!  Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, NetDocuments & LawPay. for sponsoring this episode.   

For most major law firms, the prospect of representing Donald Trump and stamping the firm's name on his nutty pet arguments is a non-starter. Over at Nixon Peabody, the firm jumped right in, bringing on the former president as a client and filing a brief complete with the zany "Brandenburg means it can't be an insurrection" argument that Trump's been having all his lawyers make. Partners don't seem happy about this turn of events. But, since we recorded, we've learned that firm leadership doesn't really care that partners are concerned. We also discuss Sam Bankman-Fried's absurd courtroom sketch and the aesthetic brilliance of Jane Rosenberg's dark and brooding courtroom sketches. Finally, a number of Biglaw firms sent an open letter castigating law school deans for campus antisemitism.

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.