Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics

Most lawyers know relationships lead to referrals. The challenge is keeping those relationships alive when everything else gets busy. In this episode of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Jay Ruane about analog marketing and the simple systems that make staying connected part of running a firm.  Jay explains why offline marketing often falls apart after the first month and how a repeatable approach can help lawyers follow through. They explore using AI to identify forgotten connections in your inbox, making time for short coffee meetings, and becoming the person others trust to make a useful introduction.  The conversation also covers networking as an introvert, asking about someone else's ideal client, and choosing thoughtful gifts that people actually want to keep. Jay shares why his firm sends clients blankets without its logo and why a manageable network of 50 referral partners can support a successful practice.  If your marketing plan depends on remembering to reach out when things slow down, this episode offers a more practical way to build relationships, generate referrals, and keep showing up.    Listen to the previous episodes of our Referral Marketing, Relationship Building & Law Firm Growth.  #636: Why Past Clients May Be Your Law Firm's Best Growth Strategy, with EJ Stern & Katherine Wilson Apple | Spotify | LTN  #608: Business Development for Lawyers: Building Real Relationships That Lead to Clients, with Megan Senese Apple | Spotify | LTN  #606: Breaking the Copycat Cycle: Building a Law Firm with Personality, with Patrick Patino Apple | Spotify | LTN  #515: Simple Marketing Hacks Lawyers Swear By, with Gyi Tsakalakis Apple | Spotify | LTN  Have thoughts about today's episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!   If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.   Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.   Subscribe to Lawyerist Podcast: https://play.megaphone.fm/xrm0mqp4tqwi0ozntiu41g Chapters / Timestamps  00:00 – Introduction  00:59 – Stephanie's Blog and the Lawyerist Community  03:02 – Meet Jay Ruane  03:57 – Why Relationship Marketing Needs a System  07:17 – Keeping Your Systems Simple  08:46 – Why Analog Marketing Still Works  11:01 – Using AI to Rediscover Referral Connections  12:07 – Building a Network by Connecting Others  14:13 – Networking as an Introvert  17:19 – Preparing for Better Conversations  19:31 – Talking Business Without Forcing a Pitch  20:32 – Asking for Introductions  21:43 – Moving Beyond a Scarcity Mindset  22:41 – Thoughtful Gifts vs. Branded Merchandise  26:16 – Conference Giveaways People Actually Want  27:11 – Making a Book a Personal Gift  28:31 – Building a Repeatable Marketing Routine  29:49 – Why 50 Referral Partners Can Be Enough  30:46 – Closing Thoughts 

"In most other countries, there are laws, criminal laws that prohibit the expression of racial hatred or incitement to racial hatred," says Samantha Barbas, author of Hate Speech: The Legal and Cultural History of an American Dilemma, in this episode of the Modern Law Library. "There are no hate speech laws in the United States, and that makes the U.S. a true exception, a true outlier in the world. And so my book was trying to get to the question, why did the U.S. take this unique path? How do we explain that historically? Where and when and why did we diverge from the path that was taken by most other countries?" World War II prompted a barrage of hate speech legislation after it ended, but not in the United States, Barbas tells host Lee Rawles. "We had just seen how totalitarian governments establish themselves through censorship," Barbas says. "There are two really important ideals that seem to be clashing in the post-war era. Many hate speech laws are proposed, but they are rejected or struck down on free speech grounds. So at this moment when Europe is adopting hate speech laws, America is going the other way: Proposing them, but then rejecting them, and that consensus in favor of freedom of speech is going to hold for several decades." In this episode of the Modern Law Library, Barbas and Rawles discuss how American courts and society have dealt with hate speech issues in the past, and how the growing awareness of psychological harm has impacted public attitudes about hate speech. They also explore Henry Ford and the Dearborn Independent, D. W. Griffith and Birth of a Nation, the Streisand Effect, and a series of cases about Illinois Nazis. Subscribe to Modern Law Library: https://play.megaphone.fm/6yvcqiwqqtmrvsjkgthoiq

The relationship between Canada and the United States has made headlines over the summer, but the two countries also pose some unique, cross-border labor challenges. Guests Christopher Deehy and Cody Yorke are international labor and employment lawyers specializing in Canada/U.S. relations who deal with these differences daily. Independent of the political climate, interactions on the labor and employment front create their own issues. One big difference is that unlike the United States, in Canada each province has its own labor laws, and in some cases such as banking, federal rules may also apply. It's imperative to understand these variances when dealing with cross-border labor relations.  Oh, then there's the French civil law code in Quebec and the use of the French language. Canada is not just “United States North,” it has its own laws and what may apply in the U.S. may not apply in Canada. For example, the “at-will” employment rules of the U.S. may not apply in Canada, where advance notice may be required. If you're doing business across the border, this could be a factor.  No podcast can fully explore every aspect of the differences in labor and employment law between the U.S. and Canada, but if you're working with a client with employment issues across the border, this intriguing episode with get you thinking about the questions you'll want to ask. Subscribe to ABA Labor and Employment Law Podcast: https://play.megaphone.fm/jzfpgfsst3wnyevnhvs9cq   REFERENCES MENTIONED: National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act, 1935) “Fast Facts About the At-Will Employment Doctrine,” Thomson Reuters “Reasonable Notice of Termination: Overview,” Practical Law Canada Employment, Thomson Reuters “Restrictive Covenant,” Government of Canada “FTC Announces Rule Banning Noncompetes,” Federal Trade Commission “Successor Liability,” Practical Law, Thomson Reuters “Workplace Impairment Questions and Answers,” Government of Canada Association of Labor Relations Agencies The ABA Labor and Employment Law Section 2026 Annual Conference is scheduled for Nov. 4-7, 2026 in Washington, DC ABA Labor and Employment Law Section  

Jason Tashea joins Cat Moon to discuss his recent article “A Research Agenda for Justice Technology,” included in a volume published by the American Bar Foundation called “Global Perspectives on People-Centered Justice, Exploring the Evidence” on Talk Justice. They speak about knowledge gaps and critical areas for expanding research into technology initiatives of the justice system, courts and legal aid organizations. Subscribe to Talk Justice An LSC Podcast: https://play.megaphone.fm/a3ett1fzs9a1qjipaqdufa

Flock Safety is a surveillance technology company that manufactures cameras and  automated license plate readers used by  law enforcement, neighborhoods, and businesses to deter crime, respond to emergencies, and investigate safety incidents.  “Flock cameras” have been a source of controversy in communities across the nation, with critics arguing the constant tracking violates civil liberties and builds massive location histories without warrants, where supporters of flock cameras see it as an essential tool to combat crime.  On this Lawyer 2 Lawyer episode, Craig welcomes Katie Kinsey, Chief of Staff and Tech Policy Counsel at the Policing Project at the New York University School of Law. Craig & Katie spotlight flock cameras, examine the use and misuse of flock cameras in our communities, and discuss the pushback against surveillance, data privacy laws, the Fourth Amendment, and the potential impact on our citizens. Subscribe to Lawyer 2 Lawyer: https://play.megaphone.fm/6kyeqlhety25kgmgqdr7cw

 In this episode of the Un-Billable Hour's Seat at the Table: How do you know when a hire isn't working out (hint: you already know) and then pull the trigger and let them go?     It happens: you hire someone, and it doesn't work out. So many firms put off the hard discussion: terminating an employee. It's not pleasant, but it's necessary. That's where planning, preparation, and an established process come into play. Is it a lack of communication? Or a truly bad fit? Establish performance metrics and address issues early on and help avoid surprises. When it's time for the firing discussion, everyone should already know what's coming because it's been out in the open for a long time. Clarity can reduce the risk of labor law tangles after the termination. Don't let a fired employer create more problems. Reviews, management consultations, and documented steps can both guide your employee to better performance, which is optimal, or protect your firm after the firing.  You saw the signs. You knew it was coming. But now it's time to take action and let an employee go. And if we all know the mantra “hire slow, fire fast,” we also know lawyers don't always follow that rule. We can be way, way too slow to fire when an employee just isn't working out.  So how do you know when the time has come? Our panel of legal management and HR pros digs in. As one panelist says, “If you wake up three mornings in a row thinking about somebody who's not your spouse, they've got to go.” You know when someone is taking up too much time and derailing the office. The problem isn't recognizing the problem, it's not recognizing that you've already recognized the problem.  Have a plan, specific policies, metrics, management consultations, and a process for firing someone before you reach that point. Without clarity, even experienced HR professionals struggle. Every process should account for your firm's vulnerability. Labor laws, password management, access to client documents, even physical access to your office with keys or key cards should all be part of the process before the termination discussion. Dig into an episode today that can help your firm prepare for the future!   Subscribe to Un-Billable Hour: https://play.megaphone.fm/qxfro4f-suekajnwe_solw REFERENCES MENTIONED: ClioCon 2026, Oct. 26-27, 2026 Legal Talk Network Unbillable Hour

Law firms know change is coming. Knowing what to do about it is harder. In this episode of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Debbie Foster about leading a law firm forward as technology, client expectations, and the business of law evolve.  Debbie explains why strategy often gets pushed aside for urgent client work and day-to-day demands. Together, they explore why firms struggle to move beyond “we've always done it this way,” how consensus can stall progress, and why great ideas mean little without execution and team buy-in.  They also examine how AI is raising the stakes for law firm leaders. Waiting for certainty is not a strategy. Stephanie and Debbie share practical ways to protect time for strategic thinking, challenge assumptions, build buy-in, and help teams adapt to change.  If your firm keeps talking about what needs to change but struggles to make it happen, this episode will help you move from ideas to action.  Listen to the previous episodes of our Law Firm Leadership Series.  #632: Law Firm Leadership: How to Lead Yourself Before Leading Your Team, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN  #633: Leading People in Law Firms: Building Trust, Developing Talent, and Holding Standards, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN  #634: Leading Law Firm Operations: Building Systems That Reduce the Daily Firefighting, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN  Links from the episode:  https://posh.com/lawyerist/  https://lawyerist.com/scorecard/  https://beanextlevelleader.com/    Have thoughts about today's episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!   If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read Be a Next Level Leader yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.   Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.   Subscribe to Lawyerist Podcast: https://play.megaphone.fm/xrm0mqp4tqwi0ozntiu41g Chapters / Timestamps  00:00 – Introduction  01:47 – The New Small Firm Scorecard™  03:23 – Making Law Firm Progress Easier to Measure  06:38 – AI & Virtual Receptionists  08:08 – AI vs. Automation: What's the Difference?  09:03 – Using AI to Enhance the Client Experience  12:03 – AI for Sentiment Analysis & Quality Assurance  13:04 – Keeping Humans in Control of AI  14:56 – Leading Your Law Firm Forward  15:24 – Why Law Firm Strategy Gets Pushed Aside  16:54 – AI Is Changing the Game for Law Firms  18:35 – Law Firms Are Playing 3D Chess  19:30 – Why Strategic Thinking Needs Protected Time  20:40 – Looking Beyond the Day-to-Day  22:47 – Moving Past “We've Always Done It This Way”  24:02 – Why Leading Through Change Is So Hard  24:34 – Great Ideas Aren't the Problem. Execution Is.  26:58 – The Business Case for Law Firm Strategy  28:39 – Creating Believers Inside Your Law Firm  31:09 – Building a Culture That Thinks Ahead  32:28 – Why Leaders Will Build the Next Era of Law Firms 

It's been 25 years since 9/11. In this special episode, we revisit our conversation with Kenneth Feinberg, the architect of the federal compensation plan for victims and their families. As he asks in his book on the subject, “what's life worth?” Feinberg is an internationally known attorney who was appointed by President George W. Bush to administer the federal fund established to aid those injured in the terrorist attacks and to support the families of those who lost their lives.  We reflect on Feinberg's Herculean efforts and how his team grappled with a national open wound and struggled to put a monetary value on thousands of lives. In today's often divisive political climate, a brutal period 25 years ago reminds us of a time when our nation came together as one. If any episode of Workers' Comp Matters bears a second listen, this is the one. Everyone working with injured workers and their families can take a lesson from Feinberg's extraordinary challenge.  If you have thoughts on Workers' Comp law or an idea for a topic or guest you'd like to hear, contact us at JPierce@ppnlaw.com or APierce@ppnlaw.com.  Subscribe to Workers Comp Matters: https://play.megaphone.fm/uzqas4ukq4ysdntrvbgvgg Mentioned in This Episode: “Worth,” a Netflix film on Ken Feinberg's work, trailer “What Is Life Worth? The Unprecedented Effort to Compensate the Victims of 9/11,” by Kenneth R. Feinberg

What are you charging your clients for, “minutes” or “results?” Guest John Rafferty started his own firm, Highfield Law, in the Philadelphia suburbs, specializing in guardianships and estates. He's a convert to flat-fee, results based, billing. No more “billable hours.” And it works. Rafferty is also a tech guy. Zoom, phone, face to face, it's all at the client's choice. Meeting clients where they want is key, and Rafferty finds many prefer some mix of online and in-person contact. It's a new world. (And that goes for hiring online and part-time administrative help, too). Hear how Rafferty reinvented his legal practice, from billing to remote work, and how he sets his flat-fee rates based on value and the market. Having the confidence to set a rate, and stick to it, is important. It takes courage, but it's worth it.  And one more thing: “All funds are due up front.” Does this all sound blunt and, frankly, different? Perhaps, but it can take the focus off the money and hours and let clients focus on getting the results they want. (Plus, a bonus tip: where to find the best Philly cheesesteaks!)  Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com.  Topics: Flat-fee billing works if you have the confidence to set your fee and stick to it. John Rafferty went out on his own and established a results-based firm. No more “billable hours.”  Meet clients where they are. That doesn't have to be in an office. Clients are busy, too. Sometimes an online video chat or a phone call is better than having someone “drop by the office.”  For solo practices, tech matters. Get comfortable with digital platforms and let them speed up the routine tasks. If a flat-fee project takes fewer hours than you estimated because you were efficient, that's pure profit. Subscribe to New Solo: https://play.megaphone.fm/snklydceswminrbke6phsq Resources: “Ditch the Billable Hour! Implementing Value-Based Pricing in a Law Firm,” by Shaun Jardine Previously on the Legal Talk Network, “No More Billable Hours: The Move To Value-Based, Results-Based Pricing,” The Un-Billable Hour Clio legal software Smokeball legal software CARET legal software Claude AI Microsoft OneDrive Quo phone system Zoom ClioCon 2026 ABA Techshow 2027 

Hosts John Simon and Tim Cronin dig into how to read a witness in the first 15 minutes, when to be deferential versus direct, and why walking in with a rigid game plan can cost you if you're not willing to throw it out in the first of a new multi-part series on deposition strategy. They break down what separates attorneys who simply gather information from those who use every deposition to actively build their case and share real war stories from decades of practice. The episode covers five tips on style and approach and four tips on brainstorming before you even build an outline, laying the groundwork for the deeper series ahead: deposition goals, thorough preparation, in-the-room tactics, and cross-examination strategy. As John and Tim put it, the case goes as the deposition goes and this episode explains why. Subscribe to The Jury Is Out: https://play.megaphone.fm/td_bgp7ytmwvduhtrxauqq

After passing the bar, attorneys take an oath to uphold not only the United States Constitution, but their state constitutions as well. But how well do lawyers understand the rights and protections found in their own state constitutions, and how often do they put them to work in their legal practice? Rocky Dhir welcomes Judge Jeffrey Sutton to explore the often-overlooked role of state constitutions in American law. Judge Sutton shares practical examples of how state constitutional provisions can shape legal arguments and outcomes, and explains why attorneys should look beyond federal law when advocating for clients. By giving greater consideration to state constitutional authority, lawyers can help create a more balanced and nuanced understanding of individual rights at both state and federal levels.   Subscribe to State Bar of Texas Podcast: https://play.megaphone.fm/_hh0l5izt4mfkr1zmxo_cg

Attorneys are held to a strict ethical code, but that does not mean they always follow it. Attorney Cynthia Payne, Executive Vice President of US Legal Groups, joins the show to unpack why it took until 2002 for the American Bar Association to formally address whether attorneys can have sexual relationships with clients, and why the power imbalance in that dynamic makes consent far more complicated than it appears. Payne walks through real cases from her decades in the profession, including an attorney whose relationship with a client on a murder case led to a vacated conviction, a case involving a client who felt coerced into a relationship with her own divorce attorney, and an especially extreme case of an attorney who bribed witnesses, revealed client confidences in court filings, and was ultimately disbarred after shooting someone in his office. The conversation also turns to judges who abused their positions, from arrests involving drugs and domestic violence to one particularly bizarre courtroom scandal, and to the gender dynamics Payne has witnessed firsthand across thirty years of practice, including moments early in her career when jurors commented on her appearance rather than her performance. Payne closes with guidance for anyone who feels taken advantage of by their attorney, including how to seek a second opinion, file a disciplinary complaint, and exercise the right to fire an attorney at any time, even mid case. Subscribe to Confessions of a Divorce Assassin: https://play.megaphone.fm/yddxa_zfqjimbgjtoqzijw

Get a look into a part of the legal world that paralegal professionals work with closely, but often don't get to know: court reporters and transcription and documenting professionals. Guest Jennifer Hines, the founder of Hines Reporters and a 40-year veteran court reporter, chats with Mila Alcantar, a stenography student who represents the next generation of courtroom recording and transcription professionals.  The field of professional documentation, recording, and legal transcription is constantly evolving. Depositions, video conferencing, and even understanding languages and dialects are all vital parts of the legal process that intersect directly with the paralegal profession.  As the court reporting profession works through a shortage of trained workers, hear how ASR, automated court reporting, voice recording, and even a potential problematic trend in “digital” recording is challenging the field.  Curious about how the transcripts you include in legal filings get made and how state requirements vary? How do you know you're working with a valid, defensible transcript? This episode of Paralegal Voice digs into the process and ethical standards of legal reporting and explains what paralegal professionals need to know. Resources:  California Court Reporters Association National Court Reporters Association NCRA A to Z Online Program NALA, The Paralegal Association  NALA Conference & Expo 2026 Subscribe to The Paralegal Voice: https://play.megaphone.fm/sq1e-saoq6ga2fue1-y_qw

AI assistants can be incredibly helpful to attorneys, but what exactly can and should these tools be doing for your law firm? Dennis Kennedy and Tom Mighell welcome Maddy Martin of Smith.ai for a roundtable discussion on the current landscape of AI assistant tools and their value for lawyers. They examine these tools through the scope of jobs to be done, looking at real-life attorney pain points and explaining ways to identify which tasks can effectively and ethically be handed off to AI assistants to improve both attorney and client experience. As always, stay tuned for the parting shots, that one tip, website, or observation that you can use the second the podcast ends. Have a technology question for Dennis and Tom? Call their Tech Question Hotline at 720-441-6820 for the answers to your most burning tech questions. Show Notes: Copilot for task tracking. Wispr Flow for easy voice dictation. Subscribe to The Kennedy-Mighell Report: https://play.megaphone.fm/yyu1pthsr22j6_xfnb0vnq

Leaders do not simply enter a room. They change it. In episode 632 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Debbie Foster about leading self, the first cornerstone from their new book, Be a Next Level Leader.  Debbie explains why “leaders bring the weather” and how a leader's emotions, attention, and energy can shape an entire meeting. Together, they explore what happens when leaders make promises they cannot realistically keep, become bottlenecks for their teams, or undermine decisions by delivering them as someone else's instructions.  They also discuss why honoring commitments is essential to building trust, how to renegotiate a deadline without hiding behind busyness, and what it means to speak as a leader even when you disagree with a decision. Debbie and Stephanie share practical scripts, exercises, and shared language law firm teams can use to make better leadership habits part of everyday work.  If you want your team to trust your word, follow your direction, and feel secure when pressure rises, better leadership starts with understanding how you show up.  Listen to our previous episodes on Law Firm Leadership, Self-Awareness & Building Stronger Teams.  #627: Building Stronger Law Firm Teams Through Better Communication, with Zeina Baydoun Apple | Spotify | LTN  #615: How to Stop Being the Bottleneck and Build Stronger Teams, with Debbie Foster and Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN  #596: The Athlete's Mindset for Lawyers, with Jess Sargus Apple | Spotify | LTN  #592: Client Care, Culture, and Character: A Framework for Great Leaders, with William O'Neal Apple | Spotify | LTN  #527: Casting Your Vision and Leading Your Firm, with Kevin DeShazo Apple | Spotify | LTN  Links from the episode:  https://beanextlevelleader.com/    Have thoughts about today's episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!   If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.   Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.   Subscribe to Lawyerist Podcast: https://play.megaphone.fm/xrm0mqp4tqwi0ozntiu41g Chapters / Timestamps  00:00 – Introduction  01:19 – Why Leadership Teams Need Shared Language  03:16 – Meet Debbie Foster  03:45 – Why Leadership Starts with Leading Self  04:13 – Leaders Bring the Weather  05:27 – Showing Up Fully Present  06:17 – How Broken Commitments Erode Trust  08:15 – When the Leader Becomes the Bottleneck  09:29 – Speak as a Leader, Not a Messenger  10:11 – Disagree, Commit & Support the Decision  12:02 – How Leaders Undermine Their Own Credibility  12:57 – Turning Leadership Theory into Practical Tools  14:31 – Scripts for Renegotiating Commitments & Receiving Feedback  16:10 – How the Book and Workbook Took Shape  17:21 – Shared Language Creates Stronger Leaders  19:26 – Leading When Responsibility Exceeds Authority  21:21 – How Do You Show Up Under Stress?  22:34 – Closing Thoughts 

Generative AI usage among attorneys jumped from 31% to 69% in a single year, but most law firms still haven't caught up with formal policies or training. Attorney and legal tech columnist Nicole Black, who has covered the intersection of law and technology for two decades, breaks down what's driving that gap and what it means for firms trying to keep pace. She explains why solo and small firms tend to adopt new technology faster than their mid-size and large counterparts, and why immigration attorneys in particular are using generative AI at a much higher rate than other practice areas. Black also discusses the slow erosion of the billable hour, why in-house counsel and insurance defense attorneys are among the most likely to push firms toward flat rate pricing, and what the current wave of legal tech consolidation means for the tools attorneys rely on day to day. The conversation turns to the rise of vibe coding in the legal industry, including attorneys building their own case management software from scratch, and Black shares her own experience using AI tools to navigate a New York liquor license application for a winery she and her husband are launching. She closes with her honest take on where she lands between AI optimism and AI pessimism, and why she thinks regulation may already be behind the curve. Subscribe to The AI Sidebar: https://play.megaphone.fm/6yvcqiwqqtmrvsjkgthoiq

Shakespeare and law school might not be as far apart as you thought. Guest Len Niehoff is a professor of law at the University of Michigan Law School and the author of the recent book Meeting Shakespeare at the Bar: Reading the Bard Through the Lens of the Law, a book written for both lawyers and non-lawyers offering practical insights into how Shakespeare's works illuminate the questions of law, ethics, and advocacy. As an innovative professor and a lifelong fan of the Bard, Niehoff began studying, and encouraging students to study, Shakespeare's interest in the rule of law, what puts the rule of law at risk, personal responsibility, and how law can be twisted into the unlawful. “It was kind of a natural transition to turn to Shakespeare,” he says. Indeed, Measure for Measure and The Merchant of Venice have trials at their heart. But Niehoff and his students look at how the law works it into other plays, such as Julius Caesar, MacBeth and Hamlet. Now imagine a group of lawyers meeting up with Shakespeare one evening at a local bar, sharing war stories, funny moments, and issues of ethics, and morality and the law. That's the book. Niehoff's fascinating examination of Shakespeare's work and the law may have you thinking about the human condition differently. Have a question, comment, or suggestion for an upcoming episode? Get in touch at MRogson@SkywardInsurance.com or JAReederJr@gmail.com. Resources Mentioned:  “Meeting Shakespeare at the Bar: Reading the Bard Through the Lens of the Law,” by Leonard M Niehoff “Tanner v. United States”, Justia  “Cattle: Related Cases,” AnimalLaw.info Twombly and Iqbal, “Twiqbal,” Wikipedia “The Crucible,” by Arthur Miller “Shakespeare Unlimited Podcast,” Folger Shakespeare Library “Macbeth,” Shakespeare, full play “Titus Andronicus,” Shakespeare, full play “Henry VI, Part 2,” Shakespeare, full play “Othello,” Shakespeare, full play “Hamlet,” Kenneth Branagh, full movie, free, YouTube American Bar Association American Bar Association Litigation Section Subscribe to Litigation Radio: https://play.megaphone.fm/rhyxdryztyy2v3itq6sdlq

We're long overdue for a classic Gyi and Conrad mess-around. Let's poke fun at Scorpion's new AI marketing guide, shall we? Later, the guys highlight your juicy LinkedIn comments about discount pricing in the personal injury market. ----- While we can see some merit here and there, is too much of Scorpion's Not All Ai is Created Equal: How to Evaluate AI for Law Firm Marketing guide just so-so? The guys talk through the elements of both its questions and recommendations to help you understand its hits and misses.   Some personal injury lawyer in Indiana is pitching discount pricing to undercut competitors, but is that actually a good idea? His LinkedIn commenters aren't impressed—stick around to get Gyi and Conrad's take. The News: Major eyeroll moment here for the Google overlords – Google: Reddit Gets No Special Preference In Google Search Rankings. We wouldn't recommend FirmPilot, but we have immensely enjoyed watching it fall on its face. LinkedIn has added a “Seems like AI Slop” Button, and we're totally here for it.    Hey, you! Send us a question and we might just feature it on the show.  Ask us a question!  Listen Next:  Clio's All-In with Scorpion – Who Gets Stung? Connect: Leave Us an Apple Review  Lunch Hour Legal Marketing on YouTube  Lunch Hour Legal Marketing on TikTok r/LHLM Subscribe to Lunch Hour Legal Marketing: https://play.megaphone.fm/boagdxq4tr2wawseaj104w

Naturalized citizens have served as federal judges, including as Justices of our Supreme Court, for more than two centuries, many with great distinction. Recently Representative Nancy Mace introduced a joint resolution calling for an amendment to our Constitution that would require that federal judges, alongside members of Congress, be born in the United States. Previously, Representative Pete Stauber proposed legislation requiring that all American judges be “natural born citizens” and require sitting judges with dual citizenship to renounce foreign ties. On this Lawyer 2 Lawyer episode, Craig welcomes Judge Jeremy D. Fogel, formerly of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, as they discuss these proposals that would require federal judges to be born in the United States or qualify as “natural born citizens, and the opposition by a group of bipartisan judges,  Keep Our Republic's Article III Coalition, who are leading the charge against these proposals which create hateful rhetoric and go against the framers of our Constitution's ideals.   Mentioned in this Episode: Keep Our Republic's Article III Coalition  Subscribe to Lawyer 2 Lawyer: https://play.megaphone.fm/6kyeqlhety25kgmgqdr7cw

In this episode of the Un-Billable Hour's Seat at the Table: A law firm's culture. What is it? Your firm has a culture even if you've never identified it. The problem is, if you don't create an intentional culture, an identity, you may slip into a culture you didn't want to be part of Start with what you want to be, how you want to be known, who you want to work with. Understanding your culture can help your firm come together, move as a team, and even keep you from making a hire that's doomed from the start. “Everybody on the same train, moving in the same direction, with the same values” matters. Develop the workplace you want to work in. Communicate it. Live it everyday.  First, what is “firm culture?” The personality and backbone of the firm? Is it what happens when the boss isn't around? Is it what people say about your firm when you're not in the room? Every firm has a culture, whether you know it or not.  Guests Lori Brown-Simmons, Hannah Hembree Bell, and Ben Hockema are experienced professionals who share their thoughts with host Christopher T. Anderson on building a healthy firm culture.  For a lot of firms, “culture,” is an afterthought, if it's thought about at all. But every firm develops a culture, either by accident or intentionally. (Intentionally is better). Understanding your firm's culture, its mission, values, and goals helps everyone work together, collaborate, and even helps your firm from making a hire that may look good on paper but “wasn't a good fit.” Do you have the right people in the right seats? Do your clients represent you and your goals? You can be a team with a recognized reputation, or you can be an office with a bunch of lawyers chasing billable hours. An intentional culture is the difference.   Mentioned in This Episode: Clio ClioCon 2026, Oct. 26-27, 2026 Legal Talk Network Unbillable Hour Subscribe to Un-Billable Hour: https://play.megaphone.fm/qxfro4f-suekajnwe_solw

To run a thriving legal business, you need your prospective clients to easily find and connect with your law firm. Rocky Dhir welcomes marketing professionals Amanda Sexton and Zack McKamie to discuss effective marketing strategies for law firms. They discuss SEO tactics and what lawyers need to know about developing an advertising approach that makes sense for their individual law firm. Later, they also dig into the ethics of lawyer marketing, AI considerations, social media usages, and much more. Subscribe to State Bar of Texas Podcast: https://play.megaphone.fm/_hh0l5izt4mfkr1zmxo_cg

Adriana has trained lawyers through legal tech developments for decades, so she's pretty much seen it all! Dennis and Tom pick her brain on the trajectory of AI tools, technology competence, collaboration, and much more. Adriana offers deep insights into lawyers' commonly underutilized tools in Microsoft and Adobe, pointing out that they may already be paying for the solutions they need. Later, they also discuss Adriana's career path and dig into the advantages of using practice management platforms in today's midsize and small firms.  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: UPS Devices Subscribe to The Kennedy-Mighell Report: https://play.megaphone.fm/yyu1pthsr22j6_xfnb0vnq

As an attorney, you do great work, you get results for your clients, but do you ever feel invisible? Getting your name out there and letting people know what you do is still important, no matter how good you are, and it doesn't have to be expensive or take up all your time. Guest Karen Korr is a veteran legal communications professional and an expert in legal media relations, public relations, marketing, and branding who helps lawyers get their name out there, build relationships, and make a lasting impression.   Of course, it starts with being consistent and being human. But it's been said most of us don't remember something until we see it 15 times. So, making your firm visible is important, whether that's in a news release, or social media, or sponsorships, or advertising. The secret is, it's not that time consuming or costly. It just takes some knowhow. Hear Korr's tips for letting your light shine, tips you can start using today to make your firm top of mind. Visibility lets clients know about the great work you do and the problems you solve. Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com.  Topics: It's not enough to do good work. If nobody knows, how does that build your business? Guest Karen Korr is a legal communications pro who gets legal professionals the attention and recognition they deserve. Awards, rankings, social media, advertising, and networking do matter. Many lawyers avoid that part of building a business because they think it's too time consuming or expensive. The secret? It's not. How do you write an effective news release? What do reporters and influencers want to know in the first paragraph. What does using a generic (hint, “Gmail”) email address say about your firm?   Resources: Super Lawyers Best Lawyers LinkedIn Bluesky X Eventbrite Reddit Businesswire PR Newswire ABA Techshow 2026 Subscribe to New Solo: https://play.megaphone.fm/snklydceswminrbke6phsq Special thanks to our sponsors CallRail, ALPS Insurance, Wyzer Staffing, and LEX Reception.

Privacy is not just about keeping secrets. It is about protecting your power. In episode 629 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser talks with Oxford professor and author Carissa Véliz about how personal data gives companies, governments, and technology platforms the ability to influence our choices and shape our lives.  Carissa explains why seemingly harmless information, from the music you enjoy to the way your phone battery drains, can be used to identify, categorize, and predict you. They explore how AI has made surveillance cheaper and more powerful, why predictions should never be treated as facts, and how automated scores can affect important decisions without giving people a meaningful way to challenge them.  The conversation also offers practical ways to reclaim control without abandoning technology entirely. From choosing more private digital tools to questioning the predictions presented as inevitable, Carissa shows why every decision to protect your privacy matters.  If you have ever clicked “accept” without thinking about what happens next, this episode will change the way you think about your data, your autonomy, and who gets to shape your future.  Listen to our previous episodes on AI, Privacy & Legal Ethics.  #618: AI and Legal Ethics: Protecting Client Privacy in a Changing Legal System, with Sunny Eaton Apple | Spotify | LTN  #612: AI for Lawyers: What You Need to Know Before Your Clients Do, with Cat Casey Apple | Spotify | LTN  #582: Deepfakes, Data, and Duty: Navigating AI Ethics in Law, with Merisa Bowers Apple | Spotify | LTN  #543: What Lawyers Need to Know About the Ethics of Using AI, with Hilary Gerzhoy Apple | Spotify | LTN  #486: How to Safely Include AI in Your Legal Tech Stack, with Will Anoh Apple | Spotify | LTN  Have thoughts about today's episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!   If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.   Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.   Subscribe to Lawyerist Podcast: https://play.megaphone.fm/xrm0mqp4tqwi0ozntiu41g Chapters / Timestamps  00:00 – Introduction  00:55 – The Future of Law Firm Leadership  05:00 – The Four Cornerstones of Leadership  09:00 – Be a Next Level Leader  10:45 – Meet Carissa Véliz  11:45 – Why Privacy Is Power  13:30 – How Personal Data Limits Your Autonomy  15:50 – Who Decides What Your Data Says About You?  17:50 – How Companies Exploit Personal Vulnerabilities  20:10 – The Data You Never Realized Was Personal  21:15 – The Connection Between Surveillance and Prediction  22:30 – Applying Fiduciary Duties to Personal Data  24:15 – Why You Cannot Contest a Prediction  26:20 – Banning the Sale of Personal Data  28:25 – Predictions Are Power Plays, Not Facts  30:30 – AI and the Expansion of Digital Surveillance  33:25 – How to Take Back Your Digital Privacy  37:30 – Why Every Privacy Choice Matters  40:00 – The Future Is Not Predetermined  41:25 – The Most Private Way to Read a Book 

The hosts unpack what ego really means in the legal profession and why female attorneys especially need a healthy dose of it. They trace the word's negative connotations alongside its necessary flip side: the confidence to stand in front of a jury and believe what you're arguing whether that's a damages number or a case strategy. Stories range from convincing a jury of a dollar amount you have to actually believe, to colleagues questioning why you're on a case, to the TikTok-fueled discourse about young female attorneys feeling embarrassed to even say "I'm a lawyer" out loud. The throughline: ego isn't about arrogance, it's competence-backed confidence and it's something you build over time. Subscribe to Heels in the Courtroom: https://play.megaphone.fm/lpqcuasdqrkvtile7bx6ng

This election season is bringing a major hike in ad rates. What's a lawyer to do? Later, service and gifts give every member of your law firm the opportunity to level up client experiences.  ----- Massive political ad spends are pushing expenses higher than ever in the lead-up to November 6, impacting your branded advertising economics both online and off. Do you need to make changes to your firm's marketing campaigns? Should you take a break from branded advertising or push through? Conrad and Gyi debate tactical options to help you make informed decisions with your advertising budget.  And, if you do decide to cut back on digital media buys, where are those extra marketing dollars going to go? A gift budget is an excellent way to help your team members get involved in marketing. The guys explain how gifting promotes a more thoughtful mindset, helping your team connect more deeply with clients and creating opportunities to build affinity for your law firm.    The News: Depending on where you're located—Elections advertising spend for 2026 expected to reach record high, outpacing presidential years.  Local positioning in action, folks: Michigan roofer bets on community over private equity. Imaging running a carefully worded ad just to have an AI summary screw it all up. Thanks, Google…bleh. – Google tests AI-generated summaries in Search ads And, here's a real life example from Darcy Burk. Shout out to Michigan Auto Law for this cool campaign: Get Up To $3,000 Free. How do we teach young lawyers to function in an AI world without relying on AI in the learning process? – UChicago Law Unveils New AI Strategy   Make Summer More Fun:  Come see us in Nashville 8/11-8/13 at the LHLM Super Summit! Listen Next: Mindful Gifting || Resolutions Past and Future Connect: Leave Us an Apple Review  Lunch Hour Legal Marketing on YouTube  Lunch Hour Legal Marketing on TikTok r/LHLM  Subscribe to Lunch Hour Legal Marketing: https://play.megaphone.fm/boagdxq4tr2wawseaj104w In This Episode 00:00 Intro & The Trophy Story 03:05 News: Election Ad Spend Record Highs 03:40 News: Local Positioning Lessons from a Roofer 05:35 News: Google Testing AI Summaries in Ads 06:19 News: Michigan Auto Law Campaign Shout-out 07:13 News: UChicago Law's New AI Strategy 09:43 Should Lawyers Pause Ads During Mid-terms? 11:15 Strategy: Location-Specific Ad Planning 13:16 The Debate: Branding Consistency vs. Ad Spend 15:52 Direct Response vs. Brand Awareness 23:18 Employee Gifting Programs for Law Firms 27:10 Logistics: Using Gifting Platforms 28:32 The Power of Personalized Client Gifts 31:40 Incentivizing Employee Engagement 34:10 Operationalizing Marketing Efforts 38:34 Aligning Firm Growth with Staff Goals

In January 1800, Elma Sands's dead body was found in a New York City well. The case has captivated people ever since, not least because in the resulting trial, defendant Levi Weeks was represented by Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr, and a future Supreme Court justice. The Girl from Greenwich Street: A Novel of Hamilton, Burr and America's First Murder Trial is a historical fiction novel by Lauren Willig. On this episode of the Modern Law Library, she explains how four years before their fatal duel, Hamilton and Burr came to be co-counsels on a murder case. "The New York Bar was perishingly small in 1800. And in fact, Burr and Hamilton were co-counsel on a complex commercial litigation at the exact time," says Willig. "So people were constantly–it's like swing your partners, do-si-do. They were always working together, working against each other. It was just the way the bar worked in 1800." The defendant, Levi Weeks, lived in the same boarding house as Sands, a hatmaker whose cousin owned the house. The prosecution contended that Weeks had seduced Sands with a promise of marriage, then dumped her body in the Manhattan Well. His trial was the first murder trial in America to have a court transcript, thanks to a clerk who'd recently learned shorthand. This transcript gave Willig a wealth of witness testimony to draw on when fleshing out her characters. "One of the things that drove me nuts when I was researching this case was how little attention has been expended over the years in trying to figure out anything about Elma Sands, the murdered woman," Willig tells Rawles. "There are some big personalities and really big names involved in the trial itself. And people are so eager to get into the courtroom with Hamilton and Burr that they just trample over Elma. And she gets flattened into one of two archetypes. Either she's the innocent young maiden who's been seduced and betrayed, which is how the prosecution portrays her in the trial, or she's a melancholy laudanum-addicted nymphomaniac, which is how the defense tries to portray her." "And I think the reality of Elma was a lot more complicated than those flat depictions would have us believe." Willig and Rawles also discuss her time at Harvard Law, where she signed a contract to write her popular Pink Carnation series as a 1L, and then her time at Cravath, Swain & Moore, trying to balance being a published romance writer and lawyer. "I had to make a choice, try to continue to juggle or go all in on being an author. And I left Cravath and my partner mentor came up to me and said, 'Well, what took you so long? I would've left sooner.' "  Subscribe to Modern Law Library: https://play.megaphone.fm/93wtgxnatpsubsdxwklzwq

Social media is everywhere today. Ever wonder how the role social media plays into the employer/employee relationship? In this episode, guests Aaron Holt and SaNni M-K Lemonidis, both experienced labor and employment attorneys, join host Matt Greer for a deep dive into the murky waters of who said what where and to whom. Can employers regulate what an employee says on a social media channel – say Facebook or X? It depends. The “manner and method” of our free speech outside of work still matters. It's about content and context. Harassment and discrimination matter still matter. Try the “water cooler principle,” if  a comment was made on social media, ask if the same comment was made at work around the water cooler, would the boss feel obligated to act. If the answer is yes, then action is likely required. This is a fascinating field, nuanced and sometimes dependent on the size of a company and capacity for control as well, as the company's own use of social media in outreach and marketing. The laws, and EEOC guidance, haven't changed. But the environment we live and work in has. Basic principles still apply. For employees, be nice to each other. For employers, do your best to ensure no one is being harassed or bullied. If someone says there's a problem, employers can protect themselves by investigating complaints and developing and adhering to consistent policies. REFERENCES MENTIONED:  Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 NLRB v. Pier Sixty, Justia Law Equal Employment Opportunity Commission  Okonowsky v. Garland, Justia Law  Connick v. Myers, Justia Law  The ABA Labor and Employment Law Section 2026 Annual Conference is scheduled for Nov. 4-7, 2026 in Washington, DC ABA Labor and Employment Law Section Subscribe to ABA Labor and Employment Law Podcast: https://play.megaphone.fm/jzfpgfsst3wnyevnhvs9cq

Talk Justice explores American's desire to “age in place” amidst rising housing instability among seniors and how civil legal services can help.  An AARP expert and the Executuve Director of their affiliate, Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE), join to discuss.  AARP found that 75% of people 50 and older want to stay in their homes and communities as they age, though 44% expect to move due to challenges like cost, accessibility and natural disasters. LCE helps seniors avoid evictions through social work and legal representation in Washington, D.C. Subscribe to Talk Justice An LSC Podcast: https://play.megaphone.fm/a3ett1fzs9a1qjipaqdufa

Parental alienation isn't just a buzzword. It's a real problem that can completely change the dynamics of a family going through divorce. Family law attorney and divorce mediator Adam Little discusses what parental alienation looks like, why it can be so difficult for courts to distinguish from ordinary family conflict, and what can happen when allegations get out of hand. Together, they examine the warning signs attorneys and parents should recognize, the role of expert witnesses and child advocates, and the evidence that can strengthen or undermine a case. Their conversation explores the legal, emotional, and practical realities behind these high-stakes custody disputes, along with the difficult decisions courts face when a child's best interests are at stake. Subscribe to Confessions of a Divorce Assassin: https://play.megaphone.fm/yddxa_zfqjimbgjtoqzijw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI integration is rapidly reshaping how legal work gets done, but many organizations are finding that technology alone is not enough. In this episode of The Legal Report from Robert Half, host Jamy Sullivan speaks with Sunny Sanghani, Managing Director and Legal Consulting Segment Lead at Protiviti, about what it really takes to navigate AI integration successfully. They explore the growing gap between technology investment and workforce readiness, the rising importance of hybrid talent and AI governance, and the critical role legal operations play in driving adoption. Tune in for real-world strategies on how legal leaders can align talent, technology and risk to build more effective, future-ready teams. Subscribe to The Legal Report from Robert Half: https://play.megaphone.fm/taobgtzvrne014wkmbcgew Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jump into a grab bag of legal issues, a “law salad” of ideas that have lately been on the minds of hosts Jim Reeder and Mic Rogson. Law may teach you to think like a lawyer, but does it also teach the practice of law? Hear what Mic and Jim walked away with on graduation day and how it applied to their careers and decades of experience. Practicing law after law school sometimes produces surprises, like learning to mix linear thinking with creativity. You can prepare all you want, but sometimes you need to be “as flexible as Gumby,” Mic says. In the real world,  Jim says, practicing lawyers learn to be comfortable. Comfortable with creativity, comfortable with reacting to surprises, and comfortable admitting to the judge, and themselves, that they don't know everything and may need time to review unfamiliar case law when it crops up in the courtroom. Intimidation and anxiety are the enemy, and young lawyers must learn to relax and react. Then, forget “real life” as Mic and Jim share their favorite courtroom dramas and comedies. What's your guilty pleasure, and which productions capture how you feel about the law? Everything from the gravity of “Judgment at Nuremberg” to the lighthearted “Legally Blonde” to the surprisingly accurate portrayal in “My Cousin Vinny.” What's your favorite? Have a question, comment, or suggestion for an upcoming episode? Get in touch at MRogson@SkywardInsurance.com or JAReederJr@gmail.com. Resources Mentioned: “Top 10 Movies Every Law Student Must See - Best Legal Drama Movies,” YouTube “Top 10 Most Accurate Law Movies,” YouTube American Bar Association American Bar Association Litigation Section Subscribe to Litigation Radio: https://play.megaphone.fm/rhyxdryztyy2v3itq6sdlq Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Strong bar leadership begins with strong governance, and the Washington State Bar Association has set an example of both. Amanda Arriaga and Patrick Palace welcome Francis Adewale and Terra Nevitt to celebrate the WSBA's accomplishments and reflect on the leadership, collaboration, and strategic vision that have shaped their organization. Together, they discuss what makes effective bar governance, the importance of serving members and the public, how they encourage unity across political divides, and the lessons other bar associations can take from Washington State's success. To learn more about NCBP or to become a member, visit ncbp.org Subscribe to Leading the Bar: https://play.megaphone.fm/kxvaphfdsnmb5ge2-7x0rw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Still on the fence about AI? You might not have a choice if you want your firm to succeed. Guest Craig Ball is a lawyer, law professor, special master, author, and above all a tireless student of all things electronic. AI, he says, may be the most transformative legal tool to hit the profession ever. Bigger than word processing, online research, even the internet.  Ball explains how AI is emerging from hype and headlines to real world applications such as drafting documents and sifting through gigabytes of e-discovery. Learning the art of AI prompting and developing the skepticism to evaluate AI powered product isn't an option. This is the future of the practice of law, Ball says. But AI isn't a free pass and it's not magic. If you want quality legal work through AI, it's going to cost you. “Free” AI platforms probably won't cut it. Be prepared to spend not just the time, but also the money to incorporate your own voice and the particular expertise of your firm into pay-to-play AI programs.  If you've been reading the headlines and wondering how AI applies to your practice, this episode will fill in a lot of the gaps. And here's the thing, you're not “too old” to dive in and resistance can hurt you. As Ball says, “It's an AI enabled world.”    Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com   Topics: If you thought you could ignore AI, continue your practice without it, and scoff at lawyers who use it, you may be wrong. AI is here to stay and it's transforming the legal profession. Guest Craig Ball – a lawyer and law professor – shares how AI is already performing real tasks and making real, experienced lawyers better. You're not “too old” or too set in your ways to plug AI into your practice (and to understand how opposing counsel is already using it). Mastering AI isn't free and it won't come without effort. But if you invest the time and money, it can return exponential rewards in productivity and efficiency. Get excited about AI today.   Resources: Microsoft Copilot AI Claude AI Harvey AI Microsoft Word ABA Techshow 2026 CraigBall.com  “Leery Lawyer's Guide to AI,” by Craig Ball Ball in Your Court blog “Forensic Tells: The Litigator's Guide to Detecting Deep Fakes,” by Craig Ball Subscribe to New Solo: https://play.megaphone.fm/snklydceswminrbke6phsq Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summer is upon us and the Supreme Court of the United States is set to rule on a number of landmark cases including birthright citizenship, transgender athletes, campaign finance limits, and mail-in ballots. On this Lawyer 2 Lawyer episode, Craig welcomes Steven D. Schwinn, professor of law at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, as they spotlight the summer of  SCOTUS. Craig & Steve discuss the major SCOTUS decisions happening this summer and the potential impact of these rulings. Subscribe to Lawyer 2 Lawyer: https://play.megaphone.fm/6kyeqlhety25kgmgqdr7cw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can paralegal professionals really strike out on their own and set up a paralegal business outside the confines of a law firm or government agency? Guest Rashida Forbes did just that. She's a veteran paralegal professional who turned her early boots-on-the-ground early experiences into her own firm wrangling the legal process in the high-stakes world of foreclosure and eviction. Forbes was working in a traditional law firm framework when she grew frustrated with the status quo and struck out on her own, forming the Atlanta-based freelance paralegal firm RF Legal Support. Her inspirational journey is proof that “the way it's always been” doesn't have to be the only way.  Being a business owner isn't easy, she explains. It can gobble up your day, take time away from family and friends, and through it all, it's your money at risk and your commitment that will be tested.  Hear how Forbes made the leap and learned to incorporate the legal tools her firm needed to prosper and grow. Plus, how owning her own business allows her and her team to shake up the world of legal fashion, experiencing the freedom to dress for success with a little extra flair (and host a fashion show). Mentioned in This Episode: Stylish Paralegal Fashion Show NALA, The Paralegal Association NALA Conference & Expo 2026 Subscribe to The Paralegal Voice: https://play.megaphone.fm/sq1e-saoq6ga2fue1-y_qw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Supreme Court ignores Judge Newman's rights. ----- All the news that's fit to print agrees that Todd Blanche isn't fit to head the Department of Justice. Something about the whole transforming the DOJ into a weaponized arm of Donald Trump's political grievances thing. The Supreme Court dodged the ongoing Judge Pauline Newman debacle in the Federal Circuit. Her fellow judges have performed an end run around the Constitution, and the rest of the judiciary seems content to just look the other way. And as more folks use AI to brush up their resumes, its biases keep coming out. But does it really produce different legal resumes for men and women? Subscribe to Above the Law - Thinking Like a Lawyer: https://play.megaphone.fm/lpff6i7nq9wlb-pkdudwtw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You just received $100,000 from the Marketing Fairy. Now, how do you turn that into clients? With a smart marketing budget guided by Gyi and Conrad's keen-witted tactics, of course! And later, the guys explain how to invest in community events and grow your brand affinity. ------ To continue to gain more clients and profits, you need to spend your marketing budget wisely. Now, while we know the size of your firm will affect the size of your budget, let's take a careful look at how Gyi and Conrad would advise you to deploy a $100K marketing spend over the course of 12 months. From direct response to networking to SEO to content creation and more, the guys talk about what's important, what's not, and how to prioritize your magical marketing dollars over the course of a year. Later, a listener asked a question about sponsoring a rodeo! Gyi and Conrad have plenty of insights into how investing in events and sharing your passions helps your law firm become a well-known, appreciated business in the community. Yee haw! The News: Well, Conrad sure is surprised—Reddit continues to be a major search choice for the masses: Google May 2026 Core Update: Reddit Up, YouTube Down.  This just dropped: Legal Client Experience Report 2026 | Case Status, and while lots of folks are satisfied with their legal outcomes, far less would actually recommend their lawyer. What gives? CX Summit 2026, we applaud you for not accepting pay-to-pitch speakers at your conference. Keep on keeping it classy.  In contrast to the meager AI search data from Google, Bing appears to be offering a much more robust set of insights: New AI Visibility Insights in Bing Webmaster Tools: Intents, Topics, Citation Share, Compare. Make Summer More Fun:  Come see us in Nashville 8/11-8/13 at the LHLM Super Summit! Listen Next:  How Much Marketing is Enough?   Connect: Leave Us an Apple Review  Lunch Hour Legal Marketing on YouTube  Lunch Hour Legal Marketing on TikTok r/LHLM  Subscribe to Lunch Hour Legal Marketing: https://play.megaphone.fm/boagdxq4tr2wawseaj104w Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

And a new ranking of top law schools. ------ Above the Law's Top 50 Law School rankings are out and a new school tops the list. But a number of other high prestige law schools have slipped out of the top 10... and it's mostly a matter of cost. Meanwhile, we have two federal judges out of control. Judge Ryan Nelson faces misdemeanor criminal charges over a parking lot altercation, which would be a bad look for a federal judge, but not nearly as egregious as his parking job. And we have more on the Eleanor Ross drama, after her initial "apology letters" went public and prompted the Eleventh Circuit to find a new opportunity to look the other way. Subscribe to Above the Law - Thinking Like a Lawyer: https://play.megaphone.fm/lpff6i7nq9wlb-pkdudwtw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Environmental law in the United States can be a double-edged sword. "I think that when people think about environmental law, very frequently what they mean is environmental protection, and what that misses is the other side of the coin, that there is a whole lot of law that is meant to exploit the environment," says law professor Brig Daniels. When Daniels and his writing partner Alejandro Camacho looked at the literature available on the development of environmental law in the United States, they found it lacking. "Most sort of focus only on environmental protection laws emerging from the 1970s or possibly the progressive era, missing frankly centuries of legal history that drove exploitation," says Camacho. They hope to remedy this with their new book, Lessons for a Warming Planet: A Vital History of US Environmental Law. From colonial expansion that deprived Native Americans of their ancestral lands to modern day battles over the Clean Air Act, Lessons for a Warming Planet offers a broad history of how environmental law has been developed. Change can happen gradually, or all at once. Camacho and Daniels have identified five different eras with dominant ideologies, some pushing towards protection and others towards exploitation. But in all eras, there were elements of both, the authors say. "It isn't just a black and white sort of binary of any of these eras," Camacho tells host Lee Rawles in this episode of the Modern Law Library. "And of course, what often happened is that an undercurrent in any given era becomes the dominant era in a subsequent era." The latest era of environmental law is one of contention, without a dominant force yet emerging. Lessons for a Warming Planet warns that either exploitation or protection could hold sway in the next era. "The thing that I hope that people understand is that looking back, one of the things that is so prevalent is that we didn't get the history that we had due to luck," says Daniels. "A big chunk of way we got our history was due to effort." In this episode of the Modern Law Library, Camacho, Daniels and Rawles discuss the Homestead Act, Cuyahoga River fires, and what Nixon really thought of pesky environmentalists. Subscribe to Modern Law Library: https://play.megaphone.fm/93wtgxnatpsubsdxwklzwq Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of Talk Justice  explores an Ohio county's efforts to bring service providers together to ensure that families in crisis receive the help they need. The “No Wrong Door” model is already making big impacts in Washington County, Ohio, where the Family and Children First Council (WCFCFC) is building partnerships that raise awareness of community resources. Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (LASCO) partners in the effort to help local families. Subscribe to Talk Justice An LSC Podcast: https://play.megaphone.fm/a3ett1fzs9a1qjipaqdufa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As an attorney, are there ever circumstances where you may counsel your clients to waive their Fifth Amendment rights? Rocky Dhir talks with experienced trial lawyers Rachael Jones and Jay Ethington to gain a deeper understanding of the Fifth Amendment, particularly as it pertains to client testimony. Drawing from their many years of trial experience in both prosecution and defense, Rachael and Jay explain the intricacies of a person's right to remain silent—avoiding self-incrimination either in trial, when speaking with law enforcement officers, or in a variety of other scenarios. Their conversation digs deep into the nuances of the Fifth Amendment to help lawyers best serve their clients, educate jurors, and be thoroughly prepared for the rigors of trial.  Become a member: State Bar of Texas Join us in Houston on June 11 & 12: 2026 State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting Read the latest edition of the Texas Bar Journal: texasbar.com/tbj  Subscribe to State Bar of Texas Podcast: https://play.megaphone.fm/_hh0l5izt4mfkr1zmxo_cg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Google Search Console is serving up AI search impressions… and we're not impressed. But first, good ol' email marketing campaigns are more effective than you might think! ------ Email marketing is often pretty underrated, but, with the right finesse, it's a great way to stay in touch with your people and grow your business. Gyi And Conrad share email best practices and key business objectives to help you make good use of this inexpensive, but advantageous, marketing tool. Later, some data is better than no data right? Right? Or, is AI search sliding down the slippery slope to minimal marketing accountability? Zeroing in on today's first news item, the guys dig deep into the ways AI features track impression data, taking a particularly hard look at its imperfections. But, is there still hope? Gyi and Conrad share practical ways to analyze the data available to you to attempt to shine some light on the efficacy of your law firm marketing in AI search.    The News: Google's newest offering really wants to sound like it's giving some helpful AI search segmentation, but it's pretty embarrassingly basic. – Introducing Search Generative AI performance reports in Search Console Win a trip to the LHLM Super Summit!!! Learn how: The Lunch Hour Legal Marketing FIFA Pool || FIFA World Cup 2026 Contest Our good friends at Lawyerist are doing their annual Website Competition, and they've found that new AI-created sites are pretty substandard and—shocker—dealing with security issues. Don't forget!  Google is opting you in for call recordings on JULY 1 if you currently have that as ‘unselected'. Take appropriate action, folks.    Podcast Appearances:  Un-Billable Hour – Seat At The Table: Getting an “A+” in Client Satisfaction Lawyerist – AI for Law Firm Growth: Building Smarter Systems and Better Business Decisions, with Conrad Saam Championing Justice: A Personal Injury Podcast – PART 1: Why Legal SEO Isn't Dead, But Most Law Firm Marketing Is and PART 2: Why Legal SEO Isn't Dead, But Most Law Firm Marketing Is Answering Legal – Lunch Hour Except the Law? Conrad & Gyi on How Clients ACTUALLY Find Your Firm   Make Summer More Fun:  Come see us in Nashville 8/11-8/13 at the LHLM Super Summit!   Listen Next: What is AI Visibility, Anyway?   Connect: Leave Us an Apple Review  Lunch Hour Legal Marketing on YouTube  Lunch Hour Legal Marketing on TikTok r/LHLM  Subscribe to Lunch Hour Legal Marketing: https://play.megaphone.fm/boagdxq4tr2wawseaj104w Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode moves from the philosophy of improv into its specific mechanics and direct parallels to the craft of trial law. Guest Ashley Rube breaks down what she actually teaches: starting with being a great teammate, then building active listening, presence, and scene mechanics from there. The principle that your job is to make your scene partner look incredible reframes how Tim Cronin thinks about direct examination: rather than ticking through an outline, the attorney's role is to set up the witness to shine. Ryan Myers draws the same parallel from his years in sales: the best client conversations happen when you stop following a script and start genuinely listening for what the other person needs. Research shows that stress narrows lateral thinking and produces tunnel vision. Improv, the guests argue, doesn't replace a lawyer's skills, it quiets the parts of the nervous system that get in the way of those skills. Subscribe to The Jury Is Out: https://play.megaphone.fm/td_bgp7ytmwvduhtrxauqq Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Back in 2025, the Department of Justice issued a legal opinion stating that presidents may have authority not only to create but also to revoke national monuments established by prior presidents. So what does this mean for protections for national monuments and public lands like the Grand Staircase and Bears Ears National Monument? On this Lawyer 2 Lawyer episode, Craig welcomes professor of law, Mark Squillace from the University of Colorado Law School, as they spotlight national monuments, public lands, and presidential power. Craig & Mark discuss the DOJ's legal opinion on national monuments, monument and public land protections, Congressional authority, the Antiquities Act of 1906, conservation law, and federal land management. Subscribe to Lawyer 2 Lawyer: https://play.megaphone.fm/6kyeqlhety25kgmgqdr7cw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A federal judge carried on a two-year affair with a high-ranking law enforcement officer by having sex in chambers and lying about it to investigators. The Eleventh Circuit responded with a private reprimand, concealing the judge's identity. But the judges didn't think through their anonymization strategy nearly well enough and AI cracked the case in minutes, revealing Judge Eleanor Ross of the Northern District of Georgia. Meanwhile, in lawyer ethics, a bar complaint in New York focuses on Todd Blanche, citing the ruling out of Tennessee finding a presumptively vindictive prosecution of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. And down in Florida, the scores of former judges and other professionals behind the complaint against Pam Bondi -- that Florida previously punted, claiming that it couldn't investigate a sitting Attorney General -- renewed the call, noting that Bondi may be many things, but she's definitely not the Attorney General anymore. Subscribe to Above the Law - Thinking Like a Lawyer: https://play.megaphone.fm/lpff6i7nq9wlb-pkdudwtw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In certain capacities, artificial intelligence is quite capable of doing quality legal work. It may enhance a lawyer's workflows, provide new opportunities for access to justice, assist in legal research—the possibilities seem innumerable. So, should we be fearful of its potential? Are we all out of a job? Amanda Arriaga and Patrick Palace welcome Ed Walters to talk through the ethics and opportunities lawyers must consider in the age of AI. Ed focuses on the important role bar associations should play in the lives of all attorneys and highlights the need for thoughtful leadership for AI use as we move into the future. Ed Walters is Vice President of Legal Innovation and Strategy at Clio.  To learn more about NCBP or to become a member, visit ncbp.org Subscribe to Leading the Bar: https://play.megaphone.fm/kxvaphfdsnmb5ge2-7x0rw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On July 4th, 2026, the United States will celebrate its  250th anniversary. Americans will reflect not only on our history, but on the institutions that have carried us through. Among the most important of those institutions are our courts and the justice system. On this Lawyer 2 Lawyer episode, Craig welcomes Judge Jeremy D. Fogel, the first Executive Director of the Berkeley Judicial Institute. Craig & Judge Fogel discuss the Department of Justice's recent overall actions, threats to the judiciary, judicial independence, and why this all matters as we approach our nation's 250th. Mentioned in this Episode: Keep Our Republic Subscribe to Lawyer 2 Lawyer: https://play.megaphone.fm/6kyeqlhety25kgmgqdr7cw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen in as performers, teachers and corporate workshop facilitators from The Improv Shop in St. Louis explain how improv skills map directly into the courtroom, deposition room and any high-stakes conversation where the unexpected is guaranteed to happen. Hosts Erich Veith and Tim Cronin reflect with Ashley Rube and Ryan Myers on one of the most common failure modes they observe in young trial lawyers: rigid adherence to a prepared outline even when a witness hands them something better. The instinct to follow the script, they argue, is trained into law students from day one and it takes real effort to unlearn. Full disclosure: nobody is here to turn lawyers into comedians, but rather how to apply the discipline of presence, collaboration and responsive decision-making of improve to the legal profession. Subscribe to The Jury Is Out: https://play.megaphone.fm/td_bgp7ytmwvduhtrxauqq Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Money, profit, probably isn't the only reason you own a law firm. But it is an important part of it. Guest Ben Hockema is a financial planner who specializes in helping business leaders focus on long-term profits and understand why focusing on, and delivering, profit is so important. Hockema's company, Illuminate Wealth Management, works closely with law firms and their owners. Perhaps no one told you owning a law firm is owning a business. But the reality is you can't effectively serve clients without focusing on your business and making it work. Law school may teach you the law, but no firm functions without profits. It's important that you build a firm that pays you first.  A profitable firm starts with your mindset. If you're distracted by financial insecurity, if your firm isn't delivering the profits that allow you to practice without worry, you aren't doing your best work. The profit-first mindset isn't about being selfish, it's about eliminating distractions. Hear how Hockema helps law-firm owners reshape their understanding of how a firm works. Generating sustainable profit is a leadership decision, a conscious goal, not simply what's left over at the end of the month. Consider these vital tips that can change your thinking (and understand the biggest mistake law firms make). Mentioned in This Episode: “Profit First,” by Michael Michalowicz Clio legal software Legal Talk Network Subscribe to Un-Billable Hour: https://play.megaphone.fm/qxfro4f-suekajnwe_solw Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An honest discussion about imposter syndrome, rejecting societal timelines, and redefining work-life balance with the newest member of the Heels in the Courtroom cast Sydney Marino gives listeners a relatable and inspiring look at the early stages of a legal career and the mindset it takes to thrive. Marino also opens up about navigating burnout through daily walks and leaning on family support and discusses embracing “change” as her defining theme for 2026. Subscribe to Heels in the Courtroom: https://play.megaphone.fm/lpqcuasdqrkvtile7bx6ng Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices