Podcasts about legaltechnology

The Evolution of Legal Technology: Past, Present, and Future with Dennis Kennedy   In this episode of Legal Marketing Radio, LaFleur Marketing hosts Dennis Kennedy, the director of the Center for Law Technology and Innovation at Michigan State University. They discuss the evolution and future of legal technology, Dennis's pioneering steps in law blogging, and the importance of authentic communication in marketing legal services. Dennis shares insights on name, image, likeness rights in the digital age, and frameworks for leveraging AI in legal practice. The conversation covers the intersection of personal interests with professional practice and the evolving landscape of legal technology and its impact on legal practice.   00:00 Introduction to Legal Marketing Radio 00:03 Meet Dennis Kennedy: Legal Tech Pioneer 00:54 Early Days of Legal Blogging 02:26 The Evolution of Legal Communication 04:52 Target Audience and Legal Marketing 08:05 Personal Stories and Legal Marketing 09:38 Balancing Personality and Professionalism 16:16 AI and the Future of Legal Marketing 21:21 Dennis Kennedy's Legacy and Advice 27:14 Conclusion and Farewell  

Welcome to today's 'AI Lawyer Talking Tech' podcast, where we delve into the rapidly evolving intersection of artificial intelligence and the legal profession. Recent data reveals a significant surge in GenAI adoption within law firms, nearly doubling in the past year, signaling a clear shift in how legal work is being approached. This transformation extends beyond mere adoption, with studies indicating that a vast majority of lawyers plan to integrate GenAI into their practice within the next two years, particularly in areas like contract drafting and organization. However, this integration isn't without its complexities, as concerns around reliability, accuracy, and the necessity of human oversight persist. Today, we'll explore these advancements, the challenges they present, and the innovative solutions emerging to shape the future of legal practice.Proportion of law firms using GenAI almost doubles24 Apr 2025Legal FuturesGoogle Profits Surge 50% Despite AI, Legal Challenges24 Apr 2025NewsLooks.comLegal Workload Optimization, Part 1: Data You Can Act On24 Apr 2025IManage.comDrake Law School Launches New Artificial Intelligence Law Certificate Program24 Apr 2025Drake UniversityBuilding Legal Resilience in an Unpredictable 2025: The GC's Playbook24 Apr 2025AxiomLaw.comThe Future of Protecting Inventions in an AI Powered World24 Apr 2025AIJourn.comIOTA Cofounder's AI Firm Noxtua Raises $92M, Hints at Future IOTA Integration24 Apr 2025CryptoNews.netIntegrity in the Digital Age: Balancing Efficiency with AI-Generated Citations24 Apr 2025AIJourn.comThe questions of the California bar exam have been made with AI24 Apr 2025SoftonicLawyerist Podcast #556: Hidden Data: What Lawyers Need to Know About Digital Forensics, with Cole Popkin24 Apr 2025Legal Talk NetworkClauseBase Launches in North America, Deloitte's Roggen Joins24 Apr 2025Artificial LawyerSuffolk Law's LLM in Legal Technology & Innovation: revolutionizing, leading, and transforming the legal industry24 Apr 2025StudyInternational.comAre Your Client-Firm Relationships at Risk Because of AI?24 Apr 2025Artificial LawyerLaw firms advised to strengthen tech basics before embracing AI24 Apr 2025IT Brief UKLegal AI tech startup Noxtua raises €80.7M to help European lawyers automate their work24 Apr 2025SiliconANGLELipsticks and Lawsuits: The Legal Consequences of Virtual Glam24 Apr 2025Washington Journal of Law, Technology & ArtsFrom Whiteboards to Operating Agreements24 Apr 2025Legaltech on MediumHow Democratizing Law with AI Benefits Everyone24 Apr 2025Legaltech on MediumStay Ahead of the Curve, Discover How AI Is Transforming Legal Practice: Justia Webinars24 Apr 2025Legal Marketing & Technology BlogGenAI is here for professional services, but GenAI training still has a way to go24 Apr 2025Thomson Reuters InstituteLexisNexis's GenAI Strategy – Min Chen, Chief AI Officer24 Apr 2025Artificial LawyerAI Is Already Changing the Law — Are You Ready for What's Next?24 Apr 2025Legaltech on MediumEU Data Act Preparedness – Last Minute Fire Drill Exercise!24 Apr 2025K&L GatesHouse Select Committee Publishes Report on DeepSeek, as Commerce Imposes New AI Chip Export Restrictions — AI: The Washington Report24 Apr 2025Mintz LevinNinth Circuit expands specific jurisdiction for e-commerce platforms24 Apr 2025Clark HillFederal Circuit: Machine Learning Patents Fail Section 101 Patent Eligibility Challenge24 Apr 2025Holland & Knight

In this episode, Steve Seckler speaks with Jonathan White, a Boston-based trusts and estates attorney and a self-described AI enthusiast. Jonathan shares practical insights into how he is using artificial intelligence tools to streamline his law practice and enhance client service. He also reflects on his career transitions—from litigation to insurance defense, to real estate, and finally to trusts and estates—and how his current involvement with Atticus is helping him and other lawyers build more fulfilling and profitable practices.

Legal teams work best when their operations run smoothly and efficiently, and developing innovations must be kept in mind as teams hone their legal operations strategies. Dennis and Tom talk with legal tech experts Amy Brookbanks and Michael Kennedy about their work helping lawyers and in-house legal teams work through problems with effective technology solutions. They discuss strategies for defining necessities in workflows to help lawyers understand how to implement technology to optimize their practices. They also discuss their career paths in the legal field and discuss current happenings in tech, AI, collaboration, and much more. 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.   Amy Brookbanks is Legal Operations Consultant at Addleshaw Goddard. Michael Kennedy is head of R&D (Innovation & Legal Technology) at Addleshaw Goddard.  Show Notes: Addleshaw Goddard LLP Tech Talks | Addleshaw Goddard LLP LinkedIn - Amy Brookbanks LinkedIn - Michael Kennedy Innovation Graduate Scheme 2025 Braintoss Retrospectives with OneNote  Tom and Dennis on Video! Copilot Legal AI Live on LinkedIn the second Friday of every month TextExpander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legal teams work best when their operations run smoothly and efficiently, and developing innovations must be kept in mind as teams hone their legal operations strategies. Dennis and Tom talk with legal tech experts Amy Brookbanks and Michael Kennedy about their work helping lawyers and in-house legal teams work through problems with effective technology solutions. They discuss strategies for defining necessities in workflows to help lawyers understand how to implement technology to optimize their practices. They also discuss their career paths in the legal field and discuss current happenings in tech, AI, collaboration, and much more. 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.   Amy Brookbanks is Legal Operations Consultant at Addleshaw Goddard. Michael Kennedy is head of R&D (Innovation & Legal Technology) at Addleshaw Goddard.  Show Notes: Addleshaw Goddard LLP Tech Talks | Addleshaw Goddard LLP LinkedIn - Amy Brookbanks LinkedIn - Michael Kennedy Innovation Graduate Scheme 2025 Braintoss Retrospectives with OneNote  Tom and Dennis on Video! Copilot Legal AI Live on LinkedIn the second Friday of every month TextExpander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to today's 'AI Lawyer Talking Tech' podcast. We're diving deep into the rapidly changing world of legal technology, where Artificial Intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day reality. Today's discussion explores AI's multifaceted impact, from potentially reshaping legal education and the roles of junior lawyers to raising complex questions about ethics, data privacy, and regulatory compliance. We will analyze how law firms and legal tech companies are harnessing AI to enhance efficiency, improve accuracy, and gain a competitive edge in an increasingly crowded market.Junior Lawyers Will Be ‘Significantly Replaced' by AI & Tech Experts, Says Paul Weiss Chair03 Mar 2025Lawyer MonthlyMeet the experts joining our panel discussion on how AI will be disrupting work & life at the EU-Startups Summit!03 Mar 2025EU-StartupsIs AI in Recruitment Smart Hiring, or Backfiring?03 Mar 2025Online RecruitmentAnn Summers Accuses Google of Blacklisting Its Website Over Porn Filters03 Mar 2025Lawyer Monthly92% of Students Are Using AI – What This Means For Lawyers03 Mar 2025Artificial LawyerForlex Showcases Game-Changing Sovereignty AI at Web Summit Qatar 2025, Secures Investor Interest and Government PoC Discussions03 Mar 2025TechBullionQIAGEN takes legal action to defend QuantiFERON intellectual property and protect innovations in latent tuberculosis testing03 Mar 2025StockTitan.netNeed Data Off An Old Tape? The Backup Crackers Can Help03 Mar 2025IT JungleWill AI replace lawyers or enhance their work?03 Mar 2025Legal FuturesGo to Market Strategies in a Crowded Field Like Law02 Mar 2025Cascade Business NewsOpenAI's power players: Here are the leaders driving the ChatGPT maker's future02 Mar 2025DNyuzDoes West's CoCounsel Make Legal Research With Gen AI Better?02 Mar 2025FuturelawyerSpotDraft Summit'25: Discover the Future of Legal Technology in San Francisco02 Mar 2025TechBullionMumsnet is standing up to big tech - why we launched OpenAI legal action02 Mar 2025iNews.co.ukWhy Is Legal Support Crucial in a Tech-Driven Auto Insurance Industry?01 Mar 2025FintechNewsDiscerning the Dead: How Mamie Till's Abdication of Privacy Sparked the Civil Rights Movement01 Mar 2025Berkeley LawWhat is LEDES format and what are its benefits for legal e-billing?28 Feb 2025Thomson ReutersKPMG becomes first Big Four firm to break into the US legal market28 Feb 2025Yahoo! Finance UK and IrelandHow to Choose the Right Trial Technology Partner28 Feb 2025JD SupraAI Watch: Global regulatory tracker - European Union28 Feb 2025JD SupravLex and Vecflow give their key takeaways on Vals AI GenAI benchmarking report28 Feb 2025Legal IT InsiderLegal AI agents: The assistants you need in 2025 and beyond28 Feb 2025AIJourn.comDelaware court finds fair use defence unsuccessful in AI training copyright motion28 Feb 2025The IPKatKPMG Becomes The First Member Of The Big Four To Open US Law Firm28 Feb 2025Above The LawLegal AI Tools Show Promise in First-of-its-Kind Benchmark Study, with Harvey and CoCounsel Leading the Pack28 Feb 2025LawSitesCheating in Professional Chess: The Role of Computers and Legal Implications02 Mar 2025Washington Journal of Law, Technology & ArtsEuropean Data Protection Roundup – January 202528 Feb 2025Debevoise Data BlogvLex and Vecflow give their key takeaways on Vals AI GenAI benchmarking report28 Feb 2025Legal IT InsiderPolicing in the AI era: Balancing security, privacy & the public trust28 Feb 2025Thomson Reuters InstituteShook Announces 2025 Class of New Partners03 Mar 2025Shook Hardy & BaconEuropean Commission Provides Guidance on Scope of AI Systems Under the EU AI Act28 Feb 2025Paul, WeissKratsios and Meador Confirmation Hearing Focuses on AI, Spectrum and Big Tech28 Feb 2025Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld

Join Indiana Lawyer Reporter Alexa Shrake as she interviews Ray Biederman, CEO of Proteus Discovery Group, in this episode. Ray shares his journey as an attorney to co-founding Proteus, an Indiana-based electronic discovery firm. Learn how Proteus has expanded from Indiana to a coast-to-coast presence and how they utilize advanced technology like generative AI and forensic data collection. This podcast is brought to you by Taft, Today's Modern Law Firm.

In this special episode we are joined Savvas Skordellis, Trainee Solicitor at Deloitte Legal, who talks about how he developed in interests for technology and its application in legal practice.  Savvas speaks about how he sought out a degree and Masters course which would allow him to specialise in this area, and also the importance of finding opportunities to apply one's learning in practice, both within a university context and in the workplace.  Savvas also gives us an insight into his current role, explaining what it is like to be part of a legal team, and have a training contract, at Deloitte Legal, one of the “Big 4” global advisory firms.  Savvas tells us about his choice of degree programme at the University of South Wales as a very specific, practice-focused one combining both a LLB and the Legal Practice Course – and how he began to become very curious about the impact of technology on legal practice, leading him to undertake a part-time degree in Legal Technology.  Savvas explains also, as part of this career journey so far, how helpful he has found it to seek out opportunities to apply his academic learning in practice: ranging from opportunities to work in the Legal Advice Centre of his university to studying the Masters part-time whilst working as a Legal Technologist at Addleshaw Goddard.  Finally, Savvas shares why he sought a role in the legal services team of one of the Big 4 advisory businesses, Deloitte, his learning in the role, and how the Training Contract is structured there.  The opportunity to continue to develop his experience in the use of legal technology products is also discussed, including the development of some tools for M&A Due Diligence, which have been recognised at the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards.  Actions and resources for listeners: ·       Read this interview with a trainee lawyer at Deloitte Legal.  From both this interview, and the current podcast, what do you see as the key skills to succeed at the business? ·       Why do you think the “Big 4” global advisory businesses wanted to enter the legal services market?  Research articles online and think, if you were running the businesses, what would influence your decision?  

Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Unbundled Attorney Mastermind Podcast01:07 Guest Introduction: Wade Goertz of Goertz Law03:58 Scaling Legal Services Across Texas06:15 Virtual Legal Services: Benefits and Challenges09:49 Effective Client Engagement and Lead Management18:15 Tools and Techniques for Virtual Practice27:39 Pricing Strategies and Client Onboarding40:01 Expanding Practice to Other States42:16 Challenges of In-Person Meetings in New York43:21 Structuring Attorney Relationships44:27 Cost Differences Between Texas and New York44:49 Open Q&A Session Begins45:59 Scaling and Expanding Practices48:10 Hiring and Managing Attorneys50:18 Client Consultations and Payment Plans54:33 Building a Multi-Jurisdictional Practice01:05:44 Final Thoughts and Encouragement01:16:45 Upcoming Events and Closing RemarksIf you enjoy this podcast, please head over to iTunes, subscribe to the show, and leave us a review. We love hearing from our listeners and look forward to reading your feedback! For more information about Unbundled Attorney and how our exclusive, unbundled leads can help grow your practice, visit: https://www.unbundledattorney.com

 Episode Breakdown00:00 Introduction to Unbundled Attorney Mastermind Podcast00:32 Fireside Chat: Integrating MyCase with Unbundled Attorney01:44 Exploring MyCase Features with Lindsay Bushong04:57 Showcasing the Integration: Real-Time Lead Management05:26 Demonstration: Setting Up MyCase Integration08:30 Managing Leads and Automations in MyCase15:01 Utilizing MyCase for Client Communication20:13 Transitioning Leads to Cases in MyCase32:38 Handling Credit Card Fees34:43 Setting Up Payment Plans36:59 Subscription Billing Explained39:36 Syncing with LawPay42:05 Document Automation Features46:21 Using Intake Forms52:46 Workflow Automation 57:25 Q&A and Final ThoughtsIf you enjoy this podcast, please head over to iTunes, subscribe to the show, and leave us a review. We love hearing from our listeners and look forward to reading your feedback!For more information about Unbundled Attorney and how our exclusive, unbundled leads can help grow your practice, visit: https://www.unbundledattorney.com

We're back for our sixth year and what a year it has been for legaltech, AI and innovation! If 2023 was the year to figure out what generative AI was all about, then 2024 was most definitely the year for pilots, experimentation, and strategies for data and AI. Well, that was how it went for some, but not everyone… In this, our annual year in review, we discussed what happened and where the dust settled in 2024 with Caryn Sandler, Partner and Chief Knowledge & Innovation Officer at Gilbert + Tobin and Co-chair of the CLI Advisory Board; Graeme Grovum, Head of Legal Technology and Client Services at Allens and Host of CLI's Legal Ops Clinic in 2024; and Tessa van Duyn, CEO and Practice Leader at Moores and member of the CLI Advisory Board. We started this session by discussing the discernible shift in mindset during 2024 from questioning if the legal industry should engage with generative AI, to embracing it as well as understanding and learning how to manage its issues – we collectively reached a new level of AI maturity!  As we dug deeper on impacts, we identified some key changes enabled by AI, particularly generative AI, to the business and practice of law this year, including: Non-negotiable “must haves” for the tech – easy to use, convenient, clearly identifiable benefits. New levels of tech engagement – GenAI creates a space where “personal life meets professional life” and consequently its uptake has been faster and at an unprecedented scale.  Redefining collaboration – different partnerships, different interactions, different client engagements, emerging coalitions of competitors working and learning together, all focused on building a strong legal ecosystem that delivers on the potential, promises, and opportunities of generative AI but also knows how to manage its challenges. Redefining legal work - from conception to delivery and everything in between. Redefining value – what matters most, authenticity or efficiency and, are they the only choices? Where does pricing and billing by the hour fit into all of this? Redefining capabilities for practice – meeting people where they are so they can work out where they need to go together and individually. Redefining metrics – are we measuring impact or use or something else? Are metrics the same for this tech for all its uses? We need to know if the investment in the tech is moving us forward, or not, but it may be well into 2025 before we work this one out. Redefining employment and workforce – employees are now in search of digitally enabled employers and employers in search of digitally and data literate employees. Is going to a law firm or legal department that is not tech-enabled now a career-limiting move? What will that do to the legal workforce? Embracing capabilities where you find them, not where you expect them – making the tech available to everyone can result in an expansion of roles, new roles, and uncovering tech-related capabilities that enhance careers and your workforce where they may have otherwise remained hidden. Understanding that the pace and scale of change is now a constant and must be proactively managed. We need to understand the human consequence of this i.e., unparalleled change fatigue and the need to focus on human wellbeing more than ever before. And, Graeme demonstrated his interactive avatar too – we all want him to build us one! We wrapped with what will come next in 2025. Will ops teams lead the way? Will our humanity and creativity be best explored through play? Will a growing sophistication in how we use GenAI, especially by clients, reinvent the B2B, B2C and D2C markets? Thank you sooooo much Caryn, Graeme and Tessa – this is a session we look forward to every year and we're certain you will too – don't miss this one!  If you would prefer to watch rather than listen to this podcast, you'll find the video here. About the Future 50 Series In the Future 50 Series, we're chatting with legalpreneurs who, through their ideas and actions, are challenging and transforming legal BAU all around the world. If you would like to recommend people for this Series, please contact us at: CLI@collaw.edu.au.

In this episode of On Record PR, sponsored by Lawline, Gina Rubel goes on record with Mary Hildebrand CIPP/US/E/AIGP, founder & chair emeritus of the Data, Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice at Lowenstein Sandler, to discuss important considerations for law firms when developing generative AI policies that serve their needs. Learn More Mary J. Hildebrand founded, led and now serves as Chair Emeritus of the firm's Data, Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice with the primary goal of enabling companies to launch and grow their businesses while staying in compliance with complex global regulations governing the collection and commercial use of personal information. Mary's extensive experience in intellectual property and technology in a broad array of industries enhances her ability to understand the data-driven challenges companies face today. For more than 30 years, clients have turned to her as a trusted advisor; she has successfully guided business leaders and general counsel through difficult decisions and hundreds of sophisticated tech/data deals from concept to closing. She regularly serves as lead counsel to both public and private companies in complex commercial and compliance matters, helping clients commercialize, protect, and manage their intellectual property, technology, and database assets around the world; she also counsels startups on the transactions and foundational legal structures needed to launch their businesses.

LVN Board Members Keith Maziarek and Justin Ergler discuss the integration of generative AI in legal services with Conan Hines, Director of Legal Technology at Fried Frank. They explore the challenges and ethical considerations of billing for AI-enhanced legal work, comparing it to traditional legal research costs. Hines highlights the potential for AI to streamline tasks, reduce costs, and improve efficiency, but notes the need for law firms to adapt their business models. They debate whether clients should bear the costs of AI investments and how law firms can communicate the value of AI to clients. The conversation also touches on the broader implications of AI on the legal industry, including the potential for mid-sized firms to leverage AI to compete with larger firms.

In this episode of On Record PR, sponsored by Lawline, Gina Rubel goes on record with Shawn Swearingen, Chief Innovation Officer of Faegre Drinker, to discuss the practical applications of generative AI for the legal industry and its ethical challenges. Learn More Shawn Swearingen serves as Faegre Drinker's chief innovation officer. She collaborates with the executive and operations leadership teams to keep the firm on the frontline of organizational development and emerging legal trends conducive to a culture of innovation. Harnessing the potential of technological advances, she develops, champions and leads strategic innovation initiatives related to data science and analytics, client and practice technologies, and knowledge management. Shawn supports the firm's growth goals by helping to advance new ideas, introduce best practices and encourage design thinking across the firm.

Send me a text messageIn this episode, Courtney discusses all things technology and AI with the COO of EvenUp, Ray Mieszaniec, exploring how their groundbreaking Claims Intelligence Platform™ is THE solution for personal injury law firms. EvenUp, featured in Forbes "Next Billion-Dollar Startups 2024", having also recently announced $135 million in new funding, provides complete insights for plaintiff lawyers, looking to supercharge their practises. From AI workflow automation to demands, medical chronologies and negotiation preparation, EvenUp's suite of services is your secret weapon to maximizing plaintiff settlements. This episode also features commentary from Jakob Norman (Trial Lawyers For Justice) on how EvenUp can overcome time and technology challenges within your firm. Website: www.evenuplaw.comConnect with Ray MieszaniecExclusive: Use code Settlement Nation in the "How did you hear about us?" form and you can get up to 25% off your first month.About EvenUpEvenUp's Claims Intelligence Platform™ is powered by its AI model known as Piai™, which is trained on hundreds of thousands of injury cases and millions of medical records and visits. We empower personal injury lawyers and victims to get the justice they deserve.Thank you for tuning in to Settlement Nation, the premier podcast for high performers and trial lawyers.Each episode of Settlement Nation dives deep into the world of trial law, offering valuable advice and strategies from leading trial attorneys, industry experts and thought leaders. As the creative mind behind the acclaimed podcast, host Courtney Barber ignites conversations that spark change and inspire action. Tune in and discover the secrets to success, learn from the best, and join a community of driven professionals committed to justice. Subscribe now and step into the winner's circle with Settlement Nation —where high performance meets high impact. InstagramSponsorships, Guests and Everything Podcast, Click Here.

In this episode of Fringe Legal, recorded live from ILTACON 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee, Ab sits down with JoeySeeber, CEO of Level Legal. Joey discusses the journey and growth of Level Legal over 15 years, starting during the Great Recession. The conversation delves into various aspects of building a business for longevity, maintaining a startup mindset in a small company, and delivering services in a human-centric way. Joey shares insights on their framework and principles for doing business, client feedback, handling competition, and the role of technology in enhancing efficiency. Read the episode takeaways at: https://www.fringelegal.com/balancing-technology-and-human-connection-in-legal-services-with-joey-seeber

Richard Tromans is the Founder of Artificial Lawyer.    Artificial Lawyer is a news site focused on changing the business of law, through technology, people and process. It provides news, views, jobs, information on legal tech courses, and a tech directory. Artificial Lawyer also organizes events related to innovation + legal technology.  Connect with Richard on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artificiallawyer/  Visit Artificial Lawyer: https://www.artificiallawyer.com/  On This Episode, We Discuss…What AI Means for Law Firms of All SizesThe Importance of AI AccuracyWhy Smaller Firms Might Have an Advantage in the AI RaceThe Continual Evolution of Legal Tech

In the realm of modern leadership, Doug Hebenthal, Chief Technology Officer at RealtyMogul, champions a philosophy that resonates deeply: there's no singular smartest person in any room; rather, the collective intelligence of a team drives true success. Doug exemplifies this belief through his role at RealtyMogul, where he not only oversees technological innovation but also fosters a culture of collaboration and shared knowledge. His approach underscores the transformative power of embracing diverse perspectives and pooling expertise, essential in navigating the complexities of real estate investment technology. By enabling a culture where every voice matters and every idea contributes, Doug Hebenthal embodies how collective intelligence propels organizations like RealtyMogul towards continual growth and achievement.Here's more about Doug HebenthalI am a 30+ year veteran in the business and technology world, former CTO of Realty Mogul, CTO of International Sports Sciences Association and CTO of Knowable. At Knowable we built a Contract Intelligence platform where I gained a wealth of knowledge in Machine Learning, NLP, and what it means to unlock the data assets that are hidden in contracts.Previous to Knowable I was at Axiom as CTO for 15 months, 21+ years at Microsoft, 2 years at Amazon, 3 years at Change Healthcare. Founding member of the Xbox team at Microsoft, I was one of the earliest working on the Internet, Project leader on some of the largest consumer projects ever, Engineering Manager of very large consumer projects and one of the largest payment platforms in the world.My super powers are clearly identifying, understanding and driving very difficult, complicated and high impact projects. I am very good at simplifying complex technology into solutions that ultimately drive customer value. My leadership has had a direct impact on extreme scale projects that impacted millions of people. I am very good at building highly functional teams, and finding the perfect alchemy of talent, focus and teamwork to drive for results. My experience at Microsoft, ranging from Technical Sales, Marketing, Engineering, Project Management and Leadership has uniquely prepared me to have a significant impact in any number of different industries or companies.At Change Healthcare I helped lead the drive to substantial change in Healthcare and in particular leapfrogging the technology gap that exists by driving cloud adoption as an accelerator for solution modernization. Work I started there is still going strong and will forever change US Healthcare. I was a 2.5 year member of the Amazon Web Services CIO Advisory Board while driving the Cloud Platform at Change.Specialties: Leadership, Management, Technology, ML/AI, Cloud, Consumer Hardware, Consumer Software, Gaming, Healthcare, Mentoring, Commerce, Payments, Legal Technology and Team Building.

Emerging technologies simplify many aspects of life, but they also make it increasingly challenging to safeguard privacy in both personal and professional settings. As a lawyer, it is essential for you to stay informed about how to protect privacy by utilizing the appropriate tools and equipment. Paul Secunda joined us today to talk about protecting your privacy, building open communication between employer and employee, tech tips to focus on your work, and more. Paul Secunda is a partner at Walcheske Luzi LLC. He leads the ERISA litigation unit, which focuses on retirement, medical, and disability class action litigation. He also serves as a consultant, testifying expert, and mediator in the fields of employee benefits and workplace law. Paul is a former labor and employment law professor with 18 years of experience at two law schools, focusing on employment law and employee benefits. Throughout his career, Paul has been engaged in litigating, teaching, and writing about workplace law, handling tasks from reviewing employee handbooks to managing complex class action lawsuits and submitting amicus briefs to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. Paul's expertise spans employee rights and the practical application of technology in both professional and personal contexts. Join Paul and me as we talk about the following three questions and more! What are the top three tech tips you would advise any lawyer to maintain a separation from work and personal time? What are the top three tech rights an employee has when it comes to utilizing a personal tech device for a BYOD firm? What are your top three tech tips to ensure focus at work, to help prevent necessary work during personal time? In our conversation, we cover: [01.28] Tech Setup - Paul's current tech setup. [09.00] The Balance – Balancing technology as a small law firm. [10.00] Tech tips – Paul shares some tech tips for separating personal and professional life. [11.40] Clients - How to work with overbearing clients? [13.26] Superiors – Paul explains how you can handle your superiors. [16.38] Open Communication – The importance of open communication between employer and employee. [20.06] Tech Rights – Paul explains how employee privacy rights differ significantly between public and private workplaces. [25.44] Tracking Software – Paul explains why he would advise against letting your employer put tracking software in your computer. [29.52] Focusing on work – Paul shares three tech tips you can use to focus on your work and prevent working on your personal time. Resources: Connect with Paul LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/paul-secunda-a17228/ Website - walcheskeluzi.com/ Equipment Mentioned in the Podcast Fujitsu Scanners - thescannershop.com/fujitsu-scanners/ HP Printers - hp.com/us-en/shop/mdp/printers/laserjet-pro iPhone 15 Pro - apple.com/iphone-15-pro/ MacBook Air - apple.com/macbook-air/ Software & Services Mentioned in the Podcast Adobe Acrobat Reader - get.adobe.com/reader/ Clio - clio.com/ Sanebox - sanebox.com/ TurboScan - play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.piksoft.turboscan WordPerfect - wordperfect.com/en/ Transcript 00:00:00] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Episode 90, Balancing Your Use of Technology Between Your Work and Home with Labor and Employment Lawyer, Paul Secunda. [00:00:19] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Paul is a former Labor and Employment Law professor with 18 years of experience at two different law schools specializing in ERISA and Employee Benefits Law. He is now an attorney with Woltersky Luzzi, LLC. Paul's legal career has been devoted to litigating, teaching, and writing about workplace law issues, handling all aspects of the employment relationship, from reviewing employee handbooks and summary plan descriptions, to litigating complex class action cases, and submitting amicus briefs to the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. [00:00:46] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Paul caught my attention with his law journal article, The Employee Right to Disconnect, after I come across California's recent Employee Right to Disconnect bill. This bill would require employers to create a written policy guaranteeing California employees the right to disconnect from work communications during non working hours. [00:01:01] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Join Paul and me as we discuss how employees, including lawyers, have rights and practical uses of technology in both their workplace and their private lives. Enjoy! [00:01:09] #Add Read #1: Consider giving us a five star review on Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcast feeds. [00:01:09] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Have you been enjoying the techsavvylore. page podcast? Consider giving us a five star review on Apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcast feeds. [00:01:21] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Paul, welcome to the podcast. [00:01:23] Paul Secunda: Thank you for having me. [00:01:24] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: I appreciate you being here and to get things started, [00:01:26] Our Guest's Current Tech Setup! [00:01:26] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: please tell us what your current tech setup is. [00:01:28] Paul Secunda: Well, currently I'm working on a MacBook Air, about 11 inch screen and being assisted by the new iPhone 15 pro. [00:01:37] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Nice. And is your MacBook Air, is it an M1 chip or an M2, M3, or are we looking at an Intel processor? [00:01:43] Paul Secunda: This is from 2023, and I believe it's an M2 chip. [00:01:48] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Very nice. How do you like the speed? [00:01:50] Paul Secunda: The speed is much better than my previous iteration from 2019, which was a much slower processor, so I very much appreciate it. [00:01:59] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: So, I'm guessing that was an Intel chip? That is correct. So you should really notice like a boost. [00:02:04] Paul Secunda: And when you're working and jamming away at five different things at the same time, it really does make a difference as far as getting stuff done on a timely basis. [00:02:12] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: How has the battery been on that? [00:02:14] Paul Secunda: The battery's been okay. I would say I could go about three or four hours. But I'm on a high light and I am meaning I'm, I have a high brightness, I should say, and that seems to drain the battery, but I need that just to see things better, but I'm mostly plugged in most of the day. [00:02:31] Paul Secunda: So I don't really go without the plug, whether I'm at a deposition or whether even if I'm in the courtroom, I usually find a plug to plug in. So I haven't really had to test it that much. Do [00:02:43] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: you carry a backup battery with you? [00:02:44] Paul Secunda: I do not. [00:02:45] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: But I want to check out the anchor. Product line, they come up some really good backup batteries that are usually fairly light will fit in your suitcase or your briefcase. [00:02:52] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: I should say, [00:02:53] Paul Secunda: okay, well, I'm ready right now, [00:02:55] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: just sort of as an emergency. And if you go like on Amazon or something similar, I'm sure you'll find a deal at some point anchors had like 20 percent off. Here and there, and there's some good options. There's also of course other brands, but I would go with a reliable brand to make sure that the battery is made well, gonna last a while, and also doesn't cause some sort of like back feed, some sort of back charge by accident. [00:03:17] Paul Secunda: No, that's, that's really much appreciated because needless to say, that can be a lifesaver. [00:03:21] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: And any other tech that you use? [00:03:23] Paul Secunda: Well, I, I did mention the phone, but really I'm a fairly lean and mean operator, I guess. [00:03:29] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: So I have to ask, do you have a printer and do you use it a lot? [00:03:32] Paul Secunda: I tried to avoid printing out copies. [00:03:35] Paul Secunda: Can I use an app called TurboScan? In other words, I did take whatever I get in the mail or from others and put it in PDF form almost immediately. I digitize. And thereafter, whether I'm dealing with, let's say, a deposition, a court reporter, or various chambers, I try to stick mostly with PDF files. This is also true with dealing with opposing counsel. [00:04:01] Paul Secunda: We tend not to send things to each other by snail mail anymore. I send documents in discovery through servers and or digital files. [00:04:11] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Do you have a PDF reader of preference? [00:04:13] Paul Secunda: Adobe Acrobat. [00:04:14] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Okay. [00:04:15] Paul Secunda: Yeah, I use Word, Microsoft Word for my word process. [00:04:18] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: And you don't use Pages? Apple Pages? [00:04:21] Paul Secunda: Well, only when it, sometimes I get documents in Pages form. [00:04:26] Paul Secunda: Really? And so what I'll do, unusual, unusual, but what I'll do is I'll redo the format into Microsoft Word. It's what I'm comfortable operating in. [00:04:34] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: So I have to ask, the app that you use, when you get a lot of, Documents. I mean, isn't that a little time consuming to have to take a picture page by page by page? [00:04:43] Paul Secunda: Yeah. If I were to get a lot of documents, like a bundle, we'd feed it to the printer we do have in our office. Okay. And I would put it onto a thumb drive and then put it on my server that way. But if you're dealing with anything, let's say less than 25 pages, which is a lot of my documents, It's very handy. [00:05:01] Paul Secunda: It's very easy to use and the, the pages that are generated are very accurate and look good. [00:05:06] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Yeah. I use the Fujitsu scan snap, which is considered like a staple of any cell loan, small practitioners. It's an ADF on a document feeder that. Takes 50 pages at a time and could really move through a lot of documents. [00:05:20] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: When I started practice way back when I was dealing with a lot of large VA files, Department of Veterans Affairs files for my clients. And that could be like a thousand, two or three thousand pages. And that would just taking, of course, also back then the iPhones and other smartphones, PDF capture was not as good as it is today. [00:05:38] Paul Secunda: That is true. And so I guess I should say in talking about PACs, since you've brought up the printer, I am using a Let's see if I can find it here. An HP laser jet pro. You eight zero. Wow. Yeah. So [00:05:53] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: how many pages can you fit into the scanner of that printer? [00:05:56] Paul Secunda: I think the feeder is up to 50 pages. [00:05:58] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Cool. And you know about inkjet superstore, right? [00:06:01] Paul Secunda: I do, because we all know that inkjet could drive you into bank. [00:06:04] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Although I haven't had to order for them in like a couple of years, because since COVID, everything's really gone, really, really gone digital. [00:06:12] Paul Secunda: Yeah. And that's what I was trying to say, which is I really don't do unless it's sent to me. I am not one to send other people things by hard copy. [00:06:22] Paul Secunda: I really do try to avoid it, not just because it's inconvenient, but all that sustainability stuff as well. [00:06:27] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Gotcha. Gotcha. I'm with you on that. So you have an HP printer and what you have an all Apple. [00:06:34] Paul Secunda: No, this is very interesting. I'm the only person in my office who uses Apple, all the other partners that I have, of which there are four other partners on a HP slash Lenovo type of platform. [00:06:47] Paul Secunda: And so the way we handle that is we use a Clio, which is just a management software interacting with a Google business server, this kind of application. [00:06:58] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: So you have a Google business account, correct? And why don't you use. Google Docs versus Microsoft Word. [00:07:04] Paul Secunda: I just am a dinosaur, I guess. I've been in practice for 27 years and I just feel more comfortable. [00:07:11] Paul Secunda: It's not that I don't use Google Docs. I do. And in fact, some clients prefer to use Google Docs and I've I've certainly I have that capability, especially when we're working on documents together. It can be very, but if I'm writing a brief or if I'm writing other types of documents, I tend to feel just more comfortable in the Microsoft world when we're talking about something like that. [00:07:35] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Fair enough. Fair enough. So wait, you're not using WordPerfect. [00:07:37] Paul Secunda: I'm not using it. It's funny. I started my life using WordPerfect. When I was in college and law school, I was a WordPerfect guy, and somewhere in the late 90s, early 2000s, maybe when I became a law professor, which was in 2002, I started using Microsoft Word and never went back. [00:07:53] Paul Secunda: So at this point, it's been over two decades I've been on Microsoft Word. [00:07:57] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Do you believe that they still make WordPerfect and that some lawyers actually still use WordPerfect because of whatever little, the macros that they made, that they're afraid to start over again, which is amazing. [00:08:07] Paul Secunda: I have co counsel who use WordPerfect and Needless to say, we've come up with a way of interacting that doesn't get all sorts of codes and other problematic things in our documents. [00:08:17] Paul Secunda: But yes, there are a few people still out there. They're diehards, I would say. [00:08:20] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: How well does the conversion work between a WordPerfect document and a Microsoft Word document going back and forth with the file itself? [00:08:28] Paul Secunda: I would compare it to, have you ever used the converter on like an Adobe and gone to a Microsoft Word document? [00:08:34] Paul Secunda: Yes. So there are problems, right? You have to go through that document and take out codes and other types of information that is either wrong, or like, for instance, it messes up the footnotes, but you have to then remember the footnotes. So I would say it's very similar. I would say that you run into a lot of the same types of problems between Word Perfect and Word that you see between like Adobe and Word. [00:08:55] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: I commend you for you guys being able to work through that. [00:08:58] Paul Secunda: We are a. As a sole practitioner, you will understand that as a very small office, we do a lot of things on our own. We have no secretaries, no administrative assistants, no paralegals. We do our own work, and so when we do it, we try to do it in a way that is most comfortable for us individually. [00:09:17] Paul Secunda: But also we need to interact as a firm. So we're trying to have a tech balance there. If you will. [00:09:23] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Yeah. I used to use open office, but I had a paralegal law clerk who had been with me for a while. And it just became too much for her that ultimately ended up getting Microsoft office just because I wanted to sort of keep the peace. [00:09:35] Paul Secunda: But people have a lot of, this comes up also in the PowerPoint world. When you're used the Google version or with the spreadsheets, people are very comfortable with Excel. So fine. There's a comfort there for a lot of people, including myself. Yeah. Well, let's get into the questions. Yeah. Okay. Please. [00:09:53] Q?#1: What are the top three tech tips you would advise any lawyer to maintain a separation from work and personal time? [00:09:53] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: What are the top three tech tips you would advise any lawyer to maintain a separation from work and personal time? [00:09:59] Paul Secunda: Well, the first thing is to put down your darn phone, right? I mean, no one can contact you if you're not constantly getting push notifications by text or by email or by some chat feature. Put down your phone, turn it off. It's good for your mental health and it will be very hard for people to reach you. [00:10:17] Paul Secunda: Now, needless to say, a lot of people are not going to do that because they feel at least in emergency situations that they need to be contacted. Intactable. So if you're going to keep your phone on, which gets into number two, I would tell you to really evaluate what's being asked. And when I say evaluate, I mean, consider the duration of how long it will take to do what's being asked. [00:10:40] Paul Secunda: If it's something that will take you a minute or two, okay, no big deal. And if you're helping someone out, go do it. But if you're talking about hours and interrupting your sleep, then really, I think you, you need to write back to the person who is writing you and ask them. them the priority and what's involved that requires you to do this kind of after the whistle blows. [00:11:00] Paul Secunda: And the third thing I would say to you is talk honestly and openly during the work day with your colleagues, whether they be. Your superiors, your people who are at the same level, people who are your subordinates. Have an honest conversation about electronic communications after the day's over. Because I think a lot of people fail to do that, and sometimes there's just a misunderstanding that can be dealt with if done proactively. [00:11:28] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Well, how would you handle, say, an overbearing client? I think in the news, we're aware of at least one potential client like that, who expects to have his calls answered. at any time of the day. [00:11:38] Paul Secunda: Well, I think my same advice holds up. I think even with overbearing or maybe even anxiety laden people, because that's sometimes what you're talking about people who are just nervous and therefore overbearing, having an open, honest conversation at the beginning of that representation. [00:11:56] Paul Secunda: If you're Ernie or whatever business you're in and you have a client, set expectations. I think expectation setting is something that unfortunately doesn't happen because people are not having these basic conversations maybe the way they were 20, 30 years ago before the dawning of the age of social media. [00:12:12] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: What's interesting somewhat on the flip side, my day job, I represent veterans before the Department of Veterans Affairs. And one of my former clients called me on a Sunday, and I wasn't very, I wasn't necessarily happy about that. And I let it go to voicemail and I checked the voicemail if I recall this correctly, I believe I checked the voicemail. [00:12:29] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: I think he left me a voicemail and he was professing suicidal ideation, like eminent suicidal ideation. [00:12:35] Paul Secunda: And of course, you're not a mental health counselor. So I guess when you should have probably, I mean, I guess you did have to respond and try to get him to the appropriate person. [00:12:43] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: And that's what I spent a couple hours that night doing. [00:12:46] Paul Secunda: Well, that's obviously worth it. No one will tell you, you didn't do the right thing. But that's what I was saying in the beginning, if your phone's on, or if you're listening to your voicemail, evaluate it, I mean, needless to say there, there's nothing to evaluate. It's a life and death situation. It's easy. [00:13:00] Paul Secunda: You have to do what you had to do. But it's also needless to say that most employers who contact. Employees after hours don't do so in life and death situations. It's a matter of just feeling entitled to have your time and your attention even after the workday is over. [00:13:17] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: So I think you've kind of talked about how attorneys should handle clients. [00:13:21] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: How about handling their superiors? [00:13:23] Paul Secunda: Well, delicately, right? I mean, the problem is you have a power imbalance, right? Right. And one of the reasons in the article that I wrote back in 2018, 2019, the right to disconnect that I ended up focusing on occupational safety and health as opposed to wage and hours or autonomy or other bases, which you could make these kind of distinctions is because to me, workplace safety and health is a universal So. [00:13:51] Paul Secunda: Right and therefore a human right and therefore the idea is that power imbalances between different people in the workplace between bosses and subordinates should matter less or even if the boss doesn't realize then the subordinate has recourse either through Bringing up a regulation if it exists within your state, occupational and safety agency, or federally. [00:14:13] Paul Secunda: But at least it can be placed within a framework which your boss is hopefully going to at least acknowledge and discuss with you. [00:14:21] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: So the right to disconnect law that we're That kind of brought you to my attention. The one that came out in California or is coming out in California. I don't think it's passed yet. [00:14:30] Paul Secunda: No, it's just been introduced recently. [00:14:32] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: So are there any states that have this law? And what I'm kind of curious to know is if those that do, has any employer or say former employer been sued for violating that law? [00:14:42] Paul Secunda: So it did come up in New York a year or two ago. I'm not sure that really anywhere. I am not aware of any lawsuits over the right to disconnect. [00:14:51] Paul Secunda: One of the issues. And you see this with the California law, which has just been introduced by a democratic assemblyman out in California, is that they're trying to figure out how to implement it. Like, so for instance, California has a very stringent labor code that goes well on many states in the country. [00:15:08] Paul Secunda: And this is, this would be a state based law. But one of the things that relies upon is this wage and hour distinction, where if you're going to work Your work, you should get overtime. If you're going to put the hours in, you should get paid. No one should But the problem with that, of course, is not all workers are created equally under wage and hour law. [00:15:27] Paul Secunda: You have exempt workers and you have non exempt workers. And the exempt workers we usually refer to as salaried workers and the non exempt workers, you know, are hourly workers. So if you're an hourly worker, great, you work an additional two or three hours, you get an additional two or three hours of pay. [00:15:42] Paul Secunda: But if you're a salaried worker, and you're being paid a certain amount of year, no matter how many hours you work, and then you're putting over six hours a night extra, well, that can really add up. So I personally am not a fan of the California approach that is being considered right now, which, again, is based on this wage an hour idea, because I think out a number of workers. [00:16:04] Paul Secunda: I think it makes more sense if you want a universal right to go to the occupational safety and health route. [00:16:10] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Oh, interesting. [00:16:11] Paul Secunda: Yeah. [00:16:13] Ad Read #2: Consider Supporting the Show by Buying Us a Cup of Coffee or Two! [00:16:13] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Pardon the interruption. I hope you're enjoying the techsavvylary. page podcast as much as I enjoy making them. Consider buying us a cup of coffee or two to help defray some of the production costs. [00:16:21] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Thanks and enjoy. [00:16:23] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Well, let's go back to the question, though, because I think you've given us, I think, two answers. One, of course, is turn off your phone or don't have it with you. The second is better screening. [00:16:33] Paul Secunda: What would be their third? Well, I think the third is honest and open communication. I think if you are, again, it goes back to what we might call the third is expectation setting. [00:16:43] Paul Secunda: If you never talk to your employer about how you feel about them contacting you at 11pm at night, and then you start doing work at that time for them, don't be surprised when they ask you again a week or two later. Like, you've set that expectation. But on the other hand. It happens in the beginning, or if you can even address it as part of your beginning work with that employer, then it's less likely that the expectations would be misunderstood. [00:17:09] Paul Secunda: Look, I understand that American workers are suffering a huge power imbalance in the workplace. In this country, More than almost any other country in the world because we adhere to this employment at will flexibility for employers where you can be fired for a good reason, bad reason, no reason at all. [00:17:27] Paul Secunda: But on the other hand, I also understand that that's why we have laws and that's why if we can get something on the books that deals with the right to disconnect in a universal manner that applies to all employees. Hopefully employers will come over time to respect that kind of right that employees have to that time to themselves [00:17:47] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: what you don't pulling it back just a little bit more toward tech. [00:17:51] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: The one thing I'm surprised you haven't mentioned being an Apple user yourself is the focus modes that the Mac OS. IOS provide you, do you use that? [00:18:00] Paul Secunda: I have tried them in the past. You have purple mode, you have a sleep mode, you have a drive mode or just universal, do not disturb. I'm looking at it right now. [00:18:09] Paul Secunda: As you can also create your own focus modes. [00:18:12] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Oh, you can do a custom one too. [00:18:13] Paul Secunda: You can set up any custom mode you want. I found it distracting to be honest. I even in the car and the driving mode had been turning on automatically. I have a hands free. Voice only way of responding to, uh, text messages. And I enjoy that. [00:18:29] Paul Secunda: So I guess what I'm saying is, and maybe we should take a step back. I am not saying that there should be a blanket prohibition against people working after work. There are some people who, maybe like me and maybe like you, are workaholics and enjoy working after work. And they shouldn't be prevented. I don't want to become paternalistic here. [00:18:48] Paul Secunda: I'm not saying, even if you want to, I know better what you need and therefore you shouldn't do it. What I'm trying to say is, in a world of an imbalanced workplace between the power the employer has and the less power that employees have, there should be some kind of legal intervention, regulatory intervention that provides employees who want to have the right to be left alone when they go home at night. [00:19:13] Paul Secunda: So for me, and this goes to the Apple's various kind of focuses, I just found it distracting because I do want to interact with people at different times of the day. And even during sleep, I tried that, but then I found that there were people who, like my family, who needed to contact me and, It would have been nice to know if I had gotten up during the middle of the night, that there was something going on. [00:19:34] Paul Secunda: So I've turned them all off, to be honest. I, I did not enjoy them personally, but I could see how for others, the focus mode would make sense. [00:19:42] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Well, the focus mode definitely comes in handy when I'm recording. [00:19:45] Paul Secunda: Yeah, I can understand. [00:19:47] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Last thing I need is dings, alarms, bells and whistles and the phone going off in the middle of a recording. [00:19:53] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: But let's move on to question number two. Go ahead. [00:19:55] Q?#2: What Are the Top Three Tech Rights an Employee Has Qhen It Comes to Utilizing a Personal Tech Device for a BYOD Firm? [00:19:55] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: what are the top three tech rights an employee has when it comes to utilizing a personal tech device for a BYOD firm? [00:20:01] Paul Secunda: Yeah, I'm going to sound a little bit redundant here, but it's about expectations that in the privacy world. So in employee privacy, first of all, I have to separate the world into two different areas. [00:20:12] Paul Secunda: One is the public employment world, right? The other. Private employment world. In the public employment world, believe it or not, because the government is your employer, you have constitutional rights. They're not vibrant constitutional rights, but you do have the right under the Fourth Amendment, uh, which is the privacy amendment under the Constitution, and even under the First Amendment, uh, to a certain amount of autonomy and privacy in the public workplace. [00:20:36] Paul Secunda: Uh, and then you're saying, well, don't I have that in the private workplace? And the answer is, you don't. Definitively, no, you do not. And the problem is there is no state action in the private workplace and therefore under our state action based Constitution, you don't have a right to privacy just because of the constitution to the extent that you have privacy rights in the private workplace They're either granted to you statutorily or by the common law. [00:20:59] Paul Secunda: So statutorily, there are Now, in a number of states, somewhere between 10 and 15, what we call off duty conduct statutes, and basically off duty conduct statutes say is as long as you're engaged in legal, lawful, recreational activity outside the workplace, your employer has no business seeing you. Now, obviously, this becomes a little gray when you get into certain types of contact. [00:21:26] Paul Secunda: Maybe using marijuana on your own time, or engaging in certain, let us say, avant garde sexual types of proclivities. So, those have been litigated, and to be honest, the cases are all over the place. In the common law, there is, under the tort restatement, a right to be free from an invasion of privacy. And the invasion of privacy right comes in a lot of different flavors. [00:21:51] Paul Secunda: It can be akin to a defamation right, where people can't put you in a false light. Or it can be just a matter of autonomy. That your autonomy is sacred and People shouldn't interfere with what you consider your own private affairs. So in that situation, it goes back to what is your legitimate expectation of privacy? [00:22:10] Paul Secunda: If you're at your employer's brick and mortar business and you're in the bathroom, you have a fairly significant right to privacy, right? There's going to be very little reason that an employer should be spying on you on your bathroom breaks. On the other hand, if you're in your office and you're on your computer and they want to make sure that you're not engaging in Amazon shopping or other inappropriate activities, they can do a basic keystroke surveillance and that is considered acceptable if it's business based. [00:22:40] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: I want to pause you on that one specifically. So since we are more at a work from home right now and say the employee Perhaps a lawyer is working from home on their computer and they have to be button seat from like 8am to 5pm and they're working on whatever. Does the employer have a right to watch those same keystrokes and or more so put like certain monitoring software in the person's own personal computer? [00:23:09] Paul Secunda: I would say it depends on the expectations and the workplace policies that are in place. I mean, If you and your employee handbook have an electronic communications policy that says we will be keeping track of what you're doing during the day, we expect that you will only focus on our business during the workday, then that's a re, then, then an employee says, well, I didn't realize they were doing that when they signed an acknowledgement form saying I realized they were doing that. [00:23:37] Paul Secunda: That's problematic for the employee. A lot of employers, it goes without saying, including law firms, don't have electronic communication policies. Or if they do, they're much more narrow. Don't, don't surf porn. Don't, won't shop. But how about the in between when your kids call you or have to deal with something that's come up during the day that's almost akin to an errand? [00:23:58] Paul Secunda: That's less clear. And so, What I would say is, in my, I've been an employment lawyer for over 27 years now, and I would tell you, and mostly on the employee side, and I would tell you that, generally speaking, most employers do not have such restrictive workplace policies. If anything, as the employee becomes more sophisticated, has more discretion during the workday, like most attorneys, this isn't a huge issue. [00:24:25] Paul Secunda: It's more in. Kind of the warehouses, the blue collar workplace where employees are being monitored much more diligently. Take for instance, the Amazon drivers or even people who deliver packages for UPS or Federal Express. Right being very closely, not only because they want to keep track of where the packages are, but they want to make sure that you're not stopping off and getting a beer when you should be delivering the package to Mr and Mrs Jones. [00:24:53] Paul Secunda: So I really don't think there's a an answer I can give you. I mean, you could see how I kind of. Very lawyerly kind of divided the workplace. And then I said, well, even in the private, you have statutory protections and common law protections. And then even then it depends on what's in your workplace policies and what kind of expectations you've established with your workers, [00:25:14] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: but would you generally speaking without giving legal advice, would you advise someone who's like, all right, I don't want to specify lawyers, but you advise a lawyer. [00:25:25] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Who has a work from home policy to allow their boss to put on their personal computer, some sort of tracking software sites that they look at typing times logged in, et cetera. [00:25:39] Paul Secunda: Absolutely not. I would push back very hard against that. An unnecessary violation of my privacy and autonomy. And that's because I believe what lawyers do is not so necessarily only within the time bounds of the day. [00:25:52] Paul Secunda: I think lawyers, because of the discretion and the creativity they bring to their work, tend to do their work at various times of the day. So perhaps the right to disconnect means something different in our industry than it might mean Let's say in a blue collar industry, but I would advise if an employer said to an attorney, a young attorney, Hey, I understand you're going to be working remotely. [00:26:16] Paul Secunda: Please know that we're tracking you. I would say I'm going to look somewhere else. I don't know many firms that do that, to be honest, [00:26:23] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: but there was some articles. I remember a couple of years ago during COVID that they were employers were actively tracking some of their employees. And I'm talking about lawyers. [00:26:33] Paul Secunda: Yeah. I mean, There's an exception to every rule. I think it's, I think first of all, it leads to very low morale and less productivity. So I think it's foolhardy. I think if you're going to have professionals working for you, giving them independence and discretion is part of saying you trust and believe in them, but I'm not the employer and therefore people do all sorts of different things for different reasons. [00:26:54] Paul Secunda: I'm saying personally, and it's not legal advice. If someone came to me and said, Hey, I'm going to track you. I'd say, okay, well, I'm not working for you because to me, personal privacy and autonomy are important intangibles in my life. [00:27:09] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: So from the obvious of not looking at porn, not shopping, not looking at information to overthrow the government. [00:27:16] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Are there any other tech tips you might give employees when it comes to things they should obviously not do with devices that are BYOD or even if it's the employer's device? [00:27:28] Paul Secunda: Yeah, there are a lot of employees and actually this was very relevant because last week the Federal Trade Commission came out with a new proposed rule about getting rid of all covenants not to compete. [00:27:40] Paul Secunda: Needless to say, that will be tied up in litigation for the next two to three years. So any such rule will probably be enjoined until it's worked out by the courts. But needless to say, there are employers who have employees who have sensitive information which they have protect, whether it be through confidentiality provisions. [00:27:58] Paul Secunda: They can do it through non solicitation clauses or non competition clauses. And so what I would say to employees is again, make sure you understand what information you have that is protectable by your boss. I mean, in the law area, we're not allowed to have covenants, not to compete under our professional rules of conduct, but nevertheless, you are under an obligation under attorney, uh, client privilege and other privileges to keep things. [00:28:26] Paul Secunda: Confidential under also the model rules of professional conduct. So maybe law is kind of a little unique, but in, in other parts of the workplace, you have to understand that depending on the types of information you have, if you're dealing with pricing information or customer databases or trade secrets, then yeah, you don't want to be kind of dealing with that type of information without Providing some protection. [00:28:50] Paul Secunda: Let me give you an example in the legal. When I exchange Discovery as a litigator with other law firms, either the other law firm or I don't just send that information attached to an email, almost never. We always use a server which has dual authentication. So we make sure the person getting it is only getting it because they have a user ID and a password. [00:29:12] Paul Secunda: Plus they didn't have to authenticate. They are who they say they are. So that is the reality of whether you're using Dropbox or a lot of these large law firms these days have their own servers with the capability of sending out large swaths of documents. So. There's an example of where you just don't want to deal with sensitive documents in a way that they can be intercepted or used inappropriately. [00:29:38] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Let's move on to our last question. Sure. [00:29:40] Q?#3: What are Your Top Three Tech Tips to Ensure Focus at Work to Help Prevent Necessary Work During Personal Time? [00:29:40] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: What are your top three tech tips to ensure focus at work to help prevent necessary work during personal time? [00:29:46] Paul Secunda: Yeah, well, one we've already discussed, and this is a harder one, which is you can't turn necessarily your phone off, but what you can do is eliminate a lot of those push notifications. [00:29:56] Paul Secunda: This is from personal experience. Used to have every newspaper and every person possible able to kind of get through my screen and kind of tell me they're looking for me or want to sell me something, tell me about a new news tip. And what I would tell you is go to your notifications, whether you're on an app or another phone and really only limit them to the things that you really need. [00:30:19] Paul Secunda: And even with. And your text, you can set up VIP lists so that only those people who are most important in your family, your children, your spouse, whatever, can get in contact with you. I've done that increasingly. So that's number one. Number two, it's a matter of, Learning how to screen your text, emails and other information that you're looking at in a efficient manner. [00:30:44] Paul Secunda: I have, I use an Apple mail, right? And it has kind of a preview where within probably 5 to 10 seconds, I can tell from just when it comes up whether I need to deal with it now. An hour from now, tomorrow, a week from now, and then I categorize stuff that way using that technology. So that's number two. And then number three, I would say it's just a matter of focus, which is kind of funny to say. [00:31:10] Paul Secunda: I don't mean focus like the Apple tech focus, but you have all this technology coming at you through computers and phones and don't people use the telephones I'm told, but you have to focus. I mean, we are a society of attention. Deficit disorder. And I, I don't mean that cavalierly or in a flip way. I mean that honestly, as a society, we have trouble paying attention. [00:31:34] Paul Secunda: We're being pulled in a hundred different direction. And so this is where it's very unique to each person's individual circumstance. What allows you to focus for me? I can't have music on. I can't have other like talk radio or talk, whatever, because it's too, I need complete silence, but someone else Might be able to put on their air pods and put on some soft music in the background and that's the way they kind of tune other things out. [00:31:58] Paul Secunda: So my point is use tech to allow you to focus. That would be my third point. [00:32:03] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Well, I'm going to go back and pull a little bit on your last two answers. Your second answer, this is something I want to share. I use a service called SaneBox and it sort of adds onto your email. Are you familiar with it? I'm not. [00:32:17] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: So SaneBox is a monthly subscription. It's like 10 bucks a month. I think you'd have to double check. And what it does is it allows you to set special rules into your email. And quite frankly, like it works with all, like almost all different email server types, whether it's Gmail, whether it's personal, whether it's this or that or whatever. [00:32:35] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: And it works in the background, not on your computer, but on a server. And if you put, say, an email, like, a constant solicitation. Right. If you put it in the same black hole box, you'll never see that again. In other words, if they send you another one, you'll never see it again. So, I'm just Throw it in there just to help kind of declutter. [00:32:53] Paul Secunda: As opposed to unsubscribing from every unwanted piece of spam you get. [00:32:57] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Well, the problem with unsubscribing is you're telling them there's a warm body there. [00:33:02] Paul Secunda: Yeah, and then that gives them more incentive to try to get in contact with you. [00:33:06] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Whether it's through that in particular email or perhaps like a different service they may be working with as well. [00:33:12] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: So it opens you up to more spam email. But it also has some neat tricks to it like saying. Tomorrow, say next week, so that it doesn't stay in your inbox right now, but it goes, disappears for a day or a week or three hours or until 5 p. m. and then it repopulates to help manage. And like, it also, there's some other functions I'm probably not remembering, but I encourage you to take a look at it. [00:33:36] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Somewhat of a godsend for me because Lord knows I'm getting more and more. Spam and I no longer answer my own phone because half the calls are not business. Right. Yeah. The other thing I do, you know, you talk about focusing at work and as a small and solo practitioner, you're sort of like the, you wear many hats. [00:33:55] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: And when I have to focus on writing a brief, what I'll do sometimes. Or often is I will take my laptop and I'll go to a Starbucks or coffee shop and just plant myself there for like an hour and a half or two hours and I can usually pop out some solid writing and I'm not constantly being interrupted by everything else that's going on around here. [00:34:15] Paul Secunda: That makes a lot of sense too. [00:34:16] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: And if it's too noisy in there, I just pop in my Apple AirPod Pro Mac to the headphones, and I can drown out most of the noise, but I'm usually pretty good about drowning out noise around. [00:34:27] Paul Secunda: Yeah, well, that's a good, that's a good skill to have, I have to say. [00:34:31] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Yeah, the only thing I can't deal with is screaming children and crashes. [00:34:36] Paul Secunda: Yeah. [00:34:37] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: No offense to parents out there. [00:34:39] Paul Secunda: Yeah, I can't help you with that one, but yeah, I understand. [00:34:42] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Excellent. Paul, I wanna thank you for being here. [00:34:44] Where You Can Find Our Guest! [00:34:44] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Please tell us where people can find you. [00:34:46] Paul Secunda: They can find me online at kunda E-S-E-C-U-N-D-A. Mm-Hmm at zeke luzi.com. It's a difficult Wisconsin name, so I'm gonna spell it. [00:34:55] Paul Secunda: W-A-L-C-H-E-S-K-E-L-U-Z i.com. That is the name of the law firm I'm at in the Milwaukee, Wisconsin area. And my email and contact information is there. And if you'd like to hear more about the right to disconnect or any other employment law topics, feel free to give me a ring. [00:35:13] Paul Secunda: I will be sure to have all that in the show notes. [00:35:15] Paul Secunda: And if there's anything else you'd like to share, please feel free to send it to me before we publish. But again, Paul, I want to thank you for being here. [00:35:21] Paul Secunda: It's a pleasure, Michael. So nice to talk to you today. Likewise. [00:35:24] Thank You for Listening and Join Us in Two Weeks for a New Episode! [00:35:24] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: Thank you for joining me on this episode of the techsavvylawyer. page podcast. Our next episode will be posted in about two weeks. [00:35:30] Michael D.J. Eisenberg: If you have any ideas about a future episode, please contact me at michaeldj at the techsavvylawyer. page. Have a great day and happy lawyering.

On today's episode of the Justice Team Podcast, Bob is joined by Attorney Share's Matt Thelen to discuss his law journey, the business side of firms, and what Attorney Share can do to help. Attorney Share facilitates referrals between attorneys, digitizing the archaic referral system. 

I talked with a legaltech founder and an experienced legaltech COO, about how software gets built and how lawyers benefit from it. Episode Highlights 10:35 - TJ's Founder Story - Hot Tub Inspiration 15:47 - Decision to Share Software with the World 18:00 - AJ - Successful Partnerships and Mantra 22:02 - Olivia on Legal Automation Importance 26:32 - TJ on Knowledge Management Issues 32:45 - Integrating AI in ZenCase 35:57 - Olivia on Daily AI Use 39:05 - Raj's AI Contributions to ZenCase 42:38 - Olivia's Checklist for Switching Case Management Systems 46:15 - Importance of Future-Proof Solutions Episode Resources Connect with Jared Correia jared@redcavelegal.com https://redcavelegal.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredcorreia https://twitter.com/RedCaveLegal www.linkedin.com/in/jaredcorreia/ Connect with TJ Fraser and Olivia Mockel tj@zencase.com olivia@zencase.com https://zencase.com/  

Explore the impact of legal tech in boutique practices with this week's guest, Éamon Chawke. Éamon is a Partner at Briffa Solicitors, a firm that specialises in intellectual property and IT law. In this episode, your host, Rob Hanna, led a fascinating conversation that covered everything from the impact of IP law on small businesses to Éamon's experiences of working with our sponsor Clio. So why should you be listening in? You can catch Rob and Éamon talking about:What intellectual property law isEnhancing operations with technologyHow to choose your legal tech solution The impact of copyright on AICompetitive advantages of cloud-based technology Join us on your favourite podcast streaming app!Don't forget to join our Discord community where we connect with like-minded people, share resources, and continue the conversation from this episode.Sponsored by Clio - the #1 legal software for clients, cases, billing and more!

The speakers shared how and when to train attorneys for best long-term technology success. Does this occur in summer or first year? In addition, they discussed how does training needs evolve over the course of an attorney's careers for best long-term technology success.  Moderator: @Virginia Ong - Legal Innovation Manager, Greenberg Traurig   Speakers: @Jake Brown - Head of Legal Technology, Josef @Ana Toft-Nielsen - Attorney Development Innovation Manager, Greenberg Traurig Recorded on 04-03-2024.

In the fourth round of interview of "The Geek in Review" podcast's mini-series "Love & Legal Tech," hosts Greg Lambert and Marlene Gebauer chat with Chris Ford and Nikki Shaver, the dynamic couple behind the Legal Technology Hub. Their project, conceived out of necessity and frustration with the lack of a single source of truth for legal technology solutions, has grown into a thriving business that categorizes and reviews over 2000 legal tech products, aiding law firms and corporate legal departments in navigating the vast landscape of available technologies. Their story begins in Australia, where Chris and Nikki first connected through a dating site, a testament to their adventurous spirits and willingness to embrace new technologies, even in their personal lives. This spirit of innovation and exploration carried over into their professional lives when they decided to tackle the challenge of creating a centralized platform for legal technology solutions during the pandemic. Their complementary skills in marketing, legal tech, and innovation have been crucial to their success, demonstrating the power of collaboration and mutual respect in both business and personal relationships. Working together presents its challenges, notably in balancing professional demands with family life, as they navigate attending the same industry events while ensuring the wellbeing of their two children. Yet, it's clear that their partnership strengthens both their business and their relationship, as they share a common goal and a deep understanding of each other's strengths. Chris and Nikki's journey is a shining example for other couples in the legal tech industry, emphasizing the importance of shared vision, respect for each other's expertise, and the willingness to support one another's ideas, no matter how ambitious. Their advice for other couples looking to work together in the industry is to focus on their common goals and leverage their unique strengths, ensuring that their partnership is both professionally rewarding and personally fulfilling. Their dedication to innovation, coupled with their strong relationship, showcases the potential for couples to make significant contributions to the legal tech industry while building a life together. Listen on mobile platforms:  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠ |  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠ Contact Us:  Twitter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@gebauerm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@glambert⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads: @glambertpod or @gebauerm66Email: geekinreviewpodcast@gmail.comMusic: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jerry David DeCicca⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Eve Searls⁠ ⁠⁠Transcript

For this week's episode I was lucky enough to sit down with the Assistant Managing Editor of the ABA Journal, Victor Li, for one of the most wide-ranging discussions on the law we've had on this show in a while. As a writer focusing on Legal Technology and the Business of Law, it was a great chance to get the pulse of what's happening at the forefront of the legal profession. We discuss how A.I. is helping lawyers while also unpacking why no amount of computing power can take away the responsibilities we have as attorneys. I was also fascinated by how Victor sees law schools adapting to new technology and enjoyed exploring the difference between having access to knowledge versus knowing how to apply it. We also talk about bullying in the law, how entertainment has shaped the practice of law, and even Richard Nixon makes a brief appearance. Enjoy the Show. SHOWNOTES:Nixon in New York: How Wall Street Helped Richard Nixon Win the White Houseby Victor LiVictor's Recommendations: Master of the Senate by Robert CaroDave Barry's Book of Bad Songs by Dave Barry

Guest Kathryn “Katie” DeBord leads product development strategy at the global firm DISCO in technological, cloud-based solutions for lawyers and law firms. Tech, from the earliest stages of every case, is no longer an option. Everything from eDiscovery – sifting through oceans of data – to analyzing witness statements to adjusting trial strategy on the fly involves today's ever-evolving technologies.  Are you keeping up? It's hard to know with so many services bursting onto the scene. Hear how DeBord scans the landscape to track what's new, what works, and what's still in the pipeline.  You've come a long way from the LexisNexis and Westlaw you met in law school. Entire suites of tech platforms, all the way up to generative AI, are on the market and getting better. If your opponent is using the latest, and you're not … well, that's not good. Autogenerate timelines, upload and organize evidence, and sift through data as today's tools accelerate your case and reveal hidden connections. Tech won't replace your creativity and skill as an attorney, but it can help you work smarter, more efficiently, and achieve better results.  (Plus, did you know the CIA has a secret museum of gadgets created by the agency's Directorate of Science and Technology? And no, you can't visit it without secret clearance). Resources: Kathyrn “Katie” DeBord's previous appearances on the Legal Talk Network include:  “Legal Innovation: Imagining Creative Solutions for Clients”  “Evolve Law: The Future and Direction of Legal Technology”  “Evolve Law: Client Driven Technology Solutions”  LexisNexis Westlaw American Bar Association American Bar Association Litigation Section

Guest Kathryn “Katie” DeBord leads product development strategy at the global firm DISCO in technological, cloud-based solutions for lawyers and law firms. Tech, from the earliest stages of every case, is no longer an option. Everything from eDiscovery – sifting through oceans of data – to analyzing witness statements to adjusting trial strategy on the fly involves today's ever-evolving technologies.  Are you keeping up? It's hard to know with so many services bursting onto the scene. Hear how DeBord scans the landscape to track what's new, what works, and what's still in the pipeline.  You've come a long way from the LexisNexis and Westlaw you met in law school. Entire suites of tech platforms, all the way up to generative AI, are on the market and getting better. If your opponent is using the latest, and you're not … well, that's not good. Autogenerate timelines, upload and organize evidence, and sift through data as today's tools accelerate your case and reveal hidden connections. Tech won't replace your creativity and skill as an attorney, but it can help you work smarter, more efficiently, and achieve better results.  (Plus, did you know the CIA has a secret museum of gadgets created by the agency's Directorate of Science and Technology? And no, you can't visit it without secret clearance). Resources: Kathyrn “Katie” DeBord's previous appearances on the Legal Talk Network include:  “Legal Innovation: Imagining Creative Solutions for Clients”  “Evolve Law: The Future and Direction of Legal Technology”  “Evolve Law: Client Driven Technology Solutions”  LexisNexis Westlaw American Bar Association American Bar Association Litigation Section

In this episode of the Fringe Legal podcast, host Ab interviews Stefan Ciesla, the co-founder and CEO of Ayora ai, a startup that focuses on helping law firms manage their revenues and improve the revenue management skills of fee earners such as attorneys and lawyers. Steven discusses the problem Ayora is solving in the legal industry and the role of lawyers as revenue managers. He explains that fee earners often have to make revenue management decisions throughout a matter's lifecycle, but they may not have the necessary skills or focus on revenue management. Ayora's smart lockup assistant helps fee earners by scanning a firm's data related to matters and providing recommendations on monitoring scope, estimates, budgets, resourcing, outside counsel guidelines, and billing. The assistant pre-drafts emails and provides relevant information to make the decision-making process easier and more efficient. Steven also addresses the challenge of balancing AI and machine learning with human control and building trust in the recommendations made. He emphasizes that Ayora prioritizes transparency and user consent and never takes any action without the attorney's knowledge. Key takeaways: Fee earners in law firms, such as attorneys and lawyers, often need to make revenue management decisions throughout a matter's lifecycle but may not have the necessary skills or focus on revenue management.Ayora's smart lockup assistant helps fee earners monitor scope, estimates, budgets, resourcing, outside counsel guidelines, and billing, providing recommendations and pre-drafting emails to make decision-making easier and more efficient.Ayora prioritizes transparency and user consent, ensuring that attorneys have control over the recommendations made by the system.Uncommon learning The legal industry may be missing out on billions of dollars of additional value due to suboptimal revenue management decisions.Podcast show notes00:02 Introduction to the Fringe Legal Podcast00:29 Guest Introduction: Stefan Ciesla, Co-founder and CEO of Ayora00:58 Steven's Background and Ayora's Founding Team02:07 The Unique Blend of Ayora's Founding Team02:55 Understanding Ayora's Mission and Purpose04:24 The Role of Lawyers as Revenue Managers04:43 The Impact of Decision-Making on Revenue Management08:28 Introducing Ayora's Smart Lockup Assistant20:20 The Role of AI and Machine Learning in Decision-Making27:05 The Impact of Fixed Fee Work on Revenue Management30:12 Conclusion and Contact Information

Backsliders are the worst, and if you're making your employees come into the office after years of successful remote work, then, well… you're the worst. Jared weighs in on the remote/in-office work debate to help you take a hard look at why you're doing what you're doing—and whether your reasoning is utter bullshit. Next, Jared welcomes first-time guest Rob Joyner to talk about how technology adoption is the means to the end of future-proofing your law firm. To some lawyers, new tech may feel like the great unknown, but failing to learn and implement it will make you fall behind your competitors. Jared and Rob talk about the latest in AI and other essential legal tech and the best ways for law firms to stay current. In the Rump Roast, Jared forgoes his typical torturous games, because Rob has a legit cool hobby to talk about. You can learn more about it at paintedjoyner.com. Rob Joyner is Senior Vice President of Business Development at Centerbase. ----- Since we talk about artwork - a departure for us, for sure - here are some songs related to art. ----- Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest. Our closing track is Spoken Word by Renderings.

Backsliders are the worst, and if you're making your employees come into the office after years of successful remote work, then, well… you're the worst. Jared weighs in on the remote/in-office work debate to help you take a hard look at why you're doing what you're doing—and whether your reasoning is utter bullshit. Next, Jared welcomes first-time guest Rob Joyner to talk about how technology adoption is the means to the end of future-proofing your law firm. To some lawyers, new tech may feel like the great unknown, but failing to learn and implement it will make you fall behind your competitors. Jared and Rob talk about the latest in AI and other essential legal tech and the best ways for law firms to stay current. In the Rump Roast, Jared forgoes his typical torturous games, because Rob has a legit cool hobby to talk about. You can learn more about it at paintedjoyner.com. Rob Joyner is Senior Vice President of Business Development at Centerbase. ----- Since we talk about artwork - a departure for us, for sure - here are some songs related to art. ----- Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest. Our closing track is Spoken Word by Renderings.

What better way to spend Valentine's Day than with your favorite lawyers, legal professionals, technologists and thought leaders who will be on hand to teach lucky conference goers about all the latest trends and developments in the field of legal technology?

What better way to spend Valentine's Day than with your favorite lawyers, legal professionals, technologists and thought leaders who will be on hand to teach lucky conference goers about all the latest trends and developments in the field of legal technology?

What better way to spend Valentine's Day than with your favorite lawyers, legal professionals, technologists and thought leaders who will be on hand to teach lucky conference goers about all the latest trends and developments in the field of legal technology?

When I graduated from law school in the late 1980s, there was no internet, no email, and fax machines were widely in use.  I used a Dictaphone to generate correspondence and had an assistant to transcribe the tapes.  While working remotely was possible because of the telephone, going into an office was the norm. In the intervening years, the rate of technological change has been truly astounding.  And while the internet, email, and social media have continued that evolution, in my opinion, the explosion of AI in the practice of law has been the most significant change in my lifetime. Never before has it been easier to run a practice as a solo.  The array of tools for research, communication, analysis, and drafting are replacing human labor. I've always been interested in technology and while I do try to keep up, technology is not my major. So I've invited Colin Levy to talk about the state of the art in legal tech in the practice of law. Colin S. Levy is a lawyer and legal tech author and speaker. Throughout his career, Colin has seen technology as a key driver in improving how legal services are performed. Because his career has spanned industries, he witnessed myriad issues, from a systemic lack of interest in technology to the high cost of legal services barring entry to consumers. Now, his mission is to bridge the gap between the tech world and the legal world, advocating for the ways technology can be a useful tool for the lawyer's tool belt rather than a fear-inducing obstacle to effective legal work.  Colin is the author of The Legal Tech Ecosystem which discusses the development of the legal tech ecosystem over the past two decades, and how legal technology can help lawyers work more efficiently.  In addition, he is the editor of the Handbook of Legal Tech. A few years ago, I began seeing Colin come up a lot more in my LinkedIn feed and I realized that is was time to sit down with him and pick his brain! In this episode we discuss his overall philosophy about the use of technology in the law, his book, the Legal Tech Ecosystem, the biggest obstacles the legal industry faces when it comes to adopting new technology, and his role at Malbek. Additional Resources Episode 120-Scaling Your Law Firm with AI Episode 107-ChatGPT and Trends in Legal Marketing Technology-with Jared Correia

Guest: ✨ Colin S. Levy, Author & Director of Legal at Malbek [@HelloMalbek]On Linkedin | https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinslevy/On Twitter | https://twitter.com/Clevy_LawWebsite | https://www.colinslevy.com/____________________________Host: Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society PodcastOn ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli_____________________________This Episode's SponsorsBlackCloak

In this episode of the Fringe Legal podcast, host Ab chats with Conan Hines, Director of Legal Technology at Fried Frank, about building a tech-enabled culture in law firms. Conan shares insights from his previous roles at Clifford Chance and other law firms, highlighting the importance of understanding the role of legal technology and the psychology and behavior of users when it comes to successful adoption and change management.Conan emphasizes the need for building trust with lawyers and finding those who are curious and open to tech-enabled solutions. He suggests starting small with bite-sized engagements to build trust over time. He also discusses the value of creating a foundation for tech adoption and balancing short-term impact with long-term goals.The conversation delves into the role of vendors in adoption, with Conan highlighting the need for a strong partnership and a transparent framework for success. He stresses the importance of vendors having a real adoption strategy and sharing learnings from what has worked in the past.Ab and Conan also discuss the challenge of incentives and tracking adoption. They explore the idea of integrating technology training into legal training to emphasize the value and importance of tech skills for lawyers. Ultimately, the key to successful adoption and building a tech-enabled culture in law firms lies in trust, continuous communication, and demonstrating the value of technology.Key takeaways:Building a tech-enabled culture requires understanding the role of legal technology and the psychology and behavior of users.Trust is essential for successful adoption. Lawyers need to believe that tech solutions can help them.Adoption plans should be simplified and tailored to individual users.Integration of technology training into legal training can help emphasize the value of tech skills for lawyers.Vendors should have a strong adoption strategy and share learnings from past successes.Uncommon learning:Tech adoption requires a partnership between law firms and vendors, with a focus on transparency and continuous communication.

In this episode, Steve Fretzin and Matt Spiegel discuss:Why you should have good customer service as a lawyer and for your law firm. Continuing client relationships beyond the case. How Lawmatics can help you to maintain client relationships and better run your law firm. Processes, procedures, and automation.  Key Takeaways:Your law firm is a service business. You need to have good customer service and a good customer experience. Most legal business comes from referrals - if you don't nurture client relationships and networking partners, you are leaving money on the table. Most lawyers are using a CRM (client relationship management) in some fashion, even if you don't call it that - even your phone is, technically, a CRM. Having a proper CRM to manage all aspects of your client relationship from meeting until the end is key. As a lawyer, you are likely looking at revenue/billing-driven KPIs. However, there is so much more data you can extract from your numbers and information you're tracking that can help you build a stronger firm.  "Your book of business that you're sitting on is a goldmine. And like any goldmine, it needs to be mined. It won't come to the surface without any effort." —  Matt Spiegel Get a free audio copy of Steve's book “Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science” here: https://fretzin.com/audiobook Thank you to our Sponsors!Lawmatics: https://www.lawmatics.com/1-month-free/Get Staffed Up: https://getstaffedup.com/bethatlawyer/Get Visible: https://www.getvisible.com/ Episode References: All-In Podcast - https://www.allinpodcast.co/The Rewatchables Podcast - https://www.theringer.com/the-rewatchablesGet a 10% Discount on Lawmatics at https://www.lawmatics.com/bethatlawyer/ About Matt Spiegel: Matt Spiegel is a serial entrepreneur and lawyer who enjoys building products and solving problems using management and marketing automation software for attorneys. He founded MyCase and Lawmatics, the latter of which he also serves as CEO. He worked as a criminal defense attorney but has spent years focused on innovating the legal-tech space to help attorneys scale their business. Connect with Matt Spiegel:  Website: https://www.lawmatics.com/Email: matt@lawmatics.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/mattspiegelesqLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattspiegelesq/ Connect with Steve Fretzin:LinkedIn: Steve FretzinTwitter: @stevefretzinInstagram: @fretzinsteveFacebook: Fretzin, Inc.Website: Fretzin.comEmail: Steve@Fretzin.comBook: Legal Business Development Isn't Rocket Science and more!YouTube: Steve FretzinCall Steve directly at 847-602-6911  Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

In this podcast interview, we will feature the perspectives of thought leaders in legal operations and legal tech on how trends in technology are shaping the future of corporate legal operations. Questions the moderator will ask the speakers:   -What are the legal technology trends impacting corporate legal departments that you are seeing from your perspective? -What are some of the practical ways in which legal operations teams can use generative AI? With more and more technology providers adding generative AI components into their solutions offerings and more law firms seeking to incorporate gen AI into their service models, what's the comfort level of corporate legal departments in terms of using AI and seeing it embedded in tools and legal services? -How should the use of generative AI be governed by Outside Counsel Guidelines and vendor agreements? What are some core items legal departments should consider including in their guidelines and vendor agreements? -The tagline about doing "more with less" is a constant refrain legal ops teams hear from leadership within their respective companies. What are some of the ways legal ops can better use the tech tools they already have, such as tools within the Microsoft 365 suite? -What are some of the core trends you are seeing in terms of how corporate legal departments can use data more effectively? And what are some practical instances where data is being underutilized in legal departments?

In this episode, Alay and Eli discuss:  How Eli got into the document concierge space.  Building a nationwide ecosystem of … Legal Technology with Eli Angote Read More »

Let's explore how AI and the importance of embracing technology as the legal industry continues to evolve.This week we're super excited to be chatting to Ronnie Gurion, Chief Operating Officer at Clio, a leading cloud-based practice management software company. Hosted at Clio Con, this discussion is packed with insights into Clio's mission and the future of legal technology. Clio's dedication to addressing the access to justice issue is showcased with its new legal aid module. This interview provides a closer look at how Clio helps legal professionals improve profitability and efficiency while focusing on critical aspects of their practice.  

Artificial Intelligence continues to be a big unknown in the legal space.  It holds tremendous promise for streamlining the delivery of legal services and is already being deployed to expedite discovery, to help draft contracts, to assist with client intake, and to streamline many other functions that once required a lot more human labor.  AI is now being used by some lawyers to help assess the strength of their cases, to expedite legal research, and to draft pleadings. I know that I myself am using ChatGPT to help me prepare for presentations, craft social media posts, and to get quickly up to speed on an array of subjects that are of interest to my clients.  At the same time, the use of AI raises legitimate ethical concerns. It also raises concerns about the need for so many lawyers.  But according to my guest, Hamid Kohan, AI won't replace lawyers.  It will replace lawyers and other professionals who don't use AI. Hamid Kohan is a serial entrepreneur, public speaker, and author of the book How to Scale Your Stupid AI Law Firm. Hamid started his career in silicon valley where he served as Director of Business Development of Sun Microsystems, working alongside Eric Schmidt who is today the CEO of Google and Carol Bartz  the CEO of Yahoo. More recently, Hamid saw an opportunity to bring his expertise in technology and business development to the legal world, and he founded Legal Soft Inc. in 2016. In this episode, Hamid will answer some questions about where we are in 2023 with the use of AI in the practice of law. Other Resources Episode 107-ChatGPT and Trends in Legal Marketing Technology-with Jared Correia    

While technology races ahead, improving legal training and education has lagged behind. Law schools excel at teaching students the law, but critical and practical skills development is often lacking. With the traditional law firm apprenticeship model fading, junior lawyers frequently lack opportunities to gain hands-on experience.Abdi Shayesteh, founder and CEO of the legal training platform AltaClaro, is on a mission to close this practical skills gap. Frustrated by the inefficiencies he experienced firsthand as a junior lawyer, Abdi has reinvented legal education and training. AltaClaro leverages experiential learning techniques rooted in education science to provide associates with hands-on practice on simulated legal matters.Show Notes [00:01:14] Abdi's early entrepreneurial experiences managing a cafe and starting a t-shirt business in college [00:08:02] Why Abdi decided to start another company after previous exits [00:10:25] Overview of what AltaClaro does [00:17:38] Issues with the traditional law firm training model [00:23:00] Explanation of the learning science principles AltaClaro leverages [00:34:59] Training trends Abdi sees law firms requesting for 2023

In our latest episode of Movers, Shakers & Rainmakers: The Biglaw Lateral Market, we dive deep into the intricate melding of recruitment, technology, and the legal industry with Michael Heise, CTO of haistack.ai. Enhanced by years of legal data and insights from Lateral Link and its expert team, Heise discusses how haistack.ai is meticulously crafted to boost the recruiting capabilities of law firms, aid in attorney retention, and proactively safeguard firms from potential lost profits. We probe the unique journey behind its creation, the challenges AI faces, and its transformative potential. And, as we always keep you updated, our hosts also highlight the latest legal shake-ups: Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz's high-profile partner acquisition from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and the notable attorney departures at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP. As always, be sure to rate, review, subscribe and tell a friend!

As part of our series of examining Generative AI in Practice, Fringe Legal spoke with Stephanie Corey, founder of legal operations consultancy UpLevel Ops, and Brandi Pack, UpLevel's Legal Tech Analyst & AI Consultant. They share how legal teams can thoughtfully leverage generative AI to transform workflows, augment human skills, and futureproof roles. With proper governance and training, we can keep pace with the evolution of AI and maximize its potential.Show notes:Show Notes:[00:02:19] Getting early access to GPT-4[00:08:00] How are the Uplevel Ops team grew adoption internally[00:11:53] People don't care about AI[00:14:51] Why to document prompts[00:18:06] How are legal teams reacting to the changing landscape[00:28:38] GenAI as a workflow tool[00:31:03] What's the future?[00:34:16] Will my role be displaced?[00:38:47] What one thing can organizations do to see immediate value from GenAI?

Is our current approach to legal tech education helping or hurting lawyers? Dennis and Tom think through this question out loud, pondering whether lawyers can truly learn what they need to know through the typical legal tech conference session or CLE class. The guys might not agree, but they hash out their thoughts on learning opportunities, tech engagement, new approaches to tech-ed resources, and more.  Later, time for another round of Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down! Dennis reveals his latest scheme for creating better legal profession standards for technology competence, placing both Tom and himself on a “task force” of sorts. Does Tom want to join in on this tech-competence dictatorship? Tune in to find out.  As always, stay tuned for the parting shots, that one tip, website, or observation that you can use the second the podcast ends. Have a technology question for Dennis and Tom? Call their Tech Question Hotline at 720-441-6820 for the answers to your most burning tech questions. As Dennis mentioned, be sure to check out episodes from the Fresh Voices Series: Nick Rishwain Amani Smathers Ivy Grey Tiffany Graves  Natalie Knowlton Chase Hertel Kristen Sonday   Show Notes - Kennedy-Mighell Report #347 A Segment: Learning at Legal Tech Conferences B Segment: Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down Parting Shots: Notebook LM: https://notebooklm.google/ Displaying and Evidencing Contract Terms in a Post-Visual Era” - https://www.michiganstatelawreview.org/vol-20222023/2023/4/6/displaying-and-evidencing-contract-terms-in-a-post-visual-era;   LTRC Roundtable Discussion: Phishing and Email Scams - https://www.lawtechnologytoday.org/2023/08/ltrc-roundtable-discussion-phishing-and-email-scams/

IT COMES BY TOTAL SURPRISE. It's one of those things you never think will happen to you because your "IT people have got you covered".Maybe you just never put much thought to it which makes it a bigger surprise.Or possibly, no one with IT cybersecurity knowledge has ever discussed it with you.In any case, your day was already busy enough but now someone pulled the emergency stop lever on the train and it's come to a screeching derailing halt.This is what your day and weeks will look like after.....#lawfirm #lawyer #cybesecurity #legaltech #legaltechnology #lawfirmgrowth #legalindustry #legal #ala #aba #technology #ransomware #ransomwareattack #ransomwareprotection #cyberinsuranceNo Law Firm Left Behind is made possible by our friends at SpliceNet ConsultingConnect with Jim Gast: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesgast Find our past shows: https://www.splice.net/nolawfirmleftbehind

Do you believe in giving your clients the best experience possible? Is your law office having trouble staying on top of client relations? Do you need an efficiency boost? It's time to step up your technology game and automate your client communications! The reality is your clients expect the same level of customer service from you as they do from Amazon or Starbucks… and many lawyers can't match that. That's why we invited Attorney Michael McCready to the show. Michael knows the key to improving client experience… communication! And how do you improve your client communication? Technology! On this episode of the Cut to the Chase: Podcast, Gregg Goldfarb interviews Michael McCready, Managing Partner at McCready Law. During his 30+ years as a lawyer in personal injury and workers' compensation, Michael discovered the powerful benefits of integrating automation software into his law practice. Since then, he's boosted his law firm's efficiency and greatly improved his client satisfaction. If you want to take the bull by the horns, like Michael did, and find out why you should be implementing automation in your law firm, tune in! Join Gregg and Michael on Cut to the Chase as they discuss how to: - Use technology to improve client relations and market your law firm. - Start implementing automation software in your office. - Choose which case management software is best for your law firm. - Get employee buy-in for new case management software/systems. - Efficiently educate and communicate to clients throughout the case. - Understand all the different ways you can use automation in your law office. The resources mentioned in this episode are: - Case Management Systems: SmartAdvocate (plaintiffs/personal injury), Filevine, Clio, Smokeball, Law Ruler - Visit Michael's website: https://mccreadylaw.com - Connect with Michael McCready on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-mccready. - Follow McCready Law on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. To learn more about mass tort law cases and lawyer best practices, subscribe to the Cut to the Chase: Podcast with Gregg Goldfarb.

Prepare to venture into the uncharted territory of Arizona's legal landscape, where the rulebook is being reshaped, and the status quo is bravely defied. In this transformative episode of The Heart of Law, our astute host, Mirena Umizaj, invites Ethics Attorney Lynda Shely, the esteemed founder of The Shely Firm, to shed light on the intricacies of the Arizona Business Structure (ABS) program and its groundbreaking 2021 rule changes. Together they discuss the elimination of Ethics Rule 5.4 and how it has acted as a powerful catalyst, propelling Arizona lawyers to forge collaborative partnerships with non-lawyers, igniting a new era of innovation and opportunity in the legal landscape.  With an impressive private practice spanning over two decades, Attorney Lynda Shely has consistently delivered exemplary representation to numerous law firms while also providing invaluable ethics advice to over 2,000 firms nationwide. However, her influence extends far beyond her thriving practice. With pivotal roles in prominent committees and organizations, including the Arizona Supreme Court's Alternative Business Structure (ABS) Committee, Attorney Lynda Shely stands at the vanguard of the ABS program's development and implementation, driving the advancement of innovative approaches to legal practice.  As the episode unfolds, Attorney Lynda Shely takes a moment to reflect on her personal journey to becoming an ethics attorney, navigating the delicate balance of career and motherhood while raising her three children. Her story serves as a testament to the determination and resilience required to carve a path in the legal profession. Reflecting on her experiences, Attorney Lynda Shely unveils her instrumental role in spearheading the groundbreaking initiative that allows Arizona lawyers to establish law firms with non-lawyers as owners or investors. Addressing misconceptions, she acknowledges lawyers' concerns about potential conflicts of interest. However, she assures listeners that the Arizona ABS program is designed to maintain integrity by safeguarding lawyers' control over legal decisions. She sheds light on the rigorous regulations and meticulous approval process that enable non-lawyers to hold ownership stakes in law firms while respecting the professional autonomy of lawyers in client representation and case selection.  As the conversation progresses, the focus shifts to the intriguing realm of mass torts and its intersection with Wall Street. With artful emphasis, Mirena highlights the profound significance of this intersection, succinctly stating, "this is where the rubber meets the road." Her words resonate as Wall Street ventures into the domain of mass torts, actively investing in law firms through financial loans, seamlessly integrating themselves into the very fabric of the debt structure. In parallel, Mirena and Attorney Lynda Shely explore the ever-evolving landscape of technological advancements, honing in on the transformative impact of chat GPT and its wide-ranging implications for the legal field.  As the final moments of the episode unfold, the spotlight shifts toward the legal landscape in Utah, where uncertainty looms over the issue of non-lawyer ownership. Mirena's mention of Utah's shifting stance from considering partnerships to potential felony charges raises eyebrows and prompts reflection. In response, Attorney Lynda Shely expresses her disappointment in these attempts to restrict innovation and courageously advocates for the embracing of change. She acknowledges that "change is scary,", particularly in the legal profession, where risk aversion often prevails. However, she reminds us that it is precisely this embrace of change that propels progress and allows the legal profession to adapt and better serve its clients.   QUOTABLE QUOTES: "I represent firms in every practice area. So, I have to understand the ethics rules, but not necessarily have very detailed knowledge of a specific practice area like mass torts or estate planning or tax." "The Arizona Supreme Court created a task force on the future of the profession to look at a couple of issues, not just access to justice, which we all know there is a huge gap in getting legal services to people who need it, but simply informing folks that they might have a legal issue and how to get legal services." "Some of us who are ethics lawyers looked at the rules, and one of the rules that they were reviewing was Ethics Rule 5.4, which is the rule that prohibits lawyers from both sharing legal fees with non-lawyers and having a partner who's a non-lawyer. In Arizona, our task force looked at the rule and really kind of looked at what else was going on in the whole world, not just the US. And they looked at the fact that the UK has had these alternative business structure law firms, and an ABS is simply a law firm that has some non-lawyer owners." "The UK has had ABS law firms for years, and so has Australia, and they've been able to demonstrate that, look, this provides capitalization to firms, which frequently lawyers are not good at finding capitalization for their firms. It also provides incentives to key paraprofessionals because we all have issues with trying to maintain our staff and keep quality people." "The number one misperception about Arizona's program is that it permits non-lawyers to practice law, and that's not true. The other, and I would say this is a legitimate concern, lawyers express concern, oh if we're going to have non-lawyer partners, all they're going to be interested in is the bottom line, and they're going to tell me I shouldn't take depositions because they're too expensive... I get that. And that's a very legitimate concern." "Arizona's ABS program is designed to hopefully prevent non-lawyers from controlling the legal decisions that lawyers make. The ABS regulations are very detailed in saying, you know, non-lawyers, you can own a hundred percent of an Arizona law firm that we approve. It has to go through the ABS committee, and you have to get all the non-lawyers, including all the companies, approved by the ABS committee. You can own 100% of the firm, but you cannot direct the legal representation of clients or even which clients the firm will represent." "The ABS program actually is more transparent than the existing litigation funding in other states because where you have a law firm in someplace else that borrows money to be able to pay for all of the advertising that they have to do and all the expert witnesses, in the ABS program, you know exactly who's involved with that lawyer because it has to be disclosed in the application. So I would say that the ABS law firm process is much more transparent than regular litigation funding." "The ABS application journey, I guess, starts with a lawyer considering that they want to partner with a non-lawyer. And I tell everybody on both sides… do your homework. It's just like being engaged. You don't get engaged overnight. First, you date somebody for a while, and you figure out if your values are compatible... Same thing in a law firm; before you bring a partner on, you do some due diligence, same thing in the ABS process." "The ABS applications are very detailed. They require disclosing every person or company that will have a 10% or greater ownership or economic interest in the firm. So, it's kind of a proactive approach to saying before you create this law firm, tell us that you know what you have to have in place." "I think the ABS process and the regulations are far better at assuring that the people who are involved in these law firms understand they have an obligation here to serve clients. This is not just about the bottom line; it's a for-profit firm. So yes, you can make profits, but it is about representing the clients." "Change is scary. I recognize the concern but number one; you're not going to have Wall Street buying up, gobbling up every law firm in Arizona. That's just not gonna happen. Number two, you don't have to participate in this. I have a law firm in Arizona. It's not an ABS."  "I appreciate that change in the legal profession is glacial because lawyers are resistant to risk and change, which is good." "I don't think Chat GPT is going to eliminate lawyers. I think it probably will help lawyers be more efficient. It's kind of like a giant form file that large firms all have. So I don't see technology eliminating us." "I think you're gonna have a lot of main street lawyers still in, in small firms, solo shops. And that's wonderful. But you also might have Wall Street investing in that small, small town sole practitioner and allow them to maybe update their technology and make their services even more efficient, more affordable." "I think law firms might pretend that they weren't for profit. They want to say we're a profession, and we are, but every firm is for profit unless they are officially a nonprofit, and more firms should consult with somebody like you because I'm not teasing when I say lawyers are bad at finance." "By permitting Wall Street to be able to invest in a firm, you actually are expanding access to justice and access to legal services because you might then be able to fund a lawyer who's a small-town lawyer who's great expertise and has a compassionate heart and is great with clients, but they can afford a national ad campaign, can't afford ten years of litigation against a huge corporation and hiring all the experts that are needed. " "We're years and years into mass torts, and it costs a fortune to do this. And so the consumer who has a possible claim, number one, might not even know it. So that's what a lot of this is. It's educating consumers about their recourse. And then number two, having the finance to be able to front all this money because mass tort lawyers don't charge their clients the cost upfront; they front all that money." "My personal view is I'm sad to hear that lawyers who are frightened by the change are trying to go to the legislature and restrict change. I think it's shortsighted. I think it hurts the profession, and it hurts consumers, and shame on them for being afraid to let Utah have their sandbox, their pilot project." "I think Arizona's BS program is being so careful. I would say if anything, we overregulate the law firms that are being approved by requiring so much disclosure and so much looking behind the curtain to see who's actually controlling everything." "Everybody who is a licensed A BS law firm in Arizona is a representative of the program. So it's to everybody's benefit that we approve firms that are trying to comply with the regulatory objectives and that everybody abides by the rules because you're right. We want to show this is; this is an opportunity for lawyers; this isn't being done to lawyers."   EPISODE SURVEY: [00:02:15] - [00:04:25] Navigating the Intersection of Ethics and Law: Lynda Shely's Journey as an Ethics Attorney [00:04:59]- [00:09:43] Revolutionizing Legal Partnerships: Eliminating Rule 5.4 and Embracing Non-Lawyer Ownership [00:11:54] - [00:16:48] Balancing Transparency and Control in Mass Tort Partnerships: The Role of Wall Street and the ABS Program [00:16:50] - [00:27:03] Examining the Path to Partnership: The Process of Establishing an ABS Law Firm  [00:27:08] - [00:39:16] Embracing Opportunities and Addressing Concerns: Navigating ABS Partnerships with Confidence  [00:39:19] - [00:47:50] Future Predictions: Law Firms, Wall Street, and the Role of Legal Technology [00:47:53] - [00:52:06] Utah's Bold Steps: Embracing Change and Expanding Legal Services   ABOUT OUR GUEST: ●      Founder of The Shelly Firm in Scottsdale, Arizona ●      Currently serves on the Arizona Supreme Court's Alternative Business Structure, ABS Committee. ●      2020-2023 Chair of the ABA Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility. ●      Serves as an Arizona delegate in the ABA House of Delegates ●      An active member of the State Bar of Arizona Ethics Advisory Group ●      President of the National ABS Law Firm Association ●      Past Director of Lawyer Ethics for the State Bar of Arizona for ten years ●      Past president of the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers and the Scottsdale Bar Association. ●      Recipient of numerous awards, including the 2007 State Bar of Arizona Member of the Year award and the 2022 Maricopa County Bar Association Member of the Year Award. ●      Has served as an adjunct professor at all Arizona law schools, teaching professional responsibility

In this episode of On Record PR, Gina Rubel goes on record with Éva Kerecsen, Chief Legal Counsel at NNG LLC, to talk about navigating the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence in the legal industry. Learn More Éva Kerecsen is a highly experienced legal professional with a passion for ensuring transparent and compliant operations in the dynamic world of technology. At NNG LLC, a prominent company in the automotive software industry, Éva has been managing and coordinating the entire legal activity of the organization for almost 10 years. She oversees approximately 800 legal issues per year, spanning copyright, e-commerce, IT law, employment law, commercial law, and data protection. Additionally, she has played a crucial role in the expansion of NNG's global presence, coordinating legal activities and advising NNG subsidiaries worldwide. Prior to her current role, they held the position of Legal Advisor at NNG LLC, where they provided invaluable guidance on various legal matters, including employment law, IP law, and marketing and communication-related issues. During this time, Éva was actively involved in contract negotiation, lease agreements, and the development of the company's trademark portfolio. Drawing from an impressive educational background, Éva holds a Bachelor of Law (LLB) from Pázmány Péter University, Faculty of Law, and a Master's degree in Information Technology Law (LLM) from the University of Pécs. They have also expanded their knowledge through specialized courses, including an Introduction to US Law program at The George Washington University Law School and Law and Psychology at Orac Academy, furthermore ongoing studies in Data Protection Law at Eötvös Lóránd University, Faculty of Law. With a keen focus on bridging the gap between law and technology, Éva is a sought-after expert in the legal field, leveraging their expertise to address the intersection of legal issues and technological advancements.

Lawyers who want to stay on top of their marketing and technology game, have you heard these three myths about marketing strategies, podcasts, and mastermind events for law firms in the digital age? The truth might surprise you! On this episode of Cut to the Chase: Podcast, Ken Hardison is here to debunk these misconceptions and help you stay ahead of the curve. Ken, a seasoned attorney turned legal marketing guru has been helping fellow lawyers thrive for over 30 years. Having built and sold two highly successful law firms, Ken is known as "The Millionaire Maker."  He now runs PILMMA (Powerful Innovative Legal Marketing & Management Association), where he shares his business strategies, marketing tips and technology wisdom with other attorneys.  Ken's deep expertise, combined with his passion for teaching, makes him an ideal guest to discuss the importance of marketing strategies and innovative business practices to help lawyers ahead in today's fast-paced digital world. In this episode, you will be able to: Discover the critical role of digital marketing strategies for law firms in today's connected world. Understand the transformative impact of artificial intelligence in the legal industry and what it means for the future. Recognize the advantages of attending game-changing conferences like PILMA for professional growth in the legal sector. Learn about the potential rewards of diversification in the legal industry through investments in mass torts. Important resources mentioned in this episode: Cancel all your scheduled hearings and meetings from May 16-18 and attend the Pilma Summit instead. Join Pilmma's Gold Membership program to access a list serve where you can talk to lawyers about vendors, refer cases, and ask questions. Take advantage of Pilmma's Mastermind program where lawyers can share what's working and what's not working in their practice and learn from each other. Learn about Google reviews, LSAs, direct mail, SEO provider accountability, and other marketing strategies to grow your practice through Pilmma's programs. Attend Cornell University's course on AI to learn how to effectively use it in your business. Meet the guest: Introducing Ken Hardison, a seasoned attorney turned legal marketing guru who has been helping fellow lawyers thrive for over 30 years. Having built and sold two highly successful law firms, Ken is known as "The Millionaire Maker." He now runs PILMMA (Powerful Innovative Legal Marketing & Management Association), where he shares his marketing and technology wisdom with other attorneys. Ken's deep expertise, combined with his passion for teaching, makes him an ideal guest to discuss the importance of marketing strategies and staying ahead in today's fast-paced digital world. Social Links to Follow Ken and PILMMA: https://www.facebook.com/PILMMA/ https://www.instagram.com/pilmma/https://www.pilmma.org/summit/