A "Gateway" to AI: Why Lawyers Need to Get Creative with Tech (with Ernie Svenson)

Oct 9, 2025

Ernie Svenson, founder of Law Firm Autopilot and creator of Ernie the Attorney, shares his insights on AI in law. He highlights top AI tools like ChatGPT Plus, positioning them as accessible entry points for lawyers. Ernie discusses AI's role in amplifying staff productivity while reducing the need for hiring. He offers a candid take on ethics, arguing that the real issue lies in human incompetence, not AI itself. Listeners are also treated to travel anecdotes and a fun segment where Ernie tries to guess Jared's current location.

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ANECDOTE

Surviving Two Holdups As A Teen

Jared recounts being held up twice as a teenager, once at knifepoint and once at gunpoint.
He refused to hand over his wallet both times and attributes survival to being obstinate, dumb, and lucky.

INSIGHT

Learn AI By Doing And Sharing

Ernie says learning AI is like creative experimentation, best learned by doing and sharing with peers.
He emphasizes creativity over rigid frameworks to discover useful AI workflows.

ADVICE

Target AI At Repetitive Tasks First

Use AI for repetitive or trivial tasks to avoid costly linear automation or hiring early.
Focus on AI solutions that amplify one-off tasks and reduce training overhead for VAs.

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Jared and special guest Ernie Svenson, of LawFirm Autopilot and Ernie the Attorney fame, are here to talk about everything from AI for law firms to where Jared has been traveling.

First, Jared goes full stream of consciousness in his monologue, starting with a recent concert in Boston, which leads to him recounting two times he was held up at gunpoint and knifepoint as a teenager. He jokes that his refusal to hand over his wallet proves he is "obstinate, dumb, and lucky."

Then, Ernie talks about the "AI tech stack" for law firms. He shares his top-three AI tools and explains why low-cost options like ChatGPT Plus are a great "gateway" for lawyers. He argues that AI's biggest value is as an "amplifier of ability" for existing staff, helping them accomplish more without necessarily hiring new people. He also gives a raw take on AI ethics: the problem isn't the AI, but the human incompetence it has exposed.

Finally, stick around for our new Counter Program segment: "Where in the World is Jared Correia?" Can Ernie catch that dastardly Jared Correia as he hops about the globe?

Be sure to keep up with Ernie through his many channels, starting at ErnietheAttorney.net
Watch the show on our YouTube channel.
And check out this week's Spotify playlist.

Thanks to those supporting this episode:

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Attorney at Work. Head to Attorney at Work for your one really good idea each day. Check out their new podcast Attorney at Work Today on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

(00:00) - Intro & Monologue: A Concert, Sombr & The 80s Are Back
(06:03) - Why I Watch YouTube Fear Porn & My "I Lived, Bitch" Hold-Up Stories
(10:01) - Introducing Guest: Ernie Svenson of Law Firm Autopilot
(11:51) - The "Stealth Mastermind" and Hacking Your Way In
(13:12) - AI for Lawyers: A "Counseling Session" for Creatives
(15:14) - Why Lawyers Can Be Creative (A Willie Nelson Analogy)
(18:29) - What Small Firms Want to Achieve with AI
(20:13) - Is AI's Low Cost a "Gateway" for Lawyers?
(21:49) - Ernie's Top 3-5 AI Tools for Lawyers
(26:41) - An AI-Only Tech Stack? How to Start a New Firm
(28:16) - Is AI Replacing Staff? (Or Just Amplifying Them?)
(31:02) - The Blunt Truth About AI Ethics
(33:19) - Counter Program Intro: "Where in the World is Jared Correia?"
(45:22) - Conclusion & Outro

Click here to view the episode transcript.