Show Notes

In this podcast episode, Ernie Svenson interviews Dorna At Gavel, a former attorney turned tech entrepreneur, about her journey in creating Gavel, a legal technology platform. Dorna shares her experiences in building Gavel Workflows and Gavel Exec, tools designed to automate document creation and enhance legal drafting with AI. The conversation explores the integration of these tools with Microsoft Word, the importance of user experience, and the future of AI in the legal field. Dorna addresses common misconceptions about AI, the concept of 'vibe lawyering,' and how these technologies can empower lawyers to focus on more meaningful work while improving efficiency.

Takeaways

Dorna transitioned from law to tech to help domestic violence survivors.
Gavel Workflows automates document creation for legal professionals.
Gavel Exec serves as an AI copilot within Microsoft Word.
The platform is designed to enhance collaboration and efficiency.
AI tools can help lawyers focus on higher-level tasks.
Misconceptions about AI include fears of job loss in the legal field.
Vibe lawyering encourages creative legal thinking with AI assistance.
Training junior associates can be streamlined using AI playbooks.
Gavel Exec integrates with existing workflows to improve productivity.
The future of legal practice will likely include AI as a standard tool.

Resource Links

ChatGPT Lab (a weekly AI workshop for lawyers)
Apply to join the ChatGPT Lab
The 80/20 Principle (my techlaw newsletter)
The Inner Circle (my online community for lawyers)

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The PR Week, 12.4.2025: Omnicom-IPG acquisition special