Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics

In this episode, delve into the crucial topic of active violence preparedness with Brink Fidler, owner and founder of Defend Systems, a prominent life safety and security consulting firm in Nashville, TN. Stephanie and Brink talk about why every firm owner should have open discussions and plan for frightening events, and how they can empower their team with knowledge and tools to respond effectively. They also address the relevance of active violence preparedness in office environments and how to adopt a “warrior mindset” when faced with danger. The emotional and traumatic aspects of active violence events are not overlooked, as Stephanie and Brink touch on the need for mental health support and proper coping mechanisms. Links from the episode:   If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, Postali, & LawPay for sponsoring this episode.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Also more mandatory office policies and a brief primer on the Federal Circuit controversy.The Supreme Court's ethical lapses reached such heights that a fellow federal judge had to step in to publicly ask what's wrong with these people. And it's not just the big ticket scandals anymore, with the Court's reputation so tarnished that folks freak out over non-scandals (or at the most minor ones) like Venmogate and Sonia's Book Club. Meanwhile, more Biglaw firms opt for a 4-day mandatory office policy, though there's still not a lot of momentum behind the move. And Judge Pauline Newman of the Federal Circuit continues to fight against her colleagues for her right to continue to hear cases. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If given the opportunity, would you say yes to working with your Dad? In recognition of Father’s Day, father-daughter trial lawyer duos John Simon and Mary Simon, and Judge Jack Garvey and Colleen Garvey discuss the joys and frustrations of going to work every day with Dad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If given the opportunity, would you say yes to working with your Dad? In recognition of Father’s Day, father-daughter trial lawyer duos John Simon and Mary Simon, and Judge Jack Garvey and Colleen Garvey discuss the joys and frustrations of going to work every day with Dad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When technologically assisted review first started gaining traction in e-discovery in the 2010s, many of the same superlatives assigned to ChatGPT were used to describe this groundbreaking new process that purported to review documents faster and more accurately than humans. Lawyers would get hours and hours of time back, and clients would save tons of money. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The ABA Litigation Section’s Women in Litigation Joint CLE Conference is coming to San Diego November 1-3. If you’ve never attended—you are missing out. The conference focuses on women litigators and judges and helps women develop relationships, find mentors, learn from others, and share experiences in a welcoming and insightful environment. You will find like-minded women and guidance, learn how to create valuable business relationships and friendships, hear how others have created their own brand, and learn to balance work and life.Guests Amy Stewart and Heather White are highly successful litigators who have made their own way as women and as attorneys. They’ve learned the value of authenticity, real friendships, asking for help when they need it, and offering a hand when it’s needed. Believe it or not, who you know is as important as what you know. Relationships and reputations are part of the practice of law—they drive your career forward.Also in this episode, guest M.C. Sungaila, one of the conference organizers, provides highlights from the conference and what you can look forward to!Mentioned in this Episode:ABA, Women In Litigation Joint CLE ConferenceABA Corporate CounselABA DEI: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion American Bar AssociationAmerican Bar Association Litigation Section Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let’s talk about the F-word in Workers’ Compensation: Fraud. Guest Connor Thomson is a second-year law student at Villanova University who won the College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers John F. Burton Jr. Law Student Writing Competition with his paper “Fight Fire With Fire: The Need For Carriers To Be Afforded More Duties And Privileges To Combat The Pandemic Of Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud.” He explores an interesting, challenging issue in Workers’ Comp: Are employees sometimes cheating the system? Workers’ Comp insurance fraud is a multibillion issue. Thomson takes a deep dive. The system does a lot of good, and employer fraud hurts workers. It happens. All fraud is wrong. But sometimes employees cheat, they collect a check for a workplace disability, but they work on the side, maybe under the table. That’s not a victimless crime either. It hurts us all, Thomson argues. Sure, employers do check on workers who file claims, including the use of private investigators. And that comes with its own issues. But Thomson says controlling insurance fraud may have its place. If carriers can’t investigate, does everyone suffer because of higher insurance costs? This is an intriguing issue. Mentioned in this Episode:Workers Comp Matters, “Dissecting Fraud”Connor Thomson “Fight Fire With Fire: The Need For Carriers To Be Afforded More Duties And Privileges To Combat The Pandemic Of Workers’ Compensation Insurance Fraud” College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers John F. Burton Jr. Student Writing CompetitionCoalition Against Insurance FraudCoalition Against Insurance Fraud study and findings Insurance Journal articles on Workers’ Comp fraudJesse Maxwell v. AIG Domestic ClaimsFrontline, “The Myth Of Workers’ Compensation Fraud”Workers Comp Matters, Legal Talk Network, archived episode, “The History of Workers’ Compensation With John F. Burton Jr.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After 200 years of racial and ethnic struggle, including the Civil War, Reconstruction, the Civil Rights Era, and Black Lives Matter, where are we now in the effort to achieve the promise of a multi-racial democracy? Dr. Peniel Joseph helps us to understand this struggle and describes our current political environment in a historical context. He holds a joint professorship at the LBJ School of Public Affairs and the History Department in the College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas at Austin. He is also the founding director of the LBJ School's Center for the Study of Race and Democracy and the Associate Dean for Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Dr. Joseph is the author of seven books, most recently The Third Reconstruction: America’s Struggle for Racial Justice in the 21st Century which won the 2023 Robert F. Kennedy Book Award. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Tyler Pigott joins me to discuss how you can level up your website as a lawyer and law firm. From building IT and creative teams for a biotech startup to developing and launching a national beverage product, Tyler's background is in creating things that just work.As CEO of Lone Fir, his favorite task is to cheer on others — whether it’s his employees, fellow agency owners or clients.Tyler gives listeners actionable tips on: [2:50] Where to start when assessing a client's website [9:15] What to look for if you feel your website isn’t converting [15:!5] Predicting what your client wants [16:30] Remembering the size of your business and firm [18:50] Having clear call to actions on your website [22:40] Writing transitional calls to action [24:05] Benefits of a website redesign  [29:10] Tyler’s book review [33:30] One big takeaway from this episode Resources mentioned in this episode:Who not How by Dan SullivanConnect with Tyler here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tylerpigott/ https://www.lonefircreative.com/   Connect with me Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Karin on Twitter Karin on LinkedIn Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook https://conroycreativecounsel.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite Tom’s attempted prohibition of ChatGTP on this podcast, it’s weaseled its way in once again. The guys take a hard look at where ChatGPT is really at right now, discussing both its capabilities and its limitations as of yet. Dennis shares insights from the hundreds of experiments he’s tried with ChatGPT and explains where this tech still falls short in its results. They also discuss generative AI in the legal profession and whether its current uses are cause for concern or optimism. Later, are the guys officially calling it quits with Twitter? Dennis & Tom talk through the latest Twitter annoyances; new social media possibilities like Bluesky, Mastodon, and new-to-scene Threads; and where they think the future of these platforms is headed.  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.Mentioned in this Episode:Google Magic EraserKMR Episode: Demand-Side Sales with Bob Moesta — How Quitting Selling Helps You Create a Better Client Experience Dennis’ Latest Articles: Legaltech Hub KMR Episode: Hypes and Lows: Breaking Down the Technology Hype Cycle Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices