Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics

Productivity practices are essential—even life-changing—in legal practice. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, that your time is not your own, hopelessly behind on technology, or that you just can’t seem to balance work and life, learning productivity strategies can help. JoAnn Hathaway and Molly Ranns talk with Dan Siegel and Allison Johs about their book, “How to Do More in Less Time: The Complete Guide to Increasing Your Productivity and Improving Your Bottom Line, Second Edition.” Dan and Allison share the most recent updates to their book, including pertinent information addressing post-pandemic, tech-fueled changes facing the legal profession. The ABA has provided a 20% discount code for listeners! Enter HTDMILT23 at checkout for How to Do More in Less Time: The Complete Guide to Increasing Your Productivity and Improving Your Bottom Line, Second EditionDaniel J. Siegel is a nationally recognized authority on ethics, technology, data protection and business workflow management, and the principal of both the Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC and Integrated Technology Services, LLC.Allison C. Johs, Esq., is president of Legal Ease Consulting, which provides marketing, social media, business development, productivity, and practice management coaching and consulting for lawyers and law firms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What about the rights of an injured worker’s spouse and family members after a work-related injury or illness? Guest Michael Duff, law professor, former blue-collar worker, and expert on Workers’ Comp walks us through the California “Kuciemba Case,” a case where an employer may have violated COVID-19 pandemic regulations, infecting several workers. Victim Peter Kuciemba was infected and later his wife contracted the illness and ended up on a ventilator. Is he entitled to Workers’ Compensation? Beyond that, what about his wife?This is a tough issue that comes down to what’s called the “exclusive remedy,” meaning Workers’ Compensation protections are understood to be responsible for workplace injuries, replacing civil tort liability. But if a spouse isn’t part of the employment contract, does “The Grand Bargain” apply? Remember the sickened meat packers during the pandemic. The legal system said family members of workers who infected them, as a result of contracting the illness at work, cannot sue the workplace. Workers’ Comp trumps the civil case, even in case of employer negligence. Now, let’s go deeper. What about a non-family member, such as a romantic interest, or a friend? This episode goes down a rabbit hole. But if you’re an attorney representing workers in workplace injuries, you’ve got to be thinking this way. How far does exclusive remedy go?Mentioned in this Episode:“At Least 59,000 U.S. Meat Workers Caught COVID-19 In 2020, 269 Died,” PBS Newshour Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dr. Kai-Markus Müller joins me to discuss and understand the psychology behind pricing models and pricing structure, and how to better frame legal fees.Kai-Markus Mueller is a Professor of Consumer Behaviour at HFU Business School of Furtwangen University in Schwenningen, Germany, and Director of Pricing Research at Neurensics, Amsterdam. He previously founded and ran a start-up where he developed NeuroPricing™, a suite of neurotechnology-based methods to measure and model the optimal price – meanwhile acquired by Neurensics. Before, Kai gained experience both as a neurophysiologist at the US government and as a strategy consultant with an international management consultancy. He holds a PhD in neuroscience. His work has been featured by the BBC, Forbes, Businessweek, ZDF, Der Spiegel and many more. His latest milestone is a book co-authored by top sales expert Gaby Rehbock titled “The Invisible Game – The Secrets and the Science of Winning Minds and Winning Deals”.Kai-Markus gives listeners actionable tips on: [4:00] The main mistakes lawyers make on discovery calls [7:15] Does a ‘payment threshold’ exist? [13:40] How to apply Kai-Markus’ research to attorney pricing strategies  [14:50] The price quality heuristic  [16:55] How to create perceived value without going too far [21:15] Tips build reassurance and trust [24:45] Changing value by how we frame things and understanding decoy pricing [32:40] Kai-Markus’ book review [36:00] One big takeaway from this episode Resources mentioned in this episode:Noise by Daniel KahnemanConnect with Kai-Markus here: https://twitter.com/neuropricing https://www.facebook.com/kaimarkus.mueller https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaimarkusmueller/ www.kai-markus-mueller.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

Mark Geragos made a name for himself successfully representing Susan McDougal, President Bill Clinton’s erstwhile business partner, following her conviction related to the 1990s Whitewater controversy. Since then, he has represented many prominent figures—from politicians to Hollywood elites to pro athletes and more—and has a multitude of fascinating stories to tell. DeMario Thornton talks with Mark about his path through law school, his career choices, and much more. Mark Geragos is Principal with the internationally known trial law firm of Geragos & Geragos where he has represented some of the most prominent figures in the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new Kennedy-Mighell Report game has begun. The premise? Dennis has a whole lot of ideas, and Tom just loves pointing out their flaws. The guys introduce a new segment called “Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down?” Dennis, in his ever-springing optimism, shares his latest notions, and Tom uses his practical, skeptical reasoning to determine whether they have merit or need to be thrown out the window.And, there’s no time like summertime to return to Dennis and Tom’s “Hot or Not?” segment. So, should you revise your law firm’s strategic plan in view of new AI developments? The guys talk about whether tech-focused planning should be the hottest thing on your to-do list. As always, stay tuned for the parting shots, that one tip, website, or observation that you can use the second the podcast ends.Have a technology question for Dennis and Tom? Call their Tech Question Hotline at 720-441-6820 for the answers to your most burning tech questions.Show Notes - Kennedy-Mighell Report #345A Segment: Ideas Ideas Ideas Time for a new MacBook Air? Is Microsoft Copilot worth the price tag? Ask Me Anything Webinars on Zoom New Signal-Tracking for Legal Trends? Privacy Certifications - CIPP, etc.  New Law School Tech?—Climate Technology Law Are Substack Newsletters a good way to monetize content? B Segment: Hot or Not: Law Firm Strategic PlanningParting Shots: Wonderboom 3 Bluetooth Speaker PatternBuilder MAX demo from NetDocuments Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guest Shannon Lex Bales is the author of “The Trial Presentation Companion” and an experienced educator and consultant who helps attorneys and firms follow standards and models for presenting cases using today’s legal tech. When firms go to trial, a lot of them are just “winging it” with the software and equipment, workflow, and skills they need to present a case. Paralegal professionals will find opportunities through education and certifications to professionally prepare and present data, video, and evidence using today’s technology. We’ve all seen professionally staged “trials” on television shows. So have the jurors. There’s an expectation firms will present a compelling story digitally in the courtroom. What story is your firm telling and how? As Bales says, “Basic legal technology skills are foundational for today’s legal market.” Understanding the use of legal technology in the courtroom is no longer an option. Keep up or fall behind. The skills you learned 10 years ago aren’t today’s skills.Hear how to actively pursue the tech skills you need to add to your resume as a modern paralegal professional. Mentioned in this Episode:"The Trial Presentation Companion," by Shannon Lex BalesCambodia Tribunal Monitor"White House Executive Office team engages ACEDS to deliver onsite electronic discovery training"Career Essentials in Generative AI by Microsoft and LinkedInReveal AI eDiscovery and Investigations Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Keeping an appellate perspective in mind as you prepare for a trial can do a lot to keep your case on track and avoid future headaches. Rocky Dhir talks with Elana Einhorn and Melissa Lorber, authors of the article, Help Us Help You: Top 10 Appellate Mistakes in the Trial Courts, which appeared in the July/August Texas Bar Journal. Elana and Melissa give an overview of the article and share their top tips for success in trial court. Elana Einhorn practices appellate law at Enoch Kever. She is an adjunct professor at the University of Texas School of Law and a former Supreme Court of Texas staff attorney.Melissa Lorber is a founding member of Enoch Kever and is certified in civil appellate law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Think golf is a boring game for old white dudes? Think again! In this episode, Stephanie talks with LJ Finney about why golf is great for networking and business development and so much more!  Golf is about getting outside your comfort zone, mindfulness, self-talk, and being with nature. Use the game to learn more about yourself and how you approach your business problems or use the time to truly get to know a friend or colleague. You’ll also hear Stephanie’s favorite golf story from back when she was a summer associate out on the course with a senior partner, and, boy is it a doozy!   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

Elena Kagan and Samuel Alito have... very different takes on judicial ethics and what Congress's role is in all of it. Plus, Lindsey Graham has a change of heart about a federal judge because it's politically expeditious. And a deep dive into starting salaries for attorneys. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’re done with opposing counsel’s snarky emails, loud yawners, attorneys who think their years of experience means the law should be bent for them and people who creep out our kids. Laugh along as we vent about everyday annoyances and share the good stuff that makes up for all that crap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices