Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics

Do you feel guilty when you take time for yourself?  Why do we do that?! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Diversity, equity, and inclusivity initiatives, DEI, have been under scrutiny in the past year. Is DEI “dead” or simply “evolving under pressure?” Guests Stephanie Jones and Joan Willaims – with decades of scholarship and experience in the field of inclusive, fair labor, and employment issues – dig into recent shifts in the landscape.  Executive orders, political agendas, and public opinion have challenged advances made under DEI initiatives. These efforts to maintain fairness and build diversity face being dismantled faster than they can be instituted in some cases.  In this episode, we’ll explore the future of DEI, including the program “buzzwords” that often attract negative attention, as well as the most effective DEI programs that focus on data, evidence, consistency, and fairness. Hear how DEI programs can be reshaped, implemented, and sustained in a shifting cultural, legal, and political environment.  Mentioned in This Episode: ABA Leadership Development Program “I’m Just a Bill,” Schoolhouse Rock “Target was one of the most outspoken supporters of DEI. It’s changed its tune,” CNN Business W.K. Kellogg Foundation “The New Class Bubble Quiz”   ABA Labor and Employment Law Section Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Suffering is part of the human experience, but most of us are granted the dignity of processing our pain and healing in private. For Amanda Knox, that has never been an option. As she herself puts it, “The worst experience of my life is the thing that most people know about me.”  Amanda recounts the harrowing story of her wrongful conviction for the murder of her roommate while studying abroad in Perugia, Italy. The 2007 crime sparked a global media frenzy that vilified Amanda at an international scale, branding her as guilty despite the absence of evidence connecting her to the crime. A combination of her own naiveté, coercive police interrogations, language barriers, and critical errors in the investigation process led to Amanda’s wrongful imprisonment.  And yet, since her eventual acquittal, Amanda has found a way to live in hope and transform her painful experience into a force for good. She now focuses on finding meaning in the aftermath, using her story to expose the realities of wrongful convictions and to advocate for others who have been falsely accused. Learn more about Amanda through her books, “Waiting to Be Heard” and “Free", and her podcast, “Hard Knox”.  Watch the Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox on Hulu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Small business owners and a lawyer discuss how free legal services can create opportunities for entrepreneurs on Talk Justice. Joshua Danrich, the 16-year-old entrepreneur behind the brand Mr. Fresh, had the idea at just 10 years old. His mother, Shay, had a business background and decided to help her son pursue his dream. Now, Mr. Fresh products are being sold by Walmart. Along the way, they needed help with legal processes like trademarking their brand. They received help through Legal Services of Eastern Missouri's Microenterprise Program. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode’s discussions around the Community Table:   The Un-Billable Hour takes on a very real move away from the “billable hour.” As Christopher says, the billable hour “is the worst thing that ever happened to law.” Clients pay for results, not time. Examine alternative fee structures as technology changes the practice of law. Young lawyers looking to maximize lifetime earnings have choices. Big firm partnership track or solo practice? Ask yourself if you have the “fire” under you to build a practice from nothing, because there’s no ceiling on earnings when you build your dream. But if that’s not you, maybe the big law firm path is right. No matter where you are, knowing where you want to get to is hard. Christopher explains how charting a career path takes a real, conscious effort, and it can change over time. Make time for contemplation and move with purpose.  Ask us anything for the Community Table. Leave us a question online,   Join the next Community Table discussion live! Always the third Thursday of the month at 3pm Eastern Mentioned in This Episode: InfoTrack InfoTrack Legal Up 2025 Clio Legal Trends Report Cliocon 2025 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are the guys on the verge of a major Second Brain breakthrough, hand in hand with AI? Dennis and Tom reexamine their ongoing Second Brain projects, discussing nagging questions about the efficacy of their current systems and how they plan to move forward with their personal knowledge management.  Later, a listener and long-time iPhone user wonders—are Android devices actually far superior? Tom has some major thoughts on the issue.  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 - This is Your Second Brain on AI A Segment: This is Your Second Brain on AI Notebook LM - https://notebooklm.google.com    B Segment: Should iPhone Users be Jealous of Android’s Obvious Superiority? Google Pixel 10 https://store.google.com/category/phones?hl=en-US    Parting Shots: Kortex - https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/kortex/hdapplggdhndkblofffknpmnnnnbncbn?pli=1 Personal Strategy Compass - by Dennis Kennedy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pursuing perfect “balance” in our work and personal lives may not actually be a reasonable goal. There will inevitably be times when either work or home needs more of your attention, and that’s okay. Instead of striving for an elusive sense of balance, focusing on setting meaningful boundaries and prioritizing well-being can help lawyers move toward a healthier mindset. Molly Ranns talks with Robinjit Eagleson about her many years in legal practice and how she has navigated seasons of burnout, vicarious trauma, and other professional challenges to reconnect with her personal values and sense of purpose as an attorney.   Robinjit Eagleson is Lawyer Services Program Director at State Bar of Michigan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In episode 576, learn how to lead with empathy, build trust, and create space for growth by embracing both mentorship and sponsorship. Stephanie Everett talks with Michael Cohen, partner at Duane Morris and leadership coach, about what it really takes to inspire and support a team.  Mike shares his journey from employment litigator to building a training and coaching practice focused on culture, mental health, and leadership. He explains why sponsorship goes further than mentorship, how to adapt your style to truly know your people, and why allowing room for failure is essential to innovation.  Drawing on stories from coaching his daughters’ softball team and lessons inspired by The West Wing, Mike highlights how intentional check-ins, vulnerability, and empathy can transform leaders into authentic allies. You’ll leave with practical strategies to foster stronger workplace cultures, empower people to advocate for themselves, and lead with greater humanity in challenging times.  Listen to our other episodes on leadership & growth.  #572 – Practical Courage Skills Every Lawyer Needs, with Jim Detert Apple | Spotify | LTN  #527 – Casting Your Vision and Leading Your Firm, with Kevin DeShazo Apple | Spotify | LTN  #499 – Conquering Self-Doubt, with Tim Atler Apple | Spotify | LTN  #491 – Crafting Your Purpose-Driven Leadership Vision, with Leticia DeSuze Apple | Spotify | LTN  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! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.  Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.  Chapters/Timestamps:  00:00 – Growth, AI & Leadership at Lawyerist  06:01 – Small Team vs. Large Team Leadership  08:10 – Meet Michael Cohen  12:05 – From Litigator to Leadership Coach  22:02 – Lessons from Coaching & Embracing Failure  34:46 – West Wing Parable & Final Takeaways  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve, new Texas laws are establishing a foundational framework for its governance, with a focus on the prevention of harm and ethical use. Rocky Dhir sits down with Shawn Tuma to discuss a range of recently enacted technology laws, helping attorneys understand their purpose, implications for legal practice, and considerations related to technology competence.  They explore key legislation including the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act, Texas Cyber Command, and Cybersecurity Safe Harbor, offering insights into emerging best practices for technology in legal practice.  For a deeper dive, see Shawn Tuma’s article co-authored with Christine Chase in the September 2025 issue of the Texas Bar Journal.  Shawn Tuma is a partner at Spencer Fane LLP in Cyber Risk Management, Cyber Incident Response, and Cyber Security, Hacking and Data Breach Litigation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Department of Justice is having a rough time getting those trumped up charges (pun intended) from the fed's takeover of D.C. to stick. Plus lawyer getting slammed for trying to use opposing counsel's premature baby as leverage. And infamous law professor Amy Wax has her legal case against University of Pennsylvania thrown out of court, but it's unlikely to be the end of her antics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices