Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics

We’re back with another stop on our tour through The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited. In these episodes, we dive into each of the six areas of business integral to building client-centered, efficient, and profitable small law firm.Do you know how your clients experience your firm? Designing client experience isn’t something that will happen on its own, you need to be intentional.Today, Stephanie talks with Nkoyo-Ene Effiong, Director of Law Practice Management for the State Bar of Georgia, about Healthy Clients. Learn what that means and tips for how you can do that in a healthy way.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, Clio, & LawPay for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Also Ron DeSantis is getting beaten up by Disney again.The Supreme Court punts on a thorny felony murder case, prompting a conversation over whether the use and abuse of the rule can ever truly be reformed. There's also a super biller out there who managed to bill an average of over 10 hours a day last year. Presumably the attorney is weeping in a corner somewhere. Finally, Disney took its fight with Ron DeSantis up a notch with a new lawsuit that hasn't made everyone happy.Become a host of the ABA Law Student Podcast: Apply Here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever considered bringing 49 massive jars of Skittles to the courtroom, dumping a 3-foot stack of medical records into the trash or placing something that looks like a bloody severed leg on your courtroom table? Acclaimed St. Louis attorney Debbie Champion joins John, Tim and Erich to discuss how creativity in the courtroom can help and hurt your case. Our true stories of courtroom creativity will get you thinking about new ways to look at your next case. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We always want to win in the courtroom, but should that be our only measure of success? Nationally recognized plaintiff attorney John Simon, the founder of The Simon Law firm, one of the winningest firms in the country, argues there is much more. In this candid conversation, John shares how the power of a positive upbringing, hard work, and the joy of a generous heart helped him become one of the top attorneys in America and a very happy human. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The indomitable, outspoken, brilliant, and thoughtful Elie Mystal, author, columnist, and commentator, joins cohosts Jackie Gardina and Mitch Winick to discuss his book Allow Me to Retort: A Black Guy's Guide to the Constitution. In this wide-ranging conversation, Elie challenges our thinking about how judges should be selected, the myth of judicial ethics, and the false narrative of "originalism". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Becoming a lawyer in the United States is a complicated process, particularly for foreign trained attorneys or international students. In this episode, we are joined by Edzyl Magante, who shares his journey of taking the bar exam in the US, as well as the challenges and barriers he faced as an international lawyer. Throughout the conversation, Edzyl shares valuable insights and advice for foreign-trained lawyers.We also discuss the differences in law school education between the US and other countries, including the structure and curriculum, and how these differences can impact the bar exam preparation for international lawyers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you considered a podcast for your firm? What are the pros, cons, benefits, and challenges?While podcasting may be a lot of work, it can bring tremendous benefits and rewards to your positioning within your industry, as well as showcase you as the go-to lawyer in your niche.Joining me for this conversation is Robert Ingalls, a recovering attorney, speaker, and the founder of LawPods, one of the first podcast production and marketing agencies for law firms. At LawPods, Robert and his team help some of the premier law firms in the world launch and grow branded podcasts that build relationships and drive revenue. Robert speaks frequently on Podcast Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Prioritizing Mental Health, and Law Office Technology. He's also a Girl Dad, mentor, traveler, and longboard skateboarder.Robert gives listeners actionable tips on: [1:20] How Robert landed up in podcasting vs. in a courtroom [7:45] Where to start if you're considering a podcast for your firm [8:50] Is podcasting truly a lot of work? [12:45] Figuring out who your audience is  [16:00] How to show up with a better podcast angle [18:05] Who a podcast may not be a good fit for [28:00] Time vs. Cost when it comes to podcasting [30:40] Setting up a podcast correctly [35:40] Why tech truly matters  [38:10] Robert's book review [44:10] One big takeaway from this episode Resources mentioned in this episode:They Ask, You Answer by Marcus SheridanConnect with Daniel here: www.instagram.com/lawpods  www.twitter.com/lawpods   https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertingalls/  www.facebook.com/lawpods  https://lawpods.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

On April 6th, 2023, ProPublica released a report titled, Clarence Thomas and the Billionaire, detailing Justice Clarence Thomas’ failure to report years of lavish trips paid for by Republican billionaire Harlan Crow. Justice Thomas’ actions led U.S. Senate Majority Whip and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Dick Durbin and other Senate Judiciary Committee Democratic members to send a letter to Chief Justice Roberts inviting him to appear before the Senate Judiciary Committee to testify at a public hearing regarding Supreme Court ethics reform. Chief Justice Roberts declined the invitation to appear.  So are we looking at major judicial ethics violations here at the hands of a Supreme Court Justice? Or was Justice Thomas simply complying with established norms?In this episode, host Craig Williams joins guest Dean James J. Alfini, professor of law from South Texas College of Law Houston, to spotlight Justice Clarence Thomas, his recent ethics scandal, judicial ethics, the potential investigation into his actions, and calls for new ethics rules for SCOTUS.Mentioned in this episode:Clarence Thomas and the Billionaire by ProPublicaJudicial Ethics, Misconduct, and Reform Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Quite a few bar associations have practice management advisors (or perhaps someone in a similar role), but a whole lot of lawyers aren’t aware of how this free member service could help them change their practice for the better. Adriana Linares chats with fellow practice management professional Catherine Sanders Reach about the services they provide to attorneys — from consulting on technology and ethics to starting a new business and so much more.Later, the term “legal operations” might seem like it only applies to the “Big Law” end of the spectrum, but a solo or small firm should be just as keen on having well-planned operating procedures for their business from the get-go. Adriana and Catherine talk through easy-to-use tools that help law firms big and small operate with efficiency.And, last, Microsoft 365 is rolling out Copilot, and Adriana and Catherine are watching its progress with great anticipation. Tune in for their thoughts on how this and similar tech could impact your legal practice.Catherine Sanders Reach is director at the Center for Practice Management at the North Carolina Bar Association.Topics: Tapping into the knowledge your bar association’s practice management advisor has to offer. Legal operations for solo and small law firms. Microsoft 365 Copilot’s potential for lawyers. Mentioned in this episode:Catherine’s From the Center BlogNCBA Center for Practice Management ABA Legal Technology Resource Center  Lisa Crosbie - YouTube Introducing Microsoft 365 Copilot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you or your team lifelong learners? Maybe the thought of training exhausts you? In this episode, Zack talks to senior consultant and Lab coach Danielle DavisRoe about training at your firm and why it’s important to make this part of your culture.They discuss how to improve your firm’s process with technology, how to know when it’s time to train, and much more.New Hire AssessmentIf 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, Clio, & LawPay for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices