Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics

It's all about optics.When an associate left Jones Day before serving a full two years, the firm billed for pro-rated bar study expenses. Once again, just because an agreement allows a firm to do something, doesn't mean it should. It's just not a good look for a firm. Speaking of optics, we also talk about Justice Brett Kavanaugh partying with Matt Gaetz and Alex Acosta -- and more importantly, parties with business before the Court this Term -- all while Supreme Court legitimacy sinks like a stone. Speaking of legitimacy, the Fifth Circuit agrees that a judge committed an ethical breach in hearing a case, but decided to just sweep it under the rug. Also, by the time this posts, Twitter will have changed its policies five more times, but we discuss the legal ramifications, if any, of Twitter's short-lived ban on mentioning "competitors." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You win some, you lose some. But if you lose an important motion, how can you convince the judge to reconsider without risking her wrath? And when should you just let it go? Part Two of our discussion on motions also includes suggestions on preparing a short written synopsis of key points in your case for judge and opposing counsel plus tips on typography and persuasive writing.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We’ve got a great topic to chat about at your next holiday gathering with girlfriends. What were your highs and lows of the year, personally and professionally? Did you overcome an obstacle? Reach a goal? Deal with a loss? Fail miserably? And what does it tell you about yourself and how to be a better you next year? Hear how we learned, lost, and lived through our highs and lows of 2022 in this introspective episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since childhood, Wendy Tamis Robbins experienced debilitating anxiety and panic attacks. Her perfectionism pushed her to achieve in sports and academics, and her high level of achievement masked her mental anguish from public view. While she found success in her legal and political careers, Robbins was negotiating with her own brain to get through her days, minute by minute.Robbins began writing her memoir, The Box: An Invitation to Freedom from Anxiety, while still in the process of recovery. It began as a series of writing exercises she used to make sense of her meditation practices. But it became an investigation into the mental and emotional barriers she constructed since childhood to protect herself–and a blueprint for dismantling the barriers that no longer served her.In this episode of the Modern Law Library, the ABA Journal's Lee Rawles talks to Robbins about dealing with anxiety in law school and law practice; the positive reaction at her law firm when she opened up about her mental health struggles; and what Robbins finds unhelpful about self-help books. They discuss the difference between being "productive" and being mentally well, and how Robbins overcame her aversion to mindfulness as part of her healing process. They also talk about how people with anxiety respond when the dangers they perceive are real, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.In the months since the 2021 publication of The Box, Robbins has also dealt with a cancer diagnosis and many career changes, and she shares updates on her progress and projects. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to studies, the US criminal justice system currently holds almost 2 million people—a 500% increase over the last 40 years; with most of those people in jail awaiting trial. Unfortunately, American prisons and jails can be dangerous. Several of our nation's prisons and jails can be understaffed and over populated. And because of inadequate supervision, people in our prisons and jails are exposed to violence, including sexual violence. To discuss what can be done about prison reform and about prisoners' rights, generally, host Dave Scriven-Young welcomes Hernandez Stroud.Hernandez Stroud is a counsel in the Justice Program of the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law. An authority on prisons and jails, correctional oversight, and constitutional law, he researches the scope of the federal government’s power to fashion structural and systemic reforms that prevent and remedy the failure of state and local criminal justice institutions in observing the rights of the incarcerated under the U.S. Constitution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A reminder that every case is different. Injuries occur in unusual situations that challenge how we think about Workers’ Compensation and how every state and jurisdiction applies the law differently. The “Skiing Chaperone Case,” is about a teacher who accompanies a school ski club as a chaperone. Is she eligible for Workers’ Comp if injured while skiing? Is this a work injury, or did her volunteer status exclude her? After all, skiing is fun. The answer may surprise you. A worker on the job outdoors needed to relieve himself. He was standing on a railing over a concrete slab six feet below, unzipped … and he fell and was hurt Unfortunately, he also had an elevated blood-alcohol level and an indication of drug use. So, did the “the personal comfort doctrine” apply, or did intoxication trump his claim? Plus, a law enforcement officer attending a conference partook of a “hospitality” suite, enjoying alcoholic beverages before falling off a balcony to his death; A truck driver who stepped into boiling water when he was awakened in his truck cabin; And an obese woman who got stuck in her workplace cafeteria booth, breaking a bone. These are real cases, and real people were hurt. No injury is funny or subject to ridicule. But these cases illustrate the challenges Workers’ Comp attorneys face. Every worker is important and entitled to protections, but many cases are far from clear cut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we learn how to do profit-driven marketing with Hannah Smolinski. How do we ensure our marketing efforts are actually profitable? Are there ways in which we should be paying attention to our numbers to increase profitability? Hannah is a CPA and the founder of Clara CFO Group, a virtual CFO agency providing small businesses with financial clarity and profit maximization strategies. Her experience working for one of the world’s largest accounting firms inspired her to make corporate expertise accessible to small business owners through fractional CFO services. She also hosts a YouTube channel with over 35,000 subscribers and uses the platform to help small businesses achieve financial success. Hannah gives listeners actionable tips on: [3:20] How to figure out which numbers are most important to pay attention to [7:35] How to know which marketing activities are actually profitable [12:05] Tips for doing the math and knowing how much you should be spending on marketing [19:00] How to find out where our leads are coming from [25:30] Putting blinders on to what the competition is doing  [27:35] Hannah’s book review [32:10] Tips for speaking to your audience and their pain points directly  Resources mentioned in this episode:Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits! by Greg CrabtreeConnect with Hannah here: Instagram LinkedIn Facebook https://claracfo.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

In Part II, we continue our discussion with David Noll, co-author of "Vigilante Federalism", who warns how the spread of private subordination laws thwarts our democratic system and undermines longstanding constitutional rights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After years of investment in the Twitter platform, Dennis and Tom have mixed feelings about what they want to do with their accounts under Musk’s so-far tumultuous reign. Is it time to say goodbye? The guys consider the pros and cons of sticking with it and whether an alternative platform like Mastodon or Post could fill the void.Later, the guys want your help! Learn how to support the podcast by sending in your tech questions, suggesting topics Dennis and Tom could cover on the show, rating them on apple podcasts, and more!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:A Segment: Should I Stay or Should I Go? Mastodon Post B Segment: TKMR Pledge DriveThe Lawyer’s Guide to Collaboration Tools: Work from Home EditionParting Shots: ChatGPT How to Extract URLs from Hyperlinks in Excel Humble Dollar - 2 Minute Checkup LTRC Q&A with Dennis and Tom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No one likes change, but your law firm will be more profitable and organized if you keep up with the latest tools for streamlining workflows. Jared talks with Marisa Portuondo about her expertise in helping lawyers prioritize efficiency and thrive in legal practice.Later, Marisa sticks around for the Rump Roast! In Jared’s latest game, “Shit Miamians Say,” Marisa gives an insider’s perspective on unique Miami colloquialisms.And, The thought of moving decades of data from your legacy software is pretty intimidating to a whole lot of lawyers, but cloud-based software is where it's at, man, so you really need to get it done. Jared gives tips for migrating data with minimal headaches.Marisa Portuondo is senior enterprise architect at streamlined.legal.-----Since we talked Miami culture + I learned some Spanish on this episode, let's celebrate with some songs about the Magic City!-----Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest.The music for the Legal Trends Report Minute is I See You by Sounds Like Sander.Our closing track is Hands Up, Buttercup! by Neon Beach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices