Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics

Take a deep dive into today’s case management and accounting tech with one of the leading voices in legal technology, Allan Mackenzie, the founding partner of the firm Efficient Legal.  Moving from older systems and into the cloud can open lots of doors, affordably. Even small firms can dig into today’s modern technology to help manage documents, accounting tasks, and more.  Iron out the wrinkles in your data management, connect platforms, and work seamlessly and efficiently. Case management systems have evolved to include dashboards, workflows, document assembly, phone call and text messaging systems, and even accounting tech and credit card processing. Hear what Mackenzie looks for when he sets out to build the right-sized system for a law firm, whether that’s a solo practice or a large organization.  Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com   Topics: Think your legal software and systems are fine because they’re what you’ve always used? Think again. Six months is an eternity in legal tech, and if you haven’t reviewed and renewed your software suite, you could be leaving money on the table.  Integrate everything, including your billing, collections, and your phone calls, into every part of your firm, from information management to confidential storage and efficient search and recall.  Your clients are texting more than ever. Today’s case management systems incorporate technology to securely receive, sort, and store text messages. Resources: Clio Legal Tech MyCase Smokeball CARET (formerly Zola) Leap Neos Dialpad RingCentral Ion8 Lightbulb Slack Quickbooks MyFirmData Zoho Invoice Centerbase Microsoft Teams Universal Migrator Actionstep Dropbox Dash ABA Techshow 2026  Previously on New Solo, “Winning The Battle: When It’s Time To Modernize But There’s One Holdout”  Previously on New Solo, guest Peggy Gruenke, “What’s New in Legal Financial Management? An Expert’s Perspective”  Previously on New Solo, guest Amanda Moore, “Money Management 101 for Solo and Small Firm Professionals”  Clio Cloud Conference 2025 Clio Legal Trends Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI is here to revolutionize your law firm, moving beyond simple prompts to actively handling your tasks. This Lawyerist Podcast episode is your essential guide. Zack Glaser sits down with Dr. Charreau Bell, a senior data scientist and assistant professor at Vanderbilt University, who's helping law students and faculty use AI in truly meaningful ways.  This isn’t just theoretical—you’ll get real clarity on what it means to use AI well in your firm, right now. We break down the crucial difference between merely using an AI model and actually "training" one, so you understand what's happening behind the scenes. You’ll also learn when it's safe (and risky!) to send client data into cloud-based AI tools, and how you can even run powerful AI models right on your own computer for ultimate privacy.  But here's where it gets really exciting: we explore how AI is evolving beyond simple prompts into "agentic systems" that can plan, reason, and act on your behalf. Think of AI not just as a tool, but as a proactive assistant that can break down complex tasks and execute them using various "tools" you provide. This isn't just about automating simple tasks; it’s about offloading work that previously required significant expertise, freeing you to focus on more creative and complex legal challenges.  If this episode sparks questions about the data in your firm and how you can leverage it, check out the “free small firm scorecard”. It’s a quick assessment to help you get a data-driven view of your firm and identify areas for smart improvements as you embark on your AI journey.    Listen to our other episodes about Artificial Intelligence:   #555: How to Use AI and Universal Design to Empower Diverse Thinkers with Susan Tanner Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist  #553: AI Tools and Processes Every Lawyer Should Use with Catherine Sanders Reach Apple Podcasts  Spotify  Lawyerist   #551: Becoming the AI Driven Leader, with Geoff Woods Apple Podcasts  Spotify  Lawyerist     Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!   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 - Introduction: Beyond Simple AI Prompts  03:20 - How Data Science Helps Lawyers  04:32 - Automating Document Review and Information Extraction  07:10 - Understanding How AI Models Work (Training vs. Using)  13:25 - Secure AI: Running Models Locally and with Cloud Providers  17:16 - Training AI Models with Limited Data (Transfer Learning)  28:16 - The Power of Agentic AI Systems  34:24 - Interacting with Agentic AI and Security Considerations  38:21 - The Importance of Data Organization in the Age of AI  43:46 - The Future of AI: Automating the Unwanted  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the administrative state to voting rights, they're just sort of winging it trying to reverse engineer results. ----- As Supreme Court season hits fever pitch, we're joined by Professor Leah Litman, author of Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, and Bad Vibes, to discuss the nightmare we're facing. Elena Kagan took the opportunity to humiliate her colleagues last week calling out an arbitrary carve out created to protect their investments. Kagan's frustration seems to be growing down the stretch, having just eviscerated the government in the birthright citizenship case. Meanwhile, Kristi Noem failed introductory constitutional law in front of the Senate, flailing as she tried to define habeas corpus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Roland founded the Freedom Center of Missouri to pursue legal protection of our constitutional rights to economic liberty and free speech. Our three-part series is a vital refresher on landmark cases and our ongoing responsibility to litigate for freedom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In April, LSC published a research brief, “The Economic Case for Civil Legal Aid,” which shows the results of a systematic review of 56 economic impact studies conducted between 2003 and 2023. The independent evaluations examined 39 different states. Every study found a positive return on investment (ROI) for civil legal aid spending, with an average return of $7 for every $1 invested in these legal services. Hear one compelling example from a medical-legal partnership between Amerihealth Caritas D.C. and Children's Law Center. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this hands-on, in-the-trenches episode about real business development, learn the secrets to acquiring and signing new clients from law firm advisor Steve Fretzin, author of the new book “Be That Lawyer: The 101 Top Rainmaker Secrets to Growing a Successful Law Practice.” Fretzin, an accomplished author, business strategist, and podcaster, works with law firms big and small to help them prioritize goals, build their business, and achieve measurable, repeatable successes. Business development is more than buzzwords such as “branding” or “marketing,” it’s about the entire, intentional path to creating a business that is always growing, always producing. It’s the process of becoming the lawyer that everyone knows and everyone goes to: a rainmaker. As Fretzin says, “Be that lawyer.”  Hear about “sales-free selling” with a thoughtful, insightful approach to learning what clients need before you start pitching a service. Develop a checklist, a map, for building your business that you can put to work today. Developing a business can be confusing, with a lot of moving parts. Fretzin explains how it all comes together. Mentioned in This Episode: Books by Steve Fretzin  Previous appearance on The Un-Billable Hour, “Business Development: Planning and Practicing” Join the next Community Table live. What’s on your mind?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chief Justice John Roberts recently called out the Trump administration for their threats to impeach judges who have ruled against them. In response to these threats to the judiciary, the Keep Our Republic’s Article III Coalition, composed of over twenty former federal district and circuit judges  appointed by Presidents Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton, George W. Bush and Obama, defended the federal judiciary, as political impeachment attempts against judges increase and the federal courts system face heightened scrutiny. In this episode, Craig is joined by Chief Judge Paul R. Michel, formerly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and member of Keep Our Republic's Article III Coalition. Together, Craig and Judge Michel discuss the calls for impeachment of judges by the current administration, and how a coalition of judges is fighting back. Mentioned in this Episode: Keep Our Republic's Article III Coalition Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get down with lawyers who rock, and some rock that led to lawsuits. Litigators Andrés Correa and Chris Patton of the Dallas firm Lynn Pinker Hurst & Schwegmann LLP are both rock and rollers and accomplished litigators. Hear how they make time for their passion for music, but also how the outlet releases stress and opens paths to creative thinking and strategies they’ve applied to their legal career and legal cases. Their passion for music inspired them to cowrite the Litigation Journal article “Rock Around the Court: How Copyright Litigation Reflects the Muddy Origins of Rock ‘n’ Roll” that explores the legal issues surrounding music and creativity. As those who came before influence styles later on, music copyright claims have led to legal cases that shape the world of music and art. Lawsuits continue to this day. What’s “inspiration” and what’s copyright infringement? From Elvis to Led Zepplin to today. Now, imagine where the brave new world of AI is going to take us.  Resources: “Rock Around the Court: How Copyright Litigation Reflects the Muddy Origins of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” by Chris Patton and Andrés Correa, Litigation Journal “Jimmy Page, Sony Pictures Sued by Songwriter Over Led Zeppelin Song,” Reuters “Led Zeppelin Emerges Victor in 'Stairway to Heaven' Plagiarism Case,” Reuters “George Harrison’s “My Sweet Lord” Copyright Case,” Performing Songwriter “Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams to Pay $5 Million to Marvin Gaye Estate for 'Blurred Lines'” NBC News “Reggaeton Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Targeting Over 100 of the Genre’s Biggest Acts to Move Forward,” Variety American Bar Association American Bar Association Litigation Section Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Attorneys Jeffrey Rapattoni and Adam Calvert from the law firm Marshall Dennehey discuss common staging tactics impacting commercial auto and trucking transportation litigation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ready for a serious look at the future of your law firm? In this Lawyerist Podcast episode, Zack Glaser sits down with a panel of law school professors for a wake-up call about something that will fundamentally reshape your practice: the tech-savvy generation of law students entering the field. This isn't a distant trend; it's happening now, and it demands your attention.  We explore how these future lawyers are already operating differently. You'll hear firsthand about their strong preference for the Google ecosystem – and why that directly impacts your firm's current reliance on tools like Microsoft Word. This isn't just about software; it's about the shifting expectations and workflows these digital natives are bringing with them as they become your colleagues.  Here's where it gets interesting for you: we explore how you can leverage this change to your firm's advantage. The professors share insights on how these students are uniquely positioned to drive AI adoption within your practice. Think of them as an untapped resource, ready to experiment with and implement AI-powered services that can elevate your firm's capabilities and even open doors to new service areas.  And let's be clear, you can't afford to ignore the rising importance of tech fluency, especially in AI. The professors don't mince words: a lack of understanding in this area will directly impact your ability to serve clients effectively. In a world swimming in digital data, from car sensors to smart devices, your firm's relevance depends on it.  This episode is your essential guide to:  Stay ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving legal landscape  Unlocking the potential of the next generation of legal talent  Building a future-proof firm that thrives on innovation  Tune in!  Listen to our other episodes about Artificial Intelligence:  #556 Hidden Data: What Lawyers Need to Know About Digital Forensics, with Cole Popkin Apple Podcasts  Spotify  Lawyerist  #538: AI is Making Law Firms Obsolete, with Alistair Vigier Apple Podcasts  Spotify  Lawyerist  #551: Becoming the AI Driven Leader, with Geoff Woods Apple Podcasts  Spotify  Lawyerist    Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!   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 – Intro: The Tech-Savvy Future of Law - Google Natives vs. Word Warriors  01:13 – The Google-Native Generation of Lawyers    02:51 – Changing Communication Norms    04:35 – Meet the Guests: Law School Professors on the Frontlines    06:21 – Teaching AI in Law School: An Overview    08:01 – Dennis Kennedy on AI in the Classroom    10:11 – Nicole Morris on AI Governance and Research    15:03 – Tracy Norton on AI as a Legal Writing Tool    25:25 – Is AI Dumbing Down Legal Education?    30:23 – Why Law School Must Teach AI    35:41 – How Should Professors Grade AI-Generated Work?    41:46 – Using AI to Improve the Classroom Experience    47:00 – How AI Will Change Legal Mentorship    52:19 – The Future of Law Firms and AI Expectations    55:25 – Final Thoughts: You Can’t Tap Out of AI    57:52 – Outro    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices