

Law Subscribed
Mathew Kerbis, The Subscription Attorney
Mathew Kerbis interviews attorneys and technologists building for subscription legal services and other innovations within the law.
https://linktr.ee/lawsubscribed. www.lawsubscribed.com
https://linktr.ee/lawsubscribed. www.lawsubscribed.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 12, 2025 • 19min
(155) Criminal Law + Subscriptions with Adam Rossen of Rossen Law Firm
Click here to sign up for a new platform that helps law firms use subscription billing.Here are the top 5 takeaways from this episode:* Innovative Criminal Defense Internship/Externship Program:Adam Rossen’s law firm runs a highly competitive, curriculum-based internship program for high school, undergraduate, and law students. The program is designed to provide real-world legal experience, pairing students with attorneys and involving them in substantive casework. There is a push to rebrand it as an externship to help students receive academic credit.* Subscription and Fixed Fee Models in Criminal Defense:Rossen’s firm utilizes fixed fees and is exploring subscription models for ongoing client services, especially for probation-related matters. The discussion highlights the benefits of offering tiered subscription packages (e.g., access to legal resources, help with forms, full representation) to better serve clients and create predictable revenue.* Client Retention and Value Packaging:Rossen’s firm has historically provided certain post-case services (like probation motions) for free to nurture long-term client relationships and encourage positive reviews. However, this has become burdensome for staff, leading to a reevaluation of what should be included for free versus what should be packaged and charged for in a subscription or a la carte model.* Data-Driven Pricing and Service Decisions:There is an emphasis on analyzing firm data (e.g., rates of probation violations, service usage) to inform pricing and package design for subscription offerings. This approach ensures that the firm’s offerings are both sustainable and aligned with client needs.* Leveraging Technology and AI in Legal Practice:Adam Rossen is co-owner of Meet Gabby, a voice AI company that is being used to automate intake, calls, and other administrative tasks in his firm. The adoption of AI tools (like Paxton and Gabby) is seen as a way to scale operations, improve efficiency, and maintain high service quality without significantly increasing staff.__________________________Learn more about Rossen Law Firm and Meet Gabby.Sign up for Paxton, my all-in-one AI legal assistant, helping me with legal research, analysis, drafting, and enhancing existing legal work product.Here’s a link to purchase lifetime access to the recordings of My Shingle’s AI Teach-In if you couldn’t make it live.I’ve partnered with Pii to make it easy for you to purchase the hardware I use in my law firm: (1) Studio Setup; (2) Midrange Setup; (3) Highrange Setup.Get Connected with SixFifty, a business and employment legal document automation tool.Sign up for Gavel, an automation platform for law firms.Visit Law Subscribed to subscribe to the weekly newsletter to listen from your web browser.Prefer monthly updates? Sign up for the Law Subscribed Monthly Digest on LinkedIn.Check out Mathew Kerbis’ law firm Subscription Attorney LLC.Want to use the subscription model for your law firm? Click here to sign up for a new platform that helps law firms use subscription billing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lawsubscribed.com/subscribe

Dec 5, 2025 • 1h 2min
(154) Personal Injury Law + AI with Jonathan Nessler of Nessler & Associates and Integrated Cognition
Click here to sign up for a new platform that helps law firms use subscription billing.Here are the top 5 takeaways from this episode:* AI and Blockchain Will Transform Legal Practice and Evidence: The intersection of AI and blockchain is poised to revolutionize how legal professionals verify authenticity and ownership of digital evidence. Blockchain’s immutability and transparency can provide cryptographic proof of creation and ownership, which will be crucial as AI-generated content becomes indistinguishable from reality.* The Billable Hour Model Is Obsolete—Subscription Models Are the Future: The traditional billable hour is a relatively recent invention and is increasingly misaligned with client needs and lawyer well-being. Subscription-based legal services offer pricing certainty, better client relationships, and align incentives for efficiency, making them a more sustainable and client-friendly business model.* AI Will Reshape Legal Training and the Profession’s Structure: As AI automates more legal work, the traditional law firm pyramid (with many associates learning under partners) will erode. There’s a pressing need to rethink how new lawyers are trained, with externships and hands-on, AI-powered experiences becoming more important than the old apprenticeship model.* Legal Market Opportunity Is Vast, but Access Hinges on Affordability and Innovation: A huge portion of the legal market remains untapped due to cost and complexity. AI and new business models (like subscriptions) can unlock this latent demand, but lawyers must adapt to serve clients who expect affordable, accessible, and tech-enabled services.* Human Value in Law Will Shift Toward Creativity, Art, and Personalization: As routine legal tasks become automated, the unique value lawyers provide will center on creativity, personal connection, and brand differentiation—much like in the arts. Lawyers who embrace technology and focus on what only humans can do will thrive in the coming era of legal abundance.__________________________Learn more about Nessler & Associates and Integrated Cognition.Sign up for Paxton, my all-in-one AI legal assistant, helping me with legal research, analysis, drafting, and enhancing existing legal work product.Here’s a link to purchase lifetime access to the recordings of My Shingle’s AI Teach-In if you couldn’t make it live.I’ve partnered with Pii to make it easy for you to purchase the hardware I use in my law firm: (1) Studio Setup; (2) Midrange Setup; (3) Highrange Setup.Get Connected with SixFifty, a business and employment legal document automation tool.Sign up for Gavel, an automation platform for law firms.Visit Law Subscribed to subscribe to the weekly newsletter to listen from your web browser.Prefer monthly updates? Sign up for the Law Subscribed Monthly Digest on LinkedIn.Check out Mathew Kerbis’ law firm Subscription Attorney LLC.Want to use the subscription model for your law firm? Click here to sign up for a new platform that helps law firms use subscription billing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lawsubscribed.com/subscribe

Nov 28, 2025 • 1h 1min
(153) Integrating AI in Legal Services (live at LegalGeek)
Click here to sign up for a new platform that helps law firms use subscription billing.On June 17, 2025, I presented live at LegalGeek in Chicago on the topic of integrating AI in legal services. Here are the top 5 takeaways:* The Billable Hour Is Obsolete.* The adoption of AI tools in legal practice is making the traditional billable hour model increasingly untenable. AI enables lawyers to deliver work faster and more efficiently, aligning incentives with client value rather than time spent. Subscription and value-based pricing models are more viable and attractive for both lawyers and clients.* Purpose-Built, Legal-Specific AI Tools Are Essential.* Not all AI is created equal. General-purpose tools like ChatGPT are not reliable for legal research or fact-finding. Instead, legal professionals should use purpose-built, legal-specific AI tools (like Paxton) that leverage retrieval augmented generation (RAG) and are trained on legal data. These tools provide more accurate, reliable, and secure results.* AI Enables Access to the Latent Legal Market.* A vast portion of the legal market remains underserved due to high costs and lack of pricing transparency. AI-powered efficiencies and alternative pricing models (like subscriptions and per-page pricing) open up legal services to a much larger market, making legal help more accessible and affordable for individuals and small businesses.* Effective Use of AI Requires New Skills and Mindsets.* Lawyers must learn to interact with AI as they would with a smart, entry-level assistant: providing context, iterating, and verifying results. Prompt engineering, semantic search, and understanding the limitations and strengths of different AI tools are now essential skills for modern legal professionals.* Adoption of AI Is Now an Ethical Imperative.* With the efficiency and accuracy gains AI provides, not using these tools may be seen as failing to meet ethical obligations to clients. The legal profession is expected to adopt technology that improves client service, transparency, and value. Failing to do so could be considered exploitative or even unethical under professional rules.__________________________Sign up for Paxton, my all-in-one AI legal assistant, helping me with legal research, analysis, drafting, and enhancing existing legal work product.Here’s a link to purchase lifetime access to the recordings of My Shingle’s AI Teach-In if you couldn’t make it live.I’ve partnered with Pii to make it easy for you to purchase the hardware I use in my law firm: (1) Studio Setup; (2) Midrange Setup; (3) Highrange Setup.Get Connected with SixFifty, a business and employment legal document automation tool.Sign up for Gavel, an automation platform for law firms.Visit Law Subscribed to subscribe to the weekly newsletter to listen from your web browser.Prefer monthly updates? Sign up for the Law Subscribed Monthly Digest on LinkedIn.Check out Mathew Kerbis’ law firm Subscription Attorney LLC.Want to use the subscription model for your law firm? Click here to sign up for a new platform that helps law firms use subscription billing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lawsubscribed.com/subscribe

Nov 21, 2025 • 48min
(152) Wellness and Legal Services + Subscriptions with Shannon Villalba of Heartsong Legal
Click here to sign up for a new platform that helps law firms use subscription billing.Here are the top 5 takeaways from this episode:* Integrating Wellness and Law: Shannon Villalba combines her background in the arts, holistic wellness, and law to create a unique legal practice. She uses tools like meditation, energy work, and her Heartsong Chara Framework to help clients understand legal concepts and build their businesses in a more balanced, holistic way.* Moving Away from the Billable Hour: Both Shannon and Mathew advocate for flat fee and subscription-based legal services. This model provides clients with predictable, transparent pricing, reduces stress for both clients and attorneys, and encourages more open communication and collaboration.* Leveraging Technology for Efficiency: Shannon runs a virtual law firm and uses a lean tech stack (including MyCase, ClickUp, Zapier, Google Suite, AI tools like ChatGPT and Perplexity, Canva, and more) to streamline operations, improve client service, and stay competitive. She encourages experimentation and play with new tech to discover what works best.* Empowering Clients and Building Relationships: The subscription model allows attorneys to become true partners and guides for their clients, rather than just service providers. This approach fosters deeper relationships, more comprehensive issue spotting, and empowers clients through education and ongoing support.* Women and Underrepresented Attorneys as Innovators: The flexibility of virtual, tech-enabled, and alternative fee law practices is especially attractive to women and underrepresented attorneys. It allows for better work-life balance, the ability to serve clients authentically, and the freedom to innovate outside the constraints of traditional law firm models.__________________________Learn more about Heartsong Legal.Sign up for Paxton, my all-in-one AI legal assistant, helping me with legal research, analysis, drafting, and enhancing existing legal work product.Here’s a link to purchase lifetime access to the recordings of My Shingle’s AI Teach-In if you couldn’t make it live.I’ve partnered with Pii to make it easy for you to purchase the hardware I use in my law firm: (1) Studio Setup; (2) Midrange Setup; (3) Highrange Setup.Get Connected with SixFifty, a business and employment legal document automation tool.Sign up for Gavel, an automation platform for law firms.Visit Law Subscribed to subscribe to the weekly newsletter to listen from your web browser.Prefer monthly updates? Sign up for the Law Subscribed Monthly Digest on LinkedIn.Check out Mathew Kerbis’ law firm Subscription Attorney LLC.Want to use the subscription model for your law firm? Click here to sign up for a new platform that helps law firms use subscription billing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lawsubscribed.com/subscribe

Nov 14, 2025 • 40min
(151) Recap: How to Run a Law Firm in 2025
Click here to sign up for a new platform that helps law firms use subscription billing.Here are the top 5 takeaways from this episode:1. Constant Adaptation and Simplification Are Key to Law Firm Success.Both Mathew and Lauren emphasized the importance of regularly reassessing and adapting their practice areas, pricing, and service offerings. Lauren pivoted away from tax debt resolution to focus on estate planning and prenups, while Mathew simplified his pricing structure and eliminated underused features and add-ons.2. Data-Driven Decisions Improve Offerings and Client Experience.They both use a mix of analytics, client feedback, and “gut data” from years of experience to refine their services. This includes tracking which offerings clients actually use, which content gets the most engagement, and adjusting accordingly for better retention and satisfaction.3. Streamlined Onboarding and Intentional Friction Save Time.Mathew shared how he reworked his onboarding process using Google Workspace, Calendly, Stripe, and Google Forms to introduce just enough friction. This helps filter out unqualified leads and ensures new clients are a good fit, saving time for both the lawyer and the client.4. Community and Content Platforms Matter.Lauren’s move from MailChimp to Substack for her newsletter and podcast was inspired by the platform’s community features and ease of use. Both hosts discussed the value of memorable branding, vanity URLs, and focusing content on topics that resonate most with their audience (like costs, outsourcing, AI, and SOPs).5. Embrace AI and Technology, but Stay Client-Focused.Both are exploring ways to use AI and automation to improve efficiency and client service, such as creating SOPs, using AI prompts, and building tools for solo practitioners. However, they stress that technology should serve the client’s needs and not overwhelm them with complexity.Bonus: The most popular content topics for their audiences are costs, outsourcing, AI, finances, and standard operating procedures—indicating a strong interest in practical, efficiency-focused advice for running a modern law firm.__________________________Learn more about A Different Practice.Sign up for Paxton, my all-in-one AI legal assistant, helping me with legal research, analysis, drafting, and enhancing existing legal work product.Here’s a link to purchase lifetime access to the recordings of My Shingle’s AI Teach-In if you couldn’t make it live.I’ve partnered with Pii to make it easy for you to purchase the hardware I use in my law firm: (1) Studio Setup; (2) Midrange Setup; (3) Highrange Setup.Get Connected with SixFifty, a business and employment legal document automation tool.Sign up for Gavel, an automation platform for law firms.Visit Law Subscribed to subscribe to the weekly newsletter to listen from your web browser.Prefer monthly updates? Sign up for the Law Subscribed Monthly Digest on LinkedIn.Check out Mathew Kerbis’ law firm Subscription Attorney LLC.Want to use the subscription model for your law firm? Click here to sign up for a new platform that helps law firms use subscription billing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lawsubscribed.com/subscribe

Nov 7, 2025 • 46min
(150) Specialization + Subscriptions with Nancy Fox of Wyze Rainmakers
Click here to sign up for a new platform that helps law firms use subscription billing.Here are the top 5 takeaways from my conversation with Nancy Fox:* Strategic Networking is Essential: Nancy emphasizes that building relationships with the right people is the foundation of business development, especially for professionals like lawyers and accountants. Networking should be targeted and strategic, not just about meeting as many people as possible.* AI as an Enhancement, Not a Replacement: Both Nancy and Mathew agree that AI is a powerful tool for enhancing professional work, not replacing expertise. AI can save time, provide strategic insights, and help with tasks like business planning and niche analysis, but it cannot substitute for real-world experience and judgment.* The Importance of Specialization and Niche: Specialization is evolving. While AI enables professionals to be more generalist, true differentiation comes from having a clear niche—whether that’s a specific industry, demographic, or service. Being specific in your value proposition and target market is key.* Productizing and Recurring Revenue Models: Nancy discusses the value of productizing services and adopting recurring revenue models (like subscriptions or memberships) for professionals who want to scale without building large teams. This approach allows for more predictable income and leverages expertise in a repeatable way.* Embracing Failure and Adaptability: Nancy shares that a willingness to experiment, take risks, and even fail is crucial for growth. She stresses the importance of being willing to try new things, learn from failures, and pivot when something isn’t working—qualities that are especially important for entrepreneurs and innovators.__________________________Learn more about Nancy Fox’s networking group Wyze Rainmakers.Sign up for Paxton, my all-in-one AI legal assistant, helping me with legal research, analysis, drafting, and enhancing existing legal work product.Here’s a link to purchase lifetime access to the recordings of My Shingle’s AI Teach-In if you couldn’t make it live.I’ve partnered with Pii to make it easy for you to purchase the hardware I use in my law firm: (1) Studio Setup; (2) Midrange Setup; (3) Highrange Setup.Get Connected with SixFifty, a business and employment legal document automation tool.Sign up for Gavel, an automation platform for law firms.Visit Law Subscribed to subscribe to the weekly newsletter to listen from your web browser.Prefer monthly updates? Sign up for the Law Subscribed Monthly Digest on LinkedIn.Check out Mathew Kerbis’ law firm Subscription Attorney LLC.Want to use the subscription model for your law firm? Click here to sign up for a new platform that helps law firms use subscription billing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lawsubscribed.com/subscribe

Oct 31, 2025 • 56min
(149) Value Based Pricing Colony with Mathew Kerbis, The Subscription Attorney
On May 14, 2025, I presented live on the topic of subscription-based legal services to Shaun Jardine’s Value Based Pricing Colony. Here are the top 5 takeaways:1. Start Small with Subscription Models: Law firms interested in moving to a subscription-based pricing model should begin with a pilot program in one practice area, targeting loyal clients and documenting results to build internal support.2. Value Over Time Tracking: The shift from billable hours to subscription or value-based pricing requires a mindset change—focus on the value delivered, not the time spent. This benefits both clients (predictability) and lawyers (better relationships, less stress).3. Tiered Service Packages and Scope Management: Successful subscription models often use tiered packages (e.g., bronze, silver, gold) with clear boundaries. It’s important to positively reinforce clients who need more and move them up tiers, rather than penalizing them.4. Not All Clients or Practice Areas Are Equal: Subscription models may not fit every client or practice area, but with thoughtful segmentation and pricing, firms can attract ideal clients and avoid unprofitable work. It’s okay—and often necessary—to turn away difficult or low-value clients.5. Market Opportunity and Innovation: There is a huge, underserved “latent legal market” of people and businesses who need legal help but can’t afford traditional hourly rates. Subscription and alternative pricing models, supported by technology and automation, can unlock this market and drive innovation in legal services.__________________________Learn more about Shaun Jardine’s Value Based Pricing Colony.Sign up for Paxton, my all-in-one AI legal assistant, helping me with legal research, analysis, drafting, and enhancing existing legal work product.Here’s a link to purchase lifetime access to the recordings of My Shingle’s AI Teach-In if you couldn’t make it live.I’ve partnered with Pii to make it easy for you to purchase the hardware I use in my law firm: (1) Studio Setup; (2) Midrange Setup; (3) Highrange Setup.Get Connected with SixFifty, a business and employment legal document automation tool.Sign up for Gavel, an automation platform for law firms.Check out my other show, the Law for Kids Podcast.Visit Law Subscribed to subscribe to the weekly newsletter to listen from your web browser.Prefer monthly updates? Sign up for the Law Subscribed Monthly Digest on LinkedIn.Want to use the subscription model for your law firm? Sign up for the Subscription Seminar waitlist at subscriptionseminar.com.Check out Mathew Kerbis’ law firm Subscription Attorney LLC. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lawsubscribed.com/subscribe

Oct 24, 2025 • 52min
(148) AI for Lawyers + Subscriptions with Austin Brittenham of 2nd Chair
Here are the top 5 takeaways from this episode with Austin Brittenham of 2nd Chair:* AI is Transforming Legal Workflows and the Billable HourAI tools like 2nd Chair are changing how legal work is performed, reducing the need for billable hours and enabling lawyers to work more efficiently. This shift challenges the traditional billable hour model and encourages new business models in law.* Access to Justice and the Latent Legal MarketThere is a huge unmet demand for legal services—most people with legal needs never consult a lawyer. AI-powered tools and new pricing models can help lawyers serve this “latent legal market,” expanding access to justice and creating new revenue opportunities.* Differentiation in Legal AI: Engineering and User Experience2nd Chair differentiates itself from competitors by building custom solutions for parsing legal documents and providing AI with citations, making it more reliable and useful for lawyers. Transparent, simple subscription pricing is also a key part of their appeal.* The Evolving Role of LawyersAI is automating much of the routine, document-heavy work that has dominated legal practice since the rise of the billable hour. This is pushing lawyers back toward their traditional roles as counselors, advisors, and advocates, focusing on higher-value tasks that require human judgment.* Changing Consumer Expectations and Legal Service DeliveryClients are increasingly using AI tools themselves before consulting lawyers, which changes their expectations for speed, cost, and value. Lawyers need to adapt by leveraging AI to deliver faster, more cost-effective, and higher-quality services, while maintaining the human accountability clients still demand.__________________________Learn more about 2nd Chair.Sign up for Paxton, my all-in-one AI legal assistant, helping me with legal research, analysis, drafting, and enhancing existing legal work product.Here’s a link to purchase lifetime access to the recordings of My Shingle’s AI Teach-In if you couldn’t make it live.I’ve partnered with Pii to make it easy for you to purchase the hardware I use in my law firm: (1) Studio Setup; (2) Midrange Setup; (3) Highrange Setup.Get Connected with SixFifty, a business and employment legal document automation tool.Sign up for Gavel, an automation platform for law firms.Check out my other show, the Law for Kids Podcast.Visit Law Subscribed to subscribe to the weekly newsletter to listen from your web browser.Prefer monthly updates? Sign up for the Law Subscribed Monthly Digest on LinkedIn.Want to use the subscription model for your law firm? Sign up for the Subscription Seminar waitlist at subscriptionseminar.com.Check out Mathew Kerbis’ law firm Subscription Attorney LLC. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lawsubscribed.com/subscribe

Oct 17, 2025 • 32min
(147) AI and Alternative Fee Arrangements
Explore how AI is revolutionizing legal practices, making tasks faster and more profitable outside of the billable hour model. Discover the benefits of subscription pricing, which offers predictable costs for clients and alleviates lawyer burnout. Delve into the vast potential of the latent legal market filled with unmet needs and how correct AI usage can enhance efficiency. Learn practical tips for legal tech tools and strategies to productize services, ensuring lawyers can scale their practices while keeping clients satisfied.

Oct 13, 2025 • 2min
(146.5) Special Announcement! New In-Person Dinner Events for Law Subscribed Audience
Click here to sign up for a new platform that helps law firms use subscription billing.I’m thrilled to announce a new collaboration with DNNR to host in-person dinners for the Law Subscribed audience, starting October 22, 2025, in Lincoln Park, Chicago. Interested attendees should visit lawsubscribed.dnnr.io to sign up. Feedback and suggestions for future event locations or alternative times are welcome!__________________________Sign up for Paxton, my all-in-one AI legal assistant, helping me with legal research, analysis, drafting, and enhancing existing legal work product.Here’s a link to purchase lifetime access to the recordings of My Shingle’s AI Teach-In if you couldn’t make it live.I’ve partnered with Pii to make it easy for you to purchase the hardware I use in my law firm: (1) Studio Setup; (2) Midrange Setup; (3) Highrange Setup.Get Connected with SixFifty, a business and employment legal document automation tool.Sign up for Gavel, an automation platform for law firms.Visit Law Subscribed to subscribe to the weekly newsletter to listen from your web browser.Prefer monthly updates? Sign up for the Law Subscribed Monthly Digest on LinkedIn.Check out Mathew Kerbis’ law firm Subscription Attorney LLC.Want to use the subscription model for your law firm? Click here to sign up for a new platform that helps law firms use subscription billing. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.lawsubscribed.com/subscribe


