Lawyerist Podcast

In episode #577 of Lawyerist Podcast, discover how to use AI to drive firm growth, expand practice areas, and strengthen client relationships while avoiding the trap of treating it as a simple efficiency tool. Too often, conversations about AI in law stop at shaving time off tasks or reducing headcount, but AI holds far more potential than cost-cutting. Innovation strategist Sam Harden explains why firms should resist the temptation to view AI as a staff replacement and instead embrace it as a growth engine. By experimenting with generative tools and even “vibe coding,” lawyers can create new services, improve client experiences, and reach entirely new markets. Rather than narrowing practice, AI can open doors to expansion, innovation, and more sustainable business models—helping firms future-proof themselves in a rapidly evolving market.  Ideal for growth-minded lawyers, firm leaders, and legal innovators who want to use AI strategically to scale smarter, serve better, and stay ahead.  Links From the Episode:  https://samharden.substack.com/  https://legaltalknetwork.com/podcasts/for-the-innocent/  https://tabs3.com/seetabs3/    Listen to our other episodes on AI & Legal Innovation:  #565: Becoming the AI Driven Leader, with Geoff Woods Apple | Spotify | LTN  #562: Beyond ChatGPT: The AI Revolution Happening Inside Your Firm, with Charreau Bell Apple | Spotify | LTN  #555: How to Use AI and Universal Design to Empower Diverse Thinkers with Susan Tanner Apple | Spotify | LTN  #553: AI Tools and Processes Every Lawyer Should Use with Catherine Sanders Reach Apple | Spotify | LTN  #452: Managing AI in Your Practice, with Ed Walters 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 – Welcome & What Legal Talk Network Is  04:33 – Building a Modern Legal Tech Stack  10:33 – Meet Sam Harden: From Trial Lawyer to Innovator  16:38 – AI in Law: Efficiency vs. Growth  23:53 – The Risks of Replacing People with Technology  31:46 – Vibe Coding and the Future of Legal Tech  44:57 – Looking Ahead: Sam’s Vision as Innovation Strategist 

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 

Chad Fox, a Lawyerist Lab business strategist, shares his expertise on helping law firms overcome feelings of overwhelm. He emphasizes the importance of shifting from daily tasks to high-value CEO work, allowing lawyers to lead with clarity and vision. The discussion includes powerful strategies for effective delegation without guilt and inspiring stories of attorneys who have successfully scaled their practices. Chad encourages lawyers to dream bigger, transform their mindsets, and embrace community support for sustainable growth.

Most people facing legal problems don’t see them as legal at all—they see them as life problems with landlords, employers, or benefits agencies. That disconnect leaves millions without meaningful help, even when lawyers or courts are available.  In this episode, Zack Glaser talks with Professor Rebecca Sandefur (Arizona State University, American Bar Foundation) and Matthew Burnett (Georgetown Law, ABF) about their research on community justice workers and why people-centered solutions may be the key to closing the justice gap.  They explore how community justice workers operate in Alaska and beyond, why legal help doesn’t always have to come from lawyers, and how rules around unauthorized practice of law are evolving. You’ll hear evidence that trained non-lawyers can be just as effective—sometimes more so—than attorneys in resolving critical issues like housing or benefits.  Rebecca and Matthew also discuss what “success” really means: scalable, sustainable programs that meet people where they are, in their own communities, in their own language. And they argue that broadening access to justice isn’t just about legal services—it’s about strengthening democracy itself.  This episode is for lawyers, policymakers, and innovators who want to reimagine how legal help is delivered—and build a justice system that actually works for the people it’s meant to serve.  Additionally, Zack and Stephanie talk about the upcoming ClioCon 2025 in Boston, MA. Check out the conference and get your tickets at cliocon.com. Use the code “LawyeristxClioCon” for a $300 discount on your ticket.    Listen to our other episodes on Access To Justice:  #129: The Business of Public Access to Law, with Tim Stanley   Apple | Spotify | LTN  #228: The Real Access-to-Justice Problem and How We Might Solve It, with Rebecca Sandefur  Apple | Spotify | LTN  #423: Bridging the Access to Justice Gap with Technology, with Sateesh Nori  Apple | Spotify | LTN  #440: A Path to Meaningful Regulations, with Rebecca Sandefur  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 – Fall & ClioCon in Boston05:24 – Meet Rebecca Sandefur & Matthew Burnett06:50 – A People-Centered Justice Approach11:08 – Community Justice Workers Explained15:55 – Legal Help Without Lawyers20:31 – What Success Really Looks Like25:23 – State Models & Next Steps34:30 – Scaling Justice & Strengthening Democracy38:49 – Final Takeaways 

In this engaging discussion, Kat Vellos, author of 'We Should Get Together', shares her expertise on nurturing friendships and building community. She dives into overcoming busyness to cultivate meaningful connections and emphasizes moving beyond small talk. Kat introduces her four "seeds of connection" framework, offering practical strategies for deepening relationships. The conversation highlights the vital role of friendships in well-being and provides actionable tips for creating a supportive network in both personal and professional spheres.

In this discussion, Jim Detert, a professor at UVA's Darden School of Business and author of 'Choosing Courage,' delves into the skills lawyers need to cultivate courage in their careers. He highlights the importance of addressing fear in the workplace and offers a 'courage ladder' to help professionals build confidence step by step. The conversation also covers the cost of silence in legal practice and the necessity of aligning personal values with professional actions. It's a practical guide for cultivating integrity and leading with bravery.

Tanya Hernandez, a law professor at Fordham University, specializes in anti-discrimination law and critical race theory. In this conversation, she breaks down the true meaning of DEI for small law firms and the legal context behind it. Tanya discusses the impact of unconscious bias in hiring and why 'culture fit' could be misleading. She offers practical strategies for fostering an equitable workplace that doesn’t require a large HR team and clears up misinformation about DEI after recent Supreme Court rulings, providing valuable insights for law firm leaders.

In this engaging conversation, Bruce Politsky, Director of Sales at Tabs3, shares insights into legal practice management and adapting to new technologies. He discusses the importance of the revamped Small Firm Scorecard™, which now features just 20 key questions, making it easier for firms to assess their growth stages. The episode also dives into how understanding performance metrics can tailor strategies for hiring and long-term planning. Discover how flexible digital solutions can transform law firm workflows and boost efficiency.

David Allen, author of "Getting Things Done" and a renowned productivity coach, shares insights on managing chaos in the legal profession. He outlines the five key steps of the GTD framework, stressing that a clear mind is essential for leadership. Strategies for avoiding burnout and creating efficient team dynamics are also explored. Allen discusses how structured lists and regular assessments can enhance personal and team productivity, offering practical tools for lawyers to reclaim control over their workload and foster a healthier work environment.

Victoria L. Collier, founder of Quid Pro Quo and former estate planning attorney, shares insights on building a sellable law firm. She discusses the importance of detaching personal identity from the business and creating operational independence. Key topics include what buyers really want, strategies for effective hiring, and the critical role of AI in firm valuations. Victoria unveils surprising truths about law sales, such as potential cash upfront and the necessity of a self-sustaining firm to attract buyers.