

The 80/20 Principle
Ernie Svenson
This podcast is for lawyers who want more freedom, flexibility, and control over their practice. Ernie focuses on the 20% of tools and strategies—especially AI—that deliver 80% of the results.
No buzzwords. No hype. Just clear, practical insights on using AI, automation, outsourcing, marketing, cybersecurity, and smart systems to reduce friction, streamline workflows, and run your practice your way—from anywhere.
No buzzwords. No hype. Just clear, practical insights on using AI, automation, outsourcing, marketing, cybersecurity, and smart systems to reduce friction, streamline workflows, and run your practice your way—from anywhere.
Episodes
Mentioned books

12 snips
Aug 26, 2025 • 29min
313: The New Rules of SEO for Lawyers in the Age of AI (with Megan Hargroder)
Megan Hargroder, founder of Legends Legal Marketing, specializes in connecting lawyers with clients through compelling websites. She discusses how AI is reshaping the legal SEO landscape, stressing that professionalism isn’t enough anymore. Instead, storytelling and trust-building are key to gaining visibility. Megan also reveals strategies for ethically ranking online, optimizing content for direct answers, and leveraging platforms like Reddit to engage prospective clients—transforming outdated marketing approaches into trust-driven success.

11 snips
Aug 12, 2025 • 15min
312: The Release of GPT-5 and How to Escape the Vortex of Bad Information
The podcast dives into the chaos that follows major news events, like the launch of GPT-5. It emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and evaluating sources to combat misinformation. Personal stories highlight the struggle with distractions and information overload, especially for solo lawyers. Tips for filtering out noise include choosing credible sources and adopting intentional learning habits, enabling listeners to focus on what’s genuinely useful amidst the chaos.

17 snips
Jul 15, 2025 • 20min
311: Protecting Client Data in the Age of AI
Explore the pressing issue of client data security as AI tools like ChatGPT increasingly infiltrate law practice. Discover the biggest vulnerabilities lawyers face and learn best practices for safeguarding sensitive info. Insights from a consensus of 30 legal professionals reveal the importance of privacy settings and securing client consent. Find out which paid AI tools are trustworthy and take a peek behind the curtain at the ChatGPT Lab, your ultimate resource for safe AI usage in the legal field.

14 snips
Jun 17, 2025 • 46min
310: The Power of Direct Mail for Lawyers: Insights from Wilson Zehr
Wilson Zehr, creator of ZairMail and a savvy entrepreneur with a tech background, discusses the overlooked power of direct mail for lawyers. He reveals how traditional mail can trump digital marketing when executed right, emphasizing the effectiveness of targeted campaigns. Zehr introduces innovative tools like Xeromail, which make sending direct mail as easy as emailing. He also highlights strategies for reaching affluent communities and the importance of personalization in client outreach. Direct mail may be old school, but it’s making a compelling comeback!

14 snips
Jun 4, 2025 • 27min
309: Tech-Driven Insights from Solo Lawyer Lee Rudin
Lee Rudin, a savvy personal injury lawyer from New Orleans, reveals how he keeps his practice efficient through technology and outsourcing. He shares his go-to tools like Text Expander and Demands AI that save hours of work each week. Rudin also emphasizes the role of virtual assistants in enhancing legal practices and discusses innovative marketing techniques using short-form videos to attract clients. His journey from Tulane Law to building Rudin Law showcases the power of tech in transforming the legal landscape.

19 snips
May 20, 2025 • 19min
308: Mastering AI: A Lawyer's Guide to ChatGPT
Lawyers are diving deep into mastering ChatGPT as their go-to AI tool. Discover practical tips for maximizing its utility, including the benefits of the paid version. The podcast also reveals a hands-on training program aimed at solo and small firm lawyers, offering guidance to help them effectively integrate AI into their practices. Additionally, a unique co-pilot program is introduced, providing collaborative workshops to enhance skills in using AI tools for legal work.

17 snips
May 6, 2025 • 15min
307: Wisper Flow: The AI Assistant You Didn't Know You Needed
Discover the magic of Wisper Flow, an AI-driven dictation tool that speeds up your document and email creation process, making it three times faster than typing. It learns your style over time, enhancing efficiency in your work. The discussion dives into how this technology can revolutionize communication for professionals, particularly in legal practices. Plus, the seamless integration with apps like ChatGPT and Perplexity is a game changer, streamlining your workflow and allowing you to focus on higher-level tasks.

29 snips
Apr 15, 2025 • 16min
306: Revamping Legal Research - The AI Advantage for Solo & Small Firms
Explore how AI is shaking up the world of legal research, making it more accessible for solo and small firms. Discover cost-effective alternatives to traditional giants like LexisNexis and Westlaw, empowering lawyers to enhance efficiency without breaking the bank. Learn about innovative tools that streamline document analysis and research processes. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need for smaller practices to embrace these advancements to remain competitive in a fast-evolving industry.

32 snips
Apr 1, 2025 • 57min
305: Improve Your Memory using Proven Techniques (with Anthony Metivier)
Anthony Metivier, a memory expert renowned for his innovative recall techniques, shares transformative strategies for enhancing memory. He delves into memory palaces and personalized association methods that can refine your recall, especially useful in professions like law. Listeners will learn how to turn memorization into an engaging experience, the significance of imagination in memory training, and practical applications for improving advocacy skills. Embrace the ancient art of memory to unlock personal growth and cognitive enhancement!

Mar 18, 2025 • 40min
304: Subscription Pricing for Transactional Lawyers (with Mathew Kerbis)
Mathew Kerbis, known as The Subscription Attorney, made a bold move by swapping billable hours for subscription pricing in his legal practice. He shares insights on seamlessly integrating AI tools to boost efficiency and client satisfaction. Listeners learn about the strategic advantages of flexible pricing and project-based tracking. Mathew also emphasizes the importance of innovation and trust-building in adapting to client needs in a rapidly changing landscape, showcasing how technology can drive success in the legal field.