Lawyers Who Learn

Lawyers Who Learn podcast features an in-depth conversation between host David Schnurman, CEO of Lawline, and Haley Altman, a remarkable figure in legal tech who has successfully navigated multiple career transitions. The episode explores Haley's journey from aspiring doctor and cancer researcher to corporate lawyer, legal tech founder, and M&A executive. Starting with her early pivot from medicine to law, Haley shares how her love of learning and problem-solving drove her career choices. She discusses her decade as an M&A attorney, becoming one of the fastest partners at Ice Miller, and then founding Doxly, which she later sold to Litera. The conversation provides unique insights into her transition to heading M&A at Litera, where she leveraged her extensive network in the legal tech community to complete multiple acquisitions. Throughout the discussion, Haley opens up about balancing her professional achievements with personal life, including raising two daughters as a single parent. The conversation takes an intimate turn as both host and guest reflect on work-life balance, the importance of acknowledging one's accomplishments, and finding personal freedom alongside professional success. The episode concludes with Haley sharing her multiple potential next steps, both professionally and personally, highlighting her continued drive for growth and new experiences.

In an era where your smartphone, fitness tracker, and even your doorbell could become evidence in court, understanding digital forensics has never been more crucial. This episode of Lawyers Who Learn features Brian Chase, a leading digital forensics expert from ArcherHall who reveals his strategy of using CLE courses as a powerful business development tool, delivering over 120 presentations annually. Brian shares an inside look at developing and teaching CLE courses, particularly those focused on cutting-edge technology issues. The conversation explores several of his popular Lawline courses, including "Truth or Tech: AI-Generated Evidence," "My Ex Hacked Me: The Truth About Cyberstalking," "Your Home is Spying on You: Smart Device Data in Litigation," and "Location Data in Litigation." Through these courses, he breaks down complex technological concepts, from how Fitbit data can become crucial evidence in personal injury cases to the challenges courts face in authenticating AI-generated content. Drawing from his experience as both a former law firm owner and current digital forensics leader, Brian provides practical insights about teaching technical topics to legal audiences, while sharing the surprisingly accessible ways attorneys can start teaching their own CLE courses.

In this revealing conversation, host David Schnurman interviews Molly Kremer, "The Billing Coach," who transformed her career from BigLaw litigator to successful legal coach. Molly shares her journey from practicing insurance defense litigation at AmLaw 100 firm Cozen O'Connor to building her unique coaching practice focused on helping attorneys improve their billing habits. She discusses discovering her niche in coaching after experiencing her own struggles with time management and billing during COVID, and how she built her practice primarily through LinkedIn content and marketing. The conversation offers valuable insights into the business of legal coaching, including details about pricing models, client acquisition, and the shift from large law firms to boutique practices. Molly also reveals practical tips about using tools like Claude AI and Authored Up for content creation, and discusses her innovative approaches like "The Billing Hour" - a communal time for attorneys to catch up on their billing. This episode provides a masterclass in career transition and building a successful coaching practice in the legal industry, while addressing the often taboo subject of legal billing practices.

David Schnurman, CEO of Lawline speaks with Chris Chapman, CEO of Access Lex Institute, a nonprofit with a billion-dollar endowment focused on legal education. Chris details how Access Lex grew from a student loan provider to an organization that now runs multiple programs supporting law students and schools. He explains their bar prep platform Helix, which has helped reduce market prices by $1000 dollars, and discusses the significant changes coming with the 2026 Next Gen bar exam - a shift from memorization-based testing to practical legal skills assessment. The conversation examines the structural challenges driving high law school costs, including federal loan policies and accreditation requirements. Chris shares insights on potential solutions, from expanding online education to allowing non-JD professionals to provide certain legal services. He also discusses Access Lex's MAX program, which provides financial education to law students across 200 law schools, and addresses how AI and market changes may reshape legal education and bar preparation in the coming years. The episode covers key developments affecting the future of legal education, bar preparation, and the broader legal services market.

Beau Atkins, founder of Evolve Law, offers a fresh perspective on family law by implementing fixed-fee and subscription pricing models, making legal services more approachable. He discusses his journey from almost leaving law to scaling his practice with innovative strategies like the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS). Atkins shares insights on networking authentically through LinkedIn, the importance of structured learning, and his mission to promote accessibility in legal services, inspired by his own childhood experiences. With ambitions for '1000x' growth, he aims to transform divorce law for the better.

Zach Posner, Managing Partner at The Legal Tech Fund, shares his journey from edtech entrepreneur to legal tech investor. He discusses the importance of relationship-building and open communication in the legal tech industry, emphasizing organic growth over profit-driven motives. Posner introduces The Legal Tech Fund Summit, designed to foster connections without commercial pressures. He also dives into the transformative potential of AI, the challenges of early-stage investing, and the commitment to transparency and knowledge-sharing through their research initiatives.

Basha Rubin, co-founder and CEO of Priori Legal, shares her entrepreneurial journey in building a legal marketplace that connects corporate clients with vetted attorneys. She discusses the evolution from serving small businesses to enterprise clients and the ups and downs of raising $25 million in venture capital. Basha emphasizes the integration of AI in legal tech and its impact on team dynamics, while also reflecting on remote work culture and the vital balance between business growth and personal freedom. Her insights are invaluable for anyone interested in legal innovation.

Todd Smithline, former law firm owner and current CEO of Bonterms, specializes in fixed-fee legal services and productizing legal knowledge for tech companies. He discusses transforming traditional hourly billing into predictable subscription models, emphasizing service packaging and client relationships. Todd highlights the importance of creating reusable legal tools to enhance service delivery. He also addresses the impact of AI on legal services, urging attorneys to adapt in an evolving market, while offering practical advice for modernization and efficiency in legal practices.

In this episode of Lawyers Who Learn, we highlight Ari Kaplan’s 25-year career as an award-winning legal analyst, author, and advisor with a transformative approach to networking and lifelong learning. From practicing law to advising legal professionals, Ari’s work emphasizes collaboration and innovation. Ari shares how his daily virtual lunch series, launched during the pandemic, grew into over 1,100 sessions with sponsors and a vibrant community. He recounts how co-authoring articles as a young associate sparked his passion for writing and thought leadership, which led to his acclaimed books Reinventing Professional Services and The Opportunity Maker. Ari also reflects on hosting a public access TV show and organizing unique gatherings like his Legal Tech Mafia Breakfasts, which bring legal professionals together for innovation and collaboration. Through candid reflections and practical advice, Ari offers attorneys a roadmap for transforming how they learn, connect, and grow in their careers.    

In this episode of Lawyers Who Learn, host David Schnurman engages in a heartfelt conversation with Justin Blitz, a seasoned personal injury attorney with a rich entrepreneurial spirit. They explore the parallels and differences in their career paths, delving into Blitz's unexpected shift from a budding career in music law to a successful journey in personal injury litigation. Blitz shares emotional stories, including his first trial verdict, navigating family dynamics within the legal profession, and the profound impact of his father's legacy. The conversation also touches on the importance of lifelong learning, the evolving nature of legal practice, and the balance between professional passion and personal life. This episode is a poignant and inspiring narrative for both seasoned and aspiring lawyers.