Lawyers Who Learn

In this episode of Lawyers Who Learn, David Schnurman, CEO of Lawline, has a conversation with Evan Shenkman, Chief Knowledge and Innovation Officer at Fisher Phillips. Evan shares his journey from employment litigation attorney to legal innovation leader, and discusses how his firm embraces cutting-edge legal technology. The discussion centers on Fisher Phillips' pioneering role as the first law firm to test Case Text's Co-Counsel AI tool, and explores how Evan has established at least a dozen similar relationships with legal tech startups since then. He explains the mutual benefits of these partnerships: law firms gain early access to innovative tools while startups receive valuable feedback from practicing attorneys to improve their products. Evan offers insights into how these legal tech tools enhance attorney performance, emphasizing that the goal isn't just to save money but to make lawyers more effective. He details his firm's approach to training attorneys on AI tools through live demonstrations, practical use cases, and ongoing support from his growing team of 15 knowledge management professionals. The conversation also covers how innovation impacts client relationships, with Evan sharing examples of winning significant client business specifically because of the firm's technology initiatives. He discusses the practical challenges of implementation, the importance of building relationships in the legal tech community, and how he balances a demanding travel schedule with family life and personal wellbeing. Throughout the episode, Evan provides valuable perspective on how law firms can position themselves at the forefront of legal technology while creating tangible value for clients, attorneys, and the business itself.

Ted Theodoropoulos, Founder and CEO of InfoDash, shares his remarkable journey from a college collection agency to leading innovative legal tech solutions. He dives into the importance of building trust within law firms and reveals how personal relationships can transform the legal tech landscape. Ted also discusses the challenges of shifting from a professional services model to a SaaS platform and provides valuable insights on continuous learning and balancing CEO duties with personal health. His thoughts on handling equity sharing and embracing AI are particularly enlightening.

John Didday, Associate General Counsel for Product and Privacy at Zendesk, shares his journey from law firm to in-house legal roles. He emphasizes the need for clear communication of legal advice to non-lawyers in tech. John discusses the creation of a new law school course on Product Counseling, highlighting the integration of AI tools in legal work. The conversation also covers navigating career risks and enriching legal education through real-world applications, showcasing the importance of mentorship and practical legal skills.

In this episode of Lawyers Who Learn, David Schnurman, CEO of Lawline, talks with Ed Walters, co-founder of Fastcase and current Chief Strategy Officer at vLex, following a 2023 merger. The discussion traces Walters' remarkable journey from starting Fastcase with Phil Rosenthal in 2000 to building a legal research platform that disrupted established providers like Westlaw and LexisNexis. Walters shares how Fastcase's mission to "democratize the law" led them to pioneer a bar association subscription model that gave 1.3 million attorneys access to affordable legal research. He details their bootstrap approach - attending more than 1,000 bar association meetings over 15 years - and the importance of building deep, genuine relationships within the legal community rather than simply raising venture capital. The conversation explores how Fastcase expanded beyond basic legal research to include bankruptcy forms, docket tracking, analytics, and now AI tools through their Vincent platform. Throughout the episode, Walters emphasizes the crucial role his team played in Fastcase's success, particularly highlighting co-founder Phil Rosenthal (a former rocket scientist who worked with Stephen Hawking) and team members who helped build and maintain their bar association relationships. Walters also discusses the decision to merge with vLex rather than sell, creating a global legal research platform now covering 110 countries with 350 employees across 17 time zones. He reflects on the importance of timing, luck, and perseverance in entrepreneurship, sharing insights about learning through teaching (he teaches AI and law courses at Georgetown and Chicago Law), and his personal productivity system inspired by Getting Things Done. The episode provides a thoughtful exploration of how innovation, relationship-building, and team dynamics can transform an industry, even with limited resources and against established competitors.

In this episode of Lawyers Who Learn, David Schnurman, CEO of Lawline, has a conversation with Linda Maryanov, an estate planning and administration attorney with 40 years of experience who created the "Thursday Think Tank" - a virtual study group for trust and estates and elder law/special needs attorneys that began during COVID and has flourished for five years. Linda shares how the Think Tank started almost accidentally in response to the pandemic's challenges. What began as a one-time Zoom meeting to discuss best practices for remote will executions quickly grew from 25 participants to many more, at first meeting weekly for two and a half years, eventually becoming twice-monthly sessions that host 75, 100, once 240 attorneys. The conversation explores how Linda structures these sessions, alternating between expert speakers and "open mic" formats where participants can ask questions (on camera, or anonymously, if they wish), without fear of judgment. She explains how the Think Tank has created meaningful professional connections, opened communication channels between attorneys and court personnel, and provided a platform for knowledge sharing that transcends geographic boundaries. Throughout the discussion, Linda emphasizes the professional generosity of the trusts and estates and elder law/special needs communities and why she considers this volunteer effort the most rewarding achievement of her career. She also offers insights into how similar study groups could be created for other practice areas, potentially providing a model for peer-to-peer learning that organizations like Lawline might help facilitate. The episode highlights the power of organic community-building and the impact of creating spaces where lawyers can learn from each other in a collaborative, non-competitive environment.

Steve Gluckman, a pioneer in legal e-learning, discusses his journey from PwC to founding SkillBurst Interactive. He reflects on the importance of timing in business innovations and the emotional journey of entrepreneurs post-acquisition. Gluckman shares insights about building customizable e-learning solutions for law firms and how he navigated the challenges of identity after selling his company. The conversation also touches on leadership, work-life balance, and the evolving landscape of legal education, highlighting the need for adaptability in today's market.

In this episode of Lawyers Who Learn, David Schnurman, CEO of Lawline, has a conversation with Andy Jones, a Texas personal injury attorney who specializes in medical malpractice cases. Andy shares his journey from working at a high-volume car wreck firm—what he calls "emergency law"—to becoming a medical malpractice specialist at Sawicki Law, where he eventually became partner. Andy offers valuable insights for attorneys at various career stages, from recent graduates to those looking to transition practice areas. He discusses how his early experience handling a medical malpractice case at his first firm inadvertently set him on his current path, illustrating how seemingly negative experiences can create positive momentum in one's career. He encourages new lawyers to "listen to your grades" while not letting them define you, and to be willing to "eat dirt" in a less-than-ideal position to gain valuable experience. Throughout the conversation, Andy explains how his medical malpractice work has transformed him into a "difficult consumer of medical services" and shares how he became an EMT to better understand the medical field. He also discusses his teaching experience as an adjunct professor at UNT Dallas and his approach to creating valuable continuing legal education content. The episode wraps up with a philosophical discussion about decision-making, with Andy sharing his favorite Theodore Roosevelt quote and reflecting on the Japanese Bushido concept of momentum shaping one's life journey.

Join David Schnurman, CEO of Lawline, on this Lawyers Who Learn episode as he reconnects with former law school classmate Fanny Ferdman after nearly 20 years. In this authentic conversation, Fanny shares her journey from commercial litigation to employment law, highlighting a pivotal moment in her career development. During her time at her first firm, Robertson Freilich Bruno and Cohen, Fanny enrolled in a 10-month personal development course with Landmark Education called the "Wisdom Course." Her fiancé (now husband) Ilan, who was a coach at Landmark, suggested they take the course together with friends. Despite enjoying her colleagues at the firm, Fanny wasn't feeling fulfilled by commercial litigation work. The course provided a structured opportunity for self-reflection, prompting her to remember how much she had enjoyed her employment law class in law school. Through this process of introspection, Fanny made an internal declaration to pursue employment law instead of continuing with commercial litigation. Remarkably, just weeks after making this decision, her firm announced it was dissolving - a rare event that forced her to seek new opportunities and ultimately led her to Epstein Becker, where she began practicing the employment law she was passionate about. Now serving as Counsel at BakerHostetler and co-lead of their Wage and Hour Compliance Team, Fanny discusses her deliberate career choices that prioritized work-life balance. She reveals how personal development helped clarify her professional path and how she secured a rare part-time arrangement at a major law firm that she maintains to this day. The conversation explores continuous learning through CLE courses, the challenges of business development, and finding fulfillment in one's career. David and Fanny exchange insights on setting intentions, making career pivots, and creating the professional life you truly want.

In this episode of Lawyers Who Learn, David Schnurman, CEO of Lawline, has a conversation with Colin Levy, Director of Legal at Malbek and author of "The Legal Tech Ecosystem." Colin shares his journey from law school to becoming a legal tech specialist, educator, and thought leader. He discusses how being clear about his goals helped create opportunities—from writing a book to teaching as an adjunct professor at two law schools. Colin reflects on his career path with no regrets, though wishes he had discovered legal tech earlier. He explains how his purpose to "support, inform, and inspire others" drove him to write a book about legal tech that would be accessible to those intimidated by technical language. The conversation explores relationship building, the importance of direct communication ("help people help you"), and Colin's advice to "know thyself and listen to yourself" for career success. Throughout the episode, Colin offers insights into balancing multiple professional endeavors, including his teaching experiences and the process of writing and marketing his book. This conversation provides valuable guidance for lawyers looking to explore paths beyond traditional practice, particularly in the evolving legal tech landscape.

In this insightful Lawyers Who Learn episode, David Schnurman, CEO of Lawline, has a conversation with Drew Amoroso, founder of DueCourse, a lawyer development and well-being platform. After briefly summarizing Drew's impressive career journey from Reed Smith attorney to entrepreneurship, the discussion takes a deeply personal turn. Rather than focusing on Drew's career, the conversation explores topics like intentionality in daily work life, the power of therapy, and personal growth. Drew shares his seven-year experience with Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or "tapping," a therapeutic practice that has helped him work through limiting beliefs and negative thought patterns. The conversation delves into how we process our thoughts, the difference between coaching and therapy, and the importance of finding passion in our work. Drew discusses how his experiences have shaped DueCourse's company culture, creating spaces for honest feedback and personal development. Throughout the episode, both David and Drew reflect on what drives them personally and professionally, discussing the challenges of entrepreneurship, the search for meaningful work, and finding balance between ambition and self-acceptance. The authentic, vulnerable exchange offers listeners valuable insights into mindset, personal development, and the often unspoken mental and emotional aspects of professional success.