The Kennedy-Mighell Report

Chantal McNaught, an Australian-trained lawyer and founder focused on law, business, and legal tech, talks about tech ethics and why technological competence matters for lawyers. She discusses building community, playful collaboration, and nonlinear career paths. Chantal also stresses AI fluency and values-based decision making for legal professionals.

Are the guys on the verge of a major Second Brain breakthrough, hand in hand with AI? Dennis and Tom reexamine their ongoing Second Brain projects, discussing nagging questions about the efficacy of their current systems and how they plan to move forward with their personal knowledge management. Later, a listener and long-time iPhone user wonders—are Android devices actually far superior? Tom has some major thoughts on the issue. As always, stay tuned for the parting shots, that one tip, website, or observation that you can use the second the podcast ends. Have a technology question for Dennis and Tom? Call their Tech Question Hotline at 720-441-6820 for the answers to your most burning tech questions. Show Notes – This is Your Second Brain on AI A Segment: This is Your Second Brain on AI Notebook LM – https://notebooklm.google.com   B Segment: Should iPhone Users be Jealous of Android’s Obvious Superiority? Google Pixel 10 https://store.google.com/category/phones?hl=en-US   Parting Shots: Kortex – https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/kortex/hdapplggdhndkblofffknpmnnnnbncbn?pli=1 Personal Strategy Compass – by Dennis Kennedy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dennis and Tom dive into their tech resolutions for 2026, reflecting on last year’s goals and setting new ones. They explore using AI for creativity and information governance, highlighting time-saving tools. The duo shares aspirations like open-sourcing writings and creating structured knowledge systems. They also predict trends in technology and the legal field, including an anticipated AI trough of disillusionment. As always, they offer practical tips to enhance your tech skills right away!

Debbie Foster, founder of Affinity Consulting and expert in legal tech strategy, joins the conversation to dissect 2025's tech landscape. The trio debates the toughest challenges in AI adoption, focusing on change management and human oversight. They explore whether collaboration tools or incentives drive change in the legal sector and assess the real deployment of AI in legal workflows versus mere showcases. The talk concludes with insights on essential skills for lawyers and the evolution of legal tech amid market churn.

The hosts dive into the slippery slope of AI content creation, questioning whether overreliance leads to mediocrity. They define the concept of 'AI slop' and discuss its prevalence in social posts and marketing. The importance of human oversight shines through, with warnings against accepting AI's polished first drafts without scrutiny. They emphasize that AI should enhance, not replace, human creativity by serving as a starting point for content. Plus, listeners get practical tips on using tech tools effectively.

Imagine an AI that acts as your personal Chief of Staff! Dennis and Tom dive into their journey of creating this intelligent assistant to provide strategic support beyond simple scheduling. They discuss the challenges faced, the importance of defining the persona's skills, and the need for an adaptable protocol. Plus, they caution against the pitfalls of adopting new technology in law firms, stressing the need for proper processes and training first. Stay tuned for their tech tips to immediately boost your efficiency!

Mary Mack, CEO of EDRM and a pioneer in e-discovery, joins for an enlightening discussion on AI's evolving role in legal tech. She clarifies the distinctions between various forms of AI and explores how they impact the legal landscape. Mary addresses the importance of clear tech communication to lawyers, the challenges posed by deepfakes, and the necessity of technical expertise in e-discovery. Sharing insights from her unique career journey, she also encourages law students to embrace technology and seek out mentorship in this rapidly advancing field.

Michael Kraft, Founder and CEO of Kraft Kennedy, offers invaluable insights from his decades in legal tech. He emphasizes the role of empathy in teaching technology to lawyers, advocating for basic digital competence to enhance client service. Michael discusses the evolution of AI in legal practices while cautioning about workforce displacement. He provides practical advice on vetting AI outputs and encourages law students to prioritize technical understanding. Plus, he shares collaboration tools that improve productivity in legal operations.

April Dawson, Associate Dean of Technology and Innovation at NCCU School of Law, delves into the transformative impact of AI on legal education. She emphasizes the necessity of tech competence for law students, discussing strategies for teaching AI responsibly while enhancing learning. Key topics include the importance of ethical AI use, innovative student projects, and the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. Dawson advocates for adaptability in law schools and highlights career opportunities in tech-focused legal roles and governance.

Marc Lauritsen, a forward-thinking lawyer and educator, discusses the pressing need for true technology competence in law. He champions experiential learning, emphasizing the importance of human skills alongside tech knowledge. Conversations explore the role of AI in enhancing access to justice and the complexities of choosing the right legal tech tools. Marc also shares insights on guiding law students toward tech careers and highlights noteworthy voices in the legal tech space, offering a refreshing perspective on collaboration and innovation.