The Agile Attorney Podcast

When Jeff De Francisco noticed his less tech-savvy colleagues billing more hours for the same estate planning work, he uncovered an injustice that would reshape his entire practice. The disparity wasn't about knowledge or skill. It was about efficiency, and the billable hour was punishing him for being good at his job.In this episode, I sit down with Jeff, a long-time client and now business partner, to explore his decade-long journey with Agile practices. You’ll also hear lessons from Jeff’s journey that you can apply to your own law practice - and get a peek at how tools like Greenline Legal can support your systems along the way.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/86Mentioned in this episode:Greenline.legal is Officially in BetaTo set up a demo of this software with me, talk through the workflow challenges and opportunities you have in your practice, and see how Greenline could help, click here: https://the-agile-attorney.captivate.fm/greenlinelegalGreenlineLegal Demo

Knowledge work hides in ways that physical work never could. That invisibility creates a dangerous pattern: you say yes to one more matter and before you know it, your entire team operates beyond capacity. In this episode, I use real examples from law firms using Kanban boards to demonstrate how making your work visible can fundamentally change how your team coordinates, communicates, and makes decisions about your capacity.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/85Mentioned in this episode:Greenline.legal is Officially in BetaTo set up a demo of this software with me, talk through the workflow challenges and opportunities you have in your practice, and see how Greenline could help, click here: https://the-agile-attorney.captivate.fm/greenlinelegalGreenlineLegal Demo

Discover the hidden dangers of technical debt in law firms. Shortcuts may save time initially but can lead to bigger problems later. The discussion includes practical strategies for improving workflow and efficiency to combat burnout. Learn about the innovative Greenline Legal tool designed to tackle these challenges. Feedback and demos are encouraged for those eager to enhance their legal practice.

In this episode, I’m revisiting the concept of delivery debt: the promises you’ve made that remain unfulfilled. Just like financial debt, taking on too much delivery debt can snowball and overwhelm your firm. And it’s not just about the practical cost; it’s also psychological. The mental load of these unfinished commitments affects your focus, your decision-making, and ultimately, your practice’s efficiency.I’ll share practical steps to help you clear delivery debt by addressing unfulfilled commitments that are draining your capacity. You’ll also learn how to prioritize your existing work and make intentional decisions about what to let go of to protect your firm’s ability to take on the right cases. This approach will give you the tools to balance your commitments with your firm’s capacity, allowing you to avoid overwhelm and be more proactive as you head into the busy fall season.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/83Mentioned in this episode:Greenline.legal is Officially in BetaTo set up a demo of this software with me, talk through the workflow challenges and opportunities you have in your practice, and see how Greenline could help, click here: https://the-agile-attorney.captivate.fm/greenlinelegalGreenlineLegal DemoNew Workshop: Adaptive Kanban for Legal TeamsThis live, half-day workshop will teach you the core principles you'll need to create visual workflow systems tailored to the way legal work really happens — so you can spend less time chasing tasks and more time delivering value to your clients. Click here to secure your spot: https://the-agile-attorney.captivate.fm/classesKanban Workshop Sept 2025

Discover how to improve law practice efficiency by transforming traditional checklists into 'done lists' that clarify quality standards. Learn about essential frameworks like 'definition of done' and 'definition of ready' to ensure projects meet high standards. The power of phrasing tasks in past tense fosters accountability and a sense of accomplishment. Plus, get a sneak peek into an innovative tool, Greenline Legal, designed to enhance legal workflows and simplify project management.

Task engines are quietly draining your law practice's productivity right now. These hidden culprits show up as certain case types, jurisdictions, or even internal projects that generate a lot of tasks but little tangible progress or return. It’s something a litigation boutique in Oregon learned the hard way when a surge in Washington State cases almost derailed their entire operation.In this episode, I’m sharing how a firm with plenty of demand and a growing team found themselves in crisis mode due to task engines in disguise. I also walk through how the firm survived, learned valuable lessons about case selection, and took steps to improve their workflow. Discover how understanding the relative effort of different work types can help you build a more intentional, sustainable practice.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/81Mentioned in this episode:Greenline.legal is Officially in BetaTo set up a demo of this software with me, talk through the workflow challenges and opportunities you have in your practice, and see how Greenline could help, click here: https://the-agile-attorney.captivate.fm/greenlinelegalGreenlineLegal DemoNew Workshop: Adaptive Kanban for Legal TeamsThis live, half-day workshop will teach you the core principles you'll need to create visual workflow systems tailored to the way legal work really happens — so you can spend less time chasing tasks and more time delivering value to your clients. Click here to secure your spot: https://the-agile-attorney.captivate.fm/classesKanban Workshop Sept 2025

AI tools are reshaping legal workflows, but they come with risks. While they can enhance speed in research and drafting, they may complicate processes instead of streamlining them. The discussion highlights the importance of observing real workflows over established procedures to boost efficiency. Moreover, balancing efficiency with creativity is crucial, as relying solely on AI-generated tasks can lead to burnout. By managing both working and waiting times, legal practices can optimize their processes and improve overall productivity.

Summer brings its own pressures - family obligations, vacation planning, and the nagging feeling that your practice needs constant attention. The temptation to squeeze in work between beach trips or check emails during family gatherings can rob you of the very reset this season offers. In this episode, I'm exploring the importance of using summer as an intentional season of rest and reflection for your law practice. You'll discover practical strategies for disconnecting from work, like allowing yourself to be bored. Most importantly, you'll learn how to use this time to honestly assess your capacity and priorities. By the end, you'll have a clear framework for making summer work for you - not just as a break, but as a strategic investment in your practice's sustainability.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/79Mentioned in this episode:Greenline.legal is Officially in BetaTo set up a demo of this software with me, talk through the workflow challenges and opportunities you have in your practice, and see how Greenline could help, click here: https://the-agile-attorney.captivate.fm/greenlinelegalGreenlineLegal DemoNew Workshop: Adaptive Kanban for Legal TeamsThis live, half-day workshop will teach you the core principles you'll need to create visual workflow systems tailored to the way legal work really happens — so you can spend less time chasing tasks and more time delivering value to your clients. Click here to secure your spot: https://the-agile-attorney.captivate.fm/classesKanban Workshop Sept 2025

Law firm owners often feel overwhelmed by their financial statements, staring at QuickBooks reports that seem to tell only half the story. The disconnect between having financial data and understanding what it means for strategic decision-making creates unnecessary anxiety and missed opportunities.In this episode, I'm talking with Danielle Hendon, a fractional CFO who specializes in helping law firms transform their relationship with their finances. We explore how to structure your revenue streams and expenses to understand which practice areas are truly profitable, why treating all costs the same way obscures important business decisions, and how budgeting becomes a strategic tool rather than an annual exercise you dread.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/78Mentioned in this episode:New Workshop: Adaptive Kanban for Legal TeamsThis live, half-day workshop will teach you the core principles you'll need to create visual workflow systems tailored to the way legal work really happens — so you can spend less time chasing tasks and more time delivering value to your clients. Click here to secure your spot: https://the-agile-attorney.captivate.fm/classesKanban Workshop Sept 2025Greenline.legal is Officially in BetaTo set up a demo of this software with me, talk through the workflow challenges and opportunities you have in your practice, and see how Greenline could help, click here: https://the-agile-attorney.captivate.fm/greenlinelegalGreenlineLegal Demo

Legal teams face a unique challenge that factory floors and software developers rarely encounter: managing dozens of active matters simultaneously while dealing with constant interruptions from clients, opposing counsel, and courts. You're juggling multiple cases, each with its own timeline, dependencies, and unpredictable external factors that can derail your best-laid plans.In this episode, I dive into why the Kanban method is the best-fit system for that reality, and how it helps legal teams reduce overwhelm, spot bottlenecks, and manage work more intentionally. If your team is stuck in reactive mode, tune in to hear how Kanban gives you a practical path forward. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/77Mentioned in this episode:Greenline.legal is Officially in BetaTo set up a demo of this software with me, talk through the workflow challenges and opportunities you have in your practice, and see how Greenline could help, click here: https://the-agile-attorney.captivate.fm/greenlinelegalGreenlineLegal DemoNew Workshop: Adaptive Kanban for Legal TeamsThis live, half-day workshop will teach you the core principles you'll need to create visual workflow systems tailored to the way legal work really happens — so you can spend less time chasing tasks and more time delivering value to your clients. Click here to secure your spot: https://the-agile-attorney.captivate.fm/classesKanban Workshop Sept 2025