The Agile Attorney Podcast

We don’t talk about overcapacity enough in legal practice, especially not the hidden ways it erodes performance, burns out your team, and stalls your cases. In this episode, I take a closer look at what really happens when you’re operating beyond your firm’s functional capacity. From unnecessary administrative overhead to frustrated clients and cherry-picked tasks, the ripple effects of overload are costing you more than you think. If your firm is feeling stretched, stuck, or constantly in firefighting mode, this episode will help you understand why. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/72Mentioned 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

The impact of trauma in legal practice extends far beyond individual client interactions. From law school through retirement, lawyers face unique psychological challenges that can fundamentally alter their personalities, relationships, and effectiveness as advocates. Dr. Colin James, author of "Vicarious Trauma and Burnout in Law," brings decades of experience as a senior lecturer of law and researcher to examine how trauma theory applies to legal practice. Through exploring concepts like vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and post-traumatic growth, this conversation illuminates practical ways that individual practitioners and organizations can build more trauma-informed approaches.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/71For Oregon Attorneys, you can claim CLE credit under the "Mental Health & Substance Abuse" requirement. Just go to yourt Oregon Bar MCLE Dashboard, select "Accredited Group Course," enter MCLE ID 122717 in the search field.  For attorneys in other jurisdictions, you may be able to claim CLE credit using the following steps:Check your state’s CLE rules to see if they accept credit from Oregon-accredited programs. Many do, especially for courses taken out of state.Confirm if your jurisdiction allows on-demand (pre-recorded) courses and whether there are any limits or special requirements.Search for the Oregon accreditation info at www.osbar.org using the approved course title (Trauma Informed Lawyering with Dr. Colin James) or the application ID 122717.Document the number and type of credits approved by Oregon (e.g., general, ethics) and whether the course is listed as recorded.Self-report the credit to your state bar using their required process, and retain documentation in case of audit.Mentioned 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

Is your law practice truly profitable? Not just cash-flow positive, but actually generating the kind of profit that allows you to serve your clients well, take care of your team, and live the life you want? In this episode, I dive deep into the critical topic of law firm profitability with RJon Robins, founder of How to Manage a Small Law Firm and author of Profit First for Lawyers.We explore why so many lawyers struggle with profitability, how to properly calculate your cost of goods sold, and why understanding the difference between static and dynamic overhead can transform your practice. While RJon and I have different communication styles, we align on the core principle: putting profit first isn't selfish—it's essential for creating a sustainable practice that truly serves everyone involved.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/70Mentioned 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

Quinten Steenhuis, co-director of the Legal Innovation and Technology Lab at Suffolk Law School and owner of Lemma Consulting, shares insights on document automation for small law firms. He discusses the creation of a document assembly line during the pandemic to enhance access to justice. Topics include the importance of user-friendly apps for simplifying legal processes, the role of generative AI in improving document accuracy, and the balance between legal jargon and accessible language. Quinten emphasizes the transformative power of technology in legal practice.

Adaptability is key for legal practices navigating rapid changes in technology and economics. Understanding your mission helps lawyers respond intelligently rather than reactively. The discussion highlights the impact of generative AI on client-centered litigation and the emotional aspects of legal education. Strategies for managing overwhelming demand in law firms include pausing new intakes and improving workflows. Enhancing legal outcomes through clearer communication and innovative revenue models is also explored, promoting sustainability in practice.

What makes legal writing truly effective? It's not just about knowing the law—it's about knowing how to communicate it. In this episode, I'm joined by Professor Jonah Perlin from Georgetown Law School, where he teaches first-year legal practice and advanced legal writing courses.We explore how the process of putting ideas into words -wrestling with language and structure- is actually the path to stronger analysis and deeper understanding, and the role AI has in effective legal writing. We discuss the importance of feedback in legal education and practice, and how both giving and receiving feedback effectively is a skill that needs to be developed. Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/67Mentioned 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

There has never been a better time in the history of lawyers to start your own law practice. The tools, know-how, and access to support are better than ever before, and they keep improving every day. Whether you're facing job uncertainty, working at a firm with values that don't align with yours, or simply tired of working for someone else, going solo might be the best career move you can make.This week, I'm joined by Carolyn Elefant, the brains behind myshingle.com and the author of "Solo by Choice," the go-to guidebook for creating a startup law practice that aligns with your values and serves your life. Carolyn shares insights on how to overcome common obstacles, build a client base through relationship marketing, and structure your day for maximum productivity.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/66Mentioned 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

Most law firms start by building support structures around the expert (you), but eventually hit a ceiling where growth becomes limited by your personal capacity. No matter how efficient your team becomes at supporting you, the system can only move as fast as you can.In this episode, I explore how to transform your practice from an expert-dependent model to a resilient mesh system where quality standards are embedded in your processes and your team is empowered to make decisions without constant oversight. The result? A practice that can scale far beyond your personal limitations while maintaining the quality your clients expect.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/65Mentioned 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

Ever feel like you're constantly juggling multiple client matters at once, switching between tasks, and never fully focusing on any single piece of work? This scattered way of working is more detrimental to your practice than you realize. One incredibly effective solution to this problem is understanding what call The Dental Chair Theory of Lawyering, and I'm explaining it in today's episode. This approach not only improves the quality of your work but also enhances the client experience and ultimately leads to a more efficient, less stressful practice.Get full show notes, transcript, and more information here: https://www.agileattorney.com/64Mentioned 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

Too much automation can hurt your law practice. Learn to recognize when efficiency undermines personal connections. Discover how strategic planning enhances both client experience and firm mission. Emphasizing human feedback is key to effective automation design. Explore the importance of intentional process design to boost client engagement and understanding, creating better outcomes. By focusing on both client and team needs, you can develop systems that truly enhance the legal experience.