Life is in the balance; and successful law lies in the balance of human connection and modern technology. In this episode of Between the Briefs, hosts Adrian Cea and Joe Stephens welcome seasoned trial attorney Shahrad Milanfar to explore the intersection of courtroom storytelling, AI integration, and authentic client advocacy. From pioneering iPad use in trials to securing a $32 million verdict, Shahrad shares invaluable insights on building an empathetic law practice, managing imposter syndrome, and leveraging technology without losing the human touch. Legality today - from the way it is taught to the way it is practiced - leaves a lot to be desired. But the good news is that opportunities to be a good lawyer present themselves every day; Shahrad shares how you can identify them! 

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Every industry is shaped by the generation that leads it. But in today’s legal landscape, how much space do the youth actually hold? In this thought-provoking episode of Between the Briefs, hosts Adrian Cea and Joe Stephens welcome Sarah Medina-Camiscoli, Assistant Professor at Rutgers Law School and founder of the Peer Defense Project, to explore the critical intersection of youth empowerment, legal education, and technological innovation. Backed by her rich experience, Sarah shares insights on making legal resources accessible to young advocates, developing youth-led movements for social change, and creating innovative tech solutions that bridge the justice gap. Tune in for eye-opening insights on an often overlooked kind of gatekeeping and the ways the doors can and should be opened for progressive law! 

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No matter what era you’re born in, experience will always be the best teacher. And, the insights on this episode of Between the Briefs, prove that. Tune in as hosts, Adrian Cea and Joe Stephens, welcome David Fish, Chair of Litigation at Romano Law PLLC, for an insider's perspective on sports law, legal education, and the evolving role of AI in litigation. Together, they discuss the realities of representing athletes, the importance of preventative law, and how emerging technologies are reshaping legal education. Drawing from his 27 years of experience, David shares candid insights about the ways in which legal education needs to be rethought, and the importance of hands-on experience in every aspect of learning, for aspiring legal professionals. This conversation is your gateway to proactive law! 


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In this captivating episode of Between the Briefs, Adrian Cea and Joe Stephens sit down with Alex Shahrestani, Managing Partner at Promise Legal, to dive into the intersection of law and technology. Alex shares insights on implementing legal tech solutions, addressing privacy concerns, and creating a non-traditional law firm culture that embraces innovation.


Between The Briefs is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

What if you could master the art of legal storytelling while embracing cutting-edge AI technology? In this captivating episode of Between the Briefs, our host Adrian Cea and Joe Stephens sit down with one of the country’s top trial lawyers, Andrew Finkelstein, managing partner of Finkelstein and Partners LLP, to explore the evolving landscape of law - from both the individual and collective perspective. From crafting compelling courtroom narratives to leveraging AI tools for enhanced productivity, Andrew shares invaluable insights from his own experience. If you’ve been looking for ways to use technology in truly valuable ways, and set aside your fears about being replaced by it, this is the conversation for you!


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In this festive special of Between the Briefs, our host Adrian Cea dives into conversation with Dylan Ruga, Co-Founder of Steno and Founder, Stalwart Law Group, exploring the exhilarating journey of creating ‘Steno’ - a revolutionary court reporting solution designed “by lawyers, for lawyers” and how their innovative products are shaping the legal industry. They delve into how Steno’s revolutionary tech empowers lawyers as well as the origins of StenoConnect and Transcript Genius. Dylan further provides insights into the potential applications of AI and technology in reshaping the legal landscape and answers the question - is everything really as it seems?
They go on to explore the ways in which an organisation and its leadership can foster a culture of continuous innovation, while empowering their workforce to thrive with resilience and agility. And, just how those values came into play as they navigated the Silicon Valley Bank crisis. 
If you’re thinking about what goes into creating revolutionary legal support services through technology and building a company that’s leading the change, this is the podcast for you. 
Dylan Ruga is the Co-Founder of Steno and Founder, Stalwart Law Group and has extensive experience in civil litigation. His experience as a lawyer and entrepreneur have been instrumental in revolutionising the world of court reporting and legal processes. 
Highlights:

[00:00] Intro[00:00] Becoming a lawyer and the origins of Steno [00:00] How Steno’s tech changed legal processes forever [00:00] Team Steno - how Dylan, Greg and Dan came together[00:00] The Birth of Transcript Genius, Innovating with AI  [00:00] The Culture at Steno[00:00] Getting through the Silicon Valley Bank Crisis[00:00] Big Hairy Audacious Goals and motivating a remote workforce[00:00] The Noise Around AI in the Legal Space Between The Briefs is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Between The Briefs and Adrian Cea are back with a new guest – Kassi Burns, a renowned figure in the realms of e-discovery and legal tech. Kassi is a Senior Attorney at King and Spalding and is a searingly insightful voice on the evolving role of artificial intelligence in the legal industry.

Adrian and Kassi’s conversation navigates the big questions around AI tools, specifically those involving machine learning and generative AI. It’s clear that these advancements are transforming traditional e-discovery practices, but what challenges come along with them, and where must the legal industry display temperance in their implementation?

Kassi shines a spotlight on the advantages that come from using AI to streamline document review – this practice can seriously cut down the time and labor involved in sifting through massive amounts of data. And it’s a particularly important shift to recognise and grapple with too, as legal teams are being confronted with larger and larger volumes of information in litigation.

For a comprehensive look at the future of AI in the legal industry, you can’t do better than this, so tune in and keep yourself ahead of the curve.

Highlights:
00:00 - Intro01:35 - AI in E-Discovery06:02 - AI for Non-Experts07:41 - Tools for Today’s Law Firms09:26 - Determining the Need for AI14:23 - Multimodal AI and the Future of E-Discovery17:56 - Who Should Lead AI Integration?20:58 - Educating Lawyers on AI21:33 - Learning AI through Play25:08 - Prompt Engineering: The Secret to Better Results27:28 - Reducing the Human Lift: AI's Role in Legal Communication29:10 - Selling AI to Your Firm35:13 - Building AI Compliance: The Role of NIST Frameworks39:46 - Access to Justice: The AI Disruption We Need41:07 - OutroBetween The Briefs is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

This was a riveting episode of Between The Briefs with Steno – this time Adrian Cea chatted with Jason T. Brown, a particularly prominent whistleblower attorney, former FBI Special Agent and Managing Partner at Brown LLC. 

Jason is no stranger to the intricacies of whistleblower law, and in the course of this discussion, he explains how statutes like the False Claims Act protect individuals while enabling them to expose heinous fraud across Medicare, tax, and securities.

There can often be a ‘David v Goliath’ feel to many of the whistleblower cases, and navigating that dynamic is a fascinating aspect of whistleblower law. Facing down powerful corporations and strategically managing the case to an outcome that actually makes an impact is a delicate thing and people interested in working in this area could pick up a lot from Jason’s stories.

We also get a look at the multifarious ethical and professional roadblocks that whistleblowers have put in front of them and explore the beginnings of a roadmap to protecting their rights and creating a culture of accountability in corporate America.

Tune in now if you’re a legal professional or just interested in the intersection of law, ethics, and justice.
Highlights:
00:00 - Intro01:01 - Whistleblower Law02:31 - Challenges Facing Whistleblowers04:11 - From FBI Agent to Whistleblower Advocate06:30 - Secrets from an FBI Veteran on Mastering Depositions08:27 - Technology’s Role in Depositions10:03 - David vs. Goliath: Taking on Corporate Giants12:26 - How Building Connections Builds Strong Whistleblower Cases15:41 - Inside a Case17:54 - Managing Client Fears and Uncertainties19:26 - Corporate Transformations Through Litigation21:34 - Premeditation in Corporate Misconduct23:22 - Has Encouraging Whistleblowers Made a Difference26:23 - Jason’s Spiciest Take27:10 - OutroBetween The Briefs is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

In this episode of Between The Briefs with Steno, Adrian Cea engages with Chris Stock, an innovative leader in legal technology and social impact. Chris shares his expertise on the vital role that legal documents play as the foundation of our society, discussing their significance from royal decrees to everyday agreements like divorce papers.

He emphasizes the necessity for law firms to adopt modern document management practices to enhance efficiency and compliance in a digital world. Chris also highlights his transformative work with SecondU, an organization dedicated to empowering individuals returning from incarceration. Through this initiative, he illustrates how creating pathways to stable employment not only assists those reintegrating into society but also breaks cycles of recidivism, fostering generational wealth.

With practical insights on the importance of having a "change champion" within law firms to advocate for technology transitions, this conversation is essential for legal professionals looking to navigate the intersection of law, technology, and social justice.

Tune in now!

Highlights:
00:00 - Intro01:01 - Innovating with Clio Duo02:06 - The Backbone of Law: Key Documents04:21 - Streamlining Document Management06:04 - Jurisdictional Challenges in Legal Forms08:29 - One Source of Truth11:24 - Empowering Support Staff14:50 - The Role of Change Champions17:01 - The Future of Legal AI19:37 - Moving to Fixed Fee Models22:18 - Ending the Billable Hour Mentality24:32 - AI in Document Review27:37 - Founding LEAP: A Personal Journey30:51 - A Second Chance: The Work of SecondU33:49 - The Ripple Effect of Justice35:16 - Final Thoughts: Embracing ChangeBetween The Briefs is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

This time, on Between the Briefs, Adrian Cea welcomes Bob Simon, a seasoned attorney with nearly 20 years of experience in personal injury law. As the co-founder of Justice HQ and the host of the popular podcasts Bourbon of Proof and Justice Team, Bob brings a unique blend of legal expertise and innovative thinking to the conversation. Where is the intersection between whiskey and law? Well, the answer is Bob Simon, and across the episode, the pair explore Bob’s inspiring journey from a working-class background in Pittsburgh to becoming a passionate advocate for underserved communities. Bob shares personal anecdotes, including the pivotal moment that motivated him to pursue law after witnessing his uncle's struggle for justice following a life-altering accident.

Bob emphasizes the importance of mentorship and collaboration, offering valuable advice for new attorneys looking to navigate the early years of their practice. He highlights the transformative role of technology in the legal industry, detailing how various tools and platforms have optimized his workflow and enhanced client representation. With an eye towards the future, Bob encourages legal professionals to embrace innovation while staying grounded in their commitment to justice.

Tune in if you’re in need of some inspiration from a successful legal career built on dedication and compassion.
Highlights:
00:00 - Intro02:47 - From Justice to Whiskey04:04 - The Personal Connection to Law05:16 - Championing the Underserved06:06 - The Challenges of Personal Injury Law07:17 - Advice for Aspiring Attorneys08:02 - Finding the Right Partnerships09:30 - Leveraging Technology in Law11:33 - Automating Legal Tasks12:52 - Overcoming Resistance to Tech Adoption15:09 - Innovations in Legal Tech17:49 - The Importance of Personal Branding19:55 - Identifying Your Brand Pillars21:03 - The Impact of Private EquityBetween The Briefs is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so