AI is here to revolutionize your law firm, moving beyond simple prompts to actively handling your tasks. This Lawyerist Podcast episode is your essential guide. Zack Glaser sits down with Dr. Charreau Bell, a senior data scientist and assistant professor at Vanderbilt University, who's helping law students and faculty use AI in truly meaningful ways. 

This isn’t just theoretical—you’ll get real clarity on what it means to use AI well in your firm, right now. We break down the crucial difference between merely using an AI model and actually "training" one, so you understand what's happening behind the scenes. You’ll also learn when it's safe (and risky!) to send client data into cloud-based AI tools, and how you can even run powerful AI models right on your own computer for ultimate privacy. 

But here's where it gets really exciting: we explore how AI is evolving beyond simple prompts into "agentic systems" that can plan, reason, and act on your behalf. Think of AI not just as a tool, but as a proactive assistant that can break down complex tasks and execute them using various "tools" you provide. This isn't just about automating simple tasks; it’s about offloading work that previously required significant expertise, freeing you to focus on more creative and complex legal challenges. 

If this episode sparks questions about the data in your firm and how you can leverage it, check out the “free small firm scorecard”. It’s a quick assessment to help you get a data-driven view of your firm and identify areas for smart improvements as you embark on your AI journey. 

Listen to our other episodes about Artificial Intelligence:  

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!  

If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. 

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com 

Chapters/Timestamps: 

00:00 - Introduction: Beyond Simple AI Prompts 

03:20 - How Data Science Helps Lawyers 

04:32 - Automating Document Review and Information Extraction 

07:10 - Understanding How AI Models Work (Training vs. Using) 

13:25 - Secure AI: Running Models Locally and with Cloud Providers 

17:16 - Training AI Models with Limited Data (Transfer Learning) 

28:16 - The Power of Agentic AI Systems 

34:24 - Interacting with Agentic AI and Security Considerations 

38:21 - The Importance of Data Organization in the Age of AI 

43:46 - The Future of AI: Automating the Unwanted 

Ready for a serious look at the future of your law firm? In this Lawyerist Podcast episode, Zack Glaser sits down with a panel of law school professors for a wake-up call about something that will fundamentally reshape your practice: the tech-savvy generation of law students entering the field. This isn't a distant trend; it's happening now, and it demands your attention. 

We explore how these future lawyers are already operating differently. You'll hear firsthand about their strong preference for the Google ecosystem – and why that directly impacts your firm's current reliance on tools like Microsoft Word. This isn't just about software; it's about the shifting expectations and workflows these digital natives are bringing with them as they become your colleagues. 

Here's where it gets interesting for you: we explore how you can leverage this change to your firm's advantage. The professors share insights on how these students are uniquely positioned to drive AI adoption within your practice. Think of them as an untapped resource, ready to experiment with and implement AI-powered services that can elevate your firm's capabilities and even open doors to new service areas. 

And let's be clear, you can't afford to ignore the rising importance of tech fluency, especially in AI. The professors don't mince words: a lack of understanding in this area will directly impact your ability to serve clients effectively. In a world swimming in digital data, from car sensors to smart devices, your firm's relevance depends on it. 

This episode is your essential guide to: 

Tune in! 

Listen to our other episodes about Artificial Intelligence: 

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! 

 If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. 

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. 

Chapters/Timestamps: 

00:00 – Intro: The Tech-Savvy Future of Law - Google Natives vs. Word Warriors 

01:13 – The Google-Native Generation of Lawyers   

02:51 – Changing Communication Norms   

04:35 – Meet the Guests: Law School Professors on the Frontlines   

06:21 – Teaching AI in Law School: An Overview   

08:01 – Dennis Kennedy on AI in the Classroom   

10:11 – Nicole Morris on AI Governance and Research   

15:03 – Tracy Norton on AI as a Legal Writing Tool   

25:25 – Is AI Dumbing Down Legal Education?   

30:23 – Why Law School Must Teach AI   

35:41 – How Should Professors Grade AI-Generated Work?   

41:46 – Using AI to Improve the Classroom Experience   

47:00 – How AI Will Change Legal Mentorship   

52:19 – The Future of Law Firms and AI Expectations   

55:25 – Final Thoughts: You Can’t Tap Out of AI   

57:52 – Outro   

Feeling like you're the only one holding everything together in your law firm? You're not alone. This episode dives into a crucial aspect of firm growth that often gets overlooked: leadership. Zack kicks things off with an inspiring reminder about the power of stepping outside your comfort zone – something just as vital for you as a legal professional looking to build a truly sustainable practice. Get ready to explore why developing strong leadership isn't just for CEOs; it's the key to breaking free from feeling constantly overwhelmed. 

Then, Zack sits down with Lawyerist coach Leticia DeSuze, who brings a wealth of real-world experience guiding law firms just like yours. Leticia gets straight to the heart of the matter: how the very success you've achieved can sometimes highlight underlying leadership gaps, turning you into the ultimate bottleneck. You'll hear practical insights on how to shift gears from simply practicing law to intentionally building a team that can take ownership and drive results, ultimately freeing up your time and energy for what truly matters. 

Ready to take control and build a more efficient and less personally draining law firm? Tune in to discover actionable strategies for effective delegation, setting crystal-clear expectations for your team, and implementing KPIs that empower everyone to take responsibility. This episode offers a roadmap for moving beyond the daily grind and cultivating a thriving team practice where you empower them to carry the load. 

Listen to our other episodes with Leticia DeSuze: 

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! 

If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.  

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. 

Chapters/Timestamps:  

00:00 -  Introduction: Embracing the "Positive Struggle"

04:05 - The Leadership Skills Gap: From Lawyer to Leader

07:10 -  Breaking the Bottleneck: Delegation and Mindset Shifts

10:46 -  Beyond Hiring: Developing Leaders at Every Level

21:40 -  Client Service vs. Efficiency: Finding the Right Balance

28:58 -  Redefining Leadership: Structure, Ownership, and Trust

31:07 -  Recognizing Individual Motivators, Final Thoughts

In this conversation, Karin Conroy, a legal marketing strategist, discusses the evolution of law firm websites and the importance of unique branding in legal marketing. She emphasizes the pitfalls of copying competitors and the need for firms to develop their own unique selling propositions. The discussion also touches on the significance of being first to market and avoiding shortcuts in marketing strategies. Karin provides insights into how firms can differentiate themselves and succeed in a competitive landscape. 

Links from the episode: 

www.conroycreativecounsel.com 

https://conroycreativecounsel.com/blw/ 

Chapters 

00:00 Introduction to Legal Marketing and Website Contest 

02:59 The Evolution of Law Firm Websites 

06:01 The Pitfalls of Copying Competitors 

08:54 The Importance of Unique Branding 

12:05 Strategies for Being First to Market 

14:52 Conclusion and Resources for Legal Marketing 

Unlock valuable insights for your legal practice and personal finances in this engaging episode. First, Zack explores the cutting edge of AI with Tanguy Chau from Paxton.ai, revealing how their innovative AI assistant is specifically built to streamline the often-daunting task of drafting legal documents. Discover the power of their multi-step modular process, designed to provide you with more coherent and relevant output, ultimately saving you time and enhancing your efficiency. 

Then, get ready to transform your financial outlook as Stephanie Everett speaks with Darren Wurz about financial planning and wealth building tailored specifically for lawyers. We delve into essential mindset shifts, helping you define your financial goals and overcome the common hesitations around financial planning. Learn practical strategies to effectively manage your cash flow, build safety nets, and consciously avoid the trap of lifestyle creep that can hinder your long-term wealth accumulation.  

We also explore smart investment diversification beyond traditional retirement accounts and uncover valuable tax planning strategies to ensure you're making the most of your earnings. Learn the importance of building a reliable team of financial experts, providing you with peace of mind and allowing you to focus on what you do best – practicing law and growing your firm. Tune in to gain practical knowledge that can impact your practice and your financial well-being. 

Listen to our other episode about your firm’s finances: 

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! 

If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. 

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. 

Links from the episode:  

Paxton.ai

Chapters/Timestamps: 

00:00 - Introduction  

00:20 - AI Prompt Tips with Zack Glaser and Stephanie Everett  

06:22 - Sponsor Guest: Tanguy Chau from Paxton.ai on AI for Legal Document Drafting  

18:12 - Financial Planning and Wealth Building for Lawyers  

19:35 - Money Mindset and Defining "Enough"  

21:42 - Overcoming Financial Hesitancy and Fear  

24:38 - Importance of Cash Flow Management  

30:34 - Diversification of Investments Beyond Traditional Retirement Accounts  

33:08 - Tax Strategies and Planning for Business Owners  

40:00 - Building a Team of Financial Experts  

Unlock a clearer view of your law firm's financial health in the latest Lawyerist Podcast. Join host Stephanie Everett as she dives into the essential key performance indicators (KPIs) that can transform how you understand your practice, guided by the expert insights of Bernadette Harris, Lawyerist Lab's finance coach. 

You'll gain practical knowledge about five crucial areas that directly impact your firm's success. Understand your net profit margin like never before – not just the surface numbers, but the true profitability that informs your strategic decisions. Explore utilization rate and discover how to optimize your team's time for maximum productivity. Learn the critical importance of your realization rate and practical steps to ensure you're capturing the revenue you've earned. See how mastering AR aging can directly impact your cash flow and create financial stability. Plus, uncover the strategic advantage of understanding your revenue by practice area, empowering you to make smarter choices about your firm's financial future. 

For straightforward, actionable insights into these vital financial indicators – the kind that can immediately help you manage your law firm more effectively – tune in to hear Bernadette Harris share her expertise. 

Listen to our other episode with Bernadette Harris: 

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!  

If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. 

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. 

Chapters: 

(00:00) Introduction 

(04:36) Diving into Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) 

(06:38) Understanding Your Firm's Profitability: Net Profit Margin 

(10:47) Optimizing Team Productivity: Utilization Rate 

(15:51) Maximizing Revenue Collection: Realization Rate 

(21:21) Improving Cash Flow: Managing AR Aging 

(25:36) Strategic Insights: Revenue by Practice Area 

(28:32) Working with a Financial Coach and a Special Announcement 

Recorded live at the ABA Techshow, Zack Glaser interviews Cole Popkin, a digital forensics senior analyst at Proven Data, to shed light on the increasingly relevant field of digital forensics for legal professionals. Cole shares how understanding the basics of digital forensics can benefit lawyers in all practice areas, from litigation to transactional work and firm management. 

Cole explains the types of information that can be recovered from digital devices, even after deletion, and addresses common misconceptions surrounding encryption. He also reveals the potential for unintentional data leaks and provides practical, actionable steps lawyers can take to enhance their digital security and protect client confidentiality. 

You'll also hear Cole explain the direct relevance of digital forensics to specific legal scenarios, such as how deleted text messages and metadata analysis can be crucial in personal injury and family law cases.  

So, join us for this episode, recorded live at the ABA Techshow, and get a realistic and accessible overview of digital forensics that will empower you to be more informed and secure in your use of technology, all without needing to become a forensics expert. 

Listen to our other episode about data security: 

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! 

If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. 

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. 

Chapters: 

0:00 - Introduction: Digital Forensics Beyond Litigation  

3:08 - Real-World Applications: Building Timelines & Location Data  

4:35 - The Unexpected Data in Your Car: Vehicle Forensics  

6:33 - Uncovering Information on Phones: Beyond Text Messages  

8:55 - Protecting Yourself and Your Clients: Security for Attorneys 

11:57 - Surprising Discoveries: Height Analysis from Video & More  

14:35 - The Evolution of Digital Forensics  

What if the key to better legal work isn’t just smarter tools but more inclusive ones? Susan Tanner, Associate Professor at the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, joins Zack Glaser to explore how AI and universal design can improve legal education and law firm operations. Susan shares how tools like generative AI can support neurodiverse thinkers, enhance client communication, and reduce anxiety for students and professionals alike. They also discuss the importance of inclusive design in legal tech and how law firms can better support their teams by embracing different ways of thinking to build a more accessible, future-ready practice. The conversation emphasizes the need for educators and legal professionals to adapt to the evolving landscape of AI, ensuring that they leverage its capabilities to better serve their clients and students.

Links from the episode:  

NetDocuments

NetDocuments Demo Request

Listen to our other episodes about diversifying learning strategies and the AI revolution:

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!

If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.

Chapters: 

00:00 – Intro and Lawyerist's New Programs 

03:50 – NetDocuments with Patric Thomas 

10:49 – Meet Dr. Susan Tanner 

12:30 – AI and Legal Ethics 

13:30 – What is Universal Design for Learning? 

20:59 – Applying Universal Design in Legal Practice 

24:45 – Using AI to Support Diverse Thinkers 

29:33 – AI as a Communication Partner 

34:01 – Law Students and AI Adoption 

38:04 – AI for Lawyer Productivity and Mental Health 

44:00 – Enhancing Critical Thinking with AI 

46:00 – Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts 

Attorney Craig Dobson, an expert on ethics and professional responsibility, joins Stephanie Everett to talk about the ethical and professional responsibility concerns lawyers face in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. They discuss how solo and small firm attorneys can stay compliant while leveraging new tools, the importance of confidentiality and competence, and the fundamental need to maintain diligence in your practice. Craig and Stephanie examine alternative fee structures beyond just hourly billing and provide guidance on ethical practices around lawyer pricing models. Craig also shares how he’s approaching billing in his own practice and why lawyers need to be proactive about understanding the risks. 

Read Craig’s article: Overview | Full Article 

Additionally, Zack talks with Curtis, from MyCase and LawPay about their new product, Smart Spend, the LawPay Visa® Business Card is issued by Emprise Bank, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A., Inc.

Listen to our other episodes about ethics and alternative billing practices:  

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! 

If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. 

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. 

Chapters: 

00:00 Introduction  

00:18 Lawyerist Coaching 

05:22 Expense Tracking in MyCase  

10:01 Integrating Finance with Practice 

14:54 Immigration Law and the Current Administration 

17:53 Specialization and Maintaining Competence Across Multiple Areas 

22:39 Lawyer Pricing Models in an Era of Uncertainty 

Catherine Sanders Reach, Director of the Center for Practice Management at the North Carolina Bar Association, joins Zack Glaser to answer pressing questions about integrating AI into legal operations. Catherine explains how to identify breakdowns in workflows, choose purpose-built AI tools, and calculate the return on investment for tech solutions like Microsoft Copilot. She also shares practical advice on automating tasks like document templates, client intake, and email management while emphasizing the importance of documenting processes for efficiency. This episode is packed with actionable insights for lawyers looking to streamline their practice with AI.

Hear Catherine’s other appearance on Lawyerist Podcast: 

• #444: Streamlining Legal Operations for Success, with Catherine Sanders Reach: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

Listen to our other episodes about artificial intelligence:

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!

If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.

Chapters / Timestamps: 

0:00 Introduction

6:17 Meet Catherine Sanders Reach

7:19 How to Kickstart Generative AI Processes

10:53 Microsoft Copilot 

13:00 AI Tools Lawyers Should Consider Using

14:36 Agentic AI

20:14 Why You Need a Needs Assessment 

23:49 Evaluating Productivity

27:11 Let Go of Perfectionism 

28:44 Image Generation

31:46 Why You Need Policies and Systems

35:38 Dictation Tools

38:22 The AI Tool to Watch