Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics

It’s not you, the Workers’ Compensation system has changed over time, and not always for the best. Guest Christopher Godfrey, with a long career in Workers’ Comp, including his current role as research director at the Workers'​ Injury Law & Advocacy Group (WILAG) and a lengthy stint running the office of Compensation Programs at the U.S. Department of Labor, offers some insights. 

Where a non-adversarial atmosphere used to prevail within Workers’ Comp, Godfrey worries it has been driven toward a confrontational system with a struggle for unilateral control. That isn’t how a program aimed at making injured workers whole and getting them back to work started out. 

Also concerning Godfrey is a lack of funding for the Federal Employees’ Compensation Program, making it difficult for injured federal workers to even find a doctor willing to accept them as patients. 

In both state and federal systems, Workers’ Comp is being buffeted by politics. Godfrey notes the government shutdown, a slowing employment environment, and even the potential for a stock market bubble threaten the system. Economics and politics can build hurdles that trickle down to how insurance companies and Workers’ Comp plans operate. Godfrey shares his personal concerns and describes what WILAG is doing today to protect the rights of injured workers.

If you have thoughts on Workers’ Comp law or an idea for a topic or guest you’d like to hear, contact us at [email protected] or [email protected]. 

Mentioned in This Episode:

Previously on Workers’ Comp Matters, guest Kenneth Feinberg, “’A Patriotic Obligation;” Kenneth Feinberg and the 9/11 Fund”

As the saying goes, a good lawyer knows the law, a great lawyer knows the judge. Building credibility with the court in any case is vital. Veteran attorney and longtime judge Mark Drummond explains why and how you earn trust. 

Trust and credibility are built brick by brick. It takes a lifetime to build your reputation, but breach that trust once, and the judge will never forget. And make no mistake, judges talk among themselves, so willful missteps will be known across the courthouse and for the rest of your career. 

Understand the meaning of “candor to the tribunal.” When dealing with a judge, telling the truth is one thing. That can mean presenting the strengths of your case. But candor is what you also share with the judge beyond that, the thorns of the case. Judges who feel you weren’t completely candid may never fully take you at your word again. They may forever wonder what you’re withholding.

If you’ve ever wondered what a judge is thinking about you, Judge Drummond lets you know and shares some of his favorite tips for building credibility and putting your best foot forward from the moment you walk into the courtroom. 

Resources: 

Previous appearance on the Legal Talk Network, “NYU’s Civil Jury Project (State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting 2024),” State Bar of Texas Podcast

American Bar Association “Free Legal Answers” 

Civil Jury Project, NYU School of Law 

Susman Agreements: Clarity for the Rules of Civil Procedure 

Access to Counsel Project, Federal Bar Counsel 

“Dealing With Jerks,” by Judge Mark Drummond in ABA Litigation News 

“Understanding the Pareto Principle (The 80/20 Rule),” Better Explained 

American Bar Association

American Bar Association Litigation Section

In episode 584 of Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser sits down with longtime legal marketing expert Karin Conroy of Conroy Creative Counsel to talk about the evolution of law firm marketing in the age of artificial intelligence. 

Karin explains why lawyers shouldn’t fear AI, but should learn to use it strategically. From the “Iron Man vs. Terminator” analogy to practical steps for improving your firm’s marketing funnel, she shares how attorneys can blend technology and human insight to build trust, attract the right clients, and stay ahead of the curve. 

They also dig into how AI is reshaping SEO, the importance of authenticity, and why marketing fundamentals still matter more than ever. 

Links from this episode: 

Conroy Creative Counsel 

The AI Marketing Cookbook for Lawyers 

Listen to our previous episodes with Karin: 

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 – The evolution of law firm marketing
3:50 – AI’s rise and the Iron Man vs. Terminator analogy
9:50 – Understanding your marketing funnel
12:00 – Why referrals are marketing
17:00 – Finding weak points in your strategy
21:00 – Adding AI without losing the human touch
25:30 – How AI is changing SEO and “Search Everywhere Optimization”
37:40 – The value of authenticity and human connection 

At just 17 years old, Bruce Lisker was branded a murderer after being accused and convicted of the violent killing of his mother. He would go on to spend the next 26 years of his life in prison, until a federal judge finally overturned his conviction in 2009. Bruce’s exoneration might never have happened without the investigative efforts of LA Times journalists Scott Glover and Matt Lait and LAPD officer Jim Gavin.

In this episode, Michael Semanchik speaks with this trio of truth-seekers about their involvement in the Lisker case. Initially skeptical, each of them set out to poke holes in Bruce’s claims, but as their investigations progressed, the evidence increasingly pointed to his innocence. They share details of their research, explaining how discoveries of both ignored and manipulated evidence in the decades-old case raised red flags in the original investigation, ultimately bringing the truth to light.

AI in legal should allow lawyers to do better work for clients and create more accessible legal services, but it can be difficult for attorneys to wrap their heads around how and why this technology can change things for the better in their law firms. At ClioCon 2025, Gyi Tsakalakis sat down with Ed Walters to discuss strategies for embracing AI that reflect the care and wisdom attorneys must use as they integrate this revolutionary technology into legal practice. 

Later, they also discuss the latest offerings from Clio, including new potential for better legal work through the Clio Work product powered by AI assistant Vincent and the Clio Library.

Ed Walters is the Chief Strategy Officer of vLex and the co-founder of Fastcase. 

This bonus episode of Leading the Bar features a special installment from the Council of Firsts series, which spotlights trailblazing leaders who were the “first” to break barriers in their bar associations.

In this  episode of the Council of Firsts, Amanda Arriaga, first Latina president of the Austin Bar, talks to Juan Thomas, past president of the National Bar Association and President-elect of the National Conference of Bar Presidents. (NCBP). This episode was recorded at the American Bar Association/ National Conference of Bar Presidents meeting in Louisville, Kentucky, and includes a new introduction by Amanda Arriaga and Patrick Palace, NCBP President.

To learn more about NCBP, visit https://ncbp.org

AI is disrupting every facet of the law, and understanding how to engage with AI technologies is essential for all attorneys and law students. Dennis and Tom talk with April Dawson about her experience researching and teaching about ethical, effective AI uses in the legal world while preserving vital learning skills for law students. They discuss AI challenges in law schools, AI governance considerations, new applications for AI in access to justice, and much more. 

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:

In episode 583 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser talks with Bernadette Harris, business strategist and finance coach at Lawyerist, about how to move beyond “survival mode” and into strategic, scalable growth. 

Bernadette breaks down the financial metrics that define a mature, transferable law firm, what she calls the difference between working in your business and having your business work for you. Together, they explore the KPIs that show when your team, not just you, is generating revenue, how to measure leverage across roles, and how to build systems that make your firm valuable enough to sell or pass on. 

Bernadette also shares what succession planning really looks like for small firms, why client origination should be team-wide, and how to start laying the groundwork, no matter your current stage of growth. 

Listen to our previous episodes with Bernadette: 

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: Running and Community at LabCon
2:40 – The Power of Accountability and Growth Communities
5:40 – Advanced Firm Finances: Stage 3 & 4 Growth
8:45 – Shifting from Survival to Strategy
11:35 – Measuring Leverage: Who’s Doing the Work?
14:45 – Tracking Revenue by Role, Not Hours
19:15 – When Owners Should Stop Doing Casework
23:00 – Building Transferable Value
25:40 – Succession Planning and Client Origination
29:10 – Systems, SOPs, and True Scalability
33:20 – How to Reach the Next Stage
35:10 – Closing Thoughts & Resources 

Just in time for the AI slop to take over.

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Some law firms are handing out recruiting entertainment budgets to law students. While we don't fault law students some sweet walking around money, placing that power in the hands of students highlights the breakdown in the law school recruiting process and a real risk of baking more bias into hiring. Why has Kirkland memory holes its incoming partner class? The decision to opt out of its traditional announcement message seems like a move to shield its high-achievers, but there are some other possibilities. And a Senator wants some answers after a pair of federal judges issue opinions with possible (read: likely) AI hallucinations.

In our continuing conversation, John, Tim and Dan Ryan share more great trial stories.  You can’t make this stuff up, but you can laugh and learn from it.