Legal Talk Network

Experts discuss how consumer debt lawsuits have come to dominate civil courts at the expense of low-income Americans on the latest episode of LSC’s “Talk Justice” podcast.

Featured Guests: Erika Rickard, project director for civil legal system modernization at the Pew Charitable Trust; Arielle Levinson-Waldman, founding president of Tzedek DC; George Simons, founder and CEO of SoloSuit

When you start a new firm, you will always be met with uncertainty. Of course, you have a plan of how you want to run your firm, but there are many variables that can attempt to throw it off course. So, how do you navigate it?

That’s what we’re talking about in this episode with Jeremy Widder, a criminal defense lawyer practicing in Southern Maryland.

Jeremy started his solo practice in 2020 at the height of the pandemic, and he shares about how this helped his firm become more innovative.

He uses technology to automate and simplify as much of his practice as possible, while still providing top-notch legal representation and client service.

Jeremy gives listeners actionable tips on:

[3:00] How to navigate external circumstances that impact a new business idea

[5:00] Figuring out a strategy in the midst of a global pandemic

[10:40] Why it’s so important for a new firm to know where its business is coming from

[15:15] Jeremy’s system for asking for Google reviews from past and current clients

[19:25] The impact branding has on your ideal client

[23:20] The lessons Jeremy learned by starting up his firm in the face of uncertainty

[36:30] Why burnout and working around the clock doesn’t work anymore

Resources mentioned in this episode:

The Small Firm Roadmap by Aaron Street and Sam Glover

Connect with Jeremy here:

Succession planning is critical for ensuring the protection of lawyers, clients, and the public; but does every lawyer need a plan? Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Alecia Chandler about how to figure out what type of plan you need and the resources available on the State Bar of Michigan’s website. Check out the Planning Ahead Handbook, as well as many other checklists and forms designed to help you create a comprehensive plan for your law firm. 

Alecia Chandler is Professional Responsibility Programs Director for the State Bar of Michigan.

Time to be honest with yourself. Are you, quite possibly, wasting other people’s time with meandering, life-sucking meetings? Or, is your inbox full of languishing emails, much to the frustration of your coworkers? Dennis and Tom certainly hope not, but, just to be safe, they’ve got a whole show devoted to helping you understand the nuances of both synchronous and asynchronous collaboration modalities. Learn how to pick the right tools for each scenario and curate purposeful, effective communication with coworkers and clients.

Later on, the guys share their personal recommendations for improving the VR experience for those with prescription glasses. 

As always, stay tuned for the parting shots, that one tip, website, or observation 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 answers to your most burning tech questions.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Posh Virtual Receptionists, Clio, and Colonial Surety Company.

Even if you and your firm are completely above reproach, you could be sued. Your conduct may be scrutinized and every document you ever sent in a case may be discoverable. Are you prepared for that? This episode offers key insight into basic legal malpractice issues from being sued to handling a malpractice case for your firm. You may think it won’t happen to you, but neither did we.

Sloppy jury instructions can lead to appeal due to instructional error or confusion in deliberations, and nobody wants that. In this episode, you’ll learn about verdict directors, clean and dirty instructions, roving commissions, potential pitfalls, and resources to help you draft more concise instructions that help the jury come to a decision in your favor.

Directed verdicts are no longer just for the defense. Creative plaintiff attorneys are considering this approach in complex injury cases too. Tune in to hear about Megan’s recent case which resulted in two directed verdicts and learn how to use the record to reinforce your evidence and protect yourself from vulnerability on appeal.

Litigators face distinct challenges when it comes to business development. Unlike their transactional counterparts, clients often only need a litigator once. That means the process of developing business for a litigator is ongoing. Because of this unsteady workflow, identifying a prospective client list, bringing in business and growing your litigation practice can be difficult.

In this episode, special guests, Sharla Frost and Angela Steffen Meyer, provide litigators with a practical guide to getting more clients and advancing their legal careers through successful business development strategies.

Citizens are guaranteed legal representation in criminal cases which may impact their freedom but are not guaranteed representation on issues regarding their physical and mental health, personal safety, government benefits, or housing, which may be life-threatening situations. In Part Two of our discussion, Dan Glazier and Karen Warren detail the assistance Legal Services offers to level the playing field for vulnerable citizens. Learn more about their services how you can help this vital organization remove barriers for low-income, low-opportunity citizens in your community.

The justice gap is real. Thousands of Americans face legal situations such as wrongful eviction, denied access to health and other public benefits, or domestic violence with no money for legal representation. Legal Services organizations are the poverty law experts…providing free legal aid and education to our most vulnerable citizens. Dan Glazier and Karren Warren of Legal Services of Eastern Missouri share their organization’s focus and goals. No matter what your legal area of expertise, consider stepping up to help someone in need by volunteering at a Legal Services agency near you.