In this episode, you'll hear from Jeff Austin, an estate planning attorney from Durham, North Carolina, who spent a year practicing law remotely while living in Argentina with his family. Jeff will explain how he transitioned to a paperless, remote practice, tackling challenges like how to notarize documents remotely, how to manage client communication, and how to handle physical mail.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Jeff Austin's transition to a remote, paperless law practice while living in Argentina.
• Innovative solutions for remote notarization and client communication.
• Maintaining ethical standards as a North Carolina attorney practicing abroad.
• Practical strategies for building a credible online presence and client trust.
• The importance of technological tools like eSIM cards and virtual mail services.
• Adaptability and resourcefulness in international living and remote work.

Resources from this Episode

• MyCase - Practice management software that Jeff used
• Traveling Mailbox - A physical mailbox service that scans and manages mail. 
• One Notary - Remote notarization service
• BestNotary - Concierge estate planning service that provides notary and witness services.
• Amazon Kindle - E-reader for reading work-related materials
• Next Stand - Portable laptop stand for ergonomic use.

General Resources

• Click for a list of the Best Tech Tools for Lawyers
• Subscribe to: The 80/20 Principle
• Check out my Law Firm Systems Intensive
• Join: '80/20 Inner Circle' (valuable business insights for small firm owners)
• Read: The 80/20 Principle: The Secret of Achieving More with Less, by Richard Koch
• Get my new email course: ChatGPT for Lawyers (it's free)

Other Resources

• The 80/20 Principle (email newsletter)
• The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice
• The Inner Circle (online community for law firm owners)

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Thanks to My Sponsor

Smith.ai

Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you’re hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish.

If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of.

Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000).

And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

 

You should optimize your appearance in online meetings and presentations to appear professional, credible and authoritative. You don't need to do a lot to make that happen, and in this episode you'll find out how with tips for best cameras, mics, backgrounds, plus simple, practical tips for being a good host and attendee.

Topics covered:

• Why Your Zoom Appearance Matters
• The "Zoom Economy": Investing in On-Screen Appearance
• DIY Tips for a Professional Look
• Creating the Perfect Background
• Lighting and Makeup Tips
• Upgrading Your Webcam and Microphone
• Best Practices for Zoom Attendees
• Hosting Effective Zoom Meetings
• Conclusion and Additional Resources

Resources from this Episode

• On Screen Authority training (free)
• Dream Studio  (the $8,000 studio)
• The Hustle article on Zoom trends
• Instructions for how to upload a custom background to Zoom
• Canva (for designing the custom background)
• Amazon soft light options
• ATR mic I use and recommend

General Resources

• Click for a list of the Best Tech Tools for Lawyers
• Subscribe to: The 80/20 Principle
• Check out my Law Firm Systems Intensive
• Join: '80/20 Inner Circle' (valuable business insights for small firm owners)
• Read: The 80/20 Principle: The Secret of Achieving More with Less, by Richard Koch
• Get my new email course: ChatGPT for Lawyers (it's free)

Other Resources

• The 80/20 Principle (email newsletter)
• The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice
• The Inner Circle (online community for law firm owners)

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Thanks to My Sponsor

Smith.ai

Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you’re hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish.

If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of.

Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000).

And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

 

In this episode Deb Feder shares her transition from business lawyer to a coaching business for business professionals. You'll hear about her early career trials, favorite book picks, and how technology has changed the legal profession. She'll also share her great advice on email efficiency, time management, client rapport, boundary setting, and using LinkedIn for business development.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Deb Feder's transition from business law to coaching business owners, including lawyers
• Insights into refining email communication and mastering time management
• The challenges and opportunities of practicing law in the pre-tech era of 1999
• Importance of authenticity and building genuine client relationships
• Mindfulness practices and setting boundaries for personal and professional success

Resources from this Episode

• Tell Me More: Building Trusted Client Relationships through Everyday Interactions, by Deb Feder
• After Hello: How to Build A Book of Business, One Conversation at a Time, by Deb Feder
• Amplification Analyzer (Deb's tool for helping professionals decide where to best showcase their thought leadership)
• Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant (recommended book)
• Dean Jackson, marketing expert.

General Resources

• Click for a list of the Best Tech Tools for Lawyers
• Subscribe to: The 80/20 Principle
• Check out my Law Firm Systems Intensive
• Join: '80/20 Inner Circle' (valuable business insights for small firm owners)
• Read: The 80/20 Principle: The Secret of Achieving More with Less, by Richard Koch
• Get my new email course: ChatGPT for Lawyers (it's free)

Other Resources

• The 80/20 Principle (email newsletter)
• The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice
• The Inner Circle (online community for law firm owners)

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Thanks to My Sponsor

Smith.ai

Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you’re hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish.

If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of.

Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000).

And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

 

This episode discusses Google's NotebookLM, an AI research assistant designed to handle groups of complex documents. Listen and learn about its amazing features, such as generating summaries, citations, and FAQs. 

You can also hear the “audio overviews” feature, in which two bots discuss a recent case (Matter of Weber) involving the use of AI in the courtroom.

Here are details of what was covered:

• Introduction to Google's NotebookLM
• Exploring NotebookLM's Features
• Getting Started with NotebookLM
• Demo of NotebookLM's Audio Summary
• Weber Case: Family Feud Over Bahamas Property
• AI in the Courtroom: A New Frontier
• The Legal Implications of AI Evidence
• Balancing AI Benefits and Risks

Resources from this Episode

• Tiago Forte’s YouTube: How to use NotebookLM
• Perplexity Summary of NotebookLM
• Steven Johnson’s Medium article: How To Use NotebookLM As A Research Tool
• Check out GoogleLM (click here)
• The Matter of Weber (AI case discussed)

Other Resources

• The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter)
• The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice
• The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners)

Thanks to Our Sponsor Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai you’re actually hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish.   If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of.   Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans including add-ons (up to $1000).   And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai.   EPISODE CREDITS: If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.   He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world.   Find out more at EmeraldCity

Believe it or no, it's possible to work as "digital nomad lawyer" and spend all your time traveling the world. Our guest Brian Dixon knows this first hand.  In this episode, you'll learn about his journey from a traditional law practice to fulltime globetrotter.

Listen and learn which practice areas are best suited to this kind of life, and which tech tools are most important to adopt.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Transition from traditional legal practice to digital nomad lifestyle.
• Balancing work-life with travel, highlighting benefits like flexibility and reduced stress.
• Practical advice on maintaining reliable connectivity and managing correspondence remotely.
• Exploration of tools and strategies for remote legal work, including Airalo and VPNs.
• Importance of having a well-established process before adopting a digital nomad lifestyle.

Show Notes

• Lexis Practical Guidance
• Airalo eSim card (for low-cost overseas data plans)
• Wework Co-Working spaces
• Sony Headphones
• Travelling Mailbox (for collecting mail)
• Calendly (automated scheduling)
• Shokz OpenComm2 headset
• The Alchemist, by Paolo Cohelo
• reddit post: "Advice Needed: Are there any lawyers working as a digital nomad who can share how they transitioned to becoming fully remote?"

General Resources

• The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter)
• The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice
• The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners)

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Thanks to My Sponsor

Smith.ai

Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you’re hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish.

If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of.

Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000).

And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

 

Explore the cutting edge of legal writing with Ross Guberman, the founder of a company called Legal Writing Pro. In this episode, learn interesting ways that generative AI can help lawyers write better briefs and contracts.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Generative AI tools for stress-free, effective legal writing
• Insights on creating influential legal writing resources
• Exploration of BriefCatch, an AI-powered legal writing tool
• Ethical considerations and potential of AI in legal practice
• Strategies for crafting compelling legal arguments and reply briefs

Resources from this Episode

Show Note

• LinkedIn post by Carolyn Elefant about using AI to write briefs
• Point Made: How to Write Like the Nation’s Top Advocates
• Point Taken: How to Write Like the World’s Best Judges
• Deal Struck: The World’s Best Drafting Tips
• Legal Writing Pro (Ross's company website)
• BriefCatch software
• SmartBrevity: The Power of Saying More with Less ("Brevity is confidence. Length is fear.")
• ChatGPT
• Perplexity

General Resources

• The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter)
• The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice
• The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners)

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Thanks to My Sponsor

Smith.ai

Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you’re hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish.

If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of.

Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000).

And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

 

In this episode, you'll hear Judge Scott Schlegel explain why he believes that lawyers and judges should know as much as possible about how AI tools work. And why they should gain this understanding by using the tools as much as possible.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Judge Scott Schlegel's career journey from finance to tech-savvy appellate judge.
• AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Llama, Grok, and Perplexity in legal practice.
• Ethical and practical implications of AI in courtrooms.
• Innovative idea of using voice clones for jury instructions.
• Enhancing legal research and case management with AI.
• Legal challenges surrounding data scraping and intellectual property.

Show Notes

• ChatGPT
• Claude
• Perplexity
• Llama (by Meta/Facebook)
• Grok (Twitter)
• LinkedIn posts by Judge Schlegel
• Substack posts by Judge Schlegel
• Snell v. United Specialty Insurance Co. (concurrence by Judge Kevin Newsom)
• ABA Formal Opinion 521 (regarding the ethical use of GenAI)
• Deep Fake examples (by Judge Schlegel)
• Judge Schlegel's website

General Resources

• The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter)
• The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice
• The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners)

Building a successful law practice is a lot easier when you focus on the right things. And that's exactly how attorney Elise Buie built a thriving practice that's both financially lucrative and immensely enjoyable. In this episode she shares her top three secrets to massive success.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Building a successful law practice with controllable elements and technology
• Importance of self-reflection and personal responsibility in legal practice
• Utilizing AI and technology to streamline law firm operations
• Effective delegation and outsourcing for solo and small firms
• Emphasis on stoic principles and focusing on the process over results
• Practical strategies for implementing SOPs and boosting productivity

Show Notes

• Elise Buie Family Law (website)
• The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge, Carlos Casteneda
• Relentless Solution Focus: Train Your Mind to Conquer Stress, Pressure, and Underperformance, by Dr. Jason Selk
• Unreasonable Hospitality: The Remarkable Power of Giving People More Than They Expect, Will Guidara
• Fair Play: A Game-Changing Solution for When You Have Too Much to Do (and More Life to Live), Eve Rodsky
• Joey Vitale's Skybreaker website (helps lawyers find overseas VAs)

General Resources

• The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter)
• The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice
• The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners)

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Thanks to My Sponsor

Smith.ai

Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you’re hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish.

If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of.

Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000).

And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

 

Every lawyer should use an AI note-taking app, but now there are dozens, so which one should they use? In this episode, we examine the top two apps and compare features so you can make a fully informed decision.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Introduction to AI note-taking apps
• Personal experiences and insights on the effectiveness of these tools for attorneys.
• Detailed comparison of features, reliability, security, and integration capabilities.
• Importance of reliability, security, and integration capabilities.
• Practical benefits such as transcribing meetings, summarizing calls, and exporting files.

Show Notes

• Otter.ai
• Fireflies.ai
• Loom video comparison of Otter.ai & Fireflies
• Links to sample transcripts of same audio → Otter & Fireflies (covered in the Loom)
• Plaud.ai
• Shokz OpenComm2 headset

General Resources

• The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter)
• The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice
• The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners)

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Thanks to My Sponsor

Smith.ai

Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you’re hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish.

If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of.

Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000).

And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

 

The ABA's new ethics opinion on lawyers' use of AI is a must-read, but this episode will give you the key takeaways you need to be aware of. We'll also discuss the provocative statement in the opinion that "AI can help lawyers predict how judges might rule on a legal question based on data about the judge’s rulings." Listen now to learn more.

 

In this episode, you will hear:

• Discussion on the ABA ethics opinion's claim that AI can predict judicial rulings, despite skepticism due to lack of cited authority.
• Exploration of the ethical challenges lawyers face when integrating generative AI tools into their practice.
• How AI is transforming tasks like electronic discovery, contract analytics, and due diligence in mergers and acquisitions.
• Examination of Rule 1.1 (duty of competence) and Rule 1.6 (duty of confidentiality) with practical tips for staying updated and protecting client information.

Show Notes

• ABA Formal Opinion 512 (Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools)
• My LinkedIn post about the ABA Opinion (please join the discussion)
• Allie K. Miller's course on using GenAI

General Resources

• The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter)
• The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice
• The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners)

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Thanks to My Sponsor

Smith.ai

Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you’re hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish.

If there’s one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of.

Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000).

And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.