Many attorneys have now been working fully virtual for years. During the pandemic most firms experimented with different levels of remote or hybrid work models. For some it worked well, and they continued, but other firms chose to return to the office. While supporters of remote work point to increased flexibility, autonomy, and efficiency, critics worry about the loss of mentorship opportunities and the potential impact on productivity and quality.

In today’s episode hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore welcome Marelize Dingman, of Florida Appeals, to discuss the key to running a successful law firm without a physical office.

Marelize Dingman earned her BA in Social Work from the North-West University in South Africa. After moving to the United States, she was hired at the firm Palmer and Palmer P.A. Following Bill Palmer’s appointment to the Fifth District Court of Appeal, Marelize joined another well-respected Orlando law firm and began managing large corporate events and promoting South African musical artists. When Bill Palmer returned to private practice, Marelize was thrilled to join him and the whole Florida Appeals team as their Firm Administrator. 

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit. Course #9354. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

• Florida Appeals
• Marelize Dingman
• Beyond Brick and Mortar: The Evolution and Impact of Virtual Law Firms (NYSBA)
• How to Work Remotely as a Legal Professional: A Guide (Clio)
• LegalFuel: The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center

Succession planning is vital for any law firm, but it's about more than just retirement. It ensures business continuity through the expected transitions and the unexpected ones like incapacity, death, or disaster. For solo and small firms, it is critical to uninterrupted client service, while also maximizing firm value.

In today’s episode hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore welcome Tom Lenfestey, of The Law Practice Exchange, to discuss succession planning. 

In his role as the Founder & CEO of The Law Practice Exchange, Tom’s goal is to guide lawyers through the next chapter of their legal career, whether that’s succession planning, exit planning, or strategic growth through law firm acquisition. As a respected leader in law firm sales, Tom has guided The Law Practice Exchange to be the leading marketplace and expert team specializing in aiding attorneys and law firms in buying and selling law firms through continuation, exit and succession strategies. Its mission is to provide education and essential services to facilitate seamless law firm sales and acquisitions and lawyer transition planning.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE. Course # 9312. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

• The Law Practice Exchange
• Selling Your Practice with Tom Lenfestey (Podcast)
• Selling Your Law Practice: Insights from Tom Lenfestey on Building a Saleable Business (Podcast)
• How to Value Your Law Firm with Tom Lenfestey (Podcast)
• Rule 4-1.17 Sale of Law Practice
• Florida Bar Ethics Informational Packet: Notifying Clients of Change in Firm Composition
• Florida Bar’s Ethics Informational Packet: Of Counsel
• ABA LPM: Succession Planning for Your Next Firm Administrator
• A Guide to Law Firm Succession Planning: From Emergency Plans to Exit Strategies
• Checklist for Lawyers Retirement, Law Office Closure, Or Law Firm Dissolution
• The 16-Pager: How to Avoid Boredom in Retirement with the Greatest of Ease (ABA Journal)
• Book: Designing a Succession Plan for Your Law Practice: A Step-by-Step Guide for Preparing Your Firm for Maximum Value (Amazon)
• Book: Younger Next Year – A Guide to Living Like 50 Until You’re 80 and Beyond (Amazon)
• Book: Traction – Get a Grip on Your Business (Amazon)
• Succession Planning Guide
• LegalFuel: The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center

The use of generative artificial intelligence by lawyers has shown enormous potential for efficiency, quality, and improved client service, but it also requires the careful consideration of ethics, data security, and an understanding of the degree of human supervision needed. Agentic AI is now emerging and could further transform the business of law.

In today’s episode host Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore welcomes Tom Martin, of LawDroid, to discuss the impact of Agentic AI on the business of law and the future of law practice. 

Tom Martin is a Generative AI expert who serves as CEO of LawDroid, Principal of Deep Legal, and Adjunct Professor at Suffolk Law School, where he literally wrote the textbook on AI and legal services. As an ABA Legal Rebel and Fastcase 50 Honoree appointed to the ABA Center for Innovation, he's transforming the legal industry through his companies, teaching, and speaking at major conferences like ABA TechShow and LegalWeek. 

A Yale and UCLA Law graduate, Tom hosts the LawDroid Manifesto podcast and conference while making a dent in the universe from his home in Vancouver, Canada.

You can follow Tom's writings and podcast at: lawdroidmanifesto.com.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 1.0 hour of Technology CLE credit. Course # 9290. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

• Tom Martin, Founder and CEO of LawDroid
• LawDroid Manifesto
• Thinking Like a Lawyer: Agentic AI and the New Legal Playbook
• AI Agents: What Are They, How Do They Work, Why Should I Care?
• What is Agentic AI, and How Will It Change Work?
• Agentic AI and Legal: How It’s Redefining the Profession
• Enhancing Efficiency and Client Service with Legal Tech Tools
• Why Agentic AI is the Architect of Autonomy
• Harvey Launches Deep Research for Legal
• LawDroid Launches CiteCheck AI, a Fail-Safe Against AI Citation Hallucinations
• 10 Agentic AI Use Cases for Contact Centers
• CoCounsel: The Industry-Leading GenAI Assistant for Professionals
• Zapier AI
• Anthropic: AI Research and Products That Put Safety at the Frontier
• The Florida Bar Guide to Getting Started With AI
• LegalFuel: The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center

Handling sensitive client data and funds has always come with some risk, but now with cyber threats on the rise, attorneys need to be even more proactive in protecting their practice and clients. Maybe you have already considered getting cyber insurance but don’t know what you need to look for in a policy? In addition to covering the costs associated with data breaches and ransomware, having cyber insurance protects your firm and clients and can even improve the delivery of legal services by offering attorneys some peace of mind.

In today’s episode host Christine Bilbrey welcomes Cathy Agacinski, attorney and insurance expert, and Troy Riley, a cybersecurity consultant, to discuss all things cyber insurance.

Cathy Agacinski graduated from Fairfield University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and earned her Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law. She has been licensed as an attorney in Florida since 1992, and she is Board Certified in Workers’ Compensation and a Florida Bar Certified Circuit Court Mediator. She is also licensed in New Jersey and has experience as both a practicing attorney and insurance agent.

Cathy is a shareholder at Silver & Agacinski, P.A., where she focuses on insurance disputes, representing injured workers and handling personal injury cases. She is also an agent and owner of 3 Generations Insurance Agency, specializing in professional liability and cyber insurance. Cathy also serves on the Florida Bar Standing Committee on Technology and the Workers’ Compensation Rules Advisory Committee.

Troy Riley is a cybersecurity consultant with over 22 years of experience. He holds a Master of Science in Cybersecurity and a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from the University of South Florida. Troy holds many professional certifications including the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and Project Management Professional (PMP). He has expertise in legal liability, manufacturing, healthcare, automotive & transportation, incident response readiness, security program assessments, and vulnerability management.

Troy is a member of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), the SANS Institute for Cybersecurity training, and the National Cybersecurity Alliance. 

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 1.0 hour of Technology CLE credit. Course # 9232. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

• 3G Insurance
• Cybersecurity Committee Co-Chair Recommends Insurance to Protect Against Ransomware Attacks [Florida Bar News]
• New Florida Bar Guidelines Offer Framework for Law Firm Cyber Resilience [Florida Bar News]
• The Importance of Cyber Security Insurance for Law Firms [Clio]
• Cyber insurance for the legal industry [Coalition]
• What You Need to Protect Your Firm From Cyber Threats [LegalFuel Guest Post]
• LegalFuel: The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center

Trust accounting is one of the biggest compliance challenges for attorneys, and mistakes can lead to serious consequences—including disciplinary action. But what if there was a way to simplify the process, ensure compliance with Florida Bar Rules, and give attorneys peace of mind? Today, we’re exploring Nota trust accounting solution, a free Florida Bar member benefit designed specifically to help lawyers stay compliant with Florida Bar Trust Accounting Rules.

In today’s episode host Jamie Moore welcomes Tim Jakubowski, Attorney Banking Consultant and Assistant Vice President at Nota, and Christina Potter Bayern and Mike Bayern, attorneys and Nota power users, who will share how Nota has helped them maintain compliance and avoid common pitfalls. 

Tim Jakubowski has worked with M&T Bank and small business clients for nearly 10 years. He prides himself on passion and partnership – understanding how his clients operate their businesses and providing the best-suited banking solutions to help achieve their goals. In 2022, Tim joined the Nota Division of M&T to help solo and small law firms become more efficient with Nota’s platform and the benefits it offers.

Christina Potter Bayern is the founder of Potter Bayern Law, a firm focused on business litigation and personal injury. She currently serves as President of the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association and was recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2024.

Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, Christina advocates for individuals and families impacted by negligence, wrongful death, and catastrophic injuries. She also represents businesses in breach of contract and commercial litigation matters. Before launching Potter Bayern Law, she handled high-stakes litigation at a multi-state law firm in Tampa.

Christina earned her Juris Doctor from American University - Washington College of Law, where she served as President of the Latin Law Students’ Association and Co-Editor-in-Chief of a legal publication. She is also a graduate of the University of South Florida in Tampa where she double majored in Economics and International Studies.

Aside from her legal work and community service, Christina enjoys spending time with her husband and family and finding new places to eat.

Michael Bayern is a co-managing member at Potter Bayern Law, where he represents business owners, entrepreneurs, and investors in complex business, commercial, and real estate litigation. He was recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2023 and 2024.

Michael earned his Bachelor of Arts in Crime, Law, and Justice, with a minor in Sociology, from Pennsylvania State University. He then obtained his law degree cum laude from American University Washington College of Law, where he served as Vice President of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Honor Society and was a national semi-finalist in the American Bar Association Arbitration Competition—showing his skill in negotiation and dispute resolution.

Michael has extensive litigation and courtroom experience, including starting as an assistant public defender in Orlando, then transitioning to insurance defense work, insurance coverage work, and his current litigation practice in commercial and real estate litigation and disputes. Michael counsels clients on a wide range of commercial, business, and real estate disputes, including contractual disputes, partnership and shareholder disputes, business torts, and real estate disputes. He prides himself on being able to help clients mitigate risk and achieve favorable outcomes.

Beyond his legal practice, Michael is committed to supporting business owners and entrepreneurs in protecting their investments and ensuring their businesses thrive. In his spare time, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife (and law partner), family, and dog. They enjoy time outdoors, taking their dog to the park or hiking on the weekends.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 0.5 hour of General CLE credit including 0.5 hour of Technology CLE credit. Course # 9194. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

• Nota by M&T Bank
• Free Trust Accounting Software Now Available [The Florida Bar News]
• Getting Down to the Basics – Free Nota Trust Accounting Resource [The Florida Bar Journal]
• IOTA Management for Lawyers [LegalFuel Free CLE]
• Rules Regulating Trust Accounts: Chapter 5
• Trust Accounting Resources
• Trust Accounting – Basic Records and Procedures
• LegalFuel: The Practice Resource Center of The Florida Bar

Practicing law is stressful, but lawyers and judges who are involved in cases where the parties have experienced trauma may find themselves deeply affected by the individual’s trauma and can even experience post-traumatic effects themselves. Just as a victim experiences trauma in a way that can leave long-term post-traumatic effects, their lawyer’s ability to provide competent legal assistance can also be affected. The cumulative effect of this secondary trauma experience on lawyers or judges over time is known as vicarious trauma.

In today’s episode hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore welcome Libby Clark and Dr. Kerry Murray O’Hara, the co-founders of The Humanized Lawyer Project, to discuss Vicarious Trauma and the impact on attorneys. 

Elizabeth Clark is a passionate advocate for systemic transformation in the legal profession and is a co-founder of The Humanized Lawyer Project, a groundbreaking initiative created with Dr. Kerry Murray O’Hara aimed at helping lawyers reclaim autonomy and resilience in a profession prone to burnout and systemic dysfunction. Ms. Clark served as the Co-Chair of the landmark New York Attorney Well-Being Task Force from 2021 to 2022 and as the inaugural chair of the New York State Bar Association Standing Committee on Attorney Wellbeing. She received her JD from Albany Law School and is a member of the New York State Bar. She specializes in real estate development, finance, and operational strategy. 

Dr. Kerry Murray O’Hara is the Clinical Director & Founder of DBT Wellness & Psychological Services in Saratoga Springs, NY. She has over 25 years of Clinical Psychology experience in various settings including inpatient, residential, forensic, outpatient, and academic. Dr. O’Hara’s area of expertise is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, a highly researched and evidence based psychological treatment. Dr. Kerry received her doctorate from the California School of Professional Psychology and has held clinical positions at Boston University School of Medicine and McLean Psychiatric Hospital, Harvard Medical School. During the past 8 years, Dr. O’Hara has focused on the mental health crisis and wellness related to the field of law and has been named as a clinical consultant to the New York State Bar Association Lawyer Taskforce for Lawyer Wellbeing. She currently sits on two working subcommittees for the Wellbeing Taskforce addressing Occupational Policy and Wellness Programing.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 0.5 hour of Ethics CLE credit and 0.5 hour of Mental Health and Wellness CLE credit. Course # 9087. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

•  Attorney Wellness & Consulting
• The Humanized Lawyer Project
• Trauma, Mental Health and the Lawyer - New York State Bar Association 
• Finding the Compassion Balance: Mindful Lawyering & Vicarious Trauma (Webinar) - New York State Bar Association
• Report and Recommendations of the NYSBA Task Force on Attorney Well-Being (New York State Bar Association)
• Task Force on Mental Health and Trauma Impacted Representation (New York State Bar Association)
• Trauma-Informed (As a Matter of) Course by Natalie Netzel (American University Washington College of Law)
• The Impact of Secondary Trauma in the Legal Profession (LegalFuel Podcast)
• LegalFuel: The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center

As we step into 2025, technology continues to reshape how law firms operate and serve their clients. From advanced case management systems to cutting-edge artificial intelligence, which innovations will be essential for boosting efficiency and enhancing client interactions?

In today’s episode host Jamie Moore welcomes Paul Unger, of Affinity Consulting, to explore the top tech tools transforming legal practices. He’ll share actionable insights on integrating these advancements into your firm, helping you improve operations and deliver exceptional client service.

Paul Unger is the founding partner of Affinity Consulting and holds a degree in Political Science from Capital University and a law degree from Capital University Law School. A national speaker and author, Paul specializes in coaching lawyers how to be more efficient with time management by offering customized workshops. When he isn’t speaking or writing, he is usually performing technology assessments throughout the United States and Canada. Paul began his career working for the Governor of Ohio, and then went on to law school. He practiced law for six years, specializing in litigation and bankruptcy, before starting a legal technology consulting company with partner Barron Henley in 2000. Paul’s superpowers are cleaning up messes and turning digital chaos into well-organized machines. His favorite part of his job is helping people get organized and focused so they can find more enjoyment in their lives and jobs.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 1.0 hour of Technology CLE credit. Course # 8933.

REFERENCED RESOURCES:

• Paul Unger, Esq.
• Affinity Consulting
• Staying Ahead Of The Curve: Preparing Your Law Firm For 2025 [Forbes]
• Top Tech Tools for Lawyers [Clio]
• How to Secure Your 2025 Legal Tech [American Bar Association]
• What is Agentic AI, and How Will It Change Work?
• How Reasoning Models are Transforming Logical AI Thinking [Microsoft Developer Community Blog]
• 2025 Law Firm Data Security Guide: How to Keep Your Law Firm Secure [Clio]
• What is mobile device management (MDM)? [IBM]
• Cybersecurity Assessments for Law Firms: How Not To Screw Them Up [Above the Law]
• LegalFuel: The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center

Running a law practice involves more than just handling cases—it comes with a unique set of challenges, from growing your client base to finding reliable advice on complex issues and streamlining daily operations. Every solo and small firm attorney has faced these hurdles. Today, we’re diving into resources designed to assist members with these challenges. From the Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center, the Lawyer Referral Service, Lawyers Advising Lawyers, to the Career Center and more, we’ll explore tools that can help you deliver exceptional legal services while making practice management easier and more efficient. 

In today’s episode hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore will discuss programs and tools designed to assist members in managing their law practices, available through The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit. Course # 8877. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

• The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center
• The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service
• The Florida Bar Career Center
• Lawyers Advising Lawyers
• Mental Health and Wellness Center
• Florida Lawyers Helpline
• Legal Fuel Document Library

In the rapidly evolving world of technology, few innovations have sparked as much curiosity—and controversy—as generative AI. Imagine a tool that can pass the bar exam, draft legal briefs, and redefine the very process of legal writing. But as we look to the future of AI in law, we're faced with profound questions: Can a machine truly understand the law? What happens to concepts like authorship, ethics, and attorney-client privilege in a world where AI is a co-author?

In today’s episode hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore welcome Dr. Kirsten Davis, Professor of Law at Stetson University College of Law, and an expert in generative artificial intelligence in legal writing to explore these questions. 

Kirsten Davis is a Professor and Provost's Faculty Fellow for Generative Artificial Intelligence and Higher Education at Stetson University College of Law. She earned her JD from Ohio State and a Ph.D. in Human Communication from Arizona State University. Prior to joining the faculty at Stetson Law, she was a federal judicial clerk, an attorney at Jones Day, and a faculty member at the Arizona State University College of Law.

Dr. Davis has served on the board of the Association of Legal Writing Directors and the Legal Writing Institute. She is a past Chair of the Florida Bar's Standing Committee on Professionalism, serves as the Program Co-Chair for the Association of American Law Schools Section on Technology, Law, and Legal Education; as a member of the Legal Writing Institute’s AI Committee; and as a member of the Florida Bar Standing Committee on Technology.

Dr. Davis’s work focuses on the intersection of legal communication and legal ethics. Most recently, she has been studying the impact of generative artificial intelligence on legal communication, legal ethics, and higher education. She is currently leading a group of over 400 law professors who are exploring the impacts of Generative AI on legal writing education and practice. Her course, Legal Writing with Generative AI, was one of the first of its kind to be offered to law students. 

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 0.5 hour of Technology CLE credit and 0.5 hour of Ethics CLE credit. Course # 8875. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

• Kirsten K. Davis
• A New Parlor Is Open: Legal Writing Faculty Must Develop Scholarship On Generative AI and Legal Writing [Stetson Law Review]
• Florida Bar Ethics Opinion 24-1
• Florida Bar Special Committee on AI Tools & Resources
• Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI [Amazon]
• The Florida Bar Guide to Getting Started with AI
• LegalFuel: The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center

Professionalism, ethics, and courtroom presence are vital tools for every attorney striving to deliver exceptional service and build a strong reputation. Today, we’ll explore how these qualities can elevate an attorney's practice, enhancing credibility with judges, clients, and colleagues. Organizations like the American Inns of Court play a key role in promoting these standards, helping attorneys navigate the challenges of a demanding profession while upholding the values of integrity and civility. 

In today’s episode host Jamie Moore welcomes Judge Ross Bilbrey, to share insights on courtroom decorum, oral argument tips, and the value of the Florida Inns of Court. 

Judge Bilbrey has been on the First District Court of Appeal since 2015. Prior to this, he was a Circuit Court judge in Pensacola beginning in 2012 and was appointed to the Santa Rosa County Court in 2006.

He received his B.A. and his J.D. from the University of Florida. Before taking the bench, Judge Bilbrey was in private practice where he focused on civil and commercial litigation. He also served as a legal assistance attorney for the JAG Corps at the Naval Legal Service Office at NAS Pensacola. 

Judge Bilbrey is active in the American Inns of Court and previously served as president of the Pensacola Chapter as well as president of the First DCA Appellate Inn, here in Tallahassee. 

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 1.0 hour of Ethics CLE credit. Course # 8824. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

• American Inns of Court
• English Inns of Court
• Counsel to Counsel Mentoring Program [The Florida Bar]
• Lawyer Advising Lawyers [The Florida Bar]
• Oral Arguments Set for Proposed Amendments to Civil Procedure Rules Ahead of January Implementation [The Florida Bar]
• Supreme Court Declines to Erase ‘Zealous Advocacy’ From Bar Rules [The Florida Bar]
• Guidelines for Professional Conduct [The Florida Bar]
• Professionalism Expectations [The Florida Bar]
• Northern District of Florida [Courtroom Etiquette]
• Middle District of Florida [Courtroom Decorum]
• Guidelines for Professional Conduct [The Florida Bar]
• Effective Brief Writing and Oral Argument: Gaining the Inside Track [The Florida Bar]
• Florida Voluntary Bars
• LegalFuel: The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center