The Kennedy-Mighell Report

Philosophies and approaches to AI use differ vastly amongst its users, and Dennis and Tom are no exception. While Dennis imagines “panning for gold” with a high-level thought partner, Tom treats AI as a well-managed, prudent employee. The guys give detailed insights into their prompting styles and discuss both the goals and results of their differing modes of use. 

Later, they experiment with AI to analyze the podcast and make inferences about who their audience is and what they want out of the show. Did AI get it right? Dennis and Tom discuss. 

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:

For a unique perspective on legal technology, Dennis Kennedy and Tom Mighell welcome law librarian Ariana Paulino. Ariana shares her insights on engaging with today’s leading technologies and AI tools, as well as helping law students learn to use them effectively in legal practice. They explore how building relationships with technology vendors can help lawyers stay current on essential tools for their firms and discuss the importance of balancing AI’s capabilities with strong foundational legal skills.

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:

New, wearable AI technology products are entering the market in a steady stream, but should any of us be rushing to get these new, shiny tech toys? Dennis Kennedy and Tom Mighell dig into the world of wearable AI, from rings to pendants to glasses and more, to explore their intent and discuss the controversies that have inevitably followed in their wake. Do these gadgets deliver unique value? Is your privacy at risk? Are you violating others’ rights to privacy if you wear them? The guys unpack these weighty considerations and much more.

Later, Tom’s got a new Second Brain! After a major overhaul, Tom’s pretty pleased with his new system, so the guys talk through his current approach and uses for this technology tool.

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:

This episode is sponsored by Smith.ai.

AI assistants can be incredibly helpful to attorneys, but what exactly can and should these tools be doing for your law firm? Dennis Kennedy and Tom Mighell welcome Maddy Martin of Smith.ai for a roundtable discussion on the current landscape of AI assistant tools and their value for lawyers. They examine these tools through the scope of jobs to be done, looking at real-life attorney pain points and explaining ways to identify which tasks can effectively and ethically be handed off to AI assistants to improve both attorney and client experience.

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:

Adriana has trained lawyers through legal tech developments for decades, so she’s pretty much seen it all! Dennis and Tom pick her brain on the trajectory of AI tools, technology competence, collaboration, and much more. Adriana offers deep insights into lawyers’ commonly underutilized tools in Microsoft and Adobe, pointing out that they may already be paying for the solutions they need.

Later, they also discuss Adriana’s career path and dig into the advantages of using practice management platforms in today’s midsize and small firms. 

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:

Lawyers are a unique group often characterized as being hyper-resistant to change, but is that really true? As technology changes, lawyers must adapt, but it is important to appreciate their tendency toward skepticism and caution to be able to effectively help them adopt new tools. To discuss this topic, Dennis and Tom welcome Julia Montgomery to learn about her processes for change management in law firms. Julia talks about the unique traits of attorneys, what real change management should look like in legal businesses, and how her love for legal led her to a career helping lawyers organize their work with effective, measurable strategies powered by  technology and good practices.

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.

Good lawyers are good delegators—and those lawyers shouldn’t be afraid to start delegating to their AI tools! This time on the Kennedy-Mighell Report, Dennis and Tom welcome Christian Puzder to talk about AI and good governance. Christian explains the importance of proper and effective AI use in the practice of law, emphasizing the ethical need to embrace new technology, train your firm well, and serve your clients better. 

Later, Chris discusses his career journey from attorney to legal technologist and offers his take on how to acquire trustworthy technology for your law firm that truly serves your needs. 

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 answers to your most burning tech questions.

Today’s law students are entering a profession being reshaped by AI, making technology literacy more important than ever. What does it mean to build a legal career and professional identity in this rapidly evolving landscape? Dennis Kennedy’s students have been exploring that very question in one of his most recent classes, and he joins Tom to share what they’ve learned. Together, they examine the realities facing today’s law students and new associates, discuss why technological fluency is becoming an essential legal skill, and highlight the opportunities young lawyers have to emerge as technology leaders within their firms and the broader profession.

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.

Show Notes:

When lawyers understand the value technology brings to their lives, it becomes exponentially easier to help them adopt new tools, and the best leaders in legal will help their firms thrive with thoughtful, prudent technology on their side. Dennis Kennedy and Tom Mighell welcome Debbie Foster to discuss technology, leadership, and the future of the profession.

Debbie shares insights from her upcoming book, Be a Next Level Leader, a legal industry playbook for leadership in modern law firms. They discuss the most pressing needs in the profession, and Debbie explains how well-trained leaders are critical to the future success of the legal world, particularly with the rapid advances of AI technologies in mind.

Show Notes:

Some of the lesser-known problems in our AI tools may actually pose the greatest dangers to legal professionals. Dennis and Tom take a hard look at AI shortcomings like semantic flattening, drift, marketing claims, and more to suss out the realities of these tools and the increasingly apparent need for greater human wisdom and oversight.

Later, are AI-written materials already polluting future AI source data? The guys discuss. 

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: