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Lawyerist Podcast

Lawyerist.com

The Lawyerist Podcast helps lawyers build modern law firms that are profitable, efficient, and sustainable.

Hosted by the team at Lawyerist, each episode features conversations with law firm owners, legal tech innovators, consultants, and industry experts focused on the business of practicing law. Learn proven strategies for law firm management, legal technology, AI, operations, client experience, leadership, marketing, hiring, and firm growth.

Whether you're a solo practitioner or managing a growing team, you'll find practical advice, real-world insights, and actionable ideas you can implement to improve your practice today and prepare for the future of legal services.

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27 episodes
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S1 · E640
Thursday · 44 min
Learning AI by Doing, Not Watching, with Ben Schorr
Your firm has AI tools. Your team has questions. In episode 640 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser talks with Ben Schorr about helping lawyers and staff get comfortable using AI through practical, collaborative workshops called prompt-a-thons. Ben shares what happens when people have time to work through common office tasks with AI, including prioritizing email, preparing reports, and gathering client contact information. As participants improve their prompts and compare ideas, they begin connecting what they are learning to problems they already face at work. They explore how to organize a prompt-a-thon, why gathering people in the same room can make a difference, and how to keep the experience useful without making it a competition. The conversation also examines how colleagues can become an ongoing source of support as teams discover new ways to use AI. If your team understands the possibilities but hesitates to try the tools, this episode offers a manageable way to move from watching demonstrations to building practical skills. Listen to the previous episodes on AI Adoption and Team Confidence. #624: Building Better Lawyers in the Age of AI, with April Dawson Apple | Spotify | LTN #598: From Hype to Practice: Using Microsoft Copilot in Your Law Firm, with Ben Schorr Apple | Spotify | LTN #597: What Lawyers Get Wrong About Teaching Clients and Teams, with Danielle Hall Apple | Spotify | LTN #590: Innovating Without Overwhelm: Practical AI Tips for Lawyers, with Graydon Trusler Apple | Spotify | LTN 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 00:00 – Introduction 00:32 – How Practice Builds AI Confidence 04:11 – Meet Ben Schorr 05:56 – What a Prompt-a-thon Actually Is 07:30 – Choosing Everyday Tasks for AI Practice 09:36 – Why AI Training Needs a Practice Session 12:37 – Building a Community Around AI Use 14:13 – Getting Your Inbox Under Control with Copilot 15:25 – Refining Prompts for More Useful Results 18:18 – Moving from Prompts to Scheduled Tasks and Agents 19:44 – Connecting AI to Your Firm’s Information 22:00 – Why Documented Procedures Make AI More Useful 25:55 – Using AI to Simplify Monthly Reporting 27:59 – Extracting Client Contact Information from Email 31:35 – In Person, Hybrid, or RemotPrompt-a-thonons 37:56 – Measuring Success Through Learning and Confidence 39:56 – How to RuPrompt-a-thonthon in Your Firm 41:52 – Closing Thoughts
S1 · E639
Tuesday · 41 min
Why Copying Competitors' AI Content Won't Grow Your Firm, with Karin Conroy from Conroy Creative
AI can create a law firm website in minutes. Building a useful marketing strategy takes more thought. In episode 639 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser talks with legal marketing consultant Karin Conroy about why easier content creation is leaving so many lawyers overwhelmed and what to do before asking AI for another post. Karin shares a five-step approach to putting your marketing in order: evaluate your current state, set your strategy, repair the foundation, map your channels, and build a content engine. She explains how understanding your ideal clients and the ways they already find you can help you decide where AI belongs. Together, they explore why viral posts can generate attention without advancing your business goals, how a polished website can still miss the mark, and why your website, intake process, and referral systems need to support whatever you publish. They also discuss how online marketing and personal relationships can work together to make your firm more memorable. If every new AI tool makes you feel further behind, this episode offers a practical way to identify what needs attention first and move forward with a clearer plan. Listen to the previous episodes of our AI, Branding & Law Firm Marketing. #610: Beyond Copycat Marketing: Building a Law Firm Brand That Actually Converts, with Karin Conroy Apple | Spotify | LTN #603: Turn Expertise into Clients: Building Authority That AI Recognizes, with Karin Conroy Apple | Spotify | LTN #584: How to Stay Human in the Age of AI-driven Law Firm Marketing, with Creative Conroy Apple | Spotify | LTN #580: Smarter Law Firm Marketing: AI Tools That Actually Work, with FirmPilot Apple | Spotify | LTN Links from the episode: https://conroycreativecounsel.com/ 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 00:00 – Introduction 01:06 – Meet Karin Conroy and the AI Website Question 04:39 – Why Law Firms Skip the Marketing Fundamentals 06:28 – Why AI Creates More Marketing Overwhelm 11:33 – Putting Strategy Before Marketing Tactics 13:56 – Defining Your Strategy and Ideal Client 14:52 – Why Going Viral Doesn’t Mean Getting Clients 16:34 – Why Copying Competitors’ Marketing Doesn’t Work 18:32 – Making Sure Your Website Can Support Your Marketing 21:02 – Choosing Channels Based on How Clients Find You 22:40 – Repairing Your Marketing Foundation Before Adding AI 24:25 – When Your Law Firm Website Needs a Refresh 29:42 – How Website Design Shapes Client Trust 32:58 – Standing Out When Everyone Uses AI 35:22 – Five Steps to Get Your Marketing on Track 36:32 – Connecting Your Online and Offline Marketing 38:09 – Why Human Relationships Still Drive Growth 39:44 – Closing Thoughts
S1 · E638
October 1 · 27 min
Building a Law Firm Around One Clear Vision, with Megan Burns
Running two practice areas can feel like running two law firms under one roof. In episode 638 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Megan Burns, managing partner at Mirador Law, about the firm’s decision to focus entirely on plaintiff personal injury after years of also handling criminal defense. After 20 years as a criminal defense lawyer, Megan knew her trial skills could carry over. The business side required its own transition. She explains how different fee structures, marketing needs, and staffing demands led her and her partner to rethink how the firm operated. They started with a partner retreat to agree on a long term vision, then mapped out the steps needed to make it real. Together, they discuss how to narrow a practice, support the people affected by the change, and build a firm around a shared direction. If your firm handles several practice areas and you are wondering where to focus, this episode offers a practical place to start. Listen to the previous episodes of our Law Firm Strategy & Leading Change. #635: Leading Forward: Why Great Ideas Aren’t Enough for Law Firm Strategy, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN #633: Leading People in Law Firms: Building Trust, Developing Talent, and Holding Standards, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN #600: Designing a Law Firm You Actually Want to Run, with Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN #575: From Overwhelmed Lawyer to Strategic Law Firm Owner, with Chad Fox Apple | Spotify | LTN 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 00:00 – Introduction 00:47 – Why Law Firm Growth Takes a Process 03:19 – Meet Megan Burns 03:53 – From Public Defender to Personal Injury Lawyer 05:41 – How Trial Skills Transfer Between Practice Areas 07:49 – Changing Practice Areas Changes the Business Model 09:11 – Flat Fees, Contingency Fees, and Financial Risk 11:03 – When Two Practice Areas Became Too Much 11:45 – Setting a New Vision at a Partner Retreat 13:13 – Why Two Practice Areas Can Feel Like Two Firms 15:27 – Getting Law Partners on the Same Page 18:00 – Turning the Vision Into a Plan for the Team 20:01 – How Leaders Set the Tone for Change 22:27 – Building on a 50 Year Firm Legacy 24:20 – Competing as a Small Personal Injury Firm 26:11 – Closing Thoughts
S1 · E637
September 24 · 33 min
Fifty Referral Partners Is All You Need, with Jay Ruane
Most lawyers know relationships lead to referrals. The challenge is keeping those relationships alive when everything else gets busy. In this episode of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Jay Ruane about analog marketing and the simple systems that make staying connected part of running a firm. Jay explains why offline marketing often falls apart after the first month and how a repeatable approach can help lawyers follow through. They explore using AI to identify forgotten connections in your inbox, making time for short coffee meetings, and becoming the person others trust to make a useful introduction. The conversation also covers networking as an introvert, asking about someone else’s ideal client, and choosing thoughtful gifts that people actually want to keep. Jay shares why his firm sends clients blankets without its logo and why a manageable network of 50 referral partners can support a successful practice. If your marketing plan depends on remembering to reach out when things slow down, this episode offers a more practical way to build relationships, generate referrals, and keep showing up. Listen to the previous episodes of our Referral Marketing, Relationship Building & Law Firm Growth. #636: Why Past Clients May Be Your Law Firm’s Best Growth Strategy, with EJ Stern & Katherine Wilson Apple | Spotify | LTN #608: Business Development for Lawyers: Building Real Relationships That Lead to Clients, with Megan Senese Apple | Spotify | LTN #606: Breaking the Copycat Cycle: Building a Law Firm with Personality, with Patrick Patino Apple | Spotify | LTN #515: Simple Marketing Hacks Lawyers Swear By, with Gyi Tsakalakis Apple | Spotify | LTN 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 00:00 – Introduction 00:59 – Stephanie’s Blog and the Lawyerist Community 03:02 – Meet Jay Ruane 03:57 – Why Relationship Marketing Needs a System 07:17 – Keeping Your Systems Simple 08:46 – Why Analog Marketing Still Works 11:01 – Using AI to Rediscover Referral Connections 12:07 – Building a Network by Connecting Others 14:13 – Networking as an Introvert 17:19 – Preparing for Better Conversations 19:31 – Talking Business Without Forcing a Pitch 20:32 – Asking for Introductions 21:43 – Moving Beyond a Scarcity Mindset 22:41 – Thoughtful Gifts vs. Branded Merchandise 26:16 – Conference Giveaways People Actually Want 27:11 – Making a Book a Personal Gift 28:31 – Building a Repeatable Marketing Routine 29:49 – Why 50 Referral Partners Can Be Enough 30:46 – Closing Thoughts
S1 · E636
September 17 · 38 min
Why Past Clients May Be Your Law Firm’s Best Growth Strategy, with EJ Stern & Katherine Wilson
Law firms spend enormous amounts of time and money winning new clients, then often overlook the relationships they have already built. In episode 636 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with EJ Stern and Katherine Wilson about how intentional client nurturing can lead to stronger relationships, repeat business, and more referrals. EJ and Katherine explain why clients can quietly disappear when firms stop staying connected, why asking for feedback can strengthen rather than threaten a relationship, and how lawyers can move beyond being the person clients call with one legal problem to becoming a trusted advisor they call about everything else. They also share practical ways to stay top of mind, from LinkedIn and personal check-ins to thoughtful gifts, memorable experiences, and small gestures that show you actually know the person behind the matter. As AI-generated communication becomes easier to produce, authentic human connection may become even more valuable. If your firm is constantly focused on finding the next client, this conversation is a reminder that some of your best growth opportunities may already know, like, and trust you. Listen to the previous episodes of our Client Retention, Referral Growth & Relationship Building. #609: Improve Client Satisfaction Without More Work: Designing Smarter Legal Services, with Laura Hartnett Apple | Spotify | LTN #608: Business Development for Lawyers: Building Real Relationships That Lead to Clients, with Megan Senese Apple | Spotify | LTN #592: Client Care, Culture, and Character: A Framework for Great Leaders, with William O’Neal Apple | Spotify | LTN #526: LinkedIn Mastery: Grow Your Law Firm NOW!, with Matthew Hunt Apple | Spotify | LTN #424: How to Get Great Feedback from Clients, with Ashley Steckler Apple | Spotify | LTN #347: How a Client Happiness Coordinator Increased My Firm Referrals & Reviews, with Ryan McKeen & Brittany Green Apple | Spotify | LTN Links from the episode: https://smith.ai/ 8am Kaleidoscope: https://www.8am.com/events/kaleidoscope/ Fractional Law Firm CMO Fractional Law Firm CMO on LinkedIn EJ Stern on LinkedIn Katherine Wilson on LinkedIn 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 00:00 – Introduction 01:16 – Getting More From Conferences 03:02 – AI in Law Firms 06:39 – AI for Client Intake 08:15 – Intake Is a Sales Funnel 11:19 – Fixing Intake Leaks 13:22 – AI for Sales and Intake 14:53 – Meet EJ Stern & Katherine Wilson 15:36 – Why Client Retention Gets Overlooked 16:19 – Turning Clients Into Referrals 17:47 – Why Lawyers Avoid Feedback 21:01 – Why Client Experience Matters 21:54 – Becoming a Trusted Advisor 22:54 – How to Ask for Client Feedback 24:33 – Staying Top of Mind 25:27 – Building Client Loyalty 26:50 – Past Clients and Referral Sources 28:41 – Creative Client Gifts 32:22 – Human Connection in the Age of AI 34:50 – Invest in Existing Clients 35:21 – Building Long-Term Client Relationships 36:11 – Marketing Is Like the Gym 37:13 – LinkedIn and Staying Top of Mind 38:00 – Keep Repeating Your Message 38:21 – Closing Thoughts
S1 · E635
September 10 · 33 min
Leading Forward: Why Great Ideas Aren't Enough for Law Firm Strategy, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett
Law firms know change is coming. Knowing what to do about it is harder. In this episode of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Debbie Foster about leading a law firm forward as technology, client expectations, and the business of law evolve. Debbie explains why strategy often gets pushed aside for urgent client work and day-to-day demands. Together, they explore why firms struggle to move beyond “we’ve always done it this way,” how consensus can stall progress, and why great ideas mean little without execution and team buy-in. They also examine how AI is raising the stakes for law firm leaders. Waiting for certainty is not a strategy. Stephanie and Debbie share practical ways to protect time for strategic thinking, challenge assumptions, build buy-in, and help teams adapt to change. If your firm keeps talking about what needs to change but struggles to make it happen, this episode will help you move from ideas to action. Listen to the previous episodes of our Law Firm Leadership Series. #632: Law Firm Leadership: How to Lead Yourself Before Leading Your Team, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN #633: Leading People in Law Firms: Building Trust, Developing Talent, and Holding Standards, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN #634: Leading Law Firm Operations: Building Systems That Reduce the Daily Firefighting, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN Links from the episode: https://posh.com/lawyerist/ https://lawyerist.com/scorecard/ https://beanextlevelleader.com/ 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 Be a Next Level Leader 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 00:00 – Introduction 01:47 – The New Small Firm Scorecard™ 03:23 – Making Law Firm Progress Easier to Measure 06:38 – AI & Virtual Receptionists 08:08 – AI vs. Automation: What’s the Difference? 09:03 – Using AI to Enhance the Client Experience 12:03 – AI for Sentiment Analysis & Quality Assurance 13:04 – Keeping Humans in Control of AI 14:56 – Leading Your Law Firm Forward 15:24 – Why Law Firm Strategy Gets Pushed Aside 16:54 – AI Is Changing the Game for Law Firms 18:35 – Law Firms Are Playing 3D Chess 19:30 – Why Strategic Thinking Needs Protected Time 20:40 – Looking Beyond the Day-to-Day 22:47 – Moving Past “We’ve Always Done It This Way” 24:02 – Why Leading Through Change Is So Hard 24:34 – Great Ideas Aren’t the Problem. Execution Is. 26:58 – The Business Case for Law Firm Strategy 28:39 – Creating Believers Inside Your Law Firm 31:09 – Building a Culture That Thinks Ahead 32:28 – Why Leaders Will Build the Next Era of Law Firms
S1 · E634
September 3 · 33 min
Leading Law Firm Operations: Building Systems That Reduce the Daily Firefighting, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett
Law firm leaders are often so busy putting out fires that they never get the chance to prevent the next one. In episode 634 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Debbie Foster about leading operations, the third cornerstone from their book, Be a Next Level Leader (beanextlevelleader.com). Debbie and Stephanie explore what it means to shift from being the “hero” who solves every problem to the architect who builds systems that help the firm run better. They break down how leaders can help teams prioritize urgent versus important work, clarify decision-making authority, and develop the judgment to make better decisions without constantly escalating them. They also explain why healthy firms surface problems early instead of hiding mistakes, how solving root causes can prevent recurring operational headaches, and why some law firm meetings cost far more than the decisions being made inside them. If your days feel like an endless cycle of interruptions, emergencies, and meetings about the same problems, this episode offers practical ways to build systems that create more clarity, accountability, and consistency across your firm. This week's homework: head to beanextlevelleader.com/resources for a free meeting audit calculator to see what your recurring meetings are really costing your firm. Listen to our previous episodes on Law Firm Leadership, Systems & Stronger Teams #633: Leading People in Law Firms: Building Trust, Developing Talent, and Holding Standards, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN #632: Law Firm Leadership: How to Lead Yourself Before Leading Your Team, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN #631: Tune In Before You Jump In: A Better Way to Delegate, with Shawn Vanderhoven Apple | Spotify | LTN #616: From Solo to CEO: Letting Go of Legal Work to Grow Your Firm, with Ellen Williamson Apple | Spotify | LTN #615: How to Stop Being the Bottleneck and Build Stronger Teams, with Debbie Foster and Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN #530: How to Design Meetings that Drive Results, with Matthew Homann Apple | Spotify | LTN #522: The EOS Secret to Mastering Law Firm Challenges, with Mike Paton Apple | Spotify | LTN Links from the episode: Kaleidoscope Conference, September 22-24 in Las Vegas: https://www.8am.com/events/kaleidoscope/ use code “Lawyerist26” Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! For more on leading operations, check out Be a Next Level Leader at beanextlevelleader.com. Looking for help beyond the book? Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 00:37 – Lawyerist Heads to Kaleidoscope in Las Vegas 03:23 – What Law Firms Can Learn from the Savannah Bananas 05:01 – Why Ridiculous Ideas Can Lead to Better Solutions 07:20 – The Third Cornerstone of Law Firm Leadership 07:44 – Leading Operations: Turning Ideas into Systems 09:29 – Stop Being the Hero and Start Being the Architect 11:01 – Why Nonbillable Work Can Be Your Most Valuable Work 11:35 – Building Better Systems One Problem at a Time 12:32 – Urgent vs. Important: Helping Your Team Prioritize 13:13 – Why Urgent Work Keeps Taking Over 15:07 – Teach Your Team to Think Without Rescuing Them 15:54 – Priorities, Trade-Offs & Better Judgment 16:45 – Who Actually Gets to Make the Decision? 19:18 – Why Law Firms Struggle with the Fear of Being Wrong 21:02 – Create a Culture Where Problems Surface Early 23:24 – Stop Fixing Symptoms and Find the Root Cause 25:10 – Audit Your Law Firm Meetings 25:50 – The $7,000 Meeting Problem 27:02 – Death by Meeting vs. Not Meeting Enough 28:17 – How to Run Meetings That Actually Accomplish Something 29:27 – Stop the Law Firm Rumor Mill 30:25 – This Week’s Leadership Homework
S1 · E633
August 27 · 23 min
Leading People in Law Firms: Building Trust, Developing Talent, and Holding Standards, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett
Most lawyers are taught how to practice law, not how to lead people. Then one day, they are handed a team and expected to figure it out. In episode 633 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Debbie Foster about leading people, the second cornerstone from their book, Be a Next Level Leader. Debbie and Stephanie break people's leadership into four essential responsibilities: building trust, developing others, communicating clearly, and holding standards. They explain why trust grows through small, human interactions, why leaders often overload their most dependable employees, and how delegation can become a tool for development instead of a way to clear your own plate. They also explore why teams cannot meet expectations that were never clearly communicated, how positive and constructive feedback help people grow, and why “no news is good news” is not a leadership strategy. If you want to build a team that can take greater ownership, perform at a higher level, and succeed without relying on one overburdened A player, this episode offers a practical place to start. Listen to our previous episodes on Law Firm Leadership, Delegation, and Building Stronger Teams. #632: Law Firm Leadership: How to Lead Yourself Before Leading Your Team, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN #631: Tune In Before You Jump In: A Better Way to Delegate, with Shawn Vanderhoven Apple | Spotify | LTN #616: From Solo to CEO: Letting Go of Legal Work to Grow Your Firm, with Ellen Williamson Apple | Spotify | LTN #615: How to Stop Being the Bottleneck and Build Stronger Teams, with Debbie Foster and Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN 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 00:00 – Introduction 00:21 – Track Your Firm’s Progress with the Small Firm Scorecard 03:17 – Leading People: The Second Leadership Cornerstone 04:25 – Trust, Development, Communication, and Standards 05:59 – Why Law Firms Do Not Teach People Management 07:42 – Building Trust Through Real Relationships 08:58 – Small Conversations That Strengthen Trust 10:54 – Delegating to Develop, Not Just to Offload Work 11:26 – The Overburdened A Player Problem 12:48 – Becoming a Multiplier for Your Team 13:31 – Match Delegation to Skill and Readiness 14:52 – Set Clear Expectations Before Asking for More 16:38 – Why Feedback Is a Leadership Skill 18:33 – “No News Is Good News” Does Not Work 19:08 – Learn How Your People Want to Be Recognized 19:53 – A Simple Framework for Better Feedback 21:14 – Holding Standards Without Being Harsh 22:15 – Closing Thoughts and What Comes Next
S1 · E632
August 20 · 24 min
Law Firm Leadership: How to Lead Yourself Before Leading Your Team, with Debbie Foster & Stephanie Everett
Leaders do not simply enter a room. They change it. In episode 632 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Debbie Foster about leading self, the first cornerstone from their new book, Be a Next Level Leader. Debbie explains why “leaders bring the weather” and how a leader’s emotions, attention, and energy can shape an entire meeting. Together, they explore what happens when leaders make promises they cannot realistically keep, become bottlenecks for their teams, or undermine decisions by delivering them as someone else’s instructions. They also discuss why honoring commitments is essential to building trust, how to renegotiate a deadline without hiding behind busyness, and what it means to speak as a leader even when you disagree with a decision. Debbie and Stephanie share practical scripts, exercises, and shared language law firm teams can use to make better leadership habits part of everyday work. If you want your team to trust your word, follow your direction, and feel secure when pressure rises, better leadership starts with understanding how you show up. Listen to our previous episodes on Law Firm Leadership, Self-Awareness & Building Stronger Teams. #627: Building Stronger Law Firm Teams Through Better Communication, with Zeina Baydoun Apple | Spotify | LTN #615: How to Stop Being the Bottleneck and Build Stronger Teams, with Debbie Foster and Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN #596: The Athlete’s Mindset for Lawyers, with Jess Sargus Apple | Spotify | LTN #592: Client Care, Culture, and Character: A Framework for Great Leaders, with William O’Neal Apple | Spotify | LTN #527: Casting Your Vision and Leading Your Firm, with Kevin DeShazo Apple | Spotify | LTN Links from the episode: https://beanextlevelleader.com/ 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 00:00 – Introduction 01:19 – Why Leadership Teams Need Shared Language 03:16 – Meet Debbie Foster 03:45 – Why Leadership Starts with Leading Self 04:13 – Leaders Bring the Weather 05:27 – Showing Up Fully Present 06:17 – How Broken Commitments Erode Trust 08:15 – When the Leader Becomes the Bottleneck 09:29 – Speak as a Leader, Not a Messenger 10:11 – Disagree, Commit & Support the Decision 12:02 – How Leaders Undermine Their Own Credibility 12:57 – Turning Leadership Theory into Practical Tools 14:31 – Scripts for Renegotiating Commitments & Receiving Feedback 16:10 – How the Book and Workbook Took Shape 17:21 – Shared Language Creates Stronger Leaders 19:26 – Leading When Responsibility Exceeds Authority 21:21 – How Do You Show Up Under Stress? 22:34 – Closing Thoughts
S1 · E631
August 13 · 59 min
Tune In Before You Jump In: A Better Way to Delegate, with Shawn Vanderhoven
When everything feels urgent, meaningful work rarely gets the attention it deserves. In episode 631 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser talks with leadership researcher and author Shawn Vanderhoven about how law firm leaders can create the clarity their teams need to focus and perform at their best. Drawing from his book, Pause: How to Lead Brilliant Work in a Busy World, Shawn explains why effective leadership sometimes requires slowing down before moving forward. He shares what his research revealed about the behaviors that improve focus, the leadership habits that amplify distraction, and why teams struggle when every project is treated like a top priority. Together, they explore how to make realistic tradeoffs, involve your team in prioritization, delegate without derailing someone’s entire day, and create systems that make difficult conversations easier. Shawn also explains why asking, “What will it take to do this well?” can lead to better decisions than simply asking whether the work can get done. If your law firm is juggling too many priorities, this episode offers practical ways to reduce distraction, lead with greater clarity, and create space for work your team can be proud of. Listen to our previous episodes on Law Firm Leadership & Building Stronger Teams. #627: Building Stronger Law Firm Teams Through Better Communication, with Zeina Baydoun Apple | Spotify | LTN #615: How to Stop Being the Bottleneck and Build Stronger Teams, with Debbie Foster and Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN #604: From Practice to Business: Scaling Beyond Yourself, with Andy Hays Apple | Spotify | LTN #592: Client Care, Culture, and Character: A Framework for Great Leaders, with William O’Neal Apple | Spotify | LTN #541: Why the Best Teams Have Keystone Conversations, with Michael Bungay Stanier Apple | Spotify | LTN Links from the episode: https://www.pausebook.co/ 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 00:00 – Introduction 00:25 – A Different Kind of Law Firm Conference 03:10 – LabCon for Law Firm Leaders 07:05 – What Is Broken About Law Firm Intake 11:30 – How to Secret Shop Your Firm 15:15 – The Role of AI in Client Intake 20:45 – Why Clients Still Want Access to Humans 26:30 – Meet Shawn Vanderhoven 29:15 – Why Leaders Need to Pause 30:25 – How Leadership Can Improve Focus 33:25 – When Everything Feels Important 37:15 – Making Prioritization a Team Sport 40:20 – Choosing Your Majors and Minors 42:45 – A Better Way to Delegate Work 46:10 – Navigating Competing Priorities 49:10 – Making Difficult Conversations Easier 54:45 – Creating Clarity Around What Matters 56:10 – Pausing to Help Your Team Move Faster 59:05 – Closing Thoughts
S1 · E630
August 6 · 40 min
Let AI Do the Bull$h!t Work: Practicing at the Top of Your License, with Sam Harden
Lawyers may soon spend less time opening applications, and more time simply telling AI what needs to happen next. In episode 630 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser talks with innovation strategist Sam Harden about the rise of agentic AI and how tools like ChatGPT Work and Claude Cowork could reshape the way legal professionals work. Unlike a traditional chatbot, an agentic system can operate within a workspace, analyze groups of files, create and update documents, develop plans, and connect information from different sources. That could allow lawyers to access emails, calendars, case materials, research, and practice management information through a single working interface. Zack and Sam discuss what this means for law firms filled with open Word documents, browser tabs, PDFs, research databases, and disconnected software. They also challenge the idea that AI should perform the most sophisticated legal reasoning while lawyers clean up the formatting. Instead, AI should take on the repetitive administrative work so lawyers can operate at the top of their licenses. If you want to understand where legal AI is heading beyond prompting and summarization, this episode offers a grounded look at the tools, opportunities, risks, and experiments shaping the next phase of legal work. Listen to our previous episodes on Agentic AI, Law Firm Workflows & the Future of Legal Work. #620: What Claude Means for Law Firms, Part 2: Using AI to Practice at the Top of Your License, with Sam Harden Apple | Spotify | LTN #619: What Claude Means for Law Firms: AI Skills, Connectors, and Workflow Strategy, with Sam Harden Apple | Spotify | LTN #601: Beyond Chatbots: Using Agentic AI in Law Firm Intake, with Matt Spiegel Apple | Spotify | LTN #581: Agentic AI for Lawyers: Moving Beyond Enhanced Search, with Drew Bloom Apple | Spotify | LTN #577: Rethinking Law Firm Growth in the Age of AI, with Sam Harden Apple | Spotify | LTN 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 00:00 – Introduction 00:18 – What the World Cup Teaches About Professionalism 05:19 – Meet Sam Harden 06:25 – The “Claudification” of ChatGPT 08:15 – From Chatbot to Agentic Workspace 10:35 – Why ChatGPT Is Following Claude 13:00 – The Shift from Asking to Delegating 14:00 – What Agentic AI Actually Means for Lawyers 17:40 – Making AI the Interface for Legal Work 19:10 – The Future Surface of Work 23:30 – When Your Phone Becomes Your Workspace 25:35 – How Agentic AI Could Transform Law Firms 26:45 – Letting AI Handle the Legal Busywork 29:20 – Operating at the Top of Your License 31:15 – AI Should Format the Work, Not Make the Judgment 34:30 – How Lawyers Can Start Experimenting Safely 37:25 – Closing Thoughts
S1 · E629
July 30 · 43 min
Privacy, Power, and Prediction: Reclaiming Control of Your Personal Data, with Carissa Véliz
Privacy is not just about keeping secrets. It is about protecting your power. In episode 629 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser talks with Oxford professor and author Carissa Véliz about how personal data gives companies, governments, and technology platforms the ability to influence our choices and shape our lives. Carissa explains why seemingly harmless information, from the music you enjoy to the way your phone battery drains, can be used to identify, categorize, and predict you. They explore how AI has made surveillance cheaper and more powerful, why predictions should never be treated as facts, and how automated scores can affect important decisions without giving people a meaningful way to challenge them. The conversation also offers practical ways to reclaim control without abandoning technology entirely. From choosing more private digital tools to questioning the predictions presented as inevitable, Carissa shows why every decision to protect your privacy matters. If you have ever clicked “accept” without thinking about what happens next, this episode will change the way you think about your data, your autonomy, and who gets to shape your future. Listen to our previous episodes on AI, Privacy & Legal Ethics. #618: AI and Legal Ethics: Protecting Client Privacy in a Changing Legal System, with Sunny Eaton Apple | Spotify | LTN #612: AI for Lawyers: What You Need to Know Before Your Clients Do, with Cat Casey Apple | Spotify | LTN #582: Deepfakes, Data, and Duty: Navigating AI Ethics in Law, with Merisa Bowers Apple | Spotify | LTN #543: What Lawyers Need to Know About the Ethics of Using AI, with Hilary Gerzhoy Apple | Spotify | LTN #486: How to Safely Include AI in Your Legal Tech Stack, with Will Anoh Apple | Spotify | LTN 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 00:00 – Introduction 00:55 – The Future of Law Firm Leadership 05:00 – The Four Cornerstones of Leadership 09:00 – Be a Next Level Leader 10:45 – Meet Carissa Véliz 11:45 – Why Privacy Is Power 13:30 – How Personal Data Limits Your Autonomy 15:50 – Who Decides What Your Data Says About You? 17:50 – How Companies Exploit Personal Vulnerabilities 20:10 – The Data You Never Realized Was Personal 21:15 – The Connection Between Surveillance and Prediction 22:30 – Applying Fiduciary Duties to Personal Data 24:15 – Why You Cannot Contest a Prediction 26:20 – Banning the Sale of Personal Data 28:25 – Predictions Are Power Plays, Not Facts 30:30 – AI and the Expansion of Digital Surveillance 33:25 – How to Take Back Your Digital Privacy 37:30 – Why Every Privacy Choice Matters 40:00 – The Future Is Not Predetermined 41:25 – The Most Private Way to Read a Book
S1 · E627
July 23 · 34 min
Marketing Without Feeling Salesy: How Lawyers Can Stay Visible and Win Better Clients, with Aaron Thomas
Law firm marketing does not have to mean paid ads, aggressive sales tactics, or posting constantly online. In episode 628 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Chad Fox talks with Aaron Thomas about marketing for lawyers who do not think of themselves as marketers. Aaron shares how he went from relying almost entirely on referrals to building a more intentional approach that helped grow his firm and bring in better-fit clients. They explore why referral marketing is still marketing, how newsletters can keep firms visible, and why useful content often works better than a direct sales pitch. Aaron also explains how lawyers can build stronger referral networks, make their expertise easier to find, and outsource repetitive marketing tasks without hiring a full-time employee. If you want to grow your firm without sounding salesy or turning marketing into a second job, this episode provides simple strategies you can begin using right away. This episode is sponsored by Posh Virtual Receptionists. As Aaron explains, effective marketing is often less about selling and more about making it easier for the right clients to find, trust, and connect with your firm. Posh helps support that experience by answering calls, improving responsiveness, and helping law firms maintain consistent communication with prospective and current clients. Learn more at https://posh.com/lawyerist/. Listen to our previous episodes on Law Firm Marketing & Building Client Relationships. #608: Business Development for Lawyers: Building Real Relationships That Lead to Clients, with Megan Senese Apple | Spotify | LTN #603: Turn Expertise into Clients: Building Authority That AI Recognizes, with Karin Conroy Apple | Spotify | LTN #546: Unlock Law Firm Growth: AI Marketing Secrets, with Karin Conroy Apple | Spotify | LTN #526: LinkedIn Mastery: Grow Your Law Firm NOW!, with Matthew Hunt Apple | Spotify | LTN #515: Simple Marketing Hacks Lawyers Swear By, with Gyi Tsakalakis Apple | Spotify | LTN 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 00:00 – Introduction 00:25 – What Happens When a Business Fully Unplugs 02:05 – Why Rest Belongs in Your Business Plan 12:15 – Meet Aaron Thomas 13:05 – Every Law Firm Is Already Marketing 15:05 – Finding More of the Right Clients 16:20 – Why Advertising Should Not Be Your First Move 17:40 – Marketing to Your Existing Network First 18:50 – Newsletters That Clients Want to Read 21:05 – Networking Without the Sales Pitch 21:55 – Creating Referral Partnerships with Other Lawyers 23:50 – Using Helpful Content to Build Authority 25:10 – Let Your Expertise Do the Selling 26:25 – Why Free Information Still Leads to Paid Work 28:30 – A Practical Starting Point for Overwhelmed Firms 29:50 – Outsourcing the Work That Never Gets Done 31:20 – How Basic Marketing Created Rapid Growth 32:55 – Closing Thoughts
S1 · E627
July 16 · 37 min
Building Stronger Law Firm Teams Through Better Communication, with Zeina Baydoun
Knowing your communication style is useful. Knowing when to move beyond it is what creates growth. In episode 627 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser talks with Zeina Baydoun about how law firm leaders and teams can use DISC to better understand themselves, communicate more effectively, and respond with greater intention. Zeina breaks down why DISC is not a personality test or a permanent label. It is a starting point for recognizing the behaviors that come most naturally, the blind spots those tendencies can create, and the ways stress may amplify them. Rather than using a profile to say, “That is just how I am,” she encourages leaders to ask whether their default response is actually what the person or situation needs. They discuss how different communication styles can create friction inside law firms, why understanding behavior can replace judgment with curiosity, and how teams can better support one another without lowering expectations for growth. If you want to improve communication without forcing everyone to think and work the same way, this episode offers a thoughtful framework for building more adaptable leaders and more connected teams. Listen to our previous episodes on Leadership, Communication & Building Stronger Law Firm Teams. #615: How to Stop Being the Bottleneck and Build Stronger Teams, with Debbie Foster and Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN #596: The Athlete’s Mindset for Lawyers, with Jess Sargus Apple | Spotify | LTN #592: Client Care, Culture, and Character: A Framework for Great Leaders, with William O’Neal Apple | Spotify | LTN #527: Casting Your Vision and Leading Your Firm, with Kevin DeShazo Apple | Spotify | LTN 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 00:00 – Introduction 01:25 – Using DISC as an Active Leadership Tool 04:10 – Meet Zeina Baydoun 05:45 – What DISC Reveals About Communication 08:35 – Understanding Behavioral Preferences 12:00 – How Self-Awareness Changes Team Dynamics 14:40 – The Problem with Personality Labels 16:20 – Why Leaders Cannot Hide Behind Their Style 17:40 – Developing Skills Outside Your Comfort Zone 18:55 – Adapting Your Communication to the Situation 21:55 – Leadership and Communication Under Pressure 25:25 – Supporting Strengths and Managing Blind Spots 28:50 – Creating Space for Other People to Lead 31:05 – Moving Beyond Fixed Leadership Styles 32:10 – Building New Behavioral Habits 33:05 – Choice, Growth and Intentional Leadership 35:05 – Closing Thoughts
S1 · E626
July 9 · 28 min
The Power of Humor in Law Firm Communication, with Jennifer Cargo
Law firms deal with serious issues, but that does not mean every client interaction has to feel heavy. In episode 626 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Jennifer Cargo about humor as an underrated communication skill for lawyers and law firm teams. Jennifer shares how her experience with comedy training and amateur standup shaped the way she connects with clients, leads a team, and lightens stressful moments inside a law firm. From breaking the ice during client signings to helping team members feel more comfortable bringing challenges to her, she explains why humor is not about being silly or unprofessional. It is about paying attention, reading the room, and making people feel at ease. Together, they explore how small moments of levity can build trust, improve client experience, and create a more approachable workplace culture. Jennifer also shares what comedy teaches about timing, observation, confidence, and finding the absurdity in everyday life. A more human law firm does not always start with a new process or platform. Sometimes, it starts with the way you make people feel when they walk through the door. Listen to our previous episodes on Law Firm Communication & Client Trust. #609: Improve Client Satisfaction Without More Work: Designing Smarter Legal Services, with Laura Hartnett Apple | Spotify | LTN #606: Breaking the Copycat Cycle: Building a Law Firm with Personality, with Patrick Patino Apple | Spotify | LTN #592: Client Care, Culture and Character: A Framework for Great Leaders, with William O’Neal Apple | Spotify | LTN #462: Designing an Empathetic Client Experience, with Kirk Simoneau Apple | Spotify | LTN #338: Reframing Your Client Experience, with Spencer Keys Apple | Spotify | LTN Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! 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 00:00 – Introduction 00:20 – Humor as a Serious Communication Skill 00:45 – What Makes LabCon Different 02:05 – Working on the Business, Not Just in It 04:03 – Meet Jennifer Cargo 05:17 – How Comedy School Changed Jennifer’s Perspective 06:29 – Practicing Confidence Before the Stage 07:22 – Standup, Improv, and Learning to Be Funny 08:42 – Observing the Absurdity Around You 09:05 – Turning Office Friction into Client Connection 10:44 – Humor and the Client Experience 12:06 – Finding Levity Without Dismissing Stress 14:43 – Why Smiling Changes the Interaction 15:29 – Timing, Pauses, and the Structure of a Joke 18:56 – What Law Firms Can Learn from Comedy 20:27 – Building Trust Through Approachable Leadership 22:45 – AI, Comedy Writing, and Creative Prompts 24:51 – Using AI as a Thought Partner 25:17 – The Value of Trying Something New
S1 · E625
July 2 · 26 min
Before You Hire: How to Know What Your Law Firm Really Needs, with Bernadette Harris
Most law firm owners know what it feels like to need help. But needing help and being ready to hire are not always the same thing. In episode 625 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett sits down with Bernadette Harris to talk about the timing, planning, and clarity required to make a successful hire. Bernadette shares why the biggest hiring mistake is not always choosing the wrong person. Sometimes, it is hiring at the wrong time. Hire too soon, and the firm may not have enough work or revenue to support the role. Hire too late, and the owner may be too overwhelmed to train, onboard, and set the new person up for success. Stephanie and Bernadette discuss how to evaluate consistent demand, identify whether the owner is the real bottleneck, and use capacity planning to make a more grounded hiring decision. They also explore why lawyers need to define the role clearly before bringing someone in, including the tasks, expectations, soft skills, and success metrics that will shape the position. If you are thinking about hiring because your firm feels chaotic, this episode will help you pause, look at the data, and make sure you are solving the right problem before adding another person to the payroll. Listen to our previous episodes on Law Firm Hiring, Delegation & Building Better Teams. #621: Stop Calling Them VAs: How to Build a High-Performing Remote Legal Team, with Raquel Gomes Apple | Spotify | LTN #616: From Solo to CEO: Letting Go of Legal Work to Grow Your Firm, with Ellen Williamson Apple | Spotify | LTN #615: How to Stop Being the Bottleneck and Build Stronger Teams, with Debbie Foster and Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN #523: Financial Red Flags: Are You Hiring Too Soon?, with Bernadette Harris Apple | Spotify | LTN 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 00:00 – Introduction 00:17 – The Case for Closing the Firm for a Week 01:30 – What Has to Be True Before You Can Unplug 02:35 – Planning Ahead So Time Off Actually Works 03:25 – Meet Bernadette Harris 03:55 – The Real Hiring Problem: Wrong Timing 04:20 – Financial Stress vs. Operational Chaos 05:25 – How to Know When Your Firm Is Ready 06:05 – Why Hiring Decisions Need Data 06:40 – Capacity Planning for Law Firm Owners 07:40 – Are People in the Right Seats? 08:45 – Consistent Work vs. One Busy Month 09:55 – The Referral Problem and Predictable Demand 11:15 – When the Owner Becomes the Bottleneck 12:25 – The Time Study Every Owner Needs 13:05 – Stop Hiring for “Help” 14:20 – Role Clarity and the Type of Person You Need 15:45 – Soft Skills Matter More Than You Think 16:40 – Why You May Need the Opposite of Yourself 17:45 – Onboarding Is More Than Paperwork 18:30 – Creating a 90-Day Training Plan 20:25 – Why Expectations Need to Be Clear Up Front 22:50 – Showing New Hires What Success Looks Like 24:30 – What Really Makes a Firm Ready to Hire 24:45 – Closing Thoughts
S1 · E624
June 25 · 38 min
Building Better Lawyers in the Age of AI, with April Dawson
AI is not just changing how lawyers work. It is changing how lawyers learn. In episode 624 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser talks with April Dawson, Associate Dean of Technology and Innovation and Professor of Law at North Carolina Central University School of Law, about what AI means for legal education, new lawyer training, and the future of law practice. April explains why law schools can no longer rely on written work alone to measure whether students truly understand the material. As AI becomes embedded in legal writing, research, and drafting tools, new lawyers will need to prove their value in different ways, including verbal explanation, critical thinking, judgment, and the ability to use technology responsibly. Together, they explore how AI may shrink traditional mentorship opportunities, why new lawyers need to become more self-directed learners, and how legal employers may increasingly expect graduates to arrive with real AI fluency. April also shares why small firm owners should rethink their workflows from beginning to end instead of layering AI on top of inefficient systems. If you are wondering what the next generation of lawyers needs to know, this episode offers a practical look at how AI is reshaping legal education, law firm training, and the skills lawyers will need to stay valuable. Listen to our previous episodes on AI Skills New Lawyers Need Now. #619: What Claude Means for Law Firms: AI Skills, Connectors, and Workflow Strategy, with Sam Harden Apple | Spotify | LTN #590: Innovating Without Overwhelm: Practical AI Tips for Lawyers, with Graydon Trusler Apple | Spotify | LTN #577: Rethinking Law Firm Growth in the Age of AI, with Sam Harden Apple | Spotify | LTN #553: AI Tools and Processes Every Lawyer Should Use, with Catherine Sanders Reach Apple | Spotify | LTN 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: 00:00 – Introduction 01:20 – What Claude for Legal Shows Lawyers About AI 05:20 – Using AI Without Starting from Scratch 09:20 – Meet April Dawson 10:40 – Why Law School Can’t Teach the Same Way 12:05 – Why Writing Alone No Longer Proves Understanding 13:20 – The Skills Clients Will Actually Measure 16:05 – Why “Strong Writer” Is Now Table Stakes 18:15 – What New Lawyers Lose When AI Does the First Draft 19:25 – How New Lawyers Can Learn Faster with AI 22:55 – Building Judgment Without 20 Years of Experience 27:10 – Why AI May Help New Lawyers Start Firms Sooner 28:35 – What Small Firms Should Rethink Before Adding AI 31:50 – Why AI-Savvy Lawyers Will Stand Out 34:15 – The Risk of Automating Broken Processes 36:15 – Closing Thoughts
S1 · E623
June 18 · 31 min
AI Arbitration and the Future of Legal Work, with Bridget McCormack
Lawyers are trained to spot risk. But when it comes to AI, focusing only on risk may cause firms to miss the bigger opportunity. In episode 623 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser sits down with Bridget McCormack to talk about AI arbitration, legal innovation, and why the future of legal work may be less about replacement and more about reinvention. Bridget reflects on her time as Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, including how the pandemic forced courts to adopt technology faster than anyone expected. She explains why that moment revealed both the limits of traditional legal systems and the potential for more accessible, user-friendly ways to resolve disputes. Now leading the American Arbitration Association, Bridget shares how AAA is using AI to build tools for clause drafting, self-represented parties, resolution simulation, and even documents-only arbitration. The conversation explores what fairness looks like when AI is involved, why human oversight remains essential, and how legal professionals should think about accountability, bias, and trust. If AI changes the routine parts of legal work, lawyers will need to rethink what clients actually need from them. This episode offers a practical and future-focused look at arbitration, legal technology, and the new kinds of judgment lawyers will need to bring to the table. Listen to our previous episodes on Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Legal Practice. #612 – AI for Lawyers: What You Need to Know Before Your Clients Do, with Cat Casey Apple | Spotify | LTN #607 – The Future of Law Firm Business Models in the Age of AI, with Jordan Furlong Apple | Spotify | LTN #619– What Claude Means for Law Firms: AI Skills, Connectors, and Workflow Strategy, with Sam Harden Apple | Spotify | LTN #590 – Innovating Without Overwhelm: Practical AI Tips for Lawyers, with Graydon Trusler Apple | Spotify | LTN #587 – Future-Proofing Your Firm in the Age of AI, with Jack Newton Apple | Spotify | LTN #577 – Rethinking Law Firm Growth in the Age of AI, with Sam Harden Apple | Spotify | LTN Links from the episode: https://adr.org/ 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: 00:00 – Introduction 00:55 – Why Lawyers Should Test Their Own Intake Process 03:35 – Meet Bridget McCormack 04:25 – Leading Michigan Courts Through COVID 05:20 – Why Remote Court Was Already on the Radar 06:40 – Moving Trial Courts Online Fast 08:45 – Why Legal Systems Are Slow to Change 10:33 – From Chief Justice to CEO of AAA 13:18 – How Alternative Dispute Resolution Is Evolving 14:50 – AI Tools for Arbitration and Self-Represented Parties 15:57 – Building AAA’s AI Arbitrator 17:36 – Resolution Simulation and Faster Settlements 19:05 – What Is Left for Lawyers? 21:19 – Fairness, Bias, and Human Oversight in AI Arbitration 23:45 – Why Legal Disputes Need More Options 24:41 – AI Agents and the Future of Legal Infrastructure 26:26 – When AI Agents Negotiate Contracts 28:30 – Closing Thoughts
S1 · E622
June 11 · 41 min
From Practice to Asset: Building a Law Firm with Real Value, with Tom Lenfestey
Most lawyers build their firms to serve clients, not to eventually leave them. But every law firm owner will exit someday, whether by choice, necessity, or life change. In episode 622 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Zack Glaser talks with Tom Lenfestey, attorney, CPA, and founder of The Law Practice Exchange, about why exit planning should not be treated as something reserved for retirement. Tom explains why succession planning often feels like the end, while exit planning gives firm owners more control over their future, their value, and their next act. They explore what makes a law firm transferable, why systems and data matter to buyers, and how lawyers can build firms that are worth more than just the owner’s name. Tom also breaks down how the market for law firm sales is changing, from private capital to alternative business structures, and why modern buyers are looking closely at financials, intake, marketing, operations, and owner independence. If you own a law firm, this conversation is a reminder that your firm can be more than a job you built for yourself. With the right planning, it can become an asset, a legacy, and a bridge to whatever comes next. Links from the episode: https://thelawpracticeexchange.com/ https://a.co/d/05rY2bUe Listen to our previous episodes on Law Firm Exits & Succession. #568: How to Build a Law Firm You Can Sell, with Victoria L. Collier Apple | Spotify | LTN #517: Passing the Torch: Mastering the Art of Succession, with Carol Bertsch & Brennen Boze Apple | Spotify | LTN #369: Selling Your Practice, with Tom Lenfestey Apple | Spotify | LTN #326: A Succession Plan for Your Law Practice, with Tom Lenfestey Apple | Spotify | LTN 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: 00:00 – Introduction 01:00 – Why Succession Planning Feels Like the End 02:15 – Identity, Second Acts & Life After Practice 05:00 – Meet Tom Lenfestey 06:35 – Does a Law Firm Have Value Beyond the Owner? 07:45 – Why Tom Started The Law Practice Exchange 10:45 – Creating a Marketplace for Law Firm Sales 12:55 – When to Start Planning Your Exit 13:55 – Why Exit Planning Belongs in Your Strategic Plan 15:45 – Why Time Is Your Biggest Advantage 16:05 – Building a Firm with Exit in Mind 17:30 – Why The Exit Blueprint Matters Now 20:40 – What Law Firm Owners Need to Know Before Selling 22:45 – Private Capital, ABS & New Buyer Models 25:20 – What Sophisticated Buyers Want to See 27:15 – Why Data and Systems Create Transferable Value 29:00 – When Succession Planning Goes Wrong 31:20 – Why Internal Successors May Not Be Buyers 33:00 – Exit Strategy vs. Retirement Planning 36:50 – Keeping Your Options Open After Exit 38:50 – Where to Find The Exit Blueprint
S1 · E621
June 9 · 28 min
Stop Calling Them VAs: How to Build a High-Performing Remote Legal Team, with Raquel Gomes
Hiring offshore staff can transform a law firm, but only if it's done intentionally. In this episode, Zack Glaser sits down with Raquel Gomes, co-founder and CEO of Stafi, to discuss the most common mistakes law firms make when hiring remote offshore team members. Drawing on her background in psychology and experience supporting hundreds of law firms, Raquel explains why the term "virtual assistant" may be holding firms back and how successful firms build engaged, high-performing remote teams. Zack and Raquel explore the importance of defining roles before hiring, creating effective vetting processes, building structured onboarding systems, integrating remote staff into firm culture, and continuing to invest in team members after they are hired. They also discuss how law firm owners can move from working in the business to leading the business by building teams they trust. Listen to our previous episodes on hiring, delegation, leadership, and building stronger law firm teams: #616: From Solo to CEO: Letting Go of Legal Work to Grow Your Firm, with Ellen Williamson Apple | Spotify | LTN #615: How to Stop Being the Bottleneck and Build Stronger Teams, with Debbie Foster and Stephanie Everett Apple | Spotify | LTN #523: Financial Red Flags: Are You Hiring Too Soon?, with Bernadette Harris Apple | Spotify | LTN Links from the episode:  https://getstafi.com 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: 00:00 Introduction 01:26 Why "VA" Is the Wrong Mindset 04:21 Mistake #1: Hiring Reactively Instead of Strategically 06:02 Mistake #2: Weak Vetting and Screening 09:29 How Stafi Evaluates Candidates 11:41 Mistake #3: Poor Onboarding Processes 13:19 Creating SOPs Through Training 15:20 Mistake #4: Failing to Integrate Remote Staff 18:51 Investing in Team Culture and Communication 20:39 Mistake #5: Giving Up Too Soon 22:58 What Makes Stafi Different 24:45 Immigration Case Outsourcing Explained 26:34 The Benefits of Getting Offshore Hiring Right 27:28 Where to Learn More About Stafi

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