"Special Friends," Rapping for Clients & The "Human Premium" in an AI World

Today, Jared Correia tackles the nightmare of the overflowing inbox and interviews one of the most dynamic managing partners in the legal industry.

First, in the monologue, Jared breaks down strategies for Email Management. He discusses the "Getting Things Done" (GTD) method, the difference between subfolders and relational databases, and why sharing inbox passwords is a security nightmare. He also recommends tools like Superhuman, Fixer, and Zendesk to help attorneys reach the elusive Inbox Zero.

Then, we are joined by An Ruda, CEO and Co-Managing Partner of Bartko Pavia LLP. A shares her unconventional path to the law, which began after a failed interview at a radio station where she didn't know how to use Microsoft. She discusses her "free-range" mentorship under Clyde Hutchinson—which included climbing into a train engine—and her 20-year partnership with her current mentor.

In this interview, we discuss:

• "Special Friends" vs. "Homies": An’s unique hierarchy of workplace relationships and why you can't assign a mentor.
• Radical Transparency: Why Bartko Pavia sends every employee a "total compensation statement" to show exactly what it costs to run the firm.
• The DEI "Third Rail": An explains why she refuses to put DEI on her website, why she believes most big law initiatives are performative, and how she empowers associates to sign and argue their own motions.
• The "Human Premium": Why AI makes human judgment a luxury product and how the firm is implementing tools like Billables AI and ConnectAI.

Finally, stick around for the Counter Program: "JD or OG." Jared tests An's knowledge of the streets vs. the courts. Can she tell the difference between a quote from a famous lawyer and a lyric from a rapper?. Plus, hear the story of how A landed a client by rapping in a fur vest.

Learn more about An Ruda at Bartko Pavia LLC.
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• (00:00) - Intro & Monologue: Escaping Email Hell
• (01:40) - Inbox Organization: Subfolders vs. Relational Databases
• (03:08) - The GTD Method & AI Email Tools (Superhuman, Fixer)
• (06:52) - Interview Start: An Ruda (Bartko Pavia LLP)
• (08:23) - Origin Story: The Failed Radio Station Interview
• (12:47) - Mentorship: Clyde Hutchinson & Climbing Train Engines
• (16:18) - A 20-Year Mentorship & The "Bridgerton" Courtship
• (19:30) - An's Theory: Special Friends, Homies, and Mentors
• (24:09) - Measuring Productivity & Total Compensation Transparency
• (27:55) - The DEI Discussion: Why "Performative" Initiatives Fail
• (33:18) - Empowering Women & Associates to Sign Motions
• (37:43) - AI Strategy: Humans are the "Premium Product"
• (40:42) - Implementing Legal Tech: Billables AI & ConnectAI
• (42:29) - Counter Program: "JD or OG" (Lawyer vs. Rapper Quiz)
• (51:54) - Conclusion & Outro