Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics

For many years, Sharon Nelson and John Simek have hosted the Digital Detectives podcast to bring practical advice and much needed guidance to help attorneys protect their law firms. In this, their final episode, they finish off with yet another round of current stats on cybersecurity issues and the measures to take to ensure your data’s safety. Sharon and John’s good friend David Ries joins them for this last conversation, where they explain the latest threats and give advice for improving security practices to protect the future of your law firm. Thank you, Sharon and John, for all the time, energy, and dedication you have poured into Digital Detectives. We wish the best for both of you in your retirement! Your parting words to us should be echoed back to you—please take care of yourselves and each other. If you should ever need Sensei’s digital forensics, managed technology and managed cybersecurity services, find them at senseient.com.David G. Ries is Of Counsel in the Pittsburgh PA office of Clark Hill, PLC, where he practices in the firm’s Cybersecurity, Data Protection and Privacy Group. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As lawyers, you constantly assess the risks of your clients, whether in their business practices, court cases, personal relationships, or a multitude of other things. So, managing risk for your clients is what you do, but when was the last time you took a hard look at your own liabilities? Jared welcomes Mark Bassingthwaighte of ALPS Insurance to chat about common risks in modern legal practice. Mark’s approachable take on insurance could help just about anybody understand what they need for their law firm, and he and Jared also talk through current ethics considerations around AI and cybersecurity.Then, in the Rump Roast, Jared tests Mark’s expertise on authentic blunders in a game called “Historic Mistakes.” Did the Titanic sink because of a sleepy watchman? Was Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination the result of a forgotten fancy hat? Listen in to find out.And, lastly, everybody’s rolling out their AI tools/extras/whatever, and pricing for these things is truly all over the place. Jared ponders this issue—as a lawyer, you need to be able to keep up with the other guy, but how much should all this cost you?Mark Bassingthwaighte has been a Risk Manager with ALPS, the nation’s largest direct writer of lawyers’ malpractice insurance, since 1998.-----Since we talked about mistakes - those lawyers make + historical ones, have a listen to our playlist featuring songs about fucking up.-----Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest.Our closing track is Night Whispers by Dr. Delight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You are leading your law firm, but you can’t do everything. In this episode, Stephanie talks with Cameron Herald about what a second in command looks like and how to find one to help you unlock your next goals for your business.  Links from the episode:  The Second in Command by Cameron Herold  Leadership Training Course   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! Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, NetDocuments & LawPay. for sponsoring this episode.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Personal injury attorney Joshua “Josh” Bonnici left his first job out of law school to launch his own firm. Starting from scratch, just nine months later he hired his first employee and has been growing ever since. Bonnici built on his own love of cycling to focus on bicycle accidents and injuries, helping bicyclists in the bustling city of San Diego.Now he’s known as “The Bike Guy” and stands out in the crowded personal injury field by specializing in an area he’s passionate about. He’s an example of specializing in something you love, and he’s sharing his story with new lawyers just starting out.Bonnici walks us through, step by step, how he took advantage of an available incubator system, learned on the job from a mentor, and built his practice and his reputation. Hear how he got started, networked, built a brand, made himself memorable, and hired an assistant to make himself more productive. Real lessons from real life. Got questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com  Topics: “Follow your passion” is common advice. But in the case of guest Josua Bonnici, his passion for bicycling helped him stand out in the crowded personal injury field.  Hiring your first employee. Why it’s scary and why it’s necessary. How to develop a website and social media presence with a library of videos and testimonials.   Resources:California Lawyers AssociationThomas Jefferson School of LawSan Diego Bar Association Joshua Bonnici previous appearance on Legal Talk Network’s “On The Road” podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been over a week and no firm has yet to announce that it will match Milbank's latest series of raises. Or, more accurately, cost of living adjustments. Meanwhile, Cravath took the plunge on income partnerships, becoming the latest firm to abandon the time-honored one-tier partnership model. And the turmoil over Nixon Peabody's effort to sneak Donald Trump onboard as a client sparks calls for leadership change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode Five of Results Don’t Lie, defense experts take the stand. But a few things aren’t adding up, and Tim and Johnny discover missing records that could derail the entire defense. Hear the stunning multi-million dollar verdict, the definitive appeal decision, and the positive impact this case made upon the American medical system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legal professionals are not immune to the pull of platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube Shorts. Some are even using short-form videos to inform clients about their law practice; build their business or brand; or shed light on the culture of BigLaw, crafting short-form video content giving an insider look at the profession.Among them is Alex Su, a former lawyer and head of community development at Ironclad, a contract management software company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of our winning case analysis, Amy Gunn and Liz Lenivy discuss witness prep, damages and dubious defense tactics. Win or lose, big cases can take a toll on attorneys, and Amy candidly shares how she will recharge her resolve and routine after celebrating one of the biggest verdicts in her career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode’s discussions around the Community Table:  We start with an attorney who wants to create a fair referral compensation policy for his associate, a “grinder” who does everything asked. Recently, through a contact, the associate started bringing in new business. How does a firm set up a referral fee schedule? What’s fair to the associate and the firm? How to create effective, inviting “meet the attorney” videos as a relationship-building step with potential clients. What to include? What topics? How personal? Where do you post them on your website, or do you control when a potential client sees these?  When it’s time for a managing attorney or a director of operations, start by understanding the duties of each position and the experiences needed. One position requires a background in law; the other needs experience running a business (that includes facilities management, finance, and the overall operation of your office).  Mentioned in This Episode:Robert’s previous appearance on the Community Table “Community Table: Using Vacations to Strengthen Company Culture” WizeHire Legal Recruiting LinkedIn Talent SolutionsJoin the next Community Table live. What’s on your mind? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Experts discuss how legal services contribute to veteran suicide prevention on LSC's “Talk Justice” podcast. The most recent data places the veteran suicide rate at 57% higher than non-veterans. Research indicates that social factors contribute to veterans’ suicide risk. Many of these factors that harm veterans’ mental health relate to civil legal problems that can be addressed with the help of an attorney. For more information on veterans’ legal needs and helpful resources, visit lsc.gov/spotlight-veterans-rights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices