Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics

A reminder that every case is different. Injuries occur in unusual situations that challenge how we think about Workers’ Compensation and how every state and jurisdiction applies the law differently. The “Skiing Chaperone Case,” is about a teacher who accompanies a school ski club as a chaperone. Is she eligible for Workers’ Comp if injured while skiing? Is this a work injury, or did her volunteer status exclude her? After all, skiing is fun. The answer may surprise you. A worker on the job outdoors needed to relieve himself. He was standing on a railing over a concrete slab six feet below, unzipped … and he fell and was hurt Unfortunately, he also had an elevated blood-alcohol level and an indication of drug use. So, did the “the personal comfort doctrine” apply, or did intoxication trump his claim? Plus, a law enforcement officer attending a conference partook of a “hospitality” suite, enjoying alcoholic beverages before falling off a balcony to his death; A truck driver who stepped into boiling water when he was awakened in his truck cabin; And an obese woman who got stuck in her workplace cafeteria booth, breaking a bone. These are real cases, and real people were hurt. No injury is funny or subject to ridicule. But these cases illustrate the challenges Workers’ Comp attorneys face. Every worker is important and entitled to protections, but many cases are far from clear cut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we learn how to do profit-driven marketing with Hannah Smolinski. How do we ensure our marketing efforts are actually profitable? Are there ways in which we should be paying attention to our numbers to increase profitability? Hannah is a CPA and the founder of Clara CFO Group, a virtual CFO agency providing small businesses with financial clarity and profit maximization strategies. Her experience working for one of the world’s largest accounting firms inspired her to make corporate expertise accessible to small business owners through fractional CFO services. She also hosts a YouTube channel with over 35,000 subscribers and uses the platform to help small businesses achieve financial success. Hannah gives listeners actionable tips on: [3:20] How to figure out which numbers are most important to pay attention to [7:35] How to know which marketing activities are actually profitable [12:05] Tips for doing the math and knowing how much you should be spending on marketing [19:00] How to find out where our leads are coming from [25:30] Putting blinders on to what the competition is doing  [27:35] Hannah’s book review [32:10] Tips for speaking to your audience and their pain points directly  Resources mentioned in this episode:Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits! by Greg CrabtreeConnect with Hannah here: Instagram LinkedIn Facebook https://claracfo.com/  Connect with me Instagram Pinterest Facebook Twitter Karin on Twitter Karin on LinkedIn Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook https://conroycreativecounsel.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part II, we continue our discussion with David Noll, co-author of "Vigilante Federalism", who warns how the spread of private subordination laws thwarts our democratic system and undermines longstanding constitutional rights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After years of investment in the Twitter platform, Dennis and Tom have mixed feelings about what they want to do with their accounts under Musk’s so-far tumultuous reign. Is it time to say goodbye? The guys consider the pros and cons of sticking with it and whether an alternative platform like Mastodon or Post could fill the void.Later, the guys want your help! Learn how to support the podcast by sending in your tech questions, suggesting topics Dennis and Tom could cover on the show, rating them on apple podcasts, and more!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.Mentioned in This Episode:A Segment: Should I Stay or Should I Go? Mastodon Post B Segment: TKMR Pledge DriveThe Lawyer’s Guide to Collaboration Tools: Work from Home EditionParting Shots: ChatGPT How to Extract URLs from Hyperlinks in Excel Humble Dollar - 2 Minute Checkup LTRC Q&A with Dennis and Tom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

No one likes change, but your law firm will be more profitable and organized if you keep up with the latest tools for streamlining workflows. Jared talks with Marisa Portuondo about her expertise in helping lawyers prioritize efficiency and thrive in legal practice.Later, Marisa sticks around for the Rump Roast! In Jared’s latest game, “Shit Miamians Say,” Marisa gives an insider’s perspective on unique Miami colloquialisms.And, The thought of moving decades of data from your legacy software is pretty intimidating to a whole lot of lawyers, but cloud-based software is where it's at, man, so you really need to get it done. Jared gives tips for migrating data with minimal headaches.Marisa Portuondo is senior enterprise architect at streamlined.legal.-----Since we talked Miami culture + I learned some Spanish on this episode, let's celebrate with some songs about the Magic City!-----Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest.The music for the Legal Trends Report Minute is I See You by Sounds Like Sander.Our closing track is Hands Up, Buttercup! by Neon Beach. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cyber criminals aren’t taking time off for the holidays. In fact, Sharon and John had a surprise Thanksgiving morning when they learned that hackers had attacked their own company over 400 times throughout the night. Thankfully, their security wasn’t breached, but this experience highlighted for them once again the increased risk we all face as the holiday season approaches. To keep you from getting the gift of ransomware for Christmas, Sharon and John give a comprehensive overview of ways to recognize suspicious activity and combat cyber attacks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Attorney Al Goldberger examines the potential impact on athletics of the C.R.O.W.N Act, which seeks to address discrimination based on natural hair, and how insurers can prevent and respond to claims. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How well do you know your team? Do they know you care about them? Did you know your relationship with your team can actually impact your bottom line? In this episode, Sara talks with Lawyerist Lab member Spencer Schmidt about his journey to becoming a great boss. He’s learned that keeping employees engaged and accountable (even if you’re non-confrontational!) is one of the best ways to care for his clients and grow his business.If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free!Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, Berkshire Receptionists, & Lawyerist Lab for sponsoring this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Also the country may have dodged a constitutional bullet.If Ebeneezer Scrooge ran a law firm, he would probably bill associates for his own lack of work. It turns out, there's a law firm in North Dakota doing that right now. Also, the Supreme Court heard argument on the independent state legislature theory, a tortured reading of the Constitution designed to give Republicans a permanent federal electoral advantage, and it seemed to be a bridge too far for three conservative justices. All that and a chat about Congress making it a national secret how much money Ginni Thomas makes from outside interests. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Legal operations handle a lot of the business and technological stuff that many lawyers either aren’t trained to handle or don’t want to deal with. All so lawyers can focus on practicing law and representing their clients to the best of their abilities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices