The 80/20 Principle

A deep dive into Perplexity as an AI-first web research tool that returns footnoted answers. A clear contrast between web-synthesizing search and chat-based models. Practical lawyering uses like researching opposing counsel, vetting experts, and getting up to speed in new practice areas. A look at paid features, Perplexity Computer for multi-step research, and recommended workflows.

Brandon Siegel, a Canadian tax litigator and AI-savvy law firm founder, explains why Microsoft Copilot moved from flop to useful. He talks Wave 3 Word editing, deep research and model-critique features. Brandon outlines his “braiding” method of combining multiple LLMs and argues Google Gemini is an underrated workhorse for long-doc legal drafting.

A longtime ChatGPT user explains why they switched to Claude and how direct file access reshapes document-heavy workflows. They describe building courses rapidly with co-work tools and training the AI to match a personal writing style. Reusable Skills for repeatable legal workflows and using the AI as a true thinking partner are highlighted.

Talks about moving away from billable hours toward flat‑fee, outcome-focused legal services. Explores using AI to speed supervised legal research while protecting privilege. Describes designing a premium client journey and automating intake, review, and follow-up to scale new offerings.

In this episode, we'll examine how AI has made recording conversations effortless—and why that convenience poses legal, ethical, and moral challenges for lawyers. We'll break down the risks of passive and stealth recording, including issues around consent, biometric privacy laws, and client trust. And you'll get simple, practical tips for using recording tools transparently while maintaining professionalism and integrity. Chapter Markers 0:00 Brooke's Legal Industry Background 1:09 Understanding Law Firms as Businesses 2:30 EOS and the Three Buckets 3:09 Becoming an EOS Implementer 6:06 The Six Pillars of EOS 10:04 Handling Toxic High Performers 13:50 Cash Flow Forecasting Basics 16:13 Six Key Numbers to Track 20:24 Owner Compensation & Firm Growth 23:13 Mindset Blocks Around Money 24:42 Hiring Smart vs. Cheap 27:24 Smart Outsourcing Strategies 29:33 Leveraging AI in Law Firms 31:16 EOS Implementation Resources Resource Links AI Lab (a weekly AI workshop for lawyers) Apply to join the ChatGPT Lab The 80/20 Principle (my techlaw newsletter) The Inner Circle (my online community for lawyers) Follow and Review: I'd love for you to follow me if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. I'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to the sponsor: Smith.ai Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you're hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai.

In this episode, we'll examine how AI has made recording conversations effortless—and why that convenience poses legal, ethical, and moral challenges for lawyers. We'll break down the risks of passive and stealth recording, including issues around consent, biometric privacy laws, and client trust. And you'll get simple, practical tips for using recording tools transparently while maintaining professionalism and integrity. Chapter Markers 0:00 The Rise of Frictionless Recording 1:00 AI Tools Enable Passive Recording 2:30 Why Lawyers Record Conversations 4:00 Legal Risks of AI Recordings 5:00 Biometric Privacy and AI Tools 6:30 Ethical and Client Trust Issues 7:20 Moral Implications of Covert Recording 8:30 Practical Recording Best Practices 9:45 Transparency, Sharing, and Final Thoughts Resource Links AI Lab (a weekly AI workshop for lawyers) Apply to join the ChatGPT Lab The 80/20 Principle (my techlaw newsletter) The Inner Circle (my online community for lawyers) Follow and Review: I'd love for you to follow me if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. I'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to the sponsor: Smith.ai Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you're hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai.

Discover how AI is revolutionizing legal decision-making, with the American Arbitration Association leading the charge. The podcast explores the balance between AI drafting decisions and the essential human oversight that remains. Transparency and party validation are highlighted as key elements in ensuring fairness. Learn about significant benefits, including faster resolutions and cost savings, which ultimately enhance access to justice for underserved populations. This technology could represent a profound shift in legal processes.

Dorna Moyni, a former attorney and founder of Gavel, shares her journey transitioning from litigation to legal tech. She discusses the creation of Gavel Workflows and Gavel Exec, an AI copilot for Microsoft Word, designed to automate document generation and streamline legal drafting. Dorna highlights how AI can help lawyers tackle high-level tasks, debunks misconceptions about job loss, and introduces concepts like 'vibe lawyering' for creative legal thinking. She emphasizes the role of AI in improving efficiency and the future of law practice.

Explore the transformative impact of AI on the legal profession. Discover how surface-level tasks are at risk of automation, while innovative lawyers who prioritize strategic thinking and deeper insights will thrive. Learn about a judge's unique criteria for practical decision-making and why understanding complex legal scenarios is essential. Embrace AI as a tool for enhancing judgment rather than as a replacement. The future is bright for lawyers who adapt and evolve in this rapidly changing landscape.

Join Jeff Lewis, a California-based appellate and defamation defense attorney and expert in AI's impact on law, as he discusses key takeaways from the recent Clio conference. He shares Richard Susskind's unsettling keynote on AI's potential disruption in the legal profession, describing it as a 'gut punch.' They explore Clio's innovative AI tools, the implications of the VLex acquisition, and how AI might reshape legal careers. Jeff emphasizes the need for lawyers to adapt by using AI daily and developing strategic skills to thrive in a competitive landscape.