The Kennedy-Mighell Report

Erika Pagano, Head of Legal Innovation and Design at Simmons & Simmons in Madrid, blends legal practice with design thinking and people-first tech. She talks about simple explanations for complex tools. She stresses collaboration, psychological safety, and nurturing transferable relationship skills. She explores AI’s effects, practical uses, and the need for governance.

The quality and foresight of a law firm's technology often reflect the tech competence of its leader, but that’s not how it should be! Proper tech use can and should be a part of every law firm. Dennis and Tom welcome Thomas Officer to discuss his insights on legal tech and AI for attorneys. As a former lawyer, Thomas understands legal practice needs firsthand. He discusses the landscape of modern tech for lawyers, casts a tech vision for lawyers to consider as they engage with up-and-coming tools, and offers countless tips for employing AI in the practice of law.  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.   Show Notes: Every Legal Tech Coach - Thomas Officer Monologue - voice notes by Every Autobrowse Moltbook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laith Quasem, a second-year healthcare law associate blending regulatory defense with workflow automation, and Megan Morrison, a data privacy analyst specializing in GDPR/CCPA and privacy governance. They discuss tech competence for lawyers. They explore automation, AI’s role in drafting and workflows, security and governance concerns, and practical advice for adopting new tools.

Chantal McNaught, an Australian-trained lawyer and founder focused on law, business, and legal tech, talks about tech ethics and why technological competence matters for lawyers. She discusses building community, playful collaboration, and nonlinear career paths. Chantal also stresses AI fluency and values-based decision making for legal professionals.

Are the guys on the verge of a major Second Brain breakthrough, hand in hand with AI? Dennis and Tom reexamine their ongoing Second Brain projects, discussing nagging questions about the efficacy of their current systems and how they plan to move forward with their personal knowledge management. Later, a listener and long-time iPhone user wonders—are Android devices actually far superior? Tom has some major thoughts on the issue. 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. Show Notes – This is Your Second Brain on AI A Segment: This is Your Second Brain on AI Notebook LM – https://notebooklm.google.com   B Segment: Should iPhone Users be Jealous of Android’s Obvious Superiority? Google Pixel 10 https://store.google.com/category/phones?hl=en-US   Parting Shots: Kortex – https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/kortex/hdapplggdhndkblofffknpmnnnnbncbn?pli=1 Personal Strategy Compass – by Dennis Kennedy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dennis and Tom dive into their tech resolutions for 2026, reflecting on last year’s goals and setting new ones. They explore using AI for creativity and information governance, highlighting time-saving tools. The duo shares aspirations like open-sourcing writings and creating structured knowledge systems. They also predict trends in technology and the legal field, including an anticipated AI trough of disillusionment. As always, they offer practical tips to enhance your tech skills right away!

Debbie Foster, founder of Affinity Consulting and expert in legal tech strategy, joins the conversation to dissect 2025's tech landscape. The trio debates the toughest challenges in AI adoption, focusing on change management and human oversight. They explore whether collaboration tools or incentives drive change in the legal sector and assess the real deployment of AI in legal workflows versus mere showcases. The talk concludes with insights on essential skills for lawyers and the evolution of legal tech amid market churn.

The hosts dive into the slippery slope of AI content creation, questioning whether overreliance leads to mediocrity. They define the concept of 'AI slop' and discuss its prevalence in social posts and marketing. The importance of human oversight shines through, with warnings against accepting AI's polished first drafts without scrutiny. They emphasize that AI should enhance, not replace, human creativity by serving as a starting point for content. Plus, listeners get practical tips on using tech tools effectively.

Imagine an AI that acts as your personal Chief of Staff! Dennis and Tom dive into their journey of creating this intelligent assistant to provide strategic support beyond simple scheduling. They discuss the challenges faced, the importance of defining the persona's skills, and the need for an adaptable protocol. Plus, they caution against the pitfalls of adopting new technology in law firms, stressing the need for proper processes and training first. Stay tuned for their tech tips to immediately boost your efficiency!

Mary Mack, CEO of EDRM and a pioneer in e-discovery, joins for an enlightening discussion on AI's evolving role in legal tech. She clarifies the distinctions between various forms of AI and explores how they impact the legal landscape. Mary addresses the importance of clear tech communication to lawyers, the challenges posed by deepfakes, and the necessity of technical expertise in e-discovery. Sharing insights from her unique career journey, she also encourages law students to embrace technology and seek out mentorship in this rapidly advancing field.