#555: How to Use AI and Universal Design to Empower Diverse Thinkers with Susan Tanner
What if the key to better legal work isn’t just smarter tools but more inclusive ones? Susan Tanner, Associate Professor at the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, joins Zack Glaser to explore how AI and universal design can improve legal education and law firm operations. Susan shares how tools like generative AI can support neurodiverse thinkers, enhance client communication, and reduce anxiety for students and professionals alike. They also discuss the importance of inclusive design in legal tech and how law firms can better support their teams by embracing different ways of thinking to build a more accessible, future-ready practice. The conversation emphasizes the need for educators and legal professionals to adapt to the evolving landscape of AI, ensuring that they leverage its capabilities to better serve their clients and students.
Links from the episode:
NetDocuments
NetDocuments Demo Request
Listen to our other episodes about diversifying learning strategies and the AI revolution:
#405: The Diverse Way People Think, with Temple Grandin: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist
#551: Becoming the AI Driven Leader, with Geoff Woods: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist
#550: Beyond Content: How AI is Changing Law Firm Marketing, with Gyi Tsakalaki and Conrad Saam: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist
Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!
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! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.
Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro and Lawyerist's New Programs
03:50 – NetDocuments with Patric Thomas
10:49 – Meet Dr. Susan Tanner
12:30 – AI and Legal Ethics
13:30 – What is Universal Design for Learning?
20:59 – Applying Universal Design in Legal Practice
24:45 – Using AI to Support Diverse Thinkers
29:33 – AI as a Communication Partner
34:01 – Law Students and AI Adoption
38:04 – AI for Lawyer Productivity and Mental Health
44:00 – Enhancing Critical Thinking with AI
46:00 – Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts
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46:27
#554: Competence and Diligence in Light of Changing Laws and Regulations
Attorney Craig Dobson, an expert on ethics and professional responsibility, joins Stephanie Everett to talk about the ethical and professional responsibility concerns lawyers face in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. They discuss how solo and small firm attorneys can stay compliant while leveraging new tools, the importance of confidentiality and competence, and the fundamental need to maintain diligence in your practice. Craig and Stephanie examine alternative fee structures beyond just hourly billing and provide guidance on ethical practices around lawyer pricing models. Craig also shares how he’s approaching billing in his own practice and why lawyers need to be proactive about understanding the risks.
Read Craig’s article: Overview | Full Article
Additionally, Zack talks with Curtis, from MyCase and LawPay about their new product, Smart Spend, the LawPay Visa® Business Card is issued by Emprise Bank, pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A., Inc.
Listen to our other episodes about ethics and alternative billing practices:
#350: Ethics in Your Business: It's More than Regulations, with Susan Liautaud Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Legal Talk Network
#488: The Power of Value-Based Pricing, with Shaun Jardine Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist
#543: What Lawyers Need to Know About the Ethics of Using AI, with Hilary Gerzhoy Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist
#547: Legal Tech You Need for Flat Fees, with Adriana Linares Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist
Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!
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! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.
Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:18 Lawyerist Coaching
05:22 Expense Tracking in MyCase
10:01 Integrating Finance with Practice
14:54 Immigration Law and the Current Administration
17:53 Specialization and Maintaining Competence Across Multiple Areas
22:39 Lawyer Pricing Models in an Era of Uncertainty
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41:46
#553: AI Tools and Processes Every Lawyer Should Use with Catherine Sanders Reach
Catherine Sanders Reach, Director of the Center for Practice Management at the North Carolina Bar Association, joins Zack Glaser to answer pressing questions about integrating AI into legal operations. Catherine explains how to identify breakdowns in workflows, choose purpose-built AI tools, and calculate the return on investment for tech solutions like Microsoft Copilot. She also shares practical advice on automating tasks like document templates, client intake, and email management while emphasizing the importance of documenting processes for efficiency. This episode is packed with actionable insights for lawyers looking to streamline their practice with AI.
Hear Catherine’s other appearance on Lawyerist Podcast:
#444: Streamlining Legal Operations for Success, with Catherine Sanders Reach: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
Listen to our other episodes about artificial intelligence:
#551: Becoming the AI Driven Leader, with Geoff Woods: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist
#550: Beyond Content: How AI is Changing Law Firm Marketing, with Gyi Tsakalakis and Conrad Saam: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist
#546: Unlock Law Firm Growth: AI Marketing Secrets with Karin Conroy: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist
Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!
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! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.
Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.
Chapters / Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
6:17 Meet Catherine Sanders Reach
7:19 How to Kickstart Generative AI Processes
10:53 Microsoft Copilot
13:00 AI Tools Lawyers Should Consider Using
14:36 Agentic AI
20:14 Why You Need a Needs Assessment
23:49 Evaluating Productivity
27:11 Let Go of Perfectionism
28:44 Image Generation
31:46 Why You Need Policies and Systems
35:38 Dictation Tools
38:22 The AI Tool to Watch
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42:28
#552: Should Your Law Firm Welcome Non-Lawyer Owners? Insights from UK Attorney Corinne Staves
What if law firms didn’t have to be owned by lawyers? In the UK, non-lawyer ownership has been shaking up the legal industry for over a decade, bringing in private equity, corporate structures, and even stock market listings. But has it led to innovation or just new ethical dilemmas? Corinne Staves, a UK legal expert, joins Lawyerist Podcast to reveal the surprising ways this shift has (and hasn’t) transformed the profession.
Listen to our previous episodes about non-lawyer ownership:
#354: A Look at the New Non-lawyer Firm Ownership Reform, with Lori Gonzalez: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist
#355: A Look at the New Non-lawyer Firm Ownership Reform, Pt.2, with Allen Rodriguez: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist
#221: The State of the Legal Profession, with ABA President Robert M. Carlson: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist
Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!
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! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.
Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.
Chapters:
(0:00) Introduction & ABA TECHSHOW Announcement
(2:50) Meet Corinne Staves
(3:44) How Non-Lawyer Ownership Works in the UK
(6:03) Why the US is Afraid of Non-Lawyer Ownership
(8:41) Can Non-Lawyer Ownership Threaten Attorney Ethics?
(12:18) Unexpected Benefits of Non-Lawyer Ownership
(17:17) Does This Hurt Small Law Firms?
(20:31) Advice for US Lawyers Considering This Model
(23:20) The Future of Law Firm Ownership
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26:45
#551: Becoming the AI Driven Leader, with Geoff Woods
In this episode, Geoff Woods discusses his book, 'The AI Driven Leader,' exploring how AI can serve as a thought partner for lawyers and business owners. He emphasizes the importance of adapting leadership skills to navigate technological disruptions, the strategic use of AI in business, and the mindset shift required to embrace these changes. The conversation also covers practical applications of AI in legal practice, the risks of inaction, and resources for further learning.
Links from the episode:
Schedule a demo with Tabs3
The AI-Driven Leader
Chapters:
00:00 – Intro & Invite to Stephanie’s Birthday in Chicago
3:31 – An Interview with Tabs3
10:12 – AI Driven Leadership
10:49 – Leadership Skills Need to Evolve
13:35 – Strengths of Humans vs. Machines
15:06 – Using AI as a Thought Partner
18:44 – A Whole New Way of Thinking About Using AI
20:01 – AI as a Business Advisor
25:50 – Examples of CRIT in action
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