Beyond the Case Files: AI, Healthcare & Law in Practice

Today’s conversation is about something most law firm owners think about, but rarely talk about openly: how to grow without burning yourself out. In a profession where long hours and constant pressure are normalized, what does it actually look like to build a high-performing firm that’s sustainable? How do you scale intentionally, protect your margins, design better workflows and still protect you...

This episode explores how a third-generation disability advocate is carrying forward a nearly century-long family legacy while adapting the practice to a new era shaped by technology. Brian Mittman describes his firm as a “93-year-old startup,” reflecting the balance between tradition and innovation that defines his work. Drawing on an unconventional background that spans mechanical engineering, p...

Jason Heinze’s journey takes us from the front lines of disability law to innovating solutions that help clients, care teams, and attorneys alike. As a disability attorney, he saw firsthand how injured and disabled clients often struggled not just with their health but with the stress and red tape of the legal system. Recognizing a gap in how non-economic damages were documented, he founded Claim...

Most law firms believe growth starts with better marketing. More visibility, more clicks, more leads. But for many firms, the real problem shows up after the phone rings and the form is submitted, in the moment when a potential client is deciding whether to trust you or move on. Today’s guest works inside that moment every single day. Pat Thiranon is with Legal Conversion Center, where she and her...

Most legal and medical transcripts can be flawed by a single misheard word, and the consequences can be costly or even deadly. Ben Walker, founder of Ditto Transcripts, reveals how high-stakes transcription is transforming with technology, quality controls, and expert human oversight. If you think AI alone can handle critical legal or health records, think again. Accuracy and authenticity still de...

Adding vocational analysis to your case prep before a hearing can be a game-changer. In this conversation with John Yent from Workscape Analytics, you'll learn how understanding a claimant's work history, transferable skills, and labor market data gives you insights that get straight to the heart of the hearing, helping judges make informed decisions on claims. Our guest, John Yent, is a S...

In this episode of Beyond the Case Files, Nelson and Luke sit down with Dawud “D.K.” Shillingford, Air Force veteran, advocate, and founder of Shillingford Consulting Group. After two decades in service and years in federal contracting and consulting, D.K. approaches veteran advocacy with a mix of operational experience, systems thinking, and a practical understanding of where technology can make...

In this episode of Beyond the Case Files , Luke Connally and Nelson Chu sit down with Paul Bunn, a 20-year Army infantry veteran whose service spanned the Gulf War, Panama, and Iraq, and whose life changed after surviving 37 roadside bombs and returning home to a broken VA system. What began with Paul and his son living in a borrowed camper led to a mission that has now transformed the lives of th...

Attorney Katie Reed has faced personal challenges that most of us can only imagine, from her father’s incarceration to her husband’s life-altering accident. These experiences shaped her mission-driven approach to law, inspiring her to fight for clients with empathy, passion, and a commitment to justice. Today, she practices both personal injury and disability law, helping clients navigate complex...

Disability attorney Scott Haider didn’t follow a traditional path into law. As a first-generation college student from a tiny town of just 32 classmates, he made a late pivot to law school — all while becoming a father during his first year. From clerking at a small firm in North Dakota to eventually owning it, Scott’s journey is marked by grit, resilience, and a deep commitment to serving clients...

Attorney Diane C. Haar has transformed her personal journey into a mission to expand access to disability justice across the Pacific. After earning degrees from UC Berkeley and Yale University, litigating war crimes, and earning a Master’s in Public Health, Diane faced a life-changing accident that led her to focus on disability law. She founded Hawaiʻi Disability Legal Services (HDLS) in 2010, of...