Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics

On the latest episode of Thinking Like A Lawyer, Kathryn and Chris ponder the need for a rule against Confederate flagsin courtrooms in the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA the year of our Lord 2023. Speaking of bold stances on things that should be obvious, the American Bar Association would really like a Supreme Court ethics rule, but we know that's not happening. Plus if you want your full bonus this y...

One of the biggest and longest-running legal technology shows in the country, the ABA Techshow, is right around the corner. From March 1 to 4, thousands of lawyers, legal professionals and vendors will descend upon Chicago to talk about technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Texas Two-Step isn’t just a country music line dance. It’s a controversial legal maneuver a company can use to avoid exposure to potential legal claims, and it could derail your case. We’ll examine the potential impact of bankruptcy on litigation and explain why you should always discuss bankruptcy with your client, how to seek relief if an insurance company claims financial insolvency, and of...

It’s one thing both sides can agree upon...government transparency is a good thing. But getting access to government information isn’t easy. In Part One of our in-depth discussion on Sunshine Laws, Attorneys Mark Pedroli and Joseph Martineau explain the basics of Sunshine Law and Freedom of Information Act requests and why they should be part of your discovery if your case involves a government en...

Experts discuss how plain language can help courts expand access to the courts on the latest episode of LSC's “Talk Justice” podcast, released today.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jill Francisco is joined by NEW Paralegal Voice cohost (and a longtime friend of the podcast) Tony Sipp. Together, they kick off the new year with a rundown of upcoming events and news in the paralegal profession. NALA Conference and Expo, July 12, in Boston. New continuing education requirements are coming. Are you ready? NALA’s six-part series on real estate education, coming soon (and why...

What is a holistic SEO strategy? And how do you leverage Google to boost your SEO while using current strategies and technologies? Joining me for this conversation is Gert Mellak, the founder and CEO of SEOLeverage.com - an SEO agency that helps course creators, coaches and e-commerce sites grow their SEO in a conversion-focused way.  Gert is also the author of the book “The ERICA Framework”, in w...

Today's guests, Erik and Elliot, will be joining Christopher on our upcoming Community Table live Q&A on February 16, 2023 to discuss all things marketing. Sign up here (it's free) to join us so you can get your questions answered! ----- Acquisition, from cold lead to paying client, is the important stuff. Marketing is one of three pillars of a successful firm: finding and signing new clients. Gue...

DeMario Thornton welcomes Professor Deleso A. Alford to discuss her work at the intersection of legal and medical education, where her scholarship helps students gain a broader understanding of how race, gender, and classism have shaped these two fields of study. Professor Alford shares highlights from her studies of Henrietta Lacks, critical race theory, cultural competency, and other histories (...

Some of the unique challenges women face in their careers may actually stem from differences in the ways men and women communicate in the workplace. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with bestselling author and executive coach Dr. Lois Frankel about strategies that help women communicate with impact, avoid common pitfalls, and advance in their career. Check out Dr. Frankel’s audiobook: Nice Girl...

In fall 1982, seven people in the Chicagoland area died after taking cyanide-laced Tylenol capsules, and no one knew why or who might be next. Law enforcement quickly determined that the poisoned bottles had been placed on store shelves to kill unsuspecting customers. But who would commit such a heinous act? What was their motive? Those questions would elude investigators for decades, making this...

Information governance, or IG, is the new term (and then some) for records management—now encompassing the entire life cycle of information from creation to disposition. Dennis and Tom talk lawyers through the basics of an effective IG framework and the need for us to understand up-to-date best practices and legal obligations for data privacy, security, litigation readiness, and, eventually, dispo...

No one said hiring and keeping a strong team was easy, but it’s definitely possible. Sara interviews Lawyerist Lab member, Chong Ye, about the success he’s found in hiring great people and building a strong team, even in a down market.   Links from the episode:  Pre-order our new book! For Better or for Work   Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, Clio, & Gavel for sponsoring this episode. Learn m...

Also, let's talk about Biglaw and cancel culture. How much continuing power should a judge have over the lives of defendants who plead guilty? A judge recently forced a woman to withdraw and apologize for statements diverting blame for an incident that she'd admitted to in court. A January 6th defendant is in hot water for the same thing. Prosecutors use overcharging and the ordeal of trial to lev...

Are Gyi and Conrad even real anymore? The “guys” discuss the most effective and efficient use of your marketing dollar. Then, it’s into the listener mailbag to commiserate over the ubiquity of unbearable (but SEO-optimized!) legal content. We’re not sure who carries eggs in baskets anymore, but we’re all familiar with the classic idiom. And, it applies to your marketing mix as well. Gyi and Conrad...

Rule 8.4 of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, dealing with Misconduct, is subtitled with the phrase “Maintaining the Integrity of the Profession”. When attorneys engage in unethical behavior, it is believed that their actions harm the industry. As such, disciplinary procedures are a key feature to maintaining the legitimacy of not only the profession, but the legal system as a whole. Usuall...

Mediators are supposed to be unbiased but that’s not always the case. What should you do if your mediator appears to be favoring the other side or acts inappropriately? We’ve got some great stories about what happened to us, so listen in and learn what to do if/when you find yourself in a messy mediation, including when to walk and how to prep your client for that possibility. Learn more about you...

You know depos and trial testimony will be different experiences, but does your client? Are they expecting something straight out of a legal drama TV series when they take the stand? Today’s encore episode offers tips on helping your client stay calm, cool, and collected on the stand and ways they can project the best version of themselves and their story in the courtroom. Learn more about your ad...

When former lawyer and bestselling author Meg Gardiner teamed up with Michael Mann for the follow-up novel to his 1995 crime thriller movie Heat, working with the legendary filmmaker was an eye-opener. “All the legends about his proclivities for research are accurate,” Gardiner told the ABA Journal's Matt Reynolds. “If you want to find out how to perform a tunnel heist in a Chicago bank, you bette...

The rising costs of litigation and increased pressure to control legal budgets has made alternative dispute resolution a desirable way to resolve legal disputes. Mediation and arbitration are two well-known ADR methods, but they're not necessarily the most cost effective. Can parties possibly resolve their disputes without tearing each other down, and work to preserve good working relationships? T...

How do you manage your brand on Google? What is an SERP and why is it important? Joining me for this conversation is Jason Barnard, the founder and CEO of Kalicube. He is also an author and digital marketer who specializes in Brand SERP optimization and Knowledge Panel management. Jason uses the pseudonym "The Brand SERP Guy'' for his professional work!  Jason, aka The Brand SERP Guy, has over 2 d...

In this episode of SideBar, Suzanne Nossel, the Chief Executive Officer of PenAmerica, discusses the dangers of book bans and educational gag orders to our core democratic values. She places these laws within a historical context, explains why they matter, and provides a way forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The legal community is, at times, either uninformed or ill-equipped for dealing with the unique needs of LGBTQ+ clientele. Rocky Dhir welcomes Liz Brenner to discuss her article in the February 2023 edition of the Texas Bar Journal and the evolving legal issues faced by those in the LGBTQ+ community. Liz explains the impacts of the 2015 Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which require...

Do you feel overwhelmed in your day-to-day as you try to get everything done? Guess what? You’re not alone. Paul Unger, speaker, author, and owner at Affinity Consulting, joins Stephanie and offers specific tips on how to manage your to-do list, process fires, and focus on the most important things.   Links from the episode:  Affinity's Digital Courses Your Ultimate Blueprint for Managing Time as...

If you’re a lawyer, you need a break. Tune in with Jared, his lovely wife Jessica, and her fellow travel agent Samantha Hedges to learn a thing or two about escaping the daily grind. They share tips for vacation bookings, highlight some favorite destinations, and even chat about social media marketing tactics you just might be able to use in your law firm. During the Rump Roast, the trio play “Tra...