Ernie Svenson

The 80/20 Principle

Business EN ↓ 328 episodes

Tech and AI recommendations for solo and small-firm lawyers. The 20% that actually matters, not the hype and shiny objects that don't. Hosted by Ernie Svenson — a former big-firm litigator turned solo, then coach to lawyers learning technology. He's been doing this for 20+ years. Episodes are short and practical. Tool reviews, AI explainers, and stories from coaching lawyers — focused on what's worth your time and what isn't. Beyond the podcast, Ernie runs a private community called the Inner Circle — a collective R&D department for solo and small-firm lawyers who can't build one alone. To lea...

Author

Ernie Svenson

Category

Business

Podcast website

ernietheattorney.net

Latest episode

Jun 23, 2026

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Episodes

303: From Russia with Passion & Drive - Miami attorney Ilona Anderson 04.03.2025

In this episode you'll meet an attorney named Ilona Anderson who was originally from Russia but came to the U.S. when she was sixteen and pursued her passion for law. You'll learn about her first job working in a big Miami firm, where she handled commercial litigation cases. We discuss the importance of using systems and her interesting take on what good systems look like in a law practice. We tal...

302: Photographic Memory: A Skill You Didn't Know You Had 18.02.2025

In this episode, you'll learn that you have a photographic memory without knowing it. Just like Baton Rouge attorney Tony Clayton who can remember names and faces instantly, which helps him recall details about jury pool members, even groups of 50 to 75 people. By the end of the episode, you'll understand how to unlock this skill to remember anything you want to and you'll be completely astonished...

301: Stop Losing Billable Hours: How AI Simplifies Time-Keeping & Billing for Lawyers 04.02.2025

Nancy Jeng, co-founder of Billables.ai , reveals how passive time-keeping is changing the game for lawyers—capturing billable hours with zero effort and tailoring entries to your style. Learn how this AI-powered tool integrates seamlessly with Clio, Microsoft, and more, while offering surprising benefits even for lawyers who don't bill for their time.  In this episode, you will hear: The transform...

300: Leveraging AI by Balancing Critical & Creative Thinking 21.01.2025

Want to harness the power of AI while at the same time minimize risk? Then learn to balance critical and creative thinking as you use AI in your law practice. Listen and get concrete recommendations for making this happen now. In this episode, you will hear: Exploring AI's role in enhancing legal practice for solo and small firm lawyers Balancing critical and creative thinking in law with AI tools...

299: The Future of Legal Work: What Lawyers Need to Know in 2025 07.01.2025

How can solo attorneys harness AI to stay sharp and competitive? This episode dives into Microsoft's new report on AI and how it will impact legal research, document review, and client service. Listen and get practical tips and strategies for leveraging AI in 2025—boosting productivity, streamlining work, and sharpening your edge.  In this episode, you will hear: Embracing AI to enhance productivi...

298: Thinking Like a Philosopher: Jonny Thomson on Truth, AI, and the Socratic Method 24.12.2024

Oxford philosophy professor Jonny Thomson explains how philosophy sharpens critical thinking, reveals hidden biases, and helps uncover the truth in a messy, complex world. From the Socratic method to the role of testimony and the challenges posed by AI, this episode dives into the intersection of philosophy, psychology, and the modern search for knowledge. A must-listen for lawyers and anyone who...

297: A Year of Remote Lawyering: How Jeff Austin Took His Practice to Patagonia 10.12.2024

In this episode, you'll hear from Jeff Austin, an estate planning attorney from Durham, North Carolina, who spent a year practicing law remotely while living in Argentina with his family. Jeff will explain how he transitioned to a paperless, remote practice, tackling challenges like how to notarize documents remotely, how to manage client communication, and how to handle physical mail. In this epi...

296: Mastering Your Zoom Presence: Tips for Looking Professional Online 26.11.2024

You should optimize your appearance in online meetings and presentations to appear professional, credible and authoritative. You don't need to do a lot to make that happen, and in this episode you'll find out how with tips for best cameras, mics, backgrounds, plus simple, practical tips for being a good host and attendee. Topics covered: Why Your Zoom Appearance Matters The "Zoom Economy": Investi...

295: Deb Feder, a Business Attorney Now Helps Professionals Grow Their Businesses 12.11.2024

In this episode Deb Feder shares her transition from business lawyer to a coaching business for business professionals. You'll hear about her early career trials, favorite book picks, and how technology has changed the legal profession. She'll also share her great advice on email efficiency, time management, client rapport, boundary setting, and using LinkedIn for business development. In this epi...

294: Google NotebookLM (plus AI in the Courtroom) 29.10.2024

This episode discusses Google's NotebookLM, an AI research assistant designed to handle groups of complex documents. Listen and learn about its amazing features, such as generating summaries, citations, and FAQs.  You can also hear the "audio overviews" feature, in which two bots discuss a recent case (Matter of Weber) involving the use of AI in the courtroom. Here are details of what was covered:...

293: Want to Travel the World While Practicing Law? Here's How Brian Dixon Made It Happen 15.10.2024

Believe it or no, it's possible to work as "digital nomad lawyer" and spend all your time traveling the world. Our guest Brian Dixon knows this first hand.  In this episode, you'll learn about his journey from a traditional law practice to fulltime globetrotter. Listen and learn which practice areas are best suited to this kind of life, and which tech tools are most important to adopt. In this epi...

292: The Keys to AI-enhanced Legal Writing (with Ross Guberman) 01.10.2024

Explore the cutting edge of legal writing with Ross Guberman, the founder of a company called Legal Writing Pro. In this episode, learn interesting ways that generative AI can help lawyers write better briefs and contracts. In this episode, you will hear: Generative AI tools for stress-free, effective legal writing Insights on creating influential legal writing resources Exploration of BriefCatch,...

291: Judge Scott Schlegel Explores the Use of AI in the Court System 17.09.2024

In this episode, you'll hear Judge Scott Schlegel explain why he believes that lawyers and judges should know as much as possible about how AI tools work. And why they should gain this understanding by using the tools as much as possible. In this episode, you will hear: Judge Scott Schlegel's career journey from finance to tech-savvy appellate judge. AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Llama, Grok, and...

290: 3 Keys to a Smooth Running Practice 04.09.2024

Building a successful law practice is a lot easier when you focus on the right things. And that's exactly how attorney Elise Buie built a thriving practice that's both financially lucrative and immensely enjoyable. In this episode she shares her top three secrets to massive success. In this episode, you will hear: Building a successful law practice with controllable elements and technology Importa...

289: The Best AI Note-Taking App for Lawyers 20.08.2024

Every lawyer should use an AI note-taking app, but now there are dozens, so which one should they use? In this episode, we examine the top two apps and compare features so you can make a fully informed decision. In this episode, you will hear: Introduction to AI note-taking apps Personal experiences and insights on the effectiveness of these tools for attorneys. Detailed comparison of features, re...

288: ABA Ethics Opinion on Lawyers use of AI 06.08.2024

The ABA's new ethics opinion on lawyers' use of AI is a must-read, but this episode will give you the key takeaways you need to be aware of. We'll also discuss the provocative statement in the opinion that "AI can help lawyers predict how judges might rule on a legal question based on data about the judge's rulings." Listen now to learn more.   In this episode, you will hear: Discussion on the ABA...

287: Social Media Marketing: 5 Pro Tips for Lawyers 16.07.2024

Social media marketing is easy and inexpensive if you approach it right. Being authentic is one key to success, but there's another word that's even more important. And that's what this episode will explain and discuss. In this episode, you will hear: Leveraging social media for attorneys The importance of relationships in social media marketing The pitfalls of chasing viral content and the value...

286: Online Workspaces for Modern Law Work 02.07.2024

Modern lawyers need new workspaces optimized for remote work, virtual collaboration, and asynchronous communication. In this episode, you'll find out which two software tools are the best online workspaces and why popular cloud-based practice management software does not compete with these new options. In this episode, you will hear: Modern online workspaces for remote collaboration Choosing the r...

285: 6 Key Systems for Lawyers (with Kristen David) 18.06.2024

Kristen David is an amazing lawyer who believes there are 6 fundamental systems that every law practice needs. She learned this when she needed a way to escape stress and burnout to gain massive fulfillment and freedom. For the past decade, she's coached lawyers on how to develop, maintain, and refine systems.  And in this podcast episode, she shares her best tips that you can start systematizing...

284: Get Better Clients Using Conversational Emails 04.06.2024

If you want better clients, you need to convey that you are very special, not like most attorneys. How you convey that message is everything. You can't communicate in cliches or brazen claims. You must come across as sincere, thoughtful, and truly considerate.  In this session, we'll discuss how to do that using simple, easy-to-write emails. In this episode, you will hear: Marketing tactics for at...

283: Finding & Working with Overseas VAs (with Gabriel Marous) 21.05.2024

Gabriel Marous is a New York business lawyer who runs his firm, making extensive use of VAs based in the Philippines. He had to figure out for himself how to recruit, hire, train, and manage his team of 10 VAs. Now, he helps other lawyers and business owners do the same. In this episode, you'll learn how he started doing this, what mistakes he made and overcame, and how you can take advantage of o...

282: Sensible & Satisfying Productivity (with David Sparks) 07.05.2024

How can you be more productive and enjoy doing so? Merely checking off boxes on a To-Do list isn't the answer. Attorney David Sparks has the best answer I've come across, and he explains it very well. David is exceptionally productive in juggling a mind-boggling number of responsibilities. Listen and learn David's incredible secrets to being productive in a way that enables you to accomplish a lot...

281: The 5 Biggest Mistakes in Using Technology (and How to Avoid Them) 16.04.2024

 As we all know, modern technology can create powerful leverage in any business. Unfortunately, it's complex and rapidly changing, which creates big challenges—especially for lawyers. Most lawyers lack the instincts to know what to focus on and prioritize, so they often make big mistakes when using technology. Fortunately, the five biggest mistakes can be avoided if you know what they are and how...

280: Update on Generative AI Chatbots & How Lawyers Can Use Them Safely 02.04.2024

 AI Chatbots powered by GPT-4 technology are improving rapidly so the opportunities are expanding for lawyers who want to leverage this to improve aspects of their practices. But which GPT4 chatbots are best? And what are the best opportunities for using them in your practice? That's what we'll cover in this episode. In this episode, you will hear: The emergence of generative AI chatbots and their...

279: LinkedIn Networking: How to "Work the Room" 19.03.2024

 LinkedIn is a goldmine for professional referrals. Think of it as a 24-hour networking event that runs 365 days a year.  You can "attend" asynchronously and easily generate new referrals without spending a lot of time "working the room." In this episode, you will hear: 24/7 receptionist and chatbot services Unlocking LinkedIn's potential Crafting effective taglines for lawyers Optimizing LinkedIn...

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