Ernie Svenson
The 80/20 Principle
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
Podcast website
Latest episode
Jun 23, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
278: How to Get More Out of Podcasts You Listen to (Snipd) 05.03.2024 22:24
Podcasts are valuable troves of knowledge. And yet it's notoriously challenging to capture insights and take notes on things you want to remember. But now there's a magic solution that you'll definitely appreciate knowing about that you'll learn all about in this episode. In this episode, you will hear: Leveraging podcasts for professional growth Essential features for podcast listening Features a...
277: Traction Business Coaching for Law Firms (w/ Kellam Parks) 20.02.2024 46:26
In this episode, you'll learn how a Virginia lawyer found the best business coach to help his firm implement principles from the popular book " Traction " (by Gino Wickman). Listen as Kellam Parks shares the process he used to research and vet candidates, and why he says the decision to hire a coach was "transformative." He also explains exactly why the principles in Traction are so helpful in gro...
276: Privacy vs Security: Top Tips to Avoid Hackers 06.02.2024 26:57
Hackers repeatedly use the same common ploys to fool most people most easily. Avoid becoming a victim by learning about these ploys and by using a tech tool that too many people do not know about (or use if they do know). In this episode, you'll learn about six excellent recommendations the AARP believes can protect people online. And learn more about the one that's most beneficial for everyone wh...
275: Frictionless Scheduling (with Calendly, etc.) 16.01.2024 21:36
Traditional ways of scheduling appointments have too much friction, so lawyers should now adopt automated scheduling technology like that offered by Calendly. When you use this type of tool, you'll be able to do more deep work without being bogged down with scheduling appointments or getting interrupted during peak work time. In this episode, you'll learn exactly why automated scheduling will help...
274: The Year of Ninja Lawyering 02.01.2024 29:45
The year 2024 is the year of Ninja Lawyering for solo and small firm lawyers who want frictionless efficiency, financial freedom, and flexibility to work less and enjoy life more. The key is leveraging technology strategically by focusing on a few key tools, the first of which we'll discuss in this episode. If you start using this tool, your practice will start to transform itself in mind-boggling...
273: Digital Nomadism - Part 2 (with Megan Hargroder) 19.12.2023 43:23
In Part 2 of our discussion of "Digital Nomadism," Megan Hargroder shares more insights on the art of living and working from anywhere. She highlights the use of platforms like Trusted House Sitters as an alternative to using AirBnb. And we also discuss safety tips while traveling abroad. Finally, we cover money management strategies, which are critical as well. Whether you're considering a full-b...
272: Legal Malpractice Insurance Made Easy 05.12.2023 52:39
In this episode, we delve into a detailed conversation with Rio Peterson from Alps Insurance. We explore the intricacies of malpractice insurance and discuss how solo and small law firms can protect themselves not just against malpractice, but also cyber attacks and employment claims. We also delve into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in law practice, shedding light on how...
271: Automating Documents & Productizing Your Services (with Dorna Moini) 21.11.2023 47:14
In the latest episode, attorney Dorna Moini explains how her product, Gavel, enables full intake and workflow automation. She also explains how lawyers can document their expertise and turn that into revenue-generating products. In this episode, you will hear about: The importance of automating repetitive tasks, which begins with recording and analyzing repeatable tasks. How innovative document au...
270: Build a Successful Law Firm and Run it While Living in Europe 07.11.2023 1:06:03
This episode features an interview with a lawyer who went from helping build a multimillion-dollar firm to practicing law from coffee shops in Europe. Sheila Wilkinson helped build a highly successful law firm from scratch even before she went to law school. Crazy but true. And after law school, she created her own successful practice, which she still runs, often from coffee shops in the country o...
269: Master of Tech, Deficient in Delegation (Interview with lawyer Brandon Siegal) 24.10.2023 58:19
This episode is a deep dive into the law practice of solo attorney Brandon Siegal, a seasoned Canadian tax specialist who is comfortable using technology but finds delegation more challenging. The discussion was informed by answers he provided in taking my comprehensive Law Practice Assessment. We talked about software tools he uses, such as Clio, RingCentral, Microsoft Bookings, Email efficiency...
268: Modern Note-Taking for Lawyers with Obsidian 10.10.2023 49:57
Digital note-taking for lawyers is no longer just about transcribing ideas—it's about weaving them together. Enter the world of "Personal Knowledge Management" (PKM), a realm where Evernote once reigned supreme but now faces more powerful contenders. Obsidian is the best note-taking app for lawyers who want a powerful, user-friendly tool that also happens to be completely free. With its interconn...
267: Getting The Most out of Microsoft 365 - Part 2 26.09.2023 39:20
This episode continues a discussion on how to get the most out of Microsoft 365 tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Whether you use a Mac or a PC, these tools help streamline the most common workflows in your law practice. I invited Ben Schorr to explain the ins and outs of 365 software. Ben works at Microsoft as a senior-level product manager for content, so he has major insight into...
266: Getting The Most out of Microsoft 365 - Part 1 12.09.2023 38:50
This episode is about how to get the most out of Microsoft 365 tools like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook. Whether you use a Mac or a PC, these tools help streamline the most common workflows in your law practice. I invited Ben Schorr to explain the ins and outs of 365 software. Ben works at Microsoft as a senior-level product manager for content, so he has major insight into how to get the m...
265: Digital Nomadism for Lawyers (with Megan Hargroder) 29.08.2023 40:53
Step into the extraordinary world of digital nomadism with my wanderlust-filled guest, Megan Hargroder. Megan, a seasoned digital nomad, has been living out of her suitcase and working from the picturesque locales of Europe for the past eight months. Join us for a riveting conversation that explores the exhilarating freedoms and intricate challenges that come hand-in-hand with her unique lifestyle...
264: The Legal Singularity - How A.I. will Improve Our Profession (with Ben Alarie) 15.08.2023 48:48
Let's journey into the fascinating world of law and technology with our extraordinary guest, Ben Alarie. He's not just a law professor, but also an entrepreneur and author who has put his expertise in an excitingly accessible format through his AI product, Ask Blue J. This ingenious tool simplifies tax law navigation, transforming complex databases into question-answering platforms. We also shed l...
263: New Tech Effectiveness Assessment for Lawyers 01.08.2023 22:19
In this episode, we revisit a persistent favorite topic - Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). We understand there are many recurring issues that may concern you, but which ones are the most pressing? We are on a mission to resolve these sticking points. A common challenge for attorneys is determining the technology that could bring the most significant improvement to their practice. Given the un...
262: Essential Tech Tools & Tips (with Adriana Linares) 18.07.2023 52:00
What if you could revolutionize your legal practice with technology? This provocative question led to an enlightening chat with legal tech consultant, Adriana Linares, who shared insights on how transitioning to cloud-based services and leveraging tools like TextExpander and ChatGPT can significantly enhance productivity and writing skills. That's not all, folks. Join us as we share personal anec...
261: Overture.law - An Innovative New Way of Getting & Making Referrals 04.07.2023 42:41
Imagine a world where getting quality referrals is not just possible, but easy and ethical too. That's the pioneering world Arya Firoozmand, co-founder of Overture Law, is building. In this enlightening conversation, Arya takes me through his journey into law practice and how he and his partners invented Overture Law, an innovative platform that fills a service gap by linking attorneys and clients...
260: Technology vs. Natural Growth 20.06.2023 20:02
Discover the secret to unlocking human growth and genuine connections in our increasingly digital world. This episode promises to reveal the power of face-to-face interaction and why it's crucial for personal and professional success. Let me take you on a journey through our experience with Laurel Street Music in New Orleans, where an inspiring story of community events and real-world connection u...
259: A Celebrity Actor Shares Law Practice Insights (Surprise Guest) 06.06.2023 27:23
Ever wondered how the 80-20 principle applies to a Hollywood actor's life and career? I have an exclusive chat with the legendary Tom Hanks, shedding light on the topic and sharing his personal experiences! But there's more than meets the ear – my friend and computer forensics expert Craig Ball joins me to reveal the cutting-edge AI technology from ElevenLabs that made our "interview" with Tom H...
258: Streamlining Operations using Agile Methodology (John Grant) 30.05.2023 48:05
Are you ready to revolutionize your law firm's operations and witness a substantial boost in productivity and profitability? Join me for an enlightening conversation with John Grant, a renowned lawyer and consultant who has mastered the art of streamlining law practices for maximum success. Together, we explore the Kanban method for visualizing workflows, the concept of Kaizen for continuous incre...
257: Using Airtable Databases to Help Run a Small Law Firm (Jess Birken) 23.05.2023 36:14
In this podcast episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Jess Birken, a small firm law owner who specializes in helping nonprofits. As someone with an entrepreneurial spirit and a tech-savvy approach, Jess shared her insights on how technology has revolutionized her practice and how others can optimize their own businesses. One of the key topics we discussed was the use of Airtable, a cloud-ba...
256: Get Staffed Up with Remote Workers in Latin America (Guest: Brett Trembly) 16.05.2023 44:09
In this episode, Brett Trembly, a business lawyer and founder of Get Staffed Up, shares how his company helps law firm owners hire talented virtual assistants from Latin America. He discusses his new book, which sets forth a 24-month game plan for hiring seven specific positions. He also explains the best practices for working with virtual assistants, including repeatable tasks, daily check-ins, a...
255: A Practicing Lawyer's Perspective on ChatGPT (Enrico Schaefer) 09.05.2023 43:56
Discover the transformative power of ChatGPT technology in the legal industry as Ernie sits down with Enrico Schaefer, an attorney with over thirty years of experience in technology and IP law. Learn how Enrico leverages AI tools and third-party applications to revolutionize his practice, streamline communication, and optimize his workflow. Join Ernie as he explores Enrico's journey into the world...
254: Gumbo, ChatGPT & Systems (with Matt Granda) 02.05.2023 39:34
In this episode I briefly discuss gumbo, ChatGPT and a new development in my Systems program. You'll also hear from Matt Granda, the managing partner in a P.I. law firm who is serious about systematizing and improving his firm's operations. Show Notes Matt Granda's LinkedIn page Claggett & Sykes website (Matt's law firm) Click for a list of the Best Tech Tools for Lawyers Subscribe to: The 80/2...
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