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

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 who uses the Internet via computer, tablet device, or smartphone. In this episode, you will hear: Technology in efficient law practices The importance of automated scheduling The benefits of implementing a consultation fee Using the 80/20 principle to leverage your practice Resources from this Episode AARP article: What I Learned After Hackers Attacked Me and Stole $4,000 AARP Fraud Watch Network 1Password (password manager Ernie recommends) General Resources Click for a list of the Best Tech Tools for Lawyers Subscribe to: The 80/20 Principle Check out my Law Firm Systems Intensive Join: '80/20 Inner Circle' (valuable business insights for small firm owners) Read: The 80/20 Principle: The Secret of Achieving More with Less, by Richard Koch Get my new email course: ChatGPT for Lawyers (it's free) Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to Our Sponsors Smith.ai Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you're hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. If there's one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of. Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000). And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.comLet them know we sent you.

6 Feb 202426min

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 you save time and avoid frustration. And you'll learn how to optimize it for your practice. In this episode, you will hear: Embracing tech for law practice efficiency: using Loom and Calendly Valuing time with pre-consultation fees and streamlined scheduling Integrations boosting productivity: Calendly with Zoom/ConvertKit AI's future role in enhancing automated scheduling Next episode teaser: Cybersecurity in tech-empowered law practices Show Notes Calendly (click here to sign up for the free service) Click here to book a free 15-minute call with me (and see how I use Calendly) General Resources The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter) The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners) Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to My Sponsor Smith.ai Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you're hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. If there's one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of. Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000). And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

16 Jan 202421min

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 ways. In this episode, you will hear: Introduction to Ninja Lawyering: Strategies for solo and small law firm efficiency using technology and the 80/20 principle. Exploration of 12 transformative tools for legal practice: Loom, ConvertKit, ChatGPT, and others. Deep dive into Loom for effective asynchronous video communication to reduce meetings and misunderstandings. Leveraging the 80/20 principle for maximizing outcomes with minimal resource investment in legal practices. Tips for adopting technology strategically: using free trials, focusing on one tool at a time, and seeking personalized guidance. Recommendations for outsourcing phone answering services and using private attorney networks for referrals. The importance of actively using the tools discussed for genuine improvement in legal practice efficiency. Show Notes My List of 12 Top Tech Tools Loom video tool - start with the free trial My Loom video explaining the transcript feature My smartphone recording of a Loom video while walking General Resources The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter) The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners) Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to Our Sponsors Smith.ai Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you're hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. If there's one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of. Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000). And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.comLet them know we sent you.

2 Jan 202429min

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-blown leap into digital nomadism or just looking for tips on how to be more effective doing remote work, this episode offers a wealth of useful recommendations and practical advice. In this episode, you will hear: Strategies for securing free accommodations, maintaining fitness, managing finances and ensuring safety while on the move. Insights into co-working spaces, fostering relationships, and overcoming language barriers with tools like Google Translate. Emphasizing the importance of language learning and understanding cultural etiquette while traveling. Addressing perceptions of Americans as poor travelers and sharing personal experiences with petty crime in Europe. Show Notes Part 1 of Digital Nomadism: https://ernietheattorney.net/portfolio/lfa265/ Trusted House Sitters - A platform for finding house-sitting opportunities, often including pet care, as an alternative to Airbnb and options that require you to pay for lodging. https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/ Google Translate - Used to overcome language barriers while traveling. https://translate.google.com/ WeWork All Access Membership https://www.wework.com/solutions/wework-all-access Megan discussed using WeWork across Europe as a consistent and flexible workspace. ClassPass - A service for finding and booking fitness classes while traveling, allowing users to maintain their fitness routine. https://classpass.com/ VPN (Virtual Private Network) - Recommended for secure internet use, especially when working from coffee shops or other public spaces. https://www.expressvpn.com/ Google Form to Apply for Digital Nomadism Workshop: https://forms.gle/X7PLgKYDBEoViKk66 General Resources The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter) The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners) Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to Our Sponsors Smith.ai Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you're hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. If there's one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of. Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000). And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai. Overture Law Overture Law is the first private attorney network enabling them to refer matters to one another and ethically share in referral fees. Membership is free if you're accepted. Apply for membership at Overture.law Once you're accepted, you'll start getting valuable referrals and earn fees for matters you refer out. A powerful win-win for U.S.-based solo and small firm attorneys. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.comLet them know we sent you.

19 Dec 202343min

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 it can help cut costs, increase efficiency, and enhance client services. Rio, who was previously with Clio, brings a wealth of knowledge about insurance in the legal field. The duo break down the complexities of malpractice insurance and shed light on the significance of cyber security in today's digital age. They also discuss the potential of artificial intelligence in streamlining legal services and improving efficiency. Tune in to this engaging and enlightening episode to understand the benefits of using technology, the importance of insurance coverage and the potential of AI in transforming the legal industry. In this episode, you will hear: Changing Company Names for Rhyme Impact Professional Liability and Cyber Response The Benefits of Specializing in Law Using Legal Tools and Mitigating Risks AI for Content Repurposing and Marketing AI & Language Proficiency in the Philippines AI in Legal Practice Show Notes Alps' Website: [https://www.alpsinsurance.com](https://www.alpsinsurance.com) Alps' Blog: [https://www.alpsinsurance.com/blog](https://www.alpsinsurance.com/blog) Resources: [https://www.alpsinsurance.com/resources/risk-management](https://www.alpsinsurance.com/resources/risk-management) Clio 2023 Trends Report: [https://www.clio.com/resources/legal-trends/](https://www.clio.com/resources/legal-trends/) Google Analytics: [https://marketingplatform.google.com/about/analytics/](https://marketingplatform.google.com/about/analytics/) Hubspot: [https://www.hubspot.com](https://www.hubspot.com) General Resources The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter) The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners) Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to Our Sponsors Smith.ai Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you're hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. If there's one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of. Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000). And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai. Overture Law Overture Law is the first private attorney network enabling them to refer matters to one another and ethically share in referral fees. Membership is free if you're accepted. Apply for membership at Overture.law Once you're accepted, you'll start getting valuable referrals and earn fees for matters you refer out. A powerful win-win for U.S.-based solo and small firm attorneys. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.comLet them know we sent you.

5 Dec 202352min

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 automation has revolutionized traditional legal services. The concept of productizing legal services and how doing this enhances customer experiences. How to use integrations for productizing legal services. The role of artificial intelligence in workflow development, and the importance of quick adaptation in automation projects. Show Notes Link to book a free 30-minute call with Gavel Book a free demo of Gavel Link to Gavel website Gavel Learning Center (on the website) YouTube videos with demos of Gavel Tim Ferriss podcast episode with Sam Corcos (re: use of Loom) Top 12 Document Automation Software Options General Resources The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter) The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners) Thanks to Our Sponsor Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai you're actually hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. If there's one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of. Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans including add-ons (up to $1000). And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai. EPISODE CREDITS: If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment. He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world. Find out more at EmeraldCity

21 Nov 202347min

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 of Brussels. Another focus for Sheila is providing what she calls "Socratic coaching" for lawyers. Specifically, those who feel frustrated in their practices. Sheila's message is: Law practice doesn't have to be unfulfilling and frustrating. You can transform your life, your practice, and your state of mind. Listen, and find out how to make major improvements to your law practice. In this episode, you will hear: The transformational journey of Sheila, who transitioned from building a million-dollar law firm to practicing law from various coffee shops in Europe. How Sheila Wilkinson leverages technology, practices Socratic Coaching for Lawyers, and benefits from digital nomadism. Sheila's approach to overcoming personal and professional hurdles by emphasizing clarity, confidence, and understanding one's mental processes. The significance of emotional decision-making and proper risk assessment in law practice. A deep dive into social conditioning and its impact on decision-making abilities. Show Notes Casemap software (by Lexis) Richard Feynman blog post on hypnosis Thinking Fast & Slow Book, Daniel Kahneman Chaos Kings book Quitting, by Annie Duke Fooled by Randomness, by Nassim Taleb Sheila's website Sheila's podcast "What Would Sheila Say?" Book a free call with Sheila Connect with her on Instagram and LinkedIn Sheila's Other Free, Fun Stuff General Resources The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter) The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners) Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to Our Sponsors Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you're hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. If there's one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of. Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000). And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai. Overture Law Overture Law is the first private attorney network enabling them to refer matters to one another and ethically share in referral fees. Membership is free if you're accepted. Apply for membership at Overture.law Once you're accepted, you'll start getting valuable referrals and earn fees for matters you refer out. A powerful win-win for U.S.-based solo and small firm attorneys. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.comLet them know we sent you.

7 Nov 20231h 6min

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 tools, ChatGPT, and Zapier. And by the way, he doesn't necessarily love everything he's using, and you'll find out why. So listen and gain insights that will help you improve your practice as well. In this episode, you will hear: Brandon's Years of Practice and Solo Transition Dependency on Sanebox for Email Management Text Expansion for Efficient Chat Conversations Coding and Automation Tools for Efficiency Show Notes Clio Microsoft Bookings Slack Trello Evernote Microsoft One Note Zapier ChatGPT Claude.ai Make.com (formerly Integrate) Faster Suite Grammarly WordRake BriefCatch TextBlaze Adobe Acrobat Clearbrief.ai Dragon Dictation AudioPen - TextExpander Sanebox Obsidian Markdown prior episode with Mike Schmitz on Obsidian Otter.ai SweetProcess ScribeHow If This Then That (IFTTT) Fiverr Upwork Instapaper Video Speed (Chrome/Edge plugin) Chrometa FasterTime ManicTime Quickbooks Never Split The Difference, book by Chris Voxx YouTube interview with Yuval Noah Harari Ross Guberman Bryan Garner General Resources The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter) The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners) Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to Our Sponsors Smith.ai Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you're hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. If there's one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of. Plans start at $210/month for 30 calls, and pricing starts at $140 for 20 chats, with overage at $7 per chat. They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans, including add-ons (up to $1000). And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai. Overture Law Overture Law is the first private attorney network enabling them to refer matters to one another and ethically share in referral fees. Membership is free if you're accepted. Apply for membership at Overture.law Once you're accepted, you'll start getting valuable referrals and earn fees for matters you refer out. A powerful win-win for U.S.-based solo and small firm attorneys. Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.comLet them know we sent you.

24 Okt 202358min