Known nationwide for her technology and legal management expertise, Natalie Kelly has recently brought her skills to the Southern Poverty Law Center to help them modernize their legal department operations. Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway talk with Natalie about her new role and the work done by the center to advance civil rights and racial justice. Natalie discusses the technology used to help the center refresh its operations, highlights her focus on promoting collaboration, and gives an overvi...
Jun 24, 2021•23 min•Season 1Ep. 162
Microsoft 365 is heavily relied upon by many legal professionals, and with its numerous and frequently updated tools, it’s always good to re-up your knowledge of its capabilities! Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway welcome Ben Schorr to discuss 10 features lawyers especially enjoy about Microsoft 365. Ben discusses some of his favorite hidden gems in the software, and shares lawyer-specific insights on its licensing structure, security, mobile access, email encryption, and more. Ben M. Schorr is a s...
May 27, 2021•23 min•Season 1Ep. 161
Leading a law firm throughout the pandemic has been no easy task, but the lessons learned have helped many attorneys position their firms for a more tech-focused, efficient approach to business. Jim Calloway and Sharon Nelson talk with Mary Vandenack about how she has managed her law firm through the many changes wrought by the pandemic. She describes their transition to remote work, ways to support team communication and tech needs, and her firm’s focus on redesigning legal services to increase...
Apr 22, 2021•31 min•Season 1Ep. 160
For the first time ever, Clio has released a special trends report focused specifically on solo law firms! To talk about how this report came about and the helpful data it has to offer solo attorneys, Sharon Nelson and guest host John Simek welcome Clio’s CEO Jack Newton. Jack shares some of the most surprising insights gleaned from their solo survey, discusses pandemic-era changes in the behaviors of solos and their clients, and gives his take on what solo firms might do to become more agile an...
Mar 25, 2021•35 min•Season 1Ep. 159
Making smart choices online can help lawyers gain exposure and relationships that connect them with new clients. How? Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway welcome legal marketer Gyi Tsakalakis to discuss his top tips for effective, no-cost online client development. While money certainly can (and sometimes should!) be spent on marketing, Gyi stresses that some of the best ways to gain clients won’t cost you anything but time. Gyi Tsakalakis is a former lawyer and the founder of AttorneySync, an online...
Feb 25, 2021•23 min•Season 1Ep. 158
What will an online ABA TECHSHOW look like for attendees? Jim and Sharon welcome this year’s co-chairs, Allan Mackenzie and Roberta Tepper, to hear all about the reinvention of TECHSHOW 2021 in the virtual realm. With a 5-day schedule this year (March 8-12), attendees can look forward to having access to all sessions, a larger speaking faculty than ever before, and a variety of social and networking opportunities. Register now at: https://www.techshow.com/pricing/ . Allan Mackenzie is a veteran ...
Jan 26, 2021•28 min•Season 1Ep. 157
It might be a risky time to predict the future, but Jim and Sharon have decided to give it a whirl! Based on shifts they’ve seen throughout the legal community during 2020, they offer their thoughts on what lawyers should keep in mind as the new year begins. With topics ranging from the movement away from physical office space to cloud-based lawyering to the rise of ransomware, and more, Jim and Sharon talk about which changes they think will stick and what impacts we may see throughout the prof...
Dec 24, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 156
It’s time for Jim and Sharon ’s favorite podcast of the year – Tech Toys for the Holidays! In keeping with tradition, The Digital Edge hosts offer up their favorite practical and not-so practical tech toys, this year with plenty of remote work and COVID-related gift ideas in the mix. Pick up some wishlist inspiration for yourself and your favorite lawyer-nerds – a handy UVC sterilizer, the latest LegalBoard Wireless, ideas for your home workspace, a portable bug zapper (wait, what?), and so much...
Nov 23, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 155
In hopes of encouraging growth in their legal community in a variety of ways, Arizona has removed barriers preventing lawyers and non-lawyers from sharing fees. To learn more about what this change could mean for the profession as a whole, hosts Sharon and Jim talk with Arizona Vice Chief Justice Ann Timmer about the positive impacts they hope this new reform will bring. Along with hopes of helping law firms improve entrepreneurial success, the main driver behind this reform was to increase acce...
Oct 22, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 154
The Virginia Lawyers’ Wellness Initiative is bringing even more resources and educational opportunities to help attorneys prioritize wellbeing. Digital Edge hosts Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway welcome wellness coordinator Margaret Ogden to discuss the history and development of this new initiative and how attorneys can seek assistance, take advantage of CLE opportunities, find resources, and more. Margaret Ogden is the wellness coordinator at the Supreme Court of Virginia. Special thanks to our...
Sep 28, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 153
Young lawyers have been experiencing more professional hardship than senior lawyers during the pandemic. With a hard-hit economy, a halt on many networking opportunities, and fewer new jobs available, the outlook is uncertain for recent graduates attempting to get their careers off the ground. Jim Calloway and Sharon Nelson discuss these issues and more with young lawyer Graham Bryant. Graham outlines the unique stressors faced by young lawyers, shares coping strategies and resources, and offers...
Aug 27, 2020•33 min•Season 1Ep. 152
Attorneys have to be thorough in their preparations for court, but in David Notowitz’s experience, audio and video evidence is often inadequately presented. Digital Edge hosts Jim Calloway and Sharon Nelson talk with David about common mistakes lawyers make and his recommendations for effective, polished audio/visual presentations. David Notowitz is the founder and lead forensic expert at the National Center for Audio and Video Forensics. Special thanks to our sponsors, Clio , Scorpion , Blackle...
Jul 23, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 151
Sharon and Jim have reached a major milestone—the 150th edition of the Digital Edge ! For this special episode, they welcome fellow veteran podcasters Bob Ambrogi , Joe Patrice , and Tom Mighell to talk shop about the world of legal podcasting. They share favorite memories and horror stories and offer invaluable insights for aspiring podcasters. Special thanks to our sponsors, Clio , Scorpion , Blackletter Podcast , Alert Communications ....
Jun 25, 2020•41 min•Season 1Ep. 150
Until now, the legal profession has largely viewed technology as a thing that should be grafted onto the very traditional practice of law, but the onset of the pandemic has forced this opinion to change rapidly. Lawyers and judges who once eschewed the idea of online legal practice–and particularly online courts–are now working to find ways to innovate legal and court services to continue providing access to justice. In this edition of the Digital Edge , hosts Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway welc...
May 18, 2020•31 min•Season 1Ep. 149
The pandemic has caused rapid changes in the legal profession, and many lawyers are struggling to weather the storm. What can you do to bring your firm through this crisis? In this Digital Edge, Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway survey the new landscape of legal and discuss what you can do to keep up with important transitions in the practice of law. They share tips for cybersecurity, video conferencing, obtaining financial assistance, and future pandemic planning. Also, check out Jim’s recommendat...
Apr 27, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 148
Is your current technology setup really working for your law firm? And with new challenges to the practice of law during the coronavirus crisis, are you able to do remote work effectively? Jim Calloway and Sharon Nelson talk with Richard Ferguson about the types of tools all lawyers should have at the ready in their tech tool boxes. They tap into Richard’s wealth of knowledge on practical tech solutions for law firms of all sizes. Richard Ferguson practices law in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada with ...
Mar 24, 2020•30 min•Season 1Ep. 147
Higher instances of depression, stress, substance abuse, and even divorce amongst legal professionals continues to call attention to the need for an increased focus on lawyer well-being. Digital Edge hosts Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway talk with Stewart Levine about how his ABA-published book, “ The Best Lawyer You Can Be: A Guide to Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual Wellness ,” helps lawyers engage with their own well-being in healthier ways. Stewart Levine is the founder of Resolutio...
Feb 28, 2020•25 min•Season 1Ep. 146
Today’s consumers want services faster than ever, and the traditional legal service delivery model is no longer appealing to many in need of legal help. Erin Levine saw the need for her family law clients to have access to a simple, DIY approach to divorce that would save time and money and thus her successful platform, Hello Divorce, was born. The Digital Edge hosts Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway talk with Erin about how lawyers can develop their own sustainable approaches to online legal servi...
Jan 16, 2020•29 min•Season 1Ep. 145
ABA TECHSHOW 2020 is right around the corner! Digital Edge hosts Jim Calloway and Sharon Nelson talk with the conference’s co-chairs, Heidi Alexander and Catherine Sanders Reach , about what attendees have to look forward to at the upcoming TECHSHOW. They delve into the variety of topics the conference will focus on: new takes on well-being, practice management, academia-focused content, and more! They also share info on the special events at this year’s conference and highlight their exciting k...
Dec 23, 2019•29 min•Season 1Ep. 144
It’s that time of year again! Get ready to make some quirky additions to your wishlist. Digital Edge hosts Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway bring you their much-anticipated annual episode – Tech Toys for the Holidays! This year’s list includes another healthy variety of practical and not-so practical gift ideas, ranging from Rocketbooks to flash drives to your very own Death Star fire pit–just what you didn’t know you needed! Tune in for ideas for everyone on your holiday shopping list. Special th...
Nov 13, 2019•26 min•Season 1Ep. 143
Success isn’t just about numbers! If you are operating under continuous stress with little meaningful connection to the work you do, it might be time to rethink your approach. In this edition of The Digital Edge , hosts Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway are joined by Katy Goshtasbi to explore some of the more intrinsic challenges lawyers face in the process of business development. Katy explains the importance of reducing stress and defining your values in order to create business goals that serve ...
Oct 16, 2019•27 min•Season 1Ep. 142
In the cybersecurity world, ransomware and business email compromise are the two most commonly seen issues. Is your law firm safe from these attacks? If you’re not sure, tune in to learn cybersecurity basics from John Simek, vice president of Sensei Enterprises. Digital Edge hosts Jim and Sharon talk to John about the ways cyber attacks happen and the essential security practices needed to protect your law firm. Check out That One Privacy Site , John’s recommended resource for unbiased VPN compa...
Sep 27, 2019•31 min•Season 1Ep. 141
Are you up on the latest from the ABA’s Law Practice magazine? In this edition of the Digital Edge , Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway are joined by contributing features editor Lance Johnson to talk through recent articles in the magazine’s Big Ideas Issue. Lance shares the process the magazine goes through when choosing these “big ideas,” and gives an overview of its current focus on automation, AI, and emerging practice areas. They also discuss developing trends in the delivery of online legal s...
Aug 27, 2019•26 min•Season 1Ep. 140
What does it look like to operate an entirely web-based law firm? Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway talk to Brooke Moore about her expertise as a virtual practitioner. She explains the advantages of moving to this highly tech-driven method of practicing law, including greater efficiency, flexibility, and convenience in interactions with clients. Brooke also gives listeners a rundown of how her firm operates and addresses common concerns lawyers may have about starting their own virtual law firms. S...
Jul 25, 2019•26 min•Season 1Ep. 139
One estimate claims the number of lawyers with digital addiction could be as high as 40%, and lawyers’ need to constantly engage with technology makes it difficult to set boundaries. What can they do to unplug? In this edition of The Digital Edge , hosts Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway talk to Roberta Tepper about digital addiction in the legal profession and her tips for spending less time on mobile devices. Together, they discuss the signs and symptoms of addiction, caution against “text neck”,...
Jun 27, 2019•29 min•Season 1Ep. 138
Many lawyers are curious about chatbots but have little knowledge of how they can be applied in their legal practice. In this episode of The Digital Edge , hosts Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway talk to Tom Martin about how chatbots are being put to work in the legal industry. Tom talks about his background as a lawyer and shares what spurred his interest in developing chatbots. They discuss how this technology frees up lawyers’ time and helps them connect with more clients. Tom also offers his ad...
May 29, 2019•24 min•Season 1Ep. 137
The legal industry is transforming—what does this mean for lawyers in the future? In this episode of The Digital Edge , hosts Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway welcome Stacey Caywood and Dean Sonderegger to discuss the Wolters Kluwer 2019 Future Ready Lawyer Survey. They discuss the trends and findings of the survey, highlighting the things leading organizations were doing that boosted their future-readiness. The survey found that law firms that lead in leveraging technology outperformed others acr...
Apr 26, 2019•26 min•Season 1Ep. 136
If your law firm’s digital marketing plan isn’t working for you, consider changing your tactics! In this episode of The Digital Edge , hosts Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway talk to Gyi Tsakalakis about how to be successful in digital marketing for small and solo firms. They also advise lawyers to have ownership for all of their online content, caution against being overly self-promotional, and encourage lawyers to track and measure their marketing efforts to effectively evaluate success. Gyi Tsak...
Mar 27, 2019•31 min•Season 1Ep. 135
How are lawyers budgeting for technology in their firms and where do they need to catch up on legal tech? In this episode of The Digital Edge , hosts Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway talk to Sofia Lingos about the ABA 2018 Legal Technology Survey. The survey and its subsequent report gives lawyers current statistics on the state of technology implementation in law firms. They discuss how lawyers can use this information for ideas on what their firms need to do to stay level with emerging technolog...
Feb 27, 2019•29 min•Season 1Ep. 134
How can access to justice technologies be developed through a game? In this episode of Digital Edge , hosts Sharon Nelson and Jim Calloway talk to David Colarusso about the Learned Hands project. Learned Hands is a game in which lawyers spot possible legal issues in real people’s stories about their problems. This machine learning game identifies text classifiers for developing a new taxonomy that can be used to connect people with public legal help resources. Play the Learned Hands game at http...
Jan 31, 2019•31 min•Season 1Ep. 133
