Log in

goodpods headphones icon

To access all our features

Open the Goodpods app
Close icon
headphones
New Solo

New Solo

Legal Talk Network

profile image

1 Creator

profile image

1 Creator

So, you’re a new lawyer or you’re new to practicing solo. You’ve got your game plan. Now what? First, know that you’re not ‘alone. It’s the fastest growing segment of the legal profession. Welcome to New Solo here on the Legal Talk Network, where you’ll learn a lot about practicing law. SOLO!

1 Listener

bookmark
Share icon

All episodes

Best episodes

Seasons

Top 10 New Solo Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best New Solo episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to New Solo for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite New Solo episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

AI, artificial intelligence, is super cool. But it’s not perfect, and it can get you into trouble. Start by reading the terms of service. Understand if you’re getting something for free, you get what you pay for. And finally, be careful.

ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and all the new, exciting versions of artificial intelligence, AI, are exciting. But have you read the “terms of service?” Guest Daniel Whitehouse is a lawyer who practices in the areas of IT and digital security. He says even lawyers forget to read (really read) the terms. And that’s a mistake.

Do you know who owns the data you input? Is it being absorbed into the AI’s own machine learning and shared with the public? Broadcasting your information into the world, for everyone to see, can be as easy as a checkbox you clicked on.

Not to make you paranoid, but ... be a bit paranoid. Even if you’re using Microsoft 365 and OneDrive, do you know if you’re using the professional or personal version (hint: there is a difference).

Got questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at [email protected]

Topics:

  • AI is a miracle but remember, it’s a “continuous learning model.” What is it learning from you? What are you sharing with these products?
  • If you can’t find something you’re looking for in the terms of service, ask why that information is so hard to find. Be suspicious. Terms and service provisions should be clear and easy to read.
  • Understanding how AI uses information, and how accurate it is, is especially vital in the legal world.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Previous appearance on New Solo: “Did You Really Read Those Terms of Service?”

Previous appearance on New Solo: “Data Security and Florida Breach Notification Law”

Bob Ambrogi, LawNext.Com

Damien Riehl, LinkedIn

Carolyn Elefant, My Shingle

Microsoft 365

Microsoft OneDrive

Microsoft Copilot, “Announcing Microsoft Copilot, Your Everyday AI Companion”

Copilot for Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Copilot

Windows Security Center

Microsoft Defender XDR

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode

Personal injury attorney Joshua “Josh” Bonnici left his first job out of law school to launch his own firm. Starting from scratch, just nine months later he hired his first employee and has been growing ever since. Bonnici built on his own love of cycling to focus on bicycle accidents and injuries, helping bicyclists in the bustling city of San Diego.

Now he’s known as “The Bike Guy” and stands out in the crowded personal injury field by specializing in an area he’s passionate about. He’s an example of specializing in something you love, and he’s sharing his story with new lawyers just starting out.

Bonnici walks us through, step by step, how he took advantage of an available incubator system, learned on the job from a mentor, and built his practice and his reputation. Hear how he got started, networked, built a brand, made himself memorable, and hired an assistant to make himself more productive. Real lessons from real life.

Got questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at [email protected]

Topics:

  • “Follow your passion” is common advice. But in the case of guest Josua Bonnici, his passion for bicycling helped him stand out in the crowded personal injury field.
  • Hiring your first employee. Why it’s scary and why it’s necessary.
  • How to develop a website and social media presence with a library of videos and testimonials.

Resources:

California Lawyers Association

Thomas Jefferson School of Law

San Diego Bar Association

Joshua Bonnici previous appearance on Legal Talk Network’s “On The Road” podcast

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode

The world is changing, technology is changing, and the threats to your private files and security are changing. The evolution of AI is making it hard to keep up.

But don’t lose hope. It’s been a while since we’ve had IT expert Adam Alexander with us, but he’s back with more tips for solo practitioners and small practices. Alexander and his firm, InterNetwork IT, help attorneys identify, deploy, and manage security solutions and keep firms running efficiently.

AI is shaking up everything. We’ll talk about Microsoft AI “Copilots” and how Microsoft is integrating AI into your entire PC experience. You’ll be surprised at how this combination works for both Windows and Macs.

Learn how to check security settings. Breaches are real and can be costly. Hear why it’s so important (and easy) to back up your files offsite

We’ve seen some tremendous tools in both productivity and security. If you aren’t keeping up, you might be missing out on some time saving hacks (even a way to convert handwriting to text built into your Snipping tool). Get the scoop on this episode of New Solo. .

Got questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at [email protected]

Topics:

  • AI is changing a lot, including the simplest tasks. In our latest tech talk, dive into AI products that plug right into your web browsers.
  • Why file security is so important (and protecting your files is easier than you think ... if you pay attention).
  • Some daily activities require specific security efforts, including Payment Card Industry (PCI) security and even, if you work with medical information, HIPAA security. But you can do it.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Previous appearance on New Solo, “The Microsoft 365 Special: Your Questions, Expert Answers”

Microsoft 365

Microsoft OneDrive

Microsoft Copilot, “Announcing Microsoft Copilot, Your Everyday AI Companion”

Copilot for Microsoft 365

Copilot for Microsoft Edge

Microsoft Copilot for Windows

Windows Security Center

Microsoft Defender XDR

LawPay

Clio

Microsoft HIPAA products

Previous episode, “A Short Primer on Microsoft Accounts, OneDrive, and SharePoint”

Previous episode, “The All-Mac Edition: The Episode For Mac-Curious Attorneys”

Previous episode, “HIPAA Happens, But Compliance Software Can Help

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode

You’ve opened your firm, hung out the shingle, and taken the leap. Now that you’ve made it a year or two, what’s next? There’s no step-by-step guide for small and solo practitioners, but you can learn from those who established a solo practice and made it through the first few years and how they’re moving forward. Hear guest Joanne Martin’s story, how she learned to hire, add relevant tech, and build on her success.

Martin is the founder, managing director, lawyer, and accredited mediator at Align Family Law, a boutique law practice based in Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Hear how she joined professional organizations, expanded her marketing, and drove her practice to the next step.

As you grow, you can build a network of like-minded professionals, ask clients for a Google review, manage and improve your branding and website, and hire a pro when you need technical help (and even personal coaching). You’ll learn as you go, but you can also learn from others.

Once you get your feet under you, it can be tempting to be overly cautious with your emerging practice, but growth is essential. Spend the money when you need to, hire when the practice demands. Get better and bigger.

Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at [email protected]

Topics:

  • Launching a solo firm is hard. But so is taking that firm to the next level. Hear tips for growing beyond a one person show
  • Adding associates and support staff may sound challenging, but making the right additions builds your business and takes routine tasks off your shoulders.
  • It’s OK to spend on the tools and professionals you need, such as legal and practice management software and professional help optimizing your tech, even professional coaching.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Collaborative Family Separation Professionals

Legends Legal Marketing

AlignFamilyLaw.ca

Clio (Grow, Manage, Documents, and Payments)

Microsoft 365

DivorceMate

Adobe

Melissa Shanahan, Velocity Work coaching

Previous appearance, “A Second Career: Building a Solo Law Practice Later in Life”

Previous episode, “Productivity Boost: Real Uses of AI in the Software You Already Have”

Previous episode, “Google, Maps, And Business? This is YOUR Episode”

Previous episode, “A Better AI, Built For Lawyers: Results You Can Finally Trust?”

1 Listener

bookmark
plus icon
share episode

These days there are so many options for legal practices that lawyers starting a solo practice often get carried away and spend too much. It is difficult to distinguish the essential hardware and software needs from supplementary products. With everything solo lawyers have to think about, technology questions can seem overwhelming, expensive, and important. Is a Mac or a PC better for a practice? Is it necessary to have a printer, scanner, copier, and fax machine? What about all of the software products available for practice management, document management, email, or a PDF editing processor? Most lawyers with their own practice could use a break down of necessary technology products and how much to spend on each.

On this episode of New Solo, Adriana Linares interviews the Lawyerist CEO and Editor in Chief, Sam Glover, about practice management essentials, what hardware and software to buy when starting a solo practice, and how much to spend. Glover discusses laptops and desktops, Macintosh computers versus PCs, what to invest in a printer, scanner, and internet, and why it is pointless to buy a fax machine or copier in 2014. He recommends services that provide a secure VPN, a secure client portal, and that cloud-based softwares are often less expensive, easier to use, and updated more often. Some other top essential products he suggests include a Gmail business account, Microsoft 365, OneDrive, Acrobat Pro, Google Voice, and several potential alternatives. To maintain a professional practice, he also highly recommends a virtual receptionist like Ruby Receptionists. In the end, he stresses the importance of spending the right amount of money on the products your new solo practice needs.

Sam Glover is the CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Lawyerist.com, an online magazine and reference manual for solo and small firm lawyers. He has written and spoken extensively about legal technology, marketing, management, and ethics, among other topics. In addition, he was a practicing lawyer from 2005 to 2011 for his own firm, The Glover Law Firm, LLC, before he sold it to focus on representing tech startup companies. The Lawyerist is well known for honestly discussing topics and being fair to the subject.

Special thanks to our sponsor, Solo Practice University.

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Early blockchain co-inventor Scortt Stornetta and IBM’s Shawnna Hoffman discuss the past, present, and future of blockchain. Learn how this technology is already impacting your life.
bookmark
plus icon
share episode

The episode you’ve been waiting for. An all-Mac special with real Mac experts. More and more lawyers are using Apple Mac tech, including iPones, iPads, and laptops.

In the past, there were challenges shifting between Mac and Microsoft, but today’s practice management programs can work on both systems. You like Macs? Then go for it, there is less and less to hold you back.

Why Mac over PC? Cost, battery life, integrations between iPhones, the Apple watch, and iPads, as well as security are considerations. Only 15% to 20% of lawyers use Macs, so you do need to think things through and ensure you can share information with your Microsoft colleagues and opposing counsel. There are advantages and disadvantages. Make sure you understand every aspect.

There are some basics to getting started. Maybe most important is to not “cheap out” when you’re getting your computer system set up. Our guests explain what you need, including processor speed and memory. It all matters. Law is your business, your computer is your tool. If you’re investing anywhere, it’s here. RAM? ROM? Gigs? Ports? What do you need?

Got questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at [email protected]

Topics:

  • Lawyers use Macs. Yes, it happens, and it can go well.
  • Know what kind of needs you have and learn how to use your Mac to your advantage. Speed, cross-platform exchanges, and even weight matter.
  • Programs abound for Mac lawyers. It’s not like the olden days when Microsoft programs only worked on Microsoft platforms. Adobe, Word, Excel all can work smoothly on a Mac.

Mentioned in this Episode:

Macs In Law Offices

Jeff Richardson’s prior appearances on Legal Talk Network

Brett Burney’s prior appearances on Legal Talk Network

Mac

Codeweavers

Parallels

USB hubs on Amazon

Adobe subscriptions

Textexpander

Textexpanders for Lawyers

Setapp for Mac

Ulysses app for Mac

Quick Look for Apple

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Host Adriana Linares sits down with Renée Thompson, mediator and member of the Florida Bar Board of Governors, to discuss what tools enable her to accomplish her goals, to review her accomplishments during her time on numerous bar committees, and to look forward towards her planned run for Florida Bar president (and why being a solo practitioner is an asset for the role).
bookmark
plus icon
share episode

Taking the plunge into solo practice can be intimidating. Maybe even downright terrifying. But it doesn’t have to be. This is part 2 of the New Solo episode in which host Adriana Linares talks to Rose-Ellen Fairgrieve, Tony Chiosso, and Albert Thuesen about their experiences running their own solo law firms and advice for those thinking about doing the same. Their tips and tricks range from scanners they use in the office to marketing techniques and social media. Whether you are looking for experience with video conferencing software or finding a solo community, these experts have you covered.

Rose-Ellen Fairgrieve has been a practicing attorney in the public and private sector for nearly 20 years. She has owned Fairgrieve Law since 2013.

Albert Thuesen is the principal of Coit Law Group (CLG), founded in 2014 in San Francisco. CLG is a full service civil practice, focusing on handling litigation claims on behalf of individuals, families, and local business clientele.

Tony Chiosso recently started his own firm, Chiosso Law. He has represented clients in a variety of transactional, consulting and litigation matters throughout his career.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Clio, Answer1, PerfectIt, and Unbundled Attorney.

bookmark
plus icon
share episode
Amanda Moore, CPA, shares tips on how to manage your practice’s finances and your bookkeeper as well as keeping yourself off the IRS’ radar.
bookmark
plus icon
share episode

Show more best episodes

Toggle view more icon

FAQ

How many episodes does New Solo have?

New Solo currently has 143 episodes available.

What topics does New Solo cover?

The podcast is about Marketing, Management, Podcasts and Business.

What is the most popular episode on New Solo?

The episode title 'AI And The Evolving Security Threats (And Protections)' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on New Solo?

The average episode length on New Solo is 41 minutes.

How often are episodes of New Solo released?

Episodes of New Solo are typically released every 30 days, 1 hour.

When was the first episode of New Solo?

The first episode of New Solo was released on Jan 4, 2011.

Show more FAQ

Toggle view more icon

Comments