The 80/20 Principle

Ernie Svenson
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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 learn more visit: https://ernietheattorney.net/

  1. vor 4 Tagen

    331: When AI Starts to Look Like Judgment (with Carolyn Elefant)

    Carolyn Elefant has been practicing law for thirty-five years and writing about solo practice for almost as long. In this episode she and Ernie get into how AI is changing litigation — not in theory, but in the cases she's handling right now. Carolyn walks through experiments she's run and posted publicly, including having AI draft the judge's opinion from both briefs before she wrote her reply, and hiding instructions inside a brief to see which AI tools would follow them. One tool refused. One followed them. The third declined the part it considered unethical and went along with the part it considered harmless — which is the interesting one, because it looks a lot like judgment. They also cover which tools she reaches for and when, why she pays for the business version instead of the free one, where a lawyer should start if all of this feels overwhelming, and her upcoming 'Bellwether AI Litigator' conference on September 17 and 18. Chapters 0:05 Episode Overview 1:45 Smith.ai Sponsor 2:30 A Small Firm That Fights Big Energy 7:09 Her First AI Experiments 10:46 Making AI Write the Judge's Opinion 12:59 The Prompt Injection Test 14:44 When AI Starts to Look Like Judgment 17:38 Connecting Claude to Email, Files, and Court Listener 25:02 Where a Lawyer Should Start 27:02 Free vs. Paid, and What Happens in Discovery 28:35 The Bellwether Litigator Conference Resource Links The Bellweather AI Litigator Conference info Early Bird Registration (special price) Carolyn's LinkedIn profile (follow her from here) The 80/20 Principle (my techlaw newsletter) The Inner Circle (my online community for lawyers) Follow and Review: I'd appreciate if you could drop a review over on  Apple Podcasts. It only takes a few seconds and helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to the 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. 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.

  2. 18. Aug.

    330: Why Claude Gets Dumber—and How Lawyers Can Use AI Better

    In this episode, Ernie Svenson talks with Docket Drafter co-founder Tommy Eberle about what lawyers need to understand to use AI tools like Claude more effectively. They unpack why Word documents consume so many tokens, why AI performance can decline during long chats, how context windows and compaction affect results, and when to use different Claude models and thinking levels. Tommy also explains how lawyers can use AI to organize files, automate repetitive document work, and build more efficient workflows—without needing to become programmers themselves. Chapters 0:05 Why AI Frustrations Make Sense 3:03 From Coding To Legal AI 8:05 Making Word Agent-Friendly 16:20 Why Claude Gets Dumber 26:21 Models, Thinking, And Compaction 34:33 Files, Folders, And Better Prompting Show Notes The 80/20 Principle (my techlaw newsletter) The Inner Circle (my online community for lawyers) Tommy Eberle's LinkedIn page Tommy's Email Address: tommy@docketdrafter.com  Docket Drafter https://www.youtube.com/@DocketDrafter  Follow and Review I'd appreciate it if you could drop a review over on  Apple Podcasts. It only takes a few seconds and helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to the 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. 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.

  3. 21. Juli

    329: Introduction to Claude and Its Potential

    Most lawyers using Claude are only scratching the surface of what it can do. In this episode, Ernie Svenson talks with former litigator and software founder Nick Chapleau about using Claude as more than a chatbot—as a chief of staff that can help run a modern law firm. They explore email triage, workflow automation, firm knowledge bases, custom dashboards, security, and what it takes to build a truly Claude-native practice. Chapters 0:05 Using Claude as Chief of Staff 2:34 Nick's Legal and Software Background 8:07 Building a Claude-Native Law Firm 14:55 Automating Email and Firm Workflows 19:54 Creating a Central Firm Wiki 31:06 Hosting, Security, and Implementation Resource Links The 80/20 Principle (my techlaw newsletter) The Inner Circle (my online community for lawyers) Follow and Review I'd appreciate it if you could drop a review over on  Apple Podcasts. It only takes a few seconds and helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to the 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. 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.

  4. 23. Juni

    328: The Golf Lesson That Changed How I Teach AI

    Most AI training for lawyers is shiny-object stuff — nine prompts, the "ultimate playbook" — and that's exactly why none of it sticks. My old golf instructor figured this out decades ago, and he taught me the fix before AI even existed. In this episode I tell that story and show you the one approach that actually works when you're learning to use AI in your practice. It's slower than chasing the next shiny thing, but it's the only thing that's ever worked. Resource Links The 80/20 Principle (my techlaw newsletter) The Inner Circle (my online community for lawyers) Follow and Review: I'd appreciate if you could drop a review over on  Apple Podcasts. It only takes a few seconds and helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to the 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. 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.

  5. 26. Mai

    327: How a Seasoned Litigator Became an AI Power User

    *]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:413b47b1-131b-4956-ab51-0904d0f6049f-1" data-turn-id-container= "request-WEB:413b47b1-131b-4956-ab51-0904d0f6049f-1" data-testid= "conversation-turn-4" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> Ernie Svenson sits down with complex litigation attorney Richard Serpe to explore how he went from struggling with AI basics to becoming an advanced user in just 18 months. Richard shares how he uses tools like Claude, Perplexity Computer, NotebookLM, and AI skills to manage complex cases, organize research, prepare witnesses, and build better legal workflows. They also discuss the real costs of agentic AI, why file structure matters, how lawyers can avoid getting locked into one platform, and why curiosity may be the most important skill for adopting AI in legal practice. Chapters *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-(--header-height)" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "c9c2e10c-c222-4dda-96fc-a25e253f5f32" data-testid= "conversation-turn-1" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn="user"> *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:b3210431-d026-4045-b30d-b7c09679a93c-2" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> 0:07 Richard's AI Journey 4:26 Early AI Friction 9:25 File Structure And Memory 15:34 Perplexity Computer Costs 26:17 Skills In Claude 35:57 Final AI Adoption Advice  Resource Links AI Lab (a weekly AI workshop for lawyers) LinkedIn post by attorney offering AI chatbot that protects privilege The Inner Circle (my online community for lawyers) The 80/20 Principle (my techlaw newsletter) Follow and Review: I'd love for you to follow me if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. I'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 the 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. 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.

  6. 12. Mai

    326: Perplexity for Lawyers: AI Research With Sources

    In this episode, we cover Perplexity—what it is, how it works, and why it deserves attention from solo and small firm lawyers. Ernie explains how Perplexity differs from traditional Google research by using AI to search the live web, synthesize answers, and provide footnoted citations so lawyers can quickly verify the sources behind the response. You'll also hear practical examples of how lawyers are using Perplexity to research opposing counsel, evaluate expert witnesses, get oriented in unfamiliar areas of law, and test assumptions with sourced answers. Whether you are new to AI research tools or already using ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini, this episode gives you a clear foundation for understanding where Perplexity fits—and why the next episode's conversation with Richard Serpe will make much more sense. Chapters *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-(--header-height)" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "c9c2e10c-c222-4dda-96fc-a25e253f5f32" data-testid= "conversation-turn-1" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn="user"> *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:b3210431-d026-4045-b30d-b7c09679a93c-2" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> 0:05 Perplexity Episode Overview 1:17 Smith AI Sponsor 2:49 Perplexity Basics 4:35 AI Landscape Comparison 6:27 Lawyer Use Cases 8:00 Paid Features 8:59 Perplexity Computer Preview 10:08 Inner Circle Invitation  Resource Links AI Lab (a weekly AI workshop for lawyers) LinkedIn post by attorney offering AI chatbot that protects privilege The Inner Circle (my online community for lawyers) The 80/20 Principle (my techlaw newsletter) Follow and Review: I'd love for you to follow me if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. I'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 the 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. 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.

  7. 14. Apr.

    325: Copilot Doubt To Power

    *]:pointer-events-auto [content-visibility:auto] supports-[content-visibility:auto]:[contain-intrinsic-size:auto_100lvh] R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:209964d7-bb1a-4960-b41a-618e44294208-1" data-testid= "conversation-turn-4" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> In this episode, we talk with tax litigator Brandon Siegal about why Microsoft Copilot has gone from a disappointing experiment to a genuinely useful AI tool for legal work. We unpack what changed with Microsoft's latest updates, including direct Word editing, deeper research capabilities, and new ways to connect AI with the documents and systems lawyers already use every day. You'll also hear Brandon explain his "braiding" approach—combining multiple AI tools so they strengthen each other's output—and why he believes Google Gemini remains one of the most overlooked options for lawyers. Whether you are testing Copilot, comparing AI platforms, or building a smarter workflow, this conversation offers practical ideas for getting more value from the tools available right now. Chapters *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-(--header-height)" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "c9c2e10c-c222-4dda-96fc-a25e253f5f32" data-testid= "conversation-turn-1" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn="user"> *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:b3210431-d026-4045-b30d-b7c09679a93c-2" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> 0:05 Copilot Skeptic To Believer 2:00 Brandon's AI Journey 7:18 Wave 3 And Word Editing 13:02 Braiding Multiple AI Tools 14:46 Deep Research And Cowork 23:54 Why Gemini Stands Out   Resource Links AI Lab (a weekly AI workshop for lawyers) LinkedIn post by attorney offering AI chatbot that protects privilege The Inner Circle (my online community for lawyers) The 80/20 Principle (my techlaw newsletter) Follow and Review: I'd love for you to follow me if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. I'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 the 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. 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.

  8. 24. März

    324: Why I switched from ChatGPT to Claude

    In this episode, we explore why a long-time ChatGPT user made the switch to Claude and what ultimately drove that decision. We break down how features like direct file access, structured project workflows, and custom skills are transforming the way lawyers handle complex, document-heavy work. You'll hear how AI can dramatically speed up tasks like course creation, improve writing quality, and act more like a true thinking partner. Whether you're new to AI or already using it in your practice, this episode highlights how choosing the right tool—and setting it up properly—can unlock a whole new level of productivity. Chapters *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-(--header-height)" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "c9c2e10c-c222-4dda-96fc-a25e253f5f32" data-testid= "conversation-turn-1" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn="user"> *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:b3210431-d026-4045-b30d-b7c09679a93c-2" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> 0:05 Why I Switched AI Tools 1:10 Sponsor: Smith AI Overview 2:25 Claude Co-Work Feature 4:10 Building Courses With Claude 7:05 Training Claude & Turning Point 9:30 Skills Feature For Lawyers 12:10 Final Thoughts & Recommendation Resource Links AI Lab (a weekly AI workshop for lawyers) LinkedIn post by attorney offering AI chatbot that protects privilege The Inner Circle (my online community for lawyers) The 80/20 Principle (my techlaw newsletter) Follow and Review: I'd love for you to follow me if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. I'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 the 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. 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.

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Info

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 learn more visit: https://ernietheattorney.net/

Informationen

  • Erstellt von
    Ernie Svenson
  • Jahre aktiv
    2018 - 2026
  • Folgen
    331
  • Bewertung
    Unbedenklich
  • Sendungswebsite
    The 80/20 Principle

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