The 80/20 Principle

Ernie Svenson
  • 5.0 (86)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY
The 80/20 Principle

Practical, concrete advice for lawyers who want to use technology to simplify and streamline their work to gain massive freedom and fulfillment. If you're a solo lawyer or run a small firm, the most critical areas of focus should be automation/AI, outsourcing, marketing, cybersecurity, and remote work skills. And that's what this podcast will help you with.

  1. FEB 4

    301: Stop Losing Billable Hours: How AI Simplifies Time-Keeping & Billing for Lawyers

    Nancy Jeng, co-founder of Billables.ai, reveals how passive time-keeping is changing the game for lawyers—capturing billable hours with zero effort and tailoring entries to your style. Learn how this AI-powered tool integrates seamlessly with Clio, Microsoft, and more, while offering surprising benefits even for lawyers who don’t bill for their time.  In this episode, you will hear: The transformative power of AI in legal timekeeping and billing Seamless integration of Billables AI with platforms like Clio, Microsoft, and Google Automation of time capture processes for precise and efficient billing Overcoming challenges in legal time management with AI-driven tools Versatility of Billables AI for various billing models, including flat fee and contingency-based firms Emphasis on personalization and adapting to individual user preferences in billing practices Resources from this Episode Billables.ai website 1-Minute Video Demo of Billables.ai (YouTube) 2-Minute video from Nancy's demo to my Inner Circle Nancy's email address: nancy@billables.ai 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) Other Resources The 80/20 Principle (email newsletter) The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice The Inner Circle (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.

    43 min

  2. JAN 21

    300: Leveraging AI by Balancing Critical & Creative Thinking

    Want to harness the power of AI while at the same time minimize risk? Then learn to balance critical and creative thinking as you use AI in your law practice. Listen and get concrete recommendations for making this happen now. In this episode, you will hear: Exploring AI's role in enhancing legal practice for solo and small firm lawyers Balancing critical and creative thinking in law with AI tools Practical steps for integrating AI, starting with low-risk tasks Importance of collaborative learning and peer insights in AI adoption Embracing AI's potential despite its flaws and imperfections Resources from this Episode Inner Circle membership link Loom video of How to use a Custom GPT to improve Writing 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) Other Resources The 80/20 Principle (email newsletter) The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice The Inner Circle (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.

    20 min

  3. JAN 7

    299: The Future of Legal Work: What Lawyers Need to Know in 2025

    How can solo attorneys harness AI to stay sharp and competitive? This episode dives into Microsoft’s new report on AI and how it will impact legal research, document review, and client service. Listen and get practical tips and strategies for leveraging AI in 2025—boosting productivity, streamlining work, and sharpening your edge.  In this episode, you will hear: Embracing AI to enhance productivity and client engagement for solo and small firm lawyers Insights from Microsoft's New Future of Work Report on AI integration in legal practices The concept of microproductivity and breaking tasks into manageable parts with AI Addressing concerns about AI diminishing human intelligence and highlighting collaboration benefits AI's role in contract drafting, client communication, and engagement through chatbots Increasing accessibility and affordability of AI tools for solo practitioners AI's potential to contribute to a more equitable legal system and bridge the justice gap Resources from this Episode Microsoft recent report on The Future of Work NotebookLM (Google's tool for generating realistic discussions between AI bots) 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) Other Resources The 80/20 Principle (email newsletter) The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice The Inner Circle (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.

    22 min

  4. 12/24/2024

    298: Thinking Like a Philosopher: Jonny Thomson on Truth, AI, and the Socratic Method

    Oxford philosophy professor Jonny Thomson explains how philosophy sharpens critical thinking, reveals hidden biases, and helps uncover the truth in a messy, complex world. From the Socratic method to the role of testimony and the challenges posed by AI, this episode dives into the intersection of philosophy, psychology, and the modern search for knowledge. A must-listen for lawyers and anyone who values sharper thinking. In this episode, you will hear: Exploration of the intersection between philosophy and artificial intelligence Johnny Thomson's transition from educator to full-time writer and his book "Mini-Philosophy" The role of the Socratic method in philosophy and law Discussion of Meno's Paradox and the debate between rationalism and empiricism Examination of the reliability of knowledge and the importance of reliable sources Contemplation of artificial intelligence's ability to replicate human intelligence Resources from this Episode Jonny's Website  Jonny on Instagram  Jonny on TikTok  Jonny's Big Think articles  Jonny's LinkedIn profile Mini Philosophy, book by Jonny Thomson Mini Big Ideas, book by Jonny Thomson Mini Psychology, book by Jonny Thomson 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) Other Resources The 80/20 Principle (email newsletter) The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice The Inner Circle (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.

    39 min

  5. 12/10/2024

    297: A Year of Remote Lawyering: How Jeff Austin Took His Practice to Patagonia

    In this episode, you'll hear from Jeff Austin, an estate planning attorney from Durham, North Carolina, who spent a year practicing law remotely while living in Argentina with his family. Jeff will explain how he transitioned to a paperless, remote practice, tackling challenges like how to notarize documents remotely, how to manage client communication, and how to handle physical mail. In this episode, you will hear: Jeff Austin's transition to a remote, paperless law practice while living in Argentina. Innovative solutions for remote notarization and client communication. Maintaining ethical standards as a North Carolina attorney practicing abroad. Practical strategies for building a credible online presence and client trust. The importance of technological tools like eSIM cards and virtual mail services. Adaptability and resourcefulness in international living and remote work. Resources from this Episode MyCase - Practice management software that Jeff used Traveling Mailbox - A physical mailbox service that scans and manages mail.  One Notary - Remote notarization service BestNotary - Concierge estate planning service that provides notary and witness services. Amazon Kindle - E-reader for reading work-related materials Next Stand - Portable laptop stand for ergonomic use. 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) Other Resources The 80/20 Principle (email newsletter) The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice The Inner Circle (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.

    32 min

  6. 11/26/2024

    296: Mastering Your Zoom Presence: Tips for Looking Professional Online

    You should optimize your appearance in online meetings and presentations to appear professional, credible and authoritative. You don't need to do a lot to make that happen, and in this episode you'll find out how with tips for best cameras, mics, backgrounds, plus simple, practical tips for being a good host and attendee. Topics covered: Why Your Zoom Appearance Matters The "Zoom Economy": Investing in On-Screen Appearance DIY Tips for a Professional Look Creating the Perfect Background Lighting and Makeup Tips Upgrading Your Webcam and Microphone Best Practices for Zoom Attendees Hosting Effective Zoom Meetings Conclusion and Additional Resources Resources from this Episode On Screen Authority training (free) Dream Studio  (the $8,000 studio) The Hustle article on Zoom trends Instructions for how to upload a custom background to Zoom Canva (for designing the custom background) Amazon soft light options ATR mic I use and recommend 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) Other Resources The 80/20 Principle (email newsletter) The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice The Inner Circle (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.

    17 min

  7. 11/12/2024

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

    In this episode Deb Feder shares her transition from business lawyer to a coaching business for business professionals. You'll hear about her early career trials, favorite book picks, and how technology has changed the legal profession. She'll also share her great advice on email efficiency, time management, client rapport, boundary setting, and using LinkedIn for business development. In this episode, you will hear: Deb Feder's transition from business law to coaching business owners, including lawyers Insights into refining email communication and mastering time management The challenges and opportunities of practicing law in the pre-tech era of 1999 Importance of authenticity and building genuine client relationships Mindfulness practices and setting boundaries for personal and professional success Resources from this Episode Tell Me More: Building Trusted Client Relationships through Everyday Interactions, by Deb Feder After Hello: How to Build A Book of Business, One Conversation at a Time, by Deb Feder Amplification Analyzer (Deb's tool for helping professionals decide where to best showcase their thought leadership) Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant (recommended book) Dean Jackson, marketing expert. 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) Other Resources The 80/20 Principle (email newsletter) The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice The Inner Circle (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.

    1h 1m

  8. 10/29/2024

    294: Google NotebookLM (plus AI in the Courtroom)

    This episode discusses Google's NotebookLM, an AI research assistant designed to handle groups of complex documents. Listen and learn about its amazing features, such as generating summaries, citations, and FAQs.  You can also hear the “audio overviews” feature, in which two bots discuss a recent case (Matter of Weber) involving the use of AI in the courtroom. Here are details of what was covered: Introduction to Google's NotebookLM Exploring NotebookLM's Features Getting Started with NotebookLM Demo of NotebookLM's Audio Summary Weber Case: Family Feud Over Bahamas Property AI in the Courtroom: A New Frontier The Legal Implications of AI Evidence Balancing AI Benefits and Risks Resources from this Episode Tiago Forte’s YouTube: How to use NotebookLM Perplexity Summary of NotebookLM Steven Johnson’s Medium article: How To Use NotebookLM As A Research Tool Check out GoogleLM (click here) The Matter of Weber (AI case discussed) Other 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

    18 min
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5
out of 5
86 Ratings

About

Practical, concrete advice for lawyers who want to use technology to simplify and streamline their work to gain massive freedom and fulfillment. If you're a solo lawyer or run a small firm, the most critical areas of focus should be automation/AI, outsourcing, marketing, cybersecurity, and remote work skills. And that's what this podcast will help you with.

Information

  • Creator
    Ernie Svenson
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    301
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    The 80/20 Principle

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