#555: How to Use AI and Universal Design to Empower Diverse Thinkers with Susan Tanner

What if the key to better legal work isn’t just smarter tools but more inclusive ones? Susan Tanner, Associate Professor at the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, joins Zack Glaser to explore how AI and universal design can improve legal education and law firm operations. Susan shares how tools like generative AI can support neurodiverse thinkers, enhance client communication, and reduce anxiety for students and professionals alike. They also discuss the importance of inclusive design in legal tech and how law firms can better support their teams by embracing different ways of thinking to build a more accessible, future-ready practice. The conversation emphasizes the need for educators and legal professionals to adapt to the evolving landscape of AI, ensuring that they leverage its capabilities to better serve their clients and students.

Links from the episode:  

NetDocuments

NetDocuments Demo Request

Listen to our other episodes about diversifying learning strategies and the AI revolution:

• #405: The Diverse Way People Think, with Temple Grandin: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist
• #551: Becoming the AI Driven Leader, with Geoff Woods: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist
• #550: Beyond Content: How AI is Changing Law Firm Marketing, with Gyi Tsakalaki and Conrad Saam: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist
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Chapters: 

00:00 – Intro and Lawyerist's New Programs 

03:50 – NetDocuments with Patric Thomas 

10:49 – Meet Dr. Susan Tanner 

12:30 – AI and Legal Ethics 

13:30 – What is Universal Design for Learning? 

20:59 – Applying Universal Design in Legal Practice 

24:45 – Using AI to Support Diverse Thinkers 

29:33 – AI as a Communication Partner 

34:01 – Law Students and AI Adoption 

38:04 – AI for Lawyer Productivity and Mental Health 

44:00 – Enhancing Critical Thinking with AI 

46:00 – Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts