The Florida Bar's LegalFuel Podcast The Florida Bar

Lawyers often invest in technology but may not utilize it effectively, leading to a missed return on investment. Strategic spending on impactful technology is crucial when you are a solo or small firm on a budget.
 
In today’s episode, hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore welcome Catherine Sanders Reach, to discuss cost-effective technology tools and services you may already have at your disposal.
 
Catherine Sanders Reach provides practice technology and management assistance to lawyers and legal professionals. Formerly, she was Director of Law Practice Management and Technology for the Chicago Bar Association and the Director at the American Bar Association’s Legal Technology Resource Center. Prior to her work at the NCBA, CBA and ABA she worked in library and information science environments for several years, working at Ross and Hardies as a librarian. She received a master’s degree in library and information studies from the University of Alabama.
 
Catherine’s professional activities include articles for Law Practice magazine, Law Technology News and GPSolo Magazine, as well as numerous other publications. She has given presentations on the use of technology in law firms for national bar conferences, state and local bar associations and organizations such as the National Association of Bar Council and the Association of American Law Schools. 
 
This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 1.0 hour of Technology CLE credit. Course # 8284. 
 
REFERENCED RESOURCES: 
·        About Catherine Sanders Reach
·        Subscribe to North Carolina Bar Association CPM ICYMI Newsletter
·        Articles Written by Catherine Sanders Reach
o  Free and Cheap Technology for Thrifty Lawyers
o  Can MS 365 Replace Law Practice Management Software?
o  Expand MS 365 with Add-ins and Integrations
o  Adobe Acrobat Has a New (Inter)Face
o  Microsoft 365 versus Google Workspace
o  Trying Out LinkedIn Newsletters
·        Other Resources
o  Microsoft Bookings
o  Use Planner in Microsoft Teams
o  Removing sensitive content from PDFs
o  Fastcase Quick Reference Guide
o  Dashlane Authenticator app
o  Keeper Authenticator
o  Zoom VoIP Phone Services
o  Microsoft Teams Phone
·        LegalFuel: The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center 
 

Back in the day, law firms either relied on their reputations and referrals from former clients or they paid for billboards and phone book ads. If you are a solo or small firm practitioner, you likely don’t have a lot of time or a huge marketing budget to compete with larger firms to attract new clients, but a simple, well-crafted digital marketing strategy can be all that you need for maintaining a steady flow of client activity.
 
In today’s episode, hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore welcome Rob Saravia and Jeff Hazen, to discuss practical marketing tips and Bar Advertising Rules. 
 
Rob Saravia is The Florida Bar’s new marketing manager aiding growth in the Programs Department. He brings over 4 years of experience in the marketing field, with a focus on the dynamic realm of retail marketing. Rob is a graduate of Florida State University with a double major in Marketing and Economics. 
 
Jeff Hazen serves as the Assistant Ethics Counsel for the Florida Bar, with over 15 years of dedicated service. Throughout his tenure at The Florida Bar, Jeff has handled thousands of inquiries on the Ethics Hotline, assessed numerous lawyer advertisements, and issued dozens of staff Ethics Opinions. Jeff is a distinguished alumnus of the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
 
This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 0.5 hour of General CLE credit including 0.5 hour of Ethics CLE credit. Course # 8214. 
 
REFERENCED RESOURCES: 
• Article: Law Firm Marketing Strategy: Top 8 Ideas to Grow a Legal Practice (by Clio)
• The Florida Bar Advertising Regulation and Information
• Handbook on Lawyer Advertising and Solicitation
• Chapter 4 Rules of Professional Conduct
• 4-7.13 Deceptive and Inherently Misleading Advertisements
• 4-7.16 Presumptively Valid Content
• 4-7.18 Direct Contact with Prospective Clients
• 4-7.20 Exemptions from the Filing and Review Requirement
• Florida Bar Ethics Opinion 20-01: Negative Online Reviews
• Florida Bar Ethics Opinion 21-1: Negative Online Reviews
• Ethics Hotline 800-235-8619
• Grow Your Practice – Join the Lawyer Referral Service
• LegalFuel: The Practice Resource Center of The Florida Bar
• LegalFuel: Marketing Resources

Microsoft 365 is a must for many legal professionals who rely on its wide range of time saving and regularly enhanced tools. There are also specifically designed features within the software to streamline your daily legal workflow that you may not be aware of. Now artificial intelligence has been integrated across Microsoft 365. It’s called Copilot and it is poised to become your new digital assistant inside of all the Microsoft applications that you are already using. Smart lawyers should take note and ask how Copilot can instantly and fundamentally change how you get work done in your firm. 
In today’s episode, hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore welcome Ben Schorr, a Senior Content Manager at Microsoft, to discuss Microsoft 365 and Copilot. 
 
Ben Schorr is a Senior Content Program Manager at Microsoft. He is also the author of several books and articles on technology including “The Lawyer’s Guide to Microsoft Outlook,” “The Lawyer’s Guide to Microsoft Word” and “OneNote in One Hour.” He was a Microsoft MVP for 20 years and has been involved in management and technology for more than 30. In his free time, he’s a slow Ironman triathlete and a high school football coach. He currently lives with his family in Redmond, WA.
This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 1.0 hour of Technology CLE credit. Course # 8203. 
REFERENCED RESOURCES: 
Ben Schorr - LinkedIn
Books by Ben SchorrArticle by Ben Schorr: Which Office 365 Package is Right for Your Law Firm?Microsoft
Microsoft CopilotOfficial Microsoft Blog: Announcing Microsoft Copilot, your everyday AI companionMicrosoft: Rehearse your slide show with Speaker CoachSummarize an email thread with CopilotGet started with Microsoft 365 Chat in Microsoft TeamsMicrosoft OneDrive for BusinessNatural language search in Outlook  LegalFuel: The Practice Resource Center of The Florida Bar

Beginning in March of 2020, the pandemic transformed every aspect of our lives. For most of us who had reported to an office every day, this meant a very sudden shift to remote only work. Law firms had to quickly adapt to stay connected to the courts, colleagues, and their clients. We are now more than three years out and while some firms found that remote work was seamless and chose to continue it, other firms have gone to a hybrid model or banned remote work completely. According to a recent ABA report, 89% of lawyers in private practice are allowed to work remotely, with 18% permitted to work out of the office all the time and 45% with the flexibility to choose their own schedule. Here at the Practice Resource Center, we were curious to hear how it’s all working out.
In today’s episode, hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore welcome Richard Rivera, Partner at Smith Gambrell Russell, to discuss how the firm’s Jacksonville office has adapted to the new normal.
Richard Rivera received his B.A. in Economics from the University of Florida in 2009 and earned his J.D. degree, cum laude, from the Florida State University College of Law. Rich works in both the Litigation and the Intellectual Property Practice Groups. His IP practice is concentrated in trademark and copyrights, compliance with state and federal laws governing sweepstakes and other promotional activities, software and internet technology, marketing, and licensing issues. He also prosecutes trademark and copyright registrations before the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States Copyright Office. Rich is also the current Chair of The Florida Bar’s Mental Health and Wellness of Florida Lawyers Committee.
This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 1.0 hour of Mental Health and Wellness CLE credit. Course # 8185.
REFERENCED RESOURCES: 
 Smith Gambrell Russell
About Rich RiveraABA Article: Are law firm leaders having second thoughts on remote work? Intapp Time
Article: How to Work Remotely as a Legal Professional: A Guide (from Clio)
Article: Working remotely is now a top priority, says new ABA report highlighting lasting shifts in practice of law
ABA 2022 Practice Forward Report: Where Does the Legal Profession Go from Here? LegalFuel: The Practice Resource Center of The Florida Bar

A recent Bar News article stated that: “Trust account maintenance and compliance is critically important. Lawyers who agree to hold money in trust have an ethical obligation to account for every penny as long as the funds remain in their possession. Commingling of funds, poor ledger management, and even basic accounting errors can result in client complaints, audits, and disciplinary action that could lead to suspension or disbarment. And while most attorneys diligently comply with Rules Regulating Trust Accounts (Chapter 5), trust accounting violations have ranked among the top three most common disciplinary complaints over the past three years and is on track to be the top complaint in 2022-2023.”
That is why Scott Westheimer, the current Florida Bar president, has made it a top priority to offer all Florida Bar members a high-quality, free trust accounting solution. In partnership with Nota by M&T Bank, this initiative has become a reality. 
In today’s episode, hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore welcome Nota Co-Founder and CEO, Paul Garibian, and Nota Product Manager, Rosalie Shaughnessy, to discuss the Florida Bar’s newest member benefit, Nota by M&T Bank.
Paul Garibian holds an MBA from The Wharton School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida. Paul is a Co-Founder and CEO of Nota, the Florida Bar’s free member benefit that helps lawyers manage their trust accounts.
Rosalie Shaughnessy is a graduate of the University of Buffalo and has over 10 years of experience in business analysis, testing and quality assurance, and over four years as a test lead for digital banking. Rosalie is currently the Product Manager for Nota, and previously worked as a Business System Analyst for M&T Bank.
This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 0.5 hour of General CLE credit including 0.5 hour of Ethics CLE credit. Course # 8089. 
REFERENCED RESOURCES: 
Nota by M&T Bank
About UsNota Trust Accounting – Member Benefit
Article: The Florida Bar to Provide Members with Access to Nota’s Interest on Trust Accounts (IOTA) Management Platform at No Cost
Article: In a First for a State Bar, Florida to Provide All Members With Free Trust Accounting Software to Help Ensure Compliance and Protect the Public
LawNext Podcast: The Florida Bar’s Precedent-Setting Decision To Give Every Lawyer Access To Trust Accounting Software
CLE: Trust Accounts by the Book
LegalFuel: The Practice Resource Center of The Florida Bar

Chatbots and AI platforms have the potential to revolutionize the way law firms operate, bringing numerous benefits to both legal professionals and their clients. These technologies can streamline administrative tasks, enhance research capabilities, and provide quick and accurate responses to routine legal inquiries. By automating repetitive and time-consuming processes, chatbots can free up lawyers' time, allowing them to focus on more complex and strategic aspects of their work. However, it's crucial for legal professionals to be mindful of the ethical concerns surrounding the use of chatbots and AI in the legal field.
In today’s episode, hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore welcome Tom Martin, CEO of LawDroid, to discuss how AI and chatbots can automate a firm’s processes.
About Tom Martin:
Tom is a graduate of Yale and UCLA School of Law, and is a legal AI advocate, lawyer, author, and speaker. He is the CEO and founder of LawDroid, a Generative AI Legal Technology Company, and is a co-founder of the American Legal Technology Awards. Clients include ARAG Legal Insurance, Fasken, Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services, Palace Law, and many law firms.
Tom has been recognized as an ABA Legal Rebel and a Fastcase 50 Honoree. He has presented at the ABA TECHSHOW, LegalWeek, ILTACON, ClioCon, and Legal Innovators. Tom’s writing has been published in the ABA’s Law Practice Today, Law Technology Today, and GP Solo Magazine.
Tom has his own podcast: LawDroid Manifesto on iTunes. He also serves as a mentor at the Yale Tsai Center for Innovative Thinking and ATJ Tech Fellows.
This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 1.0 hour of Technology CLE credit. Course #7932. 
REFERENCED RESOURCES: 
Tom Martin
LawDroidThe LawDroid Podcast
American Legal Technology Awards
Article: New GPT-Based Chat App from LawDroid Is a Lawyer’s ‘Copilot’ for Research, Drafting, Brainstorming and More
Article: Chatbots sometimes make things up. Is AI’s hallucinations problem fixable?
Harvard: Library Innovation Lab
LegalFuel: The Practice Resource Center of The Florida Bar