Fewer lawyers are gaining real courtroom experience, and the future of trial advocacy is at risk. In this special episode of On the Road, veteran trial attorney and educator Michael Schwartz examines why trial lawyers are becoming harder to find and what it takes to develop the skills true advocacy requires. Drawing on decades of experience trying hundreds of cases, Schwartz breaks down the foundations of effective trial lawyering, from witness examination and jury selection to professionalism, ethics, and strategy. He shares lessons from pivotal courtroom moments and explains why trials remain essential to the pursuit of justice and the search for truth. Michael Schwartz is a trial lawyer, legal educator, and founder of Trial Advocacy Group, where he trains lawyers nationwide in trial advocacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neurodivergence is far more common in the legal profession than many realize and when supported thoughtfully, it can be a powerful asset. In this special episode of On the Road, legal professional and advocate Christina Hough shares practical insights on working more effectively with neurodivergent attorneys, paralegals, clients, and colleagues. Drawing from both personal experience and decades in the legal field, Hough explores how conditions such as ADHD, autism, PTSD, and other neurodivergent traits can influence communication, learning styles, sensory processing, and collaboration. From inclusive meeting practices and clearer communication strategies to simple workplace accommodations that improve focus and outcomes, this episode offers a roadmap for building more inclusive, productive legal environments while recognizing the unique strengths neurodivergent professionals bring to the practice of law. Christina Hough is a neurodivergent legal professional, speaker, and advocate with more than 23 years of experience in the legal field. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Employment disputes strike at a person’s identity, security, and sense of control. In this special episode of On the Road, employment attorney Drew Levine explains why clients often resist settlement—even strong offers—and how trauma and betrayal shape their reactions throughout the case. He outlines a trauma-informed approach to lawyering, showing attorneys how to create safety, listen with intention, reset expectations, and rebuild trust with clients who may feel overwhelmed or unheard. From navigating ambivalence to reframing fairness versus legality, discover how centering humanity leads to stronger client relationships and better case outcomes. Drew Levine is an employment attorney in Southern California who represents clients in complex workplace disputes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI isn’t replacing legal professionals — it’s reshaping the work they do. In this special episode of On the Road, award-winning paralegals and educators Kelly Rednothy and Kristine Custodio Suero join attorney Michael Harris for a candid conversation about the skills and responsibilities legal pros need to stay competitive in an era of rapid technological change. Together, they break down the ethical obligations around technology competence, how generative AI is transforming legal research, drafting, and document review, and what it means to “trust but verify” in modern workflows. They also highlight the durable skills—critical thinking, emotional intelligence, communication, collaboration, and continuous learning—that will define the next generation of legal professionals. From understanding AI tools to protecting client confidentiality, this episode offers a grounded, practical roadmap for paralegals and legal teams preparing for the future. Kelly Rednothy is a litigation paralegal, educator, and legal solutions consultant. Kristine Custodio Suero is an award-winning paralegal, author, and past president of the San Diego Paralegal Association. Michael Harris is an attorney and Chief Revenue Officer at Brightline Counsel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode of On the Road, Nexl Chief Growth Officer Ben Chiriboga explains why the future of legal practice hinges on what AI can’t replicate: strong client relationships. He introduces the concept of “relationship intelligence” and shows how lawyers can use simple data points—from communication patterns to internal connections—to focus their limited time on building deeper, more strategic client relationships. Learn how a data-informed approach to business development can help lawyers move from service providers to true trusted advisors. Ben Chiriboga is the Chief Growth Officer at Nexl and a former practicing attorney. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Growing a law firm isn’t just about new clients. It’s about building a strong team and a seamless client experience. In this special episode of On the Road, paralegal and law-firm operations consultant Eda Rosa breaks down the long-term strategies firms need to scale sustainably. She explains why continual staff training, proactive workflows, clear communication, and data-driven systems are essential to reducing bottlenecks and improving client satisfaction. From strengthening internal processes to empowering your front-line team, discover how intentional structure and collaboration can elevate your firm’s performance and set the foundation for future growth. Eda Rosa is a paralegal, educator, and law-firm operations consultant specializing in workflow optimization and team development. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Despite our nation’s commitment to justice, the system sometimes falters, allowing the innocent to be wrongfully convicted. In this episode, Ed Watts sits down with Michael Semanchik, Executive Director of The Innocence Center, for a compelling conversation about the fight to free those unjustly imprisoned. Michael sheds light on how these miscarriages of justice occur, the human stories behind them, and the vital role attorneys play in supporting innocence projects. Learn more on the For the Innocent podcast, and visit Michael’s organization online: The Innocence Center - Securing Freedom For The Innocent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Family law is emotionally charged, complex, and full of pitfalls that can undermine even the most experienced attorney. In this special episode of On the Road, veteran family lawyer Claude Ducloux shares decades of hard-earned insights for running a successful practice. He covers how to set realistic client expectations, identify high-risk clients, handle social media ethically, protect yourself with documentation, and maintain civility and professionalism throughout every case. From practical billing and office management tips to strategies for fair settlements, Ducloux provides a roadmap for navigating family law with confidence, integrity, and clarity. Claude Ducloux is a family law attorney with nearly 48 years of experience guiding clients and shaping best practices in the field. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The American Legal Technology Awards recognize those who have shown excellence as technology innovators in the legal industry, and the 2025 winners have been chosen! Patrick Palace welcomes winners across three of this year’s categories—Jim Calloway (Lifetime Achievement Award), Jenifer Whiston (Artificial Intelligence Award), and Susan Choe (Court Award). Patrick learns more about the creative legal technology contributions of each individual, all of which have promoted tech understanding in the profession and furthered efforts for access to justice in our legal systems. Learn more about our winners’ organizations! Management Assistance Program - Oklahoma Bar Association Free Law Project Ohio Legal Help Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The best payment experiences are transparent and simple, but far too many law firms struggle with awkward payment barriers for their clients. Stephanie Everett welcomes A.J. Axelrod of Clio to discuss modern and secure billing practices for law firms. They consider common errors and archaic methods that may lead to profit losses, share insights from the Legal Trends Report, and talk about how Clio’s billing software can help you ensure best practices in client payments.  A.J. Axelrod is Clio's Vice President of Payments and Financial Services. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The reality is, if you don’t understand your metrics, you aren’t getting the most out of your marketing tactics. Gyi Tsakalakis welcomes fellow marketing pro, Margarita Eberline, to discuss her talk on how to leverage metrics to improve your law firm’s advertising strategies. Margarita explains how to effectively measure and engage with metrics to increase your ROI, make quality connections for better leads, get the visibility you need in your market, and much more. Margarita Eberline is the founder of Marketing Boss and offers coaching, teaching, and training for companies through fractional CMO services and workshops.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2025 Legal Trends Report is here—fresh with the latest insights into genAI, billing strategies, marketing tactics, client experience, and so much more. Adriana Linares and Ernie “The Attorney” Svenson sit down with Joshua Lenon, Lawyer in Residence at Clio, to gain a deeper perspective on the major findings in this year’s report. They discuss statistical shifts in legal practice data and consider both the inefficiencies and new possibilities revealed for lawyers and law firms. Clio’s full 2025 report is available now—completely free for all attorneys: Legal Trends Report | Data-Driven Insights for Law Firms | Clio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Listen in for insider tips on Clio’s newest products for law firms everywhere. Kim Bennett chats with Michelle Dunlea about new Clio offerings for intelligent legal workflows with integrated AI through Clio Work, Clio Library, and much more. Michelle shares insights into practical use cases for these new tools to increase productivity and profitability for law firms of all sizes.  Michelle Dunlea is Vice President of Product at Clio, leading the innovation and development of Clio’s portfolio of products to meet the evolving needs of legal professionals. Mentioned: Clio Work Clio Grow Clio Library Fidu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI in legal should allow lawyers to do better work for clients and create more accessible legal services, but it can be difficult for attorneys to wrap their heads around how and why this technology can change things for the better in their law firms. At ClioCon 2025, Gyi Tsakalakis sat down with Ed Walters to discuss strategies for embracing AI that reflect the care and wisdom attorneys must use as they integrate this revolutionary technology into legal practice.  Later, they also discuss the latest offerings from Clio, including new potential for better legal work through the Clio Work product powered by AI assistant Vincent and the Clio Library. Ed Walters is the Chief Strategy Officer of vLex and the co-founder of Fastcase.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What gets measured gets improved. In this On the Road episode, Bryan Billig, VP of Customer Education at Assembly Software, breaks down the most important data points law firms should be tracking—and the ones they shouldn’t stress over. From intake sources and case inventory to staff productivity and marketing ROI, Bryan explains how to turn firm data into actionable insights. Learn how consistent data entry, smart reporting, and a culture of measurement can reveal bottlenecks, boost efficiency, and strengthen your bottom line. Bryan Billig is Vice President of Customer Education at Assembly Software. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finding fulfillment in your legal career goes beyond technical skills. In this On the Road episode, Chad Aboud, Chief Commercial Officer at Good Lawyer and keynote speaker at the 2025 Legal Up Virtual Conference, shares how attorneys can uncover their natural gifts, align them with meaningful goals, and identify the environments where they thrive. Drawing from his own journey from big law to in-house roles to his current position, Chad outlines three core pillars that help lawyers design careers that feel purposeful, energizing, and impactful. Whether you’re just starting out or seeking a reset, discover practical steps to “job craft” a path that brings out your best. Chad Aboud is Chief Commercial Officer at Good Lawyer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Even experienced attorneys can stumble when it comes to ethics. In this On the Road episode, Joe Scott introduces Jordan Turk, Director of Education and Attorney Development at Smokeball, who breaks down the ten most common ethics mistakes lawyers make—and how to avoid them. From lapses in diligence and communication to mishandling client funds, failing to return files, and advertising pitfalls, Jordan offers practical strategies and real-world examples to help attorneys safeguard their practice and reputation. Jordan Turk is the Director of Education and Attorney Development at Smokeball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Video is no longer optional. It’s essential. In this special episode of On the Road, attorney, content creator, and video consultant Temi Siyanbade shares how legal professionals can harness video to expand their reach, build authority, and attract aligned opportunities. She introduces her “READY” framework, guiding lawyers through practical steps to reframe visibility, establish a clear message, assemble simple gear, draft with direction, and most importantly— say yes to showing up. From building client trust to positioning yourself as a leader, discover why visibility through video isn’t vanity, but a bold move toward the future of law. Temi Siyanbade is an attorney, content creator, and video consultant for legal professionals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosted by Michael Semanchik, For the Innocent exposes the shocking reality of wrongful convictions through raw, first-person stories from the exonerated. Season 3 returns September 9th featuring powerful accounts from Amanda Knox, JJ Velasquez, Bruce Lisker— three exonerees whose names have become synonymous with injustice— and more.  Through their voices, uncover how the justice system failed them, what it took to win back their freedom, and the lifelong impact of being branded guilty while innocent. Plus, hear legal and criminal experts break down the systemic flaws from false confessions and eyewitness misidentifications to flawed forensic science and corrupt police officers. This season uncovers the truth behind America’s most haunting wrongful convictions.  Season One and Two are now available. Subscribe to the show on ⁠⁠⁠Legal Talk Network⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Wealth Counsel’s robust estate planning drafting software has united with LEAP’s sleek automations to create a powerful end-to-end solution for estate planning and administration. Dan Lear talks with Ari Bulmash to discuss the combination of these technologies, along with other examples of merging tools in the legal technology sphere. They also look ahead to consider the implications of developments in AI and legal tech for attorneys and the future practice of law.   Ari Bulmash is Director of Estate Planning and Administration at LEAP Legal Software US. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices