Law Labs

If you are a solo or small firm attorney trying to figure out where AI fits in your practice, this episode of LawLabs (a special series from the Modern Arizona Podcast) is your starting point. Carolyn Elefant breaks down exactly how to begin with AI tools, why most lawyers are evaluating them in the wrong order, and what the real risks look like when AI gets citations wrong. She also shares an honest prediction of where the profession is headed and why firms that are not adopting now will find themselves in a very difficult position within the year.Carolyn Elefant is the founder of the Law Offices of Carolyn Elefant and the creator of MyShingle.com, the longest-running blog dedicated to solo and small firm practice. A Cornell grad who started her firm in 1993, she has spent over two decades consulting, writing, and advocating for independent lawyers and is currently traveling the country speaking to attorneys about AI and its real-world impact on their practices.Topics discussed:Where lawyers should actually start with AI tools and what to avoid firstWhy you need to learn general AI tools before legal-specific onesHow to protect yourself from hallucinated and mischaracterized case citationsWhat the legal profession looks like in one year and in fiveWhy firms that are not using AI are running out of time to catch upFind Carolyn: MyShingle.com

Immigration attorney and law firm founder Hillary Walsh joins Billie Tarascio for a candid conversation about what it's really like to run an immigration law firm in today's turbulent legal and political climate. From filing habeas petitions to protect unlawfully detained clients, to navigating due process violations and a surge in demand for legal services, Hillary shares how her practice has evolved, and how she's adapting to protect both her clients and her team.They also dig into the business side of running a growing firm: the hard decisions around hiring and letting people go, bringing on a CFO, building custom software from scratch, and finding an operations leader who can handle 1,000+ filings a month. Plus, Hillary opens up about supporting remote employees in Mexico during a crisis, dealing with racist online harassment, and why she's investing in a life coach after years of business-only coaching.Whether you're an immigration attorney, a law firm owner, or just someone trying to understand what's happening at the intersection of law and politics right now, this episode is for you.Topics Covered:Immigration law strategy under the current administrationHabeas petitions and unlawful detention casesHiring, firing, and leveling up your teamBuilding law firm operations and custom softwareSupporting a remote team during a crisisBusiness coaches that actually helped and how to choose oneConnect with Hillary:Website: https://newfrontier.us/Phone: 623-742-5400Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newfrontierimmigrationlaw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newfrontierimmigrationlawTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@newfrontier_immigration

In this episode of Law Labs, Billie Tarascio sits down with Jessica Travis, Co-Owner and Managing Partner of Fighter Law in Orlando, Florida. They talk about how modern law firms can move beyond billable hours, use AI tools the right way, and build strong internal systems that support real growth.Law Labs is a podcast for law firm owners and legal professionals who want to build smarter firms. Each episode focuses on systems, technology, billing models, marketing, and practical strategies that help firms grow in a sustainable way.Jessica Travis is the Managing Partner and Co-Owner of Fighter Law, based in Florida. She leads a growing firm that practices Family Law, Criminal Defense, Personal Injury, and Estate Planning. Jessica is passionate about building strong SOPs, improving client service, and integrating technology into daily operations. From experimenting with flat fee billing in family law to implementing an AI receptionist and improving data tracking through Clio, she focuses on practical innovation that supports both clients and her team.In this episode, you will learn:👉 How to design a flexible flat fee model for family law👉 Why the billable hour model is becoming harder to justify👉 How AI receptionists can improve intake and reduce missed opportunities👉 How to track leads, consultations, and revenue weekly👉 How to train and supervise young attorneys using systems👉 How to approach AI without chasing every new toolConnect with Jessica Travis:Fighter Law: https://fighterlaw.com

In this episode of the Modern Arizona Podcast, Law Labs Edition, Billie Tarascio sits down with Bob Simon. They talk about what it means to run a national law firm, build legal tech companies, and step into civil rights advocacy during a time of major legal and political tension.Bob Simon is an entrepreneur, trial lawyer, and co-founder of multiple companies, including a national personal injury firm and the legal tech platform Attorney Share. He is also actively involved in civil rights litigation, including cases involving ICE detentions, unlawful stops, and police misconduct. His firm handles personal injury and civil rights matters across the country, and he has been involved in litigation related to wildfire recovery and large-scale corporate accountability. Bob is also a father of three and speaks openly about balancing family, trauma-heavy legal work, and public advocacy.In this episode, you will learn:👉 How lawyers can organize and support civil rights cases even if they do not practice immigration law👉 What illegal detentions look like inside the courtroom👉 How referral networks can help solo and small firms take action👉 How Attorney Share connects 5,500+ lawyers nationwide👉 How technology and AI can automate intake and case routing👉 Why some civil rights cases may never pay but still matter👉 How large corporations fight liability and what trial lawyers can do about itTo learn more about Bob and his team, you can visit the sites below. https://community.justicehq.com/ thesimonlawgroup.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesimonlawgroup/ #culture #law #lawfirm #lawyers #billietarascio #modernlaw #businessoflaw #lawfirmlife #entrepreneur #ai #optimisticdisruptor  #billietarascio #bobsimon #justiceteam

In this Law Labs episode of the Modern Arizona Divorce Podcast, Billie Tarascio sits down with Tyson Mutrux, founder of Mutrux Firm Injury Lawyers and owner of Maximum Lawyer, to talk about what is really happening inside modern law firms.Tyson is not just a personal injury attorney. He is an entrepreneur, systems thinker, and constant experimenter who is building, testing, and automating in real time. In this conversation, he shares how AI is changing legal workflows, why marketing feels unstable, and how firm owners can stay steady while everything around them shifts.They talk about AI in daily operations, intake automation, malpractice concerns, and why small workflow improvements matter more than flashy tools. They also discuss why SEO is becoming less predictable, why in-person relationship building is making a comeback, and how future technologies like self-driving cars could impact personal injury law.If you feel like the ground is moving under your firm, this episode will help you slow down and think clearly about your next steps.KEY TAKEAWAYS✓ AI is already reshaping daily legal work, especially behind the scenes.✓ Small automation wins can save several hours per week per team member.✓ Intake automation must include clear human oversight to reduce risk.✓ SEO-driven marketing is becoming less reliable as search behavior shifts.✓ In-person relationship building is becoming more valuable again.✓ AI can increase firm capacity, but demand may shift by practice area.✓ Self-driving cars could reduce certain personal injury cases over time.✓ Diversifying services can help firms prepare for long-term industry changes.✓ Culture matters. Firms that encourage experimentation adapt faster.✓ Reputation and strong relationships remain the ultimate long-term advantage.CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction and Tyson’s background02:04 How the Maximum Lawyer podcast started05:21 The real impact of podcasting on a law firm09:35 Why the Maximum Lawyer Conference is different15:57 Marketing shifts and industry confusion20:05 Why no one knows what 2027 will look like21:22 Preparing a firm for constant change25:16 How AI is integrated into daily legal work28:30 AI intake and malpractice concerns36:04 AI, workload, and firm capacity39:07 Mega firms, supply and demand, and self-driving cars41:51 Diversification and long-term strategy44:10 Advice for lawyers feeling overwhelmedCONNECT WITH TYSONCompany: Mutrux Firm Injury LawyersAddress: 2415 Carter Ln. Ste 102, Columbia, MO 65201Learn more:https://tysonmutrux.com/https://www.facebook.com/groups/maximumlawyerhttps://www.instagram.com/maximumlawyer/https://www.linkedin.com/company/maximum-lawyer/

AI will not fix a broken law firm. But fixing your intake will. Most law firms chase new tools, new systems, and new tech thinking that is what will drive growth. In this Law Labs episode, Billie Tarascio talks with Marco Brown about where growth actually comes from: intake, conversion, and client acquisition. They break down how law firms lose massive amounts of money through poor intake, why optimizing conversion beats chasing more leads, and how AI tools like LexiDesk are already changing how firms capture clients 24/7.Marco Brown is the founder and managing attorney of Brown Family Law in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is an award-winning family law attorney and was named Utah’s Outstanding Family Law Lawyer of the Year. He has built one of the leading family law firms in Utah and is known for his practical, results-driven approach and his “Kind Divorce” philosophy.In this episode, you’ll learn:✅ Why most law firms have a conversion problem, not a lead problem✅ How intake optimization unlocks hidden revenue✅ Where AI actually helps in a law firm and where it does not✅ How LexiDesk captures leads 24/7✅ The real numbers behind leads, consults, and signed clients✅ Why “AI-first” law firms still fail without strong client acquisition✅ What it takes to expand into a new state and start marketing from zero✅ The cost of bad hires and ignoring standards✅ How to think about dashboards, metrics, and forecasting✅ Why doing more often beats over-optimizing too earlyConnect with Marco Brown:Website: https://brownfamilylaw.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcocbrown/Call Brown Family Law: 801-685-9999

Most startups fail long before funding because their legal foundation was never built to scale. In this Law Labs episode, Billie Tarascio and Marla Miller unpack how AI-powered legal tools are changing access to legal support, removing bottlenecks, and helping founders build real structure early.Marla Miller is an attorney and legal tech founder, and the founder of 9to5 Legal Docs. She works with early-stage startups to replace traditional billable-hour models with scalable legal systems that use AI to deliver clarity, speed, and protection.In this episode, you’ll learn: ✅ Why traditional legal services slow down early-stage startups ✅ How AI is transforming legal access and education for founders ✅ The real differences between friends and family, angel, and seed funding ✅ Why SAFE agreements are common and how they protect early investors ✅ What investors expect before they commit capital ✅ Why clean IP ownership matters more than most founders realize ✅ How poor legal structure affects valuation and funding ✅ The most common legal mistakes founders make early ✅ Why legal infrastructure must come before scale ✅ What it takes to move from lawyer to legal tech founderLearn more about Marla’s work and 9to5 Legal Docs here:https://www.9to5legaldocs.com

Running a successful law firm in 2026 requires more than strong marketing and legal skill. In this Law Labs episode of the Modern Arizona Podcast, Billie Tarascio sits down with a seasoned law firm owner to talk candidly about workflow breakdowns, capacity limits, leadership decisions, and how modern firms adapt as they grow.Raiford Palmer is a partner at STG Divorce Law in Chicago, where he helps lead a 10-attorney firm serving high-net-worth and complex divorce clients across the Chicagoland area. With nearly 30 years of legal experience, Raiford shares hard-earned insights on firm operations, team structure, intake systems, process improvement, and the real impact of technology and AI on the future of family law.Topics discussed in this episode include:✔️ Why marketing success exposes operational weaknesses✔️ Law firm capacity limits and how ignoring them causes failure✔️ Case workflow bottlenecks and task management challenges✔️ Team-based vs attorney-centric firm structures✔️ Using Kanban systems to track legal work✔️ How AI tools are changing legal research and firm operations✔️ GEO and content visibility in AI-driven search✔️ Intake systems and long-term client nurturing✔️ Why systems now separate firms that scale from firms that stallLearn more about Raiford Palmer and STG Divorce Law:Website: https://www.stgdivorcelaw.comIf this episode was helpful, like, subscribe, and share it with a law firm owner who is thinking seriously about growth, systems, and sustainability.

In this Modern Arizona Podcast episode, attorney Billie Tarascio sits down with Russell Alexander, a veteran Canadian family lawyer and early AI adopter, to break down how artificial intelligence is reshaping law firms at record speed. They explore the real impact on operations, client experience, billing models, and the daily work lawyers and law clerks handle inside modern family-law practices.Russell Alexander is the founder of Russell Alexander Collaborative Family Lawyers, a long-time legal innovator, bestselling author, and one of the earliest practitioners to publicly document the use of AI in law. He has led a 98 percent remote law firm, conducted multi-year experiments with AI in document production, intake, marketing, and court-ready filings, and regularly speaks on legal technology, ethics, and the future of the profession.Key topics covered in this episode:✔ How AI quietly doubled law-firm efficiency without changing the business model✔ What actually happened inside a 98 percent remote law practice post-pandemic✔ Why lawyers resist AI and how firms can overcome fear, ethics concerns, and job-loss anxiety✔ The most powerful marketing uses of AI and why it levels the playing field for small firms✔ Operational tools that save hours—intake, scheduling, docketing, document prep, and more✔ How AI search will change lawyer visibility and disrupt traditional SEO✔ The hidden risks of vendor lock-in, price hikes, and premature “AI features” in legal software✔ Whether the billable hour can survive AI-driven efficiency✔ How the role of paralegals and law clerks is evolving—not disappearing✔ Practical first steps for law firms that haven’t touched AI yetTo learn more about Russell, explore his work, or connect directly, visit:https://www.russellalexander.com/ #law #lawfirm #lawyers #billietarascio #modernlaw #businessoflaw #lawfirmlife #entrepreneur #ai #optimisticdisruptor  #lawfirmculture #ai #aiinlawfirms #legalai #clio 

In this episode of Law Labs, attorney Billie Tarascio sits down with Seattle-based family law firm owner Michelle Dellino to talk about what real AI adoption looks like inside a 40-person practice. Michelle shares how her firm is rethinking workflows, training, client communication, and firm strategy as AI becomes part of everyday legal work, from intake and marketing to document systems and case management.Topics discussed in this episode include:• How a mid-sized family law firm is actually using AI day to day• The tools they’re testing: ChatGPT, Gemini, Clio AI, Westlaw AI, Case Status, LexiDesk, NotebookLM and more• Using AI for systems, training, onboarding, benefits guides, and client communication• The future of the billable hour, flat-fee possibilities, and changing client expectations• Why adaptability is now a core value and how AI will reward high-performers (and expose mediocre work)• Practical advice for younger lawyers entering the profession in an AI-driven legal world🎙️ Got a story worth sharing? If you’re a law firm owner using AI in bold, creative ways — Billie wants to hear from you. Reach out and let’s talk about featuring your firm on an upcoming episode of Law Labs.

AI is changing law firms fast, and Billie sits down with Attorney and Founder of Modern Law Practice, Chad Burton, to explain what this shift means right now. They talk about ClioCon’s major updates, AI intake, automation, burnout, and how these tools will shape the future of legal work. This episode gives a clear, simple look at what lawyers should start doing today to stay ahead.What You’ll Learn:• How ClioCon made AI real for law firms• Why AI intake reduces burnout and saves hiring costs• How automation will change daily legal work• What roles will shift as firms adopt more tech• Why starting small with AI creates real momentum• How AI agents can handle admin tasks inside your systems• The mindset lawyers need for the next stage of legal techAI is already here. The firms that move early will grow faster and work smarter. Start with one problem, test a small tool, and build from there. The future of legal work is lighter, quicker, and powered by AI.Interested in working with Chad? Reach out to [email protected]

In this Law Labs episode of the Modern Arizona Podcast, Billie talks with LexiDesk AI co-founder Ivan Tryskyba about the intake side of law firms that most lawyers ignore until it costs them real money. Ivan shares how a personal family law issue led him from a client’s frustration to building LexiDesk AI, an AI call answering and intake system now used by firms like Modern Law. Billie walks through a live demo of “Emma,” the AI receptionist, and explains how LexiDesk captures after hours calls, scores leads, and protects intake teams from abusive or draining calls.Together they break down why answering the phone is still the number one intake problem, how AI can handle overflow without adding more staff, and why early adopter firms grow faster when they test new tools instead of waiting for the market to move first. They also talk about pricing, ROI, and how LexiDesk is built so it can plug into the latest AI voice and language models instead of becoming stale. If you want more paid consults without hiring another human receptionist, this conversation shows what is possible right now.Topics Discussed- How a personal family law issue sparked the idea for LexiDesk AI- From client marketplace to law firm focused intake product- Live demo of “Emma” handling an intake call and collecting key data- Lead scoring, urgency, and helping intake teams focus on the right callers- Protecting intake staff from abusive or unstable callers- Why firms that experiment with AI grow faster than firms that wait- Cost structure, pricing ranges, and real world ROI stories- Technical design so LexiDesk can upgrade as AI models improve- Data security, hosting, and options for on premise deploymentsWhere to Find Ivan and LexiDesk AIGuest: Ivan Tryskyba, Co-founder of LexiDesk AILinkedIn: Search “Ivan Tryskyba” on LinkedInProduct: LexiDesk AI – AI call answering and intake for law firmsWebsite: https://lexidesk.ai/