302: Photographic Memory: A Skill You Didn't Know You Had
Release Date: 02/18/2025
325: Copilot Doubt To Power
The 80/20 Principle
In this episode, we talk with tax litigator Brandon Siegal about why Microsoft Copilot has gone from a disappointing experiment to a genuinely useful AI tool for legal work. We unpack what changed with Microsoft’s latest updates, including direct Word editing, deeper research capabilities, and new ways to connect AI with the documents and systems lawyers already use every day. You’ll also hear Brandon explain his “braiding” approach—combining multiple AI tools so they strengthen each other’s output—and why he believes Google Gemini remains one of the most overlooked...
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324: Why I switched from ChatGPT to Claude
The 80/20 Principle
In this episode, we explore why a long-time ChatGPT user made the switch to Claude and what ultimately drove that decision. We break down how features like direct file access, structured project workflows, and custom skills are transforming the way lawyers handle complex, document-heavy work. You'll hear how AI can dramatically speed up tasks like course creation, improve writing quality, and act more like a true thinking partner. Whether you're new to AI or already using it in your practice, this episode highlights how choosing the right tool—and setting it up properly—can unlock a whole...
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323: Revolutionize Your Law Practice with AI and Flat Fees
The 80/20 Principle
In this episode, we explore how lawyers can adapt to rapid AI advancements by shifting from billable hours to outcome-based, flat-fee services. We'll discuss creating a better client journey, using AI to improve research efficiency, and offering privileged, flat-fee AI-driven legal searches as a way to stay relevant and attract clients. Chapters 00:00 Breaking Free from the Billable Hour 05:04 The Shift Towards Client-Centric Outcomes 10:24 Leveraging AI for Legal Services Resource Links (a weekly AI workshop for lawyers) by attorney offering AI chatbot that protects privilege (my...
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322: Scaling Smarter: EOS Strategies for Law Firm Growth
The 80/20 Principle
In this episode, we'll examine how AI has made recording conversations effortless—and why that convenience poses legal, ethical, and moral challenges for lawyers. We'll break down the risks of passive and stealth recording, including issues around consent, biometric privacy laws, and client trust. And you'll get simple, practical tips for using recording tools transparently while maintaining professionalism and integrity. Chapter Markers 0:00 Brooke’s Legal Industry Background 1:09 Understanding Law Firms as Businesses 2:30 EOS and the Three Buckets 3:09 Becoming an EOS Implementer 6:06...
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321: Stealth Recording -a Smart Move or Dangerous Ethics Problem?
The 80/20 Principle
In this episode, we'll examine how AI has made recording conversations effortless—and why that convenience poses legal, ethical, and moral challenges for lawyers. We'll break down the risks of passive and stealth recording, including issues around consent, biometric privacy laws, and client trust. And you'll get simple, practical tips for using recording tools transparently while maintaining professionalism and integrity. Chapter Markers 0:00 The Rise of Frictionless Recording 1:00 AI Tools Enable Passive Recording 2:30 Why Lawyers Record Conversations 4:00 Legal Risks of AI Recordings 5:00...
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320: AI in Legal Decision-Making: The Dawn of a New Era
The 80/20 Principle
In this episode, Ernie explains how the American Arbitration Association is now using AI to draft decisions, subject to human review. The discussion covers the importance of transparency, control, and human oversight in the arbitration process, as well as the potential for AI to improve access to justice by making dispute resolution faster and more cost-effective. Key Takeaways AI is not about replacing humans but enhancing their capabilities. The American Arbitration Association is pioneering AI in legal disputes. AI can draft decisions, but humans retain final authority. Transparency...
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319: Gavel Exec: AI Copilot for Legal Drafting
The 80/20 Principle
Show Notes In this podcast episode, Ernie Svenson interviews , a former attorney turned tech entrepreneur, about her journey in creating Gavel, a legal technology platform. shares her experiences in building and , tools designed to automate document creation and enhance legal drafting with AI. The conversation explores the integration of these tools with Microsoft Word, the importance of user experience, and the future of AI in the legal field. addresses common misconceptions about AI, the concept of 'vibe lawyering,' and how these technologies can empower lawyers to focus on more...
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318: AI is a consensus machine (and here's why that's good for some lawyers)
The 80/20 Principle
Show Notes In this episode, Ernie discusses the impact of AI on the legal profession, emphasizing that while AI may replace surface-level tasks, the best lawyers will thrive by focusing on deeper, strategic thinking and understanding complex legal outcomes. Takeaways The best lawyers won't just survive this wave of AI. They're gonna dominate. If your work is mostly surface level, AI is gonna replace you. To remain indispensable, focus on outcomes and hidden risks. Understanding the chessboard of legal scenarios is crucial. Lawyers must evolve their skills to adapt to AI advancements. AI...
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317: AI, ClioCon, and the Future of Law: What Lawyers Need to Know Now
The 80/20 Principle
In this episode, California attorney Jeff Lewis and I discuss the recent Clio conference that took place in Boston, which we both attended along with 2,700 other lawyers. There was a lot of discussion about AI and how its growing adoption will impact lawyers in the coming years. We of course will discuss Richard Susskind's Keynote speech, which was a disturbing warning about the massive disruption AI is likely to bring to the legal profession. Jeff called it a "gut punch" and you'll want to hear why he found Susskind's speech so unsettling. Topics Discussed ...
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316: Inside the Smartphone-Powered Law Firm (with Elise Buie)
The 80/20 Principle
What if you could run a thriving 40-person law firm entirely from your smartphone? In this episode, attorney Elise Buie—known as “The Smartphone Lawyer”—shares how she scaled her Seattle-based family law practice through radical delegation, smart systems, and the strategic use of virtual assistants. From hiring and managing overseas talent to automating key workflows, Elise reveals how she built a firm that operates seamlessly, even when she’s halfway around the world. She also breaks down the mindset shifts lawyers need to overcome perfectionism, embrace technology, and trust...
info_outlineIn this episode, you'll learn that you have a photographic memory without knowing it. Just like Baton Rouge attorney Tony Clayton who can remember names and faces instantly, which helps him recall details about jury pool members, even groups of 50 to 75 people. By the end of the episode, you'll understand how to unlock this skill to remember anything you want to and you'll be completely astonished.
In this episode, you will hear:
- Unlocking the potential of photographic memory through accessible techniques.
- Exploring the historical and modern relevance of the loci system, dating back to Simonides of Ceos.
- Using mnemonic devices and bizarre visual imagery to enhance memorization and retention.
- The transformative impact of memory mastery on personal and professional growth.
- Practical applications of memory techniques, including memorizing numbers and historical figures.
Resources from this Episode
- Moonwalking with Einstein, Joshua Foer
- Deep Work, Cal Newport
- The Memory Book, Harry Lorayne & Jerry Lucas
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
- AI Lab (a weekly AI workshop for lawyers)