318: AI is a consensus machine (and here's why that's good for some lawyers)
Release Date: 11/26/2025
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...
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315: Email is the Most Under-leveraged Marketing Channel for Lawyers (with Tyler Cook)
The 80/20 Principle
Email isn’t dead—it’s dominating. In this episode, email marketing expert Tyler Cook explains why email remains the highest ROI marketing channel for lawyers (and just about everyone else). You'll learn: Why email still outperforms social media by a mile What kind of emails people actually want to read The 3 automations every lawyer should set up—no exceptions How to use AI to write powerful emails fast (without sounding robotic) The truth about open rates, sender reputation, and avoiding spam filters Whether you're brand new to email marketing or ready to take your...
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314: Why law firm SOP manuals are now obsolete (because of AI)
The 80/20 Principle
Law firms love their SOPs—binders full of screenshots, arrows, and step-by-step instructions. But here’s the problem: they take months to build, cost thousands to produce, and go out of date the moment software updates. There’s a better way. In this episode, I break down how forward-thinking lawyers are replacing outdated SOPs with AI-powered prompt libraries that actually get work done. You’ll hear real examples, learn why prompts are more reliable than manuals, and see how this simple shift can save your firm hours every week. If your SOP binder feels more like dead weight than a...
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313: The New Rules of SEO for Lawyers in the Age of AI (with Megan Hargroder)
The 80/20 Principle
AI is changing how people search for lawyers, and that means your website has to do more than just “look professional.” In this episode, Megan Hargroder (of explains what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to getting found online today. Megan also shares a powerful new strategy for ranking ethically while building long-term trust with potential clients. Episode Links website with Megan (a weekly AI workshop for lawyers) the ChatGPT Lab (my techlaw newsletter) (my online community for lawyers) Follow and Review: I’d love for you to follow me if you haven’t...
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312: The Release of GPT-5 and How to Escape the Vortex of Bad Information
The 80/20 Principle
When big news drops—whether it’s politics, celebrity scandal, or the launch of GPT-5—the internet spins into a frenzy of hot takes, half-truths, and hype. In this episode, we discuss the rollout of GPT-5 as a case study in how to filter out bad information, pace your learning, and make better decisions without getting sucked into the vortex. You’ll hear why intentionality matters more than speed, how to choose the right sources, and the simple habits that keep you focused on what’s real and useful. Resource Links (a weekly AI workshop for lawyers) the ChatGPT Lab (my techlaw...
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311: Protecting Client Data in the Age of AI
The 80/20 Principle
As AI tools become more prevalent in law practice, how do we keep our client data secure? In this episode, we address the biggest risks lawyers face and how to navigate them without losing the benefits of tools like ChatGPT. You’ll hear the latest insights from a consensus group of 30 legal pros, including what paid AI tools to trust, how to enable privacy settings, and why redacting sensitive info (and getting client consent) is non-negotiable. Plus, a behind-the-scenes look at the ChatGPT Lab—your go-to hub for safe, effective AI use in law. General Resources OpenAI's Carolyn...
info_outlineShow 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 should be seen as a tool, not a replacement.
- Strategic thinking is key in the legal profession.
- The future of law requires innovation and adaptation.
- Surface-level tasks can be automated, but deeper insights cannot.
- Indispensable lawyers will thrive in the AI era.
Resource Links
- ChatGPT Lab (a weekly AI workshop for lawyers)
- Apply to join the ChatGPT Lab
- The 80/20 Principle (my techlaw newsletter)
- The Inner Circle (my online community for lawyers)
Follow and Review:
I’d love for you to follow me if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. I’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.
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