320: AI in Legal Decision-Making: The Dawn of a New Era
Release Date: 12/16/2025
329: Introduction to Claude and Its Potential
The 80/20 Principle
Most lawyers using Claude are only scratching the surface of what it can do. In this episode, talks with former litigator and software founder about using Claude as more than a chatbot—as a chief of staff that can help run a modern law firm. They explore email triage, workflow automation, firm knowledge bases, custom dashboards, security, and what it takes to build a truly Claude-native practice. Chapters 0:05 Using Claude as Chief of Staff 2:34 Nick’s Legal and Software Background 8:07 Building a Claude-Native Law Firm 14:55 Automating Email and Firm Workflows 19:54 Creating a...
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328: The Golf Lesson That Changed How I Teach AI
The 80/20 Principle
Most AI training for lawyers is shiny-object stuff — nine prompts, the "ultimate playbook" — and that's exactly why none of it sticks. My old golf instructor figured this out decades ago, and he taught me the fix before AI even existed. In this episode I tell that story and show you the one approach that actually works when you're learning to use AI in your practice. It's slower than chasing the next shiny thing, but it's the only thing that's ever worked. Resource Links (my techlaw newsletter) (my online community for lawyers) Follow and Review: I'd appreciate if you could drop...
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327: How a Seasoned Litigator Became an AI Power User
The 80/20 Principle
Ernie Svenson sits down with complex litigation attorney Richard Serpe to explore how he went from struggling with AI basics to becoming an advanced user in just 18 months. Richard shares how he uses tools like Claude, Perplexity Computer, NotebookLM, and AI skills to manage complex cases, organize research, prepare witnesses, and build better legal workflows. They also discuss the real costs of agentic AI, why file structure matters, how lawyers can avoid getting locked into one platform, and why curiosity may be the most important skill for adopting AI in legal practice. ...
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326: Perplexity for Lawyers: AI Research With Sources
The 80/20 Principle
In this episode, we cover Perplexity—what it is, how it works, and why it deserves attention from solo and small firm lawyers. Ernie explains how Perplexity differs from traditional Google research by using AI to search the live web, synthesize answers, and provide footnoted citations so lawyers can quickly verify the sources behind the response. You’ll also hear practical examples of how lawyers are using Perplexity to research opposing counsel, evaluate expert witnesses, get oriented in unfamiliar areas of law, and test assumptions with sourced answers. Whether you are new to AI...
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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...
info_outlineIn 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 and control are crucial in the arbitration process.
- Party validation ensures fairness and understanding in disputes.
- Governed AI operates within strict guidelines to ensure accuracy.
- The system learns from human edits to improve over time.
- Speed and cost savings are significant benefits of AI arbitration.
- AI can open doors to justice for underserved populations.
- This technology may signal a fundamental shift in legal processes.
Resource Links
- AI Lab (a weekly AI workshop for lawyers)
- Apply to join the AI Lab
- The 80/20 Principle (my techlaw newsletter)
- The Inner Circle (my online community for lawyers)
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