Anthony DeSimone | Making AI Work for Your Law Firm Without Compromising Security or Excellence
Release Date: 06/10/2025
The Lawyer's Edge
Dennis Meador is the CEO of The Legal Podcast Network. DM has been an entrepreneur since he was a teenager, building businesses in everything from shoveling snow to SEO before finding his fit helping attorneys share their voices. A lifelong communicator from his years as a pastor to his more than 20 years in legal marketing, DM believes the best ideas don't come from selling, they come from conversations. WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT HOW FAQ PODCASTS HELP LAWYERS DIFFERENTIATE Eighty-two percent of people use the internet to find their attorney. They type in a search, get...
info_outlineThe Lawyer's Edge
Adam Severson is the Chief Marketing and Business Development Officer at Baker Donelson, a leading national firm with more than 700 lawyers and 25-plus offices in the United States, primarily in the southeastern U.S. Adam's role is unique compared to many who hold that title in that he spends a lot of his time meeting with clients and actually selling the firm's services. Adam is a past president of the Legal Marketing Association and a Hall of Fame member. He's also a Fellow in the College of Law Practice Management. WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT EXECUTIVE PRESENCE Executive presence...
info_outlineThe Lawyer's Edge
Abby Remore is a member at Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi (CSG Law) in Roseland, New Jersey, where she leads the firm's trademark and copyright practice group. Her practice focuses on protecting brands and creative works through litigation, enforcement, clearance, counseling, licensing, and prosecution of trademark and copyright applications. She has particular expertise litigating trademark and copyright disputes in federal courts and before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board. Abby is president-elect of the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association. WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT...
info_outlineThe Lawyer's Edge
Dawn Anderson is the Chief Human Resources Officer at Butler Snow LLP, a law firm with nearly 400 lawyers across 25 offices. With more than 30 years of HR experience and both an MBA and law degree from the University of Georgia, Dawn brings a unique perspective to law firm leadership. After two decades in HR leadership roles in retail and manufacturing, Dawn transitioned to the legal industry where she now oversees Butler Snow's HR function and operations. She has taught as an adjunct professor teaching college-level courses and facilitating countless training seminars on leadership,...
info_outlineThe Lawyer's Edge
Stacy Ackermann is the global managing partner of K&L Gates, one of the world's leading law firms with more than 45 offices across the globe. A trailblazing leader and accomplished finance lawyer, Stacy brings a rare blend of strategic vision, authenticity, and deep industry insight to her position. Drawing on her extensive experience advising on complex transactions and a long track record in key leadership roles, she's shaping the future of the legal profession with a focus on innovation, collaboration, and inclusive leadership. WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT RAINMAKING AND...
info_outlineThe Lawyer's Edge
Elise Buie is the founder and CEO of Elise Buie Family Law in Seattle, Washington. After losing everything in Hurricane Katrina, she rebuilt her life and career from scratch, bringing lessons in resilience and New Orleans hospitality to her practice. Elise is a passionate and creative family law attorney who has lived the life you're living now, juggling the endless tasks of a lawyer and law firm owner while dreaming of something better. She grew her firm from six figures to multiple seven figures, navigating the pandemic and intentionally scaling back to ensure the firm operates with...
info_outlineThe Lawyer's Edge
Lisa Sawyer Derman is the Founder and CEO of Five Springs Infused Bourbon, a bourbon brand that blends Kentucky roots with modern, mixable flavor. Before launching Five Springs, Lisa spent more than 30 years in the global spirits industry, building and leading some of the world’s top alcohol brands. Her career includes serving as Chief Operating Officer at Stoli Group, Head of Legal at Absolut, and the Head of the North Division at The Macallan. Drawing on her legal background and executive leadership experience, Lisa launched Five Springs in 2024 with three distinctive expressions—Vanilla...
info_outlineThe Lawyer's Edge
Ryan Kimler is the founder of Net Profit CFO and host of the Net Profit Podcast. He and his team help law firm owners understand their numbers, make better business decisions, and build more profitable and sustainable practices by using accounting and finance to give firm leaders clear information they can act on, so their businesses stay financially healthy and have the resources to grow. WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT LAW FIRM PROFITABILITY Law school teaches lawyers how to practice law, not how a law firm makes money. Many attorneys work hard, bill hours, build relationships, and...
info_outlineThe Lawyer's Edge
Lisa Smith is a principal in the Washington, D.C. office of Fairfax Associates. She advises leading law firms domestically and internationally on strategy development, mergers, management and governance, partner compensation and structure issues, and financial and operational performance and management. She has been advising law firms for more than 35 years. She is a frequent speaker at industry events and webinars and recently appeared on the TV show Wall Street Week talking about the potential for private equity investment in U.S. law firms. WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ABOUT...
info_outlineThe Lawyer's Edge
Dusty Holcomb is the Founder and CEO of The Arcqus Group, an executive coaching and leadership consulting firm that helps leaders connect purpose to performance through clarity, consistency, and accountability. With a background that spans senior leadership, operations, and culture building, Dusty works with executives and their teams to unlock potential and lead with intention. Before founding The Arcqus Group, Dusty served as CEO of National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car, where he led thousands of employees across North America. He holds an MBA from Auburn University and completed the...
info_outlineAnthony M. DeSimone is a leading advocate for integrating generative AI into the legal profession, specializing in helping law firms harness AI to enhance efficiency, profitability, and client service. With more than 25 years of experience as a CPA and CMA, Anthony began his career at Deloitte before transitioning to focus on business optimization. Today, he operates "You're the Expert Now, LLC" and serves as a faculty member at the University at Buffalo Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership.
In addition to delivering keynote presentations at national conferences, Tony leads AI accelerator courses and shares insights through his YouTube channel and podcast, "AI Mastermind." His groundbreaking work, including publishing a book in under 24 hours and producing AI-generated illustrations, underscores his expertise at the intersection of AI, data, and legal practice.
WHAT’S COVERED IN THIS EPISODE ON AI STRATEGY FOR LAW FIRMS
Many law firms are intrigued by AI, but unsure how to move forward. Questions about confidentiality, security risks, and the reliability of AI tools leave many lawyers hesitant, and expose firms to risks they don’t fully understand.
But AI isn’t about replacing lawyers. It’s about amplifying their capabilities while safeguarding client trust. Firms that learn how to integrate AI strategically will not only protect sensitive data but also position themselves for greater efficiency, profitability, and resilience in a changing legal landscape.
In this episode of The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, Elise Holtzman talks with Anthony DeSimone, a CPA, CMA, and AI strategist who advises law firms on safe and effective AI adoption. Tony shares practical insights on the risks lawyers can’t afford to ignore, how to train teams to use AI responsibly, and how the right AI strategy can streamline firm operations without sacrificing security or professionalism.
2:10 – How law firms are approaching AI today — early adopters versus laggards
4:20 – The hidden risks when lawyers use AI tools without firm oversight
6:00 – What AI hallucinations are and why they matter for law firms
8:42 – Practical ways lawyers are using AI now — drafting, research, and more
13:14 – How to safeguard client confidentiality when using AI
17:23 – The leadership role in encouraging smart AI experimentation
21:35 – Why large language models struggle with numbers and how that impacts legal work
24:50 – What’s next — how AI will reshape law firm operations in the next five years
MENTIONED IN ANTHONY DESIMONE | MAKING AI WORK FOR YOUR LAW FIRM WITHOUT COMPROMISING SECURITY OR EXCELLENCE
You're the Expert Now, LLC | LinkedIn
Get connected with the coaching team: hello@thelawyersedge.com
SPONSOR FOR THIS EPISODE…
Today’s episode is brought to you by the coaching team at The Lawyer’s Edge, a training and coaching firm that has been focused exclusively on lawyers and law firms since 2008. Each member of The Lawyer’s Edge coaching team is a trained, certified, and experienced professional coach—and either a former practicing attorney or a former law firm marketing and business development professional.
Whatever your professional objectives, our coaches can help you achieve your goals more quickly, more easily, and with significantly less stress.
To get connected with your coach, just email the team at hello@thelawyersedge.com.