Legal Talk Network - Law News and Legal Topics

Jump into a grab bag of legal issues, a “law salad” of ideas that have lately been on the minds of hosts Jim Reeder and Mic Rogson.

Law may teach you to think like a lawyer, but does it also teach the practice of law? Hear what Mic and Jim walked away with on graduation day and how it applied to their careers and decades of experience.

Practicing law after law school sometimes produces surprises, like learning to mix linear thinking with creativity. You can prepare all you want, but sometimes you need to be “as flexible as Gumby,” Mic says.

In the real world, Jim says, practicing lawyers learn to be comfortable. Comfortable with creativity, comfortable with reacting to surprises, and comfortable admitting to the judge, and themselves, that they don’t know everything and may need time to review unfamiliar case law when it crops up in the courtroom. Intimidation and anxiety are the enemy, and young lawyers must learn to relax and react.

Then, forget “real life” as Mic and Jim share their favorite courtroom dramas and comedies. What’s your guilty pleasure, and which productions capture how you feel about the law? Everything from the gravity of “Judgment at Nuremberg” to the lighthearted “Legally Blonde” to the surprisingly accurate portrayal in “My Cousin Vinny.” What’s your favorite?

Have a question, comment, or suggestion for an upcoming episode? Get in touch at MRogson@SkywardInsurance.com or JAReederJr@gmail.com.

Resources Mentioned:

“Top 10 Movies Every Law Student Must See - Best Legal Drama Movies,” YouTube

“Top 10 Most Accurate Law Movies,” YouTube

American Bar Association

American Bar Association Litigation Section

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Strong bar leadership begins with strong governance, and the Washington State Bar Association has set an example of both. Amanda Arriaga and Patrick Palace welcome Francis Adewale and Terra Nevitt to celebrate the WSBA's accomplishments and reflect on the leadership, collaboration, and strategic vision that have shaped their organization. Together, they discuss what makes effective bar governance, the importance of serving members and the public, how they encourage unity across political divides, and the lessons other bar associations can take from Washington State's success.

To learn more about NCBP or to become a member, visit ncbp.org

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Still on the fence about AI? You might not have a choice if you want your firm to succeed. Guest Craig Ball is a lawyer, law professor, special master, author, and above all a tireless student of all things electronic. AI, he says, may be the most transformative legal tool to hit the profession ever. Bigger than word processing, online research, even the internet.

Ball explains how AI is emerging from hype and headlines to real world applications such as drafting documents and sifting through gigabytes of e-discovery. Learning the art of AI prompting and developing the skepticism to evaluate AI powered product isn’t an option. This is the future of the practice of law, Ball says.

But AI isn’t a free pass and it’s not magic. If you want quality legal work through AI, it’s going to cost you. “Free” AI platforms probably won’t cut it. Be prepared to spend not just the time, but also the money to incorporate your own voice and the particular expertise of your firm into pay-to-play AI programs.

If you’ve been reading the headlines and wondering how AI applies to your practice, this episode will fill in a lot of the gaps. And here’s the thing, you’re not “too old” to dive in and resistance can hurt you. As Ball says, “It’s an AI enabled world.”

Questions or ideas about solo and small practices? Drop us a line at NewSolo@legaltalknetwork.com

Topics:

If you thought you could ignore AI, continue your practice without it, and scoff at lawyers who use it, you may be wrong. AI is here to stay and it’s transforming the legal profession. Guest Craig Ball – a lawyer and law professor – shares how AI is already performing real tasks and making real, experienced lawyers better. You’re not “too old” or too set in your ways to plug AI into your practice (and to understand how opposing counsel is already using it).

Mastering AI isn’t free and it won’t come without effort. But if you invest the time and money, it can return exponential rewards in productivity and efficiency. Get excited about AI today.



Resources:

Microsoft Copilot AI

Claude AI

Harvey AI

Microsoft Word

ABA Techshow 2026

CraigBall.com

“Leery Lawyer’s Guide to AI,” by Craig Ball

Ball in Your Court blog

“Forensic Tells: The Litigator’s Guide to Detecting Deep Fakes,” by Craig Ball

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Summer is upon us and the Supreme Court of the United States is set to rule on a number of landmark cases including birthright citizenship, transgender athletes, campaign finance limits, and mail-in ballots.

On this Lawyer 2 Lawyer episode, Craig welcomes Steven D. Schwinn, professor of law at the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law, as they spotlight the summer of  SCOTUS. Craig & Steve discuss the major SCOTUS decisions happening this summer and the potential impact of these rulings.

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Can paralegal professionals really strike out on their own and set up a paralegal business outside the confines of a law firm or government agency? Guest Rashida Forbes did just that. She’s a veteran paralegal professional who turned her early boots-on-the-ground early experiences into her own firm wrangling the legal process in the high-stakes world of foreclosure and eviction.

Forbes was working in a traditional law firm framework when she grew frustrated with the status quo and struck out on her own, forming the Atlanta-based freelance paralegal firm RF Legal Support. Her inspirational journey is proof that “the way it’s always been” doesn’t have to be the only way. 

Being a business owner isn’t easy, she explains. It can gobble up your day, take time away from family and friends, and through it all, it’s your money at risk and your commitment that will be tested. 

Hear how Forbes made the leap and learned to incorporate the legal tools her firm needed to prosper and grow. Plus, how owning her own business allows her and her team to shake up the world of legal fashion, experiencing the freedom to dress for success with a little extra flair (and host a fashion show).

Mentioned in This Episode:

Stylish Paralegal Fashion Show

NALA, The Paralegal Association

NALA Conference & Expo 2026

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