AI, Jury Trials, and the Rule of Law — Bill Pickett on What Makes a Great Trial Lawyer
Trial lawyer and former Washington State Bar Association President Bill Pickett joins Favian Valencia for a candid conversation about trial law, artificial intelligence, jury trials, and the future of justice.
Bill shares his unconventional path to becoming a lawyer—from commercial fishing and deep-sea diving in Alaska to founding a solo law practice and eventually co-founding LGP Law. Today, his practice focuses on catastrophic injury, police misconduct, and medical malpractice, representing clients against well-resourced institutions and insurance companies.
The conversation explores:
* How AI is changing legal research, litigation strategy, and trial preparation
* Why AI can enhance—but never replace—human judgment and empathy
* The ethical duty for lawyers to stay competent with legal technology and AI tools
* Why jury trials still matter in an increasingly automated world
* The critical difference between rule of law vs. rule by law
* Collaboration, contingency-fee practice, and surviving long-term as a trial lawyer
* Burnout, secondary trauma, faith, and sustaining a meaningful legal career
Bill also discusses his current work as a Rule of Law Ambassador, his multi-state practice (Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Arizona), and his international efforts through Building Bridges Cambodia–USA, working with judges and lawyers to strengthen legal institutions abroad.
Chapters
* 00:00 Introduction and Background
* 06:08 Starting a Solo Practice
* 11:58 AI Tools in Law Practice
* 17:54 AI as an Equalizer
* 24:03 Case Management Software and AI
* 31:57 AI Tools for Lawyers
* 43:37 The Role of AI in Legal Practice
* 59:10 The Power of the Heart in Trial Law
* 01:08:11 Understanding Rule of Law
* 01:34:42 The Importance of Self-Care
* 01:44:13 Investing in Peaceful Retreats
* 01:50:23 Book Recommendations and Lessons
* 01:59:15 Considerations for Starting a Law Firm