Legal Marketing Radio

Private Equity and Non-lawyer Ownership of Law Firms With Steve Gursten   In this episode of Legal Marketing Radio, Chip LaFleur interviews Steve Gersten of Michigan Auto Law. They delve into the evolving landscape of the legal industry, particularly focusing on the influx of private equity and non-lawyer ownership of law firms. Steve provides insights from a recent conference in Nashville, discussing the pros and cons of these developments, the impact on small and solo law firms, and the challenges posed by increased competition and scale efficiencies. The episode also explores strategies for small firms to differentiate themselves, the importance of trial experience, and building community relationships as a defense against the rise of large, data-driven law practices.   00:00 Introduction to Legal Marketing Radio 00:06 Meet Steve Gersten: Top Trial Attorney 00:26 The Shift in Legal Industry: Private Equity and Non-Lawyer Ownership 01:09 Concerns and Opportunities with Private Equity in Law 03:38 Impact on Small Law Firms and Legal Services 06:14 Strategies for Small Firms to Compete 09:35 The Importance of Client Service and Community Involvement 13:39 Leveraging Expertise and Specialization 22:16 Final Thoughts and Advice for Small Firms 28:34 Conclusion and Farewell

Why Humans Beat Bots with Ted DeBettencourt   In this episode of Legal Marketing Radio by LaFleur Marketing, co-founder of Juvo Leads, Ted DeBettencourt, joins to discuss the superiority of human-operated live chat services in converting digital leads within the legal sphere. Ted shares his journey from running a legal marketing agency in Boston to founding Juvo Leads, which now serves over 1100 law firms nationwide. The conversation addresses the limitations of AI in managing complex and empathetic client interactions and emphasizes the importance of a human-AI hybrid model. Ted also discusses the use of AB testing to continually improve chat strategies and highlights the ongoing challenges and future prospects of integrating AI with human chat operators.   00:00 Introduction to Legal Marketing Radio 00:05 Meet Ted DeBettencourt: From Legal Marketing to Juvo Leads 00:25 The Human Element in Digital Lead Conversion 01:23 The Birth of Juvo Leads 03:05 AI vs. Human Interaction: A Deep Dive 05:18 The Power of Data and AB Testing 12:23 Future of Chat and AI Integration 13:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Evolution of Legal Technology: Past, Present, and Future with Dennis Kennedy   In this episode of Legal Marketing Radio, LaFleur Marketing hosts Dennis Kennedy, the director of the Center for Law Technology and Innovation at Michigan State University. They discuss the evolution and future of legal technology, Dennis’s pioneering steps in law blogging, and the importance of authentic communication in marketing legal services. Dennis shares insights on name, image, likeness rights in the digital age, and frameworks for leveraging AI in legal practice. The conversation covers the intersection of personal interests with professional practice and the evolving landscape of legal technology and its impact on legal practice.   00:00 Introduction to Legal Marketing Radio 00:03 Meet Dennis Kennedy: Legal Tech Pioneer 00:54 Early Days of Legal Blogging 02:26 The Evolution of Legal Communication 04:52 Target Audience and Legal Marketing 08:05 Personal Stories and Legal Marketing 09:38 Balancing Personality and Professionalism 16:16 AI and the Future of Legal Marketing 21:21 Dennis Kennedy's Legacy and Advice 27:14 Conclusion and Farewell

From Concept to Practice: Operationalizing New Tech in Law Firms With Pete Terryn   In this episode of Legal Marketing Radio, Pete Terryn, Director of Operations at New Wave Technology Partners, discusses the integration of AI in law firms. Pete, who co-founded the West Michigan AI Lab and co-hosts the podcast AI Lab Unfiltered, details his personal journey with AI, practical applications, and the importance of having an AI champion. He emphasizes that AI is accessible even for non-experts, and shares valuable insights on implementing AI while ensuring data security and proper usage policies. The conversation touches on various AI platforms, including Perplexity, Claude, and Google Gemini, and the need for broad organizational training to improve AI adoption.   00:00 Introduction to Legal Marketing Radio 00:05 Meet Pete Terryn: AI Enthusiast and Community Leader 00:56 The Evolution and Operationalization of AI 01:46 Pete's Journey into AI 03:26 Implementing AI in Organizations 08:09 Successful AI Use Cases and Policies 16:32 AI Tools and Platforms 21:46 The Future of AI and Final Thoughts 25:38 Conclusion and Farewell

Operational Excellence in Law Firms with Tim Mckey   In this episode of Legal Marketing Radio, Chip LaFleur chats with Tim Mckey, co-founder of Vista Consulting, about achieving operational excellence in law firms. Tim, a seasoned CPA and business consultant, shares his insights on strategic planning, financial analysis, and guiding business owners towards success. They discuss four key ways to grow a plaintiff law firm: acquiring more cases, increasing case resolution value, enhancing client experience, and refining processes. Tim emphasizes the importance of metrics and reporting for effective management and scaling, along with the value of constant retraining. The episode also highlights the upcoming Vista 360 conference focusing on law practice, business operation, leadership, and industry disruptions. Tune in for an engaging conversation on strategy, success, and maintaining a competitive edge in the legal industry.   00:00 Introduction to Legal Marketing Radio 00:04 Meet Tim Mckey: A Journey in Legal Consulting 01:54 The Four Ways to Grow a Law Firm 05:28 Importance of Metrics and Reporting 07:07 Case Study: Diagnosing Intake Issues 11:53 The Role of Continuous Training 24:44 Upcoming Vista 360 Conference 26:04 Conclusion and Contact Information