Alpha Lawyer Podcast

AI Adoption in Law Firms: What the 2026 Legal Industry Report Reveals, with Niki Black

Is your law firm already using AI without realizing how dramatically it could reshape your workflows, staffing, billing models, and competitive advantage?   In this episode of the Alpha Lawyer Podcast, Jason Marsh sits down with Niki Black, Principal Legal Insight Strategist at 8AM, attorney, and nationally recognized legal technology author and speaker, to discuss what the 2026 Legal Industry Report reveals about AI adoption in law firms. Drawing from survey data collected from more than 1,300 legal professionals, Niki breaks down how AI has rapidly moved from experimentation to everyday use, why many firms are unprepared for the pace of change, and what law firm leaders need to do now to stay ahead.   Niki shares insights on the rise of "shadow AI," the growing gap between individual AI usage and firm governance, and the risks firms face when employees use AI tools without training or policies. The conversation also explores how AI is changing legal research, billing models, staffing structures, and the future of legal careers. Whether you're a solo practitioner or managing a large law firm, this episode provides a practical roadmap for understanding AI's impact and preparing your firm for what's next.   🎧 Listen to learn: ✔️ Why AI adoption among legal professionals has grown from 27% to 69% in just three years ✔️ What "shadow AI" is and why it's already happening inside most law firms ✔️ The biggest risks associated with AI use, including confidentiality, privilege, and hallucinated citations ✔️ Why law firms need AI policies and training immediately ✔️ The safest and most effective ways lawyers can start using AI today ✔️ How AI is changing legal research, drafting, document review, and client communication ✔️ Why sophisticated clients and insurance companies may force firms to rethink billing models| ✔️ How AI could reshape staffing, associate development, and support roles ✔️ Why legal professionals need to continuously adapt their skill sets in the AI economy ✔️ Practical first steps law firm owners can take to begin implementing AI responsibly   🔗 Follow and Connect with Niki Black 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikiblack/ 📊 Download the 2026 Legal Industry Report: https://www.8am.com/reports/legal-industry-report-2026/ 🌍 Website: https://www.8am.com/   🔗 Follow and Connect with Host, Jason Marsh 🌍 Website: https://www.alphalawyer.io/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshjason/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoAlphaLawyer [https://www.youtube.com/@GoAlphaLawyer]

How A Strong Marriage Fuels Business Success For Attorneys, with Tony DiLorenzo

How much does your marriage or relationship impact your success as a law firm owner? Most attorneys spend years mastering legal skills, business development, leadership, and operations. Yet one of the most important factors influencing performance, focus, energy, and long-term success often goes overlooked: the relationship at home. In this episode of the Alpha Lawyer Podcast, Jason Marsh sits down with Tony DiLorenzo, marriage and relationship expert, co-host of the One Extraordinary Marriage Podcast, and co-author of the bestselling book The Six Pillars of Intimacy. Tony shares how a strong marriage can become a powerful asset for entrepreneurs and attorneys, while a struggling relationship can quietly drain focus, confidence, and performance. Tony discusses the connection between personal and professional success, the warning signs that couples are drifting apart, and practical strategies for strengthening communication, intimacy, trust, and connection. He also introduces the Six Pillars of Intimacy framework, which helps couples identify strengths and uncover hidden cracks before they become major problems. Whether you're building a law firm, growing a business, or simply trying to create a stronger partnership at home, this conversation offers valuable insights into creating success in both your personal and professional life. 🎧 Listen to learn: ✔️ Why marriage is one of the most important business assets an entrepreneur can have ✔️ How relationship stress impacts focus, decision-making, and performance ✔️ The hidden dangers of "roommate syndrome" ✔️ Why communication is the foundation of every healthy relationship ✔️ How unmet expectations create resentment and disconnection ✔️ The Six Pillars of Intimacy framework and how it strengthens marriages ✔️ Why emotional intimacy affects leadership and workplace performance ✔️ The role of financial intimacy in reducing stress and improving alignment ✔️ How recreational intimacy helps couples maintain fun and connection ✔️ Practical habits couples can implement immediately to strengthen their relationship 🔗 Connect with Tony DiLorenzo & One Extraordinary Marriage 🌍 Website: https://oneextraordinarymarriage.com/ 📝 Marriage Quiz: http://oneextraordinarymarriage.com/quiz 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oneextraordinarymarriage/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ONEExtraordinaryMarriage 👥 Facebook Community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/oneextraordinarymarriage 📌 Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/oneextraordinarymarriage/ 🔗 Follow and Connect with Host, Jason Marsh 🌍 Website: https://www.alphalawyer.io/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshjason/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoAlphaLawyer

Getting Law Firm Bills Paid Faster Without Hurting Client Relationships, with Matt Darner

What if your law firm’s biggest cash flow problem isn’t a lack of clients, but the money you’ve already earned and still haven’t collected? In this episode of the Alpha Lawyer Podcast, Jason Marsh sits down with Matt Darner, co-founder and CEO of CollBox, to break down why so many law firms struggle with accounts receivable, delayed payments, and inconsistent collections processes, even after the legal work is already done. Matt shares practical strategies for improving billing systems, setting stronger client expectations, and creating healthier collections workflows without damaging client relationships. The conversation explores why most firms don’t actually have a true collections process, how poor billing habits quietly destroy cash flow, and why attorneys often avoid financial conversations until it’s too late. From retainers and billing cadence to automation, follow-up systems, and escalation strategies, this episode offers a practical playbook for turning earned revenue into collected revenue while protecting both profitability and client trust. 🎧 Listen to learn: ✔️ Why many law firms don’t actually have a real collections system in place ✔️ How delayed billing creates major cash flow problems for growing firms ✔️ Why client expectations around fees should start during intake conversations ✔️ The importance of consistent billing schedules and predictable invoicing ✔️ How smaller, more frequent invoices often improve collection rates ✔️ Why law firms should stop relying only on email reminders for collections ✔️ How text messaging and phone calls improve payment follow-up success ✔️ The difference between protecting client relationships and avoiding difficult conversations ✔️ How law firms can identify leverage points before unpaid balances become uncollectible ✔️ Why attorneys should avoid personally handling collections whenever possible 🔗 Follow and Connect with Matt Darner 🌍 Website: https://collbox.co 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewdarner/ 🏢 CollBox LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/collbox/ 🔗 Follow and Connect with Host, Jason Marsh 🌍 Website: https://www.alphalawyer.io/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshjason/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoAlphaLawyer

Attorney Retirement Planning And Preparing For The Unexpected, With David Bilinsky

What happens to your law firm, your clients, and your family if retirement doesn’t happen on your timeline? In this episode of the Alpha Lawyer Podcast, Jason Marsh sits down with David Bilinsky, longtime legal practice management advisor, legal tech leader, and Fellow of the National Center for Technology and Dispute Resolution at the University of Massachusetts, to discuss how lawyers should prepare for retirement realistically, not just for the ideal scenario, but for the unexpected events that can force major life changes overnight. David shares personal experiences and hard-earned insights about disability, financial preparedness, succession planning, and the emotional realities of transitioning out of legal practice. From disability insurance and partnership agreements to custodianship planning and maintaining purpose in retirement, this conversation explores how lawyers can create stability and peace of mind for themselves and the people who depend on them. The episode also dives into the often-overlooked emotional side of retirement, including identity loss, changing family dynamics, and the importance of staying socially connected and mentally engaged after leaving practice. 🎧 Listen to learn: ✔️ Why retirement planning should include preparation for unexpected disability or illness ✔️ The financial risks lawyers face when forced to stop practicing suddenly ✔️ Why disability insurance and long-term care planning are critical considerations ✔️ How partnership agreements and buyout planning protect both firms and families ✔️ What solo attorneys should do to prepare for custodianship and client file management ✔️ Why estate planning documents should be reviewed and updated regularly ✔️ The emotional impact of losing professional identity after retirement ✔️ How social isolation can affect lawyers transitioning out of practice ✔️ Practical ways to create purpose, structure, and fulfillment during retirement ✔️ Why retirement conversations with your spouse and family are essential long before retirement arrives 🔗 Follow and Connect with David Bilinsky 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-bilinsky/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.bilinsky 🔗 Follow and Connect with Host, Jason Marsh 🌍 Website: https://www.alphalawyer.io/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshjason/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoAlphaLawyer

How Lawyers Get Quoted in the Media: A Practical PR Playbook, with Denise Nix & Brenda McGann

Are you waiting for clients to find your law firm, or are you actively building credibility where journalists, industry leaders, and potential clients are already paying attention? In this episode of the Alpha Lawyer Podcast, Jason Marsh sits down with longtime PR professionals Denise Nix and Brenda McGann to break down how lawyers can become trusted media sources, get quoted in major publications, and turn earned media into a powerful reputation and business development strategy. Denise and Brenda share a practical PR playbook for lawyers who want to increase visibility and position themselves as experts in their field. From pitching story ideas and building relationships with journalists to leveraging blogs, LinkedIn, and niche publications, they explain how lawyers can create opportunities even without high-profile cases or national headlines. They also reveal what reporters actually want, why responsiveness matters, and how one media quote can create a long-term domino effect for credibility, speaking opportunities, and client growth.   🎧 Listen to learn: ✔️ Why earned media creates stronger credibility than traditional advertising ✔️ How one media quote can lead to more interviews, speaking engagements, and new business ✔️ Why journalists are constantly looking for fresh legal story ideas and expert sources ✔️ How lawyers can pitch story ideas even without high-profile cases ✔️ Why relationship-building with reporters matters more than cold pitching alone ✔️ How LinkedIn, blogs, and platforms like Substack can increase visibility ✔️ The importance of responding quickly when reporters reach out ✔️ How to simplify complex legal topics into quotable insights reporters can use ✔️ Why local and niche publications can be just as valuable as national outlets ✔️ Practical first steps lawyers can take to start building a PR strategy today   🔗 Follow and Connect with Brenda McGann 🌍 Website: http://www.zumado.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendamcgann/ 📧 Email: bmcgann@zumado.com 🏆 Lawdragon Limelight (Member of The Lawdragon 100 Global Leaders in Legal Strategy & Consulting)   🔗 Follow and Connect with Denise Nix 🌍 Website: http://nixstrategiccommunications.com 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denisenix/ 📧 Email: denise@nixstrategiccommunications.com [denise@nixstrategiccommunications.com]   🔗 Follow and Connect with Host, Jason Marsh 🌍 Website: https://www.alphalawyer.io/ 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marshjason/ 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoAlphaLawyer [https://www.youtube.com/@GoAlphaLawyer]