The Legal Toolkit

Bar presidents share strategies, tools and insights for attorneys growing into leadership roles. Learn from real stories of growth, crisis management, and innovation in NCBP’s Leading the Bar podcast. Listen monthly for compelling stories the next generation of lawyer-leaders can use to develop skills, confidence, and vision to lead with purpose and integrity. Subscribe to the show on Legal Talk Network [https://legaltalknetwork.com/podcasts/leading-the-bar/?utm_source=feeddrop&utm_medium=LTK&utm_id=NCBPLaunch]

If you haven’t heard, there’s a new GenAI tool on the block, and the other neighborhood kids aren’t too happy about it. The newbie, DeepSeek, is stirring up a major rivalry with OpenAI over some alleged and oh-so ironic data “theft”—ha. So, what does Jared think? Well, he’s here for the drama, AND for the AI ethics admonitions all you lawyers need to hear.  Later, even more ethics! Jared welcomes April McMurrey to hear about the problematic things lawyers do to get themselves into ethical trouble. From iffy (or nonexistent) fee agreements to tech incompetence to communication breakdowns, and more, April dishes on common reasons attorneys are reported for ethics violations. And, don’t worry, she also offers sage advice on how to keep your clients happy and your practice on the up and up. Finally, April sticks around for some Rump Roast trivia dedicated to Colorful Colorado. Just wait til you hear about Blucifer—yikes.  ----- Think your life might be better if you lived in Colorado? Listen to this episode's playlist to set the scene. [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0vGAKYofcb21WFVyPkwcvw?si=cac7cc67993b4769&nd=1&dlsi=a6f21dcf7e054bc9] ----- April M. McMurrey is Deputy Regulation Counsel for the intake division of the Colorado Supreme Court Office of Attorney Regulation Counsel. Mentioned in this episode: * ABA 50th National Conference on Professional Responsibility [https://events.americanbar.org/event/02cb7dc8-c77c-4cfb-a1a7-9773580ea27c/summary]

Jared may be too busy to write personalized Valentines for each member of the Legal Toolkit community, so, instead, he's gifting you with a special rebroadcast of an excellent episode from our friends over at Lawyerist. [https://lawyerist.com/podcast/?utm_source=legal-toolkit&utm_medium=feed-drop] In this episode, Stephanie Everett sits down with Matthew Hunt on Lawyerist Podcast [https://legaltalknetwork.com/podcasts/lawyerist-podcast/?utm_source=legal-toolkit&utm_medium=feed-drop]to break down the art of creating high-impact, snackable content for LinkedIn. Because let’s face it—if you’re not using LinkedIn to boost visibility, generate leads, and build real connections, you’re leaving opportunities on the table. Matthew shares his best strategies for turning LinkedIn into a powerful tool for growing your law firm, attracting referrals, and making sure you stay top of mind in your network. Get ready to rethink how you use LinkedIn!

It was the 80s, man! The Xennial microgeneration (born between 1977 and 1983) is, arguably, the best generation, but growing up in the magical, tech-free 80s wasn’t actually entirely happy-go-lucky. TV and movies of the era loved inflicting psychological scars on children, so Jared takes a therapeutic moment to get all that emotional damage off his chest.   Next—what you’re actually here for—insights on legal technology, conferences, products, and more! Jared welcomes Jobst Elster of InsideLegal to get his take on the latest trends. They discuss technology use in law firms and spend time hashing out why legal tech conferences are still a pretty essential part of tech education and making connections with progressive, reputable vendors.  And, lastly, the Rump Roast! As it turns out, Jobst has a serious barbeque hobby, so, in homage to the name of this segment, he and Jared talk about the literal roasting and smoking of delicious meats. ----- A playlist full of...meat? [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/69cFu0jBm6thUdBtlLPet2?si=22fdf70e8f8b41a4&nd=1&dlsi=4491111a29ef4b1a] ----- Jobst Elster is the Head of Content/Legal Marketing Strategy at InsideLegal.com.

Reminder: In this day and age, attorney tech competence absolutely includes keeping up with the rapidly evolving AI landscape. So, we all know lawyers typically suck at tech adoption, but how are they doing since the advent of the AI renaissance? Surprisingly better than usual! Jared expounds upon the latest data and enlightens us on how lawyers are engaging with AI tools.  Next, Jared welcomes Judge Marty McGee to explore AI in legal at even greater depths. Judge McGee talks through his personal experience with AI technologies, before going into the specifics of a recent AI court order [https://www.nccourts.gov/assets/documents/local-rules-forms/Administrative%20Order%20Generative%20AI.pdf] regarding the appropriate use and responsibilities lawyers must bear as they interact with and implement AI in their legal practice. They touch on permissible GenAI uses, AI evidence, deepfakes, and more.  Finally, the Rump Roast! Jared gets to know Judge McGee by learning his top picks amongst movie trilogies, breads, fonts, North Carolina barbeque, and lots more, in a game called “My Favorite Things”. ----- Feeling festive? So are we. [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2Zay4llVlGtUTe017cFa13?si=67f10d9bb52d4f36&nd=1&dlsi=1af1fb0c3c434193] ----- Marty McGee serves as the Senior Resident Superior Court Judge in Cabarrus County.