Ep. # 95, Revolutionizing Immigration Law and Law Practice as a Whole, Tech Strategies for Modern Attorneys, my conversation with Ruby Powers.

This week’s episode features Ruby Powers, a board-certified immigration attorney, author, speaker, small business owner, law practice management consultant, and podcaster. She is the founder of Powers Law Group, a Houston-based, full-service immigration law firm. She provides comprehensive services such as family immigration, employment-based immigration, consular processing, asylum, deportation, and waivers of inadmissibility. She joined us today from Salt Lake City, Utah just after the 2024 Lex Summit to talk about her current tech setup and share some suggestions for those transitioning to a new LPM.

In addition to her current tech setup and suggestions for new LPM transitions, she explains what security measures she’s taken while traveling internationally and also while border-crossing. 

Join Ruby and me as we discuss the following three questions and more!

  1. What are the top three pieces of tech, whether it be hardware or software, that you think every attorney should have to power up their practice?

  2. You recently transitioned your LPM. What are your top three suggestions to lawyers when they're making this transition?

  3. What are your top three pieces of tech, hardware, software or utility that a lawyer should expect from their LPM? 

In our conversation, we cover:

[01.27] Tech Setup – Ruby’s current tech setup.

[04.30] Power up – Ruby’s best three tech pieces that every attorney should have.

[07.40] Security – Ruby explains how she maintains security while traveling internationally.

[08.43] Client data protection – Ruby explains how she secures client data when crossing the border.

[10.25] LPM Transition – Tuo three suggestions when transitioning to a new legal project management.

[15.00] The top three pieces of technology, hardware, software, or utilities that lawyers should expect from their legal project management software

Resources:

Connect with Ruby

Equipment Mentioned in the Podcast

Software & Services Mentioned in the Podcast

Episode 89: Effortless CRM, LPM Transitions - Tony Valenti of Universal Migrator.

Tony Valenti, CEO of UniversalMigrator.com, is a visionary leader in legal tech, transforming the complex process of data migration for lawyers of any law firm size. Under his guidance, Universal Migrator makes it effortless to transfer data between law practice management systems, ensuring that migrations don't have to suck. Tony's innovative approach simplifies transitions, empowering firms to move forward with confidence.

Join Tony and me as we discuss the following three questions and more!

  1. What are the top three factors lawyers should consider when choosing their first or next CRM in terms of traceability? If their choice turns out not to be the right one, what should they do?

  2. Universal Migrator does not always transfer every data set from one CRM to another. What are your top three tips for lawyers to transfer those data sets in a different way?

  3. What are your top three tips for lawyers after they make the transfer, before fully committing to the new CRM and canceling their old one?

In our conversation, we cover the following:

[01:06] Tony's current tech setup

[08:02] Key Considerations for Lawyers When Choosing a CRM

[22:26] Tips for Lawyers on Migrating Incompatible Data and Tasks

[28:18] Critical Steps for Lawyers Before Fully Committing to a New CRM

[30:41] CRM Choices and the Role of Universal Migrator in Legal Tech Transitions

[32:32] How Universal Migrator Protects Client Data During Legal Tech Migrations

[34:23] The Role of AI in Legal Data Migrations

[37:03] Connect with Tony

Resources:

Connect with Tony:

Hardware mentioned in the conversation:

Episode 84: Using technology to grow a family law practice with Jason Rice of Dirigo-Divorce.

Get ready to revolutionize your practice as Jason Rice from Dirigo-Divorce joins me to discuss how he uses technology to improve the services he provides to his clients. Jason is a Family Law attorney based in Maine and New England who has harnessed technology to manage his legal practice. He has a deep passion for family law, clearly fostered through his years of legal experience. Jason worked as a Staff Attorney for the 13th Judicial Circuit Court in Tampa, FL, where he assisted judges in various areas, including family law. Jason has also taught Family Law at a community college for nearly ten years and co-authored "Relocations: A Judge's Perspective" with the Honorable Judge Daniel Sleet.

Join Jason and me as we discuss the following three questions and more!

What are three pieces of tech software hardware that solos and small firms might be surprised are not "big firms" only?

What three pieces of tech software and hardware make working with virtual remote services seamless?

What are the top three tips when communicating with clients through an LPM, text, or email?

In our conversation, we cover the following:

[01:11] Jason's Mac-based Legal Practice

[11:00] Essential Tech for Solos and Small Firms

[21:07] Seamless Remote Work: Essential Tools for Virtual Collaboration

[31:14] How to Communicate Effectively with Clients: Texting and Email TipsTop of Form

[34:34] Connect with Jason

Resources:

Connect with Jason:

Hardware mentioned in the conversation:

Software & Cloud Services mentioned in the conversation:

Episode #83: Mastering Legal Tech and Strategy with Filevine's Vice President of Strategic Partnerships with, Erik Bermudez!

Episode #83: Mastering Legal Tech and Strategy with Filevine's Vice President of Strategic Partnerships with Erik Bermudez

Join us as we embark on a journey through the ever-evolving landscape of law firm management, legal marketing and technology adoption, guided by the seasoned expertise of Erik Bermudez. With Erik's background in strategic planning, relationship management, and market insights, this episode promises to equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to thrive in the dynamic intersection of law and technology!

As the VP of Strategic Partnerships at Filevine, Erik brings a wealth of insights from years of experience in strategic alliances and market analysis. With a tenure at Filevine dating back to 2019, Erik's leadership has been instrumental in driving partnerships and fostering growth. He also held roles at KLAS previously, where he played vital roles in healthcare market research.

Join Erik and me as we discuss the following three questions and more!

  1. What are the top three ways attorneys should expect their client relations management/ law professional management platforms like Filevine, Lead Docket to seamlessly work with a third party?

  2. What are the top three pain points lawyers have when adopting new technology, and what are the best ways to overcome them?

  3. What are the top three tech tools lawyers can use for online marking?

In our conversation, we cover the following:

[01:22] Erik's Simple Tech Setup

[06:25] Maximizing Client Relationship Management: Seamless Integration with Third-Party Platform

[14:11] Balancing AI and Human Touch

[20:34] Key Data Points for CRM and PMS Collaboration

[21:55] Lawyers' Top Three Pain Points and Solutions in Tech Transition

[24:18] Convincing Busy Lawyers to Embrace Technology

[27:21] Tailored Technology: Law Firms with Personalized Workflows

[34:33] Mastering Online Marketing: Essential Tools for Law Firms

[39:56] Connect with Erik

Resources:

Connect with Erik:

Hardware mentioned in the conversation:

Software & Cloud Services mentioned in the conversation:

Episode 81: Navigating The Future of Legal Tech with Filevine's Emily Lippincott

Today's guest, Emily Lippincott, is a Legal Futurist at Filevine, a premier legal work platform serving law firms and businesses throughout the United States and Canada. With over 16 years of legal experience in Silicon Valley, encompassing roles in in-house and law firm settings, Emily brings a wealth of expertise to her role. Moreover, her background includes counseling corporate clients through various stages, from inception to public offering or acquisition.

Throughout the conversation, Emily illuminates for lawyers pathways to efficiency, accessibility, and excellence. Join us as she navigates the intricate web of tomorrow's legal tech landscape, shaping the future of the practice of law with insight and expertise. Let's unlock the secrets to efficiency, innovation, and success in the digital age!

Join Emily and me as we discuss the following three questions and more!

What are the top three factors a lawyer should consider when vetting new hardware for their practice so that they are not only cutting edge but future-proof?

What are the top three things lawyers are still getting wrong with their hardware and software technology in their law practice?

What are the top three ways lawyers can use AI in their practice?

In our conversation, we cover the following:

[01:07] Emily's Tech Setup

[06:25] Essential Considerations for Lawyers Embracing Innovation

[14:20] Common Pitfalls and Potential Solutions

[27:43] Maximizing AI in Legal Practice: Three Key Applications

Resources:

Connect with Emily:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/emilylippincott/

Hardware mentioned in the conversation:

  1. Audio-Technica AT2020PK Microphone: audio-technica.com/en-us/at2020pk

  2. Dell Curved Monitor: dell.com/en-us/lp/curved-monitors

  3. Logitech Litra Glow: logitech.com/en-us/products/lighting/litra-glow

  4. Logitech Stream Cam: logitech.com/en-us/products/webcams/streamcam

  5. Macbook Pro with M1 Chip: support.apple.com/en-us

  6. Rubber Tips for Apple Pencil: apple.com/shop/product

  7. Scarlett Solo: us.focusrite.com/products/scarlett-solo

Software, Apps, & Cloud Services mentioned in the conversation:

  1. 1Password For Chrome Extension: 1password.com/resources/guides/1password-for-google-chrome/

  2. 1Password: 1password.com/ 

  3. Apple Pages: apple.com/pages/

  4. Backblaze: backblaze.com/

  5. Camelcamelcamel: camelcamelcamel.com/

  6. Capital One app: capitalone.com

  7. Filevine Immigration AI: filevine.com/platform/immigrationai/

  8. Filevine: filevine.com/

  9. GoodNotes goodnotes.com/

  10. Google One: one.google.com/overview/

  11. Mac Updater: corecode.io/macupdater/

  12. MacOS Sonoma: apple.com/macos/sonoma/

  13. Microsoft Outlook plugin: support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/use-add-ins-in-outlook

  14. WordPerfect: wordperfect.com/en/

  15. Zscaler: help.zscaler.com/

Podcast Episode #78: Tech Innovations in Legal Practice: Interview with Karen McDonald from Wise Owls

Karen McDonald is a seasoned office automation expert, assisting busy law firms, attorneys, and lawyers in streamlining the administrative aspects of their business operations. With over a decade of experience, Karen has been dedicated to supporting attorneys in implementing efficient systems to automate their legal practices. She is the founder & creator of Owlwise Legal Practice Management Software, which is tailored for legal professionals to streamline essential tasks such as legal trust accounting, time tracking, billing, and centralized management of matters and contacts. Moreover, designed to meet the needs of today's lawyers, this versatile cloud-based solution ensures your law firm remains agile and prepared for the future across multiple platforms.

Join Karen and me as we discuss the following three questions and more!

  1. What are the top three tech tools that attorneys underutilize besides CRMs in their law practice?

  2. What are the top three things attorneys should look for in an online CRM?

  3. What are the top three tech shortcuts lawyers still need to know at any level of experience?

In our conversation, we cover the following:

[01:32] Tech Talk: Karen's Current Tech Setup

[08:46] The Top Three Tech Tools Lawyers Should Utilize More

[17:16] Backup Strategies: Ensuring Data Security in Business

[22:40] Key Considerations for Choosing an Online CRM: Flexibility, Dependability, and Support

[30:05] Tech Shortcuts Every Lawyer Should Master

[39:13] Uncommon Keystroke Hacks in Microsoft Word

[40:37] Connect with Karen

Resources:

Connect with Karen:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/wisekarenmcdonald/

Website: wiseowllegal.com.au/

Hardware mentioned in the conversation:

Software & Cloud Services mentioned in the conversation:

Podcast Episode #77: CLIO Con 2023: Third-Party Apps, CLIO and More, with Shubham Datta

Our next guest is Shubham Datta, the Vice President of Corporate Development at CLIO. As a key figure in overseeing the development and execution of CLIO's strategic growth strategy through acquisitions and investments, Shubham brings forth a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective on the intricacies of how CLIO collaborates with third-party integrations and more. Shubham is a seasoned Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) professional driving innovation in the legal tech space. With an extensive background in both buy-side and sell-side M&A, he spearheads efforts to align CLIO's product roadmap with cutting-edge companies.

Join Shubham and me as we discuss the following three questions and more!

  1. What are the top three criteria to prioritize when evaluating third-party application integrations?

  2. How to determine what might be considered unnecessary or incompatible with CLIO platform, possibly without the requirement for specific categories?

  3. In what aspects should legal professionals focus on when assessing new third-party applications for use in CLIO or when comparing them to competitors?

In our conversation, we cover the following:

[01:44] The Three Pillars of Effective Third-Party Integration in CLIO's Legal Tech Ecosystem

[05:13] Core Legal Workflows in CLIO's Ecosystem

[06:55] App Adoption and Integration Challenges in Legal Tech

[09:00] Empowering Legal Innovation: Nuanced Challenges in App Integration

[10:42] A Guide for Lawyers in Choosing Third-Party Apps for CLIO and Beyond

[11:25] Future-Forward Legal Tech

[13:12] AI Innovations to Elevate Legal Practice

[14:58] CLIO: Redefining Legal Practice Management

Resources:

Connect with Shubham:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shubhamdatta/

Software mentioned in the conversation:

CLIO: CLIO.com/