Here at the Practice Resource Center, we have more questions about trust accounting than any other topic because our members know that mistakes can lead to serious consequences. The Florida Bar Member Benefits team has given all Florida attorneys access to two free trust accounting software programs: Nota, which we have previously discussed on the podcast; and our newest offering, Smokeball Bill.

In today’s episode, host Autumn Chadwell is speaking with Jordan Turk about the benefits of using a comprehensive accounting and billing program to help our members get organized and stay compliant.

Jordan is a practicing attorney in Texas, and the Director of Education and Attorney Development at Smokeball. Her family law expertise includes complex property division and contentious custody cases, as well as appeals and prenuptial agreements. In addition to her family law practice, she’s passionate about legal technology and how it can revolutionize law firms. Jordan graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in Classics, History, and Religious Studies and then went on to attend the University of Arkansas School of Law to earn her J.D. After almost four years of practice with a high-asset family law firm in Houston (and after being frustrated at the lack of automation in her firm), she discovered the world of legal technology which ultimately brought her to Smokeball.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Legal Specialization and Education Department for 0.5 General CLE Credit, and 0.5 Technology Credit. Course #9954

REFERENCED RESOURCES

• Smokeball Bill
• Smokeball
• The Florida Bar Member Benefits and Discounts
• Rules Regulating The Florida Bar

In Rule 4-1.1 of The Rules Regulating The Florida Bar under the section on competence, it says that a lawyer should keep abreast of changes in the law and its practice, including an understanding of the benefits and risks associated with the use of technology. Technology is constantly changing and while new technologies can be exciting and make your life easier, cyber-hacking technology is also becoming more sophisticated.

In today’s episode, hosts Christine Bilbrey and Autumn Chadwell are speaking with Kehinde Stinson about what you can do to safeguard your practice, your client data, and how to establish best practices in your firm.

Kehinde Stinson is a technology and data governance attorney with more than 15 years of legal experience focused on privacy, cybersecurity, and emerging technology governance. She advises organizations on data governance, privacy compliance, and cybersecurity risk management in increasingly complex digital environments and provides consulting services through her firm, Tech Me Out, LLC. Kehinde also hosts a podcast exploring the societal and legal implications of data and artificial intelligence, and frequently speaks on privacy, cybersecurity, and technology governance.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Legal Specialization and Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE Credit, and 1.0 hour of Technology credit. Course #9947

REFERENCED RESOURCES

• Tech Me Out
• The Florida Information Protection Act (FIPA) (F.S. \(\S 501.171\))
• The Florida Bar Member Benefits

Hiring in the legal field can be complex. Cleary defining the position you need to fill, attracting qualified applicants, selecting the right candidate, and then completing a successful onboarding process, are all important steps for finding and keeping the best person for your team.

In today’s episode host Autumn Chadwell welcomes Molly McGrath to discuss the finer points of attracting, selecting, onboarding, and retaining the right employees to help your law firm succeed.

Molly is the founder of Hiring & Empowering Solutions, LLC. Since the late nineties, Molly has coached, consulted, and directed presidents and founders of national organizations, and over 5,000 law firms, resulting in 29 years of experience in conversation intelligence coaching, team development and leadership, employee empowerment, talent acquisition, revenue mapping, and action-based project management. Molly hosts a podcast titled Hire and Empower, and she is a 3-time number 1 best-selling author.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Legal Specialization and Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit. Course #9882

REFERENCED RESOURCES

• Hiring and Empowering Solutions
• The Employee Playbook
• The Florida Bar Career Center

Depression and The Law: Maintaining Your Mental Health and Your Practice

Studies have shown us time and time again that working in the field of law can take a toll on your wellbeing. The pressure to win cases, provide for your family, impress the partners, make sure your client is satisfied, and take some time for yourself can be overwhelming. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and with depression running rampant in the field, we’re going to do what many have trouble with: we’re going to talk about it.

In today’s episode host Autumn Chadwell welcomes Dan Lukasik to discuss the stigma behind depression, the symptoms to watch out for, and how to take care of yourself and your practice

Dan is a lawyer, mental health advocate, law professor, and public speaker who has delivered over 250 presentations on stress, anxiety, burnout, and depression across the United States. Dan is an instructor at the New York State Judicial Institute, as well as a member and major contributor to the New York State Bar Association’s Well-Being Task Force. He is the executive producer of three documentaries on mental health and has created two websites: Lawyers with Depression and the Buffalo Depression Project, both dedicated to mental health.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Legal Specialization and Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit, including 1.0 hour of Mental Health and Wellness credit. Course #9832

REFERENCED RESOURCES:

• The Florida Bar’s Mental Health and Wellness Center
• Lawyers with Depression
• The Buffalo Depression Project
• How to Be Productive When You’re a Depressed Lawyer (article)
• Lawyer Mental Health: Lawyers Reaching Out to Those with Problems (article)
• How to Support a Loved One with Depression – The Depression Project
• National Alliance on Mental Illness
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

The legal industry has reached a pivotal turning point where the integration of artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept but a daily operational reality. Recent industry insights suggest that over 80% of legal tasks ranging from contract review and research to client intake now have the potential to be automated or significantly altered by AI. As these technologies begin to handle the routine work traditionally assigned to junior associates, the profession faces a critical shift. Survival in this post-AI landscape requires practitioners across all firm sizes to actively level up their skills to navigate a world where traditional task-based legal work is rapidly evolving.

In today’s episode hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore welcome Jordan Furlong, to discuss what firms should be doing to successfully prepare for the reality of the post-AI world is Jordan Furlong. 

Jordan Furlong is a forecaster and analyst of trends and developments in the global legal market, a strategic consultant to law firms and legal organizations, and a globally renowned author and speaker in the field of legal services evolution. He is widely considered to be North America’s leading “legal futurist.”

A lawyer by training and a legal journalist by experience, Jordan has been studying critical new developments and discerning emerging patterns in the legal services ecosystem for the last 25 years. Since the launch of his award-winning “Law21” blog in 2008, he has provided incisive commentary and practical guidance to the legal profession worldwide. His 2017 book, Law is a Buyer’s Market, presented a template for the law firm of the future; his upcoming book, The Lawyers We Need, sets out a new lawyer formation system for the post-AI legal sector.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 1.0 hour of Technology CLE credit. Course # 9777. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

• Law Is a Buyer's Market: Building A Client-First Law Firm (Jordan Furlong book)
• JordanFurlong.Substack.com
• Jordan Furlong LinkedIn
• ABA Techshow keynote, Furlong says lawyers need to level up to survive in post-AI world
• The Claude-Native Law Firm (article) Zack Shapiro
• How To Create a Claude- Native AI Law Firm with Zack Shapiro (YouTube video)
• 2026 AI and the Practice of Law Summit ABA Center for Innovation
• AI: Miracle and Menace for the Law Firm Business Model (Crunched Credit by Rick Jones)
• What specifically are Articling Students? (Article by Kooner Priddle Law Group)
• The Role of Intuitive Reasoning in Lawyering and Legal Education (St. Thomas University Law Review)
• What skills do new lawyers need? Lawyers asked to provide answers in new survey (ABA Journal)
• LegalFuel: The Practice Resource Center of The Florida Bar

In today’s episode hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore welcome Nicole Browning, of CuraLinc, to discuss the Florida Lawyers Helpline and the additional wellness benefits and resources available through the program.

The practice of law can be extremely stressful. When stress becomes overwhelming, it can affect an attorney’s ability to deliver the best service to their clients. Proactively taking care of mental health issues including stress, anxiety, and depression helps attorneys better serve their clients and can even reduce potential disciplinary actions caused by missed deadlines and unhappy clients. To assist members with these issues, The Florida Bar began offering a 24-hour Helpline and five free therapy sessions back in May of 2020. Florida lawyers, judges, and Florida Registered Paralegals can call 833-FL1-WELL or 833-351-9355 to access it.

Nicole Browning is the Director of Client Success at CuraLinc Healthcare and is a Licensed Professional Counselor with more than 20 years of experience in behavioral health. She began her career providing direct clinical care to young adults and individuals navigating addiction and recovery, and she continues to hold her LPC today. Nicole now partners with organizations, including state bar associations, to deliver accessible, high-quality mental health programs, bringing together clinical insight and strategic leadership to help remove barriers to care, and support wellbeing.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 0.5 hour of General CLE credit including 0.5 hour of Mental Health and Wellness CLE credit. Course # 9719. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

• Florida Bar Mental Health and Wellness Center
• Florida Lawyers Helpline 833-351-9355
• Online Helpline Web Portal
• Mindfulness and Secondary Trauma (Florida Bar News)
• Five Things Attorneys Should Know About Vicarious Trauma (American Bar Association)
• LegalFuel: The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center

The Florida Bar Member Benefits Program is comprised of more than 60 free or discounted products or services that are only for Florida Bar members. These benefits range from discounts on hotels and rental cars, legal research, helpful trust accounting software, free counseling sessions, discounted insurance, and more. We get calls every day from attorneys looking for services that our Member Benefits provide but may not be well known.

In today’s episode hosts Autumn Chadwell and Jamie Moore are speaking with Rob Saravia to highlight some of the available member benefits that can help improve the day-to-day of a Florida Bar member and may even help keep you out of the discipline system. 

Rob Saravia is the Marketing Manager for The Florida Bar, driving growth and engagement across the Bar’s Programs Division. He brings over six years of experience in marketing. Rob is a graduate of Florida State University, where he earned a double major in Marketing and Economics.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE Credit. Course #9654.

REFERENCED RESOURCES

• Florida Bar Member Benefits and Discounts
• Member Benefits At a Glance
• NOTA Trust Accounting
• vLEX Fastcase (through the member portal)
• Procertas
• Member Benefits Inc.

In 2025 The Florida Bar turned 75 and we now serve over 115,000 lawyers around the state. Comprised of six divisions, and twenty departments, the Bar has numerous services to assist members, but it can be overwhelming if you don’t know where to look or who to reach out to.

Often confused with the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, The Florida Bar does not administer the bar exam or review applications to become an attorney. A member’s relationship with The Florida Bar begins after they have passed the bar exam and have been sworn in.

In today’s episode hosts Christine Bilbrey, Jamie Moore, and Autumn Chadwell will be discussing the departments and services available to Florida Bar members and how each can help you maintain your practice, help you understand the rules and requirements to keep you out of the discipline process, and even save you some money.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit. Course # 9634. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES

• Inventory Lawyers 850-561-5839
• Membership Records 850-561-5832
• The Florida Bar Member Portal (For assistance logging in 850-561-5820)
• Legal Specialization and Education Department (CLE) 850-561-5842
• vLex Fastcase (access through your Member Portal)
• Nota trust accounting
• Sections
• Ethics & Advertising 800-235-8619
• Unlicensed Practice of Law (UPL) 850-561-5840
• The Practice Resource Center (LegalFuel.com) 850-561-5616
• Lawyers Advising Lawyers
• The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service 800-342-8011
• The Florida Bar Career Center and Career Benchmark Dashboard
• Florida Bar Member Benefits
• The Florida Lawyers Helpline 833-FL1-WELL (833-351-9355)

The Florida Bar’s Lawyer Regulation Department plays a critical role in maintaining the integrity of the legal profession in Florida. Yet many attorneys have little interaction with the department until they’re faced with a question, a complaint, or a compliance issue of their own. Today, we’re taking a practical, behind-the-scenes look at how the Lawyer Regulation Department works and what every Florida lawyer should understand to stay compliant and avoid preventable problems. 

In today’s episode hosts Autumn Chadwell and Jamie Moore welcome Karla Eckardt, Legal Administrator in The Florida Bar’s Lawyer Regulation Department, to discuss processes within Lawyer Regulation.

Karla Eckardt, a Miami native, moved to Tallahassee in 2007 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in international affairs and criminology at Florida State University. She began her career as a paralegal and later became a legal administrator at a local law firm. Although she initially expected the experience to lead her to law school, she soon realized that her strengths and professional interests aligned more closely with legal administration than with the practice of law.

Instead of pursuing a J.D., Karla earned a Juris Master’s degree from Florida State University, concentrating in legal risk management and HR compliance. In 2017, she joined The Florida Bar as a practice management advisor in what was then the Practice Resource Institute (now the Practice Resource Center).

In June 2023, Karla became the legal administrator for the Bar’s Division of Lawyer Regulation. In this role, she assists the Division Director with administrative and strategic oversight, manages operations and non-attorney personnel within the Division’s Headquarters Department, oversees many of the Division’s financial functions, evaluates and maintains operating and information systems, and serves as the primary liaison to key vendors and contract partners. 

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 1.0 hour of Ethics CLE credit. Course # 9586. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

• The Lawyer Discipline Process
• The 10 Most Important Things to Know About Lawyer Regulation by The Florida Bar
• Lawyer Discipline – A Roadmap to Florida’s Lawyer Regulation System (Florida Bar Journal)
• The Florida Bar – Lawyer Complaints and Discipline
• Florida Bar Rules & Standards
• Florida Bar Branch Offices
• Florida Bar Grievance Committees
• Attorney/Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP)
• Ethics Hotline
• Trust Account Compliance Certificate Instructions
• LegalFuel: The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center

Board certification recognizes an attorney’s special knowledge, skill, and experience in a specific area of law. Established in 1982 by the Florida Supreme Court, board certification helps consumers identify specialists in 27 different areas of practice. Although the certification program has been an option for over four decades, only around four percent of Florida Bar members are Board Certified.

In today’s episode hosts Autumn Chadwell and Jamie Moore welcome Lisa McNelis, Chair of the Civil Trial Board Certification Committee, to discuss the requirements and benefits of board certification.

Lisa McNelis is a partner at the South Florida law firm of Roselli & McNelis. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame and attended law school at Nova Southeastern College of Law. She has been Board Certified in Civil Trial since 1996. For more than 40 years, Lisa has represented the injured and their families, initially becoming the first female partner at a well-respected law firm in Ft. Lauderdale and thereafter opening her own law firm with her husband. Lisa has served on various Boards and committees over the years, including Family Central, Broward Legal Aid, and Florida Legal Aid. She is currently serving as Chairperson of the Palm Beach Grievance Committee and The Florida Bar Civil Trial Certification Committee.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit. Course #9542.

REFERENCED RESOURCES:

• Florida Bar Board Certification
• Florida Bar News – Board Certification Isn’t Just a Title – It’s a Commitment to Excellence
• Rules Regulating The Florida Bar
• Florida Bar Find a Lawyer

When you're a lawyer, keeping accurate records is crucial. It's not just about good business; it's about protecting yourself from potential disciplinary action and ensuring you can deliver the best service to your clients. A bad record-keeping system can lead to lost files, missed deadlines, and a host of other issues that can land you in trouble.

In today’s episode hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore welcome Jeff Hazen, Assistant Ethics Counsel at The Florida Bar, to discuss records retention Rules and best practices. 

Jeff Hazen serves as the Assistant Ethics Counsel for the Florida Bar, with over 16 years of dedicated service. Throughout his tenure at The Florida Bar, Jeff has handled thousands of inquiries on the Ethics Hotline, assessed numerous lawyer advertisements, and issued dozens of staff Ethics Opinions. Jeff is a distinguished alumnus of the University of Florida Levin College of Law.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 1.0 hour of Ethics CLE credit. Course # 9506. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

LegalFuel Article: How long should I keep closed file?

LegalFuel: Records Management, Retention, and Destruction Guide

LegalFuel Document Library

• Client Communications Forms and Letters
• Client Fee Agreements and Letters of Representation
• Lawyer Changing Firms

Rules Regulating The Florida Bar – View the Full Set

• Rule 4-1.6 Confidentiality of Information
• Rule 4-5.8 Procedures for Lawyers Leaving Law Firms and Dissolution of Law Firms

Ethics Hotline – 800-235-8619

Ethics Informational Packets

Ethics Opinions by Subject

• Opinion 06-1
• Opinion 10-2
• Opinion 12-3
• Opinion 88-11

Unclaimed Trust Account Funds

LegalFuel: The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center

Attorneys and law firms are increasingly being targeted by sophisticated scams, including phishing schemes, fraudulent check scams, wire fraud, and even identity theft. These scams can cause devastating financial losses, erode client trust, and damage professional reputations.

In today’s episode host Jamie Moore welcomes Steve Weisman, lawyer and nationally recognized expert on scams, to discuss why lawyers are such attractive targets and what can be done to protect the legal profession from these threats. 

Steve Weisman is a lawyer and nationally recognized expert on scams, identity theft, and cybersecurity. Steve holds a JD from Boston College Law School and a BA from the University of Massachusetts Boston. He is also a professor at Bentley University and is the author of more than ten books, including The Truth About Avoiding Scams, which Smart Money Magazine recognized as one of the year’s ten best money book. Steve earned a Certificate of Merit for excellence in legal journalism from the American Bar Association and he has written columns for USA Today, Bankrate.com, the American Institute of Economic Research, and the Saturday Evening Post. 

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 1.0 hour of Technology CLE credit. Course # 9386. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

• Scamicide
• About Steve
• All Books – Steve Weisman - Amazon
• Beware of Scam Emails Targeting Lawyers [Florida Bar News]
• FBI Issues Alert on Fake Lawyers Scamming Crypto Victims [Florida Bar News]
• Scams and Phishing Attacks Powered by AI [American Bar Association]
• What we know about the cybercrime group Scattered Spider [Cybersecurity Dive]
• State-of-the-art phishing: MFA bypass [Talos Intelligence]
• SIM Card Swap Scams [National Cybersecurity Alliance]
• LegalFuel: The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center

Many attorneys have now been working fully virtual for years. During the pandemic most firms experimented with different levels of remote or hybrid work models. For some it worked well, and they continued, but other firms chose to return to the office. While supporters of remote work point to increased flexibility, autonomy, and efficiency, critics worry about the loss of mentorship opportunities and the potential impact on productivity and quality.

In today’s episode hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore welcome Marelize Dingman, of Florida Appeals, to discuss the key to running a successful law firm without a physical office.

Marelize Dingman earned her BA in Social Work from the North-West University in South Africa. After moving to the United States, she was hired at the firm Palmer and Palmer P.A. Following Bill Palmer’s appointment to the Fifth District Court of Appeal, Marelize joined another well-respected Orlando law firm and began managing large corporate events and promoting South African musical artists. When Bill Palmer returned to private practice, Marelize was thrilled to join him and the whole Florida Appeals team as their Firm Administrator. 

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit. Course #9354. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

• Florida Appeals
• Marelize Dingman
• Beyond Brick and Mortar: The Evolution and Impact of Virtual Law Firms (NYSBA)
• How to Work Remotely as a Legal Professional: A Guide (Clio)
• LegalFuel: The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center

Succession planning is vital for any law firm, but it's about more than just retirement. It ensures business continuity through the expected transitions and the unexpected ones like incapacity, death, or disaster. For solo and small firms, it is critical to uninterrupted client service, while also maximizing firm value.

In today’s episode hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore welcome Tom Lenfestey, of The Law Practice Exchange, to discuss succession planning. 

In his role as the Founder & CEO of The Law Practice Exchange, Tom’s goal is to guide lawyers through the next chapter of their legal career, whether that’s succession planning, exit planning, or strategic growth through law firm acquisition. As a respected leader in law firm sales, Tom has guided The Law Practice Exchange to be the leading marketplace and expert team specializing in aiding attorneys and law firms in buying and selling law firms through continuation, exit and succession strategies. Its mission is to provide education and essential services to facilitate seamless law firm sales and acquisitions and lawyer transition planning.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE. Course # 9312. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

• The Law Practice Exchange
• Selling Your Practice with Tom Lenfestey (Podcast)
• Selling Your Law Practice: Insights from Tom Lenfestey on Building a Saleable Business (Podcast)
• How to Value Your Law Firm with Tom Lenfestey (Podcast)
• Rule 4-1.17 Sale of Law Practice
• Florida Bar Ethics Informational Packet: Notifying Clients of Change in Firm Composition
• Florida Bar’s Ethics Informational Packet: Of Counsel
• ABA LPM: Succession Planning for Your Next Firm Administrator
• A Guide to Law Firm Succession Planning: From Emergency Plans to Exit Strategies
• Checklist for Lawyers Retirement, Law Office Closure, Or Law Firm Dissolution
• The 16-Pager: How to Avoid Boredom in Retirement with the Greatest of Ease (ABA Journal)
• Book: Designing a Succession Plan for Your Law Practice: A Step-by-Step Guide for Preparing Your Firm for Maximum Value (Amazon)
• Book: Younger Next Year – A Guide to Living Like 50 Until You’re 80 and Beyond (Amazon)
• Book: Traction – Get a Grip on Your Business (Amazon)
• Succession Planning Guide
• LegalFuel: The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center

The use of generative artificial intelligence by lawyers has shown enormous potential for efficiency, quality, and improved client service, but it also requires the careful consideration of ethics, data security, and an understanding of the degree of human supervision needed. Agentic AI is now emerging and could further transform the business of law.

In today’s episode host Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore welcomes Tom Martin, of LawDroid, to discuss the impact of Agentic AI on the business of law and the future of law practice. 

Tom Martin is a Generative AI expert who serves as CEO of LawDroid, Principal of Deep Legal, and Adjunct Professor at Suffolk Law School, where he literally wrote the textbook on AI and legal services. As an ABA Legal Rebel and Fastcase 50 Honoree appointed to the ABA Center for Innovation, he's transforming the legal industry through his companies, teaching, and speaking at major conferences like ABA TechShow and LegalWeek. 

A Yale and UCLA Law graduate, Tom hosts the LawDroid Manifesto podcast and conference while making a dent in the universe from his home in Vancouver, Canada.

You can follow Tom's writings and podcast at: lawdroidmanifesto.com.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 1.0 hour of Technology CLE credit. Course # 9290. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

• Tom Martin, Founder and CEO of LawDroid
• LawDroid Manifesto
• Thinking Like a Lawyer: Agentic AI and the New Legal Playbook
• AI Agents: What Are They, How Do They Work, Why Should I Care?
• What is Agentic AI, and How Will It Change Work?
• Agentic AI and Legal: How It’s Redefining the Profession
• Enhancing Efficiency and Client Service with Legal Tech Tools
• Why Agentic AI is the Architect of Autonomy
• Harvey Launches Deep Research for Legal
• LawDroid Launches CiteCheck AI, a Fail-Safe Against AI Citation Hallucinations
• 10 Agentic AI Use Cases for Contact Centers
• CoCounsel: The Industry-Leading GenAI Assistant for Professionals
• Zapier AI
• Anthropic: AI Research and Products That Put Safety at the Frontier
• The Florida Bar Guide to Getting Started With AI
• LegalFuel: The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center

Handling sensitive client data and funds has always come with some risk, but now with cyber threats on the rise, attorneys need to be even more proactive in protecting their practice and clients. Maybe you have already considered getting cyber insurance but don’t know what you need to look for in a policy? In addition to covering the costs associated with data breaches and ransomware, having cyber insurance protects your firm and clients and can even improve the delivery of legal services by offering attorneys some peace of mind.

In today’s episode host Christine Bilbrey welcomes Cathy Agacinski, attorney and insurance expert, and Troy Riley, a cybersecurity consultant, to discuss all things cyber insurance.

Cathy Agacinski graduated from Fairfield University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and earned her Juris Doctor from Stetson University College of Law. She has been licensed as an attorney in Florida since 1992, and she is Board Certified in Workers’ Compensation and a Florida Bar Certified Circuit Court Mediator. She is also licensed in New Jersey and has experience as both a practicing attorney and insurance agent.

Cathy is a shareholder at Silver & Agacinski, P.A., where she focuses on insurance disputes, representing injured workers and handling personal injury cases. She is also an agent and owner of 3 Generations Insurance Agency, specializing in professional liability and cyber insurance. Cathy also serves on the Florida Bar Standing Committee on Technology and the Workers’ Compensation Rules Advisory Committee.

Troy Riley is a cybersecurity consultant with over 22 years of experience. He holds a Master of Science in Cybersecurity and a Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from the University of South Florida. Troy holds many professional certifications including the Certified Information Security Manager (CISM), Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA), and Project Management Professional (PMP). He has expertise in legal liability, manufacturing, healthcare, automotive & transportation, incident response readiness, security program assessments, and vulnerability management.

Troy is a member of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), the SANS Institute for Cybersecurity training, and the National Cybersecurity Alliance. 

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 1.0 hour of Technology CLE credit. Course # 9232. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

• 3G Insurance
• Cybersecurity Committee Co-Chair Recommends Insurance to Protect Against Ransomware Attacks [Florida Bar News]
• New Florida Bar Guidelines Offer Framework for Law Firm Cyber Resilience [Florida Bar News]
• The Importance of Cyber Security Insurance for Law Firms [Clio]
• Cyber insurance for the legal industry [Coalition]
• What You Need to Protect Your Firm From Cyber Threats [LegalFuel Guest Post]
• LegalFuel: The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center

Trust accounting is one of the biggest compliance challenges for attorneys, and mistakes can lead to serious consequences—including disciplinary action. But what if there was a way to simplify the process, ensure compliance with Florida Bar Rules, and give attorneys peace of mind? Today, we’re exploring Nota trust accounting solution, a free Florida Bar member benefit designed specifically to help lawyers stay compliant with Florida Bar Trust Accounting Rules.

In today’s episode host Jamie Moore welcomes Tim Jakubowski, Attorney Banking Consultant and Assistant Vice President at Nota, and Christina Potter Bayern and Mike Bayern, attorneys and Nota power users, who will share how Nota has helped them maintain compliance and avoid common pitfalls. 

Tim Jakubowski has worked with M&T Bank and small business clients for nearly 10 years. He prides himself on passion and partnership – understanding how his clients operate their businesses and providing the best-suited banking solutions to help achieve their goals. In 2022, Tim joined the Nota Division of M&T to help solo and small law firms become more efficient with Nota’s platform and the benefits it offers.

Christina Potter Bayern is the founder of Potter Bayern Law, a firm focused on business litigation and personal injury. She currently serves as President of the Tampa Hispanic Bar Association and was recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2024.

Fully bilingual in English and Spanish, Christina advocates for individuals and families impacted by negligence, wrongful death, and catastrophic injuries. She also represents businesses in breach of contract and commercial litigation matters. Before launching Potter Bayern Law, she handled high-stakes litigation at a multi-state law firm in Tampa.

Christina earned her Juris Doctor from American University - Washington College of Law, where she served as President of the Latin Law Students’ Association and Co-Editor-in-Chief of a legal publication. She is also a graduate of the University of South Florida in Tampa where she double majored in Economics and International Studies.

Aside from her legal work and community service, Christina enjoys spending time with her husband and family and finding new places to eat.

Michael Bayern is a co-managing member at Potter Bayern Law, where he represents business owners, entrepreneurs, and investors in complex business, commercial, and real estate litigation. He was recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2023 and 2024.

Michael earned his Bachelor of Arts in Crime, Law, and Justice, with a minor in Sociology, from Pennsylvania State University. He then obtained his law degree cum laude from American University Washington College of Law, where he served as Vice President of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Honor Society and was a national semi-finalist in the American Bar Association Arbitration Competition—showing his skill in negotiation and dispute resolution.

Michael has extensive litigation and courtroom experience, including starting as an assistant public defender in Orlando, then transitioning to insurance defense work, insurance coverage work, and his current litigation practice in commercial and real estate litigation and disputes. Michael counsels clients on a wide range of commercial, business, and real estate disputes, including contractual disputes, partnership and shareholder disputes, business torts, and real estate disputes. He prides himself on being able to help clients mitigate risk and achieve favorable outcomes.

Beyond his legal practice, Michael is committed to supporting business owners and entrepreneurs in protecting their investments and ensuring their businesses thrive. In his spare time, Michael enjoys spending time with his wife (and law partner), family, and dog. They enjoy time outdoors, taking their dog to the park or hiking on the weekends.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 0.5 hour of General CLE credit including 0.5 hour of Technology CLE credit. Course # 9194. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

• Nota by M&T Bank
• Free Trust Accounting Software Now Available [The Florida Bar News]
• Getting Down to the Basics – Free Nota Trust Accounting Resource [The Florida Bar Journal]
• IOTA Management for Lawyers [LegalFuel Free CLE]
• Rules Regulating Trust Accounts: Chapter 5
• Trust Accounting Resources
• Trust Accounting – Basic Records and Procedures
• LegalFuel: The Practice Resource Center of The Florida Bar

Practicing law is stressful, but lawyers and judges who are involved in cases where the parties have experienced trauma may find themselves deeply affected by the individual’s trauma and can even experience post-traumatic effects themselves. Just as a victim experiences trauma in a way that can leave long-term post-traumatic effects, their lawyer’s ability to provide competent legal assistance can also be affected. The cumulative effect of this secondary trauma experience on lawyers or judges over time is known as vicarious trauma.

In today’s episode hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore welcome Libby Clark and Dr. Kerry Murray O’Hara, the co-founders of The Humanized Lawyer Project, to discuss Vicarious Trauma and the impact on attorneys. 

Elizabeth Clark is a passionate advocate for systemic transformation in the legal profession and is a co-founder of The Humanized Lawyer Project, a groundbreaking initiative created with Dr. Kerry Murray O’Hara aimed at helping lawyers reclaim autonomy and resilience in a profession prone to burnout and systemic dysfunction. Ms. Clark served as the Co-Chair of the landmark New York Attorney Well-Being Task Force from 2021 to 2022 and as the inaugural chair of the New York State Bar Association Standing Committee on Attorney Wellbeing. She received her JD from Albany Law School and is a member of the New York State Bar. She specializes in real estate development, finance, and operational strategy. 

Dr. Kerry Murray O’Hara is the Clinical Director & Founder of DBT Wellness & Psychological Services in Saratoga Springs, NY. She has over 25 years of Clinical Psychology experience in various settings including inpatient, residential, forensic, outpatient, and academic. Dr. O’Hara’s area of expertise is Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, a highly researched and evidence based psychological treatment. Dr. Kerry received her doctorate from the California School of Professional Psychology and has held clinical positions at Boston University School of Medicine and McLean Psychiatric Hospital, Harvard Medical School. During the past 8 years, Dr. O’Hara has focused on the mental health crisis and wellness related to the field of law and has been named as a clinical consultant to the New York State Bar Association Lawyer Taskforce for Lawyer Wellbeing. She currently sits on two working subcommittees for the Wellbeing Taskforce addressing Occupational Policy and Wellness Programing.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 0.5 hour of Ethics CLE credit and 0.5 hour of Mental Health and Wellness CLE credit. Course # 9087. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

•  Attorney Wellness & Consulting
• The Humanized Lawyer Project
• Trauma, Mental Health and the Lawyer - New York State Bar Association 
• Finding the Compassion Balance: Mindful Lawyering & Vicarious Trauma (Webinar) - New York State Bar Association
• Report and Recommendations of the NYSBA Task Force on Attorney Well-Being (New York State Bar Association)
• Task Force on Mental Health and Trauma Impacted Representation (New York State Bar Association)
• Trauma-Informed (As a Matter of) Course by Natalie Netzel (American University Washington College of Law)
• The Impact of Secondary Trauma in the Legal Profession (LegalFuel Podcast)
• LegalFuel: The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center

As we step into 2025, technology continues to reshape how law firms operate and serve their clients. From advanced case management systems to cutting-edge artificial intelligence, which innovations will be essential for boosting efficiency and enhancing client interactions?

In today’s episode host Jamie Moore welcomes Paul Unger, of Affinity Consulting, to explore the top tech tools transforming legal practices. He’ll share actionable insights on integrating these advancements into your firm, helping you improve operations and deliver exceptional client service.

Paul Unger is the founding partner of Affinity Consulting and holds a degree in Political Science from Capital University and a law degree from Capital University Law School. A national speaker and author, Paul specializes in coaching lawyers how to be more efficient with time management by offering customized workshops. When he isn’t speaking or writing, he is usually performing technology assessments throughout the United States and Canada. Paul began his career working for the Governor of Ohio, and then went on to law school. He practiced law for six years, specializing in litigation and bankruptcy, before starting a legal technology consulting company with partner Barron Henley in 2000. Paul’s superpowers are cleaning up messes and turning digital chaos into well-organized machines. His favorite part of his job is helping people get organized and focused so they can find more enjoyment in their lives and jobs.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit including 1.0 hour of Technology CLE credit. Course # 8933.

REFERENCED RESOURCES:

• Paul Unger, Esq.
• Affinity Consulting
• Staying Ahead Of The Curve: Preparing Your Law Firm For 2025 [Forbes]
• Top Tech Tools for Lawyers [Clio]
• How to Secure Your 2025 Legal Tech [American Bar Association]
• What is Agentic AI, and How Will It Change Work?
• How Reasoning Models are Transforming Logical AI Thinking [Microsoft Developer Community Blog]
• 2025 Law Firm Data Security Guide: How to Keep Your Law Firm Secure [Clio]
• What is mobile device management (MDM)? [IBM]
• Cybersecurity Assessments for Law Firms: How Not To Screw Them Up [Above the Law]
• LegalFuel: The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center

Running a law practice involves more than just handling cases—it comes with a unique set of challenges, from growing your client base to finding reliable advice on complex issues and streamlining daily operations. Every solo and small firm attorney has faced these hurdles. Today, we’re diving into resources designed to assist members with these challenges. From the Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center, the Lawyer Referral Service, Lawyers Advising Lawyers, to the Career Center and more, we’ll explore tools that can help you deliver exceptional legal services while making practice management easier and more efficient. 

In today’s episode hosts Christine Bilbrey and Jamie Moore will discuss programs and tools designed to assist members in managing their law practices, available through The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center.

This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Continuing Legal Education Department for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit. Course # 8877. 

REFERENCED RESOURCES: 

• The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center
• The Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service
• The Florida Bar Career Center
• Lawyers Advising Lawyers
• Mental Health and Wellness Center
• Florida Lawyers Helpline
• Legal Fuel Document Library