The 80/20 Principle – Details, episodes & analysis

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The 80/20 Principle

Ernie Svenson

Business

Technology

Frequency: 1 episode/9d. Total Eps: 327

Tech and AI recommendations for solo and small-firm lawyers. The 20% that actually matters, not the hype and shiny objects that don't. Hosted by Ernie Svenson — a former big-firm litigator turned solo, then coach to lawyers learning technology. He's been doing this for 20+ years. Episodes are short and practical. Tool reviews, AI explainers, and stories from coaching lawyers — focused on what's worth your time and what isn't. Beyond the podcast, Ernie runs a private community called the Inner Circle — a collective R&D department for solo and small-firm lawyers who can't build one alone. To learn more visit: https://ernietheattorney.net/

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Score global : 69%

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317: AI, ClioCon, and the Future of Law: What Lawyers Need to Know Now

Season 1 · Episode 317

Tuesday, November 4, 2025 • Duration 35:56

In this episode, California attorney Jeff Lewis and I discuss the recent Clio conference that took place in Boston, which we both attended along with 2,700 other lawyers.

There was a lot of discussion about AI and how its growing adoption will impact lawyers in the coming years. We of course will discuss Richard Susskind's Keynote speech, which was a disturbing warning about the massive disruption AI is likely to bring to the legal profession. Jeff called it a "gut punch" and you'll want to hear why he found Susskind's speech so unsettling.

Topics Discussed

Clio's New AI Tools and Integration Plans
The Legal Trends Report and Data Insights
Clio's 1$ Billion V-Lex Acquisition and what it means
Peggy Gruenke's KPI Session Takeaways
Richard Susskind's take on AI and the Future of Law
AI Adoption Challenges and Lawyer Resistance
Future of Legal Careers and AI Skills
Lawyer Reactions to Susskind's AI Predictions

Resource Links

Ernie's LinkedIn post summarizing Susskind's speech
Jeff Lewis's law firm website
Jeff's legal podcast
AI Lab (a weekly AI workshop for lawyers)
The 80/20 Principle (my techlaw newsletter)
The Inner Circle (my online community for lawyers)

Follow and Review:

I'd love for you to follow me if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. I'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Thanks to the sponsor: Smith.ai

Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you're hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish.

And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai.

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316: Inside the Smartphone-Powered Law Firm (with Elise Buie)

Season 1 · Episode 316

Wednesday, October 15, 2025 • Duration 49:01

What if you could run a thriving 40-person law firm entirely from your smartphone? In this episode, attorney Elise Buie—known as "The Smartphone Lawyer"—shares how she scaled her Seattle-based family law practice through radical delegation, smart systems, and the strategic use of virtual assistants. From hiring and managing overseas talent to automating key workflows, Elise reveals how she built a firm that operates seamlessly, even when she's halfway around the world.

She also breaks down the mindset shifts lawyers need to overcome perfectionism, embrace technology, and trust others to get things done. Whether you're a solo practitioner or managing a growing team, you'll learn how to delegate more effectively, streamline your operations, and create a practice that supports your life—not the other way around.

Topics Covered

Overview of Elise's Practice
Using Virtual Assistants for 24/7 Support
The Power of Delegation
Overcoming Perfectionism and Letting Go
Delegating Personal Life Tasks
How to Start Delegating and Write SOPs
Focusing on High-Value Work
Running a Law Firm from a Smartphone
Slack as a Central Command Hub
Why Elise's Firm Pays for Slack
Key Apps: Clio, Dropbox, and Payroll Tools
Using Loom for Communication
AI Note-Taking and Granola Recommendation
Hiring and Onboarding Virtual Assistants
Filipino Virtual Assistants and Firm Culture
Addressing Privacy and Security Concerns
How Elise's Firm Uses AI
Final Advice: Delegate Everything You Can

Resource Links

Elise's firm website
Elise's LinkedIn page
Elise's email address: elisebuie@gmail.com

307: Wisper Flow: The AI Assistant You Didn't Know You Needed

Season 1 · Episode 307

Tuesday, May 6, 2025 • Duration 14:40

Wisper Flow is a no-fuss AI-powered dictation tool that helps you put words into documents or emails three times faster than typing. Because it's powered by AI, it can pick up your style and get better over time.

Also, it works fabulously with apps like ChatGPT and Perplexity. In this episode, you'll learn exactly how it can streamline your workflows and free your mind for higher-level work.

Resource links

Wisper Flow (special discount link)

Other Resources

The 80/20 Principle (my techlaw newsletter)
The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice
The Inner Circle (my online community for lawyers)
AI Lab (a weekly AI workshop for lawyers)

Follow and Review:

Thanks to the sponsor: Smith.ai

217: How to Sell Your Law Practice (with Patrick Slaughter)

Season 1 · Episode 217

Tuesday, August 16, 2022 • Duration 45:11

Have you ever thought about selling your law practice? In this episode, you'll hear from a lawyer named Patrick Slaughter, who successfully sold his family law practice in Knoxville, Tennessee, for double what he thought he could get for it. Show Notes

info@patrickslaughter (email to use to get in touch with Patrick if you want his help)
CallRail (software to track conversions based on phone calls made to your law firm)
Working Smarter with Digital Technology (my short guide to improving your practice by using technology better)

General Resources

The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter)
The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice
The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners)

Thanks to Our Sponsors

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The service is customized to your budget and is on-demand, so you are able to work with your assistant as much or as little as you need throughout the week. The minimum monthly spend for a dedicated executive assistant is only $200/month. The best way to is to schedule a free consultation and find out exactly how the service works. to schedule a free 30-minute call, and you'll get a special 15% discount when you ." is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai you're actually hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. If there's one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of. Plans start at and pricing starts at . They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans including add-ons (up to $1000). And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at . If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment. He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world. Find out more at

216: A Better Way to Collect Documents from Clients & Other People

Season 1 · Episode 216

Tuesday, August 9, 2022 • Duration 20:55

A huge pain point for many attorneys is gathering documents from clients & others. Now, there's a better and easier way of doing this. In this episode, we discuss a new service called Pipefile, and you'll hear from Steve Recile, the developer who created it. Show Notes

Click here to try Pipefile for 14 days (no credit card required). If you decide to continue using it, enter the promo code 'ernie30' when you sign up for the paid plan to get 30% off your first year's subscription.
New Way for Lawyers to Gather Documents (blog post)
Working Smarter with Digital Technology (my short guide to improving your practice by using technology better)

General Resources

The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter)
The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice
The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners)

Thanks to Our Sponsors

The service is customized to your budget and is on-demand, so you are able to work with your assistant as much or as little as you need throughout the week. The minimum monthly spend for a . The best way to is to schedule a free consultation and find out exactly how the service works. to schedule a free 30-minute call, and you'll get a special 15% discount when you ." is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai you're actually hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. If there's one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of. Plans start at and pricing starts at . They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans including add-ons (up to $1000). And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at . If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment. He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world. Find out more at

215: Cyber Security for Small Law Firms (with Tom Lambotte)

Season 1 · Episode 215

Tuesday, August 2, 2022 • Duration 47:14

Small law firms face constant, dangerous cyber threats. Usually, it's too expensive for them to get expert guidance, but Tom Lambotte is a good friend who has been offering affordable cyber security help for solo and small firm attorneys. In this episode he shares his top 3 recommendations for protecting yourself against cyber threats, including some valuable resources he is making available for free. Show Notes

Global Mac IT
Bobaguard(click this link to get access to the free resources Tom mentioned in the episode)
1Password password manager
LastPass
Authy 2FA app
Google 2FA Authenticator app
Microsoft Authenticator
Zapier(automate work across 5000+ popular cloud-based apps, including law-specific apps like Clio)
Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, by Robert Cialdini (amazing book used beloved by marketers and sales, and by Charlie Munger)

General Resources

The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter)
The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice
The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners)

The service is customized to your budget and is on-demand, so you are able to work with your assistant as much or as little as you need throughout the week. The minimum monthly spend for a . The best way to is to schedule a free consultation and find out exactly how the service works. to schedule a free 30-minute call, and you'll get a special 15% discount when you ." is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai you're actually hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. If there's one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of. Plans start at and pricing starts at . They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans including add-ons (up to $1000). And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at . If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment. He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world. Find out more at

214: How to Build An Audience to Better Market Your Law Practice

Season 1 · Episode 214

Tuesday, July 26, 2022 • Duration 26:30

A lawyer recently asked what places are best to get the attention of prospective clients. But the question is not where to get attention. Rather it's how to get attention most effectively —i.e., in a way that makes people respect you and then trust you enough to engage you and appreciate your hard work. Show Notes

How to Build Trust with Complete Strangers (my recent blog post)

General Resources

The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter)
The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice
The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners)

Thanks to Our Sponsors

The service is customized to your budget and is on-demand, so you are able to work with your assistant as much or as little as you need throughout the week. The minimum monthly spend for a dedicated executive assistant is only $200/month.
The best way to get started is to schedule a free consultation and find out exactly how the service works. to schedule a free 30-minute call, and you'll get a special 15% discount when you ." is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai you're actually hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. If there's one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of. Plans start at and pricing starts at . They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans including add-ons (up to $1000). And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at . If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment. He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world. Find out more at

213: Case Study: Effective Marketing for Small Law Firms (with attorney Radlyn Mendoza)

Season 1 · Episode 213

Tuesday, July 19, 2022 • Duration 49:31

Radlyn Mendoza started an immigration law firm in 2000, focusing on the underserved Latino community in Hampton Roads, VA. She began with a clever approach to newspaper advertising that yielded fabulous results. More recently, she began experimenting with TikTok videos, and that approach also proved successful. The secret to her success in marketing her practice goes deeper than the places she sought attention. In this episode, she reveals the powerful secrets to her success. Show Notes

Gardner & Mendoza
Radlyn's website bio
Radlyn's TikTok page
El Echo de Virginia (Spanish newspaper that Radlyn advertised in)

General Resources

The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter)
The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice
The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners)

Thanks to Our Sponsors

The service is customized to your budget and is on-demand, so you are able to work with your assistant as much or as little as you need throughout the week. The minimum monthly spend for a . The best way to is to schedule a free consultation and find out exactly how the service works. to schedule a free 30-minute call, and you'll get a special 15% discount when you ." is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai you're actually hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. If there's one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of. Plans start at and pricing starts at . They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans including add-ons (up to $1000). And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at . If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment. He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world. Find out more at

212: The South Indian Monkey Trap (also ensnares lawyers)

Season 1 · Episode 212

Tuesday, July 12, 2022 • Duration 12:47

All of us are highly prone to getting caught in debilitating mental traps, just like South Indian Monkeys in a famous story. In this episode, we examine this insidious mental trap and learn how to avoid getting ensnared in it. Show Notes

The South Indian Monkey Trap: How Our Values Compromise Our Freedom, by Kaelin Govinden (South African corporate attorney)
Zen & The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values, by Robert Pirsig

General Resources

The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter)
The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice
The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners)

Thanks to Our Sponsors

211: Performing Autopsies (useful advice for lawyers)

Season 1 · Episode 211

Tuesday, July 5, 2022 • Duration 20:00

Performing autopsies isn't something you see lawyers doing. But if you understand the original meaning of the word "autopsy" as used by the early Greeks then you'll understand why lawyers should do this. In this episode, we delve into how you can improve your thinking and decision-making by understanding the original meaning behind this important word. Show Notes

Definition of "autopsy" (Note: 'Greek' autopsia - act of seeing with one's own eyes, from aut- + opsis sight, appearance)
Snopes.com (well-known website that debunks common misinformation)
Stranger In A Strange Land, by Robert Heinlein (popular 1960s science fiction book that hypothesized the existence of specially trained professionals called "Fair Witnesses")
Axios article about finding trustworthy news sources.

General Resources

The 80/20 Principle (my email newsletter)
The 5 Pillars of a Tech-Powered Law Practice
The Inner Circle (an online community for law firm owners)

Thanks to Our Sponsors

The service is customized to your budget and is on-demand, so you are able to work with your assistant as much or as little as you need throughout the week. The minimum monthly spend for a . The best way to is to schedule a free consultation and find out exactly how the service works. to schedule a free 30-minute call, and you'll get a special 15% discount when you ." is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai you're actually hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. If there's one great outsourcing opportunity for your practice, this is it. Let Smith.ai have your back while you stay focused on your work, knowing that your clients and prospects are being taken care of. Plans start at and pricing starts at . They offer a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee on all receptionist and live chat plans including add-ons (up to $1000). And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at . If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment. He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world. Find out more at

The 80/20 Principle – Details, episodes & analysis

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The 80/20 Principle – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

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