MTC: Why Lawyers Should Podcast in 2026: Human Connection, Authority Building, and Tech-Smart Growth for Your Law Practice 🎙️⚖️

For nearly six years, podcasting has been more than a business development tool to me; it has been a way to talk about topics that matter, in a format that feels natural, conversational, and—even for lawyers—fun. 🎧 Podcasting lets the public, and potential clients, get to know you as a person instead of just a name on a website or a face on a billboard, and that human connection is rapidly becoming the real differentiator in a crowded legal marketplace.

podcasting can be a key to a lawyer’s marketing strategy and maybe allow lawyers to have a little fun too!

At PODFEST EXPO 2026 in Orlando, I sat down with a remarkable panel of lawyers, former lawyers, and legal professionals for a “pop‑up” roundtable on why lawyers should podcast. My guests included Dennis “DM” Meador of The Legal Podcast Network, Louis Goodman of Love Thy Lawyer, previous podcast guest Robert Ingalls of LawPods, personal‑branding expert Wendi Weiner of The Writing Guru, and Elizabeth Gearhart of Passage to Profit. Together, we explored not just why lawyers should podcast, but how podcasting can support branding, authenticity, and even your visibility in search engines and large language models (LLMs).

Several themes emerged. First, podcasting is now a trusted medium for younger generations; DM noted that for Gen Z and Gen Alpha, podcasts and short-form video are top information sources, and if you “don’t want to dance on TikTok, get a podcast.” Second, a show can function as an “electronic résumé,” as Louis described, demonstrating your consistency, curiosity, and staying power far better than a static bio ever will. Third, a podcast is a powerful filter: by sharing your real voice—salty language and all, if that is true to you—your audience quickly learns whether you are “their” lawyer or not, which matters in multi‑year relationships such as injury or family law matters.

Podcasting is also a networking and authority engine. Elizabeth emphasized how Passage to Profit has grown from a radio show into a nationally syndicated podcast that not only builds trust with human listeners but also increases her firm’s presence in tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity. By repurposing podcast transcripts and show notes intelligently, she has observed measurable traffic from LLMs to the Gerhardt Law website—proof that conversational content can improve your visibility in the emerging “language-based internet.” Wendi highlighted that podcasting dovetails perfectly with personal branding: it is a scalable way to tell your story, show your “superpower,” and convey your unique value beyond the four corners of a résumé.

Lawyers can gain invaluable insights from podcasting conferences like Podfest, enhancing their firms’ marketing, online visibility, and overall digital presence.

Of course, podcasting is not only about business. For many of us, it began as a hobby or a creative outlet that happened to support SEO, referrals, and professional relationships along the way. The lawyers on the panel repeatedly stressed that you do not have to talk exclusively about black‑letter law: you can focus on entrepreneurship, technology, careers, politics, or any niche that authentically reflects who you are and the clients you want to serve.

That balance between enjoyment and strategy is exactly why The Lawyer’s Tech Guide: The Lawyer’s Guide to Podcasting exists. 📘 This new book, just released today, breaks down the who, what, why, where, and how of podcasting for lawyers—from equipment and workflow to ethics, marketing, and monetization—so you can launch a show that is both sustainable and aligned with your practice and values. You can grab your copy on Amazon and start turning your expertise and personality into a discoverable, binge‑worthy asset for your clients, colleagues, and community.

📢 Stay tuned! The roundtable episode from Podfest 2026 drops tomorrow. You will hear directly from DM, Louis, Robert, Wendi, and Elizabeth as they share the candid, practical advice that every tech‑curious lawyer thinking about podcasting needs to hear. 🎙️

🚨🎙️📘 Three Days Left: The Lawyer’s Guide to Podcasting releases NEXT WEEK! 🥳🥳🥳

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Inside title page of The Lawyer’s Guide to Podcasting, releasing January 19, 2026.

“The Lawyer’s Guide to Podcasting” will be released on Monday, January 19, 2026, through Amazon!!!

Designed for legal professionals, this book walks through every step of launching and sustaining an effective, ethically sound podcast that supports your practice and professional reputation.​

You will learn:

• Show formats

• Equipment needed

• Show hosting platforms to use

• Growing your audience

• Maintaining Professional Ethics

• Maybe earn some $Money$ too!

Want the release link the moment it’s live?
Email Admin@TheTechSavvyLawyer.Page with subject “Book Link.” I’ll send it on launch day. 🚀

🎙️📘 Quick reminder: The Lawyer’s Guide to Podcasting releases NEXT WEEK!

View fullsize

Inside title page of The Lawyer’s Guide to Podcasting, releasing January 19, 2026.

If you want a podcast that sounds professional without turning your week into a production project, this book is built for you. It’s practical. It’s workflow-first. It keeps ethics and confidentiality in view. 🔐⚖️

✅ Inside you’ll learn:

• How to choose a podcast format that fits your goals 🎯

• A simple, reliable setup that sounds credible 🎤

• Recording habits that reduce editing time ⏱️

• Repurposing steps so one episode powers your content plan ♻️

📩 Want the release link the moment it’s live? Email Admin@TheTechSavvyLawyer.Page with subject “Book Link.” I’ll send it on launch day. 🚀

TSL Labs 🧪Bonus: 🎙️ From Cyber Compliance to Cyber Dominance: What VA's AI Revolution Means for Government Cybersecurity, Legal Ethics, and ABA Model Rule Compliance!

In this TSL Labs bonus episode, we examine this week’s editorial on how the Department of Veterans Affairs is leading a historic transformation from traditional compliance frameworks to a dynamic, AI-driven approach called "cyber dominance." This conversation unpacks what this seismic shift means for legal professionals across all practice areas—from procurement and contract law to privacy, FOIA, and litigation. Whether you're advising government agencies, representing contractors, or handling cases where data security matters, this discussion provides essential insights into how continuous monitoring, zero trust architecture, and AI-driven threat detection are redefining professional competence under ABA Model Rule 1.1. 💻⚖️🤖

Join our AI hosts and me as we discuss the following three questions and more!

1. How has federal cybersecurity evolved from the compliance era to the cyber dominance paradigm? 🔒

2. What are the three technical pillars—continuous monitoring, zero trust architecture, and AI-driven detection—and how do they interconnect? 🛡️

3. What professional liability and ethical obligations do lawyers now face under ABA Model Rule 1.1 regarding technology competence? ⚖️

In our conversation, we cover the following:

• [00:00:00] - Introduction: TSL Labs Bonus Podcast on VA's AI Revolution 🎯

• [00:01:00] - Introduction to Federal Cybersecurity: The End of the Compliance Era 📋

• [00:02:00] - Legal Implications and Professional Liability Under ABA Model Rules ⚖️

• [00:03:00] - From Compliance to Continuous Monitoring: Understanding the Static Security Model 🔄

• [00:04:00] - The False Comfort of Compliance-Only Approaches 🚨

• [00:05:00] - The Shift to Cyber Dominance: Three Integrated Technical Pillars 💪

• [00:06:00] - Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) Explained: Verify Everything, Trust Nothing 🔐

• [00:07:00] - AI-Driven Detection and Legal Challenges: Professional Competence Under Model Rule 1.1 🤖

• [00:08:00] - The New Legal Questions: Real-Time Risk vs. Static Compliance 📊

• [00:09:00] - Evolving Compliance: From Paper Checks to Dynamic Evidence 📈

• [00:10:00] - Cybersecurity as Operational Discipline: DevSecOps and Security by Design 🔧

• [00:11:00] - Litigation Risks: Discovery, Red Teaming, and Continuous Monitoring Data ⚠️

• [00:12:00] - Cyber Governance with AI: Algorithmic Bias and Explainability 🧠

• [00:13:00] - Synthesis and Future Outlook: Law Must Lead, Not Chase Technology 🚀

• [00:14:00] - The Ultimate Question: Is Your Advice Ready for Real-Time Risk Management? 💡

• [00:15:00] - Conclusion and Resources 📚

Resources

Mentioned in the Episode

• ABA Model Rule 1.1 - Competent Representation (including technology competence requirement) - https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_1_competence/

• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Cybersecurity Initiative - https://www.va.gov/oit/cybersecurity/

• DevSecOps Pipelines - Security integration in software development - https://www.devsecops.org/

• FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program) - https://www.fedramp.gov/

• FISMA (Federal Information Security Management Act) - https://www.cisa.gov/topics/cyber-threats-and-advisories/federal-information-security-modernization-act

• Google Notebook AI - AI discussion generation tool - https://notebooklm.google.com/

• HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) - https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/index.html

• NIST Cybersecurity Framework - https://www.nist.gov/cyberframework

• Red Teaming - Ethical hacking and security testing methodology - https://www.cisa.gov/red-team-assessments

• Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) - Federal mandate for security verification - https://www.cisa.gov/zero-trust

Software & Cloud Services Mentioned in the Conversation

• AI-Driven Detection Systems - Automated threat detection and response platforms

• Automated Compliance Platforms - Dynamic evidence generation systems

• Continuous Monitoring Systems - Real-time security assessment platforms

• DevSecOps Tools - Automated security testing in software development pipelines

• Firewalls - Network security hardware devices

• Google Notebook AI - https://notebooklm.google.com/

• Penetration Testing Software - Security vulnerability assessment tools

• Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) Solutions - Identity and access verification systems

🎙️Ep. 118: Essential Legal Tech Competency - Colin S. Levy on Building Foundational Technology Skills for Modern Lawyers!

My next guest is Colin Levy, General Counsel at Malbek. Colin is a leading voice in legal innovation. During our interview, he shared practical insights on building foundational legal tech skills for modern lawyers.

During the conversation, Colin outlines the top three steps every lawyer should take to develop legal tech competency, regardless of their technical background. He emphasizes the ethical responsibilities that lawyers face when utilizing AI, particularly the risks associated with unchecked reliance on generative tools and the need to acknowledge potential inaccuracies. Colin also shared some great tips on how to better utilize legal professionals' use of Microsoft Word to improve efficiency and save time (and money💰). In discussing the adoption of new technology, he underscores the importance of defining problems, clarifying desired outcomes, and fully leveraging existing tools before selecting new solutions strategically.

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

1. Based on his extensive experience interviewing legal tech leaders and your role as general counsel at Malbek, Colin provides the top three foundational steps every lawyer should take today to build their legal tech competency, regardless of their current technical skill level.

2. Colin shares three specific ways lawyers can immediately improve their document drafting efficiency using existing technology tools, and how this foundational competence connects to more advanced legal tech adoption.

3. Colin has conducted hundreds of interviews with legal tech leaders and now serves as general counsel for a CLM company.  He has seen both the vendor and practitioner perspectives. Colin shares his top three strategic considerations lawyers should evaluate when selecting and implementing new technology solutions to ensure they actually improve client service delivery and practice efficiency rather than just adding complexity.

In our conversation, we covered the following:

[01:28] Colin's Tech Setup

[11:14] The Three Core Steps to Legal Tech Competency

[13:17] AI Tools and Ethical Considerations

[17:29] Improving Document Drafting Efficiency

[23:15] Strategic Considerations for Technology Selection

Resources:

Connect with Colin:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/colinslevy/

• Schedule Time with Colin: calendly.com/colin-levy/30min

• Website: colinslevy.com/

Mentioned in the episode:

• The Legal Tech Ecosystem: https://www.colinslevy.com/books#:~:text=More...-,The%20Legal%20Tech%20Ecosystem,-Innovation%2C%20Advancement

• Handbook: https://www.colinslevy.com/books#:~:text=Handbook%20of%20Legal%20Tech

Hardware mentioned in the conversation:

• Apple iPhone: https://www.apple.com/iphone-15-pro/

• Apple Mini: https://www.apple.com/mac-mini/

• Apple Studio Displays: apple.com/studio-display/

• Blue Yeti Microphone: https://www.logitechg.com/en-us/shop/p/yeti-premium-usb-microphone

• iContact Pro Camera: https://icontactcamera.com

• Microsoft Surface Pro: microsoft.com/en-us/surface/devices/surface-pro

Software & Cloud Services mentioned in the conversation:

• Claude: claude.ai/

• Google Drive - https://drive.google.com

• Malbek CLM: malbek.io/

• Microsoft Outlook - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/outlook/email-and-calendar-software-microsoft-outlook

• Microsoft Teams - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software

• Microsoft Word - https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/word

• Perplexity: perplexity.ai/

• Zoom - https://zoom.us

🎙️ Ep. 114: Unlocking Legal Innovation: AI And IP With Matthew Veale of Patsnap

Our next guest is Matthew Veale, a European patent attorney and Patsnap's Professional Systems team member. He introduces the AI-powered innovation intelligence platform, Patsnap. Matthew explains how Patsnap supports IP and R&D professionals through tools for patent analytics, prior art searches, and strategic innovation mapping.

Furthermore, Matthew highlights Patsnap's AI-driven capabilities, including semantic search and patent drafting support, while emphasizing its adherence to strict data security and ISO standards. He outlines three key ways lawyers can leverage AI—note-taking, document drafting, and creative ideation—while warning of risks like data quality, security, and transparency.

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

1. What are the top three ways IP and R&D lawyers can use Patsnap's AI to help them with their work?

2. What are the top three ways lawyers can use AI in their day-to-day work, regardless of the practice area?

3. What are the top three issues lawyers should be wary of when using AI?

In our conversation, we covered the following:

[01:07] Matthew Tech Setup

[04:43] Introduction to Pat Snap and Its Features

[13:17] Top Three Ways Lawyers Can Use AI in Their Work

[17:29] Ensuring Confidentiality and Security in AI Tools

[19:24] Transparency and Ethical Use of AI in Legal Practice

[22:13] Contact Information

Resources:

Connect with Matthew:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/matthew-veale

• Website: patsnap.com/

Hardware mentioned in the conversation:

• Apple XDR Display: apple.com/pro-display-xdr/

• Herman Miller Chair: hermanmiller.com/en_eur/products/seating/office-chairs/

• Microsoft Surface: microsoft.com/en-us/surface

• MuteMe Button: muteme.com

• Samsung Curved Monitor: samsung.com/us/computing/monitors/curved/

Software & Cloud Services mentioned in the conversation:

• Claude: claude.ai/

• Google Patent: patents.google.com/

• PatGPT: patgpt.ai/

• PatSnap: patsnap.com/

• Windows Copilot: copilot.microsoft.com/

MTC: Lawyers, Generative AI, and the Right to Privacy: Navigating Ethics, Client Confidentiality, and Public Data in the Digital Age

Modern attorneys need to tackle AI ethics and privacy risks.

The legal profession stands at a critical crossroads as generative AI tools like ChatGPT become increasingly integrated into daily practice. While these technologies offer unprecedented efficiency and insight, they also raise urgent questions about client privacy, data security, and professional ethics—questions that every lawyer, regardless of technical proficiency, must confront.

Recent developments have brought these issues into sharp focus. OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, was recently compelled to preserve all user chats for legal review, highlighting how data entered into generative AI systems can be stored, accessed, and potentially scrutinized by third parties. For lawyers, this is not a theoretical risk; it is a direct challenge to the core obligations of client confidentiality and the right to privacy.

The ABA Model Rules and Generative AI

The American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct are clear: Rule 1.6 requires lawyers to “act competently to safeguard information relating to the representation of a client against unauthorized access by third parties and against inadvertent or unauthorized disclosure”. This duty extends beyond existing clients to former and prospective clients under Rules 1.9 and 1.18. Crucially, the obligation applies even to information that is publicly accessible or contained in public records, unless disclosure is authorized or consented to by the client.

Attorneys need to explain generative AI privacy concerns to client.

The ABA’s recent Formal Opinion 512 underscores these concerns in the context of generative AI. Lawyers must fully consider their ethical obligations, including competence, confidentiality, informed consent, and reasonable fees when using AI tools. Notably, the opinion warns that boilerplate consent in engagement letters is not sufficient; clients must be properly informed about how their data may be used and stored by AI systems.

Risks of Generative AI: PII, Case Details, and Public Data

Generative AI tools, especially those that are self-learning, can retain and reuse input data, including Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and case-specific details. This creates a risk that confidential information could be inadvertently disclosed or cross-used in other cases, even within a closed firm system. In March 2023, a ChatGPT data leak allowed users to view chat histories of others, illustrating the real-world dangers of data exposure.

Moreover, lawyers may be tempted to use client public data—such as court filings or news reports—in AI-powered research or drafting. However, ABA guidance and multiple ethics opinions make it clear: confidentiality obligations apply even to information that is “generally known” or publicly accessible, unless the client has given informed consent or an exception applies. The act of further publicizing such data, especially through AI tools that may store and process it, can itself breach confidentiality.

Practical Guidance for the Tech-Savvy (and Not-So-Savvy) Lawyer

Lawyers can face disciplinary hearing over unethical use of generative AI.

The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page Podcast Episode 99, “Navigating the Intersection of Law Ethics and Technology with Jayne Reardon and other The Tech-Savvy Lawyer.Page postings offer practical insights for lawyers with limited to moderate tech skills. The message is clear: lawyers must be strategic, not just enthusiastic, about legal tech adoption. This means:

• Vetting AI Tools: Choose AI platforms with robust privacy protections, clear data handling policies, and transparent security measures.

• Obtaining Informed Consent: Clearly explain to clients how their information may be used, stored, or processed by AI systems—especially if public data or PII is involved.

• Limiting Data Input: Avoid entering sensitive client details, PII, or case specifics into generative AI tools unless absolutely necessary and with explicit client consent.

• Monitoring for Updates: Stay informed about evolving ABA guidance, state bar opinions, and the technical capabilities of AI tools.

• Training and Policies: Invest in ongoing education and firm-wide policies to ensure all staff understand the risks and responsibilities associated with AI use.

Conclusion

The promise of generative AI in law is real, but so are the risks. As OpenAI’s recent legal challenges and the ABA’s evolving guidance make clear, lawyers must prioritize privacy, confidentiality, and ethics at every step. By embracing technology with caution, transparency, and respect for client rights, legal professionals can harness AI’s benefits without compromising the foundational trust at the heart of the attorney-client relationship.

MTC