📢 ANNOUNCEMENT: Tech-Savvy Saturdays Takes a Brief Hiatus - Continuing to Empower Lawyers with Legal Tech Insights Through Blogs and Podcasts.

Hey everyone!

My goal with Tech-Savvy Saturdays (TSS) is to consistently serve as a cornerstone resource for legal professionals seeking to navigate the evolving landscape of legal technology. Due to other obligations, I need to take a pause on TSS.  But fear not, TSS will return in several months. Meanwhile, you can still stay updated on all things legal tech through the Tech-Savvy Lawyer Blog and Podcast.

Stay safe and Tech-Savvy!

Your Friend,
Michael D.J.

TSS: Repurpose Your Old Work Tech Into Family Learning Tools This Back-to-School Season 💻📚

repurposing your tech for your children can be a platform for a talk with your school kids on the Safe use of Tech.

The new school year approaches, and your children need reliable technology. Before you head to the electronics store, consider the laptops and tablets gathering dust in your office closet or your current devices that you are about to upgrade. With proper preparation, these work devices can become powerful educational tools while teaching your family essential cybersecurity skills.

Why Lawyer Parents Need This Workshop 🎯

As attorneys, we face unique challenges when transitioning work devices to family use. Attorney-client privilege concerns, firm policy compliance, and data breach liability create legal risks most parents never consider. Our August Tech-Savvy Saturday seminar addresses these challenges head-on with practical solutions.

What You'll Master in This Essential Session 🛡️

Device Sanitization for Legal Professionals: Step-by-step Windows, Mac OS, iOS, and Android procedures that protect privileged information while preparing devices for family use. We cover complete data wiping, software licensing removal, and documentation requirements.

Family Technology Management Systems: Implementation strategies for password managers, shared calendars, and network security configurations that work for legal families. Special focus on co-parenting considerations and court-approved platforms.

Family Cyber Talks should be routine!

Age-Appropriate Cybersecurity Education: From elementary through college-age guidance on digital citizenship, password security, and online safety. Critical discussions about digital permanence and the serious legal consequences of non-consensual intimate image sharing.

Emergency Response Planning: Practical protocols for handling cyberbullying, predator contact, and other digital crises. Know when to involve law enforcement versus school administration.

Register Now for August Tech-Savvy Saturday 🚀

This workshop combines legal ethics with practical family technology management. You'll leave with actionable checklists, template agreements, and the confidence to transform old work devices into safe learning tools.

🎙️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. #116: Free Versus Paid Legal AI: Conversation with DC Court of Appeals Head Law Librarian Laura Moorer

Laura Moorer, the Law Librarian for the DC Court of Appeals, brings over two decades of experience in legal research, including nearly 14 years with the Public Defender Service for DC. In this conversation, Laura shares her top three tips for crafting precise prompts when using generative AI, emphasizing clarity, specificity, and structure. She also offers insights on how traditional legal research methods—like those used with LexisNexis and Westlaw—can enhance AI-driven inquiries. Finally, Laura offers practical strategies for utilizing generative AI to help lawyers identify and locate physical legal resources, thereby bridging the gap between digital tools and tangible materials.

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

• What are your top three tips when it comes to precise prompt engineering, your generative AI inquiries?

• What are your top three tips or tricks when it comes to using old-school prompts like those from the days of LexisNexis and Westlaw in your generative AI inquiries?

• What are your top three tips or tricks using generative AI to help lawyers pinpoint actual physical resources?

In our conversation, we cover the following:

[00:40] Laura's Current Tech Setup

[03:27] Top 3 Tips for Crafting Precise Prompts in Generative AI

[13:44] Bringing Old-School Legal Research Tactics to Generative AI Prompting

[20:42] Using Generative AI to Help Lawyers Locate Physical Legal Resources

[24:38] Contact Information

Resources:

Connect with Laura:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laura-moorer

• Email: lmoorer@dcappeals.gov

• Instagram: instagram.com/dccalibby/

Mentioned in the episode:

• Libby Visits the DC Courts

• 🔗 https://perma.cc/HXA9-NR8B is an archive of http://intranet.gov/attachment/782039870000/1800539/Libby%20visits%20the%20DC%20Courts%20Story%20BookRS.pdf?type=1 from Wednesday 02, July 2025

Software & Cloud Services mentioned in the conversation:

• AT&T Internet: att.com/internet/

• Bloomberg Law: pro.bloomberglaw.com/

• Fastcase: fastcase.com/

• Internet Archive: archive.org/

• LexisNexis: lexisnexis.com/en-us

• Spectrum Internet: spectrum.com/internet

• vLex: vlex.com/

• Westlaw: legal.thomsonreuters.com/en/westlaw

• WorldCat: worldcat.org/

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