How will artificial intelligence reshape the courtroom and the legal profession? In this episode, we speak with U.S. Magistrate Judge Maritza Dominguez Braswell (District of Colorado) about the rapidly evolving role of AI in courts and the broader legal industry.

Judge Braswell shares insights from launching the Judicial AI Consortium, a national judges-only forum focused on responsible AI adoption in the judiciary, and discusses her AI Brief newsletter, which helps judges and court staff stay informed about emerging AI tools and risks.

We explore key issues surrounding AI in legal practice, including AI hallucinations, disclosure challenges, confidentiality concerns, bias risks, and how courts are beginning to address AI-generated content in legal filings.

Judge Braswell also introduces her practical “AI sandwich approach," where humans begin and end the legal work while AI supports the middle of the process, helping legal professionals use AI responsibly without compromising ethical standards.

The conversation also covers:
• AI risks in legal research and court filings
• Ethical considerations for attorneys using AI tools
• Training needs for lawyers and judges as AI adoption grows
• Access-to-justice opportunities created by AI technology
• The future of AI inside the courtroom

For attorneys, legal professionals, and those working in the legal accounting and law firm ecosystem, this discussion offers an important perspective on how technology is changing the legal landscape and what professionals must understand to stay prepared.

Learn more about the Judicial AI Consortium (JAIC)

00:46 Meet Judge Braswell
02:13 Her AI Work and Consortium
04:42 AI Brief Newsletter Audience
05:36 Courtroom AI Guidance
07:46 Disclosure and Hallucinations
10:08 Sandwich Approach Framework
11:54 Human Connection and Access
15:19 Security Risks and Job Shifts
20:57 AI in Court Live Research
23:25 Leveling the Playing Field
26:35 Teaching AI and Critical Thinking
27:59 Critical Thinking Checks
28:17 Legal Design Sprint Skills
28:56 Where to Learn AI
31:56 Personal Practice Ideas
33:17 Workplace Safety Guardrails
36:05 Small Use Cases First
36:39 Beyond Chatbots Tools
37:31 Redacting in NotebookLM
38:25 Peer Sharing and Prototyping
39:49 AI for Judges Consortium
42:28 AI Is Here to Stay
44:35 Limitations and Getting Better
46:10 Creative Family Use Stories

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If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at info@accountantslawpod.com or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com

If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up!

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

Small law firms often rely on spreadsheets and patchwork processes to manage their finances, but that approach rarely scales. In this episode of Accountants Law Pod, we discuss the bookkeeping strategies law firms need to support growth, improve cash flow, and prepare for long-term success. The conversation explores why spreadsheets create risk, especially for trust accounting, and why investing early in the right technology stack can transform a firm’s financial operations.

We walk through the essential systems every firm should implement, including a general ledger, practice management software, and merchant services that help firms get paid faster. We also share practical advice on chart of accounts setup, financial statements, KPIs, and how outsourced accounting professionals can help law firms build reliable financial workflows.

From engagement letters and SOPs to budgeting and managing scope creep, this episode offers a roadmap for both law firms and legal bookkeepers looking to create sustainable, scalable systems. If you want your firm’s finances to support growth, not hold it back, this episode is for you.

01:35 Why Strategy Matters
02:35 Exit Plans and Growth
05:04 Ditch the Spreadsheets
06:05 Core Software Stack
08:21 Trust Accounting Risks
09:00 Steve’s Setup Checklist
11:26 Planning Your Work Year
12:28 Engagement Letters Matter
12:50 Outsource Accounting Help
13:02 Billing Models and Cash Flow
13:43 Get Paid Faster Systems
14:04 KPIs and Realization Rates
14:29 Software Setup Growing Pains
15:11 Track Practice Profitability
15:48 Financial Statements Basics
16:29 Client Education Touchpoints
18:18 Niche Down in Legal
19:24 Value Beyond Data Entry
21:51 Fixing Broken Workflows
23:17 Modernize for Growth Mergers
24:52 Choosing Clients and Rates
26:24 Goals Personal and Business

Subscribe for more conversations on legal accounting, bookkeeping for law firms, and trust accounting compliance.

Find us on Spotify and Google Podcasts as well!

If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at info@accountantslawpod.com or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com

To join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up!

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.

We dive into the world of law-firm business coaches - hot takes and hard truths. From confusing reports and costly programs to chart-of-accounts chaos, we break down red flags, what good coaching really looks like, and why clean books, clear goals, solid pricing, and strong systems matter long before you scale.

02:52 Coaches and Report Requests
03:30 Rainmaker and CFO Labels
05:34 Why Firms Hire Coaches
09:58 When Coaches Add Value
12:08 Hot Tip Paralegals and Books
13:56 Growth Needs Process
15:15 Better Margins Not Leads
16:20 Coach Requires Participation
17:49 Plans Payroll Accountability
19:37 Clean Books First
22:05 Pricing Before Hiring
22:48 Marketing Shifts With AI
23:41 Billboards And Exposure
25:36 Ready For A Coach

Be sure to subscribe for more episodes!
Find us on Spotify and Google Podcasts as well!

If you have questions, topic requests, or guest suggestions you can email us at info@accountantslawpod.com or send us a message through our website, www.accountantslawpod.com

If you want to join us in the Accountants Law Lab, visit our website at www.accountantslawlab.com to sign up!

Accountants Law Pod is hosted by Lynda Artesani, Sarah Prevost, and Steve Libhart and directed/produced by Teaira Burge and The Proper Trust. Music by ComaStudio from Pixabay - Edited by audiovideo_uk

Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as legal, financial, or professional advice.