Advertise on podcast: The Florida Bar's LegalFuel Podcast

Last month on the podcast, we had Jordan Turk on to discuss Smokeball Bill, the Florida Bar’s newest member benefit for trust accounting software. Today we are going to dive a little further into Trust Accounting itself. In today’s episode, hosts Autumn Chadwell and Charlotte Chambliss are speaking with Christine Bilbrey to go beyond the basics and focus more on questions that we have received from attorneys regarding opening a trust account, Funding Florida Legal Aid, and what to do in specific situations. Christine Bilbrey is the Director of The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center, and one of the hosts of The Florida Bar’s LegalFuel podcast series. In addition to the Practice Resource Center, Christine oversees all things related to the Lawyer Referral Service and is also the staff liaison for The Florida Bar’s Special Committee on AI Tools & Resources. Christine holds a master’s degree in Business Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Legal Administration. She previously served as the principal firm administrator at area law firms in her hometown of Pensacola, Florida. Prior to joining The Florida Bar, Christine was a certified HR classroom and virtual trainer for the world’s largest credit union. This podcast has been approved by The Florida Bar Legal Specialization and Education Department for 0.5 General CLE Credit. Course #260040 REFERENCED RESOURCES LegalFuel LegalFuel Document LibraryThe Rules Regulating The Florida Bar: Chapter 5The Florida Bar Member Benefits and DiscountsSmokeBall Bill

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 BillSmokeballThe Florida Bar Member Benefits and DiscountsRules 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 OutThe 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 SolutionsThe Employee PlaybookThe 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 CenterLawyers with DepressionThe Buffalo Depression ProjectHow 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 ProjectNational Alliance on Mental IllnessDepression 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.comJordan Furlong LinkedInABA Techshow keynote, Furlong says lawyers need to level up to survive in post-AI worldThe Claude-Native Law Firm (article) Zack ShapiroHow To Create a Claude- Native AI Law Firm with Zack Shapiro (YouTube video)2026 AI and the Practice of Law Summit ABA Center for InnovationAI: 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 CenterFlorida Lawyers Helpline 833-351-9355Online Helpline Web PortalMindfulness 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 DiscountsMember Benefits At a GlanceNOTA Trust AccountingvLEX Fastcase (through the member portal)ProcertasMember 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 850-561-5839Membership Records 850-561-5832The Florida Bar Member Portal (For assistance logging in 850-561-5820)Legal Specialization and Education Department (CLE) 850-561-5842vLex Fastcase (access through your Member Portal)Nota trust accountingSectionsEthics & Advertising 800-235-8619Unlicensed Practice of Law (UPL) 850-561-5840The Practice Resource Center (LegalFuel.com) 850-561-5616Lawyers Advising LawyersThe Florida Bar Lawyer Referral Service 800-342-8011The Florida Bar Career Center and Career Benchmark DashboardFlorida Bar Member BenefitsThe 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 ProcessThe 10 Most Important Things to Know About Lawyer Regulation by The Florida BarLawyer Discipline – A Roadmap to Florida’s Lawyer Regulation System (Florida Bar Journal)The Florida Bar – Lawyer Complaints and DisciplineFlorida Bar Rules & StandardsFlorida Bar Branch OfficesFlorida Bar Grievance CommitteesAttorney/Consumer Assistance Program (ACAP)Ethics HotlineTrust Account Compliance Certificate InstructionsLegalFuel: 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 CertificationFlorida Bar News – Board Certification Isn’t Just a Title – It’s a Commitment to ExcellenceRules Regulating The Florida BarFlorida 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 LettersClient Fee Agreements and Letters of RepresentationLawyer Changing FirmsRules Regulating The Florida Bar – View the Full Set Rule 4-1.6 Confidentiality of InformationRule 4-5.8 Procedures for Lawyers Leaving Law Firms and Dissolution of Law FirmsEthics Hotline – 800-235-8619 Ethics Informational Packets Ethics Opinions by Subject Opinion 06-1Opinion 10-2Opinion 12-3Opinion 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:  ScamicideAbout SteveAll Books – Steve Weisman - AmazonBeware 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 AppealsMarelize DingmanBeyond 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 ExchangeSelling 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 CompositionFlorida Bar’s Ethics Informational Packet: Of CounselABA LPM: Succession Planning for Your Next Firm AdministratorA Guide to Law Firm Succession Planning: From Emergency Plans to Exit StrategiesChecklist for Lawyers Retirement, Law Office Closure, Or Law Firm DissolutionThe 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 GuideLegalFuel: The Florida Bar’s Practice Resource Center