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The State Bar of Michigan podcast series, On Balance, features a diversified array of legal thought leaders. Hosted by JoAnn Hathaway of the bar’s Practice Management Resource Center and Molly Ranns of its Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program, the series focuses on the need for interplay between practice management and lawyer-wellness for a thriving law practice.
Total 99 episodes
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Positive Lawyering: Cultivating Values and Compassion in the Legal Profession

Positive Lawyering: Cultivating Values and Compassion in the Legal Profession

Using positive psychology tailored to the unique needs of lawyers and law students, attorney Jordana Confino helps others in the profession improve their wellbeing and thrive in legal practice. JoAnn Hathaway and Molly Ranns talk with Jordana about her methods for cultivating a healthy self-care mindset amidst the pressures and stresses of legal work. They discuss the practice of identifying and prioritizing your core values, reining in perfectionism, and practicing self-compassion. Mentioned in this Episode: Chronicles of a Recovering Type A+ Perfectionist Blog — Jordana Confino Jordana Confino is an attorney, professional coach, and founder of JC Coaching & Consulting.
39:2111/11/2024
Succession Planning — Updates for Rule 21

Succession Planning — Updates for Rule 21

What’s next for Rule 21? After a year of progress, JoAnn Hathaway and Molly Ranns welcome April Alleman back to the podcast to learn about the updates for important elements of Michigan’s succession planning requirements. Planning for the future of your legal practice is essential for all attorneys. April gives an overview of the processes pertaining to Rule 21 and the Interim Administrator Program and what attorneys should do to ensure compliance.  For more detailed information on Rule 21, listen to previous SBM podcast episode: Rule 21: Law Practice Succession Planning on Legal Talk Network. April Alleman is Succession Planning Program Counsel at the State Bar of Michigan.
31:2714/10/2024
Balancing Wellbeing, Professionalism, and Civility

Balancing Wellbeing, Professionalism, and Civility

Between forty and seventy percent of all malpractice claims and disciplinary proceedings are directly related to untreated mental health or substance abuse issues. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway discuss the intersection of wellbeing and professionalism/civility rules with Joan Vestrand and Tim Lessing. Wellness is necessary to a lawyer’s ability to conduct themselves professionally, but things may break down if wellness is compromised. They discuss the inherently adversarial system lawyers work within and outline strategies for mindset shifts that allow attorneys to live and practice law in ways that positively support mental health and wellbeing.   Joan Vestrand is Dean of Students and Professor of Law at Thomas M. Cooley Law School. Tim Lessing is principle at Lessing Law, PLLC, where he specializes almost exclusively in trial/litigation practice in both civil and criminal law.
29:2609/09/2024
How to Enhance Your Legal Services with Microsoft Copilot

How to Enhance Your Legal Services with Microsoft Copilot

Is AI coming for your job as an attorney? Ben Schorr of Microsoft has the short answer—no! But, AI can come alongside you to help you do your work even better. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Ben about ways lawyers can implement Microsoft Copilot in legal practice. From first drafts of documents, to brainstorming, to research help, and more, Copilot has much to offer in the daily lives of legal professionals. Ben also outlines common mistakes lawyers make when employing AI tools and explains how to effectively and ethically integrate Copilot into your practice.  Ben M. Schorr is a Senior Content Developer at Microsoft.
21:2312/08/2024
Mental Health Resources with Joe Ankus

Mental Health Resources with Joe Ankus

Due to his lived experience with stress and anxiety in the practice of law, Joe Ankus was inspired to get involved in mental health education in the legal profession. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Joe about his passion for coming alongside attorneys experiencing mental health challenges and increasing support in all areas of legal. Joe emphasizes the importance of openness in struggles with wellness or substance abuse and offers advice for lawyers on helping colleagues or seeking help for themselves.  Resources: 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline NAMI  ABA   Institute for Wellness in Law National Institute of Health Alcoholics Anonymous  AlAnon Family Groups www.ankusconsulting.com Joe Ankus is president of both Attorney Mental Health Education, Inc., and Ankus Consulting, Inc.
39:5808/07/2024
How to Dissect and Understand Your Cyber Insurance Policy

How to Dissect and Understand Your Cyber Insurance Policy

Cyber threats abound in our modern world, and lawyers and law firms are prime targets due to the sensitive nature of the information they hold in trust for clients. As such, cyber insurance is becoming a necessity for attorneys, but many feel overwhelmed by the numerous options available to them and how policies change as cyber risks evolve. To help lawyers comprehend the spectrum of cyber insurance services, Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Judy Selby to hear her expertise on this complicated topic. Judy explains what to look for in a policy, different types of coverage and limitations, and how to ensure that a policy will meet the unique needs of your law firm.  Judy Selby is a partner at Kennedys and has over 30 years of experience in insurance coverage. 
33:0610/06/2024
A Better Perspective: How Mindset Shifts Can Enrich Life and Legal Practice

A Better Perspective: How Mindset Shifts Can Enrich Life and Legal Practice

Legal practice can be stressful, and it is all too common to go through difficult seasons which, in turn, lead to negative impacts on our overall wellbeing. But, there are ways to equip lawyers with the skills to mindfully combat this tendency. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Laura Kelly about strategies for managing your mindset and finding joy and balance in your life. Laura shares stories from her own life and her experiences as a coach to help attorneys implement healthy practices that promote wellbeing both at work and at home.  Laura F. Kelley is the founder of LFK Immigration PA, a comprehensive immigration firm based in Doral, FL.
33:1713/05/2024
How Lawyers Can Enhance Legal Services and Stay Ahead in the Industry with AI

How Lawyers Can Enhance Legal Services and Stay Ahead in the Industry with AI

Leveraging AI in your practice can help you create better client experiences and become a more efficient lawyer. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Mitch Jackson about ways to integrate AI into your practice to speed up legal service delivery. Mitch talks through current ethics of AI use and offers many examples of ways to use AI in your day-to-day tasks, including research, document analysis, templates, chatbots, and so much more.  Mitch Jackson is the CEO of Jackson and Wilson, a California litigation law firm, and founder of Maneuver Mediation.
38:3808/04/2024
Managing the Transition to Life After Legal Practice

Managing the Transition to Life After Legal Practice

It is important to attorneys to build a rich career, but just as important is the time they put into life outside of legal practice. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Kevin McGoff about his recently published book, Find Your Landing Zone: Life Beyond the Bar. Kevin shares his personal experiences and discusses effective ways to manage transitions both during and at the close of a legal career. Kevin believes attorneys should commit to reflection and take charge of the many fulfilling opportunities retirement has in store.  Kevin McGoff is an author, travel writer, speaker and lawyer.
27:4511/03/2024
Unraveling the Legal Tech Ecosystem: How People, Processes, and Tech Work Together

Unraveling the Legal Tech Ecosystem: How People, Processes, and Tech Work Together

Technology can help you solve problems in your law firm, connect with clients, save time and money, and so much more. But, how do you know what tech will work best for your practice? Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Colin Levy about understanding and utilizing technology, common mistakes in choosing new tools, and ways to overcome tech-related fear and anxiety.  Check out Colin’s book, The Legal Tech Ecosystem, to learn more!  Colin S. Levy is director of legal at Malbek, a legal tech evangelist and speaker, and an attorney with more than a decade of experience in corporate transactional law.
19:2412/02/2024
Addiction Recovery and Lawyer Wellbeing

Addiction Recovery and Lawyer Wellbeing

The legal profession as a whole now has a heightened awareness of the fact that wellbeing is a critical piece in the life of a lawyer, but rates of addiction, depression, anxiety, and other mental health struggles are still high. How can we support fellow attorneys, judges, students, and ourselves when dealing with a crisis? Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway welcome Bree Buchanan to discuss her personal addiction and recovery story and learn about her work with the National Task Force on Lawyer wellbeing. Bree describes strategies and resources for reducing stigma and encouraging those who are struggling to seek the help they need.  Lawyers & Judges Assistance Program - State Bar of Michigan Bree Buchanan is co-founder of the National Task Force on Lawyer Wellbeing and co-author of its 2017 groundbreaking report that launched the Wellbeing in Law Movement.
24:2908/01/2024
Insights on Clio’s 2023 Legal Trends Report with Joshua Lenon

Insights on Clio’s 2023 Legal Trends Report with Joshua Lenon

Clio’s Legal Trends Report has given us a whole new perspective on many aspects of the profession since its inception in 2016, and the latest report has new insights in store. JoAnn Hathaway and Molly Ranns talk with Joshua Lenon about the 2023 findings and what they tell us about the current state of legal business and technology. They discuss rates and billing across different areas, tech features that improve legal businesses, notable findings in access to justice, AI tools in legal practice, and more.  Peruse the report here: 2023 Legal Trends Report - Clio  Joshua Lenon is Clio’s Lawyer in Residence, and has worked on the front lines of legal technology innovation for more than a decade.
39:0711/12/2023
Recommendations from the Task Force on Well-Being in the Law

Recommendations from the Task Force on Well-Being in the Law

In August of this year, the Michigan Task Force on Well-Being in the Law released a comprehensive report outlining current recommendations for supporting law student, lawyer, and judicial wellness. JoAnn Hathaway talks with co-chairs of the task force Molly Ranns and Justice Megan Cavanagh about their efforts to address common struggles in the profession, including high rates of depression, anxiety, and substance use. The task force also aims to form an ongoing Commission on Well-Being in the Law which would focus on promoting a healthier culture within all spheres of the profession.  Read the full report here: MICHIGAN TASK FORCE ON WELL-BEING IN THE LAW And find more information on the commission at: onecourtofjustice.org Justice Megan K. Cavanagh is an Associate Justice on the Michigan Supreme Court.
30:3913/11/2023
Tech Foundations and Recommendations for a Successful Law Firm

Tech Foundations and Recommendations for a Successful Law Firm

Whether you’re setting up a new law firm or trying to get your current firm up to modern standards, technology absolutely must be a foundational element. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Adriana Linares about what software and tools attorneys need to manage a firm effectively. Adriana draws from her many years of experience as a law practice consultant to offer the best solutions for case management software, document management systems, accounting, collaboration, security, and so much more. Check out some of Adriana’s recommendations: Microsoft 365 QuickBooks NetDocuments Clio Rocket Matter TextExpander MyCase   And, for Michigan attorneys, learn more about: State Bar of Michigan Member Technology Discounts   Adriana Linares is a law practice consultant and legal technology coach and founder of LawTech Partners. She has years of experience working with law firms, legal departments, legal aid groups and even legal technology startups.
43:2109/10/2023
Bringing Transparency to Judicial Clerkships

Bringing Transparency to Judicial Clerkships

The legal profession places an enormous premium on getting judicial clerkships, which usually offer both valuable learning experiences and a major boost to a young lawyer’s future prospects. But, are there potential downsides to clerkships? Some law clerks have a wonderful experience, but too many have had an experience marked by harassment and mistreatment at the hands of an abusive judge. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway welcome Aliza Shatzman to talk about her personal story and her efforts to bring transparency and awareness about the full range of clerkship experiences to lift current stigmas and prevent future judiciary workplace mistreatment.  Aliza Shatzman is the president and co-founder of the Legal Accountability Project.
31:5511/09/2023
How To Do More in Less Time with Dan Siegel & Allison Johs

How To Do More in Less Time with Dan Siegel & Allison Johs

Productivity practices are essential—even life-changing—in legal practice. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, that your time is not your own, hopelessly behind on technology, or that you just can’t seem to balance work and life, learning productivity strategies can help. JoAnn Hathaway and Molly Ranns talk with Dan Siegel and Allison Johs about their book, “How to Do More in Less Time: The Complete Guide to Increasing Your Productivity and Improving Your Bottom Line, Second Edition.” Dan and Allison share the most recent updates to their book, including pertinent information addressing post-pandemic, tech-fueled changes facing the legal profession.  The ABA has provided a 20% discount code for listeners! Enter HTDMILT23 at checkout for How to Do More in Less Time: The Complete Guide to Increasing Your Productivity and Improving Your Bottom Line, Second Edition Daniel J. Siegel is a nationally recognized authority on ethics, technology, data protection and business workflow management, and the principal of both the Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC and Integrated Technology Services, LLC. Allison C. Johs, Esq., is president of Legal Ease Consulting, which provides marketing, social media, business development, productivity, and practice management coaching and consulting for lawyers and law firms.
32:0315/08/2023
The Mindfulness in Law Movement with Dr. Nehal Patel

The Mindfulness in Law Movement with Dr. Nehal Patel

Mindfulness refers to our ability to maintain our present-moment awareness without drifting unhelpfully to the past or future. That might sound like a heady concept, but a focused, steady mind truly is helpful in life, and its applications in legal practice could lead to radical improvements for lawyers and their clients. So, how do we get there? Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Dr. Nehal Patel about his article, Why Lawyers Fear Love: Mohandas Gandhi's Significance to the Mindfulness in Law Movement, where he highlights Gandhi’s teachings and explains how meditation and mindset shifts help legal professionals thrive in the practice of law.  Nehal Patel is a licensed attorney and an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Sociology at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
43:2610/07/2023
Lawyer Well-Being in Biglaw

Lawyer Well-Being in Biglaw

In Biglaw, there is a natural inclination amongst attorneys to build a reputation for being the best, but too often this comes at the expense of mental health and overall wellness. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Anthony Sallah and Stacy Sampeck about their expertise and thought leadership in promoting well-being in large law firms and in-house legal teams. They discuss the traditional pressures of working in Biglaw and outline wellness strategies that can help attorneys thrive and do their best work.  Anthony Sallah is a partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP and serves as a member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Lawyers and Judges Assistance Committee.  Stacy Sampeck serves as Director, Assistant General Counsel at 3M and is a founding member of The Mind-Budget Connection, a volunteer group of attorneys and professionals focused on addressing burnout in the eDiscovery industry.
36:5012/06/2023
Rule 21: Law Practice Succession Planning

Rule 21: Law Practice Succession Planning

New rules effective in September 2023 will require Michigan attorneys to name a person with knowledge of their practice as well as an interim administrator in their succession plan. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway welcome April Alleman and Alecia Chandler to discuss how these new requirements came to be and what past problems they aim to solve. They outline the process of naming individuals for these roles and explain the option of enrolling in the State Bar of Michigan’s Interim Administrator Program. Learn more at the State Bar’s webpage explaining Mandatory Interim Administrator Planning or check out the Rule 21 FAQ. April Alleman is Succession Planning Program Counsel at the State Bar of Michigan. Alecia M. Chandler is Professional Responsibility Programs Director at the State Bar of Michigan.
36:4808/05/2023
AI and ChatGPT’s Impacts on the Legal Profession

AI and ChatGPT’s Impacts on the Legal Profession

Rapid new developments in AI and ChatGPT, especially, have given rise to many questions across the legal industry about how to use this technology both effectively and ethically. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway turn to Nicole Black for insights on the current landscape of AI and its uses in legal practice. Nicole addresses concerns about accuracy, bias, and confidentiality issues surrounding AI and ChatGPT and also shares how this technology could positively impact legal professionals as it continues to be developed and improved. Nicole Black is an attorney and leads SME and External Education at MyCase.
39:1717/04/2023
Law Student Well-Being: Advocating for Student Mental Health

Law Student Well-Being: Advocating for Student Mental Health

There are still significant issues surrounding law student mental health, and the pandemic added even more layers to these wellness concerns. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway welcome David Jaffe and Janet Stearns to discuss their research and advocacy for law student well-being. They talk listeners through the latest statistics, emphasize the importance of continuing to destigmatize mental health struggles, and offer many strategies for advocating for wellness throughout the entire legal profession. David B. Jaffe is the Associate Dean of Student Affair at American University Washington College of Law. Janet Stearns is Dean of Students and Lecturer in Law at the University of Miami Law School.
32:0913/03/2023
How Women Can Speak Up and Stand Out with Confidence

How Women Can Speak Up and Stand Out with Confidence

Some of the unique challenges women face in their careers may actually stem from differences in the ways men and women communicate in the workplace. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with bestselling author and executive coach Dr. Lois Frankel about strategies that help women communicate with impact, avoid common pitfalls, and advance in their career. Check out Dr. Frankel’s audiobook: Nice Girls Don't Speak Up or Stand Out: How to Make Your Voice Heard, Your Point Known, and Your Presence Felt Dr. Lois P. Frankel, President of Corporate Coaching International, is a bestselling author, executive coach, and an internationally-recognized expert in the field of leadership development for women.
30:2713/02/2023
Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence with Katie Stanley

Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence with Katie Stanley

Pursuing wellbeing through mindfulness helps legal professionals thrive in practice, and part of that focus should be kindness, not just to others, but to ourselves. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Katie Stanley about how caring for ourselves improves our emotional intelligence—a proven marker of greater success in legal practice. Katie shares tips and opens up on her own life experiences to show how mindfulness can help us better engage in the world around us and promote positive social change. Katie Stanley is a public service attorney and community engagement manager at Legal Services of Eastern Michigan.
37:4509/01/2023
Backups For Your Law Firm - Recovering from Human Error, Disasters, Hackers, and More

Backups For Your Law Firm - Recovering from Human Error, Disasters, Hackers, and More

Lawyers spend a lot of time gathering data and creating content in the course of legal practice, and losing that data could prove disastrous or even catastrophic to their firm and clients. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with John Simek to learn about the types of backups all attorneys need for preserving and recovering information. They discuss the many scenarios lawyers should be prepared for and John outlines best practices for the different types of data lawyers handle on a daily basis. John W. Simek is vice president of the digital forensics, managed information technology and cybersecurity firm Sensei Enterprises.
31:4712/12/2022
Empowering Working Parents

Empowering Working Parents

As a mother and a professional, Lori Mihalich-Levin experienced the many challenges of working parents firsthand and discovered that there is all too often very little support for parents transitioning back to the workplace after the birth of a child. So, Lori created Mindful Return to empower parents with knowledge and a supportive community. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Lori about valuable strategies for both parents and employers that encourage a mindful approach to working parenthood—helping parents to be present for their children while remaining engaged in their careers. Lori K. Mihalich-Levin is an attorney and the CEO and founder of Mindful Return, a program that guides new parents through the transition back to work after maternity and paternity leave.
22:1314/11/2022
Untangling Fear in Lawyering with Heidi K. Brown

Untangling Fear in Lawyering with Heidi K. Brown

Addressing fear and anxiety with societal mantras like “fake it ‘til you make it” or “face your fears” isn’t all that helpful, and might even be harmful to many of us. Tune in as Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Heidi K. Brown about her book, “Untangling Fear in Lawyering: A Four-Step Journey Toward Powerful Advocacy.” Rather than stigmatizing fear, Heidi discusses ways to equip attorneys with the skills to work through fear responses and then physically and mentally recalibrate to meet the challenges of legal practice.   Episode Links: Untangling Fear in Lawyering: A Four-Step Journey Toward Powerful Advocacy, by Heidi K. Brown https://www.viacharacter.org/
36:5310/10/2022
What You Need to Know About Trauma-Informed Lawyering

What You Need to Know About Trauma-Informed Lawyering

Understanding the impact of trauma helps lawyers to better connect with and care for clients. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Aylysh Gallagher and Alexander Rusek about their recent article, An Introduction to Trauma-Informed Lawyering, to educate lawyers on being mindful of trauma and its effects when interacting with clients. They outline signs and symptoms, offer insights on appropriate responses that help avoid retraumatization, and share tools and resources for further education. Aylysh B. Gallagher is an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office in Lansing, MI, where she specializes in felony cases involving intimate partner violence. Alexander S. Rusek is an attorney in the greater-Lansing, MI area whose practice focuses on complex mass action and class action civil litigation, business law & litigation, criminal law, and appellate law.
36:4812/09/2022
Top IOLTA Trust Account Questions

Top IOLTA Trust Account Questions

To help attorneys understand the particulars on IOLTA accounts, Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway welcome Robinjit Eagleson to answer IOLTA inquiries commonly received by the State Bar of Michigan Ethics Helpline. Robinjit outlines the financial scenarios which require an IOLTA trust account and gives an overview of all the essential things attorneys need to know about proper handling and ethical requirements. The State Bar of Michigan Ethics Helpline can be reached at (877) 558-4760 or [email protected]. Find information on upcoming Trust Account Seminars at: https://www.michbar.org/trustaccounts Robinjit K. Eagleson is ethics counsel at the State Bar of Michigan. 
19:3608/08/2022
The Creation of Sustainable, Healthy, and Inclusive Workspaces

The Creation of Sustainable, Healthy, and Inclusive Workspaces

Healthier indoor spaces are good for both you and the environment! On Balance hosts JoAnn Hathaway and Molly Ranns get a unique perspective on sustainable, inclusive, and more climate-friendly workspaces from Nicole DeNamur. Indoor spaces impact our health and wellness in more ways than we may realize, so Nicole tells us what we don’t know and offers insights into how to foster environments where everyone can do their best work. Nicole DeNamur is an attorney, educator and sustainability consultant based in Seattle, Washington.
26:5118/07/2022
Mental Health Challenges Facing the Legal Profession Today

Mental Health Challenges Facing the Legal Profession Today

Unique stressors that frequently accompany the life of a legal professional can still be major triggers for depression and other mental health issues. What work still needs to be done to address legal industry health and wellness? On Balance hosts Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway welcome Daniel Lukasik to discuss the current landscape of well-being in the profession and his insights on how to reduce stigma and support the health and wellness of legal colleagues. Daniel Lukasik is the Judicial Wellness Coordinator for the New York State Office of Court Administration and the founder of lawyerswithdepression.com.
23:3513/06/2022
The Delta Model: Lawyer Readiness and Competency Post-Covid

The Delta Model: Lawyer Readiness and Competency Post-Covid

The pandemic made many things change at a rapid pace, but even with this evolution, the same competency areas are still needed to thrive in the practice of law. On Balance hosts Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway welcome Cat Moon to discuss the practice, process, and people skills that make up the Delta Model, which helps lawyers bring self-awareness and growth to their work and personal lives. Cat shares examples of the Delta Model in action in the lives of legal professionals and students and recommends all lawyers rethink how they work to discover a more joyful career experience.  Caitlin “Cat” Moon is the Director of Innovation Design for the Program in Law and Innovation at Vanderbilt Law School.    Special thanks to our sponsor Embroker.
30:2023/05/2022
Succession Planning for Your Law Firm

Succession Planning for Your Law Firm

Succession planning is critical for ensuring the protection of lawyers, clients, and the public; but does every lawyer need a plan? Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Alecia Chandler about how to figure out what type of plan you need and the resources available on the State Bar of Michigan’s website. Check out the Planning Ahead Handbook, as well as many other checklists and forms designed to help you create a comprehensive plan for your law firm.  Alecia Chandler is Professional Responsibility Programs Director for the State Bar of Michigan.
24:0411/04/2022
Meditation and Mindfulness Practices for Legal Professionals

Meditation and Mindfulness Practices for Legal Professionals

Negative perspectives on the legal profession can sometimes affect lawyers more than they realize, as unrealistic expectations, pressure for perfection, and even tacky lawyer jokes work against their mental health. In this On Balance podcast, Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Dawn Kulongowski about how meditation and mindfulness can help lawyers cope with stressors and develop a positive mindset.  Dawn Kulongowski is owner of The Peaceful Practice and Creative Smiles Dental Group. 
35:3014/03/2022
Ethical Wellness in Your Law Firm

Ethical Wellness in Your Law Firm

Legal professionals tend to focus on rules, policies, oaths, etc., but this isn’t enough when it comes to ethical decision-making. JoAnn Hathaway and Molly Ranns welcome Victoria Vuletich to explain the components of ethical wellness and a variety of dynamics that influence problem solving. Victoria offers insights on how ethical wellness and moral resilience affect the outcomes of ethical dilemmas often faced by legal professionals.  Victoria Vuletich is the CEO and founder of Ethics Squared LLC.
25:5114/02/2022
Suicide Prevention in the Legal Community

Suicide Prevention in the Legal Community

Suicide has been a pervasive issue in the legal profession for many years, but the more we understand and talk about this issue, the more help we can give to those at risk. JoAnn Hathaway and Molly Ranns talk with Erica Grigg about her personal experiences and her insights on how to recognize signs and talk to someone you fear may be considering suicide. They also discuss the impactful ways Lawyer Assistance Programs provide support to legal professionals and help with suicide prevention.  Erica Grigg is director of the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program.
27:2810/01/2022
Collaboration Tools, Technology, and Tips

Collaboration Tools, Technology, and Tips

Collaboration tools, technologies that people use in order to work with each other, are useful for law firms of all sizes, and they don’t need to break the bank! Helping attorneys to communicate, meet, create and work on documents, share files, and other activities, these tools help lawyers collaborate with all the people they work with – co-workers, clients, opposing counsel, the courts – anyone with whom a lawyer interacts as part of a law practice. Collaboration tools can include Zoom and Microsoft Teams for meeting, Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat to work on documents together, or tools like Box, Dropbox, or OneDrive for file sharing. On Balance hosts Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway welcome Dennis Kennedy and Tom Mighell to hear their many insights on collaborative technologies. They offer tips on assessing needs, selecting the right tools, and thoughtfully introducing new technology into your law firm’s processes. Check out Dennis and Tom’s book: The Lawyer's Guide to Collaboration Tools and Technologies: Smart Ways to Work Together and their podcast: The Kennedy-Mighell Report.   Dennis Kennedy is an information technology lawyer and legal technology pioneer based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Tom Mighell is currently senior consultant for Contoural, Inc., working with corporations to improve their records management and e-discovery practice.
30:2013/12/2021
Gray-Area Drinking in the Legal Profession

Gray-Area Drinking in the Legal Profession

How does someone know if they have an alcohol problem? In the legal profession, alcohol consumption has long been the norm, but, for some, healthy limits become blurred and unhealthy patterns emerge. On Balance hosts Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Wendy McCallum about her personal experiences with alcohol and legal career burnout. Wendy talks about the importance of tuning in to your own concerns, avoiding shame-and-blame cycles, and treating yourself with self-compassion as you make changes.  Wendy McCallum is a professional burnout and alcohol coach and wellness expert.
32:4708/11/2021
Coping With Stress in the Legal Profession

Coping With Stress in the Legal Profession

Adapting and growing through stressful circumstances creates more resilient lawyers. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway get some positive tips from Anne Chambers about how lawyers can not only cope, but learn to thrive in the face of stress. Anne focuses on gratefulness, mindfulness, and self care, and encourages lawyers to alter their perspective on stressors common to the profession and see them as opportunities for growth.  Anne Chambers is a licensed clinical social worker and director of the Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program.
20:2911/10/2021
Supporting Resilience and Mental Health for Law Firm Employees

Supporting Resilience and Mental Health for Law Firm Employees

With ongoing concerns about COVID-19 and new uncertainty arising from the Delta variant, many attorneys are feeling stuck, unsure how and when to move forward in both their personal and professional lives. So, how can lawyers and law firms alike start recovering from these months of added stress? Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Laura Mahr about her tips for increasing personal resilience and supporting mental health for law firm staff. Laura Mahr is a lawyer and the founder of Conscious Legal Minds LLC, which provides mindfulness-based wellness training, coaching, and consulting for lawyers and law offices nationwide.
24:1613/09/2021
Personal Branding Tips for Lawyers

Personal Branding Tips for Lawyers

As a lawyer, developing your personal brand may actually have the potential to improve your legal practice in more ways than you realize. On Balance hosts JoAnn Hathaway and Molly Ranns talk with Katy Goshtasbi about how lawyers can build a personal brand by identifying the unique things they have to offer their clients. Katy outlines her formal research on stress and self-confidence and explains how increased self-awareness positively impacts these areas of lawyers’ lives and helps naturally support diversity and inclusion.  Check out Katy’s Free Personal Branding Quiz: https://purisconsulting.com/quiz/ And her book: Personal Branding in One Hour For Lawyers  Katy Goshtasbi is a change and branding expert, founder of Puris Consulting, and a former securities/compliance lawyer.
30:4809/08/2021
The SOLACE Program — Helping Michigan’s Legal Professionals and Law Students

The SOLACE Program — Helping Michigan’s Legal Professionals and Law Students

Learn all about the State Bar of Michigan’s new SOLACE Program with esteemed guests Bruce Courtade and Robert Mathis.
24:3212/07/2021
Building Your Law Firm’s Web Presence

Building Your Law Firm’s Web Presence

Legal marketing expert Gyi Tsakalakis demystifies methods and means for effectively increasing your law firm’s online presence.
31:2214/06/2021
Stress and Resiliency in the US Judiciary

Stress and Resiliency in the US Judiciary

Joan Bibelhausen and Judge David Shaheed discuss the findings of the 2020 National Judicial Stress and Resiliency Survey.
26:2610/05/2021
The Attorney Grievance Process in Michigan - Part 2

The Attorney Grievance Process in Michigan - Part 2

Mark Armitage gives an overview of what happens when an attorney grievance moves through the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board’s adjudication process.
20:2412/04/2021
The Attorney Grievance Process in Michigan – Part 1

The Attorney Grievance Process in Michigan – Part 1

Grievance Administrator Michael Goetz gives a straightforward explanation of what happens when a complaint is filed against a Michigan attorney.
21:3808/03/2021
Becoming Tech-Competent at TECHSHOW 2021

Becoming Tech-Competent at TECHSHOW 2021

ABA TECHSHOW co-chairs Roberta Tepper and Allan Mackenzie share what’s in store at this year’s accessible, affordable, all-virtual conference.
19:3215/02/2021
Diversity and Inclusion: How Lawyer Wellbeing Promotes Inclusivity

Diversity and Inclusion: How Lawyer Wellbeing Promotes Inclusivity

Lawyer wellness enthusiast Alexis Robertson shares insights on the connection between diversity and inclusion and overall wellbeing.
22:0228/01/2021
Standing Out in 2021: Professional Growth Tactics for Future-Minded Attorneys

Standing Out in 2021: Professional Growth Tactics for Future-Minded Attorneys

Legal industry analyst Ari Kaplan offers tips for lawyers as they navigate the legal profession’s pandemic-motivated changes.
31:0714/12/2020
Internet Legal Research on a Budget with Carole Levitt and Judy Davis

Internet Legal Research on a Budget with Carole Levitt and Judy Davis

Carole Levitt and Judy Davis, authors of “Internet Legal Research on a Budget: Free and Low-Cost Resources for Lawyers,” talk about their favorite resources for lawyers.
33:2009/11/2020
Cybersecurity Practices That Won’t Bust Your Budget – Practical Tips

Cybersecurity Practices That Won’t Bust Your Budget – Practical Tips

Cybersecurity expert David Ries shares the essential safeguards needed to protect your law firm’s technology.
29:1812/10/2020