Category: Solo & Small Firm, Technology Category: Solo & Small Firm, Technology (show less)

Welcome
Co-Chairs: Michelle Adams Gumula & Starlett Massey

Digital Discipline: Smart Tech Habits for Resilient Lawyers
Nora Riva Bergman, Real Life Practice, Tarpon Springs
This presentation explores practical strategies to manage tech overload, minimize digital fatigue, and build healthier relationships with technology in your law practice. From setting up systems that limit distractions rather than create them, to distinguishing between tools that track time versus those that waste it, participants will learn how to optimize their use of technology for greater efficiency and focus. Attendees will also discover apps and personal tech habits that foster mindfulness, resilience, and long-term professional well-being.
 
Command Your Online Presence: Building Trust and Visibility in a Digital World
Joann Burnett, St. Petersburg & Kelly Robinson, New Smyrna Beach, Robinson | Burnett, PLLC
Your digital presence is more than a marketing tool; it is a professional responsibility. This segment will explore how Florida lawyers can ethically and effectively manage their digital presence. From ensuring your website is accessible and inclusive, to responding to online reviews under Florida Bar rules, to implementing effective SEO practices, and aligning your branding with your professional identity, this session provides practical, compliant strategies that build trust while protecting your reputation. Participants will leave with clear steps to strengthen their digital presence in ways that are client-centered, ethical, and sustainable.
 
Hack, Crash or Hurricane / Disaster Planning: Building a Bulletproof Backup & Recovery Plan
Zack Zuroweste, Persante Zuroweste, Clearwater
Building a resilient disaster recovery plan is crucial for Florida law firms. This segment will cover a wide range of topics and lessons learned to help you create a bulletproof strategy and discuss cloud-based backups versus local storage and the importance of offsite storage and power redundancy for physical backups. It will also guide you through building a business continuity checklist, a "grab-and-go" plan for physical evacuations, and how to perform a tech audit. This segment will also focus on the human element, addressing how to manage digital access for remote staff and defining who on your team is responsible for what during tech downtime.
 
AI in Law: Ethics, Innovation & The Unknown
Jonathan Grabb, The Florida Bar Ethics Counsel, Tallahassee
This segment will provide a comprehensive and practical look at the ethical responsibilities of integrating AI in your legal practice, from conducting research and drafting documents to training staff, all while safeguarding client data and learning valuable lessons from real-world mistakes. Jonathan Grabb, Florida Bar Ethics Counsel, will specifically address navigating ethical challenges under the Florida Rules of Professional Conduct, offering practical guidance on understanding the limits of what tasks should and should not be delegated to AI to mitigate risks.
 
Taming the Digital Chaos: Practical Systems for a Confident, Organized Law Firm
Liz McCausland, Liz McCausland P.A. & Legal Tech Consultant with Law Tech Partners, Orlando
In today’s practice, technology isn’t optional — it’s an ethical obligation. Lawyers are required to maintain technological competence to safeguard client information and ensure efficient, reliable representation. In this segment, Liz McCausland will show you how to bring order to your digital world with practical, ethics-focused systems for organizing, storing, and accessing your firm’s files. Learn how thoughtful folder structures, consistent naming conventions, and intentional tool choices can reduce the risk of data loss, breaches, or inadvertent disclosure. You’ll also explore best practices for working securely with remote staff, managing offboarding, and controlling access to client data. By the end of this session, you’ll walk away with workflows that promote efficiency, protect confidentiality, and align your firm’s technology practices with your ethical duty of competence — all while creating a calmer, more confident digital workspace.