Plus: Getting paid faster starts with better billing | Legal tech is buying into the NFL
This isn't that kind of bar, so we’re kicking things off this week with an article full of billing tips that will push your clients to close out their tabs in a timely manner. We’ve also got a system for converting speaking engagements into actual business development. There’s fresh evidence that some legal tech companies are getting serious, and a podcast rec for attorneys who don't take themselves too seriously.
Family says the chauffeur took more than the scenic route.
The heirs to the Bic pen fortune have filed a lawsuit seeking the return of a Renaissance masterpiece they claim their now-deceased driver had no right to sell to a now-deceased art dealer.
Good on Google.
After years of requiring people to hold on to email addresses that included hobbies, birth years and innuendos, Google is now allowing users to change their account names.
“Get out of my courtroom.”
Texas Judge Nathan Milliron was caught on video berating an IT worker and it went viral. He also ordered a lawyer who criticized him about his behavior to appear before him. Once people started poking around, they discovered he has a history of lashing out at others and is in trouble with the Texas Ethics Commission.
Mic drop.
Judge Amit Mehta ruled that President Trump’s Ellipse speech on January 6 was not similar to a rap artist’s performance.
This is so fetch.
Litigation over the calorie content of David Protein bars has spilled over into the court of public opinion, with TikTokers claiming they have been “Regina Georged.” David is responding in kind with a "Mean Girls" parody video full of outlandish rumors about the company. We’d love to know what the legal department thinks about this strategy.
The art of getting paid on time
Most collection problems are actually billing system problems, or so says Clio’s Bryce Tarling. He claims clients delay payment not out of bad faith, but because of unclear invoices, poor timing and inconvenient payment options. And this all ties into consumer psychology.
The fix, according to Clio's recent guide on collections best practices, is billing that goes out faster, tied to specific deliverables rather than just hours, with digital payment options that encourage clients to pay immediately.
Why this matters: This piece is vendor-authored and will nudge you toward Clio’s software, but the underlying framework holds regardless of what tools you use. If your receivables are older than you'd like them to be, this can help you figure out why and what to do about it. (Clio)
Coming to a stadium near you
Most football fans aren’t in the market for practice management software, but that didn’t dissuade 8am—formerly known as AffiniPay, parent of both LawPay and MyCase—from signing on as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' official professional services partner.
But they aren’t the only legal tech company buying their way into professional sports. Clio landed naming rights on the Vancouver Canucks away jerseys in 2024. Filevine put its logo on Utah Mammoth helmets in 2025. And Harvey became the U.S. Open's first "Official Legal Assistant” earlier this year.
Access to a luxury suite is not a good reason to buy a piece of software. But moves like this are an indication that a company has the resources to put behind its products.
Why this matters: Marketing budgets and product budgets are not the same thing, but a company negotiating NFL naming rights typically has some staying power. When you're evaluating whether to migrate your practice onto a platform, knowing the vendor will exist in three years is a reasonable thing to care about. These deals signal which legal tech brands are in it for the long haul. (LawSites)
Serious fun
Boozy Badger is a Philadelphia-based attorney whose podcast walks a self-described legal layman through a funhouse of cases and doctrine with enthusiasm, profanity and a glass or two of something to drink. The fact that Boozy is a comedic performer as well as a lawyer shows in his pacing and choice of topics.
Some episodes are recorded live at various Furry conventions. If an episode every couple of weeks isn’t enough, you can catch Boozy on Bluesky and Twitch.
Why this matters: For attorneys, the value isn't the information itself (although you will likely learn a thing or two). Instead, each episode is an example of how to make the law interesting and accessible to the people sitting across from you. (Boozy’s Legal Funhouse)
- The cases DOJ dropped to focus on immigration
- Inheritance disputes are on the rise
- FTC applauds Florida’s move to weaken ABA accreditation
- DOJ says the Presidential Records Act is unconstitutional
- Space Law 101
Not a one-and-done deal
Most attorneys treat a speaking engagement as a one-time event. Sue-Ella Prodonovich says a well-executed speaking engagement doesn't begin or end at the edge of the stage. She argues it’s a three-step process that can generate follow-up content, LinkedIn posts, email touchpoints and new relationships with referral sources, co-speakers and adjacent practitioners.
Why this matters: The reason to read this isn't the public speaking advice, you've seen that before. It's the tips for what to do before and after the talks you are already giving to maximize the return you get on the effort you put in. Prodonovich estimates a single talk, properly amplified, can produce upwards of 100 indirect touchpoints and multiple pieces of reusable content. (Prodonovich Advisory)
You're all caught up!
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Raise the Bar is written and curated by Emily Kelchen and edited by Bianca Prieto.
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