![<description><div class="flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow"> <div class= "min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+&]:mt-1" dir="auto" tabindex="0" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="5845b4de-ff83-4487-b689-cebdea6e4ae2" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-4-thinking" data-turn-start-message= "true"> <div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden"> <div class= "markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full wrap-break-word light markdown-new-styling"> <div class="qMYqUG_convSearchResultHighlightRoot"> <div class="" data-turn-id-container= "request-WEB:413b47b1-131b-4956-ab51-0904d0f6049f-1" data-is-intersecting="true"> <div class="relative w-full overflow-visible"> <section class= "text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none [&:has([data-writing-block])>*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:413b47b1-131b-4956-ab51-0904d0f6049f-1" data-turn-id-container= "request-WEB:413b47b1-131b-4956-ab51-0904d0f6049f-1" data-testid= "conversation-turn-4" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> <div class= "text-base my-auto mx-auto pb-10 [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)"> <div class= "[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn"> <div class="flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow"> <div class= "min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal outline-none keyboard-focused:focus-ring [.text-message+&]:mt-1" dir="auto" tabindex="0" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id="fccdc823-7cf0-4637-a556-89fc084d75a0" data-message-model-slug="gpt-5-5-thinking" data-turn-start-message= "true"> <div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden"> <div class= "markdown prose dark:prose-invert wrap-break-word w-full light markdown-new-styling"> <p data-start="63" data-end="444">Ernie Svenson sits down with complex litigation attorney Richard Serpe to explore how he went from struggling with AI basics to becoming an advanced user in just 18 months. Richard shares how he uses tools like Claude, Perplexity Computer, NotebookLM, and AI skills to manage complex cases, organize research, prepare witnesses, and build better legal workflows.</p> <p data-start="446" data-end="662" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node="">They also discuss the real costs of agentic AI, why file structure matters, how lawyers can avoid getting locked into one platform, and why curiosity may be the most important skill for adopting AI in legal practice.</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mt-3 w-full empty:hidden"> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> </div> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Chapters</strong></p> <article class= "text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none [--shadow-height:45px] has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none has-data-writing-block:-mt-(--shadow-height) has-data-writing-block:pt-(--shadow-height) [&:has([data-writing-block])>*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-(--header-height)" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "c9c2e10c-c222-4dda-96fc-a25e253f5f32" data-testid= "conversation-turn-1" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn="user"> </article> <article class= "text-token-text-primary w-full focus:outline-none [--shadow-height:45px] has-data-writing-block:pointer-events-none has-data-writing-block:-mt-(--shadow-height) has-data-writing-block:pt-(--shadow-height) [&:has([data-writing-block])>*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:b3210431-d026-4045-b30d-b7c09679a93c-2" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> <div class= "text-base my-auto mx-auto [--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-xs,calc(var(--spacing)*4))] @w-sm/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-sm,calc(var(--spacing)*6))] @w-lg/main:[--thread-content-margin:var(--thread-content-margin-lg,calc(var(--spacing)*16))] px-(--thread-content-margin)"> <div class= "[--thread-content-max-width:40rem] @w-lg/main:[--thread-content-max-width:48rem] mx-auto max-w-(--thread-content-max-width) flex-1 group/turn-messages focus-visible:outline-hidden relative flex w-full min-w-0 flex-col agent-turn" tabindex="-1"> <div class="flex max-w-full flex-col gap-4 grow"> <div class= "min-h-8 text-message relative flex w-full flex-col items-end gap-2 text-start break-words whitespace-normal [.text-message+&]:mt-1" dir="auto" data-message-author-role="assistant" data-message-id= "89c35637-5a91-4496-9d7f-3b924caba422" data-message-model-slug= "gpt-5-3-instant"> <div class="flex w-full flex-col gap-1 empty:hidden"> <div class= "markdown prose dark:prose-invert w-full wrap-break-word light markdown-new-styling"> <p data-start="0" data-end="32">0:07 Richard's AI Journey<br /> 4:26 Early AI Friction<br /> 9:25 File Structure And Memory<br /> 15:34 Perplexity Computer Costs<br /> 26:17 Skills In Claude<br /> 35:57 Final AI Adoption Advice</p> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="z-0 flex min-h-[46px] justify-start"> <strong style= "font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', sans-serif;">Resource Links</strong> <ul> <li><a href= "https://innercircle.ernietheattorney.net/chatgpt-workshop">AI Lab</a> (a weekly AI workshop for lawyers)</li> <li dir="ltr"><a href= "https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jp-mohler_what-if-any-legal-question-you-sent-to-chatgpt-activity-7432195299223281664-ERHe?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAAAiI4BIKXLldQVdH743dE5K6qNNihv5Yc"> LinkedIn post</a> by attorney offering AI chatbot that protects privilege</li> <li dir="ltr"><a href= "https://innercircle.ernietheattorney.net/ernie-attorney-inner-circle/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast_shownotes"> The Inner Circle</a> (my online community for lawyers)</li> <li><a href= "https://www.the8020lawyer.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=8020_podcast"> The 80/20 Principle</a> (my techlaw newsletter)</li> </ul> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Follow and Review:</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">I'd love for you to follow me if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. I'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on <a href= "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-80-20-principle/id1412164187">Apple Podcasts</a>. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Thanks to the sponsor:</strong> <strong>Smith.ai</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href= "https://smith.ai/chat/free-ai-chatbot?utm_source=ernie&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=podcast"> Smith.ai</a> is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you're hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish.</p> <p dir="ltr">And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at <a href= "https://smith.ai/chat/free-ai-chatbot?utm_source=ernie&utm_medium=website&utm_campaign=podcast">smith.ai</a>.</p> </div> <div class="mt-3 w-full empty:hidden"> </div></description>](https://us-central1-podcastguru-217d6.cloudfunctions.net/gcf_get_image?image_url=https://is1-ssl.mzstatic.com/image/thumb/Podcasts126/v4/f2/24/2d/f2242dd4-6c81-447a-81eb-1a9766ebf4cd/mza_15069368051333036135.png/600x600bb.jpg&width=300&height=300&api_key=xqFmUFX5BHLBTA)
The 80/20 Principle
Ernie Svenson
How a Seasoned Litigator Became an AI Power User
MAY 26, 202638 MIN
How a Seasoned Litigator Became an AI Power User
MAY 26, 202638 MIN
Description
*]:pointer-events-auto R6Vx5W_threadScrollVars scroll-mb-[calc(var(--scroll-root-safe-area-inset-bottom,0px)+var(--thread-response-height))] scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:413b47b1-131b-4956-ab51-0904d0f6049f-1" data-turn-id-container= "request-WEB:413b47b1-131b-4956-ab51-0904d0f6049f-1" data-testid= "conversation-turn-4" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> Ernie Svenson sits down with complex litigation attorney Richard Serpe to explore how he went from struggling with AI basics to becoming an advanced user in just 18 months. Richard shares how he uses tools like Claude, Perplexity Computer, NotebookLM, and AI skills to manage complex cases, organize research, prepare witnesses, and build better legal workflows. They also discuss the real costs of agentic AI, why file structure matters, how lawyers can avoid getting locked into one platform, and why curiosity may be the most important skill for adopting AI in legal practice. Chapters *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-(--header-height)" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "c9c2e10c-c222-4dda-96fc-a25e253f5f32" data-testid= "conversation-turn-1" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn="user"> *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:b3210431-d026-4045-b30d-b7c09679a93c-2" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> 0:07 Richard's AI Journey 4:26 Early AI Friction 9:25 File Structure And Memory 15:34 Perplexity Computer Costs 26:17 Skills In Claude 35:57 Final AI Adoption Advice Resource Links AI Lab (a weekly AI workshop for lawyers) LinkedIn post by attorney offering AI chatbot that protects privilege The Inner Circle (my online community for lawyers) The 80/20 Principle (my techlaw newsletter) Follow and Review: I'd love for you to follow me if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. I'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select "Ratings and Reviews" and "Write a Review" then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks to the sponsor: Smith.ai Smith.ai is an amazing virtual receptionist service that specializes in working with solo and small law firms. When you hire Smith.ai, you're hiring well-trained, friendly receptionists who can respond to callers in English or Spanish. And they have a special offer for podcast listeners where you can get an extra $100 discount with promo code ERNIE100. Sign up for a risk-free start with a 14-day money-back guarantee now (and learn more) at smith.ai.