The Legal Tech Podcast

We love Amazon Alexa, Google, Siri and all those listening devices. They are fun, great at home, but an absolute no around offices. Lawyers, and any other profession handling confidential or sensitive information, simply can't have them around. In this episode of the Legal Tech Podcast, Attorney and privacy expert Daniel J. Siegel explains why those devices are simply not for use in an office.

Pennsylvanians should  purchase more than the minimum $5,000 medical coverage in their auto insurance policies for several important reasons:When you buy auto insurance, you buy medical coverage to pay for your medical bills. Most people buy the minimum, yet if you are seriously hurt, or even just need a few tests, you may use up/exhaust your medical coverage quickly. Then, you have to pay the bills, typically from your private health insurance. Unlike auto policies, private health coverage has copays and deductibles that add up quickly. The more auto medical coverage you have, the less chance you have of ever having to use your private health insurance. In this podcast, attorney Daniel J. Siegel explains why he recommends that his clients purchase $100,000 in medical coverage. And $100,000 in medical coverage usually does not cost much more than the minimum coverage, but it will give you tremendous peace of mind.Pennsylvania has a no-fault type of auto insurance system with limited medical coverage. This means that in the event of an accident, your medical expenses may not be fully covered. Increasing your medical coverage can help ensure that you have adequate financial protection for medical bills, rehabilitation, and other related expenses.Medical expenses can be substantial, no matter how serious your injuries are. MRIs, CAT Scans, and other tests are expensive. Even the copays for physical therapy add up quickly. By purchasing more medical coverage, you can reduce the out-of-pocket costs you have to pay for hospital stays, surgeries, doctor visits, ongoing medical treatments, and therapy.Accidents can happen unexpectedly, and having comprehensive medical coverage in your auto insurance policy provides peace of mind knowing that you and your loved ones will be taken care of in the event of an accident.In summary, this podcast explains why purchasing more medical coverage in your auto insurance policy in Pennsylvania is a prudent choice to protect yourself and your loved ones from the potential financial hardships associated with auto accidents. It provides a safety net for covering medical expenses, especially in cases of severe injuries, and offers peace of mind while driving on the roads.Listen to experienced automobile accident attorney Daniel J. Siegel explain the reasons why you should evaluate your auto insurance policy today. Or visit our Auto Insurance Buying Guide at danieljsiegel.com.

Oh my God, the Martians are invading the legal world. Have you heard? There is this new thing called "Artificial Intelligence," and lawyers apparently have it do all of their work, including filing court documents. Or so it seems. Talk about AI is everywhere.At its core, this podcast is a plea for rationality and calmness. At another level, it points out that many lawyers and judges really don't understand artificial intelligence and are reacting to it in ways that are neither appropriate nor logical. The podcast focuses on an Order from a federal judge ordering every attorney to certify if they have used AI and, if so, to certify further that they have checked every citation in the filing.Oops. The judge apparently doesn't know that AI has been around for many years and is used all the time, including by that mysterious website called Google. The judge apparently also doesn't know that the AI in the news is just a new version of the old AI, akin to Martian 2.0, the old, less intrusive version being AI/Martian 1.0.Technology changes, and lawyers and judges often fear the changes. But ignoring the innovations will not help. Would anyone be happy if doctors continued to ignore MRIs because they weren't around a few years ago? Of course not. Let's not overreact. Instead, take a few minutes to listen to Attorney Daniel J. Siegel of the Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC and Integrated Technology Services, LLC. Dan is also Co-Chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Technology Committee and is a nationally-known speaker and author on technology, ethics, law practice, and more. Dan offers a  calmer, more rational look at the latest technology to scare the legal profession.

The constant mantra that injured workers in Pennsylvania must treat with a "company doctor" for 90 days, or they won't receive their workers' compensation benefits, is a myth, albeit one that many attorneys who represent injured workers erroneously accept as gospel. This podcast, by Pennsylvania workers' compensation attorney Daniel J. Siegel, shreds the myth that injured workers are required to treat with a designated physician, often called the company doctor. Attorney Daniel J. Siegel explains why, under  Section 306(f.1)(1)(i) of the Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Act, injured workers, often called claimants, rarely, if ever, are required to go to comp clinics or company doctors. The law says that before any injured worker must treat with any employer-designated medical provider, the employer must "provide a clearly written notification" of the employee's rights and duties to the employee, and ... obtain a "written acknowledgment" by the employee that they have been advised of the requirement. Verbal notice alone is inadequate. In fact, the Bureau of Workers' Compensation in Pennsylvania created its own form, "Notice: Medical Treatment for Your Work Injury or Occupational Illness," to dispel the myth.In reality, most employers do not comply with this section of the Act; most injured workers do not have to treat with the so-called company doctor following a work injury. Despite this, many employers and insurance companies routinely tell injured employees they must go to a particular doctor or clinic, or the insurance company will not pay for their medical care. These statements are actually misrepresentations of the Workers' Compensation Act, which never gives an employer or insurance company the right to (1) mandate that an injured worker treat with only one provider or (2) "pre-deny" payment for care under most circumstances. Sadly, based upon the "90-Day Rule," many doctors refuse to treat injured workers for 90 days after their injuries because they have heard or been told that they will not be paid for any care they provide because of the "90-Day Rule."This podcast tells you the truth about the law from an attorney with a nearly 40-year track record of representing injured workers and winning case after case in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. These cases have protected the rights of injured workers. Dan's firm, the Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC, knows the law and treats every client personally; there is no bureaucracy, and no TV ads or billboards to pay for, just old-fashioned one-on-one lawyering. 

One of the great mistakes people make is not having a Will, because they assume their spouse will get everything anyway. If you don't have a Will and live in Pennsylvania, you are wrong. If you don't have a Will, and you have kids, your spouse doesn't get everything, and your kids may end up inheriting a lot of your estate. But if you draft a Will, then you don't have to worry because you can leave everything to your spouse and be comfortable that your wishes will be honored.On the other hand, if you draft a Will and live in Pennsylvania, you can't leave nothing to your spouse. That's right - you can't disinherit your spouse, even if you have been separated for decades. A spouse in Pennsylvania, when there is no divorce, can inherit part of the other spouse's estate, no matter how you don't want that to happen.In this podcast, Estate Planning Attorney Daniel J. Siegel of the Pennsylvania Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC explains that proper estate planning is crucial to being sure that when you die, the people whom you want to receive your assets actually do.  Attorney Siegel and his firm have been drafting Wills, Powers of Attorney, Living Wills, Healthcare Directives and other estate planning documents for individuals, couples, non-traditional couples and others for decades. Listen to Dan's advice on this short, but informative podcast.

If you eat food past its expiration date and it has spoiled, you could suffer a fever, chills, stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Or if it is really bad, you could contract E.coli, listeria, or salmonella. Now, imagine if your computer contracted the electronic versions of these conditions and got sick. Computer software also has “use by” dates, commonly known as the end-of-life  (EOL) date. These are dates after which a software developer, such as Microsoft or Apple, no longer supports its products. And just like their edible counterparts, using expired software could make your computer sick.In this episode, attorney and technologist Daniel J. Siegel discusses the importance of not using EOL software and outdated hardware, and why it is important to update your software both for efficiency and for cybersecurity protection.The Legal Tech Podcast is sponsored by Integrated Technology Services, LLC and the Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC.

Social Security Disability Benefits Attorney Christa Frank High of the Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC discusses the basics of applying for Social Security Disability Benefits. She addresses the requirements for Social Security Disability (SSD) as well as Supplemental Security Income (SSI). For both SSD and SSI, you must show the Social Security Administration that you are disabled. This means that you have a physical or mental condition(s) that causes severe limitations so you cannot work, and your condition(s) will either last for more than one year or will cause death. For Social Security Disability, you also must show that you are insured, which means that you have contributed enough to your Social Security account through your prior work. For Supplemental Security Income, you must show that you have limited resources and income.Attorney High also explains specifically how to apply for Social Security Disability or Supplemental Security Income benefits--by first submitting the Application. If that is denied, then you apply for Reconsideration. If that is denied, then you request a hearing before an Administrative Law Judge. The process can take up to two years, but having an attorney to guide you through the process and represent you at the hearing increases your chances of getting benefits.

Lawyers, paralegals, legal support staff, and other businesses that must maintain the confidentiality of client and other information must be careful not to allow devices such as Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple's Siri to listen to and record conversations with this type of sensitive information. This podcast focuses on a recent episode of NCIS in which Forensic Scientist Kasie Hines is speaking to and getting information from an Alexa in her criminal investigatory lab.What Kasie did cannot possibly be appropriate, and probably violates lots of rules and regulations. If a lawyer did that, however, he or she could be subject to discipline for violating the Rules of Professional Conduct. In other words, What were the NCIS writers thinking when they wrote those scenes? Or were they merely doing a product placement?Listen to Attorney and Technologist Daniel J. Siegel as he discusses the ethical implications of NCIS in the latest episode of The Legal Tech Podcast, sponsored by the Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC and Integrated Technology Services, LLC.

When Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker celebrated his team’s victory in game 1 of the 2022 World Series, he did so before the game was over, bragging to the TV announcer how rare it is to joke and laugh during a game. Dusty Baker was convinced his invincible team had won the game. But the last laugh went to the Philadelphia Phillies, who roared back from the 5-0 deficit and won, removing the smile and the happiness from Dusty Baker’s face. The manager’s shortlived joy is an allegory for life, business, law and how to succeed, topics Havertown attorney Daniel J. Siegel discusses in the latest edition of The Legal Tech Podcast. Attorney Siegel highlights the importance of preparation and of never assuming victory until the last out is recorded, or whatever result you desire occurs. Listen as Dan Siegel explains his philosophy for success, one honed for decades while representing clients in every level of court in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to cases in front of District Justices. The Legal Tech Podcast is sponsored by Integrated Technology Services, LLC and the Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC. 

Spear phishing and other forms of cybercrime are targeting law firms and businesses, and these firms need to be prepared, and need to prepare clients and customers to avoid being victims of cybercriminals who just want to steal their money. For lawyers, who are required to have technological competence, that means far more than just using antivirus software.In this edition of The Legal Tech Podcast, Attorney & Techno-Ethics Expert Daniel J. Siegel explains some of the latest criminal activity targeting clients, and suggests that, at a minimum, any law firm or business whose clients may need to wire or transfer funds, or make any other online transactions, must implement safeguards to prevent fraud. The easiest safeguards are client education and implementation of multifactor authentication. In other words, there must at least two ways to verify transactions and information.  Join Dan Siegel as he provides a concise summary of the problem and offers more of his practical, easily-implementable solutions that are the hallmark of the ethics and techno-ethical services and guidance provided by the Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC and Integrated Technology Services, LLC.

One of the scariest moments an attorney has is when he or she receives a letter from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC) advising the lawyer that it is investigating a complaint and that it has passed its initial review stage. The notice letter, called a DB-7 or Request for Statement of Respondent's Position, is important, and you must act promptly to address whatever is in the DB-7.Most attorneys are not familiar with the disciplinary process in Pennsylvania. In this podcast, Attorney Daniel J. Siegel, who regularly represents attorneys in disciplinary proceedings, explains the basics of the process and outlines what actions attorneys should do to respond to the DB-7 and to protect their licenses to practice law. This podcast provides basic and practical information about the DB-7 process from a lawyer who understands what is happening. Attorney Daniel J. Siegel  represents attorneys throughout all of Pennsylvania, is Chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Committee on Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility, and his reassuring guidance is helpful, particularly at the beginning of the process, when it is scary to receive a letter from ODC.

In this episode, techno-ethics attorney and cybersecurity expert Daniel J. Siegel provides practical information and tips how to keep all of your devices, including cellphones, tablets, and so many other items, safe while you are away from home.  It is easy to let down your guard while relaxing or away on business, and cybercriminals know this, and they are ready and want to take advantage of these moments.In this Legal Tech Podcast, Dan Siegel emphasizes that cybersecurity should not be limited to the home and office. It is equally important for all of us to use safe online behavior and secure our Internet-enabled mobile devices whenever we travel for business or pleasure.Offering tips from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and other sources, Dan focuses on practical solutions to minimize cyber risks everywhere.Remember, no one is exempt from the threat of cybercrime, at home or away. By following some simple advice in this podcast, you can stay safe online when traveling.Attorney Daniel J. Siegel is the principal of the Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC and Integrated Technology Services, LLC, and is a nationally-known lecturer and writer on cybersecurity, techno-ethics, legal ethics, and topics and regularly represents and provides guidance on these topics to attorneys and businesses.Dan Siegel is the author of 14 books, has taught 100s of Continuing Legal Education classes, and is Chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Committee on Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility.

Buying automobile insurance in Pennsylvania can be very confusing. The insurance can cost a lot, and it isn't always easy to know what all the coverages are and which coverages you should buy. At times, insurance salespeople will try to steer you toward coverage that doesn't protect you.In this podcast, Attorney Daniel J. Siegel provides an easy-to-understand explanation of what coverages are available, along with recommendations for purchasing car insurance that (1) protects you in case you cause an accident, and (2) protects you in case you are injured because another person was negligent. The program covers liability insurance, uninsured motorist coverage, underinsured motorist coverage, medical benefits, collision and comprehensive coverage.  Plus, Attorney Siegel, who regularly represents auto accident victims at the Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC,  also explains important concepts such as full tort and limited tort and stacked and unstacked coverage. All in a short podcast that will prepare you to buy or renew your Pennsylvania auto insurance policy.

For years, legal ethics attorneys and many other experts have warned about the dangers of using free Wi-Fi, and Starbucks has become the poster child for the dangers of logging into unsecured and unprotected computer networks. With its recent Opinion in Commonwealth v. Dunkins, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has issued clear advice and a clear warning that users, including criminals, have no privacy rights when they check the box and log into a free unsecure network.For criminals, this decision means that law enforcement does not need a search warrant to view the information being transmitted.For civil litigants, this decision means that users of free Wi-Fi are fair game for anyone trying to see what they are saying, doing or sending.For everyone else, this decision also means that users of free Wi-Fi are fair game for anyone trying to see what they are saying, doing or sending.But for lawyers, it means that confidential or sensitive information about clients and others - information that lawyers are required to keep confidential under the Rules of Professional Conduct - is not confidential when using the free Wi-Fi at Starbucks and so many other places.Listen to techno-ethics attorney and technologist Daniel J. Siegel as he outlines the dangers of using free Wi-Fi and why this Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision is a game changer.This podcast is sponsored by Integrated Technology Services, LLC and the Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC.

Almost everyone has a car, and every car and truck registered in Pennsylvania must have auto insurance under the Pa. Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law. But what many people don't realize is that when you buy insurance, you are protecting yourself in the case of claims against you and protecting yourself if you are injured by the negligence of someone else. YOUR MOTOR VEHICLE INSURANCE COVERAGE DETERMINES YOUR RIGHT TO BE COMPENSATED FOR PAIN AND SUFFERING, THE INJURIES AND LOSSES YOU SUFFER.In this episode of The Legal Tech Podcast, Pennsylvania attorney Daniel J. Siegel explains what types of coverages are available, and explains what insurance you should purchase, including bodily injury coverage, uninsured motorist coverage, and underinsured motorist coverage. Most importantly, Dan Siegel explains why you should not purchase limited tort coverage, and should purchase full tort coverage, because the savings are so small that the rights you give up are worth far more than the minimal savings available.This fact-filled podcast will help you be a better consumer when purchasing auto insurance. 

When it comes to social media, and the impact of Facebook, Twitter and other sites on the practice of law, lawyers can no longer merely stick their heads in the sand and feign ignorance. As the New Jersey Supreme Court recently ruled, "Attorneys must acquaint themselves with the nature of social media to guide themselves and their non-lawyer staff and agents in the permissible uses of online research. At this point, attorneys cannot take refuge in the defense of ignorance." This conclusion is consistent with opinions by many ethics committees. In this episode of The Legal Tech Podcast, attorney Daniel J. Siegel, Chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Committee on Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility, discusses opinions by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and ethical guidance from the Pennsylvania Bar Legal Ethics Committee and the Philadelphia Bar Association Professional Guidance Committee, affirm that lawyers must recognize the importance of social media to their clients and their practices. They can no longer claim ignorance and stick their heads in the sand.Attorney Dan Siegel is the principal of the Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC and president of Integrated Technology Services, LLC, and represents attorneys in disciplinary matters, and provides ethical and techno-ethical guidance to attorneys and law firms. This is the second episode of his firm's Legal Tech Podcast. 

Did you know that the Model Rules of Professional Conduct, which govern attorney ethics, were created in 1983, the same year that Microsoft introduced Word? In fact, the rules, which have been adopted in every state, have not been modified significantly since 1983 to address the massive impact of technology on the practice of law. Attorney Daniel J. Siegel, Chair of Pennsylvania Bar Association Committee on Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility, discusses why the Rules need to be updated. Dan is the principal of the Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC and the principal of Integrated Technology Services, LLC and a nationally known speaker, and the author of 14 books.

Lawyers, like everyone else, want to believe they will live forever. Or at the least, they believe that they will work until they make the decision to retire, and then transition smoothly into retirement. For solo attorneys, and many others, this dream is often just a dream. Instead of smooth transitions, they may face sudden illnesses, periods of disability, along with uncertainty that can often overtake the hopeful dreams. Just search for “lawyers who suddenly died from covid” in Google and read all the stories. The reality can be tragic, particularly for solos. But these problems can happen to any lawyer in any size firm. The Rules of Professional Conduct are of no benefit to solos, and in some states the situation is more dire than others. In fact, the Rules can seem like anchors for pure solos and others who have not planned ahead for the possibility of sudden death or impairment. Under Pennsylvania Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(e), lawyers are prohibited from dividing fees for legal services with anyone except lawyers. Estates are not lawyers. That is a problem that can financially devastate a lawyer's family, especially for solos and others in firms where their futures are not subject to complex fee division agreements. In this edition of The Legal Tech Podcast, attorney and ethics guru Daniel J. Siegel of the Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC and Integrated Technology Services, LLC highlights the problems that impact lawyers, clients and the lawyers' families and offers potential solutions.

There is no more important set of documents than your Last Will and Testament, Living Will, Advanced Healthcare Directive and Power of Attorney, which assure that your wishes are honored if you become ill and when you die. A qualified lawyer, familiar with the issues and nuances of estate planning can perform those services, focusing on your needs, while an online service will merely robotically prepare documents that they emphasize are not legal advice and not protected by any attorney-client confidentiality.In the latest edition of The Legal Tech Podcast, Attorney Daniel J. Siegel, of the Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC, an experienced estate planning lawyer in Havertown, Pennsylvania, explains the importance of meeting with and working with an attorney who will analyze your specific needs and address concerns, including many that arise with non-traditional families.Listen as Dan outlines his experience, along with his firm's unique “Pay Once, Revise for Life Estate Planning Program” that assures you only pay one time for drafting estate documents, and that all revisions are free.

Phishing and Spear-Phishing are two methods used by cyberattackers to obtain personal information from clients, staff and family, and to gain access to computers and office networks in order to install malware and ransomware. In this episode of the Legal Tech Podcast, attorney and technologist Daniel J. Siegel, a pioneer in the field of Techno-Ethics, provides an introduction to the world of phishing, offering background information and providing practical solutions that law offices and businesses can immediately implement to prevent these attacks. The Legal Tech Podcast is sponsored by Integrated Technology Services, LLC and the Law Offices of Daniel J. Siegel, LLC.