Every Sunday I share a quick update from my last week in business as a Canadian family lawyer and cofounder of my legal tech company (Visto.ai), including the best stories, lessons learned, key takeaways, book(s) I'm reading and more. Make sure to subscribe so you don't miss it! And make sure to join the substack so you never miss an episode here: https://joshschachnow.substack.com/
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October 5, 2026Episode 29814 min
Marketing Updates, AI Search Leads, Free vs. Paid Consults and a Sleep Experiment
Josh shares a business and personal update after getting over a cold linked to his daughter starting daycare. On the business side, he discusses focusing on marketing for his law firm through content, social media, SEO, organic strategy, and continued testing of Google Ads and other ad platforms, plus the emerging importance of showing up in AI search results after receiving leads from tools like ChatGPT or Claude. He notes early October has been quieter after a busy August and September, and he debates offering free consultations due to a high no-show rate despite generating some paid clients, comparing results with paid consults and improved vetting. Personally, he describes using AI to improve sleep by adjusting evening fluids, electrolytes, magnesium and glycine, and trying legs-up before bed. He also updates on reading, including starting the Rockefeller biography “Titan.” 00:00 Life Update Intro 00:28 Marketing and SEO Focus 01:35 AI Search Leads 02:22 Weekly Podcast Plan 03:00 Free vs Paid Consults 06:30 AI Sleep Experiments 11:12 Books and Reading Update 13:10 Wrap Up and Feedback
September 28, 2026Episode 29710 min
Hiring, Firing, AI and multiple books
Today’s update uncovers the dynamic world of juggling business and family life. As a parent of a twenty-one-month-old, I’m finding new ways to balance the chaos and freedom that come with running an immigration law firm. Business has been bustling, and with the advent of AI and technology, we’re streamlining operations like never before. It’s fascinating - our clients are happier as our processes become leaner, but change always comes with challenges as I recently had to let go of my first virtual assistant. This twist made us rethink our support structure, leading to an exciting opportunity to hire our first lawyer. It’s a wild journey, adapting to these shifts, that brings both the good and the challenging - but the thrill of growth keeps us pushing forward. Now, let’s talk about the “work smarter, not harder” mantra. With our legal workflows and cutting-edge tech, we’re reducing layers of communication, giving clients direct access to their lawyer. This not only streamlines operations but also enhances client satisfaction—a win-win. We’re embracing a strategy to hire slow but fire fast, ensuring the right talent comes on board. Excitement is in the air as we approach our third-round interviews with potential new hires and welcome a new salesperson to the team. These efforts point towards a bustling future - more work, more growth, more opportunities. Lastly, on a personal note, as the Canadian summer winds down, I’m squeezing in the last of the outdoor moments and reflecting on my reading adventures. Books by figures like Tim Grover and Warren Buffett have offered insights that align with the relentless spirit I aim to embody. Whether it’s bounding through entrepreneurial roadblocks or navigating family fun, life remains an unpredictable dance. Join me regularly for updates from these ever-changing trenches of entrepreneurship - and don’t forget to share this journey with friends who might appreciate the real-time lessons from this ever-evolving path. Until next time, keep pushing those boundaries! Agenda: 00:00 Quick Life Update 00:48 Firm Growth Momentum 01:14 Tech And Efficiency Wins 01:50 Letting A VA Go 02:10 Hiring A New Lawyer 02:38 Lean Team Model 05:00 Salesperson Starts Today 05:32 Family And Entrepreneur Life 06:06 Economy And AI Shifts 07:08 Book Reviews And Reads 09:48 Posting Cadence And Wrap Up
August 30, 2026Episode 29610 min
Law Firm Growth Update: Hiring, AI Systems, Content Repurposing, and the Emotional Reality of Daycare
Josh shares a personal update covering recent weeks as a lawyer, law firm owner, and new father. He reports strong growth in his Canadian immigration practice, effective marketing, and active hiring for a junior SDR role, while also looking to partner with experienced lawyers in areas like family, employment, or tax to expand beyond immigration within a tech-forward, AI-enabled firm. He describes how internal software, a developer, and a virtual assistant have reduced manual admin work so he can focus on consultations and legal review. On the content side, he’s posting consistently on LinkedIn, Twitter, and TikTok and using AI to repurpose videos into text posts. He also discusses recent and upcoming reads, including Dan Martell’s “Buy Back Your Time,” plus books on Warren Buffett, Tim Grover, and Rockefeller. Finally, he opens up about the emotional difficulty of his daughter’s daycare transition and asks listeners for feedback on future updates. 00:00 Personal Update Intro 00:24 Law Firm Growth Plans 00:34 Hiring and Expansion 02:06 Tech Powered Practice 03:29 Marketing and Repurposing 04:11 Books and Reading Hacks 07:16 Daycare Transition Reality 09:15 Parenting and Work Balance 09:59 Wrap Up and Feedback
July 16, 2026Episode 2958 min
Life Update: Back to Immigration Law, Startup Pivots, and Baby #2 on the Way
Josh records a car update on his way to the office to explain why his podcast/vlog and Substack have slowed down. He shares that he’s been busy balancing work as a Canadian immigration lawyer and tech co-founder, parenting his 18-month-old daughter, and navigating recent professional changes. After pivoting into family law about a year and a half ago, he decided it wasn’t for him due to the stress, emotional intensity, and feeling like he had to start over, so he returned to immigration law and is adjusting to how the field has changed. He also explains that an AI product for family lawyers was built and launched but ultimately not pursued, and the focus is now back on his immigration platform, Visto, and tech to support his firm. He adds that baby number two is due in December, which is reshaping priorities and reducing time for frequent Substack posts. To make sure you never miss an update, make sure you're following his substack here: https://joshschachnow.substack.com/ 00:00 Car Ride Update 01:05 Where Ive Been 03:06 Switching Back To Immigration 04:19 Why Substack Slowed Down 06:01 Baby Two And Priorities 07:13 Parenting And Partnership Lessons 07:43 Wrap Up And Feedback
November 30, 2025Episode 29412 min
40+ Minutes Saved DAILY: AI Tools for Law Firm Productivity
The AI Hack That Saved My Law Practice 40+ Minutes Per Day! As a busy attorney, last week nearly broke me (multiple court appearances + family commitments!). But I discovered a simple AI workflow for lawyers that instantly freed up valuable time. If you're struggling with legal research, drafting, or summaries, this video is your blueprint for productivity. In this episode, Josh shares the exact tools and strategies he used to automate tedious legal work and reclaim 40+ minutes daily. Learn how to implement AI automation in your own practice, from solo firms to large operations. This is essential viewing for anyone interested in lawyer productivity, legal technology, AI for law firms, and time management strategies for attorneys. Never miss an update on his journey by joining his substack here: https://joshschachnow.substack.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Apology for Missing Last Week 00:40 Why I Missed the Vlog Last Week 02:42 Using AI to Save Time on Legal Work 03:37 Detailed Example of AI in Legal Practice 09:05 Steps for Effectively Using AI in Legal Work 11:58 Conclusion and Call to Action
November 16, 2025Episode 29311 min
Why I'm Exhausted: Busy Week Recap & AI Workshops for Lawyers
Welcome to the Weekly Vlog! Josh explains why he's exceptionally tired this week due to a packed schedule. He discusses attending and speaking at two conferences on AI for legal professionals, preparing for upcoming court appearances, and his thoughts on the book he's reading, '33 Strategies of War' by Robert Green. Josh also shares plans to hold a webinar on building custom GPTs for legal professionals. Tune in to get all the details! Never miss an update on his journey by joining his substack here: https://joshschachnow.substack.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:25 Why I'm Exhausted This Week 01:19 Presenting at Two Major Events 02:08 Upcoming Court Appearances 03:19 AI in Legal Practice 07:07 Future Webinar on Custom GPTs 09:32 Current Book Review: 33 Strategies of War 11:30 Conclusion and Sign-Off Why I'm Exhausted: Busy Week Recap & AI Workshops for Lawyers
November 9, 2025Episode 29213 min
AI's Impact on the Business of Law
In this episode, I delve into the future of the business of law with advancements in AI, sharing a story about a lawyer creating his own AI platform. I also cover how I think AI might change the business of law moving forward. The book review of the week is 'The Tao of Charlie Munger,' a book compiling insightful quotes from Berkshire Hathaway's vice chairman. Stay tuned for insights on technology's role in legal practice and lessons from one of the greatest minds in business. Never miss an update on his journey by joining his substack here: https://joshschachnow.substack.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:34 The Future of Law: AI and Innovation 00:52 A Lawyer's Journey into AI 04:00 Implications of AI on Legal Practice 10:38 Book Review: The Tao of Charlie Munger 12:40 Closing Remarks and Subscription Reminder
November 2, 2025Episode 29111 min
The Good, Bad, and Ugly of Family Court: My Experience as a Lawyer in Canada
Join Josh, a Canadian family lawyer and tech co-founder, as he dives into his experiences practicing family law in Ontario. In this episode, he shares the highs and lows of court proceedings, offering insights and stories from his time in court. Learn about the challenges of scheduling, dealing with unreasonable parties, and the mental stimulation of engaging with sharp judges. Whether you're a legal professional or just curious about the legal system, this vlog provides a candid look at the realities of family litigation. Never miss an update on his journey by joining his substack here: https://joshschachnow.substack.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:23 Weekly Check-In and Background 00:52 Diving into Court Experiences 02:30 The Good: Why I Love Court 06:26 The Bad: Challenges in the Court System 09:36 The Ugly: Dealing with Unreasonable Parties 11:17 Conclusion and Viewer Engagement
October 26, 2025Episode 29012 min
Will Traditional Legal CRMs Become OBSOLETE?
In this episode, Josh discusses his perspective on how AI and advanced technologies in platforms like Google Workspace and Microsoft Office could potentially render general-purpose legal CRMs like Clio and PracticePanther obsolete. Josh shares insights from his experience in family law and how he's been able to automate numerous tasks using these workstations. He highlights the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of using integrated features like e-signature, custom workflows with AI support, and booking links. Josh also talks about the niche legal tech tools that will still be necessary and offers examples from his practice to demonstrate these concepts. Tune in to hear his predictions and learn more about his tech-driven approach to legal practice. Never miss an update on my journey by joining my substack here: https://joshschachnow.substack.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:36 Balancing Tech and Law Practice 02:19 The Rise of AI in Legal Workspaces 05:25 Cost Efficiency of Google Workspace 07:43 Future of Legal CRMs and AI Integration 09:38 Niche Legal Tech Tools 10:46 Conclusion and Call to Action
October 19, 2025Episode 2899 min
Is Tech Making Courts Better or Worse? Will AI Take Over Your Job Soon? | Weekly Business Vlog 37
Join Josh in this week's episode of the Weekly Vlog as he explores three compelling topics. First, he delves into how technology is transforming the court system in Canada, discussing whether this shift towards virtual appearances is beneficial. Second, he examines the impact of advancing AI and technology on career and business planning, especially in the legal field. Lastly, Josh shares his latest reads, including his thoughts on 'Mastery' and 'Think and Grow Rich.' Never miss an update on my journey by joining my substack here: https://joshschachnow.substack.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:37 Virtual Court Appearances: Pros and Cons 03:49 Technology's Impact on Career Planning 07:11 Book Reviews and Recommendations 08:54 Closing Remarks and Subscriptions
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