In this episode, hosts Amanda Koplos and Rob Joyner talk with Paul Unger, founding partner of Affinity Consulting Group and author of “Tame the Digital Chaos: Distraction, Time, Task & Email Management in an Age of Information Overload,” about how law firms can bring order to their digital lives.
Paul shares how his own struggles with email overload led to a lifelong passion for helping lawyers organize their time, manage distractions, and centralize data. Together, the trio explores the challenges of technology overload, why AI tools like Microsoft Copilot are worth the investment, and how the future of law firm efficiency depends on finding a “single source of truth” for firm data.
Packed with humor, relatable stories, and practical tips—from declaring “email bankruptcy” to using AI as a personal time coach—this conversation will leave you inspired to rethink how you work and live.
About the Guest
Paul Unger is an attorney and one of the founding partners of Affinity Consulting Group. Paul focuses on national speaking/training, coaching, strategic consulting, and workflow design for law firms and legal departments. He provides continuing legal education (CLE), legal-specific software training, and professional development programs for law firms and legal departments throughout North America.
Paul is the author of dozens of publications and legal technology manuals, including recently published books, "Tame the Digital Chaos: A Lawyer’s Guide to Distraction, Time, Task & Email Management (2020)", "Getting Your Digital House in Order (2023)", PowerPoint for Legal Professionals (2023)", and "Adobe Acrobat for Legal Professionals (2020)".
He served as chair of the ABA Legal Technology Resource Center (2012-13, 2013-14), chair of ABA TECHSHOW (2011), and on the Executive Board for the Association for Continuing Legal Education (ACLEA) (2017-18, 2018-19). He is an active member of the Ohio State and New York State Bar Associations.
Paul specializes in time, task, and distraction management, document and email management, paperless office strategies, courtroom technology, and legal-specific software training for law firms and legal departments. In his spare time, he likes to run, swim, cook, garden, and restore old homes.
Episode Resources
Affinity Consulting Group
Paul's book, Tame the Digital Chaos - Distraction, Time, Task & Email Management in an Age of Information Overload
Paul on LinkedIn
In this episode, hosts Amanda Koplos and Rob Joyner welcome William Washington III, Global CFO at Baker McKenzie, for a deeply personal and inspiring conversation.
William shares his unconventional journey — from being a high school and college dropout, a young father facing eviction, and coping with personal tragedy, to rising to the C-suite of one of the world’s largest law firms. He explains how resilience, mentorship, and relentless focus on improvement propelled him forward.
The discussion covers William’s approach to leadership as an introvert, the importance of professionalizing law firm operations, and his creative strategies for finding and developing talent. He also shares candid thoughts on AI in law firms, how technology will reshape the industry, and why leaders need to create space for every personality type to thrive.
Along the way, you’ll hear stories that are both entertaining and insightful, including a surprise encounter with Brooke Shields and how William once applied Lean Six Sigma principles to shorten a church service.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in leadership, resilience, and the business side of law firms.
About the Guest
William M. Washington, III is the Global Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for Baker McKenzie. As CFO, he is responsible for the firm's financial operations, which totals more than over $3 billion in revenue across 76 offices in 45 countries. In his role, he is responsible for over 1,400 people and serves on the Executive Committee, Financial Committee and many other strategic committees related to the Firm's operations.
William has also served as the CFO – Americas for Hogan Lovells where he worked closely with firm leadership to formulate a vision for the future of the firm and provide an understanding of the firm’s financial picture to help drive profitability.
Before joining Hogan Lovells, William worked at two other AmLaw 100 law firms and has served in leadership positions in other diverse industries including Consulting (Accenture) and Financial Services (Fannie Mae).
He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Mississippi State University, an MBA from the University of Maryland University College, and a Master’s in Law Firm Management from George Washington University. He is also a Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence and has a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt.
William is married to Tracy Washington, retired - International Finance Corporation (World Bank) and Adjunct Professor - Georgetown University. They have four wonderful children and reside in Bethesda, MD.
Episode Resources
William on LinkedIn
Baker McKenzie
REDF
In this engaging episode, Rob and Amanda welcome Melissa “Mel” Ballesteros, Manager of AI and Legal Technology Adoption at an international law firm. Mel takes listeners on her remarkable journey, from starting out in tech support and working in aviation, to becoming a legal technology trainer and now a leader in helping law firms adopt AI.
Mel explains the real-world challenges law firms face when adopting AI, from training and change management to leadership buy-in. She highlights how small and midsize firms can start with simple, high-value use cases like grammar checks, meeting summaries, and client call transcripts. She also emphasizes the importance of building communities inside firms and among professionals to share use cases for AI, learn together, and drive adoption.
You'll also hear Mel’s take on her favorite AI tools, how lawyers’ approach to training has changed, and her passion for empowering women in AI and cybersecurity through the Rockstar Women in AI community.
This episode is packed with insights, stories, and a little humor, and it'll leave you thinking differently about AI’s role in the legal industry. So listen in!
About the Guest
Melissa Ballesteros
Melissa Ballesteros is Manager of AI and Legal Technology Adoption at an international law firm, where she leads AI adoption efforts. With nearly 15 years in legal technology and a background in IT training and aviation sales management, Melissa turns complex tools into practical, intuitive experiences for all. She co-founded the Rockstar Women in AI Community, a global initiative empowering women and helping them find their place in an AI powered universe. She also serves on the Board of Advisors for Altruva.ai, contributing insights on responsible AI adoption and meaningful human engagement.
Episode Resources
Melissa on LinkedIn
Rockstar Women in AI & Security Community
Rob Joyner and Amanda Koplos welcome Jessica Aries, CEO of By Aries and former attorney, for a candid conversation about what actually drives business development on LinkedIn—and how AI can help lawyers do it faster.
Jessica traces her path from in-house marketing leader to agency founder after a gutsy LinkedIn post during COVID sparked nine new clients in a day. She breaks down four essential content pillars (services with value, credible recognition, relationship-building, and thoughtful personal brand), explains why engagement beats follower counts, and shares how to use AI for first drafts, better hooks, plain-language edits, and repeatable workflows (even custom GPTs).
The trio also plays LinkedIn Lawyer Bingo (goodbye, stock handshake pics) and an AI or Die lightning round before Jessica pitches her passion on AI-enabled marketing teams and agents that cut through marketing inefficiency. Expect practical tactics, zero fluff, and a few laugh-out-loud moments.
About the Guest
Jessica Aries
Jessica Aries is a former lawyer turned digital marketing strategist who helps law firms build stronger relationships through smarter digital content. As the founder of By Aries, she partners with mid- to large-size law firms across North America to elevate their brand visibility, empower legal marketers, and bring clarity to marketing data.
Jessica is known for her strategic approach to LinkedIn, AI adoption, and storytelling-driven marketing that drives real business development results. She regularly speaks at industry events and trains lawyers and marketers on building digital credibility in a noisy, high-stakes industry.
Episode Resources
Jessica on LinkedIn
By Aries | Law Firm Marketing Agency
In this episode of The Mostly Legal Podcast, Rob and Amanda talk with Tirek Gayle, Director of Finance & Administration at Davidson, Dawson & Clark, and president-elect of the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) New York City chapter, to explore how a lifelong coach leads inside a boutique New York City firm.
Tirek reveals how a coaching mindset that centers on honesty, preparedness, and “white-glove” care helps him partner with attorneys, recruit and retain talent, and deliver premium client experiences without the overhead of a big law firm. He shares why his firm leans into in-office culture while balancing real-life flexibility and generous PTO, and he shares ALA NYC’s priorities across mental health, DEI, sustainability, and community impact.
From his memorable backboard-breaking story to his career “coaching tree” legacy, Tirek’s rallying cry of “Let’s go!” offers actionable inspiration for firm leaders everywhere.
About the Guest
Tirek Gayle
Tirek J. Gayle is the Director of Administration and Finance for Davidson, Dawson & Clark, LLP. He joined DDC in January of 2024, after serving as the Office Administrator for Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel, LLP (a civil rights firm) for 12 years. Throughout his tenure, he has helped firms grow and operate more efficiently.
In addition to general office management, Tirek is also directly involved in the financial management of the firm, including annual financial review and budget recommendations, vendor and supplier negotiations, and tax preparation. He is responsible for all human resources functions, including employee recruitment and retention, policy implementation, and coordination of benefits.
Tirek has also worked as a senior paralegal and case manager at several top New York City law firms. He has co-founded a legal technology firm and a boutique wine shop, and in 2012 he was the first African American elected to the Cornwall School Board. From 2016 to 2020, Tirek served as the Head Coach of the Dutchess County Community College Men’s Basketball Program after serving for six years as Assistant Coach. He has also coached several Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) programs in New York City and in the Hudson Valley. Tirek also served as the Associate Head Coach for Men’s Basketball at CCNY.
Tirek received his MBA from Fordham’s Graduate School of Business and his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Vassar, where he was a four-year starter on the men’s basketball team, scoring over 1,000 points and grabbing over 1,000 rebounds in his career.
Episode Resources
Tirek Gayle on LinkedIn
Davidson, Dawson & Clark LLP
Association of Legal Administrators - New York City Chapter
