MAY 2025 | 67 THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL As many jurisdictions enacted MCLE requirements, more CLE presentations were given across the nation. The early programs were fairly described as “like law school lectures, but they don’t call on you.” Trial lawyers were often the most entertaining presenters due to their skills. One of my mentors, the late Ross Kodner of Wisconsin, told me the most important goal of teaching CLE to lawyers is to be energetic and entertaining. For me, bringing energy was relatively easy because I was a true believer. In a time when partners were telling associates that having a computer on their desk would be “unprofessional,” I knew almost every lawyer would have a computer at their workstation soon enough. Having the freedom to try new things was good for me and the OBA members. I got my first Gmail address when you had to be invited to get one. I learned about Facebook at ABA TECHSHOW and created an account within days. I set up a law blog, Jim Calloway’s Law Practice Tips, when it was a cutting-edge thing for lawyers to do. (The blog hasn’t been updated recently, but I may relaunch it in retirement with a new focus.) ALTERNATIVE BILLING BOOKS AND SO MANY PODCASTS My friend, Oklahoma City lawyer Mark Robertson, recruited me to co-author our first Winning Alternatives to the Billable Hour book for the ABA. Mark knew we shared the belief that technology and business process advances would force at least some law firm migration from purely hourly billing.1 He met me in the hall during an ABA meeting, told me the committee had approved the book proposal and invited me to co-author it with him. Another good friend, Sharon Nelson, and I launched the Digital Edge: Lawyers and Technology podcast, and we produced 189 monthly episodes. For the first few episodes, Sharon’s husband, John W. Simek, did all the postproduction work. Legal Talk Network later stepped in to do our hosting and production. Our annual “Tech Toys for the Holidays” episode was our most popular and was referenced in the ABA Journal several times. I was also a guest on many podcasts over the years. Even though our podcast has been retired, Legal Talk
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