What if legal expertise isn’t the most important thing your clients are looking for?

In this episode of Legal Innovation Simplified, I sit down with Joey Gartner, Director of the ABA Center for Innovation, to uncover the lawyer skills that truly set you apart in today’s legal landscape and explore how innovation in legal services is reshaping the profession.

Most law firms assume that clients prioritize legal expertise—but the reality is, expertise is just the baseline. What clients really value is how you engage with them, how you listen, and how you create a seamless, client-centered experience.

Joey breaks down why emotional intelligence, client experience, and adaptability are the real differentiators for innovation lawyers—and how you can use them to future-proof your practice.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why legal expertise is just the starting point—and what actually matters to clients.
How emotional intelligence and client experience impact law firm success.
Why lawyers must shift from risk-averse to iterative mindsets to embrace innovation.
The importance of emerging legal careers and non-traditional career paths.
How to turn friction points into opportunities for business growth and client trust.

Key Highlights:

The Role of Emotional Intelligence in Legal Services – Learn why listening, empathy, and connection drive client trust more than expertise alone.
From Friction to Opportunity – Discover how to spot inefficiencies in your legal practice and transform them into growth strategies.
The Future of Lawyer Skills – Explore how adaptability, project management, and legal design thinking can set you apart.
Beyond the Billable Hour – How automation and client experience improvements can help lawyers work smarter, not harder.

Here’s the website for ABA Center for Innovation.

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