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JoAnn Hathaway

JoAnn Hathaway

Host of State Bar of Michigan: On Balance Podcast

JoAnn Hathaway is the Practice Management Advisor for the State Bar of Michigan. With a multifaceted background, she has served as a legal liability claims director, legal risk manager, legal administrator, and paralegal.   She carries the designations of Registered Professional Liability Underwriter and Cyber Professional Liability Practitioner and is the author of the ABA publication “Legal Malpractice Insurance in One Hour For Lawyers.” JoAnn actively engages audiences on topics such as law firm technology, insurance, and risk and practice management.

Host of
Recent Episodes
September 9, 2024

Balancing Wellbeing, Professionalism, and Civility

Between forty and seventy percent of all malpractice claims and disciplinary proceedings are directly related to untreated mental health or substance abuse issues. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway discuss the intersection of...

August 12, 2024

How to Enhance Your Legal Services with Microsoft Copilot

Is AI coming for your job as an attorney? Ben Schorr of Microsoft has the short answer—no! But, AI can come alongside you to help you do your work even better. Molly...

July 8, 2024

Mental Health Resources with Joe Ankus

Due to his lived experience with stress and anxiety in the practice of law, Joe Ankus was inspired to get involved in mental health education in the legal profession. Molly Ranns and...

June 10, 2024

How to Dissect and Understand Your Cyber Insurance Policy

Cyber threats abound in our modern world, and lawyers and law firms are prime targets due to the sensitive nature of the information they hold in trust for clients. As such, cyber...

May 13, 2024

A Better Perspective: How Mindset Shifts Can Enrich Life and Legal Practice

Legal practice can be stressful, and it is all too common to go through difficult seasons which, in turn, lead to negative impacts on our overall wellbeing. But, there are ways to...

April 8, 2024

How Lawyers Can Enhance Legal Services and Stay Ahead in the Industry with AI

Leveraging AI in your practice can help you create better client experiences and become a more efficient lawyer. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Mitch Jackson about ways to integrate AI...

March 11, 2024

Managing the Transition to Life After Legal Practice

It is important to attorneys to build a rich career, but just as important is the time they put into life outside of legal practice. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with...

February 12, 2024

Unraveling the Legal Tech Ecosystem: How People, Processes, and Tech Work Together

Technology can help you solve problems in your law firm, connect with clients, save time and money, and so much more. But, how do you know what tech will work best for...

January 8, 2024

Addiction Recovery and Lawyer Wellbeing

The legal profession as a whole now has a heightened awareness of the fact that wellbeing is a critical piece in the life of a lawyer, but rates of addiction, depression, anxiety,...

December 11, 2023

Insights on Clio’s 2023 Legal Trends Report with Joshua Lenon

Clio’s Legal Trends Report has given us a whole new perspective on many aspects of the profession since its inception in 2016, and the latest report has new insights in store. JoAnn...

November 13, 2023

Recommendations from the Task Force on Well-Being in the Law

In August of this year, the Michigan Task Force on Well-Being in the Law released a comprehensive report outlining current recommendations for supporting law student, lawyer, and judicial wellness. JoAnn Hathaway talks...

October 9, 2023

Tech Foundations and Recommendations for a Successful Law Firm

Whether you’re setting up a new law firm or trying to get your current firm up to modern standards, technology absolutely must be a foundational element. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk...

September 11, 2023

Bringing Transparency to Judicial Clerkships

The legal profession places an enormous premium on getting judicial clerkships, which usually offer both valuable learning experiences and a major boost to a young lawyer’s future prospects. But, are there potential...

August 15, 2023

How To Do More in Less Time with Dan Siegel & Allison Johs

Productivity practices are essential—even life-changing—in legal practice. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, that your time is not your own, hopelessly behind on technology, or that you just can’t seem to balance work and...

July 10, 2023

The Mindfulness in Law Movement with Dr. Nehal Patel

Mindfulness refers to our ability to maintain our present-moment awareness without drifting unhelpfully to the past or future. That might sound like a heady concept, but a focused, steady mind truly is...

June 12, 2023

Lawyer Well-Being in Biglaw

In Biglaw, there is a natural inclination amongst attorneys to build a reputation for being the best, but too often this comes at the expense of mental health and overall wellness. Molly...

May 8, 2023

Rule 21: Law Practice Succession Planning

New rules effective in September 2023 will require Michigan attorneys to name a person with knowledge of their practice as well as an interim administrator in their succession plan. Molly Ranns and...

April 17, 2023

AI and ChatGPT’s Impacts on the Legal Profession

Rapid new developments in AI and ChatGPT, especially, have given rise to many questions across the legal industry about how to use this technology both effectively and ethically. Molly Ranns and JoAnn...

March 13, 2023

Law Student Well-Being: Advocating for Student Mental Health

There are still significant issues surrounding law student mental health, and the pandemic added even more layers to these wellness concerns. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway welcome David Jaffe and Janet Stearns...

February 13, 2023

How Women Can Speak Up and Stand Out with Confidence

Some of the unique challenges women face in their careers may actually stem from differences in the ways men and women communicate in the workplace. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with...

January 9, 2023

Mindfulness and Emotional Intelligence with Katie Stanley

Pursuing wellbeing through mindfulness helps legal professionals thrive in practice, and part of that focus should be kindness, not just to others, but to ourselves. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with...

December 12, 2022

Backups For Your Law Firm – Recovering from Human Error, Disasters, Hackers, and More

Lawyers spend a lot of time gathering data and creating content in the course of legal practice, and losing that data could prove disastrous or even catastrophic to their firm and clients....

November 14, 2022

Empowering Working Parents

As a mother and a professional, Lori Mihalich-Levin experienced the many challenges of working parents firsthand and discovered that there is all too often very little support for parents transitioning back to...

October 10, 2022

Untangling Fear in Lawyering with Heidi K. Brown

Addressing fear and anxiety with societal mantras like “fake it ‘til you make it” or “face your fears” isn’t all that helpful, and might even be harmful to many of us. Tune...

September 12, 2022

What You Need to Know About Trauma-Informed Lawyering

Understanding the impact of trauma helps lawyers to better connect with and care for clients. Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Aylysh Gallagher and Alexander Rusek about their recent article, An...

August 8, 2022

Top IOLTA Trust Account Questions

To help attorneys understand the particulars on IOLTA accounts, Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway welcome Robinjit Eagleson to answer IOLTA inquiries commonly received by the State Bar of Michigan Ethics Helpline. Robinjit...

July 18, 2022

The Creation of Sustainable, Healthy, and Inclusive Workspaces

Healthier indoor spaces are good for both you and the environment! On Balance hosts JoAnn Hathaway and Molly Ranns get a unique perspective on sustainable, inclusive, and more climate-friendly workspaces from Nicole...

June 13, 2022

Mental Health Challenges Facing the Legal Profession Today

Unique stressors that frequently accompany the life of a legal professional can still be major triggers for depression and other mental health issues. What work still needs to be done to address...

May 23, 2022

The Delta Model: Lawyer Readiness and Competency Post-Covid

The pandemic made many things change at a rapid pace, but even with this evolution, the same competency areas are still needed to thrive in the practice of law. On Balance hosts...

April 11, 2022

Succession Planning for Your Law Firm

Succession planning is critical for ensuring the protection of lawyers, clients, and the public; but does every lawyer need a plan? Molly Ranns and JoAnn Hathaway talk with Alecia Chandler about how...

March 14, 2022

Meditation and Mindfulness Practices for Legal Professionals

Dawn Kulongowski shares mental wellness tips for attorneys.

February 14, 2022

Ethical Wellness in Your Law Firm

Victoria Vuletich explains how ethical wellness helps lawyers make better decisions.

January 10, 2022

Suicide Prevention in the Legal Community

Erica Grigg discusses suicide prevention by sharing her personal story and what to do if you or someone you care about is at risk.

December 13, 2021

Collaboration Tools, Technology, and Tips

Dennis Kennedy and Tom Mighell share their insights on collaborative technology in legal practice.

November 8, 2021

Gray-Area Drinking in the Legal Profession

Professional burnout and alcohol coach Wendy McCallum offers insights on recognizing unhealthy patterns and making changes.

October 11, 2021

Coping With Stress in the Legal Profession

Anne Chambers shares tips for altering your perspective on stress to create better coping strategies.

September 13, 2021

Supporting Resilience and Mental Health for Law Firm Employees

Laura Mahr shares insights on how to help lawyers and law firms recover from pandemic-related stress.

August 9, 2021

Personal Branding Tips for Lawyers

Katy Goshtasbi digs into how simple self-examination can help lawyers grow their confidence and develop an effective personal brand.

July 12, 2021

The SOLACE Program — Helping Michigan’s Legal Professionals and Law Students

Learn all about the State Bar of Michigan’s new SOLACE Program with esteemed guests Bruce Courtade and Robert Mathis.

June 14, 2021

Building Your Law Firm’s Web Presence

Legal marketing expert Gyi Tsakalakis demystifies methods and means for effectively increasing your law firm’s online presence.

May 10, 2021

Stress and Resiliency in the US Judiciary

Joan Bibelhausen and Judge David Shaheed discuss the findings of the 2020 National Judicial Stress and Resiliency Survey.

April 12, 2021

The Attorney Grievance Process in Michigan – Part 2

Mark Armitage gives an overview of what happens when an attorney grievance moves through the Michigan Attorney Discipline Board’s adjudication process.

March 8, 2021

The Attorney Grievance Process in Michigan – Part 1

Grievance Administrator Michael Goetz gives a straightforward explanation of what happens when a complaint is filed against a Michigan attorney.

February 15, 2021

Becoming Tech-Competent at TECHSHOW 2021

ABA TECHSHOW co-chairs Roberta Tepper and Allan Mackenzie share what’s in store at this year’s accessible, affordable, all-virtual conference.

January 28, 2021

Diversity and Inclusion: How Lawyer Wellbeing Promotes Inclusivity

Lawyer wellness enthusiast Alexis Robertson shares insights on the connection between diversity and inclusion and overall wellbeing.

December 14, 2020

Standing Out in 2021: Professional Growth Tactics for Future-Minded Attorneys

Legal industry analyst Ari Kaplan offers tips for lawyers as they navigate the legal profession’s pandemic-motivated changes.

November 9, 2020

Internet Legal Research on a Budget with Carole Levitt and Judy Davis

Carole Levitt and Judy Davis, authors of “Internet Legal Research on a Budget: Free and Low-Cost Resources for Lawyers,” talk about their favorite resources for lawyers.

October 12, 2020

Cybersecurity Practices That Won’t Bust Your Budget – Practical Tips

Cybersecurity expert David Ries shares the essential safeguards needed to protect your law firm’s technology.

September 14, 2020

Cybersecurity Practices That Won’t Bust Your Budget – Security Basics

Cybersecurity expert David Ries outlines current cyber threats for law firms and gives practical, lower-cost security options that can help protect them from attack.

August 21, 2020

Legal Malpractice Risk Control in the Covid Era

Sean Ginty assesses new risks attorneys face because of the Covid-19 pandemic.