Summary

In Episode 9 of The AAAi Podcast, Carrie McLain, CEO of the Helton Law Group, and Maged Helmy, Founder and CEO of Newcode.ai, join AAA President & CEO Bridget McCormack and Legally Disrupted’s Zach Abramowitz to explore what the next legal ecosystem could look like—one where firms aren’t retrofitting AI but designing around it; where law firms no longer resemble traditional firms; and where technology is not just smarter, but purpose-built by people who truly understand the unique demands of the legal industry.

Key Takeaways

1. Build the Ark Before

By Malisa "Lise" Prisarojn

California’s automotive Lemon Law landscape is evolving quickly. As the number of claims filed under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act—commonly known as California’s Lemon Law—continues to climb, a new legal framework is taking shape. With the enactment of Assembly Bill 1755 and the implementation of California Code of Civil Procedure § 871.26, effective April 1, 2025, claimants must now engage in mandatory mediation.

This shift is meant to reduce litigation backlogs and encourage early, efficient

By Ann Lesser and Caitlin Saint-Jean

Employment termination disputes are often fraught with tension, emotion and significant consequences for both employers and employees. When these disputes involve allegations of discrimination, the stakes are even higher. Traditional litigation can be time-consuming, costly and adversarial, making it difficult to achieve resolutions that satisfy all parties. This is where alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods—such as mediation and arbitration—can play a critical role in fostering fair and efficient outcomes.

Understanding

An interview with Tracey Frisch, division vice president of mediation, conducted by Adam Shoneck, vice president of business development for consumer and mass arbitration

Adam: Can you talk a bit about your mediation journey and how you arrived at your new position?

Tracey: My mediation journey began in classrooms, not courtrooms. I started as a peer mediator in high school and later taught conflict resolution and peer mediation in New Orleans and New York City public schools. There, I saw firsthand the power of facilitated dialogue in