What Lawyers Get Wrong About Teaching Clients and Teams, with Danielle Hall

Lawyers spend a surprising amount of time teaching clients, team members, and other lawyers, but most are never taught how adults actually learn. In episode 597 of the Lawyerist Podcast, Stephanie Everett talks with Danielle Hall about adult learning principles and why they matter in legal practice. 

Danielle explains how adult learners differ from students in traditional classrooms and what this means for client communication, team training, and CLE presentations. They explore why information overload backfires, how focusing on the “why” improves understanding, and simple ways to design learning experiences that actually stick without making things more complicated.  

Listen to our other episodes on client communication and understanding:  

1. Episode #539 – This VOICE HACK Will Transform Your Legal Career!, with Rena Cook Apple | Spotify | LTN 

1. Episode #384 – Delivering Bad News to Clients, with Marjorie Aaron Apple | Spotify | LTN 

1. Episode #338 – Reframing Your Client Experience, with Spencer Keys Apple | Spotify | LTN 

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Chapters / Timestamps:  

00:00 – Introduction 

03:12 – Why Lawyers Are Always Teaching 

08:37 – Meet Danielle Hall 

10:49 – How Adults Learn Differently 

14:57 – Information Overload and Client Confusion 

17:01 – Teaching Clients and Teams More Effectively 

21:52 – Why Most CLEs Don’t Work 

25:28 – Applying Adult Learning in Your Firm 

31:46 – Closing Thoughts 

Special thanks to our sponsor Lawyerist.