You can get legal “answers” in seconds now but what happens when those answers collide with real court rules, real judges, and real consequences? We sit down with Philadelphia attorney James Cushing of the Law Office of Faye Riva Cohen to talk about what lawyers actually do when the stakes are high, and why a small, accessible law firm can be a major advantage for everyday people.

James shares the story of a Center City Philadelphia practice shaped by decades of work, including the firm’s foundation in civil rights and employment law and its present focus on helping clients navigate family law and other practical needs like contracts, unemployment issues, and real estate matters. He explains how legal work has become more specialized over time, which fuels misunderstandings about what different attorneys can and cannot do. We also dig into a surprisingly timely topic: AI legal advice. When clients bring in guidance from ChatGPT and similar tools, James breaks down why it can be risky, what it misses, and how a lawyer’s job is often less about “magic words” and more about strategy, judgment, and preparation.

The conversation goes deeper on the emotional side of the legal system: the moments when “the rules of the game” feel unfair, and why it’s still essential to face the hard parts of a case early instead of getting blindsided in court. We also cover James’s pro bono and community work with Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia, plus what makes his firm different day to day: direct attorney access, real conversations, and a personal touch rooted in care and justice.

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