eCourses

Session 1: The Grievance Process and Most Common Violations - The presentation is intended to provide general information regarding the amendments made to the grievance process in 2018, the proper way to respond to a grievance identifying attorney misconduct, and common problems to avoid in practice. Session 2: So You Think You Know Your Evidence and Procedure? - An interactive and entertaining presentation testing your knowledge of the Texas Rules of Evidence and Procedure. Session 3: Research on Legal Writing - Get information about empirical research on legal writing techniques. Research supports plainer writing, reduced use of intensifiers, reduced use of “emotional” words, and use of narrative. Research also supports “connectives” (transitions), priming, and the value of resources, i.e. money. Session 4: Dealing With the Problem of Opposing Counsel - How to avoid intimidation and manage the disruptive, disreputable, and overly zealous opposing counsel in an ethical, civil, and professional manner.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 01: 2023 Case Law Update - A survey of recent Texas cases addressing significant issues (fiduciary duties, piercing the entity veil, and more) in the context of LLCs and partnerships (including limited partnerships and LLPs). Session 02: Texas Legislative Update for Partnerships and LLCs - Summary of selected bills passed in the 2023 Texas Legislature affecting partnerships and limited liability companies. Session 03: 2023 Secretary of State Update - Learn about filing tips and resources that will make your transactions with the Secretary of State easier and more predictable; hear updates on notable legislation and our system modernization initiative. Session 04: Updates from Delaware - A survey of recent Delaware cases addressing significant issues, including fiduciary duties, elimination of fiduciary duties and contractual interpretation in the context of LLCs and partnerships (including limited partnerships and LLPs). Session 05: S corporations: A Cautionary Tale about Squaring the Circle - A discussion of some of the motivations driving the use of LLCs as S corporations, some of the potential issues and some of the drafting and structuring issues that should be considered if an LLC is taxed as an S corporation.  Session 06: Updated Model LLC Agreements - Review three model agreements tailored for a closely held company, including a discussion of some recent changes in the models as well as decisions that the authors made in drafting the models to help improve your drafting skills and result in better operating agreements. Session 07: Drafting Net Profit Agreements - Net profits agreements are used in transactions where the parties have an interest in sharing in profits but do not want to create or participate in an entity arrangement with the parties involved.  Net profits agreements raise a number of issues which may be as basic as the very definition of what the parties intend to share, as well as the methods of payout, the impact on tax consequences of these arrangements and concerns relating to the unintended partnership. Review the issues lawyers may need to consider with their clients to draft an effective net profits agreement.  Session 08: Provisions Limiting Liability and Duties in Partnership and Company Agreements - This panel will discuss the effectiveness and limitations on provisions of partnership and company agreements which provide for the modification of duties, exoneration from liability and indemnification with respect to claims against managers, members and other employees and agents.   Session 09: Effective Engagement Letters and Other Simple Risk-Management Tools - This ethics CLE presentation will look at engagement letters and how they can be used as a risk management tool. Along they way, the presentation will provide practical tips to help lawyers avoid conflict of interest pitfalls and to assist in controlling client expectations about the scope of the representation. Session 10: Multiparty Representation —Entity Formation - A deep-dive into the knurly problems of multi-party representation of start-up companies, including whether the client is the founder or founders or the company is yet to be formed. The ethical difficulties for the lawyer continue after formation as the company and its founders, directors and officers move beyond formation of the entity into the realm of operations.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

THIS MONTH: ChatGPT Ethics • On The Road Again: Legal Issues with Music Touring • Arbitration is NOT Litigation • Leasing and Real Estate Issues - Are We Prepared for the Office Apocalypse? • Leasing and Real Estate Issues - Are We Prepared for the Office Apocalypse? • What You Need to Know About the Corporate Transparency Act

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

In the wake of mandatory tax basis reporting of capital accounts, BBA revisions to the partnership audit and litigation rules, and a renewed IRS focus on auditing partnerships, fixing prior period mistakes in partnership capital accounts has become a much more fraught exercise. Examine common causes of capital account errors, as well as possible resolutions.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

THIS MONTH: Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in College Sports, Year Three • Humanitarian Relief & Border Issues • Dealing with Loans in the Context of Divorces, Death, and other Family Disruptions • Licensure with a Criminal Record • Ethics Issues for Transactional Practice

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 1: Intro to AI: Registering Works that Incorporate Artificial Intelligence - The last year has seen a dramatic expansion in the use of generative AI technologies, which has prompted questions about the copyrightability of AI-generated works. Get up to speed on the U.S. Copyright Office’s AI initiative, walk through the Office’s views on registering works generated in whole or in part by AI, and answer some frequently asked questions. Session 2: Navigating the Minefield of AI-Generated Content - The spread of generative artificial intelligence has raised a host of questions in areas of law spanning copyright, right of publicity, privacy and others. Hear perspectives on those emerging questions and where the law may be headed. Session 3:Chatting ChatGPT - Get a fast-paced introduction to emerging AI technologies that lawyers need to know about, including a demonstration of these breakthroughs with a focus on the risks of using these technologies without understanding how they work.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

What do clearance attorneys need to think about when drafting opinion letters regarding rights issues for their clients? Hear from an expert who has written rights clearance opinion letters for hundreds of projects, ranging from true crime documentaries to scripted films based on or inspired by true stories. Learn what clients, insurance companies, distributors and other stakeholders come to expect when reviewing an opinion letter for films and television programs.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 1: Case Law Update - An annual roundup of notable court rulings, including Texas judicial decisions, that impact the practice of entertainment law. Session 2: LIVE EDITION! Entertainment Law Update Podcast - Join us for a special live edition of the Entertainment Law Update Podcast, where you'll get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look as co-hosts Tamera Bennett and Gordon Firemark produce the November episode of our groundbreaking podcast. Don't miss this unique opportunity to see the magic happen and stay up-to-date on the latest legal developments in the entertainment industry! Session 3: Tales from the Trenches: Recurring Litigation Practice Minefields in Entertainment Law Cases - Enjoy tales of litigation in entertainment and media cases including net profits in motion pictures and TV, theft of idea and copyright infringement cases, libel, and class actions against record companies, talent unions and movie studios.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

An overview of business entities and how they may be used by music labels, music publishers, managers, promoters, venues or others in the music business, followed by a discussion of the deluge of data that labels, publishers and managers must deal with in the modern music business.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Understand the basic copyright and trademark principles and identify where they apply in music,television/film, podcasting, and influencer deals.

Includes: Video Audio Paper

Gordon Firemark, The Podcast Lawyer™ provides an in-depth analysis of the legal landscape, issues and considerations that arise when producing true crime podcasts, including intellectual property, plagiarism, defamation, privacy concerns, and more. Gain valuable insights that can be applied to your practice and clients in the podcasting industry.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

A discussion of where things stand in the world of NIL and where they could be headed. Topics include NCAA policy, state and federal legislation, IRS and tax issues, international student-athletes, donor collectives, group licensing, and more.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

The realm of termination and recapture rights under the U.S. Copyright Act presents a labyrinth full of pitfalls for practitioners which can result in their clients losing their "second bite at the apple." Hear an overview of Sections 203 and 304 of the Copyright Act, discuss the termination process in the context of music from providing notice to potentially settling and negotiating new deals with publishers and labels, and examine the results of recent court cases in this ever-evolving area of copyright law practice.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Whether they’re taking an Econoline van or a Gulfstream private jet, your music clients are bound to have questions relating to their tours. From insurance coverage to crew agreements to immigration issues and more, discover what you need to know to advise your clients properly.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Discover the untold consequences of neglecting estate and IP succession planning as a recording artist/songwriter and delve into the complex web of copyrights, trademarks, and publicity rights arising posthumously. Hear practical steps and real-world examples to make a plan and to tackle a failure to plan.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

THIS MONTH: Contracting with Third-Party Vendors: Top Risk and Privacy Law Considerations • IRAs In Estate Planning, or Trust Me, I'm an EDB for RMDs After the RBD • Beating the Expert • Running Your Law Firm as a Business • The Unruly Client

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Need ethics credit? We’ve got you covered! UT Law CLE’s First Friday Ethics streams live every first Friday of the month, and features some of our best ethics speakers and presentations for a total of 3.00 hrs ethics credit. Fulfill your entire annual ethics requirement in Texas in one day! This month includes: (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics) The Grievance Process and Most Common Violations The presentation is intended to provide general information regarding the amendments made to the grievance process in 2018, the proper way to respond to a grievance identifying attorney misconduct, and common problems to avoid in practice. Nicole E. Jackson, Rosenblatt Law Firm - San Antonio, TX   (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics) A Lawyer's Duty in a Democracy Under Attack (Replay) An examination of lawyers' duty to support the Constitution and democratic principles when they are being challenged.  Michael Curry, Attorney-Mediator - Austin, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Sign Right Here (Replay) A survey of provisions for your attorney client agreements from “must haves” to “optional” clauses. Claude E. Ducloux, Attorney at Law - Austin, TX (0.50 hr | 0.50 hr ethics) The "Difficult" Clients (Replay) Explore how to define, spot, course correct and terminate “difficult” clients and client relationships. John B. Henry III, Law Office of John B. Henry, III, PLLC - Bellaire, TX

Includes: Video Paper Slides

The presentation is intended to provide general information regarding the amendments made to the grievance process in 2018, the proper way to respond to a grievance identifying attorney misconduct, and common problems to avoid in practice.

Includes: Video Paper Slides

THIS MONTH: Legislative Update: New Texas Business Courts • EPA’s Latest Grid-Impacting Regulations • Mediation Strategies, Solutions and Lessons Learned • Accessing and Managing Digital Assets After Death • Deal Ethics

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

The language in a final divorce decree can either pave the way to successful mortgage financing or impede the process, whether your client refis or buys. This course covers wording suggestions for best outcomes and also covers a few reasons why both parties should not be left on an existing mortgage after divorce.

Includes: Video Slides