2025

First Friday Ethics (July 2025)

STUDIO WEBCAST Jul 11, 2025 $145 Individual

Register

Overview

10:00 a.m. to 1:35 p.m. (3.00 hr | 3.00 hr ethics)
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:
10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics)
Use of AI in Litigation (Replay)
Understanding the basics of how AI works, the dangers and pitfalls with current AI technology, and ways AI can (or should not) be used in litigation.

J. Hoke (Trey) Peacock III, Susman Godfrey LLP - Houston, TX

11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics)
When Lawyers Make the News: It’s Not About You. It’s About Your Client. (Replay)
With the guidance provided by the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct, the Texas Lawyer’s Creed, and existing ethics opinions, this presentation focuses on ethical considerations lawyers often face when handling cases that make the news and will offer practical guidance on avoiding common pitfalls that arise when your case makes the spotlight. Consider lessons learned from stories and examples of lawyers who themselves made headlines and faced legal trouble for ethical lapses in the scope of client representation.

Thomas P. Brandt, Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt & Kutchin, P.C. - Dallas, TX
John Husted, Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt & Kutchin, P.C. - Dallas, TX

11:55 a.m. to 12:55 p.m. (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics)
Who’s Your Client? (Replay)
Identifying your client seems like a simple issue, but it is frequently complicated, particularly with organizational clients such as partnerships, LLCs, corporations or trusts, or even simply joint return filers. The client’s identity in turn bears on all sorts of ethical and practical issues, including conflicts, where your duties lie, how to advise organizational clients, protect client confidences and privileges, handle communications with others and common interest agreements, etc.

Christopher S. Rizek, Holland & Knight - Washington, DC

1:05 p.m. to 1:35 p.m. (0.50 hr | 0.50 hr ethics)
Updated Texas Disciplinary Rules: What You Should Know (Replay)
New and amended disciplinary rules took effect in October 2024, adding a number of clarifications and additional provisions. Hear a summary of rule changes relevant to Texas practitioners.

Olga Kobzar, Scott Douglass & McConnico LLP - Austin, TX

If you cannot watch the entire webcast at its scheduled time, register now and view the recording and eCourse when it is available in “Your Briefcase” after the webcast. Earn CLE credit (in TX and CA) on your time!

Event Schedule

Program is subject to change.
All times are Central Time Zone.

Time

Credit

Subject

Speaker
Friday Morning, July 11, 2025
10:00 am

0.75 hr ethics

Use of AI in Litigation

Understanding the basics of how AI works, the dangers and pitfalls with current AI technology, and ways AI can (or should not) be used in litigation.

J. Hoke (Trey) Peacock III, Susman Godfrey LLP - Houston, TX
10:50 am

10-Minute Break
11:00 am

0.75 hr ethics

When Lawyers Make the News: It’s Not About You. It’s About Your Client.

With the guidance provided by the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct, the Texas Lawyer’s Creed, and existing ethics opinions, this presentation focuses on ethical considerations lawyers often face when handling cases that make the news and will offer practical guidance on avoiding common pitfalls that arise when your case makes the spotlight. Consider lessons learned from stories and examples of lawyers who themselves made headlines and faced legal trouble for ethical lapses in the scope of client representation.

Thomas P. Brandt, Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt & Kutchin, P.C. - Dallas, TX
John Husted, Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt & Kutchin, P.C. - Dallas, TX
11:45 am

10-Minute Break
11:55 am

1.00 hr ethics

Who’s Your Client?

Identifying your client seems like a simple issue, but it is frequently complicated, particularly with organizational clients such as partnerships, LLCs, corporations or trusts, or even simply joint return filers. The client’s identity in turn bears on all sorts of ethical and practical issues, including conflicts, where your duties lie, how to advise organizational clients, protect client confidences and privileges, handle communications with others and common interest agreements, etc.

Christopher S. Rizek, Holland & Knight - Washington, DC
12:55 pm

10-Minute Break
1:05 pm

0.50 hr ethics

Updated Texas Disciplinary Rules: What You Should Know

New and amended disciplinary rules took effect in October 2024, adding a number of clarifications and additional provisions. Hear a summary of rule changes relevant to Texas practitioners.

Olga Kobzar, Scott Douglass & McConnico LLP - Austin, TX
1:35 pm

Presentations Conclude

Download Schedule

Conference Faculty

Thomas P. Brandt

Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt & Kutchin, P.C.
Dallas, TX

John Husted

Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt & Kutchin, P.C.
Dallas, TX

Olga Kobzar

Scott Douglass & McConnico LLP
Austin, TX

J. Hoke (Trey) Peacock III

Susman Godfrey LLP
Houston, TX

Christopher S. Rizek

Holland & Knight
Washington, DC

Key Dates

STUDIO WEBCAST – Jul 11, 2025

STUDIO WEBCAST

Individual
Last day for cancellation (full refund): Jun 6, 2025

$0 processing fee applied after this date

Last day for cancellation: Jun 9, 2025