eCourses

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: (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) How to Avoid Malpractice in a Post-Pandemic Legal World Law practice has been forever changed by the Covid-19 pandemic with the widespread adoption of remote work. While “work from home” has been eagerly embraced by many lawyers, it has caused an increase in age-old ethical problems for lawyers. This course is designed to help practitioners avoid conflicts and unintended clients, safeguard client confidentiality, maintain competence, and form better communication habits with their clients, other attorneys and staff. Robert L. Tobey, Johnston Tobey Baruch, P.C., Dallas, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Client Selection, Contracts and Handling Complaints (Replay) During a long career, almost no lawyer can completely avoid conflicts and complaints from Clients. The nature of our adversary system provides many opportunities for stress, misunderstandings and disagreements about how the legal system works – or the client’s expectations.  Many times, these matters can be avoided in the intake process. But when a complaint arises, lawyers need to know how to respond and handle those attorney client disagreements in ethical and empathetic ways. This course takes you through the interview process, the execution of clear attorney fee agreements, maintaining clear communications, and ultimately handling an attorney client dispute. Dozens of great tips, sound advice, and reminders of our fiduciary duty under the Disciplinary Rules. Claude E. Ducloux, Attorney at Law, Austin, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) What Texas Lawyers Need to Know About Human Rights Considerations in Connection to Mega Sports Events (Replay) In 2026 the U.S. jointly with Canada and Mexico are hosting the FIFA World Cup. Houston and Dallas are the two Texan cities that will be hosting games. According to FIFA regulations as part of the bidding process, host countries and Host Cities were required to commit, amongst other things, to their obligations under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and to develop respective strategies. Now, each city has to engage in the phase of human rights due diligence for the tournament, focusing on enhanced stakeholder engagement and the development of a achievement framework for the Host Cities. This presentation explains the human rights due diligence, the human rights framework applicable and the potential areas for legal work. Ariel E. Dulitzky, The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, TX

Includes: Video Paper Slides

Law practice has been forever changed by the Covid-19 pandemic with the widespread adoption of remote work. While “work from home” has been eagerly embraced by many lawyers, it has caused an increase in age-old ethical problems for lawyers. This course is designed to help practitioners avoid conflicts and unintended clients, safeguard client confidentiality, maintain competence, and form better communication habits with their clients, other attorneys and staff.

Includes: Video Paper Slides

Judge Jennifer Elrod of the Fifth Circuit discusses developments in admiralty law in the Fifth Circuit during her 16 years on the Court.

Includes: Audio Paper

Introduction into the basics of the US electric grid as they relate to renewable energy resources including, what the US grid looks like; who runs, operates and owns it; and how do renewables fit in and effect its operation. Also, walk through the state and federal regulatory landscape, looking at the role and authority of FERC and state Public Utility Commissions, RTOs and ISOs. Hear an introduction to the key concepts of the wholesale and retail markets, discuss the key mechanisms for compensating distributed energy and large renewable resources for their services to the grid, and look at the examples of state renewable energy incentives (REC procurement, DG rebates etc.). 

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Go behind the curtain to discuss common pitfalls in renewable energy financing agreements, where different deal team members (commercial, legal, specialist) should most focus their review, and which provisions typically have long lead times during negotiation.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Explore some of the ethical hazards associated with practicing law virtually including unauthorized practice of law, confidentiality and cybersecurity, and the challenges of remote supervision.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Look at under-the-radar ethical issues affecting companies and the lawyers who represent them.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Federal and state policy makers have begun to incentivize storage connected to distributed generation for virtual powerplant and microgrid applications. New laws and programs have been created to encourage storage adoption, but regulatory hurdles remain. 

Includes: Video Audio Slides

A discussion of the sequencing of the development of renewable energy projects and how lawyers and developers can best work together to mitigate project risks at each stage of development. 

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Hear about problems associated with foreign deposition testimony, foreign experts, and foreign claimants under the Defense Base Act.

Includes: Audio Paper

A detailed look at the key provisions in M&A agreements involving energy transition projects, including risk allocation around IRA benefits, earn-out provisions, change in law and key diligence items for a buyer. 

Includes: Video Audio Slides

This presentation shares what younger generations and new technology bring to the table today.

Includes: Audio Paper Slides

In response to the sunsetting of the Chapter 313 program at the end of 2022, the Legislature adopted the new JETI program for 2024. Learn the details of the new JETI statute and review other available tax incentive programs.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

A high-level overview of key power purchase agreement structures and terms and the allocation and mitigation of risk in PPA transactions.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Includes: Video Audio Slides

An overview of federal, state, and local permitting and siting considerations that renewable energy project proponents should be aware of and take into account. Review the timing, cost, legal, financing, and other implications.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Session 01: Oklahoma Renewable Energy Projects: Permitting Considerations - Focus on various environmental and related permitting considerations under Oklahoma law for wind, solar, battery, and hydrogen projects. Matters discussed include an overview of applicable statutes, regulations, required permits, notices, and public meetings.  Session 02: Texas ERCOT Market Reform and Redesign - Explore recent initiatives to modify the market design in ERCOT with a focus on the technical aspects of proposed changes and how they could affect market participants.  Also explore project implementation issues and the likely need for regulatory guidance to resolve contentious technical issues.  Session 03: Public Utility Commission of Texas: Rulemaking Update - A candid discussion between industry and commission staff on the significance of, and challenges implementing, legislation from the 88th Session of the Texas Legislature.  Session 04: Market Reform and Redesign to Remove Barriers of Entry for Clean Energy and the Build Out a Robust Transmission Grid - Increased load and extreme weather continue to create consternation in the energy markets. Clean energy resources can be a major part of the solution as long as the markets are functioning properly. Hear a discussion of the work being done to remove barriers and advocate for a well-functioning energy markets and a robust buildout of the transmission grid.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

This presentation comprises an update on recent developments in admiralty jurisdiction for maritime tort cases.

Includes: Audio Paper Slides

A primer on real estate and title matters for wind and solar energy projects. From the lens of real estate attorneys, hear a high-level overview of project timelines and milestones, the path to securing site control, key provisions of landowner agreements, navigating title and survey matters, and providing real estate support for contracting, financing, and sale of the project. Gain insight into critical deal points and best practices to help projects proceed efficiently.  

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 01: Ownership and Leasing of Real Property by Foreign-Owned Entities - Discuss the various restrictions, reporting requirements and approvals required by certain Federal (i.e., AFIDA and CFIUS) and state laws. Session 02: Mineral Issues Impact on Real Estate Documents, Siting and Planning: Texas vs. California - Understanding the interplay of the mineral estate to the surface estate, and site control agreement and title insurance issues and strategies for securing financeable renewable energy surface rights in Texas and California, and more generally. Session 03: Unique Issues of the West: Tribal Land Issues and Oklahoma - An overview of the federal, state and tribal laws specifically affecting real estate and mineral aspects of Wind & Solar Energy Projects in Oklahoma. Session 04: Construction Liens: Resolving the Guerrilla Tactics of Contractors and Subcontractors - Construction liens provide leverage for parties seeking payment for construction services, labor and supplies. Lien laws were created in the 19th century when tangible real estate was a more effective security for payment. In today’s world liens are seldom processed through foreclosure, but they remain an effective mechanism to get people’s attention. Review the lien basics, contract clauses to shift the risk of liens and practical ways to respond to and resolve lien-related disputes.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides No Materials