eCourses

THIS MONTH: Is the Clock Ticking? A Discussion of TikTok's Legal Issues and the Platform's Future  • ​Interacting and Dealing with Difficult People: Ethically Working with All Kinds of Others • Demographic Trends and Characteristics in Texas • The Human’s Guide to Acquiring/Selling AI Companies: So What’s So Different? • Updated Texas Disciplinary Rules: What You Should Know

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 01: How Utilities Can Intentionally or Unintentionally Influence Land Use - A panel discussion with attorneys representing utilities, developers, and municipalities addressing conditions of utility service, the regulatory framework surrounding utilities on the ground and the interplay between land development inside and outside municipal limits when utility service is at play. Session 02: The PUC Electric Grid Resiliency Program and What It Means to Development - An overview of the State’s recent focus on grid resiliency, the investor-owned utility electric utility resiliency programs recently approved by the Public Utility Commission of Texas, and a discussion on how these initiatives could impact development.

Includes: Video Audio 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: (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Deep in the Heart of the Texas Business Courts: What Attorneys Need to Know (Replay) Hear the ins and outs of the new Texas Business Court, including its jurisdiction, its judges, and its unique procedures. Mitch Ackal, Gray Reed - Houston, TX Brock Niezgoda, Gray Reed - Houston, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Developing an AI Governance Program (Replay) Practical guidance and considerations in developing and implementing governance around the internal use of AI. Emily Westridge Black, Shearman & Sterling LLP - Austin, TX Steven Gyeszly, Houston, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Avoiding Burnout (Replay) Delve into the crucial importance of wellness and burnout prevention in the legal profession. Discover why safeguarding your well-being is essential for sustaining a successful and fulfilling legal career. Kiele Linroth Pace, Pacefirm Consulting, LLC - Austin, TX Michelle Fontenot, Texas Lawyers' Assistance Program - Austin, TX

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Session 01: Case Law Update: Part One - Review recent decisions dealing with oil and gas leases, royalties, mineral conveyances, joint operating agreements, state regulation, and related topics. Session 02: Case Law Update: Part Two - Review recent decisions dealing with oil and gas leases, royalties, mineral conveyances, joint operating agreements, state regulation, and related topics.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Hear about recent developments in state and federal regulation of the rapidly evolving carbon capture industry in Texas and recent trends in negotiating pore space agreements. 

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 01: The Meaning of ‘Other Minerals’ and Other Incidents of Mineral Ownership - A reexamination of the granting clause and the meaning of “other minerals” as they pertain to other incidents of the mineral estate, including produced water, lithium, and porous space. Session 02: Recent Developments in Deed Interpretation Issues in Mineral Conveyancing - A presentation with a focus on recent developments in deed interpretation issues common to mineral conveyancing, including the “four corners” doctrine and “surrounding circumstances,” and an examination of recent case law implicating such interpretive issues. Session 03: Leasing and Development of State Lands and Minerals - Broad-ranging discussion regarding the leasing of approximately 13 million acres of state land in Texas managed by the General Land Office. Topics include oil and gas leasing, pooling, allocation wells, and lease audits, as well as brine mining, geothermal leasing, and leasing for carbon sequestration. Session 04: Accommodating Concurrent Real Estate and Mineral Development in Urban Areas and Beyond - Revisiting surface use agreements and Chapter 92 of the Texas Natural Resources Code. Session 05: Mineral Interest Pooling Act - A short history of the MIPA and discussion of its current application and use.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Review some of the more common varieties of oil and gas lease termination claims, and discuss practical considerations for continued development of disputed properties in the midst of pending litigation.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Learn about ownership rights in Texas of subsurface pore spaces.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Our legal system is being exploited to generate unreasonable jury verdicts and unjust settlements that are inconsistent with fairness, efficiency, and the rule of law.  What are the root causes of this crisis and what strategies are available to counteract these abuses and promote fairness and predictability?

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Learn about recent developments and trends in purchase and sale transactions in the energy sector.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

A summary of decisions and emerging issues in royalty-related disputes.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

A view from the Business Court & Fifteenth Court of Appeals - Rules, Procedures, Cases & Know-How

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Unlike traditional leasehold co-tenancy, modern leasehold co-tenancy in horizontal wells presents unique challenges. Following the holding in Apache v. Devon, where the court determined that an operator not in privity with another leasehold owner has no duty or obligation to pay the royalties on that leasehold owner’s leases, practical questions have emerged over the payment of royalty to the non-participating leasehold co-tenant’s lessors and mineral owners, which questions include: Who has the obligation to pay the royalty? When does the obligation to pay royalty accrue?  What happens if a well doesn’t pay out?  What is the statute of limitations and how is it measured? How are royalties calculated in absence of production and price information?

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

After 40 years, the Chevron doctrine has been overruled, fundamentally changing how the oil and gas industry navigates federal regulations as federal courts stand ready to play a more active role in interpreting regulatory statutes. Explore the impacts of this shift in power on the industry as a whole.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

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 an oil and gas practitioner.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

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.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

An overview of what you need to know for your next water deal supporting oil and gas operations. Specifically, we will explore water law in the oil patch, acquiring water rights or the right to drill water wells, and structuring water transactions for oil and gas operations.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Artificial intelligence has been in the legal and cultural zeitgeist for a few years now. Explore the transformative effects (and lack thereof) of artificial intelligence on the legal industry in that time. Examine both the advancements and limitations, highlighting how AI has streamlined processes, improved efficiency, and where it still falls short in replacing human expertise.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Session 01: Case Update: U.S. vs. Osage Wind LLC and the Outcome - Learn about an 11-year legal odyssey involving the Osage Nation’s challenge to a large wind farm, including 84 wind turbines situated on fee land within the Osage Reservation in Oklahoma, without a “mining” permit.  After a significant Tenth Circuit reversal, a federal judge granted a permanent injunction, found the project to be a continuing trespass and ordered a trial on damages and conversion. It’s a cautionary tale about tribal sovereignty, land use requirements, the need for community engagement and building support for renewable energy projects. Session 02: Case Update: In re Winter Storm Uri - Winter Storm Uri had an impact across all 254 counties, and the ensuing Multi-District Litigation has seen several phases and appeals. Review the history of the case and update of its current status.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Co-locating large loads behind the meter creates a win-win. Explore how the renewable generation project maximizes its production of carbon-free electricity, and how the buyer gets lower-cost green energy.

Includes: Video Audio Slides