First Friday Ethics: February 2026
Need ethics credit? We’ve got you covered! UT Law CLE’s First Friday Ethics 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! (1.00 hr ethics)Avoiding Ethical and Sanctions Risks using AI-Based Legal Research (Replay) Hundreds of lawyers and law firms around the country face sanctions or grievance problems resulting from the use of AI-based legal research. Learn how you can avoid the traps that snared your unfortunate colleagues.Scott Rothenberg, Law Offices of Scott Rothenberg - Bellaire, TX (0.50 hr ethics)Fifth Amendment: The Right Way and The Wrong Way (Replay) This presentation focuses on the application of the Fifth Amendment in a discovery context.Anjali Nigam [Accepted] The Nigam Law Firm, PLLC - Houston, TX (0.50 hr ethics)Don’t Forget to Check Your Boxes Before You Close (Replay)This presentation covers a few commonly overlooked items in the lender’s closing checklists that can have a detrimental impact on closing and closing timelines.Clinton J. Kuykendall [Accepted] Jackson Walker LLP - Houston, TX (1.00 hr ethics)Closing the Case and the File: How to Ethically Terminate a Representation When Completed (Replay) Explore the recommended procedures you should have in place to ethically handle both the intake side of client matters, but also what is involved in “closing” files.Claude E. Ducloux [Accepted] Attorney at Law - Austin, TX
Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides
- Total Credit Hours:
- 3.00 hrs | 3.00 Ethics
- Credit Info
- TX, CA, PA
- TX MCLE credit expires: 1/31/2027
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First Friday Ethics: February 20264.75 out of 5 starsWhat was the overall quality of the course (presentation, materials, and technical delivery)?Rate the overall teaching effectiveness and presentation skills of faculty for the course.How would you rate the value of the materials provided as part of the course?
Hooked on CLE: January 2026
THIS MONTH: Lyrics and Litigation: A Case Study on Drake's Legal Claims • Combining Storytelling and Themes for Successful Outcome • Mortgage Lending and the Economy • Protecting the Client and Their Plans from Interlopers and Do-Gooders • Indemnification Provisions in Private Company M&A • Readable Legal Writing
Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides
- Total Credit Hours:
- 4.00 hrs | 1.00 Ethics
- Credit Info
- TX, CA, PA
- TX MCLE credit expires: 12/31/2026
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Hooked on CLE: January 20264.23 out of 5 starsWhat was the overall quality of the course (presentation, materials, and technical delivery)?Rate the overall teaching effectiveness and presentation skills of faculty for the course.How would you rate the value of the materials provided as part of the course?
Answer Bar: The Ins and Outs of Commercial Real Estate Loans and Title Insurance
Session 01: 7 Deadly Sins of Pre-Deal Documents (LOI, MOU, Term Sheets, etc.) - Address the negotiation and drafting of pre-deal documents (LOI, MOU, Term Sheet, etc.). Discuss when a pre-deal document is justified (and when not?); which pre-deal document is best for your transaction; which strategies should be considered when negotiating an LOI; and what are the best ways to make an LOI or MOU unenforceable. Session 02: Loan Modifications Session 03: Contesting Property Tax Appraisals - The Property Tax Protest and Appeal process can be confusing. With fifteen-minutes as the average length for an Appraisal Review Board hearing, review strategies for what to do and not do before your values are set in the Summer, and tax statements arrive in the Fall. Session 04: Arrows in the Quiver: Remedies for Commercial Real Estate Secured Loans - Review of potential remedies available to enforce and collect commercial real estate secured loans. What are the requirements? What are the pros and cons? Session 05: Title Insurance: Common Title Issues and Fixes - Hear a title insurance update including common title issues that arise in a transaction and how to clean up a title after a project as gone wrong. Session 06: Equity Pledges in the Mortgage Lending Context - Discuss the increasingly-common requirement by mortgage lenders of equity pledges as additional collateral. Piece together the various related elements and understand their priorities when structuring these transactions. Session 07: Intercreditor Agreements: Avoiding Lender on Lender Violence in the Closing Process - An examination of intercreditor agreements from the perspective of each of the borrower, the senior lender and the mezzanine lender. Session 08: Escrow Agreements - A review of the various uses, types of Escrow Agreements, Escrow Agent options, regulatory and drafting concerns and forms availability. Session 09: Don’t Forget to Check Your Boxes Before You Close - This presentation covers a few commonly overlooked items in the lender’s closing checklists that can have a detrimental impact on closing and closing timelines. Session 10: Follow the Money - How to Avoid Mortgage Fraud - The real estate and mortgage industry has seen an increase in fraud in the wake of the Pandemic. Learn to spot the red flags for avoiding mortgage fraud by getting to know your customers and going beyond the paperwork.
Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides
- Total Credit Hours:
- 6.75 hrs | 1.00 Ethics
- Credit Info
- TX, CA, PA
- TX MCLE credit expires: 12/31/2026
-
Answer Bar: The Ins and Outs of Commercial Real Estate Loans and Title Insurance4.44 out of 5 starsWhat was the overall quality of the course (presentation, materials, and technical delivery)?Rate the overall teaching effectiveness and presentation skills of faculty for the course.How would you rate the value of the materials provided as part of the course?
2025 Texas Real Estate Case Law and Legislative Updates, and Other Hot Topics
Session 1: Case Law Update – Part I - Discuss recent and significant Texas cases from the last year, with particular attention paid to cases involving new legal concepts which materially alter or extend current jurisprudence. Session 2: Case Law Update – Part II Session 3: 2025 Legislative Update: Time to Make the Donuts - Hear information regarding new state laws from the 89th Texas State Legislature that have an effect on Texas Real Estate and the potential impacts on the Mortgage Industry. Session 4: Hot Topics - Hear about recent developments and hot topics in real estate and real estate finance.
Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides No Materials
- Total Credit Hours:
- 2.50 hrs | 0.50 Ethics
- Credit Info
- TX, CA, PA
- TX MCLE credit expires: 11/30/2026
-
2025 Texas Real Estate Case Law and Legislative Updates, and Other Hot Topics4.29 out of 5 starsWhat was the overall quality of the course (presentation, materials, and technical delivery)?Rate the overall teaching effectiveness and presentation skills of faculty for the course.How would you rate the value of the materials provided as part of the course?
Adapting Insurance Provisions to Changing Times
Changes wrought by the hard insurance market and other factors are coming to loan documents near you. This presentation considers the causes and practical effects on insurance requirements and the importance of proactive risk management occasioned by the rise and stall of enterprise risk management; increased use of AI and big data by actuaries and underwriters; LA fires; the growth of the ART Market (i.e., alternatives to traditional insurance products issued through risk retention groups, purchasing groups, and captives insurance; OCIPS, CIPS, JIPs; subcontractor default insurance as alternatives to bonds; Fannie Mae’s new guidelines for insurance reviews and specifications in its recent (12.24 or 1.25) update of servicing and sale guidelines; differences between the regulatory structure of the traditional insurance market and the ART Market; and a few thoughts on how to cope with such changes.
Includes: Video Audio Paper
- Total Credit Hours:
- 0.75 hr | 0.25 Ethics
- Credit Info
- TX, CA
- TX MCLE credit expires: 11/30/2026
-
Adapting Insurance Provisions to Changing TimesNot yet rated
Hooked on CLE: December 2025
THIS MONTH: The Rise of Immersive Sports and Entertainment Experiences • Outsmarting the Smartphone: Crucial Evidence Could be in Your Back Pocket • Risk Allocation in Technology Transactions • When and How to Enroll in Medicare Parts A, B, C, D • Secrets to a Successful Reply Brief • What is a Lawyer's Duty in a Democracy Under Duress
Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides
- Total Credit Hours:
- 4.00 hrs | 1.00 Ethics
- Credit Info
- TX, CA, PA
- TX MCLE credit expires: 11/30/2026
-
Hooked on CLE: December 20254.22 out of 5 starsWhat was the overall quality of the course (presentation, materials, and technical delivery)?Rate the overall teaching effectiveness and presentation skills of faculty for the course.How would you rate the value of the materials provided as part of the course?
Excellent course. Best one I've done with UT LAW CLE.
Don’t Forget to Check Your Boxes Before You Close
This presentation covers a few commonly overlooked items in the lender’s closing checklists that can have a detrimental impact on closing and closing timelines.
Includes: Video Audio Slides
- Total Credit Hours:
- 0.50 hr | 0.50 Ethics
- Credit Info
- TX, CA
- TX MCLE credit expires: 11/30/2026
-
Don’t Forget to Check Your Boxes Before You Close3 out of 5 starsWhat was the overall quality of the course (presentation, materials, and technical delivery)?Rate the overall teaching effectiveness and presentation skills of faculty for the course.How would you rate the value of the materials provided as part of the course?
Equity Pledges in the Mortgage Lending Context
Discuss the increasingly-common requirement by mortgage lenders of equity pledges as additional collateral. Piece together the various related elements and understand their priorities when structuring these transactions.
Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides
- Total Credit Hours:
- 1.00 hr | 0.25 Ethics
- Credit Info
- TX, CA, PA
- TX MCLE credit expires: 11/30/2026
-
Equity Pledges in the Mortgage Lending Context4.42 out of 5 starsWhat was the overall quality of the course (presentation, materials, and technical delivery)?Rate the overall teaching effectiveness and presentation skills of faculty for the course.How would you rate the value of the materials provided as part of the course?
HFCs and PFCs: Navigating Legislative Changes, Lending Structures, and Best Practices in Texas
Gain insight into the evolving landscape of the Housing Finance Corporation (HFC) program in Texas, including the impact of recent legislative changes. Also explore best practices for structuring deals involving HFCs, Public Facility Corporations (PFCs), and housing authorities, with a focus on the unique challenges and opportunities these present for both borrowers and lenders. Address common issues in borrower-lender relationships, risk assessment and mitigation strategies for lenders, and hear practical guidance on exit strategies, as well as perspectives on how these issues present and are perceived by the public sector participants in these transactions.
Includes: Video Audio Slides
- Total Credit Hours:
- 1.50 hrs | 0.50 Ethics
- Credit Info
- TX, CA, PA
- TX MCLE credit expires: 11/30/2026
-
HFCs and PFCs: Navigating Legislative Changes, Lending Structures, and Best Practices in Texas4.5 out of 5 starsWhat was the overall quality of the course (presentation, materials, and technical delivery)?Rate the overall teaching effectiveness and presentation skills of faculty for the course.How would you rate the value of the materials provided as part of the course?
Identifying and Managing Environmental Risks
This session provides a practical overview of environmental due diligence and risk management strategies, focusing on the essentials like Phase I Environmental Site Assessments and the potential role of insurance. Learn best practices for hiring consultants, navigating reliance letters, and addressing common issues that arise during the Phase I process. Also, explore the role and limitations of environmental insurance in managing identified risks.
Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides
- Total Credit Hours:
- 0.75 hr
- Credit Info
- TX, CA
- TX MCLE credit expires: 11/30/2026
-
Identifying and Managing Environmental Risks4.33 out of 5 starsWhat was the overall quality of the course (presentation, materials, and technical delivery)?Rate the overall teaching effectiveness and presentation skills of faculty for the course.How would you rate the value of the materials provided as part of the course?
Is There Recourse for That? Loan Guaranty Agreements in Commercial Real Estate Transactions
A pragmatic review of the loan guaranty agreements that are currently being required in commercial real estate transactions.
Includes: Video Audio Paper
- Total Credit Hours:
- 0.50 hr
- Credit Info
- TX, CA
- TX MCLE credit expires: 11/30/2026
-
Is There Recourse for That? Loan Guaranty Agreements in Commercial Real Estate Transactions3 out of 5 starsWhat was the overall quality of the course (presentation, materials, and technical delivery)?Rate the overall teaching effectiveness and presentation skills of faculty for the course.How would you rate the value of the materials provided as part of the course?
Mortgage Lending and the Economy (2025)
Hear how a rapidly shifting economic and policy environment is impacting the housing sector and mortgage market.
Includes: Video Audio Slides
- Total Credit Hours:
- 0.50 hr
- Credit Info
- TX, CA
- TX MCLE credit expires: 11/30/2026
-
Mortgage Lending and the Economy (2025)Not yet rated
Receiverships with Commercial Mortgages: Considerations and Tips
As easy as foreclosure is (or is supposed to be), a creditor may not want to own or directly control a commercial property. Discuss the when, why, what, and how of pursuing a commercial receivership in Texas, including best practices.
Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides
- Total Credit Hours:
- 1.00 hr | 0.25 Ethics
- Credit Info
- TX, CA, PA
- TX MCLE credit expires: 11/30/2026
-
Receiverships with Commercial Mortgages: Considerations and TipsNot yet rated
Seven Deadly Sins of Pre-Deal Documents
Address the negotiation and drafting of pre-deal documents (LOI, MOU, Term Sheet, etc.). Discuss when a pre-deal document is justified (and when not?); which pre-deal document is best for your transaction; which strategies should be considered when negotiating an LOI; and what are the best ways to make an LOI or MOU unenforceable.
Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides
- Total Credit Hours:
- 1.00 hr | 0.25 Ethics
- Credit Info
- TX, CA, PA
- TX MCLE credit expires: 11/30/2026
-
Seven Deadly Sins of Pre-Deal Documents5 out of 5 starsWhat was the overall quality of the course (presentation, materials, and technical delivery)?Rate the overall teaching effectiveness and presentation skills of faculty for the course.How would you rate the value of the materials provided as part of the course?
Texas PACE: How Does it Work and What Should a Mortgage Lender Know?
Hear an overview of the Texas PACE program from a legal perspective, which includes items of potential interest for mortgage lenders.
Includes: Video Audio Slides
- Total Credit Hours:
- 0.75 hr | 0.50 Ethics
- Credit Info
- TX, CA
- TX MCLE credit expires: 11/30/2026
-
Texas PACE: How Does it Work and What Should a Mortgage Lender Know?4 out of 5 starsWhat was the overall quality of the course (presentation, materials, and technical delivery)?Rate the overall teaching effectiveness and presentation skills of faculty for the course.How would you rate the value of the materials provided as part of the course?
Update on the New Texas Title Insurance Forms and Rules
Recent changes have been made by the Texas Department of Insurance to Texas promulgated title insurance forms and the rules supporting those forms. Discuss those changes and how they will affect the title insurance business in Texas.
Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides
- Total Credit Hours:
- 0.50 hr
- Credit Info
- TX, CA
- TX MCLE credit expires: 11/30/2026
-
Update on the New Texas Title Insurance Forms and Rules4 out of 5 starsWhat was the overall quality of the course (presentation, materials, and technical delivery)?Rate the overall teaching effectiveness and presentation skills of faculty for the course.How would you rate the value of the materials provided as part of the course?
Working with Special Servicers
In this in-depth conversation, discuss the ins and outs of special servicing, exploring and uncovering the strategies that take an asset from non-performing status to resolution. Exploring everything from factors that inform the decision-making process to clarifying some common misconceptions about key players in special servicing, this informative dialogue sharpens your knowledge about special servicing and equips you with tools to manage your next specially serviced case.
Includes: Video Audio No Materials
- Total Credit Hours:
- 0.75 hr
- Credit Info
- TX, CA
- TX MCLE credit expires: 11/30/2026
-
Working with Special ServicersNot yet rated
Hooked on CLE: November 2025
THIS MONTH: The Developing AI Landscape in the Healthcare Industry: from RAGs to Regs • Trade Secret Misappropriation – The Case for Damages • Handling Internal Investigations: Landmines and Best Practices • Eyes in the Sky, Feet on the Ground: A Municipal Framework for Emerging Drone Technologies • My Mind Has A Mind of Its Own: Why Even Good Lawyers Are Lured Into Unethical Behavior by the Way Their Brains Work
Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides
- Total Credit Hours:
- 4.00 hrs | 1.00 Ethics
- Credit Info
- TX, CA, PA
- TX MCLE credit expires: 10/31/2026
-
Hooked on CLE: November 20254.25 out of 5 starsWhat was the overall quality of the course (presentation, materials, and technical delivery)?Rate the overall teaching effectiveness and presentation skills of faculty for the course.How would you rate the value of the materials provided as part of the course?
Very informative and up to date.
Estate Planning for Ranch Owners
Does your ranch-owning client plan to liquidate it or keep it in the family for generations to come? Learn practical planning strategies to address multi-generational ownership, liability protection needs, and desired tax treatment of the family ranch.
Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides
- Total Credit Hours:
- 0.50 hr
- Credit Info
- TX, CA
- TX MCLE credit expires: 9/30/2026
-
Estate Planning for Ranch Owners4.58 out of 5 starsWhat was the overall quality of the course (presentation, materials, and technical delivery)?Rate the overall teaching effectiveness and presentation skills of faculty for the course.How would you rate the value of the materials provided as part of the course?
A well thought-out overview of a topic I haven't seen addressed before. Please bring Tanya back.
Hooked on CLE: October 2025
THIS MONTH: Loper Bright and the Future of the Administrative State without Chevron • Power of HOAs • What Not to Say • IP Protection and Ownership • Accommodating Anxiety, Stress and Related Conditions in Today’s Classroom Environment • Ethics Game Show
Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides
- Total Credit Hours:
- 4.00 hrs | 1.00 Ethics
- Credit Info
- TX, CA, PA
- TX MCLE credit expires: 9/30/2026
-
Hooked on CLE: October 20254.28 out of 5 starsWhat was the overall quality of the course (presentation, materials, and technical delivery)?Rate the overall teaching effectiveness and presentation skills of faculty for the course.How would you rate the value of the materials provided as part of the course?
Loved it! This was an informative and entertaining selection of very timely subjects. In 4 hrs I was able to catch up on interesting and practical issues of the day. Thanks so much.