eCourses

2024 Hot Topics in Consumer Bankruptcy: Rule 3002.1 Amendments; Appellate Tips; Disposable Income Disputes; and Settlement Spreadsheets

Session 1: Rule 3002.1 Amendments and Other Rules Updates - The amendments go into effect December 1, 2025. Let's discuss what you need to know.  Session 2: Appellate Tips in Consumer Cases and a Discussion of the Durand-Day Appeal - A discussion of appellate procedures and strategies in consumer bankruptcies and how they applied in the context of the recently decided Fifth Circuit Case Durand-Day which involved the 100% payment test and student loan claims. Session 3: Cash, Clash, and Confirmation: Disposable Income Disputes in Chapter 13 - When it comes to confirmation, one person's "disposable" is another's "untouchable." This session unpacks the ongoing tug-of-war over what income debtors must commit to their plans—and what they can keep in their pockets. Session 4: The Settlement Spreadsheet: Calculating Risk in Bankruptcy Cases - Learn how to leverage a spreadsheet tool designed to assess the risks of litigation versus the benefits of settlement. By incorporating financial data and legal parameters, this spreadsheet provides clear, data-driven insights that can guide strategic decisions in bankruptcy cases. Whether you're navigating debt restructurings or weighing settlement offers, this session equips you with the skills to make more informed, confident choices, ultimately improving outcomes for your clients.

Includes: Video Captions Audio Transcript Paper Slides

2025 Current Issues in Business Bankruptcy: Landlord-Tenant Challenges; Energy Issues; International; and Heathcare Bankruptcy

Session 1: Unlocking Landlord-Tenant Challenges in Bankruptcy: Why Communication Is Everything - The role of landlords in Chapter 11 cases has moved well beyond the confines of section 365. By drawing upon the perspectives of both landlord counsel and debtor counsel, gain insight into the latest commercial real estate trends in bankruptcy, including lease sales and auctions, assumption/rejection procedures, DIP/cash collateral issues and adequate assurance and sale issues. Particular emphasis is placed on the essential role of clear, timely, and collaborative communication, illuminating how a shared understanding of potential pitfalls, procedural requirements, and practical solutions can foster more favorable outcomes in the restructuring process.  Session 2: Renewable Energy and Oil & Gas Issues - Overview of the general climate, current tax implications, and forecast of insolvency and restructuring issues in the renewable energy landscape. Also, delve into recent developments in the rejection of midstream agreements containing covenants running with the land and Chapter 67 of the Texas Property Code affecting oil and gas bankruptcies. Session 3: Emerging Trends in International Bankruptcy - Recognition of and enforcement of foreign bankruptcies in Chapter 15 and otherwise. Should we be delighted or worried? And a comparison with Europe. Session 4: Healthcare Bankruptcy - A timely discussion on the mounting financial distress in the healthcare sector, highlighted by the recent Chapter 11 filings of Steward Health Care and Prospect Medical Holdings. Delve into the complex legal and business issues facing hospitals today—particularly those serving rural communities in states like Texas—and consider what the future holds for both private equity-backed and nonprofit healthcare systems.

Includes: Video Captions Audio Transcript Paper Slides

Dealing with Private Consumer Data in Bankruptcy

From 23andMe to crypto to the Catholic Church cases, privacy issues are cropping up everywhere in bankruptcy court. This panel of experts discuss recent issues concerning the sale of consumer data and protection of the personal information of creditors and other parties in interest.

Includes: Video Captions Audio Transcript Paper Slides

Getting Real about Roll-Ups and Other DIP Financing Issues

Examine the impact of roll-ups and other common issues in DIP financing. What drives a lender to negotiate for certain terms? How does a debtor handle those negotiations and the decision to enter into a DIP financing arrangement? How does the Bankruptcy Court approach approval of particular DIP financing terms?

Includes: Video Captions Audio Transcript Slides

Liability Management Exercises for Companies in Distress

Liability management exercises have become an increasingly used “out of court” tool for companies facing stress or distress. The panel provides an overview of developments in the LME market, including the negotiation dynamics and structures of choice for LME transactions and recent litigation in the area.

Includes: Video Captions Audio Transcript Slides

Mass Torts: What's Hot and What's Not?

Review what’s hot and what’s not in the release and mass tort arena, with an eye towards recent decisions, including the good, the bad and the ugly.

Includes: Video Captions Audio Transcript Paper

Navigating Neurodivergence in the Legal Profession

Address what neurodivergence means, how to recognize it, and why it matters in the legal profession. Explore how to support neurodivergent team members, collaborating with neurodivergent colleagues to maximize their unique talents and insights, and how to ensure equal access to justice in the bankruptcy practice and in a courtroom setting for neurodivergent parties, witnesses, and other participants. 

Includes: Video Captions Audio Transcript Slides

Recent Developments in Bankruptcy Law (2025)

A prime selection of the latest in business and consumer bankruptcies.

Includes: Video Captions Audio Transcript Paper Slides

The Role of Bankruptcy Professionals: Independence, Fiduciary Duties, and More

What are the ethical obligations of key players in the bankruptcy context? What is independence and who gets to decide? Do the players in a bankruptcy case owe fiduciary duties, and what law applies to them if they do?

Includes: Video Captions Audio Transcript Paper

eSupplement to the 35th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Session 1: Texas Privacy Law Update -  This update provides insight into enforcement priorities of the Office of the Texas Attorney General’s new Data Privacy and Enforcement Division for recently effective data privacy and data broker laws. Hear an in-depth discussion on the practical and risk ranked steps to take for compliance with these new laws both from a regulatory standpoint and an in-house standpoint. Session 2:  Taking Stock After Purdue Pharma -  Discuss the state of third-party releases, channel injunctions, exculpations, and other issues in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Purdue Pharma. Session 3: Anti-SLAPP Case Study: Dealing with Defamation, Business Disparagement, and Social Media  - Using a recent case, explore the business disparagement claims asserted against a prosthodontist and his dental practice, and the subsequent dismissal of these claims with a Chapter 27 Anti-SLAPP Motion to Dismiss. Stemming from a series of Instagram live videos, Kenneth Wilstead a/k/a “Dr. Kenny Smiles” sued Dr. Ortiz for business disparagement and invasion of privacy.  However, using publicly available information, Wilstead’s claims were rebutted by informing the court of a likely and entirely unrelated basis for why Wilstead’s business had declined: his character and practices had been called into question by certain of his current and prospective female patients. Session 4: 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.

Includes: Video Captions Audio Transcript Paper Slides

First Friday Ethics: January 2025

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) Mum's the Word: Maintaining Client Confidentiality and Dealing with Ethical Challenges while Working from Anywhere and Everywhere (Replay) Working remotely and virtual meetings are here to stay. This presentation provides practical suggestions for structuring engagement letters, addressing conflicts of interest, and safeguarding client communications across all mediums. Braxton Wilks, Winstead PC - Austin, TX   (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics) Serving Two Masters (Replay) Discuss conflicts that arise between “clients,” the tripartite relationship, Tilley and its aftermath, the ethical dilemmas lawyers face, and knowing who you really represent. Gayla Corley, MehaffyWeber, P.C. - San Antonio, TX   (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Generative AI: Developments and Ethical Implications (Replay) Harnessing the power of AI to drive new ways of doing business and increasing growth is something all organizations are trying to do. The use of generative AI creates risks to organizations including violation of privacy, inaccurate or false representations, and unethical practices, to name a few. Implementing the right controls and ethics training alongside generative AI is necessary – so where do you start? Brooke A. Hopkins, Alvarez & Marsal - Dallas, TX Emily R. Apte, King & Spalding - Austin, TX Robert Denby, Vinson & Elkins LLP - Houston, TX Daniel Meyers, TransPerfect Legal - Dallas, TX Matt Wernz, Federal Trade Commission - Dallas, TX (0.50 hr | 0.50 hr ethics) Sanctions and Privileges (Replay) Sanctions: How to get them or avoid them. Privileges: How to keep them or lose them. Hon. H. DeWayne "Cooter" Hale, Retired U.S. Bankruptcy Judge - Dallas, TX Trip Nix, Holland & Knight LLP - Austin, TX

Includes: Video Captions Audio Transcript Paper Slides

Hooked on CLE: November 2024

THIS MONTH: Venturing Into the Future: Navigating AI Implementation, Training, and Usage in Your Organization • NIL Updates • Available Sources of Funds to Save a Home • Fiduciary Duties and LLC’s • 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 Captions Audio Transcript Paper Slides

2024 Consumer Bankruptcy Case Law Summaries and Views from the Bench

Session 01: Case Summaries: Supreme Court Decisions from the Last Three Years - Recent Interesting Supreme Court Cases Session 02: Case Summaries: Fifth Circuit and District Court Opinions - Review and analysis of recent consumer bankruptcy law opinions issued by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and District Courts in Texas.  Session 03: Case Summaries: Bankruptcy Court Opinions - Listen to a survey of the most important cases that have come out of Bankruptcy and District Courts within the last 12 months. Session 04: View from the Court of Appeals - Keynote presentation delivered by Hon. Jennifer Walker Elrod, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit Session 05: Judicial Panel - Hear a panel of judges from across the state respond to your frequently—and sometimes infrequently—asked questions.

Includes: Video Captions Audio Transcript Paper

AI: Friend or Foe 

Has Judgment Day come? Is Skynet about to destroy humanity? Nah…not yet. Until our computer overlords take charge, Generative AI can be a helpful new tool for sorting through the vast amounts of data and knowledge on the Internet. Walk through the basics of using Generative AI and hear some pointers on how you can make it work for you and your practice. 

Includes: Video Captions Audio Transcript Slides

Sanctions and Privileges 

Sanctions: How to get them or avoid them. Privileges: How to keep them or lose them.

Includes: Video Captions Audio Transcript Paper

Hooked on CLE: August 2024

THIS MONTH: The Science of Readable Legal Writing • Techniques for Negotiating With Difficult Counterparties  • Election Year Issues: Political Engagement by Nonprofit Organizations • Bank Failures and Banking Distress • ​Safety and Texas Schools: Their Future Depends on What We Do Today • ​Dealing With the Problem of Opposing Counsel

Includes: Video Captions Audio Transcript Paper Slides

What is Bankruptcy in Real Estate? Basic Bankruptcy Issues for Lenders and Developers

A discussion about issues in real estate bankruptcies, including issues for real estate lenders and developers, including single asset real estate designation, the automatic stay, financing in bankruptcy, sales free and clear of liens, and plan confirmation.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

A Lawyer's Duty in a Democracy Under Attack

Includes: Video Captions Slides