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eConference

2025 eConference on State and Federal Appeals

Contains material from Aug 2025
2025 eConference on State and Federal Appeals
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Excellent course as always. Continue to try to add new speakers.

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UT Law CLE's 35th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals – designed for advanced-level civil appellate practitioners – has earned a reputation as the premier program on appellate practice and procedure in Texas and is a must-attend event for Texas civil appellate practitioners. This year's topics include:
  • Fifteenth Court of Appeals Panel
  • 89th Legislature: What Just Happened and How it Affects Your Practice
  • Supreme Court of Texas Panel
  • Effective Strategies for Selecting Your Appellate Points
  • Ethics: Following the Letter and the Spirit of the Rules
  • Secrets of a Successful Reply Brief
  • Lightning Round Topics: Appellate Practice and Procedure
  • Ethics Game Show

Includes: Video Captions Audio Transcript Paper Slides No Materials

  • Total Credit Hours:
  • 11.75 | 2.00 ethics
  • Credit Info
  • TX, CA, OK, PA
  • Specialization: Civil Appellate Law | Criminal Law | Criminal Appellate Law | Civil Trial Law | Family Law | Juvenile Law | Personal Injury Trial Law
  • TX MCLE credit expires: 8/31/2026
You must be signed in, have purchased this eConference, and the eConference must be active to have access.

Sessions

Credit
1. Overcoming the Existential Crisis of Being An Appellate Lawyer (Aug 2025)

Kevin Dubose

0.50 0.50 0.00 0.50 | 0.50 ethics
Session Materials
Video (mp4) – 26 mins
Audio (mp3) – 26 mins
Transcript (txt)
Paper (pdf) – 10 pgs
Slides (pdf) – 11 pgs

Session 1 —26 mins 0.50 | 0.50 ethics

Overcoming the Existential Crisis of Being An Appellate Lawyer (Aug 2025)

Because many factors control the outcome of an appeal—most unrelated to the performance of the advocate—appellate lawyers should try to avoid the crushing weight of responsibility for a favorable outcome. Yet for our clients, a favorable outcome is the only thing that matters. How do we simultaneously serve our clients’ needs and our own mental and emotional health?

Originally presented: Jun 2025 Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Kevin Dubose, Alexander Dubose & Jefferson LLP - Houston, TX

2. Temporary Relief in Appellate Courts (Aug 2025)

Grant Martinez, Lily Hann

0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50
Session Materials
Video (mp4) – 30 mins
Audio (mp3) – 30 mins
Transcript (txt)
Paper (pdf) – 27 pgs
Slides (pdf) – 15 pgs

Session 2 —30 mins 0.50

Temporary Relief in Appellate Courts (Aug 2025)

In 2024, the Supreme Court of Texas provided significant new guidance on the standard for granting temporary relief in appellate courts. Hear an overview and update on the standards and bases for temporary and emergency relief in appellate courts. 

Originally presented: Jun 2025 Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Grant Martinez, Yetter Coleman LLP - Houston, TX
Lily Hann, Yetter Coleman LLP - Houston, TX

3. District Court Judges Panel (Aug 2025)

Jessica Z. Barger, Hon. Beau A. Miller, Hon. Anna Perez, Hon. Staci Williams

0.75 0.00 0.00 0.75
Session Materials
Video (mp4) – 45 mins
Audio (mp3) – 45 mins
Transcript (txt)
No Materials (pdf) – 1 pgs

Session 3 —45 mins 0.75

District Court Judges Panel (Aug 2025)

A discussion of how district court judges feel about having appellate counsel at trial. And, how appellate counsel can be most beneficial at certain stages of the trial.

Originally presented: Jun 2025 Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Jessica Z. Barger, Wright Close & Barger, LLP - Houston, TX
Hon. Beau A. Miller, 190th District Court - Houston, TX
Hon. Anna Perez, 41st District Court - El Paso, TX
Hon. Staci Williams, 101st District Court - Dallas, TX

4. Loper Bright, the End of Chevron Deference, and What’s Next for APA Challenges (Aug 2025)

Fermeen F. Fazal, Travis Wussow

0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50
Session Materials
Video (mp4) – 30 mins
Audio (mp3) – 30 mins
Transcript (txt)
Paper (pdf) – 5 pgs
Slides (pdf) – 11 pgs

Session 4 —30 mins 0.50

Loper Bright, the End of Chevron Deference, and What’s Next for APA Challenges (Aug 2025)

The U.S. Supreme Court has overturned Chevron deference. What’s next for challenges to new federal regulations, the authority of federal agencies, and the role of the judiciary?

Originally presented: Jun 2025 Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Fermeen F. Fazal, Senior Counsel - Houston, TX
Travis Wussow, Jackson Walker LLP - Austin, TX

5. Lightning Round Topics: Appellate Practice and Procedure (Aug 2025)

Anthony T. Golz

0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50
Session Materials
Video (mp4) – 31 mins
Audio (mp3) – 30 mins
Transcript (txt)
Paper (pdf) – 38 pgs
Slides (pdf) – 21 pgs

Session 5 —31 mins 0.50

Lightning Round Topics: Appellate Practice and Procedure (Aug 2025)

10 things to keep in mind when bringing an appeal or original proceeding.

Originally presented: Jun 2025 Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Anthony T. Golz, Cokinos | Young - Houston, TX

6. U.S. Supreme Court Update (Aug 2025)

Erin Glenn Busby

0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50
Session Materials
Video (mp4) – 31 mins
Audio (mp3) – 31 mins
Transcript (txt)
Paper (pdf) – 11 pgs

Session 6 —31 mins 0.50

U.S. Supreme Court Update (Aug 2025)

An overview of major decisions and trends from the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2024-2025 term.

Originally presented: Jun 2025 Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Erin Glenn Busby, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX

7. U.S. Fifth Circuit Update (Aug 2025)

Antonio X. Milton

0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50
Session Materials
Video (mp4) – 27 mins
Audio (mp3) – 26 mins
Transcript (txt)
Paper (pdf) – 9 pgs
Slides (pdf) – 7 pgs

Session 7 —27 mins 0.50

U.S. Fifth Circuit Update (Aug 2025)

This presentation covers the most interesting cases about civil litigation from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in the past year.

Originally presented: Jun 2025 Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Antonio X. Milton, Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing PLLC - Houston, TX

8. ​89th Legislature: What Just Happened and How it Affects Your Practice and the Courts (Aug 2025)

Hon. Jerry D. Bullard, Sen. Nathan Johnson

0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50
Session Materials
Video (mp4) – 34 mins
Audio (mp3) – 34 mins
Transcript (txt)
Paper (pdf) – 40 pgs
Slides (pdf) – 16 pgs

Session 8 —34 mins 0.50

​89th Legislature: What Just Happened and How it Affects Your Practice and the Courts (Aug 2025)

A recap of selected bills that passed and some that didn't during the legislative session.

Originally presented: Jun 2025 Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Hon. Jerry D. Bullard, Texas Business Court, Eighth Division - Fort Worth, TX
Sen. Nathan Johnson, Texas State Senate, District 16 - Dallas, TX

9. Supreme Court of Texas by the Numbers (Aug 2025)

Don Cruse

0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50
Session Materials
Video (mp4) – 29 mins
Audio (mp3) – 29 mins
Transcript (txt)
Slides (pdf) – 27 pgs

Session 9 —29 mins 0.50

Supreme Court of Texas by the Numbers (Aug 2025)

What do the Court’s numbers from the last term tell us about your client’s chances.

Originally presented: Jun 2025 Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Don Cruse, Law Office of Don Cruse - Austin, TX

10. Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure: Amendments Past and Future (Aug 2025)

Hon. Tracy Christopher, Jennie Knapp

0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50
Session Materials
Video (mp4) – 28 mins
Audio (mp3) – 28 mins
Transcript (txt)
Slides (pdf) – 13 pgs

Session 10 —28 mins 0.50

Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure: Amendments Past and Future (Aug 2025)

Focus on recent changes to the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure and address potential rule amendments recommended by appellate practitioners. 

Originally presented: Jun 2025 Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Hon. Tracy Christopher, Fourteenth Court of Appeals - Houston, TX
Jennie Knapp, Underwood Law Firm, P.C. - Amarillo, TX

11. Fifteenth Court of Appeals Panel (Aug 2025)

Anne M. Johnson, Hon. Scott A. Brister, Hon. Scott K. Field, Hon. April Farris

0.75 0.00 0.00 0.75
Session Materials
Video (mp4) – 46 mins
Audio (mp3) – 46 mins
Transcript (txt)
No Materials (pdf) – 1 pgs

Session 11 —46 mins 0.75

Fifteenth Court of Appeals Panel (Aug 2025)

After almost a year of operation, what do you need to know about practice in the Fifteenth Court of Appeals? What kinds of issues are being decided by this Court? Where does it stand on the scope of its jurisdiction? Answers to all of these questions and more from the three sitting Justices of the Fifteenth Court of Appeals!

Originally presented: Jun 2025 Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Anne M. Johnson, Tillotson Johnson & Patton - Dallas, TX
Hon. Scott A. Brister, Fifteenth Court of Appeals - Austin, TX
Hon. Scott K. Field, Fifteenth Court of Appeals - Austin, TX
Hon. April Farris, Fifteenth Court of Appeals - Austin, TX

12. Supreme Court of Texas Update (Aug 2025)

Hon. Jeff Boyd, Kurt Kuhn

1.00 0.00 0.00 1.00
Session Materials
Video (mp4) – 63 mins
Audio (mp3) – 63 mins
Transcript (txt)
Paper (pdf) – 133 pgs
Slides (pdf) – 32 pgs

Session 12 —63 mins 1.00

Supreme Court of Texas Update (Aug 2025)

Explore recent opinions issued by the Court in the current term.

Originally presented: Jun 2025 Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Hon. Jeff Boyd, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX
Kurt Kuhn, Kuhn Hobbs PLLC - Austin, TX

13. Using the State Law Library (Aug 2025)

Amy Small

0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50
Session Materials
Video (mp4) – 27 mins
Audio (mp3) – 27 mins
Transcript (txt)
Paper (pdf) – 6 pgs
Slides (pdf) – 4 pgs

Session 13 —27 mins 0.50

Using the State Law Library (Aug 2025)

Learn about various books and research sources (online and in-person) that can assist appellate practitioners in preparing to write briefs and argue cases. Audience participation and recommendations for “essential reads” is encouraged.

Originally presented: Jun 2025 Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Amy Small, Texas State Law Library - Austin, TX

14. Supreme Court of Texas Panel (Aug 2025)

Connie H. Pfeiffer, Hon. Jimmy Blacklock, Hon. Jane N. Bland, Hon. James P. Sullivan

0.75 0.00 0.00 0.75
Session Materials
Video (mp4) – 47 mins
Audio (mp3) – 47 mins
Transcript (txt)
No Materials (pdf) – 1 pgs

Session 14 —47 mins 0.75

Supreme Court of Texas Panel (Aug 2025)

Hear a candid conversation among the Justices about what is new at the Court, the state of the docket, and ways practitioners can improve their chances of securing discretionary review for their clients.

Originally presented: Jun 2025 Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Connie H. Pfeiffer, Yetter Coleman LLP - Houston, TX
Hon. Jimmy Blacklock, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX
Hon. Jane N. Bland, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX
Hon. James P. Sullivan, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX

15. Horton: Charge Practice Now and Where It's Going (Aug 2025)

Hon. David M. Gunn, Cody Vaughn

0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50
Session Materials
Video (mp4) – 29 mins
Audio (mp3) – 29 mins
Transcript (txt)
Paper (pdf) – 20 pgs
Slides (pdf) – 19 pgs

Session 15 —29 mins 0.50

Horton: Charge Practice Now and Where It's Going (Aug 2025)

Discuss whether Horton renews previously settled questions on best practices for granulating questions in a jury charge and identify some open questions on where Horton might go. 

Originally presented: Jun 2025 Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Hon. David M. Gunn, First Court of Appeals - Houston, TX
Cody Vaughn, Jackson Walker LLP - Austin, TX

16. Ethics: Following the Letter and the Spirit of the Rules (Aug 2025)

Scott Rothenberg

0.50 0.50 0.00 0.50 | 0.50 ethics
Session Materials
Video (mp4) – 30 mins
Audio (mp3) – 30 mins
Transcript (txt)
Paper (pdf) – 30 pgs
Slides (pdf) – 15 pgs

Session 16 —30 mins 0.50 | 0.50 ethics

Ethics: Following the Letter and the Spirit of the Rules (Aug 2025)

Following the letter of the Disciplinary Rules helps Texas lawyers avoid misconduct findings in grievances. But that is only the beginning of a lawyer’s professional responsibilities to clients. Explore how we can maximize our professionalism by following not only the letter of the disciplinary rules, but their spirit as well.

Originally presented: Jun 2025 Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Scott Rothenberg, Law Offices of Scott Rothenberg - Bellaire, TX

17. Ethics Game Show (Aug 2025)

Hon. Tanya Garrison, Hon. Daryl L. Moore, Alan York

0.75 0.75 0.00 0.75 | 0.75 ethics
Session Materials
Video (mp4) – 46 mins
Audio (mp3) – 46 mins
Transcript (txt)
Slides (pdf) – 12 pgs

Session 17 —46 mins 0.75 | 0.75 ethics

Ethics Game Show (Aug 2025)

Watch shameless appellate practitioners try to outgame each other as they answer ethics questions savvy practitioners need to know.

Originally presented: Jun 2025 Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Hon. Tanya Garrison, 157th District Court - Houston, TX
Hon. Daryl L. Moore, Ahmad Zavitsanos & Mensing PLLC - Houston, TX
Alan York, Reed Smith LLP - Houston, TX

18. Interpreting Texas (Aug 2025)

Hon. J. Brett Busby, Jason R. LaFond

0.75 0.00 0.00 0.75
Session Materials
Video (mp4) – 51 mins
Audio (mp3) – 50 mins
Transcript (txt)
Slides (pdf) – 11 pgs

Session 18 —51 mins 0.75

Interpreting Texas (Aug 2025)

A discussion on recent developments in statutory and constitutional interpretation.

Originally presented: Jun 2025 Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Hon. J. Brett Busby, The Supreme Court of Texas - Austin, TX
Jason R. LaFond, Scott Douglass & McConnico LLP - Austin, TX

19. Secrets of a Successful Reply Brief (Aug 2025)

Robert B. Gilbreath

0.50 0.00 0.00 0.50
Session Materials
Video (mp4) – 26 mins
Audio (mp3) – 26 mins
Transcript (txt)
Paper (pdf) – 13 pgs
Slides (pdf) – 2 pgs

Session 19 —26 mins 0.50

Secrets of a Successful Reply Brief (Aug 2025)

How to craft a powerful reply brief that gets to the point, tackles key arguments head-on, and keeps the reader engaged—without redundancy or wasted words. 

Originally presented: Jun 2025 Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Robert B. Gilbreath, Hawkins Parnell & Young LLP - Dallas, TX

20. Effective Strategies for Selecting Your Appellate Point (Aug 2025)

Mia Lorick

0.50 0.25 0.00 0.50 | 0.25 ethics
Session Materials
Video (mp4) – 25 mins
Audio (mp3) – 25 mins
Transcript (txt)
Paper (pdf) – 12 pgs
Slides (pdf) – 10 pgs

Session 20 —25 mins 0.50 | 0.25 ethics

Effective Strategies for Selecting Your Appellate Point (Aug 2025)

Cover what appellate practitioners should consider when selecting points of error on appeal. From standards of review to public policy, this presentation will help you select the most persuasive points for your appellate brief.

Originally presented: Jun 2025 Conference on State and Federal Appeals

Mia Lorick, Troutman Pepper Locke - Houston, TX