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

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

Hear advice on how to negotiate contracts with difficult counterparties, and explore the importance of our own mindset and how to manage our emotions in these situations. Walk through five types of outrageous negotiation positions and effective responses to defuse and reset the tone of the discussions. 

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Real-world questions and answers regarding ethics, the law, and what to do when your client asks you to do something improper.

Includes: Audio Paper Slides

Session 01: Survey of Position Enhancing Transactions in Bankruptcy - A discussion of position enhancing transactions (“PETs”), including what they are, how they’re used, and how they’ve fared in bankruptcy court and beyond. Session 02: Appeals of Bankruptcy Sales and Other Appellate Issues - A review of the latest bankruptcy appellate decisions, including MOAC Mall Holdings LLC v. Transform Holdco LLC and its anticipated effect on the finality of sale orders. Session 03: Recent Developments in Post-Petition DIP Financing - An exploration of trends in both defensive and opportunistic DIP financing, including observations with respect to DIP facility fees, DIP lien scope, priming and adequate protection, complete and creeping roll-ups, case milestones, claims waivers and challenge periods, and default and remedy protections. Session 04: Bank Failures and Banking Distress -  What did we learn from recent bank failures? How do we apply those lessons in bankruptcy cases?

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 01: Chapter 13 v. Chapter 7: Death, Crypto, Exemption, Redemption, and 3002.1 In Between - A look at how different chapters of bankruptcy can create different outcomes for debtors and creditors alike. Session 02: Tax Liabilities and Bankruptcy as a Viable Alternative  - The IRS is a creditor no one wants. Can someone file a bankruptcy and make it go away? Review collection alternatives under tax law and look at tax debts within a bankruptcy filing. Session 03: Student Loan Litigation: Easier than You Think - “Student loans are not dischargeable in bankruptcy.” That’s the prevailing view…but it’s entirely wrong. This panel examines recent developments in student loan law and discusses how bankruptcy attorneys can help clients eliminate their student loan debt. Session 04: Deceased Debtors and Clients with Diminished Capacity - Does Grandma really want to be in bankruptcy?

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 01: A.I. in the Bankruptcy Practice and the Ethics Involved - Explore the intersection of AI and ethics in the bankruptcy context. Session 02: Ethical Issues in Bankruptcy: RSAs, Prepetition Prepayment of Employee Incentive, Common Interest Privilege Issues - Does this work or not? Explore interesting tools sometimes used in complex Chapter 11 cases and the ethical questions that may arise.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

THIS MONTH: Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in College Sports, Year Three • Humanitarian Relief & Border Issues • Dealing with Loans in the Context of Divorces, Death, and other Family Disruptions • Licensure with a Criminal Record • Ethics Issues for Transactional Practice

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 01: Recent Developments – Part I - The year yielded a bumper crop of important business and consumer cases. This panel has done the harvesting. Session 02: Recent Developments – Part II - Thanks to RDI for harvesting the crops. This panel digs a bit deeper to deliver a finely curated feast of case updates just in time for Thanksgiving. Session 03: Hot Topics and Cases in Subchapter V - If you have any interest in Subchapter V, you don’t want to miss this panel discussion on today’s relevant hot topics and cases that may impact your practice in this area of the law.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 1: Ted Lasso Ethics - Five lessons lawyers should learn from Ted Lasso. Session 2: Consideration of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Agency Affairs - The 88th legislature and directives from the Governor banned offices and programs that promote diversity, equity and inclusion at publicly funded colleges and universities. This mandate will reshape what agencies can and cannot do. Examine recent legislation and its potential impact on agency affairs. Session 3: Mediation Strategies, Solutions and Lessons Learned - The success of mediation is influenced by the information exchanged in advance, the type of mediation (remote or in-person), the inclusion or exclusion of a joint opening session, and many other factors. This panel discusses best practices for opening lines of communication, getting past the impasse, and finding a resolution. Session 4: Texas Public Information Act and Texas Open Meetings Act: How They Work - An overview of the requirements and procedures under Texas’ government transparency statutes and a look at some common issues.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 1: Intro to AI: Registering Works that Incorporate Artificial Intelligence - The last year has seen a dramatic expansion in the use of generative AI technologies, which has prompted questions about the copyrightability of AI-generated works. Get up to speed on the U.S. Copyright Office’s AI initiative, walk through the Office’s views on registering works generated in whole or in part by AI, and answer some frequently asked questions. Session 2: Navigating the Minefield of AI-Generated Content - The spread of generative artificial intelligence has raised a host of questions in areas of law spanning copyright, right of publicity, privacy and others. Hear perspectives on those emerging questions and where the law may be headed. Session 3:Chatting ChatGPT - Get a fast-paced introduction to emerging AI technologies that lawyers need to know about, including a demonstration of these breakthroughs with a focus on the risks of using these technologies without understanding how they work.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 1: Case Law Update - An annual roundup of notable court rulings, including Texas judicial decisions, that impact the practice of entertainment law. Session 2: LIVE EDITION! Entertainment Law Update Podcast - Join us for a special live edition of the Entertainment Law Update Podcast, where you'll get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look as co-hosts Tamera Bennett and Gordon Firemark produce the November episode of our groundbreaking podcast. Don't miss this unique opportunity to see the magic happen and stay up-to-date on the latest legal developments in the entertainment industry! Session 3: Tales from the Trenches: Recurring Litigation Practice Minefields in Entertainment Law Cases - Enjoy tales of litigation in entertainment and media cases including net profits in motion pictures and TV, theft of idea and copyright infringement cases, libel, and class actions against record companies, talent unions and movie studios.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

A discussion of where things stand in the world of NIL and where they could be headed. Topics include NCAA policy, state and federal legislation, IRS and tax issues, international student-athletes, donor collectives, group licensing, and more.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Discover the untold consequences of neglecting estate and IP succession planning as a recording artist/songwriter and delve into the complex web of copyrights, trademarks, and publicity rights arising posthumously. Hear practical steps and real-world examples to make a plan and to tackle a failure to plan.

Includes: Video Audio Paper 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) ChatGPT Ethics (Replay) Topic description generated by ChatGPT: Using ChatGPT for legal purposes promises efficient information processing, yet raises ethical concerns including client confidentiality and the risk of providing inaccurate advice. It is paramount that attorneys ensure adequate supervision, maintain professional discretion, and stay vigilant about the tool's limitations to uphold their ethical obligations. Henson Adams, Haynes Boone, LLP, San Antonio, TX Dominique Baldwin, Haynes Boone, LLP, Houston, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics)            Deal Ethics (Replay)            A discussion on a number of ethical issues that come up in an M&A practice, including whether the same firm can represent two bidders for the                   same target, other conflicts of interest, the no-contact rule, managing the lawyer’s duty for truthfulness and protecting the client’s privilege.                       David I. Albin, Finn Dixon & Herling LLP, Stamford, CT                       Nathaniel L. Doliner, Carlton Fields, Tampa, FL                       Robert R. Kibby, Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.,  Dallas, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Setting Boundaries with Clients and Colleagues (Replay) Using mindset mastery practices to improve attorney wellness by setting boundaries in your work. Kiele Linroth Pace, Pacefirm Consulting, LLC, Austin, TX

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Employers are often faced with complex immigration status issues when they are trying to onboard new employees and complete the required Form I-9. If they fail to accept certain qualifying documentation, they can be subject to penalties for discrimination. This panel will address common difficult status issues employers should know.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Just like actual families, family-based cases can get messy. Discuss some of the complexities involved in family-based cases such as complicated 245i derivative questions, bogus RFEs, marriage fraud findings, waivers, CSPA and other messy issues your clients might present to you.

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) What Texas Lawyers Need to Know About Human Rights Considerations in Connection to Mega Sports Events 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 (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Working with Your Colleagues: Not Working Against Your Enemies (Replay) Elevate civility and communication practices by addressing uncollegial or uncooperative behaviors and developing plans to foster civil and collegial communications. Hear both government and defense counsel discuss their experiences of poor communication and ways to provide civil and frank discussions.  Christopher M. Palazola, Texas Medical Board, Austin, TX Jon Porter, McDonald, Mackay, Porter & Weitz, LLP, Cedar Park, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) A Legal Ethics Wish List (Replay) Law firm general counsels and risk managers have wish lists…of what they hope their colleagues already know about the Rules of Professional Conduct and how to apply them. This presentation explores many things that are, no doubt, on those Wish Lists, including a working understanding of the conflict of interest rules, tools to help navigate those rules (like engagement letters and “I’m Not Your Lawyer” letters), the difference between the attorney-client privilege and the lawyer’s ethical duty of confidentiality, and a proper appreciation of the application of the “No Contact” Rule. The presentation also provides some practical tips to help create a culture of sound risk management practices to help keep the attendee from getting on the General Counsel’s or Risk Manager’s bad list.  A.J. Singleton, Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC, Lexington, KY

Includes: Video Paper Slides