eCourses

Session 1: The Grievance Process and Most Common Violations - The presentation is intended to provide general information regarding the amendments made to the grievance process in 2018, the proper way to respond to a grievance identifying attorney misconduct, and common problems to avoid in practice. Session 2: So You Think You Know Your Evidence and Procedure? - An interactive and entertaining presentation testing your knowledge of the Texas Rules of Evidence and Procedure. Session 3: Research on Legal Writing - Get information about empirical research on legal writing techniques. Research supports plainer writing, reduced use of intensifiers, reduced use of “emotional” words, and use of narrative. Research also supports “connectives” (transitions), priming, and the value of resources, i.e. money. Session 4: Dealing With the Problem of Opposing Counsel - How to avoid intimidation and manage the disruptive, disreputable, and overly zealous opposing counsel in an ethical, civil, and professional manner.

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: (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics) Techniques for Negotiating With Difficult Counterparties (Replay) 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. Laura Frederick, How to Contract - Austin, TX (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics) The Grievance Process and Most Common Violations (Replay) The presentation is intended to provide general information regarding the amendments made to the grievance process in 2018, the proper way to respond to a grievance identifying attorney misconduct, and common problems to avoid in practice. Nicole E. Jackson, Rosenblatt Law Firm - San Antonio, TX (0.50 hr | 0.50 hr ethics) Practical Uses of AI in M&A: Large Language Models to Create New Realities (Replay) What if you could review thousands of contracts, determine the potential risk of anti-assignment clauses, and have a first draft of a memo in under 15 minutes? Over the past year, the legal profession has seen incredible advances in the use of artificial intelligence that are making these possibilities a reality. Large Language Models, such as those fueling ChatGPT, have introduced incredible transformational potential for M&A work. Learn more about what is possible, including ethical considerations, in this new reality. Kenton S. Brice, University of Oklahoma College of Law - Norman, OK (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Work Product and Attorney-Client Privilege after In Re Grand Jury: Where Do We Go From Here? (Replay) The law regarding when privileges and protections apply to tax advice was anything but clear leading up to the Supreme Court oral argument in In re: Grand Jury; the Court’s decision to dismiss the case as “improvidently granted” dashed the hopes of tax professionals hoping for a nationwide standard! Hear a review of the current state of the law post-In re: Grand Jury with an emphasis on the Fifth Circuit and how the law there differs from others around the country. Melissa L. Wiley, Lowenstein Sandler LLP - Washington, DC

Includes: Paper Slides

Session 01: 2023 Case Law Update - A survey of recent Texas cases addressing significant issues (fiduciary duties, piercing the entity veil, and more) in the context of LLCs and partnerships (including limited partnerships and LLPs). Session 02: Texas Legislative Update for Partnerships and LLCs - Summary of selected bills passed in the 2023 Texas Legislature affecting partnerships and limited liability companies. Session 03: 2023 Secretary of State Update - Learn about filing tips and resources that will make your transactions with the Secretary of State easier and more predictable; hear updates on notable legislation and our system modernization initiative. Session 04: Updates from Delaware - A survey of recent Delaware cases addressing significant issues, including fiduciary duties, elimination of fiduciary duties and contractual interpretation in the context of LLCs and partnerships (including limited partnerships and LLPs). Session 05: S corporations: A Cautionary Tale about Squaring the Circle - A discussion of some of the motivations driving the use of LLCs as S corporations, some of the potential issues and some of the drafting and structuring issues that should be considered if an LLC is taxed as an S corporation.  Session 06: Updated Model LLC Agreements - Review three model agreements tailored for a closely held company, including a discussion of some recent changes in the models as well as decisions that the authors made in drafting the models to help improve your drafting skills and result in better operating agreements. Session 07: Drafting Net Profit Agreements - Net profits agreements are used in transactions where the parties have an interest in sharing in profits but do not want to create or participate in an entity arrangement with the parties involved.  Net profits agreements raise a number of issues which may be as basic as the very definition of what the parties intend to share, as well as the methods of payout, the impact on tax consequences of these arrangements and concerns relating to the unintended partnership. Review the issues lawyers may need to consider with their clients to draft an effective net profits agreement.  Session 08: Provisions Limiting Liability and Duties in Partnership and Company Agreements - This panel will discuss the effectiveness and limitations on provisions of partnership and company agreements which provide for the modification of duties, exoneration from liability and indemnification with respect to claims against managers, members and other employees and agents.   Session 09: Effective Engagement Letters and Other Simple Risk-Management Tools - This ethics CLE presentation will look at engagement letters and how they can be used as a risk management tool. Along they way, the presentation will provide practical tips to help lawyers avoid conflict of interest pitfalls and to assist in controlling client expectations about the scope of the representation. Session 10: Multiparty Representation —Entity Formation - A deep-dive into the knurly problems of multi-party representation of start-up companies, including whether the client is the founder or founders or the company is yet to be formed. The ethical difficulties for the lawyer continue after formation as the company and its founders, directors and officers move beyond formation of the entity into the realm of operations.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 1: Lawyers Behaving Badly - The hosts of the Lawyers Behaving Badly podcast share true but outrageous stories about lawyers being less than their best selves. Session 2: The Unruly Client - Ethical duties and practical advice for working with clients who don’t see eye to eye with you. Session 3: DOJ Hot Topics and Recent Developments - Panelists discuss recent enforcement trends by the DOJ and how announced priorities are playing out in the real world. Session 4: Does Intelligence Equal Competence? Navigating Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of Law - Artificial Intelligence may be embedded in tools, or may even be a tool itself, that helps lawyers better meet client needs. But, it is no different than other conventional tools and technologies used by lawyers—they must be used in conjunction with a lawyer’s duty to provide competent representation. Session 5: Persuasive Oral Argument Techniques - Hear tips from two of Texas’s best on what to do (and not to do) in oral argument.

Includes: Video Audio Paper 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

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

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) The Unruly Client (Replay) Ethical duties and practical advice for working with clients who don’t see eye to eye with you.    Paul Wingo, Hamilton Wingo, LLP - Dallas, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Ethics in the Age of AI: Legal Practice Transformations (Replay) Gain insight into the ethical dilemmas that arise when utilizing ChatGPT and similar generative AI technologies in the legal field. Hear a discussion addressing the potential pitfalls and evolving responsibilities of Texas partnership attorneys in this new era. Robert R. Keatinge, Holland & Hart LLP - Denver, CO Kayla Landeros, Baylor Law School and West, Webb, Allbritton & Gentry, PC - Waco, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Implicit Bias: What Your Brain is Up to When You’re Not Paying Attention (Replay) Implicit bias refers to the attitudes or stereotypes that affect our thoughts, actions, and decisions in an unconscious manner. Because they occur without a person’s awareness or control, they can have a significant and potentially negative impact on the day-to-day lives of lawyers and judges. Hon. Audrey Moorehead, Dallas County Criminal Court #3 - Dallas, TX Jonathan E. Smaby, Texas Center for Legal Ethics - Austin, TX

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) AI and Effective Corporate Governance (Replay) This discussion covers artificial intelligence (AI) fundamentals and business opportunities to utilize AI responsibly and strategically. The panelists also address corporate governance and compliance frameworks to enable boards and business leadership to proactively and effectively manage risks posed by AI. Regina Jones, Baker Hughes - Houston, TX Ryan D. McConnell, R. McConnell Group PLLC - Houston, TX Meagan Baker Thompson, R. McConnell Group PLLC - Austin, TX (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics) Requests from on High: Keeping In-House Counsel Out of Hot Water (Replay) One of internal counsel’s many functions is to avert problems for their employers. But sometimes in keeping their client away from the fire, they risk being singed. These concerns implicate challenging attorney-client privilege issues, clarity in communicating to employees and management who they represent, educating others about how to maintain confidentiality, engaging the right counsel and consultants for the proper purposes, and knowing when to stay away from direct interaction in depositions, mediations and regulator meetings and interactions, or when to interact directly. Joel Cohen, White & Case LLP - New York, NY (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics) Ethics on the Edge (Replay) Whether in-house or in private practice, technology lawyers increasingly find themselves counseling clients operating at or beyond the edge of what the law has contemplated—and sometimes with business models so “disruptive” they may even be illegal. Explore the ethics issues that come into play in such situations, through real-world examples of how experienced in-house lawyers have counseled their clients though high-risk innovation and legal uncertainty.   Christopher T. Brown, KASTNER/GRAVELLE LLP - Austin, TX Cara Connolly, Reality Labs at Meta - Austin, TX Catherine Dawson, AffiniPay - Austin, TX  (0.50 hr | 0.50 hr ethics) Pro Bono Opportunities for Business Attorneys (Replay) Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts (TALA) offers attorneys the opportunity to work with creatives, non-profits, and others who qualify based on their income on various legal issues such as entity formation, contracts, trademark/patent/copyright filings, and other general legal needs. An in depth discussion on these opportunities as well as give several examples of cases or matters handled by volunteer attorneys. Angela L. Lee, TALA - Austin, TX Adrian Resendez, Brough & Resendez PLLC - Austin, TX

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

THIS MONTH: Reflections on the U.S. Supreme Court • Will Robot Lawyers Steal Our Jobs, and Can They do the Job Ethically? • Developing a Winning Deposition Strategy • Sunshine and Cyber Insurance • How to Cultivate a Better Workplace

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

This presentation situates current debates over the Supreme Court—and potential reforms thereto—within a broader historical context.

Includes: Video 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: (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics) Lawyers Behaving Badly (REPLAY) The hosts of the Lawyers Behaving Badly podcast share true but outrageous stories about lawyers being less than their best selves.   Karen Delaney, Delaney Legal PLLC - Frisco, TX Jennifer Judge, Destination Pet, LLC - Plano, TX (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics) Social Media Hot Topics (REPLAY) Should social media platforms be civilly liable for the content that their users post? Is the content moderation on platforms like Facebook and Twitter subject to statutes like those passed in Florida and Texas? Come hear the latest on these issues currently before the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as other cutting edge topics in social media - like service of process via social media and even NFTs, the evidentiary value of emoji and memes, and the limits on how lawyers can ethically respond to online criticism. John G. Browning, Spencer Fane / Faulkner Law School - Plano, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics)  Practicing of Law Across State Lines, Cross Border Issues and Privacy (REPLAY) Privacy laws continue to develop and evolve as regulators promulgate regulations and laws that seek to protect and permit individual privacy rights and remedies. Gain insight on issues that arise in privacy, including COPA and biometric data, and will discuss the expectation for the development of new privacy laws within the United States and best practices to adopt when responding to privacy incidents and advising clients and internal stakeholders. Skyla R. Banks, Amplitude, Inc. - Dallas, TX Fisayo Fadelu, Pecan Street - Austin, TX Brice White, Meta, Inc. - Dallas, TX (0.50 hr | 0.50 hr ethics)  Appeals from Sanctions Orders (REPLAY) Sanctions orders can have devastating impacts on both attorneys and their clients. Learn the latest cutting-edge techniques for obtaining, avoiding, appealing, and keeping trial court sanctions orders. Scott Rothenberg, Law Offices of Scott Rothenberg - Bellaire, TX

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

THIS MONTH: Social Media Hot Topics • Overcoming the Problem Witness • Remote Workers: Not as Simple as You Think • Coexisting with Creative: Primer On Advertising Law • Appellate Practice 101

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Sanctions orders can have devastating impacts on both attorneys and their clients. Learn the latest cutting-edge techniques for obtaining, avoiding, appealing, and keeping trial court sanctions orders.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Supersedeas practice is challenging for new and seasoned practitioners alike. It involves precise procedural requirements, tight time-frames, diverse means to stay enforcement, complex determinations of the required amount of security, and unique procedures for obtaining appellate review. This presentation addresses these challenges by providing (1) the essentials of Texas and Federal supersedeas law and (2) a step-by-step guide for navigating the procedural and substantive requirements for superseding judgments in Texas courts and the Fifth Circuit.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Background, procedure, and tips for how to handle a mistake by a Fifth Circuit panel.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

This discussion covers artificial intelligence (AI) fundamentals and business opportunities to utilize AI responsibly and strategically. The panelists also address corporate governance and compliance frameworks to enable boards and business leadership to proactively and effectively manage risks posed by AI.

Includes: Video 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) AI Topic Regina Jones, Baker Hughes - Houston, TX Ryan D. McConnell, R. McConnell Group PLLC - Houston, TX Meagan Baker Thompson, R. McConnell Group PLLC - Austin, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Ethics: Can We Talk? (REPLAY) Jason Boulette, Boulette Golden & Marin L.L.P. - Austin, TX   (0.50 hr | 0.50 hr ethics)  Don’t Do It: Legal Temptations to Resist (REPLAY) This presentation is a reminder of the things lawyers are tempted to do, but the Rules of Professional Conduct, Standards of Appellate Conduct, and the good manners we were all raised on prevent. Hon. Tanya Garrison, 157th District Court - Houston, TX (0.50 hr | 0.50 hr ethics)  Securing Client Communication (REPLAY) Lisa Angelo, Angelo Law Firm PLLC - Houston, TX

Includes: Video Paper Slides

Session 01: Procedure Update - A review of recent developments in procedural rules that may impact your appellate practice.  Session 02: Jury Charge Update - Recent developments impacting civil jury charges and strategies involved in preparing and preserving error on them.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 01: Inference Stacking - When can you stack inferences, and how to tell if that is what is happening.  Session 02: Persuasive Oral Argument Techniques - Hear tips from two of Texas’s best on what to do (and not to do) in oral argument. Session 03: Under-Utilized Procedural Tools - Three short presentations on how to make use of Rule 166(g) motions, Indicative Rulings Under Rule 62.1, and Rule 54(b) Judgements.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

A recap of what came out of the Big Pink Building this legislative session. 

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides