eCourses

Hear the latest and most essential updates impacting the gas and power industry this year. This program runs through the latest case law, updates in the gas market, what's happening with the Texas Energy Fund, and a PUC Regulatory Update with Commissioner Cobos.   Texas Energy Funds Basics and Next Steps             Alaina Zermeno, Husch Blackwell LLP - Austin, TX PUC Regulatory Updates              Commissioner Lori Cobos, Public Utility Commission of Texas - Austin, TX Gas Market Updates             Robert W. Gee, Gee Strategies Group, LLC - Falls Church, VA Case Law Update Holly Heinrich, Husch Blackwell LLP - Austin, TX

Includes: Video Paper Slides

HBO's hit series "Succession" follows a fictional media company led by a legendary patriarch. As the title suggests, the patriarch's children are angling to seize the throne and succeed their father as the company's CEO. In this presentation, Brent Turman, Partner at Bell Nunnally, tracks the power plays of the company's C-level executives and general counsel, explaining whether their on-screen actions comply with specific ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct (spoiler alert: most of the time, they don't.). Through the lens of this captivating series, Turman provides an entertaining way for attorneys to obtain ethics credit.

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) State Bar Election Results and New Disciplinary Rules In a referendum from April 1-30, the members of the State Bar of Texas voted on proposed amendments and additions to the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. The Bar approved the Rules and the Texas Supreme Court gave final approval to them. This presentation gives an overview of the new Rules. Robert L. Tobey, Johnston Tobey Baruch, P.C. - Dallas, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Ethics Lessons from HBO’s Succession HBO's hit series "Succession" follows a fictional media company led by a legendary patriarch. As the title suggests, the patriarch's children are angling to seize the throne and succeed their father as the company's CEO. In this presentation, Brent Turman, Partner at Bell Nunnally, tracks the power plays of the company's C-level executives and general counsel, explaining whether their on-screen actions comply with specific ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct (spoiler alert: most of the time, they don't.). Through the lens of this captivating series, Turman provides an entertaining way for attorneys to obtain ethics credit. Brent A. Turman, Bell Nunnally - Dallas, TX (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 Adam Sencenbaugh, Haynes Boone, LLP - Austin, TX

Includes: Video Slides

In a referendum from April 1-30, the members of the State Bar of Texas voted on proposed amendments and additions to the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. The Bar approved the Rules and the Texas Supreme Court gave final approval to them. This presentation gives an overview of the new Rules.

Includes: Video Slides

Session 1: Intellectual Property: The Essentials of Copyrights and Trademarks for Creatives - Understand the basic copyright and trademark principles and identify where they apply in music, television/film, podcasting, and influencer deals. Session 2: ​Exploring the Expansion of Criminal Antitrust Enforcement and What Recent Criminal Investigations and Trials Tell Us About the Government’s Tools, Tactics, and Targets - Panelists discuss the expansion of criminal antitrust enforcement and recent investigations that delve into the government's tools, tactics and targets. Session 3: Getting the Most Out of Your Mediation: Tips to Maximize Your Mediation Time - Join Scott Baker as he explores ways to help attorneys make the most of a mediation session as well as the mediator’s skills to help their clients resolve disputes. He'll delve into written mediation statements, pre-mediation conferences, joint sessions and opening statements, negotiations, and mediated settlement agreements. Examples, trends, and case law will be discussed and used to provide practical tips and suggestions to attorneys who represent or counsel clients who use mediation to resolve disputes. This presentation is designed to provide useful information to attorneys of all experience levels.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Gray Reed litigators Mitch Ackal and Jeremy Walter team up with Gray Reed attorney and Texas State Rep. Jeff Leach, who played an instrumental role in developing the legislation that created these specialized courts, to share what they've learned since the September 1st opening of the Texas Business Courts. Hear the ins and outs of the new Texas Business Court, including its jurisdiction, its judges, and its unique procedures. With just one month of operations underway at the time of this presentation, this session also offers an analysis of any significant Court data that may be available.

Includes: Video Slides

A review of recent cases affecting the practice of estate planning, guardianship, and elder law in Texas and around the country.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 01: Alternatives to Guardianship including Supports and Services - A discussion of practical considerations in determining whether lesser restrictive alternatives and supports and services are available and feasible in guardianship proceedings. Session 02: The Rules of Evidence in Guardianship Proceedings - This presentation is designed to be a practical guide to the Texas Rules of Evidence that are most applicable in Guardianship Proceedings. Session 03: Settlements of Guardianship Disputes - Discussion of practical and technical considerations when settling guardianship disputes and related litigation, including necessary parties, potential settlement structure to avoid a guardianship, authority and limitations on a proposed guardian, and options to bind the proposed ward and proposed ward’s estate. The discussion also includes ways to enforce guardianship settlement agreements.   Session 04: Fee Petitions in Guardianship Cases - This presentation explores the results of a statewide survey from courts handling probate and guardianship cases. The survey aims to collect information on fee standards, fee petition preferences, local rules, and other relevant questions regarding fee assessments and payments. Session 05: Medicaid Planning in Guardianships - A discussion of how government benefits planning for single and married individuals can be accomplished in the context of Guardianships and Community Administrations. Session 06: ​Mental Commitments vs. Guardianships - Discuss finding the correct path to protection. PLEASE NOTE: To claim Texas Guardianship Ad Litem credit for the presentations that include guardianship hours, download the guardianship accreditation documentation (found here) as you claim your general MCLE credit at the end of this course and submit the affidavit to the State Bar of Texas.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 01: Estate Planning Best Practices - Practical advice on how to avoid contests and other litigation related to estate planning drafting. Session 02: When All Else Fails...Avoiding the Dreaded Certified Mail Return Receipt Requested! What Exactly Does a Qualified Delivery Method Mean for Probate and Guardianship? - Certified mail has become increasingly unreliable. Discuss recent changes to the Estates Code regarding alternative service options in probate and guardianship cases. Session 03: Execution of Documents - It is said that more documents fail due to improper execution rather than improper drafting. Proper effective execution rules are not difficult, but they can be draconian. Mistakes can be fatal (to the document), especially when one person is signing in a capacity for another. Session 04: Characterization of Marital Property - Learn about the various estates in a Texas marriage (i.e. separate estate and community estate), tracing and characterization of assets, and calculation of reimbursement claims. Hear about the intersection of probate and characterization and discuss the impact of various estate planning transactions and mechanisms on the characterization of assets. Session 05: Proper Preparation of Form 706 - Practical advice for preparing and filing the United States Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return, including considerations and tips when filing for portability purposes.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

An overview of the leading issues related to asset protection and anonymity in business entity structures. Focus on the primary areas of concern when choosing the type of entity, jurisdiction for formation and ownership structure when the goals are asset protection and anonymity and the impact of the Corporate Transparency Act on these choices.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

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 Audio Paper Slides

Session 01: Medicaid Update and Other Hot Topics - This presentation identifies and explains recent changes in Medicaid law and policy. Discuss Medicaid advocacy strategies that are “hot,” either because they are new or because they are underutilized but work really well. Session 02: Medicaid Planning or Medicaid Avoidance? - Sometimes we can help a relatively wealthy person qualify for Medicaid long-term care. This presentation explores how to help the client determine whether or not they are able to pay privately; and if so, whether they would be better served by doing so or by qualifying for Medicaid. Session 03: MERP Defense - This presentation provides updates on changes in defending against MERP claims and discussion of continuing sticky situations and traps. Discuss where HMS and we disagree and the problems of timelines, statutes of limitations, and the need for legislative change.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

As advisors, if we knew when clients would pass away, who would survive them, the assets included in their taxable estates, and what the tax laws would be at the time of their deaths, we could all design perfect estate plans. Of course we are forced to do the best we can with what we have, including a scheduled 50% reduction to the transfer tax exemption amounts in 2026. This presentation focuses on estate planning and gifting strategies for clients who may or may not have a taxable estate, offering practical examples designed to empower advisors to enhance client relationships.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 01: A House Divided: The Rights and Duties of Homesteaders, Life Tenants, Remaindermen, and Co-Tenants - Discuss the often complex relationship between the surviving spouse who chooses to exercise her homestead right, or who inherits a life estate in separate property, and the remaindermen who are standing by to receive the property. Learn the various rights and obligations of those who exercise a homestead right, possess a life estate, or own a remainder interest in property.  Session 02: Partition of Real Property Under Texas Law: A Primer - An overview of the litigation process of a claim for partition of real estate, including issues which arise under the Uniform Partition of Heirs’ Property Act.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Using trust protectors to make changes to trusts, including advantages, disadvantages and potential liability.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 1: Key Considerations in Private M&A Deals in Uncertain Market Conditions  - An experienced panel of legal and financial advisors provide updates on market conditions for private M&A transactions, reviews trends in deal terms, fiduciary duty issues and structural options in distressed sales, and highlights recent Delaware case law and regulatory considerations. Session 2: Corporate Transparency Act: The Law - This presentation provides an overview and review of the statutory and regulatory requirements of the Corporate Transparency Act, including new 2024 FinCEN guidance and a discussion of judicial challenges to the CTA (including the Alabama district court case that ruled the CTA unconstitutional). Session 3: Healthcare Transactions: How to Ensure Compliance and Successfully Complete the Deal! - Modern healthcare transactions are complex and increasingly involving more parties and more issues than other transactions. Discuss real world issues regarding transactions, addressing compliance concerns, and pitfalls to watch for. Session 4: ​The Current State of Non-Competes: Are They Still Enforceable? - Explore the rising tide of opposition at the federal level to the enforcement of covenants not to compete. Focus on the recent moves by the FTC and the NLRB to outright ban (or at least sharply curtail) the use of restrictive covenants and examine the practical alternatives to non-competes available to businesses. Session 5: Gen AI Regulation and Legislation – Federal, State, and Global - Generative artificial intelligence (Gen AI) adoption across industries and ever-expanding use cases are driving the U.S., states, EU, and countries across the globe to develop and implement comprehensive Gen AI regulation and legislation. Hear a discussion of these developments, related challenges, and the consensus that much of the Gen AI rules and laws, which shape the long-term growth and direction of the sector, will be established in the coming 12-24 months. Session 6: Lessons Learned From GCs Behaving Badly (Allegedly) - It is always better to learn from someone else’s mistakes. Examine examples of in-house counsel allegedly (or admittedly) behaving badly—from alleged assaults and slurs to embezzlement—and what in-house counsel can learn from those situations. Discuss examples of in-house counsel allegedly being punished for doing the right thing, and review applicable Model Rules of Professional Conduct, including Rules 1.13 and 8.4.

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) Privileged Communications: Ethical Challenges and Best Practices for Tax Practitioners with Organizational Clients Sharyn Fisk, Internal Revenue Service - Washington, DC (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Ethical Concerns of AI and the Practice of Law (Replay) This presentation defines the state of artificial intelligence tools, what benefits and risks exist, and finally steps to begin embracing these technologies with appropriate guardrails, policies, and training. It is less likely that artificial intelligence will destroy industries, and much more likely that companies that embrace artificial intelligence will take overtake those companies that do not embrace artificial intelligence. Mark G. McCreary, Fox Rothschild LLP - Philadelphia, PA (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

Includes: Video Slides

Includes: Video Slides

How to spin-off, split-off, or split-up a passthrough entity, business and tax considerations and pitfalls for the unaware. 

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 01: Case Law Update Part 1 - 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: Case Law Update Part 2 - Continuation of 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 03: Secretary of State Update - Learn about filing tips and resources that can make your transactions with the Secretary of State (SOS) easier and more predictable; hear updates on our system modernization program, including an overview of online services available in the new SOS Portal.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides No Materials