eCourses

Session 1: Research on Legal Writing -  Discussion 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 2:  What to do When the Government Comes Calling -  Hear advice for in-house counsel and corporate executives faced with federal inquiries, search warrants, investigations, and subpoenas to produce evidence or testify. Learn about ways in which professionals can stay out of the government’s cross hairs. 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: How to Cultivate a Better Workplace - Quiet quitting. Hey Boomer. Gen X. Gen Z. Millennial. Anti-work. Current workplace structures aren’t always working. Hear from a worker-side trial attorney about how to build a better workplace and why we all have more in common than we might think.

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) Ted Lasso and Lawyer Ethics (Replay) What can a fictional soccer coach, goldfish, and biscuits teach us about attorney ethics? Lace up your cleats and find out.   Christie L. Hobbs, Northwest ISD - Fort Worth, TX (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics) Ten Rules for Ethical and Effective Negotiating (Replay) Most real estate deals are like water, and if things are handled correctly they will generally find their own level. This presentation provides ten (10) principles for handling negotiations correctly, which by necessity means ethically, and which will result in more effective negotiation. Richard A. Crow, Greenberg Traurig, LLP - Houston, TX (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics) Wellness in the Practice of Law: What Every Lawyer Should Know (Replay) A look at statistics on lawyer wellness and explore evidence-based tips on how to manage stress and anxiety to avoid losing enthusiasm for the practice of law. Michelle Fontenot, Texas Lawyers' Assistance Program - Austin, TX (0.50 hr | 0.50 hr ethics) Social Media, Ethics, and TMI: Why you won't be ROFL (Replay) Refresher on maintaining client confidences and other rules of professional conduct in a world influenced by social media.  Priscilla de Mata, Ysleta ISD - El Paso, TX

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

With the rise of water treatment technology and facilities capable of treating produced fracking water into a substance able to be used for beneficial purposes, the value of produced water has risen exponentially in recent years. The increase in value of produced water have allowed owners to benefit greatly in how they beneficially use that water. Owners now have a financial incentive when choosing the method of how they dispose of produced water. Whether by deep saltwater disposal wells, treatment for beneficial use, or treatment for storage in geothermal pore spaces, each method presents legal ownership issues. Texas statutory, RRC regulations, and recent Texas case law have given ownership of produced water new financial opportunities, but also new legal considerations. The intersection of the mineral estate, surface estate, and even the “geothermal” estate have the possibility to meet, and even conflict, in the arena of produced water. Discuss what practitioners should be mindful of with clients having interests related to produced water or its treatment.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 01: Land Use Case Law Updates Part 1 - A rapid review of recent land uses cases, including platting, zoning, takings, vesting, and development agreements. Session 02: Land Use Case Law Updates Part 2 - A rapid review of recent land uses cases, including platting, zoning, takings, vesting, and development agreements. Session 03: General Legislative Update - Following nearly 250 days of Texas state legislative activity in 2023, this session provides a fast-paced review of the land use bills that passed along with a few that didn't. Session 04: Super Preemption and H.B. 2127 Litigation Update - H.B. 2127, the so called “Super Preemption Bill,” was set to become law on September 1, 2023, but was struck down as unconstitutional (at least as to the Cities of Houston, San Antonio, and El Paso) by a Travis County district judge on August 30, 2023. This law seeks to expressly preempt certain city regulations, while implicitly preempting other city regulations that are in conflict with a “field of regulation” occupied by certain state laws. This presentation reviews H.B. 2127, its scope and likely applications, and provide an update on the litigation over H.B. 2127. Session 05: Out of the ETJ and Into the Unknown? What the SB 2038 ETJ-Removal Law Does and Its Impact on Cities and Counties - A review of what the SB 2038 ETJ-removal law does and its impact on cities and counties, by an experienced panel of land use, real estate and development attorneys, including the plaintiff’s attorney in Grand Prairie v. Texas. Session 06: Navigating Recent Texas Legislative Impacts on Development and Land Use Regulations - A discussion on how various bills adopted by the Texas Legislature in recent years have impacted cities’ abilities to regulate development, land use, and building materials on properties. This also includes a discussion on litigation updates concerning those restrictions and cities’ attempts to navigate enforcement efforts to address competing concerns of their citizenry.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 01: Case Law Update: Part One - Review recent decisions dealing with oil and gas leases, royalties, mineral conveyances, joint operating agreements, state regulation, and related topics. Session 02: Case Law Update: Part Two - Review recent decisions dealing with oil and gas leases, royalties, mineral conveyances, joint operating agreements, state regulation, and related topics. Session 03: Regulatory and Legislative Update - Review recent regulatory and legislative issues impacting the oil and gas industry, including developments in oil and gas waste management, carbon capture, and geothermal energy.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Counties across the state are struggling with housing affordability, with population surges in unincorporated areas and a growing mismatch between housing needs and supply. Hear from county leaders and housing experts on tools that counties are using to address local affordable housing needs, along with opportunities for expanding counties' toolboxes. 

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Land Use Professionals love to focus on big, beautiful, well designed residential communities. They are not affordable to many citizens. Many citizens are drawn to living in alternative “subdivisions” for affordability or flexibility reasons: small lot “urban” neighborhoods with basic amenities (if any) in rural areas, manufactured housing communities and RV Parks. This presentation covers land use issues for these alternative “subdivisions”.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Come listen and participate in deconstructing ethical dilemmas faced in the land use, development, and economic development practice, from attorneys, elected officials, engineers to planners, all those involved face hurdles one must clear to maintain ethical obligations in the land use space.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Address the question of who owns subsurface pore space rights when there is a split estate, and discuss the typical terms and conditions of agreements by which prospective carbon capture and storage operators contract for the use of pore spaces. Also consider whether the law provides a mechanism for the use of pore spaces in the absence of the owner’s consent (eminent domain? pooling?), and examine whether the migration of carbon dioxide in the subsurface would give rise to an actionable trespass in the absence of contractual or other authority to use pore spaces.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

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.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

COPAS accounting procedures are most commonly dealt with in the transactional phase of drafting a joint operating agreement, and then later during the life of the agreement in the course of ongoing accounting activities and routine audits. However, they can also have a significant impact in the course of litigation, including in terms of potential preclusive effects of the exception deadlines, and in terms of discovery strategy. Hear an overview of COPAS audit procedures, as well as potential implications on litigation.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Keynote presentation delivered by Matt Gallagher, Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Greenlake Energy

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Examine the liability regime for decommissioning offshore wells and platforms and how predecessors can be held responsible for decommissioning in the event of a default of the current owners. Discuss the evolving landscape of the financial assurance (bonding) regulations to cover decommissioning liability.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Session 01: Deep Dive into Utility and Other Resources in Planning - Legal and land use implications of SB 2038 - ETJ Release. Session 02: Why Would Anyone Want to Own and Operate a Utility - A discussion and analysis on recent trends in the water and wastewater regulatory environment. The presentation addresses what hurdles investor and developer owned utilities are facing in front of Texas regulators, navigating municipal oversight and relationships, and the financial and business outcomes from regulation. Audience members who are considering or advising clients on entering the regulated utility space can expect to come away with a better understanding of this critical Texas industry and its administrative oversight. 

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Like other business sectors, simultaneous sign-and-close acquisitions are becoming more popular in the oil and gas industry. Discuss the differences between deferred closings and sign-and-close deals, the features and benefits of each, and when to use one over the other.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

The Texas Supreme Court’s landmark Van Dyke opinion changed the rules for resolving mineralownership disputes. Discuss what led to the Court’s decision, what the opinion means for current litigants, and what questions were left unanswered for us to litigate about for the next decade or more.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

A look at the ethical obligations of both lawyers and landmen: where they align, and where they diverge, using hypotheticals based on real-world situations.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

From the Legislature’s concerns about Colony Ridge, to “gentle” density issues in Dallas, to poker houses, to “single-family for rent” projects, to an update on STR litigation, this presentation addresses current Texas land use issues at a fast pace.   

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

A practical review of the application of indemnity provisions in Texas vs. New Mexico.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Keeping Score: When does bankruptcy law override oil and gas law? Discuss the clash of federal and state law.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides