eCourses

Identify the ethical issues raised under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. In further exploring the practical use cases for AI products, platforms, and machine learning technology within an underdeveloped security regime, this presentation will alert practitioners to common pitfalls relating to clients communications, confidentiality, and fees within the rapidly evolving landscape of generative AI usage.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

The Texas Lawyer's Creed reminds us of our oath to "disagree without being disagreeable." But today's polarizing culture ensures we will have to interact with coworkers, leaders, and volunteers who can make it very hard to remain civil. In this enlightening and entertaining session, we'll discuss how to navigate difficult conversations respectfully, manage our own impulses toward being difficult, and actively model civility to ensure that we are in compliance with our legal and professional duties toward all.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

An overview and analysis of the rules, case law and ethics opinions regarding conflicts of interest rules including simultaneous representation of potentially adverse clients, positional conflicts, conflicts involving the lawyer’s personal interest, imputed disqualification, conflicts involving insurance, conflicts regarding former or prospective clients, and conflicts arising from pre-retention contacts.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Dive into the challenges faced when employees become the subject of viral attention—whether caused by the district, an employee, or external actors. Explore when, who, and how to take action, and what legal implications have been established as a result of such events.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Artificial intelligence has been in the legal and cultural zeitgeist for a few years now. Explore the transformative effects (and lack thereof) of artificial intelligence on the legal industry in that time. Examine both the advancements and limitations, highlighting how AI has streamlined processes, improved efficiency, and where it still falls short in replacing human expertise.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

This presentation covers deal considerations in project-level renewable energy M&A, including both development-stage MIPAs and later stage Build Transfer Agreements. It briefly touches on deal structuring considerations and look at certain key provisions in the primary transaction documents for each deal type.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Session 01: Procurement and Construction in Energy Projects - Explore key considerations and potential pitfalls in structuring and carrying out procurement and construction for energy projects, including competitive bid processes, early design and engineering, and key contractual provisions, such as financing and tariff considerations and UFLPA and IRA requirements. Session 02: Flexible Structures for Renewable Energy Construction Financing - Explore how construction financing differs from other types of project financing and discuss case studies to accommodate variable tax equity investment structures (ITCs, PTCs, and direct sponsor transfers).

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 01: Public Benefits Overview and Key Concepts - Hear an overview of the different public benefits programs that may impact a special needs client, and explore Texas-specific waivers as well as federal and state regulations. Session 02: Special Needs Trusts 101: The Basics - An overview of the basics of special needs trusts and public benefits including selection of appropriate trust option, pitfalls to avoid and case examples. Session 03: The Ethics of SNT Administration - In this session, the presenters review the decisions a trustee makes in administering a trust, the standards a trustee should use in making decisions, and a framework to make sure the trustee’s decisions and actions are ethical. Session 04: Redlining the Basics with 1st Party SNT - Dissect a basic first-party SNT to highlight best practices with various key provisions, a walk-through relevant POMS provisions, and other practical tips in evaluating the use(s) of a first-party SNT. Session 05: Maximizing Public Benefits - Discuss how to identify what benefits your client has; what additional benefits they may be eligible for; what distributions by a trustee (or anyone) will make them ineligible; and what distributions will keep them eligible for those benefits. Session 06: Working Together: Texas ABLE Accounts and Special Needs Trusts - Learn about the tax-advantaged Texas Achieving a Better Life Experience Program (Texas ABLE®), a disability savings program created specifically for Texans with qualifying disabilities. This session covers specifics about Texas ABLE and how it can be used in conjunction with Special Needs Trusts, while helping to preserve state and federal means-tested benefits, including SSI and Medicaid. Learn how recent regulatory and legislative developments have continued to expand the flexibility and impact of ABLE accounts. Session 07: Initial Client Meeting Guidance and Resources - Exploring the art of focusing client appointments and staying on track. Session 08: Sole Benefit Trusts: What, When, and Why - Focus on the uses of Sole Benefit Trusts, including distinguishing them from other types of special needs trusts. It will include practical application, hypothetical situations, and sample language. Session 09: A Quick Trust Tax Tutorial - You don’t need to be a tax lawyer, but every special-needs planner should know at least the basics of trust income tax. Explore key rules in an accessible way for non-tax practitioners. Session 09: SSA Regional Trust Leads Presentation Regarding SSI Trusts - The centralization of SSI trust reviews business process celebrated its 10-year anniversary in 2024. This session provides a look back, including improved quality, accurate and consistent trust determinations, and technical proficiency of employees. In addition, hear the latest regarding the legal opinion process, early termination, 90-day amendment period, and updates to the trust POMS. Session 11: Special Needs Trusts Ethics Jeopardy - Attorneys and trustees need to clearly understand their ethical obligations. Using the Jeopardy game show format, in this interactive session, the presenters cover various ethical issues encountered in a special needs practice, providing the answers while the audience provides the questions.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 01: Lifecycle of Renewable Energy Projects - A discussion of the sequencing of the development of renewable energy projects and how lawyers and developers can best work together to mitigate project risks at each stage of development.  Session 02: Overview of Renewable Project Development and Finance - An overview of (a) key development contracts, and (b) the process of raising capital to develop, construct, and operate renewable energy projects. Session 03: Empowering the Grid: Title Considerations in Renewable Energy Deals - Explore the unique title challenges in renewable energy transactions. As the demand for clean energy continues to rise, understanding the intricacies of title work in this sector is crucial. Gain valuable insights into navigating title issues in renewable projects and how they differ from the traditional commercial and residential title insurance projects. Session 04: Finance: Introduction to Structure of Construction Financing & Role of Key Parties - Discuss the basics of construction finance, loan agreements and their key provisions, conditions to closing, and schedules and exhibits. Explore the role of commercial parties, counsel, and consultants and other third parties in the loan agreement negotiation process.   Session 05: Finance: Introduction to Structures for Tax Equity Investments in Renewable Energy Transactions - The Inflation Reduction Act has led to an uptick in tax equity investments in renewable energy transactions. Look at how these investments are structured and why, including a look at key transactions documents and new emerging hybrid structures that take advantage of tax credit transfers. Session 06: What's New? Federal Energy Update - Hear a lively update on developments affecting the renewable energy market.  Session 07: Joint Venture and Joint Development Agreements - As more new entrants enter the renewable energy industry, we continue to see an increase in joint ventures and other types of joint development arrangements. In this panel, we will discuss the reasons why, different types of joint structures, and key issues that tend to arise in these negotiations.   Session 08: Mineral Issues Impact on Real Estate Documents, Siting and Planning: Texas vs. California - Understanding the interplay of the mineral estate to the surface estate, and site control agreement and title insurance issues and strategies for securing financeable renewable energy surface rights in Texas and California, and more generally. Session 09: ​Procurement and Construction in Energy Projects - Explore key considerations and potential pitfalls in structuring and carrying out procurement and construction for energy projects, including competitive bid processes, early design and engineering, and key contractual provisions, such as financing and tariff considerations and UFLPA and IRA requirements.  Session 10: Ethical Obligations in Negotiations - A foundational discussion about how you, as Counsel, accomplish your objectives and meet your goals while acting legally and ethically during negotiations. Reinforces the professional responsibility a lawyer must maintain when faced with ethical dilemmas in negotiations in order to identify: (1) the balance between a lawyer’s obligations of honesty and candor with client advocacy; (2) best practices in negotiations; and (3) the application of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct in legal negotiations.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

THIS MONTH: Crossover Creators: A Legal Guide to Multi-Industry Success • ​Navigating the Cybersecurity Landscape: Best Practices for Governance • Partition of Real Property Under Texas Law: A Primer • Preparing for a Bankruptcy • Who’s Your Client?

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) My Mind Has A Mind of Its Own: Why Even Good Lawyers Are Lured Into Unethical Behavior by the Way Their Brains Work (Replay) Modern behavioral psychology research has revealed that our brains lead us into behaviors that are inconsistent with logic, our own self-interest, and ethical principles. This presentation explains how scientifically identifiable justifications, rationalizations, and heuristics can present challenges in legal ethics. Kevin Dubose, Alexander Dubose & Jefferson LLP - Houston, TX (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics) Fixing Federal Tax Return Mistakes (Replay) Mistakes happen in tax. Fixing those mistakes usually gets harder as time goes by. This presentation surveys a range of potential options: rescission, tax elections including Section 9100 relief, amended returns, method changes, attribute redeterminations, and more. The presentation also highlights ethical obligations that arise when considering how to best address prior mistakes. Tom Greenaway, KPMG LLP - Boston, MA (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 (0.50 hr | 0.50 hr ethics) Social Media, Ethics, and TMI: Why you won't be ROFL (Replay) Priscilla de Mata, Ysleta Isd - El Paso, TX  

Includes: Video Audio Paper 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: Simplifying Complex Cases: Comparing Complex Chapter 11 Procedures Across the Districts - The presentation compares and contrasts the District-specific procedures for complex Chapter 11 cases, with practice tips and lessons learned from recent revisions. Session 02: Hot Topics and Current Issues in Chapter 15 – Views from the Academy and the Bench - As the Model Law on Cross-Border Insolvency marks its 25th anniversary, what is working well, and where are the challenges? Is COMI still fit for purpose? And is it time to consider a second-generation framework for recognition in cross-border restructurings? Session 03: Independent Directors - Companies facing a restructuring or bankruptcy often engage newly appointed independent directors with extensive experience in restructuring matters to provide independence from existing stakeholders and the benefits of their experience in corporate governance. The panel presents on qualifications, appointment, scope, and importance of independent directors, as well observations from the U.S. Trustee Regions 3 & 9 regarding situations where a debtor may instead benefit from the use of trustees and examiners. Session 04: Taking Stock After Purdue Pharma - Learn about the state of third-party releases, channel injunctions, exculpations, and other issues in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Purdue Pharma.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 01: Brief Refresher/Update on Selling Avoidance Actions - A review of the Fifth Circuit’s opinion in Matter of South Coast Supply Co.—holding that avoidance actions are property of the bankruptcy estate and can be sold—and a discussion of the various issues addressed and others left unanswered. Session 02: Difficult Valuations: How to Determine Value on Complex Assets? - What happens when you encounter an unusual asset in a consumer case? How do you value partial interests, rights under community property laws, future interests, cryptocurrency, LLCs and other closely held businesses and other complex assets? Session 03: Who Appreciates the Increased Value of the Assets More, the Chapter 13 Debtor or a Chapter 7 Trustee After Conversion? - Learn about the nuance of who gets the appreciated value of assets when a chapter 13 case converts to chapter 7. Does the benefit inure to the debtor or should the appreciation be made available to the creditors? Is the code clear, or are we just arguing equity? Session 04: Modular Bankruptcy - A Consumer Scheme of Arrangement - The scheme of arrangement has been the premiere method of UK restructuring for some time now and has been drawing many U.S. firms to take advantage of its intentionally modular approach where some, but not all, of the debt is restructured. Could  the same modularity be imported into the consumer realm? Yes, but not without resolving some serious complexities.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

A discussion of key legal issues and proposed legislation impacting the intersection of creative content and AI programs.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

An annual roundup of notable court rulings, including Texas judicial decisions, that impact the practice of entertainment law.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Using a recent case, explore the business disparagement claims asserted against a prosthodontist and his dental practice, and the subsequent dismissal of these claims with a Chapter 27 Anti-SLAPP Motion to Dismiss. Stemming from a series of Instagram live videos, Kenneth Wilstead a/k/a “Dr. Kenny Smiles” sued Dr. Ortiz for business disparagement and invasion of privacy. However, using publicly available information, Wilstead’s claims were rebutted by informing the court of a likely and entirely unrelated basis for why Wilstead’s business had declined: his character and practices had been called into question by certain of his current and prospective female patients.

Includes: Video Audio Paper

Explore the recommended procedures you should have in place to ethically handle both the intake side of client matters, but also what is involved in “closing” files.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Join this distinguished panel as they walk you through a comparison of chapter 13 and subchapter V, how to select the best option for your client as well as the required steps a practitioner needs to take in order to confirm a subchapter V plan.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Participants in a bankruptcy proceeding, including judges and other professionals, such as lawyers for the parties and for committees, must conform their conduct to certain ethical rules. In some cases these rules are the same as to those prevailing in other legal proceedings and in other cases they are unique to bankruptcy. Explore some of the governing rules, taking notice of recent cases in which they may or may not have been followed.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides