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) Let’s Chat About ChatGPT: Ethical Considerations in the Use of Generative AI (Replay) Since the introduction of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools, lawyers around the country have been getting into ethical hot water over their misuse of generative AI. Courts have responded with mandatory AI disclosures and certifications by attorneys. What are your ethical obligations in using AI, and how can you stay within the lines? Come find out in this informative and entertaining presentation! Hon. John G. Browning, Of Counsel, The Cole Law Firm, McKinney, Texas and Distinguished Jurist in Residence, Faulkner University School of Law - Plano, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Attorney Wellness: Speaking Up, Reaching Out (Replay) Mental health issues are taboo discussions at the workplace, yet when attorneys consider suicide, it's often a result of work-related stress. Explore real-world tips and information on how to spot a mental health crisis in someone you work with, and what to do once you are aware of a problem. Stephanie Townsend Allala, Townsend Allala, Coulter & Kludt PLLC - El Paso, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) How to Avoid Malpractice in a Post-Pandemic Legal World (Replay) 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

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 01: Let’s Chat About ChatGPT: Ethical Considerations in the Use of Generative AI - Since the introduction of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools, lawyers around the country have been getting into ethical hot water over their misuse of generative AI. Courts have responded with mandatory AI disclosures and certifications by attorneys. What are your ethical obligations in using AI, and how can you stay within the lines? Find out in this informative and entertaining presentation! Session 02: Philanthropy in Sports - Collegiate athletics draw significant attention, and revenues, to many institutions and associated nonprofit organizations. This presentation covers tax and legal considerations around such activity for organizations and donors, including "name, image and likeness" (NIL) structures, licensing/joint ventures, and sponsorships. Session 03: Overcoming School Challenges for Students with Disabilites - Having school-aged clients with a disability can provide unique challenges in their care. Learn about these challenges and potential solutions from the collaborative perspective of an education consultant and a nurse case manager. Session 04: Challenges Presented by Litigation Funding - District courts and parties continue to grapple with issues relating to litigation funding and the funders themselves. This panel discusses some of the more prominent challenges including disclosure requirements (e.g., Delaware), how to get a funded litigant to settle, and patent aggregation by funded entities. Session 05: 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

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

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

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

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

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

Since the introduction of ChatGPT and other generative AI tools, lawyers around the country have been getting into ethical hot water over their misuse of generative AI. Courts have responded with mandatory AI disclosures and certifications by attorneys. What are your ethical obligations in using AI, and how can you stay within the lines? Come find out in this informative and entertaining presentation!

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Land use planning offers a host of regulatory and educational tools that planners and attorneys can employ to protect our communities from the impacts of natural disasters. Yet many of these tools are not fully utilized across Texas communities. This session reports on a survey of the extent to which Texas coastal communities are using common and proven techniques to reduce risk and mitigate disaster impacts, with lessons for all parts of the state.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

New subdivisions in rural areas raise numerous water law considerations, including how to convert pre-existing rural stock ponds to amenity lakes, dealing with old soil & water conservation district easements and dam structures, and the statutory obligation to avoid flooding downstream neighbors. Come get practical tips on how to address all of these water law issues.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Session 01: Cities Don’t Enforce Private Restrictive Covenants or Do They?: The City of Houston’s Unique Land Use Scheme - As one of the only large and unzoned municipalities in the United States, the City of Houston enjoys the unique ability to enforce restrictive covenants as a means of land use regulation. This course explores Houston’s enforcement authority and processes, as well as how such enforcement might work for other cities. Session 02: A Private Solution to a Public Concern? Private Restrictive Covenants versus Short Term Rentals, Residential Amenities, and Accessory Dwelling Units - As cities adopt ordinances to regulate a variety of land uses on residential property, they face substantial challenges in both the courts and the Legislature. Perhaps the solution is a private contract between neighbors.  

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

An overview of right-of-way planning, including comprehensive plans, traffic issues, subdivision requirements, street standards, private streets, sidewalks. Also gain insight into right-of-way management ordinances, including design manuals, plats, right-of-way dedications, sidewalk vendors and cafes, dockless mobility issues, robot deliveries, utility placement, and a discussion about utility easements vs. right-of-way.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

How the courts have expanded property owner exactions and regulatory takings protections.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Explore the challenges with emerging technologies that may outpace code development. Topics include examples from 3D printing concrete and advances in low carbon materials.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Trustees of special needs trusts have unique considerations when purchasing and owning real property. Learn about the pros and cons of owning real estate in a trust.

Includes: Video Audio Paper

THIS MONTH: ChatGPT Ethics • On The Road Again: Legal Issues with Music Touring • Arbitration is NOT Litigation • Leasing and Real Estate Issues - Are We Prepared for the Office Apocalypse? • Leasing and Real Estate Issues - Are We Prepared for the Office Apocalypse? • What You Need to Know About the Corporate Transparency Act

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Does your ranch-owning client plan to liquidate it at death or keep it in the family for generations to come? Learn key planning ideas to deal with this Texas estate planning icon.

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