eCourses

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

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

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

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

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

Session 01: Case Summaries: Supreme Court Decisions from the Last Three Years - Recent Interesting Supreme Court Cases Session 02: Case Summaries: Fifth Circuit and District Court Opinions - Review and analysis of recent consumer bankruptcy law opinions issued by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and District Courts in Texas.  Session 03: Case Summaries: Bankruptcy Court Opinions - Listen to a survey of the most important cases that have come out of Bankruptcy and District Courts within the last 12 months. Session 04: View from the Court of Appeals - Keynote presentation delivered by Hon. Jennifer Walker Elrod, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit Session 05: Judicial Panel - Hear a panel of judges from across the state respond to your frequently—and sometimes infrequently—asked questions.

Includes: Video Audio Paper

Has Judgment Day come? Is Skynet about to destroy humanity? Nah…not yet. Until our computer overlords take charge, Generative AI can be a helpful new tool for sorting through the vast amounts of data and knowledge on the Internet. Walk through the basics of using Generative AI and hear some pointers on how you can make it work for you and your practice. 

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Session 1: Midstream 101: A Primer on Understanding Midstream Contracts and Identifying Key Issues - Explore midstream transactions and the contracts commonly utilized in the industry to gather, transport, and process oil and gas. Work through commercial and regulatory considerations and key issues when drafting midstream contracts. Session 2: The Oil and Gas Lease, Part I: Classification, Scope of Grant and Duration - An in-depth focus on how an oil and gas lease is classified in law and on the key clauses of the lease. Session 3: The Oil and Gas Lease, Part II: The Royalty Clause in an Oil and Gas Lease - In Texas, the calculation of the royalty obligation created under an oil and gas lease is determined by looking at the specific language contained in the royalty clause. Royalty terms in the lease such as "market value at the well" or "amount realized" establish how the royalty payor must measure and calculate royalty, and what post​-production costs can be allocated to the lessor interest. This presentation reviews some of the principal phrases used to describe such obligations and how the Texas courts have interpreted them, and examine​s how that same language has been interpreted differently in other jurisdictions. It analyze​s the impact of division and transfer orders and royalty payment statutes on royalty obligations contained in the lease. Session 4: The Oil and Gas Lease, Part III: Implied Covenants - Examination of the law of implied covenants, including the duties imposed, elements necessary to establish a claim, and remedies and defenses available. Session 5: The Oil and Gas Lease, Part IV: Other Clauses - Review other clauses in an oil and gas lease, including surface use clauses and riders, retained acreage and proportionate reduction clauses, and savings clauses such as continuous operations, dry hole, force majeure, and shut-in gas royalty clauses. Session 6: Emerging and Re-Emerging Issues in the Use of Surface for Oil and Gas Operations - Explore the nature and extent of the implied easement to use the surface, and a framework for analyzing the accommodation doctrine. Also hear a survey of emerging and re-emerging issues involving conflicting uses of the surface estate, including conflicts with renewable projects, saltwater disposal operations, sand mining, and subsurface easements. Session 7: The 2015 AAPL Form 610 JOA – How to Complete It and Live With It - A checklist and guide to filling in all of the blanks in the 2015 AAPL Joint Operating Agreement and drafting suggestions along with some suggested additional provisions. Session 8: Indemnity Provisions in MSAs: Texas vs. New Mexico - A practical review of the application of indemnity provisions in Texas vs. New Mexico. Session 9: Ethics for Lawyers and Landmen - 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

This presentation discusses which of the proposed Disciplinary Rules passed, the impact of those rules, and the important changes that lawyers can make to integrate those provisions in daily practice of law.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

A discussion of a debtor’s obligation to disclose and the problems caused by appreciation, increased income and after acquired property in chapter 13, chapter 7 and conversions. 

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Working remotely and virtual meetings are here to stay. This presentation provides practical suggestions for structuring engagement letters, addressing conflicts of interest, and safeguarding client communications across all mediums.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Bad guys (or gals) sometimes may be a debtor in a bankruptcy case. After debtor’s counsel learns about a client’s alleged criminal conduct, the feds might come calling. If your client is the target of a criminal investigation or indictment, you need to ensure that a bankruptcy case and criminal referral do not become so intertwined that the client would lose the protection of a fresh start and/or be successfully prosecuted for a bankruptcy crime.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Sanctions: How to get them or avoid them. Privileges: How to keep them or lose them.

Includes: Video Audio Paper

Session 01: Corporate Transparency Act Part 1: 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 02: Corporate Transparency Act Part 2: Ethical and Practical Considerations - Various ways to address the Corporate Transparency Act in the context of entity formation, continued operation and client communication.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Texas Lawyers voted in April to adopt 12 new Disciplinary Rules and a new Rule of Disciplinary Procedure. So, based upon the results, how should lawyers expect the practice to change? Is there anything we need to do or understand right away?

Includes: Video Audio Slides