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) 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

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

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

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

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

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

Session 1: Persuasive Oral Argument Techniques - Hear tips from two of Texas’s best on what to do in oral argument. Session 2: Requests from on High: Keeping In-House Counsel Out of Hot Water - One of internal counsel’s many functions is to avert problems for their employers. But sometimes in keeping their client away from the fire, they risk being singed. These concerns implicate challenging attorney-client privilege issues, clarity in communicating to employees and management who they represent, educating others about how to maintain confidentiality, engaging the right counsel and consultants for the proper purposes, and knowing when to stay away from direct interaction in depositions, mediations and regulator meetings and interactions, or when to interact directly. Session 3: 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 4: DOJ Hot Topics and Recent Developments - Panelists discuss recent enforcement trends by the DOJ and how announced priorities are playing out in the real world.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Legal and practical issues with ChatGPT and other forms of AI in the classroom.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

The potential for AI in the special needs community is truly life-changing. AI has the potential to significantly increase inclusivity and independence and to transform the way attorneys and advocates communicate and interact with clients with special needs.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

A discussion of new developments in the law of disability benefits, and of recent updates to this paper, that trustees of Special Needs Trusts need to know about.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

In The Trenches: The battle to establish and maintain Medicaid benefits happens not only at the law office, but also at the client's home, with financial planners, and corporate trustees. Gain insight into how parents, professionals, and family members protect and fight for Medicaid eligibility for the most vulnerable population, while focusing on the day-to-day care needs of the individual.

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Explore the ethical and practical challenges faced by school lawyers when school boards and their communities are divided due to ideological, political, social, and interpersonal conflicts. Examine the fundamental ethical issues of duty, loyalty, and confidentiality. Hear practical advice about staying above the fray and offering clients high quality service during times of discord.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Refresher on maintaining client confidences and other rules of professional conduct in a world influenced by social media.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 01: 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 02: 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 03: 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 04: Maximizing Public Benefits: Overview - Planning for public benefits can be daunting. This presentation walks attendees through the paper, with stops along the way for basics, practice tips, and hidden gems in the paper.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

States are passing Supported Decision-Making laws across the country to assist persons with disabilities to be more engaged in decision making that affects their lives and supports. Listen to a panel of practitioners who cover the basics of Supported Decision-Making and how to incorporate Supported Decision-Making concepts in a special needs trust. Also, explore challenges a trustee might encounter while working with a Supported Decision-Making agreement in meeting their fiduciary duties.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

What can a fictional soccer coach, goldfish, and biscuits teach us about attorney ethics? Lace up your cleats and find out.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Learn the various approaches to ensuring that clients with disabilities are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve and is ethically required. Gain insight on how to approach family members, clients, and other professionals as well as practical dos and don'ts when handling cases where the client has limitations.

Includes: Video Audio Paper

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) Practical Considerations and Implications of Generative AI (Replay) An overview of practical considerations and implications for the in-house use and governance of generative AI.   Emily Westridge Black, Shearman & Sterling LLP - Austin, TX Steven Gyeszly, Marathon Oil - Houston, TX Karl V. Hopkins, Bradley - Houston, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Mum’s the Word: Maintaining Client Confidentiality while Working from Anywhere and Everywhere (Replay) 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.  Jeff Chadwick, Winstead PC - The Woodlands, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Understanding the Changes to the Texas Disciplinary Rules in the 2024 Referendum The State Bar is holding a referendum from April 1-30 for the Bar to vote on 12 new and amended disciplinary rules. The presentation will discuss each of the proposed changes and additions to the rules. Robert L. Tobey, Johnston Tobey Baruch, P.C. - Dallas, TX

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

The State Bar is holding a referendum from April 1-30 for the Bar to vote on 12 new and amended disciplinary rules. The presentation will discuss each of the proposed changes and additions to the rules.

Includes: Video 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: Overview - Planning for public benefits can be daunting. This presentation walks attendees through the paper, with stops along the way for basics, practice tips, and hidden gems in the paper. 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: 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 - For trusts established with the assets of an individual on or after 01/01/00, the Social Security Administration follows specific policy regarding disbursements from the trust, earnings on and additions to the trust, and posteligibility changes in the trust’s resource status. This session provides a summary of the policy for trust principal that is not a resource and for trust principal that is a resource, including examples. Session 10: Masters of SNT—What I Know Now That I Wish I Had Known Back Then - Four of our most experienced SNT attorneys share what they have learned that they don’t usually talk about on microphones: how they have found the work they love; developed a passion for forms and systems; attracted and selected the best clients; built supportive and inspiring networks; and learned from their mistakes. 

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides