eCourses

Session 1: Texas Privacy Law Update -  This update provides insight into enforcement priorities of the Office of the Texas Attorney General’s new Data Privacy and Enforcement Division for recently effective data privacy and data broker laws. Hear an in-depth discussion on the practical and risk ranked steps to take for compliance with these new laws both from a regulatory standpoint and an in-house standpoint. Session 2:  Taking Stock After Purdue Pharma -  Discuss the state of third-party releases, channel injunctions, exculpations, and other issues in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Purdue Pharma. Session 3: Anti-SLAPP Case Study: Dealing with Defamation, Business Disparagement, and Social Media  - 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. Session 4: When Lawyers Make the News: It’s Not About You. It’s About Your Client. - With the guidance provided by the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct, the Texas Lawyer’s Creed, and existing ethics opinions, this presentation focuses on ethical considerations lawyers often face when handling cases that make the news and will offer practical guidance on avoiding common pitfalls that arise when your case makes the spotlight. Consider lessons learned from stories and examples of lawyers who themselves made headlines and faced legal trouble for ethical lapses in the scope of client representation.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 1: The Aftermath of Recent Strikes - The contract updates and legal issues that resulted from the WGA and SAG AFTRA strikes. Session 2: Update on Conflicts of Interest - 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. Session 3: When Lawyers Make the News: It’s Not About You. It’s About Your Client. - With the guidance provided by the Texas Rules of Professional Conduct, the Texas Lawyer’s Creed, and existing ethics opinions, this presentation focuses on ethical considerations lawyers often face when handling cases that make the news and will offer practical guidance on avoiding common pitfalls that arise when your case makes the spotlight. Consider lessons learned from stories and examples of lawyers who themselves made headlines and faced legal trouble for ethical lapses in the scope of client representation.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

THIS MONTH: Anti-SLAPP Case Study: Dealing with Defamation, Business Disparagement, and Social Media  • ​Your Hearing/Deposition Will Be “Remote” But You Can’t Be “Distant” • RWI Update and Negotiating an RWI Policy for Your Deal • Oil & Gas in Estate Planning and Probate • Artificial Intelligence as a Core Competency: An Ethics Lens

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) Update on Conflicts of Interest (Replay) 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. Dennis P. Duffy, Kane Russell Coleman & Logan PC - Houston, TX (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics) Special Needs Trusts Ethics Jeopardy (Replay) 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. Mary Alice Jackson, Boyer & Boyer P.A. - Sarasota, FL Bryn A. Poland, Mayo & Poland PLLC - Baytown, TX (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics) Privacy, Cyber, and Ethical Challenges of Data Governance (Replay) Learn about the challenges faced by in-house and outside counsel in harmonizing ethical practices and privacy compliance in data governance programs as new technologies continuously change the way data can be collected and used. Kristy Sambor, SailPoint Technologies - Austin, TX Ken Suh, Troutman Pepper Locke - Chicago, IL (0.50 hr | 0.50 hr ethics) Artificial Intelligence as a Core Competency: An Ethics Lens (Replay) 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. Wesley Nute, Walsh Gallegos Treviño Kyle & Robinson, P.C. - Irving, TX

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

A discussion of recent electioneering litigation, including a review of various legal issues that school district officials must navigate when speaking with their communities about school funding, budget shortfalls, and other matters of public concern.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

School district employees are presenting increased cases of anxiety, depression and stress-related conditions. Hear a school district general counsel and teacher association attorney present their perspective on how to navigate the intersection of mental health in the context of reasonable accommodation under the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

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

If a school loses a special education due process hearing, the parent’s attorney’s fees can potentially cost a school more than $100,000 in federal court. Look at parent’s entitlement to attorney’s fees, methods to reduce the fee amount, and the availability of attorney’s fees to schools that prevail.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Examine the call for cellphone bans in schools, challenges faced and the impact on the school environment.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Hear an update on Commissioner of Education decisions from the past year.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Address the legal requirements for safety and security personnel, ways that school districts can achieve compliance through school marshal or guardian plans, through contracting with outside law enforcement agencies, or by creating their own police departments. Discuss the different legal and practical considerations for each strategy, including entity and individual liabilities for those involved.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Cyber threat actors are increasingly targeting school districts. Review mandatory data breach notification laws as well as common cyber insurance policy provisions that require due diligence and prompt action by school officials.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

The school nurse in the state of Texas has autonomy and responsibilities that stem from a myriad of laws, regulations and policies that arise outside of the education law setting, but that necessarily must overlap and interact with education laws and policies. Explore information of which the school law attorney should be aware when advising client school districts regarding their expectations regarding what the school nurse can, should and must do as well as where the lines are drawn between oversight and overstepping.

Includes: Video Audio Paper 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

Focus on the district’s obligations to their students and teachers when a special needs student causes harm to a teacher. Through a series of scenarios, explore both what is required and best practices to keep districts in compliance while also respecting the needs and safety concerns of teachers.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Discuss the current legal and practice landscape relating to bullying and harassment, and share updates and resources regarding the most effective ways to identify, prevent, and intervene in these harms in schools. Through an interactive case study, explore ways to build safe and welcoming school climates where bullying and harassment are addressed proactively and where every student and adult feels they belong.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Review the current bills being considered by the 89th Legislature and speculate about whether they will become law.

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

No two Voting Rights Act lawsuits are alike. Each case requires unique analysis of the community subject to the suit. A few landmark cases in 2023 and 2024 added to this complexity. Cover the basics of Section 2 claims under the Voting Rights Act, and explain changes in the law as a result of Petteway and other recent decisions.

Includes: Video Audio 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