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) How to Avoid Malpractice in a Post-Pandemic Legal World 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 (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 (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) What Texas Lawyers Need to Know About Human Rights Considerations in Connection to Mega Sports Events (Replay) In 2026 the U.S. jointly with Canada and Mexico are hosting the FIFA World Cup. Houston and Dallas are the two Texan cities that will be hosting games. According to FIFA regulations as part of the bidding process, host countries and Host Cities were required to commit, amongst other things, to their obligations under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and to develop respective strategies. Now, each city has to engage in the phase of human rights due diligence for the tournament, focusing on enhanced stakeholder engagement and the development of a achievement framework for the Host Cities. This presentation explains the human rights due diligence, the human rights framework applicable and the potential areas for legal work. Ariel E. Dulitzky, The University of Texas School of Law, Austin, TX

Includes: Video Paper Slides

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.

Includes: Video 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

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) 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 Dominique Baldwin, Haynes Boone, LLP, Houston, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics)            Deal Ethics (Replay)            A discussion on a number of ethical issues that come up in an M&A practice, including whether the same firm can represent two bidders for the                   same target, other conflicts of interest, the no-contact rule, managing the lawyer’s duty for truthfulness and protecting the client’s privilege.                       David I. Albin, Finn Dixon & Herling LLP, Stamford, CT                       Nathaniel L. Doliner, Carlton Fields, Tampa, FL                       Robert R. Kibby, Munsch Hardt Kopf & Harr, P.C.,  Dallas, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Setting Boundaries with Clients and Colleagues (Replay) Using mindset mastery practices to improve attorney wellness by setting boundaries in your work. Kiele Linroth Pace, Pacefirm Consulting, LLC, Austin, TX

Includes: Video Audio Slides

THIS MONTH: Contracting with Third-Party Vendors: Top Risk and Privacy Law Considerations • IRAs In Estate Planning, or Trust Me, I'm an EDB for RMDs After the RBD • Beating the Expert • Running Your Law Firm as a Business • The Unruly 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) The Grievance Process and Most Common Violations The presentation is intended to provide general information regarding the amendments made to the grievance process in 2018, the proper way to respond to a grievance identifying attorney misconduct, and common problems to avoid in practice. Nicole E. Jackson, Rosenblatt Law Firm - San Antonio, TX   (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics) A Lawyer's Duty in a Democracy Under Attack (Replay) An examination of lawyers' duty to support the Constitution and democratic principles when they are being challenged.  Michael Curry, Attorney-Mediator - Austin, TX (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Sign Right Here (Replay) A survey of provisions for your attorney client agreements from “must haves” to “optional” clauses. Claude E. Ducloux, Attorney at Law - Austin, TX (0.50 hr | 0.50 hr ethics) The "Difficult" Clients (Replay) Explore how to define, spot, course correct and terminate “difficult” clients and client relationships. John B. Henry III, Law Office of John B. Henry, III, PLLC - Bellaire, TX

Includes: Video Paper Slides

The presentation is intended to provide general information regarding the amendments made to the grievance process in 2018, the proper way to respond to a grievance identifying attorney misconduct, and common problems to avoid in practice.

Includes: Video Paper Slides

In today’s competitive legal landscape, it’s no longer enough to simply hang your shingle and get by on the broad scope of subjects you studied for the Bar. To thrive as a lawyer, you must understand how to properly run your law firm. You may not be a business lawyer, but all lawyers need to know how to run their business. This CLE seminar provides you with valuable insights, practical strategies, and actionable takeaways to elevate your law firm’s performance and profitability.

Includes: Video Paper Slides

Session 1: When is Ticketing Like Pork Bellies? Current Legislation on Speculative Tickets and Resale Royalties - Explore selected state and federal ticketing legislation, with focus on solutions proposed to the Georgia Legislature to protect consumers, artists and venues from predatory resellers and business practices. Session 2: Coexisting with Creative: Primer On Advertising Law - “Advertising law” refers to the areas of the law that govern businesses’ communications to customers. Advertising law combines concepts from legal disciplines such as intellectual property, consumer protection, First Amendment, entertainment, communications, privacy and commercial transactions. In this presentation we introduce some of the primary legal concerns in advertising, including clearance, substantiation and special considerations for digital marketing and adtech. Session 3: Job Duties: Ethical Challenges in the Attorney-Paralegal Relationship - This session reviews common ethical pitfalls in the attorney-paralegal relationship, including avoiding inadvertent breaches of confidentiality and the unauthorized practice of law. 

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

THIS MONTH: Reflections on the U.S. Supreme Court • Will Robot Lawyers Steal Our Jobs, and Can They do the Job Ethically? • Developing a Winning Deposition Strategy • Sunshine and Cyber Insurance • How to Cultivate a Better Workplace

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 1: The Duty of Technology Competence - Understand the importance of technology competence for your practice and the ethical obligations to be competent. Explore the current landscape and recent decisions in this area, as well as common problem areas for attorneys. Session 2: Conducting Cost-Effective E-Discovery and the Use of Technology Assisted Review (TAR) - Examine how technology-based processes, specifically technology assisted review (TAR), can be cost-effective and efficient solutions for e-discovery in litigation. This session highlights situations where TAR is often the preferred tool over attorney review and flags times that it is not, and discusses how to address contentious issues that may arise in TAR-related negotiations with opposing counsel. Session 3: Social Media Hot Topics - Should social media platforms be civilly liable for the content that their users post? Is the content moderation on platforms like Facebook and Twitter subject to statutes like those passed in Florida and Texas? Come hear the latest on these issues currently before the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as other cutting edge topics in social media - like service of process via social media and even NFTs, the evidentiary value of emoji and memes, and the limits on how lawyers can ethically respond to online criticism.  Session 4: Communication - Attorneys have a duty to keep client communication secure. Get practical tips on conducting communication with the courts or with opposing counsel, as well email filtering and its impacts on communication including filing deadlines, etc. Session 5: Cybersecurity and Protecting Against Cyber Scams - An informative program about the legal standards that govern a compliant cybersecurity program as well as an update about the ethical duty of technology competence that affects all Texas lawyers. Session 6: Will Robot Lawyers Steal Our Jobs, and Can They do the Job Ethically? - As artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT and others have entered the legal sphere, questions naturally arise as to the extent to which AI can satisfactorily complete legal tasks. AI is being widely used for everything from legal research to the drafting of contracts snd pleadings to even assisting with jury selection. But can “robot lawyers” truly replace their human counterparts? This program examines not only the ways in which AI is impacting the legal profession, but also the multiple ethical dimensions of AI use - from our duty of tech competence to our duty to supervise non-lawyers.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

THIS MONTH: Client Selection, Contracts and Handling Complaints • Religious Accommodation: A Conflict of Rights • Affordable Housing: Land Use Regulation to Increase and Preserve Affordable Housing  • Demonstrating Value as a Law Department: KPIs and Metrics • Joint Ventures Between Business Entities

Includes: Video Audio Slides

Session 1: Client Selection, Contracts and Handling Complaints - 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. Session 2: Protecting Privilege? The Evolving Role of Attorney-Client Privilege in Cybersecurity Incidents and Responses - This session analyzes the advantages and limitations of including outside counsel during incident response. Session 3: Tales from Trial: The Boeing Case is Shot Down - Defense attorneys for the Boeing test pilot, the only individual indicted in connection with the Boeing 737 Max crashes, discuss details of the trial and their successful defense strategy. Session 4: Employee Mental Health: What Response is Required - In the aftermath of COVID and with increased visibility of mental health issues, districts must consider a more holistic plan for addressing the concerns related to employee well-being. This session combines a discussion of the legal requirements of dealing with employee mental health challenges along with best practices in prevention and intervention.

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) Will Robot Lawyers Steal Our Jobs, and Can They do the Job Ethically? John G. Browning, Rockwall, 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)  Approaches to Privilege During Deposition Breaks (REPLAY) In an age of Zoom depositions, it is more important than ever to understand that different jurisdictions take different approaches the question of privilege during deposition breaks, with some disallowing any privilege at all once the deposition commences and others taking a more nuanced approach. Join Jason Boulette as he explores these different approaches, what they share in common, and where they differ sharply. Jason Boulette, Boulette Golden & Marin L.L.P. - Austin, TX

Includes: Video Paper Slides

Includes: Video

THIS MONTH: Geopolitics and Extreme Weather Impacts on the Energy Markets • Bow Your Head and Play: A Discussion on Kennedy v. Bremerton • Sign Right Here: A Survey of Provisions for Your Attorney-Client Agreements • Defensive Documentation from Hiring to Firing • Estate Tax: Best Strategies for Estates and Gifts Leading Up to 2026

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) The Duty of Technology Competence (REPLAY) John G. Browning, Rockwall, TX   (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) What to Do if Your Client is Misbehaving (REPLAY) Bradley A. Jackson, The University of Texas School of Law - Houston, TX Scott Rothenberg, Law Offices of Scott Rothenberg - Bellaire, TX   (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Conflicts of Interest: You Can’t Be Everyone’s Best Friend…or their Lawyer (REPLAY) Claude E. Ducloux, Attorney at Law - Austin, TX

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 1: 23 & Me: The Downside of Sharing Your DNA - With the proliferation of Ancestory.com and 23 & Me, people are more curious than ever before about their biological family members, both living and deceased. For people of significant wealth, this can cause problems if someone “out of the blue” claims a right to wealth or inheritance. Using lessons learned from an actual case, this presentation provides tips and best practices for drafting a will and trust to avoid problems, outlines what happens if someone, particularly a high-net-worth individual, dies with or without a trust or will, and describes the expense, both monetarily and relationally, involved in fighting this type of claim. Session 2: Managing Your Workforce in an Age of Mobility, Flexibility and Generational Shifts - Explore the legal, compliance, and employee relations challenges nonprofits are facing as employees become increasingly dispersed both in terms of geography and expectations, including challenges associated with the rise of remote work, the availability of viable alternatives to traditional employment, and the seemingly growing call for a new understanding of the role of work in life. Session 3: Top Things to Consider When Terminating a Trust - Terminating trusts can, and should, be done for a number of reasons in a variety of different circumstances. This presentation is going to help you identify those situations, guide you through important considerations when doing so, and provide you with some of the tools you may need. Session 4:  Patent License Issues from the In-House Perspective - Key considerations in several common patent transaction models. The RPX patent aggregation and licensing model. Patent issues in IP agreements include indemnity clauses, limits of liability, IP ownership issues, and forum selection clauses. Session 5: Setting Boundaries with Clients and Colleagues - Using mindset mastery practices to improve attorney wellness by setting boundaries in your work.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides

Session 1: Ted Lasso Ethics - Five lessons lawyers should learn from Ted Lasso.   Session 2: NiFTy Uses of NFTs and Other Emerging Technology for Cybersecurity - Blockchains, cryptocurrency, and non-fungible tokens are all components of the metaverse. Explore the use of private and public blockchains, NFTs, and other “metaversal” technologies as part of an information security program as well as cybersecurity considerations that organizations should keep in mind when deploying these technologies.   Session 3: Student Loans - Gain insight into the constantly shifting student loan legislative landscape.   Session 4: Small Crimes and Misdemeanors Related to Aging, Dementia, or Mental Health Issues - A roadmap for attorneys who counsel clients and their families seeking practical resolution of these matters. Session 5: Website Accessibility Lawsuits - The ADA requires that websites be accessible to those with disabilities. Hear what “accessibility” means for websites and the legal theories behind such suits, and take away effective strategies for dealing with a claim against your client. Session 6: What to Do When You Receive a Threat of Legal Malpractice - A presentation on the considerations and steps to take when you are threatened with a legal malpractice claim. A discussion of things you should and should not do or say.

Includes: Video Audio Paper Slides