Materials

2025 Live Conference coming up Jun 12 in Austin. Info and registration »
2025 Materials expected available 3-5 weeks from conference date.

UT Law CLE's 35th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals – designed for advanced-level civil appellate practitioners – has earned a reputation as the premier program on appellate practice and procedure in Texas and is a must-attend event for Texas civil appellate practitioners.

UT Law CLE's 34th Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals – designed for advanced-level civil appellate practitioners – has earned a reputation as the premier program on appellate practice and procedure in Texas and is a must-attend event for Texas civil appellate practitioners. Topics include:   Practicing in the Fifth Circuit: A Few Things Attorneys Need to Know Interview with Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht Texas Supreme Court by the Numbers 2024 Ethics Referendum: What Passed, What Didn’t, and What Now? District Court Judges Panel Ethics Game Show Update on Appellate Rules Changes Effective Screening and Onboarding of New Appellate Clients Jury Charge Update AI and Appeals: Current Techniques, Ethical Issues, and Future Considerations Following the conference, attendees will receive a bonus eSupplement to ensure practitioners can earn their required 15.00/3.00 Texas MCLE hours for the year.

UT Law CLE's 2024 Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals features members of the Court of Criminal Appeals and judges from the intermediate courts around Texas joining prosecutors and defense attorneys for balanced discussions and insights into current issues facing the criminal justice system, including:  A review of significant decisions from both the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court from the past year. The Intersection of Science and the Law highlights the increasing importance of forensic science in the criminal justice system.  Participate in an interactive conversation with representatives from all sides of 11.07 writ litigation in Writ Panel. Hear practical advice from judges during two judicial panels; the Court of Appeals Judicial Panel and the Court of Criminal Appeals Judicial Panel. Explore legal writing, statutory interpretation, writing findings of fact, and more.  Join your colleagues and conference faculty at the Wednesday Evening Opening Reception co-sponsored by the Appellate Section of the State Bar of Texas and the Criminal Justice Section of the State Bar of Texas.   Following the conference, attendees will receive a bonus eSupplement containing an additional hours of MCLE to ensure that Texas practitioners can earn their required 15.00/3.00 MCLE hours for the year.

UT Law CLE's 33rd Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals – designed for advanced-level civil appellate practitioners – has earned a reputation as the premier program on appellate practice and procedure in Texas and is a must-attend event for Texas civil appellate practitioners.   2023 highlights include: Candid discussion among Texas Supreme Court Justices about what’s new at the Court, the state of the docket, and tips for practitioners. Review of recent opinions on the most interesting and important cases from the Texas Supreme Court, U.S. Supreme Court, and U.S. Fifth Circuit. Insight from Chiefs of the Courts of Appeals regarding the challenges and strategies of efficient case management in The Administration of Justice… Tips for how to make use of Under-Utilized Procedural Tools and learn Persuasive Oral Argument Techniques. 2.75 hours of ethics, including presentations on Socratic Rules of Engagement: A Model for Civil Discourse, Don’t Do It: Legal Temptations to Resist, the popular podcasters from Lawyers Behaving Badly, and Appeals from Sanctions Orders. Multiple networking opportunities to connect with fellow colleagues and members of the judiciary, including Thursday’s Evening Reception and Friday’s Luncheon with the Judiciary. Following the conference, attendees will receive a free, on-demand eSupplement that will bring their total available hours to 15.00, including 3.00 hours of ethics

UT Law CLE's 2023 Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals features members of the Court of Criminal Appeals and judges from the intermediate courts around Texas joining prosecutors and defense attorneys for balanced discussions and insights into current issues facing the criminal justice system, including: A review of significant decisions from both the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court from the past year. Gain insight into practical suppression issues on appeal and how to protect your record for appellate practice. Hear practical advice from judges during two judicial panels; the Court of Appeals Judicial Panel and the Court of Criminal Appeals Judicial Panel. Explore standards of review, writing findings of fact, statutory interpretation, and more.  Join your colleagues and conference faculty at the Wednesday Evening Opening Reception co-sponsored by the Criminal Justice Section of the State Bar of Texas and the ​Appellate Section of the State Bar of Texas.   Following the conference, attendees will receive a bonus eSupplement containing an additional hours of MCLE to ensure that Texas practitioners can earn their required 15.00/3.00 MCLE hours for the year.

UT Law CLE's 32nd Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals – designed for advanced-level civil appellate practitioners – has earned a reputation as the premier program on appellate practice and procedure in Texas and is a must-attend event for Texas civil appellate practitioners. 2022 highlights include: Candid discussion among Texas Supreme Court Justices, including Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht, about what’s new at the Court, the state of the docket, and tips for practitioners. Review of recent opinions on the most interesting and important cases from the Texas Supreme Court, U.S. Supreme Court, and U.S. Fifth Circuit. Insight and further analysis in What does the SCOTUS Shadow Docket Mean for Appellate Practitioners (and the country)? from Texas Law Professor Stephen Vladeck. Learn how clinics can enhance and serve an appellate practice in Get Schooled! Practice and Professional-Identity Lessons from Law School Clinics. 3.25 hours of ethics, including presentations on What Every Attorney Needs to Know About Cybersecurity, the always popular Ethics Game Show, Emergency Toolkit for Grievances and Sanctions Orders, and What Landry’s Means for Press Statements. Thursday evening’s Networking Reception and Friday afternoon’s traditional Luncheon with the Judiciary. Following the conference, attendees will receive a free, on-demand eCourse that will bring their total available hours to 15.00, including 3.00 hours of ethics.

UT Law CLE's 2022 Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals features members of the Court of Criminal Appeals and judges from the intermediate courts around Texas joining prosecutors and defense attorneys for balanced discussions and insights into current issues facing the criminal justice system, including: A review of significant decisions from both the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court from the past year. Advanced tips on brief writing and appellate practice. Insight from directly judges from both the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and different Courts of Appeals in the state. Practical tips for writ practice, writing findings of fact, statutory analysis, and more.  Speedy trial issues related to the pandemic. ** NEW THIS YEAR! Join your colleagues and conference faculty at the Wednesday Evening Opening Reception.   Following the conference, attendees will receive a bonus eSupplement containing an additional hours of MCLE to ensure that Texas practitioners can earn their required 15.00/3.00 MCLE hours for the year.

UT Law CLE's 31st Annual Conference on State and Federal Appeals – designed for advanced-level civil appellate practitioners – has earned a reputation as the premier program on appellate practice and procedure in Texas and is a must-attend event for Texas civil appellate practitioners. 2021 highlights include: Candid discussion among Texas Supreme Court Justices about what’s new at the Court, the state of the docket, and tips for practitioners. Review recent opinions from the Texas Supreme Court, U.S. Supreme Court, and U.S. Fifth Circuit on stays, supersedeas judgments, and preserving appellate complaints. Tips and considerations for conducting your practice virtually in Pandemic Preservation: Practice Tips for Preserving Error Before, During, and After COVID-19. Looking back at Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s work, life, family, and the pursuit of justice in Law Clerk Reminiscences of Working with RBG. 2.75 hours of ethics, including presentations on Meet the Press, What Should Be in Your Appellate Representation Agreement, Recovering Appellate Attorney’s Fees, and the return of Ethics Jeopardy.   Following the webcast, attendees will receive a free, on-demand eSupplement that will bring their total available hours to 15.00, including 3.00 hours of ethics.

UT Law CLE's 2021 Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals is coming to you virtually again this year! This essential event continues to feature members of the Court of Criminal Appeals and judges from the intermediate courts around Texas joining prosecutors and defense attorneys for balanced discussions and insights into current issues facing the criminal justice system. This year’s conference includes: In-depth reviews of significant decisions from both the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court from the past year. Tips for writ practice, including best practices for litigating an 11.07 from both the prosecution and defense perspectives. Guidance for effective and persuasive appellate advocacy, from the prosecution, defense, and judicial perspectives. Practical tips to advance your brief writing, including structure, issue spotting, and anticipating what appellate judges want to see. Information on a range of key concerns, including issues in PDRs, findings of fact, statutory analysis, preservation of error, and more. An exploration of the ethical dimensions of ineffective assistance of counsel and prosecutorial misconduct claims. The popular Court of Appeals Judicial Panel, as well as Ethics for Criminal Lawyers. Following the conference, attendees will receive a bonus eSupplement containing an additional 2.25 hours of MCLE (including 1.00 hours of ethics) to ensure practitioners can earn their required 15.00/3.00 MCLE hours for the year.

UT Law CLE's Conference on State and Federal Appeals – designed for advanced-level civil appellate practitioners – has earned a reputation as the premier program on appellate practice and procedure in Texas and is a must-attend event for Texas civil appellate practitioners. 2020 highlights include: Candid discussion among Texas Supreme Court Justices, including Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht, about what’s new at the Court, the state of the docket, and tips for practitioners. Updates on recent opinions from the Texas Supreme Court, U.S. Supreme Court, and Fifth Circuit on contract issues, attorney’s fees, advanced personal jurisdiction, and certification. Tips for using visuals to transform briefs and writing effective replies, in addition to the findings included in the 2020 Texas Appellate Judicial Survey. Insight into Preparing for and Delivering an Effective Appellate Argument from Michael Dreeben, O’Melveny & Myers LLP, Washington, DC. 2.50 hours of ethics, including presentations on Standards for Appellate Conduct and the always popular Ethics Game Show. Following the conference, attendees will receive a bonus eSupplement containing up to an additional 2.00 hours of MCLE (including 0.50 hour of ethics) to ensure practitioners can earn their full 15.00/3.00 Texas MCLE hours for the year!

UT Law CLE's 2020 Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals will be live online on May 6, 2020! Due to the suspension of all in-person events this spring, we have modified this year’s agenda to bring you a one-day, live virtual conference online, with presentations featuring members of the Court of Criminal Appeals and judges from the intermediate courts around Texas, plus prosecutors and defense attorneys, for balanced discussions and insights into current issues facing the criminal justice system. This year’s virtual conference includes: In-depth review of significant decisions from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals from the past year. Real world tips, suggestions and insights for litigating writ claims at every step in the process, from preliminary investigation, to trial court, to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, with Practical Tips from Writ Litigators. Insight into the digital revolution with Appellate Practice in the Digital Age. Legal writing tips and tricks with How to Write Plainly, with Professor Wayne Schiess. Registrants can fulfill their entire annual MCLE requirement in Texas and earn up to 15.00 hrs /3.00 hrs ethics for the year. Earn up to 7.50 hours of MCLE credit (including 0.50 hours of ethics) during the live virtual conference on May 6th. Plus, receive a bonus eSupplement containing an additional 7.50 hours of MCLE (including 2.50 hours of ethics) to complete your annual requirement on your time.

UT Law's Conference on State and Federal Appeals – designed for advanced-level civil appellate practitioners – has earned a reputation as the premier program on appellate practice and procedure in Texas and is a must-attend event for Texas civil appellate practitioners. 2019 Highlights include: Candid discussion among Texas Supreme Court Justices, including Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht, about what’s new at the Court, the state of the docket, and tips for practitioners. A View from the Court of Appeals, featuring Hon. Richard F. Hightower, First Court of Appeals (Houston, TX), Hon. Amanda L. Reichek, Fifth Court of Appeals (Dallas, TX), and Hon. Gisela D. Triana, Third Court of Appeals (Austin, TX). Deep dives into Governmental Immunity Under State Law and The Evolving Law of Federal Official Immunity, along with engaging discussion of Compensatory Damages on Appeal and the looming threat of The Dicta Plague Insight into Indeliberate Practice: How the Business of Law Will Make You Mediocre (If You Let It) with Kendall M. Gray, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP Examination of the effective (and ineffective) use of appellate lawyers during and immediately after trial with Hon. Barbara M. G. Lynn, U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas (Dallas, TX) and Hon Daryl L. Moore, 333rd District Court (Houston, TX) Friday afternoon’s traditional Luncheon with the Judiciary, to connect with members of the state and federal judiciary, and Thursday evening’s Networking Reception to connect with familiar and new colleagues Attendees also receive a bonus eSupplement after the conference, affording them the opportunity to earn their full 15.00/3.00 Texas MCLE credit hours for the year!  

UT Law CLE's 2019 Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals features members of the Court of Criminal Appeals and judges from the intermediate courts around Texas joining prosecutors and defense attorneys for balanced discussions and insights into current issues facing the criminal justice system. 2019 highlights include: In-depth reviews of significant decisions from both the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court from the past year. Guidance on working with conviction integrity units, filing and responding to ineffective assistance of counsel claims, and preparing for oral argument. Practical advice on Effective and Persuasive Briefing from both sides of the bar, along with tips from UT Law’s Professor Wayne Schiess for achieving concision in all your drafting. A deep dive into the Michael Morton Act, including the nuts and bolts of changing discovery obligations and their intersection with obligations under Brady and the Disciplinary Rules. The opportunity to earn 12.75 hours of MCLE credit (including 1.50 hours of ethics) while networking with your fellow practitioners and members of the judiciary. Following the conference, attendees will receive a bonus eSupplement containing an additional 2.25 hours of MCLE (including 1.50 hours of ethics) to ensure practitioners can earn their required 15.00/3.00 MCLE hours for the year.

UT Law's Conference on State and Federal Appeals – designed for advanced-level civil appellate practitioners – has earned a reputation as the premier program on appellate practice and procedure in Texas and is the annual gathering of state and federal appellate judges. Now in its 28th year, this conference is a must-attend event for Texas civil appellate practitioners. Highlights include: A Networking Reception on Thursday evening to connect with colleagues and members of the judiciary – new this year! Candid discussion among Texas Supreme Court Justice Paul W. Green, Justice Eva Guzman, and Justice James “Jimmy” Blacklock about what’s new at the Court, the state of the docket, and tips for practitioners. Insight into How the Supreme Court of Texas Operates Today, including what practitioners and their clients need to know about changes to the Court’s internal procedures. A survey of the precedent on Rule 91(a) Dismissals and Appeals and tips for trial-court and appellate practice. Guidance on effective Oral Argument from Both Sides, with perspective from Hon. William J. Boyce, Fourteenth Court of Appeals, Houston, TX, and Robert M. "Randy" Roach Jr., Roach & Newton, L.L.P., Houston, TX. Friday afternoon’s traditional Luncheon with the Judiciary, where attendees can engage in relaxed conversation with members of the state and federal judiciary. Also new this year, attendees will receive a bonus eCourse after the conference, affording them the opportunity to earn their full 15.0/3.0 Texas MCLE credit hours for the year!

UT Law's 2018 Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals features members of the Court of Criminal Appeals and judges from the intermediate courts around Texas joining prosecutors and defense attorneys for discussions on current issues facing the criminal justice system.   Highlights include: Tips on Avoiding the Dreaded Non-Compliant “White Card” with a step-by-step walk through of TRAP Rule 73 and 11.07 habeas application compliance. Analysis of legislative and rule changes affecting appellate practitioners, including HB34. Legal writing tips and tricks with Six (or More) Techniques for Readable, Persuasive Sentences and How to Improve Your Brief Writing. Guidance on how to prosecute and defend motions for a new trial from both sides of the aisle. Insight into Maintaining Your Credibility in Court, with discussion of creativity versus credibility and how to zealously advocate for your client without falling on your face. Reviews of significant decisions from both the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. Updates on Brady case law and its associated ethical provisions, and an examination of significant decisions handed down since the Michael Morton Act. The opportunity to earn 13.25 hours of MCLE (including 2.25 hours of ethics) while networking with your fellow practitioners and members of the judiciary. Following the conference, attendees will receive a bonus eCourse containing an additional 1.75 hours of MCLE (including 0.75 hours of ethics) to ensure practitioners can earn their required 15.0/3.0 MCLE hours for the year.

UT Law's Conference on State and Federal Appeals, designed for advanced-level civil appellate practitioners, has earned a reputation as the premier program on appellate practice and procedure in Texas and is the annual gathering of state and federal appellate judges. Now in its 27th year, this conference is a must-attend event for Texas civil appellate practitioners.   2017 highlights include: The Ethics of Social Media, with John G. Browning, Passman & Jones, David Lat, Above the Law, and Justice Don R. Willett, Supreme Court of Texas Experienced perspective on what makes for great Appellate Advocacy, with David M. Gunn, Beck Redden LLP, and Justice Stephen A. Higginson, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Practical tips on appellate court practices from current staff attorneys in Pulling Back the Curtain (a Bit) Candid discussion among Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht, Justice Eva Guzman, and Justice Jeff Brown about what’s new at the Court, the state of the docket, and tips for practitioners The Ethics Apprentice, hosted by Judge Daryl L. Moore, 333rd District Court, during which ambitious appellate practitioners compete against one another as they struggle to answer ethics questions that savvy practitioners ought to know Updates on essential topics such as interlocutory appeals, harmful error, attorney fees, and rehearing en banc strategies Attendees also enjoy networking opportunities with judges and fellow colleagues during the conference, including Friday’s traditional Luncheon with the Judiciary.

UT Law's biennial Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals features members of the Court of Criminal Appeals and judges from the intermediate courts around Texas joining prosecutors and defense attorneys for discussions on current issues facing the criminal system. 2017 program highlights include: Significant decisions and updates from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and U.S. Supreme Court in the last year Emerging Issues in PDRs with Stacey Soule, Office of the State Prosecuting Attorney, and Gary Hart, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals An exploration of legal issues in actual innocence claims, with particular focus on false evidence leading to wrongful convictions and wrongful convictions based on invalid scientific testimony Techniques on writing effective briefs in Legal Writing: Clearly Using Intensifiers is Literally a Crime Investigating, developing, and prosecuting ineffective assistance of counsel claims in post-conviction litigation How to raise and defend disclosure issues in a post-Michael Morton Act world with Patricia Cummings, The Law Offices of Patricia Cummings, and Bill Wirskye, Collin County District Attorney's Office An examination of the ethical considerations facing attorneys in post-conviction representation with Hon. Michael Keasler, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

UT Law's Conference on State and Federal Appeals—designed for advanced-level civil appellate practitioners—has earned a reputation as the premier program on appellate practice and procedure in Texas and is the annual gathering of state and federal appellate judges. Now in its 26th year, this conference is a must-attend event for every Texas civil appellate practitioner.   2016 highlights include: Candid discussion among Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Nathan L. Hecht, Justice Phil Johnson, and Justice Debra H. Lehrman about what’s new at the Court, the state of the docket, and tips for practitioners Updates on appellate procedure (include dismissals under Rule 91a), disqualifications, and supersedeas bonds A review of the rapidly proliferating federal and state case law under the Texas Citizens’ Participation Act What You Don’t Know (But Need To) About the Fifth Circuit with the Honorable Gregg Costa and the Honorable Leslie H. Southwick A fresh perspective on legal ethics from Texas Supreme Court Judge Jeff Brown with Scout’s Honor: What the Boy Scout Law Teaches Us About Legal Ethics Networking opportunities with judges and fellow colleagues during the conference and at Friday’s traditional Luncheon with the Judiciary

UT Law's Conference on State and Federal Appeals—designed for advanced-level civil appellate practitioners—has earned a reputation as the premier program on appellate practice and procedure in Texas and is the annual gathering of state and federal appellate judges. Now in its 25th year, this conference is a must-attend event for every Texas civil appellate practitioner.   2015 highlights include: Chief Justice Nathan Hecht provides his perspectives on over 25 years on the Texas Supreme Court, as well as offers tips for practitioners Jerry D. Bullard provides the latest developments from the 84th Legislature Review recent updates in the current term from the Texas Supreme Court, Fifth Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court Ethics Three-Pack: Legal Malpractice, Client Confidentiality in the Digital Era, and Ethical and Effective Appellate Marketing Hon. Craig T. Enoch moderates a panel of four Texas Supreme Court Justices about administrative and procedural rule changes and cases to watch for in the upcoming year Learn about the dynamics of seeking and obtaining en banc review in the Fifth Circuit from Dana Livingston and U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Jennifer Walker Elrod Gain insight from Kurt Kuhn on what types of amicus briefs are having an impact on the Court Hear updates on governmental immunity, jury charges, interlocutory appeals, attorney fees, spoliation and sanctions, expert testimony, Texas civil procedure and personal jurisdiction Networking opportunities with judges and fellow colleagues during the conference and at Friday’s traditional Luncheon with the Judiciary

UT Law's biennial Robert O. Dawson Conference on Criminal Appeals features members of the Court of Criminal Appeals and judges from the intermediate courts around Texas joining prosecutors and defense attorneys for discussions on current issues facing the criminal system. 2015 program highlights include: Significant decisions and updates from the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and U.S. Supreme Court in the last year An overview of the law and procedures regarding Texas state writs from the perspective of the practitioner and the court Techniques on writing effective briefs due to the change in reading habits, workload and legal sophistication of the appellate judicial audience in the 21st century An appellate specialist with experience from both sides of the bench provides effective tips for oral argument Court of Appeals Judicial Panel Experts provide appellate tips from both sides of the criminal bar with tips on how to make briefs interesting and easier to understand without offending the opposing side Earn up to 2.50 hours of ethics including lessons learned from the Michael Morton case, scientific evidence and the popular Reel Legal Ethics, featuring ethical legal dilemmas depicted in various movie scenes