First Friday Ethics (July 2025)

STUDIO WEBCAST – Jul 11, 2025

10:00 a.m. to 1:35 p.m. (3.00 hr | 3.00 hr ethics)  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: 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics) Use of AI in Litigation (Replay) Understanding the basics of how AI works, the dangers and pitfalls with current AI technology, and ways AI can (or should not) be used in litigation. J. Hoke (Trey) Peacock III, Susman Godfrey LLP - Houston, TX 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics) When Lawyers Make the News: It’s Not About You. It’s About Your Client. (Replay) 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. Thomas P. Brandt, Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt & Kutchin, P.C. - Dallas, TX John Husted, Fanning Harper Martinson Brandt & Kutchin, P.C. - Dallas, TX 11:55 a.m. to 12:55 p.m. (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Who’s Your Client? (Replay) Identifying your client seems like a simple issue, but it is frequently complicated, particularly with organizational clients such as partnerships, LLCs, corporations or trusts, or even simply joint return filers. The client’s identity in turn bears on all sorts of ethical and practical issues, including conflicts, where your duties lie, how to advise organizational clients, protect client confidences and privileges, handle communications with others and common interest agreements, etc. Christopher S. Rizek, Holland & Knight - Washington, DC 1:05 p.m. to 1:35 p.m. (0.50 hr | 0.50 hr ethics) Updated Texas Disciplinary Rules: What You Should Know (Replay) New and amended disciplinary rules took effect in October 2024, adding a number of clarifications and additional provisions. Hear a summary of rule changes relevant to Texas practitioners. Olga Kobzar, Scott Douglass & McConnico LLP - Austin, TX   If you cannot watch the entire webcast at its scheduled time, register now and view the recording and eCourse when it is available in “Your Briefcase” after the webcast. Earn CLE credit (in TX and CA) on your time!

Previous Studio Webcasts Now Available On Demand

First Friday Ethics (December 2024)

STUDIO WEBCAST – Dec 6, 2024

10:00 a.m. to 1:20 p.m. (3.00 hr | 3.00 hr ethics)  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: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) State Bar Election Results and New Disciplinary Rules (Replay) 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 11:10 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Ethical Issues in Criminal Appeals Practice (Replay) Ethical representation is required at the appellate level as well as the trial level. Explore rules of ethics and situations specifically centered on appellate representation. Stephanie L. Stevens, St. Mary's University School of Law - San Antonio, TX 12:20 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Ethics: Officer of the Court (Replay) Explore the ethical obligations of attorneys as officers of the court, with a particular focus on the obligations of an attorney toward the bench. Jason Boulette, Boulette Golden & Marin L.L.P. - Austin, TX If you cannot watch the entire webcast at its scheduled time, register now and view the recording and eCourse when it is available in “Your Briefcase” after the webcast. Earn CLE credit (in TX and CA) on your time!

What Texas Lawyers Need to Know About the FTC Non-Compete Rule

STUDIO WEBCAST – Jun 14, 2024

10:45 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. (1.00 hr) What Texas Lawyers Need to Know About the FTC Non-Compete Rule Did the FTC really ban all non-competes? What kinds of restrictions are still allowed? What is a de facto non-compete? What happens to pending lawsuits? Will the federal courts block the rule? Is it retroactive? What are the exceptions? What should lawyers for employers do right now? Two specialists in Texas non-compete litigation will answer these and other burning questions about the FTC’s new non-compete rule.  Elisaveta (Leiza) Dolghih, Dolghih Law Group PLLC - Dallas, TX Zach Wolfe, Zach Wolfe Law Firm - Houston, TX   If you cannot watch the entire webcast at its scheduled time, register now and view the recording and eCourse when it is available in “Your Briefcase” after the webcast.  Earn CLE credit (in TX and CA) on your time!

How Does the Recent NLRB Memo Affect Texas Non-Competes? (Replay)

STUDIO WEBCAST – Oct 13, 2023

11:10 a.m. to 12:10 p.m. (1.00 hr) How Does the Recent NLRB Memo Affect Texas Non-Competes? (Replay) This presentation discusses the Memorandum GC-23-08 issued on May 30th that states, “except in limited circumstances, “the proffer, maintenance and enforcement” of non-compete provisions violates the NLRA because these agreements “reasonably tend to chill employees” in their exercise of Section 7 rights”. Suzanne Lehman Johnson, Lehman Johnson Law PLLC - Houston, TX Zach Wolfe, Zach Wolfe Law Firm - Houston, TX   If you cannot watch the entire webcast at its scheduled time, register now and view the recording and eCourse when it is available in “Your Briefcase” after the webcast.  Earn CLE credit (in TX and CA) on your time!

Reflections on the U.S. Supreme Court

STUDIO WEBCAST – Sep 6, 2023

2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. (1.00 hr) Reflections on the U.S. Supreme Court This presentation situates current debates over the Supreme Court—and potential reforms thereto—within a broader historical context. Stephen Vladeck, The University of Texas School of Law - Austin, TX   If you cannot watch the entire webcast at its scheduled time, register now and view the recording and eCourse when it is available in “Your Briefcase” after the webcast. Earn CLE credit (in TX and CA) on your time!

How Does the Recent NLRB Memo Affect Texas Non-Competes?

STUDIO WEBCAST – Aug 22, 2023

10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (1.00 hr) How Does the Recent NLRB Memo Affect Texas Non-Competes?  This presentation discusses the Memorandum GC-23-08 issued on May 30th that states, “except in limited circumstances, “the proffer, maintenance and enforcement” of non-compete provisions violates the NLRA because these agreements “reasonably tend to chill employees” in their exercise of Section 7 rights”. Suzanne Lehman Johnson, Lehman Johnson Law PLLC - Houston, TX Zach Wolfe, Zach Wolfe Law Firm - Houston, TX   If you cannot watch the entire webcast at its scheduled time, register now and view the recording and eCourse when it is available in “Your Briefcase” after the webcast.  Earn CLE credit (in TX and CA) on your time!

Essential Employment Law “Nuts and Bolts” (Live Webcast Replay)

STUDIO WEBCAST – Aug 22, 2023

12:00 p.m. to 4:55 p.m. CT (4.25 hr) Essential Employment Law “Nuts and Bolts” (Live Webcast Replay) This half-day live webcast replay cherry-picks some of the best material from our popular Essential Employment Law course, and provides the perfect overview of essential employment law for HR professionals and beginning employment lawyers: Employment-at-Will in Texas Wage and Hour Law and Common Mistakes Drafting Handbooks and Employment Policies Defensive Documentation from Hiring to Firing If you cannot watch the entire webcast at its scheduled time, register now and view the recording and eCourse when it is available in “Your Briefcase” after the webcast. Earn CLE credit (in TX and CA) on your time!

First Friday Ethics (August 2023)

STUDIO WEBCAST – Aug 4, 2023

11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (3.00 hr | 3.00 hr ethics)  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: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) AI and Effective Corporate Governance This discussion covers artificial intelligence (AI) fundamentals and business opportunities to utilize AI responsibly and strategically. The panelists also address corporate governance and compliance frameworks to enable boards and business leadership to proactively and effectively manage risks posed by AI. Regina Bynote Jones, Baker Hughes - Houston, TX Ryan D. McConnell, R. McConnell Group PLLC - Houston, TX Meagan Baker Thompson, R. McConnell Group PLLC - Austin, TX 12:10 p.m. to 1:10 p.m. (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Ethics: Can We Talk? (REPLAY) Jason Boulette, Boulette Golden & Marin L.L.P. - Austin, TX   1:20 p.m. to 1:50 p.m. (0.50 hr | 0.50 hr ethics)  Don’t Do It: Legal Temptations to Resist (REPLAY) This presentation is a reminder of the things lawyers are tempted to do, but the Rules of Professional Conduct, Standards of Appellate Conduct, and the good manners we were all raised on prevent. Hon. Tanya Garrison, 157th District Court - Houston, TX 2.00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. (0.50 hr | 0.50 hr ethics)  Securing Client Communication (REPLAY) Lisa Angelo, Angelo Law Firm PLLC - Houston, TX   If you cannot watch the entire webcast at its scheduled time, register now and view the recording and eCourse when it is available in “Your Briefcase” after the webcast. Earn CLE credit (in TX and CA) on your time!