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First Friday Ethics (June 2025)

STUDIO WEBCAST – Jun 6, 2025

10:00 a.m. to 1:15 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) Deep in the Heart of the Texas Business Courts: What Attorneys Need to Know (Replay) Hear the ins and outs of the new Texas Business Court, including its jurisdiction, its judges, and its unique procedures. Mitch Ackal, Gray Reed - Houston, TX Brock Niezgoda, Gray Reed - Houston, TX 11:05 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Developing an AI Governance Program (Replay) Practical guidance and considerations in developing and implementing governance around the internal use of AI. Emily Westridge Black, Shearman & Sterling LLP - Austin, TX Steven Gyeszly, Houston, TX 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Avoiding Burnout (Replay) Delve into the crucial importance of wellness and burnout prevention in the legal profession. Discover why safeguarding your well-being is essential for sustaining a successful and fulfilling legal career. Kiele Linroth Pace, Pacefirm Consulting, LLC - Austin, TX Michelle Fontenot, Texas Lawyers' Assistance Program - 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!

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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!

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Previous Studio Webcasts Now Available On Demand

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First Friday Ethics (March 2025)

STUDIO WEBCAST – Mar 7, 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) My Mind Has A Mind of Its Own: Why Even Good Lawyers Are Lured Into Unethical Behavior by the Way Their Brains Work (Replay) Modern behavioral psychology research has revealed that our brains lead us into behaviors that are inconsistent with logic, our own self-interest, and ethical principles. This presentation explains how scientifically identifiable justifications, rationalizations, and heuristics can present challenges in legal ethics. Kevin Dubose, Alexander Dubose & Jefferson LLP - Houston, TX 10:55 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics) Fixing Federal Tax Return Mistakes (Replay) Mistakes happen in tax. Fixing those mistakes usually gets harder as time goes by. This presentation surveys a range of potential options: rescission, tax elections including Section 9100 relief, amended returns, method changes, attribute redeterminations, and more. The presentation also highlights ethical obligations that arise when considering how to best address prior mistakes. Tom Greenaway, KPMG LLP - Boston, MA 11:55 a.m. to 12:55 p.m. (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 1:05 p.m. to 1:35 p.m. (0.50 hr | 0.50 hr ethics) Social Media, Ethics, and TMI: Why you won't be ROFL (Replay) Priscilla de Mata, Ysleta Isd - El Paso, 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!

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Deep in the Heart of the Texas Business Courts: What Attorneys Need to Know (Replay)

STUDIO WEBCAST – Dec 18, 2024

12:20 p.m. to 1:20 p.m. (1.00 hr) Deep in the Heart of the Texas Business Courts: What Attorneys Need to Know (Replay) Gray Reed litigators Mitch Ackal and Jeremy Walter team up with Gray Reed attorney and Texas State Rep. Jeff Leach, who played an instrumental role in developing the legislation that created these specialized courts, to share what they've learned since the September 1st opening of the Texas Business Courts. Hear the ins and outs of the new Texas Business Court, including its jurisdiction, its judges, and its unique procedures. With just one month of operations underway at the time of this presentation, this session also offers an analysis of any significant Court data that may be available. Mitch Ackal, Gray Reed, Houston, TX Jeff Leach, Texas House of Representatives, District 67, Allen, TX Jeremy Walter, Gray Reed, 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!

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Deep in the Heart of the Texas Business Courts: What Attorneys Need to Know

STUDIO WEBCAST – Oct 8, 2024

12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (1.00 hr) Deep in the Heart of the Texas Business Courts: What Attorneys Need to Know Gray Reed litigators Mitch Ackal and Jeremy Walter team up with Gray Reed attorney and Texas State Rep. Jeff Leach, who played an instrumental role in developing the legislation that created these specialized courts, to share what they've learned since the September 1st opening of the Texas Business Courts. Hear the ins and outs of the new Texas Business Court, including its jurisdiction, its judges, and its unique procedures. With just one month of operations underway at the time of this presentation, this session also offers an analysis of any significant Court data that may be available. Mitch Ackal, Gray Reed, Houston, TX Jeff Leach, Texas House of Representatives, District 67, Allen, TX Jeremy Walter, Gray Reed, 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!

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First Friday Ethics (September 2024)

STUDIO WEBCAST – Sep 6, 2024

9:30 a.m. to 12:50 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: 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Privileged Communications: Ethical Challenges and Best Practices for Tax Practitioners with Organizational Clients The question of whether and how the rules under Circular 230, which governs federal tax practice before the IRS, apply to in-house counsel is often raised. Join the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR), the IRS responsibility for oversight of practitioner, to learn about how in-house counsel may come within OPR’s jurisdiction, OPR's role, mission, and procedures, pertinent Circular 230 provisions applicable to in-house counsel and other practitioners, and OPR’s investigative and disciplinary processes. Also touch on procedures that should be put in place to ensure compliance with Circular 230 and other best practices.  Sharyn Fisk, Internal Revenue Service - Washington, DC 10:40 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) Ethical Concerns of AI and the Practice of Law (Replay) This presentation defines the state of artificial intelligence tools, what benefits and risks exist, and finally steps to begin embracing these technologies with appropriate guardrails, policies, and training. It is less likely that artificial intelligence will destroy industries, and much more likely that companies that embrace artificial intelligence will take overtake those companies that do not embrace artificial intelligence. Mark G. McCreary, Fox Rothschild LLP - Philadelphia, PA 11:50 a.m. to 12:50 p.m. (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   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!

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Final Decree as Blueprint for Mortgage Financing: Suggestions for Family Lawyers

STUDIO WEBCAST – Nov 7, 2023

11:10 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. (0.75 hr) Final Decree as Blueprint for Mortgage Financing The language in a final divorce decree can either pave the way to successful mortgage financing or impede the process, whether your client refis or buys. This course covers wording suggestions for best outcomes and also covers a few reasons why both parties should not be left on an existing mortgage after divorce. Brooke Benson, MiMutual Mortgage, Grapevine, 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!

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First Friday Ethics (October 2023)

STUDIO WEBCAST – Oct 6, 2023

10:00 a.m. to 1:30 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: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (1.00 hr | 1.00 hr ethics) AI and Effective Corporate Governance (Replay) 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 Jones, Baker Hughes - Houston, TX Ryan D. McConnell, R. McConnell Group PLLC - Houston, TX Meagan Baker Thompson, R. McConnell Group PLLC - Austin, TX 11:10 a.m. to 11:55 a.m. (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics) Requests from on High: Keeping In-House Counsel Out of Hot Water (Replay) 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. Joel Cohen, White & Case LLP - New York, NY 12:05 p.m. to 12:50 p.m. (0.75 hr | 0.75 hr ethics) Ethics on the Edge (Replay) Whether in-house or in private practice, technology lawyers increasingly find themselves counseling clients operating at or beyond the edge of what the law has contemplated—and sometimes with business models so “disruptive” they may even be illegal. Explore the ethics issues that come into play in such situations, through real-world examples of how experienced in-house lawyers have counseled their clients though high-risk innovation and legal uncertainty.   Christopher T. Brown, KASTNER/GRAVELLE LLP - Austin, TX Cara Connolly, Reality Labs at Meta - Austin, TX Catherine Dawson, AffiniPay - Austin, TX  1:00 p.m to 1:30 p.m. (0.50 hr | 0.50 hr ethics) Pro Bono Opportunities for Business Attorneys (Replay) Texas Accountants and Lawyers for the Arts (TALA) offers attorneys the opportunity to work with creatives, non-profits, and others who qualify based on their income on various legal issues such as entity formation, contracts, trademark/patent/copyright filings, and other general legal needs. An in depth discussion on these opportunities as well as give several examples of cases or matters handled by volunteer attorneys. Angela L. Lee, TALA - Austin, TX Adrian Resendez, Brough & Resendez PLLC - 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!

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Show Me the Money: Owelty Liens and Equity Buyouts in a Divorce

STUDIO WEBCAST – Sep 6, 2023

1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m. (0.75 hr) Show Me the Money: Owelty Liens and Equity Buyouts in a Divorce Many divorcing couples think selling the marital home and splitting the proceeds is 1) the only option or 2) the option that yields the most money. This course demonstrates why that’s not necessarily the case as it follows a fictitious couple through the thought process related to the marital residence. Brooke Benson, MiMutual Mortgage - Grapevine, 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!