$79 Texas MCLE - 15 Credits

Artificial Intelligence and Electronic Discovery

Texas MCLE Requirements Credit Type: General

Texas MCLE Course Details:

This course about Electronic Discovery and Artificial Intelligence in Practice of Law will explore ten topics that are relevant to attorneys. First, the course will explore ai-powered document review for legal discovery efficiency. Next, the course will investigate predictive coding in e-discovery: accuracy and ethical implications. The course will then explore using machine learning to identify privileged information. After this, the course will investigate automating legal hold notices with artificial intelligence. Next, the material will cover evaluating ai algorithms for relevance in e-discovery processes. The course will then turn towards impact of ai on e-discovery costs and time management. Next, the course will investigate challenges of integrating ai in small law firms' e-discovery. The course will then explore regulatory compliance for ai use in legal e-discovery. Lastly, the material will cover data privacy concerns in ai-driven e-discovery procedures.

Faculty:

• Berry Crawford

Client Confidentiality and Ethical Electronic Data Discovery

Texas MCLE Requirements Credit Type: Ethics

Texas MCLE Course Details:

This course, "Client Confidentiality and Ethical Electronic Data Discovery," provides a comprehensive exploration of ABA Model Rule 1.6 and its implications for legal professionals handling electronically stored information (ESI). It emphasizes the duty of attorneys to protect client confidences, highlighting key ethical challenges posed by emerging technologies, data discovery, and e-discovery processes. Participants are introduced to strategies for safeguarding sensitive information, such as metadata management, secure cloud storage, encryption, and the use of ethical screening software. The course also addresses practical measures for managing confidentiality in situations involving litigation holds, third-party vendors, social media data, and privilege logs, offering actionable solutions for reducing risks. By underscoring the importance of technological competence, the curriculum equips attorneys to navigate complex legal landscapes while upholding their ethical obligations. From proactive planning to disaster recovery, this course fosters a thorough understanding of how to balance transparency with confidentiality and prevent inadvertent disclosures. Through this knowledge, attorneys can enhance their professional integrity, client trust, and compliance with ABA ethical standards in an increasingly digital legal environment.

Faculty:

• Berry Crawford

Ethics of Bankruptcy in the Practice of Law

Texas MCLE Requirements Credit Type: Ethics

Texas MCLE Course Details:

This course about ethical issues of bankruptcy in the practice of law will explore ten topics that are relevant to attorneys. First, the course will explore conflicts of interest in bankruptcy client representation. Next, the course will investigate disclosure requirements for attorneys in bankruptcy cases. The course will then explore ethical dilemmas in advising clients about bankruptcy fraud. After this, the course will investigate transparency and honesty in bankruptcy petitions filed by lawyers. Next, the material will cover attorney fees and ethical concerns in bankruptcy proceedings. The course will then turn towards duty of competence in handling bankruptcy matters. Next, the course will investigate confidentiality issues in bankruptcy practice. The course will then explore attorney responsibility in reporting client misconduct in bankruptcy. The course will next investigate fraudulent transfers and lawyer ethical boundaries. Lastly, the material will cover misrepresentation of bankruptcy exemptions by legal practitioners.

Faculty:

• Victor Perri, Esq

Preparing Your First Appeal: From Opening Brief to Oral Argument

Texas MCLE Requirements Credit Type: General

Texas MCLE Course Details:

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the appellate process in civil law, emphasizing its significance for solo and small practice litigators. It covers fundamental aspects such as what decisions can be appealed, the distinctions between trial and appellate courts, and the procedural rigor required in appellate practice. The discussion includes key considerations for deciding whether to appeal, ethical responsibilities in advising clients, and the importance of timely communication. It also addresses practical elements like filing notices of appeal, the structure of opening briefs, and the critical role of oral arguments. Additionally, this course highlights the necessity of understanding local court rules, maintaining a high-level tone, and being precise with citations. It underscores the importance of protecting a trial win and provides insights through the case study of Pinter-Brown v. Regents of the University of California, illustrating the complexities and strategic considerations inherent in the appellate process.

Faculty:

• David Graulich, Esq.

Rule 1.1 Competence - A Case Law Exploration

Texas MCLE Requirements Credit Type: Ethics

Texas MCLE Course Details:

The American Bar Association (ABA) Model Rules of Professional Conduct, first adopted in 1983, represent a comprehensive framework for ethical legal practice in the United States. ABA Rule 1.1: Competence is a fundamental ethical requirement in the American Bar Association's Model Rules of Professional Conduct that mandates lawyers to provide competent representation to their clients. Competence means having the legal knowledge, skill, thoroughness, and preparation reasonably necessary for the representation. This rule underscores the importance of lawyers maintaining their legal skills through continuous study and education. It ensures that clients receive professional and adequate legal services, protecting their legal rights and interests. Violations of this rule can lead to disciplinary actions against lawyers, emphasizing the rule's critical role in maintaining the integrity and quality of the legal profession. This course will explore different facets of this rule by examining important cases such as Strickland v. Washington (1984), Nix v. Whiteside (1986), and Roe v. Flores-Ortega (2000).

Faculty:

• Victor Perri, Esq

Storytelling in the Courtroom

Texas MCLE Requirements Credit Type: General

Texas MCLE Course Details:

As a trial lawyer, what do you really need in order to win your case? Attention ? the jury's attention. I don't mean that in the narcissistic "everyone look at me" sense. When I say every trial lawyer wants more attention, what I mean is that before you can build a rapport with the jury and earn their trust, you have to fight a war ? the war for the jury's attention. "Attention" and "connection" are the key elements needed to win the minds and hearts of the jury.

Faculty:

• Michael J. DeBlis III, Esq.

Storytelling in the Courtroom: Volume 1 - Part II

Texas MCLE Requirements Credit Type: General

Texas MCLE Course Details:

Like it or not, we are in the midst of an attention war. We need to confront the reality that the jury's attention can no longer be taken for granted. We have to change our way of thinking to focus on gaining attention before we can leave lasting impressions. The jury's attention must be the currency that every trial lawyer trades in. In this presentation, I will talk about how storytelling can help lawyers to cut through all of the noise and distractions of everyday life in order to connect to the jury on a human level.

Faculty:

• Michael J. DeBlis III, Esq.

Storytelling in the Courtroom: Volume 1 - Part III

Texas MCLE Requirements Credit Type: General

Texas MCLE Course Details:

Stories are told in two basic modes: (1) narrative summary and (2) scenes. Narrative summary is an overview. It?s an expository way of moving the audience along in the story. It?s very much ?telling.? Most Nineteenth Century novels begin with narrative summary. For example, ?It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.? It?s more conceptual than cinematic.

Faculty:

• Michael J. DeBlis III, Esq.

Storytelling in the Courtroom: Volume 1 - Part IV

Texas MCLE Requirements Credit Type: General

Texas MCLE Course Details:

Kristin Linklater, one of the great voice instructors, puts it like this:?There?s a desire to speak?an impulse. It runs down the spinal column and through the central nervous system galvanizing simultaneously the breathing mechanism and the laryngeal mechanism into an activity that creates a vibration which is immediately amplified by surrounding resonating surfaces into voice. At the same time the impulse activates movements of lips and tongue that deliver words."

Faculty:

• Michael J. DeBlis III, Esq.

The ABCs of the Remote Law Practice

Texas MCLE Requirements Credit Type: General

Texas MCLE Course Details:

Join lawyers Jacob Stein, Diane Camacho, Larry Cohn, and Michael Bono as they delve into the world of remote law practice in this enlightening discussion. Discover the advantages and practical tips for running a successful remote law firm, including:

• Benefits such as reduced overhead costs and reaching a wider client base.
• Overcoming common obstacles like breaking old habits and dispelling misconceptions about professionalism.
• Effective communication strategies for both individual and group meetings.
• Innovative business development tactics like hosting webinars and networking through joint ventures.
• Financial management essentials, including trust account separation and utilizing specialized software for bookkeeping and reporting.
• Embracing technology with cloud storage, practice management software, and document automation tools.
• Leveraging AI legal research and drafting tools like Co-Counsel, Spellbook, and GAVL to boost efficiency. Gain valuable insights from the speakers' own experiences as they share tips for embracing technology and ensuring the security and effectiveness of remote law practices.

Faculty:

• Jacob Stein, Esq
• Diane Camacho
• Michael Bono
• Lawrence Kohn

Trust Account Basics

Texas MCLE Requirements Credit Type: General

Texas MCLE Course Details:

This session will cover the practical aspects of managing Client Trust Accounts in a law firm and what profitability measures lawyers should be reviewing.

• Client Trust Account Protection Program [CTAPP]
• What reports should you have for your trust account?
• How should your trust account be reconciled?
• Common mistakes

Faculty:

• Diane Camacho