California MCLE Bundle

Course List click each course for details

• AI, Ethics and Developing Your Law Firm AI Policy

AI, Ethics and Developing Your Law Firm AI Policy

Generative AI is a game-changing technology – but it also comes with ethical risks for attorneys and law firms. Developing an AI policy for your law firm is now crucial and involves addressing ethical considerations and ensuring compliance with legal standards while leveraging the benefits of AI.

This CLE explores the ethical, practical and regulatory implications of integrating artificial intelligence into legal practice. It covers core technologies like machine learning and generative AI, their application in law firms and the ethical responsibilities attorneys under the ABA Model Rules and various state bar ethics opinions. Attorneys will learn how to assess confidentiality risks, ensure transparency in billing, combat AI bias and develop firm-wide AI policies that uphold professional conduct and client trust.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Identify key AI technologies used in legal practice and their core functions.

2. Understand the ethical rules and responsibilities triggered by AI use, including competence, confidentiality, and candor.

3. Evaluate the risks of AI bias, misinformation, and data security breaches.

4. Develop a compliant AI policy aligned with ABA Model Rules and state bar guidance.

5. Communicate transparently with clients about AI use and its implications for fees, privacy, and case strategy.

Desire'e Martinelli is an attorney and the Director of Marketing & Analytics of Esquire Interactive LLC. Jeff Lantz is an attorney, entrepreneur, and the CEO of Esquire Interactive LLC, an interactive digital marketing agency for attorneys and law firms.

Specialty Areas: Legal Ethics

Practice Areas: Ethics, Law Practice Management, Technology

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 07/29/2030

Media Type: Streaming Video, MP3, Video Download, MP3 Player, USB

1.00 credit hours | 1.00 Legal Ethics

• Breaking Implicit Bias: Building Stronger Legal Cases With Powerful Storytelling

Breaking Implicit Bias: Building Stronger Legal Cases With Powerful Storytelling

Implicit bias continues to influence decision-making throughout the legal process, often shaping how risk, credibility, accountability, and rehabilitation potential are evaluated. When courts rely primarily on limited case summaries, static historical data, or algorithmic risk assessments, critical aspects of a client’s life history and personal development may remain invisible, increasing the likelihood that unconscious assumptions fill informational gaps. These narrative gaps can unintentionally reinforce disparities in charging, program placement, plea negotiations, and sentencing outcomes.

This program examines how implicit bias operates within legal advocacy and demonstrates how evidence-based narrative strategies can help attorneys construct fuller, more accurate representations of their clients. Drawing on research from psychology, criminology and legal decision-making, this CLE explores how incomplete information triggers cognitive shortcuts and how contextual storytelling — supported by investigative interviews, social history development, and strategic video advocacy — can interrupt those processes.

Participants will learn to distinguish between static and dynamic risk factors and understand how overreliance on static historical indicators can perpetuate inequities in risk assessments and correctional program placements. The program further introduces practical methods for identifying growth indicators, rehabilitation evidence, and contextual life-history information that provide courts with individualized, evidence-based perspectives. Through case studies and applied advocacy techniques, the course illustrates how narrative construction can humanize clients, enhance judicial understanding, and support more accurate and equitable legal outcomes. By combining empirical data with structured storytelling approaches, this course equips attorneys with practical tools to strengthen mitigation advocacy, improve sentencing presentations, and advance fairness in legal decision-making while maintaining accountability and professional responsibility.

The speakers include: Rebecca Grace, Professor Matthew Claire, PhD., Hon. Judge Mark W. Bennett, Prof. Leticia Saucedo, Shawn Marsh, PhD., Omkari Williams and Shari Rusk.

Specialty Areas: Implicit Bias

Practice Areas: Implicit Bias

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 02/11/2031

Media Type: Streaming Video, MP3, Video Download, MP3 Player, USB

1.00 credit hours | 1.00 Implicit Bias

• Breaking Implicit Bias: Leveraging Narratives to Counteract Bias in the Judicial System

Breaking Implicit Bias: Leveraging Narratives to Counteract Bias in the Judicial System

Implicit bias plays a significant — yet often unrecognized — role at nearly every stage of the legal system, influencing decisions from initial police contact through charging, pretrial determinations, trial strategy and sentencing.

Even well-intentioned legal professionals may unknowingly rely on unconscious assumptions shaped by personal experience, cultural exposure, and systemic norms, leading to unequal outcomes and diminished confidence in the justice system. This course explores the pervasive role of implicit bias in the U.S. judicial system and introduces narrative tools as strategies to counteract these biases. Drawing on psychological research, legal data, narrative theory, and real-world case studies, the session guides attorneys in identifying decision points where implicit bias can affect outcomes and offers practical interventions, including the use of client narratives and videos.

Learning Objectives

* Define implicit bias and distinguish it from explicit bias

* Identify key decision points in the legal process where implicit bias may emerge

* Understand how implicit bias impacts decisions at arrest, charging, pretrial & sentencing

* Recognize the influence of personal experience and background on legal decision- making

* Use narrative-based mitigation strategies to humanize clients and challenge biased assumptions

* Apply the Implicit Association Test (IAT) to assess and reflect on personal implicit bias

The speakers include: Rebecca Grace, Professor Matthew Claire, PhD., Hon. Judge Mark W. Bennett, Prof. Leticia Saucedo, Shawn Marsh, PhD., Omkari Williams and Shari Rusk.

Specialty Areas: Implicit Bias

Practice Areas: Implicit Bias

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 02/05/2031

Media Type: Streaming Video, MP3, Video Download, MP3 Player, USB

1.00 credit hours | 1.00 Implicit Bias

• Breaking Up is Hard to Do – Small Business Divorce and Shareholder Disputes

Breaking Up is Hard to Do – Small Business Divorce and Shareholder Disputes

There are many reasons why shareholders fight and small businesses break up – differences in business vision & strategy, disagreements over financial decisions, conflicts of interest & personality clashes are some of the main ones. When shareholders fight, legal advisors must quickly assess available rights, remedies, and the trajectory of any potential resolution or litigation. In this CLE, Brandon M. Schwartz will mainly explore fiduciary duties owed among shareholders in closely held corporations, detail the types of disputes that frequently arise and highlight the strategies available to resolve them effectively. The program highlights both substantive and procedural fiduciary obligations, including duties of loyalty, candor, and fair dealing. Attendees will also gain insights into majority vs. minority shareholder dynamics, shareholder oppression and deadlock scenarios. Finally, the session focuses on dispute resolution options — from mediation and arbitration to full-scale litigation and the use of Special Litigation Committees (SLCs). By the conclusion of the session, attorneys will be better equipped to advise clients on preventative measures, evaluate risks, and select dispute resolution strategies that protect shareholder rights and preserve business value.

Learning Objectives

- Identify fiduciary duties owed among majority and minority shareholders in closely held corporations.

- Differentiate between common types of shareholder disputes, including deadlock, oppression, and breach of shareholder agreements.

- Analyze risks and consequences of shareholder disputes, including operational, financial, and reputational impacts.

- Evaluate dispute resolution options, including mediation, arbitration, and litigation.

- Understand the role of Special Litigation Committees (SLCs) in resolving shareholder disputes and the standards courts apply to review their decisions.

- Develop strategies for advising clients proactively to minimize disputes and preserve business relationships.

Brandon M. Schwartz, Esq., is a Board-Certified Civil Specialist by the Minnesota State Bar Association, a Board-Certified Civil Trial Advocate and Family Trial Law Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and has received recognition from peers and clients alike for his thorough, zealous and ethical representation.

Practice Areas: Business Law, Litigation

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 09/05/2030

Media Type: Streaming Video, MP3, Video Download, MP3 Player, USB

1.00 credit hours

• Cognitive Science, Decision-Making and Persuading Your Jury

Cognitive Science, Decision-Making and Persuading Your Jury

Getting 8 or 9 figure settlements for your clients is not from luck, an accident, or magic. It is not a talent you are born with or a gift that is given to you. It comes from learning the science of persuasion and then discovering how to deploy it in the courtroom.

R. Rex Parris obtained an historic $370 million defamation verdict for his clients against the founder of Guess jeans. He gets up at 4:00 a.m. every morning to study cognitive science & the irrational way jurors make decisions so he can achieve the best results for his clients. In this CLE, he will share his knowledge of persuasion & how to change minds by covering: behavioral decision making & how jurors think, keeping things simple and “priming” your jury to get the best results. Further topics: how decisions are affected by heuristics, biases & other influences, the SIMPLEST case wins, how to control fear in the courtroom, smiling & making eye contact, proximity, unconscious competence, attorneys are wordsmiths, trimming the fat & cutting extra words, visual priming, obsessing over the results, living life with laughter turned off and reversals. The following books are discussed, Click: Ten Truths for Building Extraordinary Relationships, The Power of Eye Contact, Start With Why, The Influentials and Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst.

R. Rex Parris, Esq. has achieved outstanding results in the courtroom over the span of his career – including an historic, record-breaking defamation jury verdict in Los Angeles for $370,000,000. Rex has also been the mayor of Lancaster, California, since 2008.

Practice Areas: Criminal Law, Litigation, Personal Injury

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 07/03/2029

Media Type: Streaming Video, MP3, Video Download, MP3 Player, USB

1.50 credit hours

• Cybersecurity, Ransomware and AI

Cybersecurity, Ransomware and AI

"It takes 20 years to build a reputation and a few minutes of cyber-incident to ruin it." Cyberattacks are beginning to become a part of everyday business and they have become increasingly destructive to law firms and companies that become targets for hackers and cybercriminals.

And as data breaches continue to escalate, the legal concept of “reasonable security” has become a central issue in litigation, regulatory enforcement and professional responsibility. In this CLE, Rachel Rose will cover this important cybersecurity topics: Cybersecurity & Ransomware, AI & Related Items including Data Scraping, Dealing with Data Risks in Commercial Agreements, Minimizing Cyber Risks & Conducting Data Protection Assessments and Service Provider & Data Processing Agreements. Attorneys will also learn how to evaluate cybersecurity protocols in transactions, vendor agreements in addition to client advisory contexts. By understanding both the pitfalls and the evolving legal expectations, attorneys will be better equipped to mitigate exposure, advise clients, and respond effectively when incidents occur.

Rachel V. Rose, JD, MBA is a disciplined, empathetic, and tenacious attorney advocating for and winning desired legal outcomes for national and international clients. Ms. Rose's practice includes compliance, transactional, and litigation matters primarily related to healthcare, cybersecurity, securities, the False Claims Act, and Dodd-Frank.

Specialty Areas: Technology

Practice Areas: Business Law, Law Practice Management, Technology

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 12/26/2030

Media Type: Streaming Video, MP3, Video Download, MP3 Player, USB

1.00 credit hours | 1.00 Technology

• Direct Examination: Making the Witness Look Good

Direct Examination: Making the Witness Look Good

This comprehensive two-hour CLE program explores the art and strategy of effective direct examination, focusing on how attorneys can present testimony in a clear, compelling and credible manner. Drawing from proven trial techniques and practical courtroom experience, this course emphasizes that direct examination is not merely a procedural step, but a critical opportunity to shape the narrative of the case and influence the jury’s perception. Successful trial outcomes are often driven by the strength of a party’s case-in-chief rather than the weaknesses of the opposition.

Learning Objectives:

* Structure direct examination effectively by organizing testimony into a clear, logical narrative

* Differentiate between leading and non-leading questions and apply techniques to maintain control of witness testimony

* Develop effective questioning techniques that promote clarity, credibility and engagement *Apply techniques for handling challenging witnesses, including those who are forgetful, evasive, overly verbose, or emotionally resistant

* Incorporate demonstrative evidence and visual aids to enhance juror comprehension and reinforce key testimony

* Identify and avoid common evidentiary pitfalls – including improper leading, lack of foundation, and hearsay issues during direct examination

*Utilize courtroom presence & communication strategies to build credibility with the jury and strengthen the attorney-witness partnership

Participants will learn how to structure direct examination to tell a persuasive story, utilize non-leading questions while maintaining control and develop a natural, human connection with witnesses & jury. The course also addresses key evidentiary considerations, including laying proper foundation, avoiding common objections and effectively integrating demonstrative evidence. Practical guidance is provided on witness preparation, handling difficult or uncooperative witnesses and enhancing testimony through pacing, tone, and visual aids. By the end of the program, attorneys will have a toolkit of techniques to transform direct examination from a routine exercise into a powerful vehicle for persuasion in both civil and criminal trials.

A veteran trial attorney, Michael Deblis is a partner in the boutique law firm of DeBlis Law where he specializes in tax compliance and entertainment law.

Practice Areas: Criminal Law, Personal Injury

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 05/06/2031

Media Type: Streaming Video, MP3, Video Download, MP3 Player, USB

2.00 credit hours

• Drafting Controversial Contract Clauses: What Clauses Are Worth the Fight?

Drafting Controversial Contract Clauses: What Clauses Are Worth the Fight?

Most clients want everything in a contract negotiation. Unfortunately, the other side probably wants everything too. The real question for practitioners is: which clauses are truly worth the fight? The answer, of course, is…. it depends.

In this CLE, Kristi Zentner and Heather Marx — a seasoned transactional attorney & an experienced commercial litigator — share insights drawn from daily practice on both sides of the negotiating table. They explore the most common flashpoints in contract drafting and negotiation, from indemnification and limitation of liability to representations, warranties, and confidentiality provisions. The dynamic duo also provide practical strategies for recognizing which provisions merit aggressive advocacy, show you how to tailor clauses to a client’s risk profile, and drafting the contact with enforceability in mind. Attendees will also gain tools for memorializing the negotiation: ensuring that contracts clearly reflect agreed terms, avoid ambiguities and reduce the risk of costly disputes down the road.

Learning Objectives

* Identify key contract clauses — such as indemnification, limitation of liability, and representations and warranties — that most often become points of contention and potential litigation.

* Evaluate negotiation dynamics, including leverage, market conditions, and counterparty risk, to determine which provisions are worth pressing and which can be compromised.

* Draft clear and enforceable risk-shifting provisions tailored to the transaction, including defining scope, triggers, exceptions, and remedies.

* Recognize common mistakes in contract drafting and negotiation that create ambiguity or weaken enforceability, and implement strategies to avoid them.

* Apply effective review techniques to ensure that contracts accurately memorialize negotiations, reflect agreed business terms, and align with preliminary documents such as term sheets or letters of intent.

* Integrate practical drafting tips—such as consistency of defined terms, clarity of structure, and avoidance of boilerplate legalese—into daily practice to improve contract quality and reduce litigation risk.

Kristi Zentner, Esq., is a transactional attorney who represents clients in general business, supply chain management, as well as tariff, customs, and trade matters. Heather Marx. Esq., applies her experience in the areas of complex business and commercial litigation to represent a variety of clients.

Practice Areas: Business Law

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 09/25/2030

Media Type: Streaming Video, MP3, Video Download, MP3 Player, USB

1.00 credit hours

• Drafting Real Estate Operating Agreements

Drafting Real Estate Operating Agreements

Nathan Osborn frequently works with clients to buy investment properties on the ski slopes of Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, Aspen and more. These clients buy these properties as VRBOs (Vacation Rental By Owner) to generate revenue – but what they fail to realize is that one accident on their property could put their personal assets at risk. Nate Osborn often recommends a very practical solution that offers asset protection & tax benefits – the LLC. In this CLE he provides practical guidance on how to draft a real estate limited liability company (LLC) operating agreement. Nate will provide a plethora of practical guidance on: asking the right questions, determining whether an LLC is the appropriate entity for your client, selecting a member or manager managed LLC, maximizing personal asset protection through the LLC, drafting capital contribution provisions, drafting real estate profit distribution provisions, drafting dispute resolution provisions and tax implications & how to maximize tax benefits. Specific topics covered: vacation rentals & investors, understanding the client’s business, the advantages of LLCs in real estate, putting title to real estate into an LLC, potential LLC liability, piercing the corporate veil, structuring capital calls, provisions to share real estate profits, incorporating IRAs, holding strategies & double FICA taxes and utilizing 1031 like-kind exchanges.

Nathan G. Osborn, Esq., focuses on real estate litigation, real estate transactions and commercial litigation. Mr. Osborn effectively uses his significant trial experience to help transactional clients avoid situations that often end up in court.

Practice Areas: Business Law, Real Property

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 11/27/2029

Media Type: Streaming Video, MP3, Video Download, MP3 Player, USB

1.00 credit hours

• Ethics Guardrails for Law Firm Cyber Risk

Ethics Guardrails for Law Firm Cyber Risk

This CLE program provides attorneys with critical guidance on navigating the increasingly intertwined worlds of legal ethics, malpractice risk & cybersecurity. As law firms become prime targets for cyber threats, ethical responsibilities under the ABA Model Rules demand heightened awareness and action.

Led by attorney Jeff Cunningham — who defends lawyers and firms in malpractice and ethics cases — this course explores the blurred lines between ethics violations and cyber negligence. Through practical strategies and real-world examples, the course offers attorneys actionable methods to build ethical “guardrails” that protect both client data and professional reputations. Topics include vendor due diligence, cyber infrastructure, legal tech trends, client counseling on cyber duties, and enhancing law firm security teams. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of key ethics rules, including Competence (Rule 1.1), Confidentiality (Rule 1.6), Communication (Rule 1.4), and Supervision Responsibilities (Rules 5.1–5.3), as applied in the digital age. Attorneys will walk away with a playbook for proactive compliance — ensuring they meet ethical obligations while mitigating malpractice and cyber liability in a high-risk environment.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify and interpret key ethical rules—including ABA Model Rules 1.1, 1.4, 1.6, and 5.1–5.3—as they apply to cybersecurity responsibilities in legal practice.

• Distinguish between ethical violations and legal malpractice in the context of cyber risk, and recognize how blurred boundaries create new areas of liability.

• Develop practical strategies for cyber compliance, including building secure infrastructure, conducting vendor due diligence, and training legal staff and nonlawyer personnel.

• Evaluate their firm's current cyber readiness and implement “ethics guardrails” to proactively reduce exposure to cyber threats and ethics grievances.

• Advise clients effectively on their own cybersecurity obligations, enhancing client service and meeting ethical duties under communication and competence rules.

Jeff Cunningham, Esq., actively defends lawyers and acts as outside General Counsel to small and mid-sized law firms across the United States, while also serving as this firm’s General Counsel. Jeff defends industry professionals in a wide range of professional liability, ethics and professional disciplinary matters. With an emphasis on simple systems of risk management, Jeff brings a holistic approach of protecting our clients before problems occur.

Specialty Areas: Legal Ethics

Practice Areas: Ethics

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 07/03/2030

Media Type: Streaming Video, MP3, Video Download, MP3 Player, USB

1.00 credit hours | 1.00 Legal Ethics

• Free Speech on College Campuses Following the Israel-Hamas War

Free Speech on College Campuses Following the Israel-Hamas War

“From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free, Jews for Palestine.” “Let’s take the f*king streets later.” “All Zionists must die tonight at midnight.”

Following the start of the Israel-Hamas War tensions burst wide open on college campuses all over the country following the aftermath of the October 7th attack. By the spring, a wave of pro-Palestinian tent encampments led to massive demonstrations, student takeovers and more than 3,200 people arrested. As tensions escalated, it became very difficult to delineate the line between protected free speech and unprotected harassment & true threats of violence. In this CLE, FIRE attorney Zach Greenberg will give his reasoning why it’s so important to protect the freedom of speech and the freedom of expression on college campuses and the line between protected speech and unprotected threats & harassment. Zach will specifically address: the Looking Glass theory, public vs. private universities, true threats, harassment, the More Speech approach, calls for genocide, encampments, content neutral + time + manner restrictions, disruption & the Heckler’s Veto and creating a culture of free speech.

A native New Yorker, Zach graduated from Binghamton University in 2013 and Syracuse Law in 2016. Zach developed an appreciation for free speech while leading the College Libertarians and the Federalist Society.

Practice Areas: Constitutional Law, Education Law

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 11/22/2029

Media Type: Streaming Video, MP3, Video Download, MP3 Player, USB

1.00 credit hours

• Innovation Protection: The Intersection of Patents and Trade Secrets

Innovation Protection: The Intersection of Patents and Trade Secrets

From Mullets on the Go to the KFC Colonel’s Secret Recipe – and even MLB’s Lena Blackburne Rubbing Mud for baseballs– you won’t find a more entertaining CLE. This course features intellectual property attorneys Eric Hanscom and David Branfman, who provide practical guidance for attorneys counseling clients on patent and trade secret protection. Drawing from decades of experience, the presenters explain the distinctions between utility and design patents, the benefits and limitations of provisional applications and the strategic application of trade secrets. Through numerous entertaining case studies and real client stories, this session offers insights into leveraging multiple IP tools effectively. The discussion includes legal requirements, enforcement risks, best practices and how to advise clients based on business goals and budget constraints.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the distinctions between utility, design, and provisional patents.

• Identify when trade secrets are preferable over patent protection.

• Recognize how trademarks, trade dress, and patents can work in tandem.

• Evaluate common IP pitfalls and missteps made by clients.

• Apply legal and strategic considerations to IP planning and protection.

• Develop trade secret protection plans and understand their legal foundations.

• Analyze real-world examples to understand the practical application of IP law.

Patent attorney Eric Hanscom is actively involved in overseeing IP litigation, contract negotiation and customs issues around the globe. David Branfman’s IP practice focuses on entertainment law, including trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, licensing, motion pictures & TV and music.

Practice Areas: Business Law, Intellectual Property

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 05/31/2030

Media Type: Streaming Video, MP3, Video Download, MP3 Player, USB

1.00 credit hours

• Modern Trial Skills: Getting Emails, Texts and Social Media Into Evidence

Modern Trial Skills: Getting Emails, Texts and Social Media Into Evidence

In 2006 the FRCP was amended to include a “new” type of evidence – Electronically Stored Information (ESI). Twenty years later almost every trial hinges on text messages, Facebook posts, IG stories, tweets, emails, blogs & countless more sources of electronic evidence.

In this CLE, Nicholas J. Schneider, Esq. will discuss the basics of laying a foundation for the admission of evidence, provide tangible trial tips and show you example trial examinations for establishing each of the five core foundation elements. Nick will then apply this framework, with practical examples, to common types of modern digital evidence, including business records, text messages, social media and other forms of ESI. These rules and procedures are addressed: Introduction & Exclusion of Evidence, Pre-Foundation, Competence, Foundation, the Original Document Rule, Privilege, Relevance, Authenticity and Hearsay. Nick will specifically discuss preparing & introducing: ESI, photos, video, email, texts, social media and websites & blog posts.

Nicholas Schneider is a trial attorney and Partner with the national law firm Eckert Seamans. He focuses his practice on complex commercial disputes involving breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, business torts, employment disputes, copyright infringement, unfair competition and class actions.

Practice Areas: Criminal Law, Litigation, Personal Injury

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 08/28/2029

Media Type: Streaming Video, MP3, Video Download, MP3 Player, USB

1.00 credit hours

• Perfectionism in the Legal Profession: When Good Enough Isn't Good Enough

Perfectionism in the Legal Profession: When Good Enough Isn't Good Enough

Many attorneys struggle silently with perfectionism, self-doubt and the fear of being “found out,” despite outward success. These internal pressures — often far greater than the external demands of legal practice — can significantly impact mental health and overall well-being if left unaddressed. Does this sound familiar??

“Everyone tells me I’m doing a great job—my clients, my colleagues, my family. So why do I still feel like I don’t measure up?”

“If I ask for help, everyone will know the truth about me.”

“I’m ok. I can work this out for myself

This program examines how perfectionism manifests within the legal profession and why lawyers are uniquely vulnerable to related mental health and substance use challenges. Drawing on current research and everyday insights, this course identifies early warning signs of distress, impairment, and burnout, while addressing the cultural, professional, and psychological barriers that prevent lawyers from seeking help. The program also highlights practical strategies for managing perfectionism, reducing stigma, restoring balance and maintaining long-term professional well-being. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of the confidential resources available through Lawyer Assistance Programs and how these services can support lawyers before problems escalate.

Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to:

* Identify early warning signs of distress, burnout, and impairment related to mental health and substance use issues within the legal profession.

Explain how perfectionism manifests among attorneys, including its relationship to imposter syndrome, anxiety, and self-criticism.

Recognize why lawyers are at increased risk for mental health and substance use disorders due to professional culture, personality traits, and workplace demands.

Understand common barriers—including stigma, shame, and denial—that prevent legal professionals from seeking assistance.

Apply practical well-being strategies to manage perfectionism, reduce distress, and promote healthier work-life balance.

Identify available confidential resources, including Lawyer Assistance Programs, and understand how and when to access support.

Brian S. Quinn, Esquire is a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania who currently serves as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, Inc., a Lawyers Assistance Program established in 1988 for the purpose of helping lawyers, judges and law students recover from alcoholism, drug addiction and mental health disorders.

Specialty Areas: Wellness Competence

Practice Areas: Law Practice Management, Wellness Competence

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 12/17/2030

Media Type: Streaming Video, MP3, Video Download, MP3 Player, USB

1.00 credit hours | 1.00 Wellness Competence

• Personal Injury Litigation for Rideshare and Delivery Drivers

Personal Injury Litigation for Rideshare and Delivery Drivers

Ridesharing companies like Uber and Lyft have fundamentally reshaped personal transportation – and has created novel legal challenges in accident litigation, liability allocation and insurance coverage. This program presented by attorney Zachary Pyers will provide attorneys with a comprehensive examination of the rapidly evolving legal issues surrounding ridesharing accidents.

Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of the prevalence of ridesharing, applicable state & federal regulations, and the complex relationships between drivers, companies, and passengers. The course explores negligence claims against drivers, direct and vicarious liability theories against companies, insurance gaps during different ridesharing “periods,” and evolving defenses. The program also addresses high-profile litigation, settlements, and regulatory actions, while highlighting key ethical considerations for attorneys handling ridesharing cases. By combining practical litigation strategies, case law analysis and ethical pitfalls, this CLE equips attorneys to effectively represent plaintiffs or defendants in ridesharing accident cases while maintaining compliance with professional responsibility standards.

Learning Objectives

- Identify the regulatory frameworks governing ridesharing companies, including state-level insurance, licensing and driver requirements.

- Analyze the employment status of drivers and evaluate its impact on liability allocation between drivers and ridesharing companies.

- Assess the applicability of legal theories such as negligence, respondeat superior, joint enterprise liability, and negligent hiring/retention.

- Evaluate insurance coverage during the three distinct ridesharing periods and recognize common coverage gaps for drivers, passengers, and third parties.

- Examine case law involving ridesharing accident claims, arbitration agreements, and regulatory settlements (e.g., Doe v. Uber, Good v. Uber, Meyer v. Uber, Gunter Willim v. Uber).

- Apply ethical rules to ridesharing cases, including duties of competence in technology, confidentiality obligations, conflict of interest assessments, and restrictions on financial assistance.

- Advise clients on emerging ridesharing issues such as data privacy, safety features, and potential common carrier status.

Zachary B. Pyers focuses his practice on civil litigation – including complex and class action litigation, corporate and commercial litigation, professional liability, and catastrophic loss.

Practice Areas: Litigation, Personal Injury

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 09/17/2030

Media Type: Streaming Video, MP3, Video Download, MP3 Player, USB

1.00 credit hours

• Practical Steps to Avoid Conflicts of Interest

Practical Steps to Avoid Conflicts of Interest

The ethical rules regarding conflicts of interest may appear deceptively simple. However, there are numerous situations that may arise where they can be very complicated or deceptive. Or there could be an exception to the conflicts rule or a way to work around it with a well-crafted consent.

In this CLE, ethics expert & Professor of Legal Ethics Cari Sheehan will provide practical guidance on specific ethical situations that arise in your daily practice. Cari will mainly discuss the ethical framework, practical steps to avoid conflicts of interest and specific scenarios where conflicts occur. The steps to conflicts of interest resolution discussed: (1) identifying if it’s a current, former or prospective client, (2) analyzing whether a conflict exists, (3) determining if the conflict is consentable, (4) obtaining informed consent, and (5) remedies if the conflict is not resolved. Specific issues presented: joint representation, the informed disclosure that is required, simultaneous representation in unrelated matters, the material limitation standard, prior work conflicts, informed consent, injunctive relief, disqualification, fee forfeiture, former clients, imputed conflicts, utilizing a firm-wide database and creating ethical walls/screens. Model Rules implicated: 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10 1.11 & 1.13.

With over 15 years of legal experience in civil litigation, conflicts of interest, and professional responsibility, Cari Sheehan serves as the Taft Law’s Assistant General Counsel. She is also an Assistant Clinical Professor of Business Law and Ethics with the IU Kelley School of Business in Indianapolis where she teaches courses in Business Law and Ethics.

Specialty Areas: Legal Ethics

Practice Areas: Ethics

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 03/14/2030

Media Type: Streaming Video, MP3, Video Download, MP3 Player, USB

1.00 credit hours | 1.00 Legal Ethics

• Religion at Work: A Conflict of Rights

Religion at Work: A Conflict of Rights

An employee concludes every email with “Have a Blessed Day.” Seems pretty innocuous but it makes a few co-workers mad. Can the employer make her stop using this closing in all her work emails?

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act requires employers to reasonably accommodate an employee's sincerely held religious beliefs – but what exactly does this mean? Can an employee keep a 3-foot statute of Jesus in their cubicle? What if an employee refuses to work every Sunday because it is his Sabbath? And how about the guy that wears the “Official Mensch” button to work every day? In this CLE, Jason Boulette will explore the new standard for accommodating religious expression at work, the conflict between the right to engage in religious expression and the right to be free from it and strategies for navigating the gray area between the two. Jason will start by discussing the evolving legal definition of “religion” in the U.S. across constitutional and statutory contexts with an emphasis on employment law under Title VII, detail the landmark Supreme Court decision in Groff v. DeJoy (2023) which significantly raised the standard for denying religious accommodations in the workplace and analyzes the resulting case law under Groff and what it means for employers going forward.

Participants will be able to:

* Understand how the law’s definition of “religion” has changed over time

* Identify common characteristics of “religion” for purposes of Title VII

* Predict how Groff v. DeJoy affects litigation & employer obligations under Title VII

* Distinguish between effective and preferred accommodations

* Apply EEOC guidance and best practices in workplace scenarios

Jason Boulette, Esq., is Board Certified in Labor and Employment Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and the former Chair of the Labor and Employment Section of the State Bar of Texas.

Practice Areas: Business Law, Employment Law, Litigation

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 09/30/2030

Media Type: Streaming Video, MP3, Video Download, MP3 Player, USB

1.00 credit hours

• Sports Betting: Legal and Practical Tips for Your Clients

Sports Betting: Legal and Practical Tips for Your Clients

Pete Rose was banned permanently from baseball for gambling on games while managing the Cincinnati Reds. “Shoeless” Joe Jackson was banned permanently by Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis in 1920 for his part in the Black Sox Scandal – even though he hit .375 in the World Series with 12 hits, 3 doubles and a home run.

Now with the explosion of online gambling and companies like DraftKings, FanDuel and BetMGM, there are even more risks involved for attorneys that represent athletes. Brandon Leopoldus is a sports agent and he constantly reminds his clients about the perils of sports betting, even something as simple as participating in fantasy football with friends. This CLE is broken into 3 parts: the historical context, legal & practical aspects of sports betting and the sponsorship, integration & industry governance of sports betting companies. Additional topics: betting scandals, violations & penalties of Rule 21 in Major League Baseball, the Shohei Ohtani Situation, legalization & regulation of sports betting, Murphy vs. NCAA (2018), Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PAPSA) of 1992, conflicts with league policies, use of AI & geolocation to monitor betting activity, collaboration with leagues to identify anomalies, advising clients on compliance & regulations and best practices for lawyers.

Brandon Leopoldus is a California-based attorney and founder of Leopoldus Law, APC – a specialized law firm dedicated to serving clients in the sports industry. With a focus on providing tailored legal solutions and strategies, Mr. Leopoldus is committed to helping his clients navigate the complexities of their off-field and off-screen needs.

Practice Areas: Sports and Entertainment

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 10/31/2029

Media Type: Streaming Video, MP3, Video Download, MP3 Player, USB

1.00 credit hours

• Tesla Autopilot Failure Litigation and the Future of CAT

Tesla Autopilot Failure Litigation and the Future of CAT

Nearly a century before the first Tesla hit the streets, the driverless car du jour was a Pontiac known as the Phantom developed in the 1920’s. The Phantom was remote controlled by the tap of a telegraph key by a second car trailing miles behind.

Fast forward to today & driverless cars are set to take the world by storm with the global market for self-driving vehicles reaching around $2.5 trillion by 2030. But we are still at the infancy of this new technology that heavily employs autopilot and CAT (Collision Avoidance Technology). In this CLE, Brett Scheiber will detail this new technology and discuss litigation that has ensued from accidents involving Tesla vehicles. Brett will mainly: demystify autopilot, describe how the tech works & how it fails, review Tesla’s claims regarding its autopilot and CAT (Collision Avoidance Technology) technology, show you how to collect the evidence for litigation and how to vett these & other CAT cases. He will also discuss: the 5 levels of tech, myths & facts regarding autopilot & CAT, EDR (Event Data Recorder) data, on-board Tesla videos, car log/D16, the NHTSA & NTSB and the future of Tesla cases & litigation.

Brett Schreiber’s practice includes mass torts, personal injury, medical malpractice and condemnation law. Whether lecturing student groups or handling pro bono claims for wrongfully convicted, he is guided by the Hebrew principle of tikkun olam meaning “to heal the world.”

Practice Areas: Litigation, Personal Injury

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 01/24/2030

Media Type: Streaming Video, MP3, Video Download, MP3 Player, USB

1.00 credit hours

• The Devil is in the Details: Expert Witness Tips for Attorneys

The Devil is in the Details: Expert Witness Tips for Attorneys

For many attorneys an expert witness is often considered a necessary evil. An expert is now indispensable in complex civil and criminal cases – but jurors can be skeptical of their testimony as there may be concerns of bias or manipulation by the hiring attorney.

In this highly practical program, Dr. Allison Muller, a board-certified toxicologist & expert witness, will provide attorneys with first-hand insight on effectively identifying, selecting and preparing expert witnesses for testimony to optimize their role in litigation. Topics discussed: sources to find experts, your first call, contracting with the witness, how to handle the expert report if it’s optional, mastering expert witness preparation, the dry run for direct & cross examination, disclosure of witness-generated materials, retaining counsel at deposition, runaway fees and scope creep. Attorneys will learn practical ways to build relationships with expert witnesses, including effective communication and collaboration techniques. Lastly, Dr. Muller will provide tips from the trenches by presenting four different case examples to highlight common pitfalls to avoid when working with experts to ensure that experts deliver compelling presentations at deposition and trial.

Dr. Muller is a board-certified toxicologist, fellow of the American Academy of Clinical Toxicology and registered pharmacist with over 20 years’ experience in the field of clinical toxicology.

Practice Areas: Criminal Law, Litigation, Personal Injury

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 02/05/2030

Media Type: Streaming Video, MP3, Video Download, MP3 Player, USB

1.50 credit hours

• The Secret Addiction: Attorneys and the Impact of Internet and Sports Betting

The Secret Addiction: Attorneys and the Impact of Internet and Sports Betting

Online gambling is BIG business. By 2029, the projected market volume is expected to reach $133 BILLION. It’s no wonder that gambling disorder was recently recognized by the DSM-V as an addictive disorder.

It’s also no surprise that lawyers are especially at risk because addiction is already problematic for lawyers, who suffer disproportionate rates of mental & addictive disorders. A former alcoholic with a cocaine & sports gambling addition, Brian Quinn knows the depths of despair all too well. From being suspended from the practice of law for 5 years to serving as Education & Outreach Coordinator at LCL, Brian learned to persevere & overcome. He will share his personal story and take a deep dive into gambling addiction – including its warning signs, risks, co-morbidities, related ethical issues and the toll it takes on the legal profession. Additional topics: how LAPs (Lawyer Assistance Programs) help attorneys, the Hazelden-Betty Ford Study on Lawyer Impairment, the DSM-5: Gambling Disorder definition, the Gambling Establishment, Murphy v National Collegiate Athletic Association, Roger Goodell & The NFL, accessibility & anonymity, perfectionism, excessive self-reliance and the stigma of addiction for attorneys.

Brian S. Quinn, Esquire is a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania who currently serves as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, Inc., a Lawyers Assistance Program established in 1988 for the purpose of helping lawyers, judges and law students recover from alcoholism, drug addiction and mental health disorders.

Specialty Areas: Prevention & Detection Competence

Practice Areas: Prevention & Detection Competence, Substance Abuse

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 09/06/2029

Media Type: Streaming Video, MP3, Video Download, MP3 Player, USB

1.00 credit hours | 1.00 Prevention & Detection Competence

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