California MCLE

AI, Lawyers & Bias CLE: Navigating Impacts in the Workplace & Legal Practice

Unfortunately, new AI technology thinks like humans just a little too much – AI can produce results that promote bias and discrimination. The question now becomes how can attorneys harness this revolutionary new technology while remaining ethical in their legal practice. Presented by Amanda M. Blair, this CLE will highlight some of the common pitfalls associated with attorneys using generative AI, show you how AI can be subject to biased & discriminatory results, provide steps for attorneys to avoid biased results and conclude with best practices for attorneys when using AI in their legal practice.

New California MCLE Compliance Dates

Pending approval by the Board of Trustees (Approved) the new California MCLE compliance dates are changing to March. The attorney renewal cycle will open February 1, 2025, and close March 30, 2025. The new California MCLE compliance dates will apply to the current compliance cycle and all future MCLE compliance cycles. MCLE Compliance Cycle Date Changes Last names A-G: Extended to a…

CLE on Modern Trial Skills: Getting Emails, Texts & Social Media into Evidence

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

California New Bar Exam – Supreme Court Approves

California has a new bar exam! The California Supreme Court, on Tuesday October 22, 2024, overturned their previous denial and has given the approval for California to switch to a new bar exam that can be taken remotely and in-person. The State Bar of California has been working on the new test for over a year, and on the second try, the…

CLE to Help Attorneys Serving on Nonprofit Boards: Avoiding the Pitfalls

So You Wanna Be an HOA Board Member?? In this CLE, Nikki Semanchik will teach you what you need to know about serving on a Board, from your initial homework & due diligence to your ethical duties & avoiding conflicts of interest.

New Competence & Substance Abuse CLE on Attorneys & the Impact of Internet & Sports Betting.

It’s no surprise that lawyers are especially at risk for gambling disorder 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 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.

California’s New MCLE Requirements

California adopted new Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) requirements that start with the current compliance period. Attorneys in Group 1 (last name A – G) have a compliance period ending January 31, 2025. Group 1 attorneys have a compliance period of  2/1/2022 – 1/31/2025. If you have a January 31, 2025 compliance deadline you are required to meet the new MCLE requirements.…

CLE For TikTok Attorneys, Ethics Rules Still Apply

TikTok does not come without ethical concerns for attorneys – especially considering the constraints of attorney advertising rules. In this CLE, Cari Sheehan will detail the ethical issues associated with using social media & TikTok and review some attorney influencer videos to see if their online conduct truly comports with the Rules of Professional Conduct.

Boilerplate Clauses in Contracts Establish Essential Rights: New Business Law CLE

Choice of Law, Prevailing Party, Forum Selection, Force Majeure… and what are acts of God anyway???  “Boilerplate” refers to the standard clauses that typically appear at the end of a contract that establish essential rights & therefore warrant careful consideration both at the drafting stage and if faced with enforcing them in litigation.

CLE on Cognitive Science, Decision-Making and Persuading Your Jury

The Science of Persuasion Can Help Attorneys Get Bigger Verdicts 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.…