Thanks to Silicon Valley and our new intangible economy, Intellectual Property (IP) law is now on everybody’s 24 hour news cycle. Even small to medium businesses have everyday IP issues that must be identified and addressed - either in terms of minimizing their risk of infringement claims or maximizing the value of their own IP.

Although there are over a dozen highly relevant and probative questions you could ask, this program is designed to present 10 solid questions that every business must answer. Mark reviews these ten questions to highlight the most pressing IP issues faced by businesses today so you can help minimize their risk and maximize the value of their intangible assets. Mark will start by providing a brief recap of copyrights, trademarks, patents & trade secrets. He then goes into deep discussion on comprehensive IP audits, vetting new hires, buying company domain names, reviewing marketing materials, registering trademarks with the state & USPTO, recording copyrights & trademarks with U.S. Customs, establishing & implementing a trade secret protection plan and getting licenses for images & videos on the company website.

Mark Reichenthal practices in the areas of Intellectual Property, licensing, new media, entertainment law and book publishing. Prior to joining Branfman Mayfield Bustarde Reichenthal, Mark was a Senior Counsel at Wiley Publishing - the publisher of the famous "For Dummies" series.

Practice Areas: Business Law, Employment Law, Intellectual Property

State Accreditations: Alabama (AL) | Alaska (AK) | Arizona (AZ) | Arkansas (AR) | California (CA) | Colorado (CO) | Connecticut (CT) | District of Columbia (DC) | Florida (FL) | Georgia (GA) | Illinois (IL) | Indiana (IN) | ITA (ITA) | Maryland (MD) | Massachusetts (MA) | Michigan (MI) | Mississippi (MS) | Missouri (MO) | Nevada (NV) | New Hampshire (NH) | New Jersey (NJ) | New York (NY) | North Carolina (NC) | North Dakota (ND) | Ohio (OH) | Oregon (OR) | Pennsylvania (PA) | South Dakota (SD) | Texas (TX) | Utah (UT) | Vermont (VT) | Virginia (VA) | Washington (WA) | West Virginia (WV)

Course Expiration: 10/15/2024

If you are a trial attorney you have inevitably been forced to deal with difficult witnesses and hostile attorneys at some point in your legal career. Problem witnesses can take many forms - the dishonest witness, the evasive witness, the hostile witness- the witness that doesn't remember what they had for breakfast. All too often, witnesses try to frustrate the discovery process - and depositions in particular - by their obstructive and abusive behavior. And we all have stories about hostile or bullying opposing counsel.

This CLE course examines strategies to effectively depose some common difficult witnesses and also provides tips on how to deal with difficult attorneys during the deposition process. Join trial attorney Roy Comer as he discusses the hostile witness, the basics of questioning, dealing with the problem witness, the forgetful or unsure witness, the dishonest witness and the obstructing lawyer. Further topics covered by Mr. Comer include controlling the deposition, what doesn't work, the goal of the deposition, the form of questioning, the 4 step process for dealing with the evasive witness, videotaping depositions, looking for visual clues, asking more, quickening the pace, the Duty of Candor, the bullying lawyer, the law is your friend, talking to the witness, the improperly objecting attorney, the lawyer that wants to go off the record all the time, the condescending lawyer and the "I'll fix it later lawyer."

For over thirty-five years Roy L. Comer has been dedicated to handling damage cases, including catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death cases arising from automobile, truck, motorcycle, medical negligence, defective products, and dangerous premises claims. In addition, Mr. Comer has represented individuals and medium-sized businesses in real estate, landlord-tenant, insurance and contract disputes. Defending these types of claims has provided Mr. Comer with further insight into how insurance companies approach these claims. Mr. Comer's clients depend on his broad experience, coupled with the highest legal, professional and emphatic standards.

Practice Areas: Litigation, Personal Injury

State Accreditations: California (CA)

Course Expiration: 09/11/2023

By now I think that most of us are aware of the substance abuse issues that many lawyers face. Beyond mandatory CLE courses and aspirational ABA Pledges, what can be done to help solve the problem?

Janet Sobel has put words to action and she has a plan. A plan to spread the word about the stress and anxiety many lawyers deal with on a daily basis – and a path to bring wellness to the profession. Janet will mainly address the following issues: helping new lawyers, the ABA 7-Point Well-Being Pledge, the five obstacles to overcoming substance abuse issues, common sense solutions and substance abuse resources. She will also talk about the ethical duty of competence, getting law schools & bar associations to listen, the town crier, two prongs to competence, removing the stigma, the lack of mentoring, the wellness newsletter and how the profession benefits from wellness.

Once a big firm litigator, Janet Sobel has provided limited scope “counseling-at-law” for almost twenty years. A natural problem solver and former teacher, Janet speaks and writes about curing lawyer malaise.

Specialty Areas: Competence Issues

Practice Areas: Competence Issues, Ethics, Mental Health & Substance Abuse, Professional Conduct, Professionalism, Substance Abuse

State Accreditations: Alaska (AK) | Arizona (AZ) | California (CA) | Connecticut (CT) | District of Columbia (DC) | Florida (FL) | Illinois (IL) | ITA (ITA) | Maryland (MD) | Massachusetts (MA) | Michigan (MI) | Nevada (NV) | New Jersey (NJ) | New York (NY) | North Dakota (ND) | Oregon (OR) | Pennsylvania (PA) | South Dakota (SD) | Vermont (VT) | Washington (WA)

Course Expiration: 01/25/2025

Entrepreneurs and inventors often come up with great ideas that they think will be the next great product at home in the United States and around the world. But patenting that Green Bay Packer cheese head beer coolie hat in Germany might not be the best idea - no matter how great your client thinks it will sell.

In this CLE program, Eric Hanscom and Greg Sach highlight key legal and practical points about seeking patent protection in the EU. Eric and Greg will mainly discuss the U.S. patent system, the EU patent system and common pitfalls when seeking patent protection in the EU. Additional subjects covered: the three types of U.S. patents, provisional patent applications in the U.S. & Europe, comparing the cost of U.S. vs. European patents, popular validations in Europe, the unitary patent, typical EPO examination procedures, costs & timelines, added subject matter, intermediate generalizations, novelty & the two categories of prior art, the inventive step, patent ineligible subject matter, methods for treatment and the number of claims.

Eric Hanscom is actively involved in overseeing litigation, contract negotiation and customs issues around the globe over matters ranging from patent and trademark infringement to breach of contract. With over 14 years of experience in the patent profession, Greg Sach has expertise in drafting, prosecution and appeal proceedings for the European Patent Office and he also handles patent applications before the UK and Germany.

Practice Areas: Business Law, Intellectual Property

State Accreditations: Alaska (AK) | Arizona (AZ) | California (CA) | Connecticut (CT) | District of Columbia (DC) | Illinois (IL) | ITA (ITA) | Maryland (MD) | Massachusetts (MA) | Michigan (MI) | Missouri (MO) | New Jersey (NJ) | New York (NY) | North Dakota (ND) | Pennsylvania (PA) | South Dakota (SD)

Course Expiration: 10/18/2022

The globalization of the economy has created countless opportunities for foreign investment into the United States. This can be foreign investment in U.S. real estate & businesses and even foreign individuals looking to immigrate to the U.S. and bring assets with them.

A true master of his craft, Jacob Stein will explain the nuances & tax ramifications of these transactions, with particular emphasis on how to structure transactions for real estate and cross border joint ventures. Jacob will mainly address selecting the appropriate corporate structure, taxation issues with inboud transactions and transfer tax considerations. Further topics discussed: direct investment, LLCs, U.S. based corporations, foreign corporations investing in the U.S., FDAP Income (Fixed Determinable, Annual or Periodic), Effectively Connected Income (ECI), Branch Profits Tax, Capital Gains, Estate & Gift Tax and pre-integrated tax planning.

A partner with the Aliant law firm in Los Angeles, Jacob Stein focuses on asset & income protection, in addition to International Tax issues. He has represented over a thousand clients, from Forbes 400 families to Internet entrepreneurs.

Practice Areas: Business Law, Immigration Law, Real Property, Taxation, Trusts and Estates

State Accreditations: Alabama (AL) | Alaska (AK) | Arizona (AZ) | California (CA) | Colorado (CO) | Connecticut (CT) | Delaware (DE) | District of Columbia (DC) | Florida (FL) | Georgia (GA) | Illinois (IL) | Indiana (IN) | Iowa (IA) | ITA (ITA) | Kansas (KS) | Louisiana (LA) | Maryland (MD) | Massachusetts (MA) | Michigan (MI) | Mississippi (MS) | Missouri (MO) | Nevada (NV) | New Hampshire (NH) | New Jersey (NJ) | New York (NY) | North Carolina (NC) | North Dakota (ND) | Ohio (OH) | Oklahoma (OK) | Pennsylvania (PA) | Puerto Rico (PR) | South Carolina (SC) | South Dakota (SD) | Tennessee (TN) | Texas (TX) | Utah (UT) | Vermont (VT) | Virginia (VA) | Washington (WA) | West Virginia (WV)

Course Expiration: 02/10/2025

You don’t have to have an LLM in tax to help your business clients with tax issues. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Being able to spot tax issues and help your business clients identify and manage risk can save them thousands of dollars and keep them in business.

In this tax crash course Sam Brotman details how you can help the businesses you counsel spot tax issues before they become major headaches. Sam will mainly cover the following topics: the difference between an accountant & an attorney, dealing with income tax audits, how to defend your clients against IRS audits, what to expect during a payroll tax audit and sales & use tax audits. In addition Sam will also address the main pitfalls that create tax problems, common myths, why people get audited, DIF & UI DIF scores, the 4 types of audits (matching, correspondence, office & field), statutes of limitations, audit red flags, substantiation & legal issue audits, how to conduct the pre-audit, the IRS Appeals Process, the EDD, the general ledger, independent contractor issues, methods of testing, sampling, the pre-audit plan and common traps.

Samuel D. Brotman is the founder of Brotman Law. His practice primarily centers on all aspects of tax litigation and criminal & civil tax controversies. Although a strong proponent of early stage tax resolution, Sam's practice is uniquely tailored to assist clients in all phases of their tax controversy from administrative resolution of the lawsuit.

Practice Areas: Business Law, Taxation

State Accreditations: Alaska (AK) | Arizona (AZ) | Arkansas (AR) | California (CA) | Connecticut (CT) | District of Columbia (DC) | Florida (FL) | Illinois (IL) | ITA (ITA) | Kentucky (KY) | Maryland (MD) | Massachusetts (MA) | Michigan (MI) | Missouri (MO) | Nevada (NV) | New Jersey (NJ) | New York (NY) | North Dakota (ND) | Pennsylvania (PA) | South Dakota (SD) | Texas (TX) | Vermont (VT) | Washington (WA)

Course Expiration: 02/08/2024

In a recent case, a U.S. Magistrate Judge sanctioned an attorney for telling opposing counsel it wasn’t “becoming of a woman” to raise her voice during a contentious deposition. Yes, we have made strides when it comes to creating a level playing field for women in the legal profession… but there is still a long way to go.

In this lively and thought-provoking program, Andrea S. Kramer and Alton B. Harris discuss how gender bias can prevent law firms and legal organizations from achieving their desired diversity goals. In this incredibly insightful and practical discussion Andie and Al will mainly address gender disparity in achievement in the legal profession, why gender disparity exists in law firms, ending the gender disparity in law firms and what attorneys can do. The following topics are also covered: ABA Model Rule 8.4(g), state bar professional responsibility rules, the Muller-Lyer Illusion, communal & agentic stereotypes, the Goldilocks dilemma, the moral & business rationale for creating diversity, affinity bias, unconscious bias, being proactive, impression management and what male lawyers can do to be a part of the solution. Finally, Andie and Al provide specific action steps for addressing implicit biases and creating policies and procedures that can prevent bias from influencing decisions inside the firm.

Andrea S. Kramer is an attorney and a partner in the international law firm of McDermott Will & Emery, LLP. The managing partner in the Chicago office of Nixon Peabody, Al is a frequent writer and lecturer on the financial markets, financial regulation, corporate governance and diversity in the legal profession.

Specialty Areas: Elimination of Bias

Practice Areas: Access to Justice, Diversity and Inclusion, Elimination of Bias, Ethics, Professionalism

State Accreditations: Alaska (AK) | Arizona (AZ) | California (CA) | Connecticut (CT) | District of Columbia (DC) | Illinois (IL) | ITA (ITA) | Maryland (MD) | Massachusetts (MA) | Michigan (MI) | New York (NY) | North Dakota (ND) | Pennsylvania (PA) | South Dakota (SD) | Washington (WA)

Course Expiration: 06/23/2022

At this point, most attorneys are aware of the increased rates of substance abuse amongst lawyers and the link between abuse & addiction and diminished competence & disciplinary issues. But what about treatment options - is there anything to consider aside from the normal 12 step programs like AA?

In this CLE program, psychologist Tom Horvath will mainly analyze some of the most current studies and research on the subject as he discusses the evolution of addiction treatment and provides options for treatment including self-care. The main studies addressed include The ABA Report of the National Task Force On Lawyer Well-Being, The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs & Health and the DSM–5. Additional topics covered: the Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP), the power of language, problems with most U.S. treatments, sources of pleasure, self-control, the cost-benefit analysis of addictive behavior, self-treatment 101, coping with craving and why addiction is NOT a disease.

Dr. Tom Horvath, founder of Practical Recovery, is an internationally recognized expert on addiction treatment. He has been president of SMART Recovery for almost 20 years - SMART Recovery is the largest of the non-12-step mutual help groups. He is the author of Sex, Drugs, Gambling & Chocolate: A Workbook for Overcoming Addictions.

Specialty Areas: Competence Issues

Practice Areas: Competence Issues, Ethics, Professional Conduct, Professionalism, Substance Abuse

State Accreditations: Alaska (AK) | Arizona (AZ) | California (CA) | Connecticut (CT) | District of Columbia (DC) | Florida (FL) | Illinois (IL) | ITA (ITA) | Maryland (MD) | Massachusetts (MA) | Michigan (MI) | Nevada (NV) | New Jersey (NJ) | New York (NY) | North Dakota (ND) | Pennsylvania (PA) | South Dakota (SD) | Vermont (VT) | Washington (WA)

Course Expiration: 01/09/2024

Advance care planning has become a hot button topic as the current pandemic sweeps through every corner of our country. You might have clients and family members that are reaching out with questions - and you yourself may even need to consider these issues.

Clients in all stages of life often come to attorneys for council on advance care and end of life care planning. In this CLE program, healthcare attorney & nurse Renee Mallet will provide attorneys with an overview on the issues and key terminology so they can help their clients choose the best options for them and their families. Among the main topics discussed are living wills, durable power of attorneys for healthcare, do not resuscitate orders and palliative care. These key subjects will also be addressed: terminal conditions, legal competence, CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation), ventilator as emergency support, artificial nutrition & hydration, pregnant clients, cardiac & respiratory arrest, dialysis, forms & templates, proper notification and conversation starters to get the discussion going.

Renee is both a nurse and attorney. She presently works for Cardinal Health in the Ethics and Compliance Department serving as a subject matter expert on various laws and regulations and company ethical standards, from HIPPA to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

Practice Areas: Trusts and Estates

State Accreditations: Alaska (AK) | Arizona (AZ) | Arkansas (AR) | California (CA) | Colorado (CO) | Connecticut (CT) | Delaware (DE) | District of Columbia (DC) | Florida (FL) | Illinois (IL) | Indiana (IN) | Iowa (IA) | ITA (ITA) | Kentucky (KY) | Maryland (MD) | Massachusetts (MA) | Michigan (MI) | Mississippi (MS) | Missouri (MO) | Nevada (NV) | New Hampshire (NH) | New Jersey (NJ) | New York (NY) | North Carolina (NC) | North Dakota (ND) | Ohio (OH) | Oregon (OR) | Pennsylvania (PA) | Puerto Rico (PR) | South Dakota (SD) | Texas (TX) | Vermont (VT) | Virginia (VA) | Washington (WA) | West Virginia (WV)

Course Expiration: 04/20/2025

When Pierre DuPont engaged in his classic “Freeze Transaction” in the 1930’s, he was able to freeze the value of $15 million worth of stock that was eventually sold for $500 million by his children. But this was a risky transaction predicated upon one massive gamble – that the value of the DuPont Corporation would continue to increase.

Today, you can help your clients with advanced asset and tax planning with much more security by using irrevocable trusts. Attorney Jacob Stein, a true master of his craft, will dispel myths about irrevocable trusts and show you how they are commonly deployed in estate & income tax planning. Jacob will address the following topics: modern drafting practice, trust protectors & retaining control, the trust as an agreement, trusts & the two bundles of rights, revoking the trust, retaining the power to control & amend the trust, appointing the trust protector, defining the power given to the trust protector, Intentionally Defective Grantor Trusts (IDGT), state tax planning, DINGs & WINGs.

Jacob Stein is a partner with the law firm Aliant, LLP, in Los Angeles, California. A prolific writer and speaker, Mr. Stein has represented over a thousand clients, from Forbes 400 families to Internet entrepreneurs. He focuses on asset & income protection, in addition to International Tax issues.

Practice Areas: Trusts and Estates

State Accreditations: Alaska (AK) | Arizona (AZ) | Arkansas (AR) | California (CA) | Colorado (CO) | Connecticut (CT) | District of Columbia (DC) | Florida (FL) | Georgia (GA) | Illinois (IL) | Indiana (IN) | ITA (ITA) | Kentucky (KY) | Maryland (MD) | Massachusetts (MA) | Michigan (MI) | Mississippi (MS) | Missouri (MO) | Nevada (NV) | New Hampshire (NH) | New Jersey (NJ) | New York (NY) | North Carolina (NC) | North Dakota (ND) | Ohio (OH) | Oregon (OR) | Pennsylvania (PA) | South Dakota (SD) | Texas (TX) | Vermont (VT) | Virginia (VA) | Washington (WA) | West Virginia (WV)

Course Expiration: 08/27/2024

How can you serve as the most effective and valuable resource for your business clients? It doesn’t start with going into the file cabinet and pulling out a bunch of arcane legal forms. It starts with strategy and preparation followed by proper documentation.

Following these methods presented by Melody Kramer you will become an invaluable resource for your small business clients thinking about a collaborative venture with another entrepreneur or business person. Melody will mainly cover these topics: preparing the client, purpose & structure of the agreement, defining the terms of the relationship, due diligence before drafting the agreement, discussing the legal framework with clients and drafting the collaboration agreement. Additional subjects addressed: choice of entity, ownership & revenue sharing, liability, work product, control of contributions, balance of power, dividing responsibilities, the checklist, dispute resolution, the method of terminating the business, paperwork and dignity & respect. Melody will also discuss numerous case examples from her practice.

Melody A. Kramer is a trial lawyer, author, speaker, innovator and visionary. Melody has earned a reputation as a fearless advocate for clients in courtrooms across the country and an innovative problem solver in keeping people out of court.

Practice Areas: Business Law

State Accreditations: Alabama (AL) | Alaska (AK) | Arizona (AZ) | California (CA) | Colorado (CO) | Connecticut (CT) | District of Columbia (DC) | Florida (FL) | Georgia (GA) | Idaho (ID) | Illinois (IL) | Maryland (MD) | Massachusetts (MA) | Michigan (MI) | Minnesota (MN) | Missouri (MO) | Nebraska (NE) | Nevada (NV) | New Hampshire (NH) | New Jersey (NJ) | New York (NY) | North Dakota (ND) | Oregon (OR) | Pennsylvania (PA) | South Dakota (SD) | Texas (TX) | Vermont (VT) | Washington (WA)

Course Expiration: 12/01/2026

DraftKings, PokerStars, lotto at the corner store… once backroom taboo, legalized gambling is now big (legal) business in the United States. And with online gambling skyrocketing during the coronavirus crisis, many attorneys have run into problems with the “secret” addiction.

Brian S. Quinn had to learn his lesson the hard way. What started as football polls in middle school – ended with Brian selling his law practice to pay his debts and a stint in prison. In this CLE, Brian will primarily explore: the DSM-5 & gambling disorders, legalized gambling in the U.S. and mental health & gambling and harm to the legal profession. Brian will also detail the early warning signs of impairment, explain Lawyers Assistance Programs that provide services to lawyers & judges, examine the barriers that prevent lawyers from getting help and explore the role that education plays in breaking the stigma and the fear associated with addiction and mental illness in the legal profession. Special attention will be given to the connection between the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on social isolation, stress, anxiety, depression and gambling disorders.

Prior to working for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, Brian S. Quinn was a sole practitioner for nearly 40 years and has also worked in the field of Alcohol and Drug Counseling at Mirmont Treatment Center and Malvern Institute in suburban Philadelphia.

Practice Areas: Criminal Law, Family Law, Mental Health & Substance Abuse, Sports and Entertainment

State Accreditations: Alabama (AL) | Alaska (AK) | Arizona (AZ) | California (CA) | Colorado (CO) | Connecticut (CT) | Delaware (DE) | District of Columbia (DC) | Florida (FL) | Georgia (GA) | Illinois (IL) | Indiana (IN) | Kansas (KS) | Louisiana (LA) | Maryland (MD) | Massachusetts (MA) | Michigan (MI) | Minnesota (MN) | Mississippi (MS) | Missouri (MO) | Nebraska (NE) | Nevada (NV) | New Hampshire (NH) | New Jersey (NJ) | New York (NY) | North Carolina (NC) | North Dakota (ND) | Ohio (OH) | Oklahoma (OK) | Oregon (OR) | Pennsylvania (PA) | South Carolina (SC) | South Dakota (SD) | Tennessee (TN) | Texas (TX) | Utah (UT) | Vermont (VT) | Washington (WA)

Course Expiration: 08/02/2026

From a gang member, to an incredibly successful trial lawyer… to a full blown alcoholic. This is the story of Gary Gwilliam. Gary shares his story and his wisdom with you so you can avoid the same path that he - and thousands of other lawyers - ended up going down. The path to alcoholism and substance abuse.

How does Gary’s story end? Well, the story hasn’t ended yet. At 80 years old, Gary is still an taking on complex multi-million dollar civil litigation cases. In this heartfelt presentation Gary will mainly talk to you about how lawyers start drinking, the Sandy Staples case & dealing with loss, burnout & intervention and lessons from losing the big case. Gary also addresses our win-at-all-costs culture, the shame & guilt of losing, resources for attorneys, The Soul of the Law, how we become objectified because of our legal training, taking care of yourself, how to get better balance, how to achieve peak performance and learning to forgive.

Gary Gwilliam is considered one of the best consumer trial attorneys in the state. He has tried 150 jury cases, of which more than 100 were personal injury cases. He has also spent the last 30 years trying to help attorneys facing substance abuse issues.

Specialty Areas: Competence Issues

Practice Areas: Competence Issues, Ethics, Professional Conduct, Professionalism, Substance Abuse

State Accreditations: Alaska (AK) | Arizona (AZ) | California (CA) | Connecticut (CT) | District of Columbia (DC) | Illinois (IL) | ITA (ITA) | Maryland (MD) | Massachusetts (MA) | Michigan (MI) | New Jersey (NJ) | New York (NY) | North Dakota (ND) | Pennsylvania (PA) | South Dakota (SD) | Vermont (VT)

Course Expiration: 11/13/2022

Despite being armed with information on buy-and-holds, asset allocation, diversification and target terms, the overriding investment management problem that plagues many attorneys can be summed up by the eternal question: “What do I buy?”

As attorneys we are high-achievers and problem-solvers - we meet challenges and find creative solutions for our clients on a daily basis. However, we’re not Warren Buffet when it comes to investing for retirement. A Registered Investment Adviser, Ric Lager works with attorneys and law firms to help maximize the value of their retirement investments. In this CLE he will primarily address: selecting a plan, simple IRAs vs. SEPs vs. individual 401(k) plans, the challenges legal professionals face when investing and 401(k) management pitfalls & practice points. He will also cover common decision-making points, SPIVA & mutual fund analysis tools, tracking stats & results, statistical lessons from March Madness, ranking portfolios, 401(k) fees, portfolio rebalancing, insurance and the cost of bad investments.

Ric Lager is president of Lager & Company, Inc. For the last fifteen years Lager & Company, Inc. has specialized in advising retirement plan participants to maximize the value of their retirement investments.

Practice Areas: Employment Law, Law Practice Management

State Accreditations: Alaska (AK) | Arizona (AZ) | California (CA) | Connecticut (CT) | District of Columbia (DC) | Florida (FL) | Illinois (IL) | Indiana (IN) | Iowa (IA) | ITA (ITA) | Maryland (MD) | Massachusetts (MA) | Michigan (MI) | Minnesota (MN) | Missouri (MO) | Nevada (NV) | New Hampshire (NH) | New Jersey (NJ) | New York (NY) | North Dakota (ND) | Oregon (OR) | Pennsylvania (PA) | Puerto Rico (PR) | South Dakota (SD) | Texas (TX) | Vermont (VT) | Washington (WA) | West Virginia (WV)

Course Expiration: 04/17/2025

Many family law cases are extremely emotionally draining for the client and attorney alike. Knowing what to expect and having a good understanding of how these cases proceed through the court system can help you manage your client’s expectations and emotions.

Sandra Fava will provide you with a broad overview of family law practice – from adoptions to domestic violence. Sandra will mainly discuss how a family law case starts, the non-dissolution docket, the dissolution docket, practical points for family law practice and pitfalls for the new practitioner. She will provide you practical points on the following: domestic violence actions, adoption proceedings, juveniles, settlement, motion practice, use of experts, mediation & arbitration, dealing with unpaid support obligations, guardianships, the worthy client, zealous advocacy vs. becoming emotionally intertwined, good client management, managing deadlines, communicating with clients and practical advice for clients. This course is designed for attorneys new to family law practice or experienced attorneys from other practices that need to understand the family court system and how a case proceeds.

Sandra C. Fava has dedicated her legal career to the thoughtful and diligent representation of clients in divorce and family law matters. She provides representation at every level, including complex and sophisticated family law matters, often representing high net worth individuals, entrepreneurs, corporate executives, professionals and business owners or their spouses.

Practice Areas: Family Law, Professional Conduct, Professionalism

State Accreditations: Alaska (AK) | Arizona (AZ) | California (CA) | Connecticut (CT) | District of Columbia (DC) | Illinois (IL) | ITA (ITA) | Maryland (MD) | Massachusetts (MA) | Michigan (MI) | Missouri (MO) | New Jersey (NJ) | New York (NY) | North Dakota (ND) | Pennsylvania (PA) | South Dakota (SD) | Vermont (VT) | Washington (WA)

Course Expiration: 09/18/2023

From car accidents to botched surgeries, many legal cases require lawyers to put on their doctor hats and have in-depth knowledge of the anatomy human body. In briefs and during mediation – and especially in the courtroom – personal injury attorneys must be able to convey their knowledge of anatomy to experts and the judge and especially the jury.

In this CLE course, attorney Rachel Rose will teach you about the anatomy fundamentals you need to know about so you can communicate with your expert witnesses and the jury. Rachel will mainly cover the issues & types of cases that require a lawyer to have anatomical knowledge, anatomy vs. pathology, medical position terminology and practical points to consider in your legal cases. She also provides detailed overviews of the following systems: musculoskeletal, gastro-intestinal, circulatory and nervous.

From working on Wall Street to interning on Capitol Hill, Rachel V. Rose, JD, MBA, has accumulated knowledge in a multitude of fields throughout her career. She advises on federal and state compliance and areas of liability associated with a variety of healthcare, legal and regulatory issues including: HIPAA, the HITECH Act, the False Claims Act, Medicare issues, as well as corporate and security regulations.

Practice Areas: Litigation, Personal Injury

State Accreditations: Alaska (AK) | Arizona (AZ) | California (CA) | Connecticut (CT) | District of Columbia (DC) | Florida (FL) | Illinois (IL) | ITA (ITA) | Maryland (MD) | Massachusetts (MA) | Michigan (MI) | Missouri (MO) | New Jersey (NJ) | New York (NY) | North Dakota (ND) | Pennsylvania (PA) | South Dakota (SD) | Texas (TX) | Washington (WA)

Course Expiration: 07/24/2023

Do you own a dog or a cat - or maybe even a horse or a chinchilla? Are you passionate about your pets? Have you ever considered turning your love for dogs and animals into a legal career?

Cheryl Nolan was that kid that brought home injured birds and stray cats. Having been involved in her mother’s dog obedience business from an early age, she now helps her clients with a variety of animal related issues in her animal-centered law practice - from housing law and negligence, to products liability and visitation rights. In this CLE course she will provide you with the highlights of her animal law practice, what keeps Animal Law lawyers up at night and important practice tips. Cheryl will also provide commentary on common cases & claims, regulations involving service animals, fake service animals, law enforcement issues, accidents & premises liability, animal abuse & neglect, risks to the health & safety of animals, combatting puppy mills and managing clients.

Cheryl Nolan decided on a career in law to help others and be of service. After 23 years in legal services promoting the interests of the disadvantaged and equal access to justice, Cheryl felt the need to unify her legal work with her personal interests and she now runs an animal-centered law practice.

Practice Areas: Animal Law

State Accreditations: Alabama (AL) | Alaska (AK) | Arizona (AZ) | Arkansas (AR) | California (CA) | Colorado (CO) | Connecticut (CT) | Delaware (DE) | District of Columbia (DC) | Florida (FL) | Georgia (GA) | Illinois (IL) | Indiana (IN) | ITA (ITA) | Maryland (MD) | Massachusetts (MA) | Michigan (MI) | Mississippi (MS) | Missouri (MO) | Nevada (NV) | New Hampshire (NH) | New Jersey (NJ) | New York (NY) | North Carolina (NC) | North Dakota (ND) | Ohio (OH) | Oregon (OR) | Pennsylvania (PA) | Puerto Rico (PR) | South Dakota (SD) | Texas (TX) | Utah (UT) | Vermont (VT) | Virginia (VA) | Washington (WA) | West Virginia (WV)

Course Expiration: 11/27/2024

Bitcoin, Ethereum, Doge Coin… oh my! Yes, it’s a brave new world when it comes to “money.” If you invested $1 in Bitcoin 10 years ago – you would now have close to $1 million dollars of the world’s most popular cryptocurrency.

Whether you think crypto is a giant scam – or the next big thing – at least one of your client’s probably holds cryptocurrency as part of their estate. Blake Harris will show you how you can best protect your client’s cryptocurrency wealth through proven asset protection techniques. Blake will demystify cryptocurrency & blockchain technology, fill you in on NFTs & the metaverse and show you how it relates to estate planning, asset protection, probate and the taxation of crypto. Additional topics: NOT asset protection, the trust protector, avoiding lawsuits & judgements, charging order protection, LLCs, domestic trusts, international asset protection trusts, triggering a trust, blockchain applications & advantages, crypto miners, crypto inflation hedge, RUFADAA, Offshore Trusts, digital assets, Bored Apes, and the Electric Daisy Carnival.

Blake Harris is the managing attorney at Blake Harris Law, where he assists clients with wills and trusts, asset protection, and probate. Blake helps families plan for and manage the transfer of their assets and he specializes in estate planning, asset protection, and probate.

Practice Areas: Taxation, Trusts and Estates

State Accreditations: Alabama (AL) | Alaska (AK) | Arizona (AZ) | California (CA) | Connecticut (CT) | District of Columbia (DC) | Georgia (GA) | Illinois (IL) | Maryland (MD) | Massachusetts (MA) | Michigan (MI) | Missouri (MO) | Nebraska (NE) | Nevada (NV) | New Hampshire (NH) | New Jersey (NJ) | New York (NY) | North Dakota (ND) | Oregon (OR) | Pennsylvania (PA) | South Dakota (SD) | Texas (TX) | Vermont (VT) | Washington (WA)

Course Expiration: 03/11/2027

You get a frantic call from an attorney you’ve known since law school. Apparently, a person that she declined to represent left scathing, false reviews with one stars on a number of review websites like Yelp and RipoffReport.com. She is extremely distraught since she relies in the Internet for new clients and she wants your advice on what to do.

Paul Sternberg handles these exact issues on a daily basis and he provides you with a blueprint of how to handle online defamation cases. Paul will mainly talk about the First Amendment & protected speech, determining the defaming party, understanding liability under the CDA & the DMCA, legal strategies to consider in the defamation case, building a defamation case or defense and removing a website. He will also cover: libel vs. slander, weighing the decision to sue, deploying a cease & desist letter, SLAPP & ANTI-SLAPP laws, the Streisand Effect, elements to prove, statutes of limitation, public vs. private figures, malice vs. negligence, proof of damages, drafting a court order, utilizing Terms of Service, restoring your client’s reputation and the keys to success in a defamation case.

Paul M. Sternberg has been in private practice at his Texas law firm since 2001. A seasoned entrepreneur, Paul is the author of The Attorney’s Guide to Internet Defamation and Website Removal. He concentrates his practice in the areas of Internet defamation law and business law.

Practice Areas: Business Law

State Accreditations: Alaska (AK) | Arizona (AZ) | California (CA) | Colorado (CO) | Connecticut (CT) | District of Columbia (DC) | Florida (FL) | Illinois (IL) | ITA (ITA) | Maryland (MD) | Massachusetts (MA) | Michigan (MI) | Missouri (MO) | Nevada (NV) | New Hampshire (NH) | New Jersey (NJ) | New York (NY) | North Dakota (ND) | Oregon (OR) | Pennsylvania (PA) | South Dakota (SD) | Texas (TX) | Vermont (VT) | Washington (WA) | West Virginia (WV)

Course Expiration: 07/19/2024

Conflicts of interest continue to ethically ensnare attorneys and firms – especially with increasingly more lawyers changing firms these days. Conflicts can cost you and your firm millions and lead to embarrassing publicity if you happen to get disqualified from a case due to this all too common ethical trap.

Unfortunately, there is no magical formula for avoiding conflicts because they can take many forms and can be tricky to identify - even for experienced attorneys and well-established firms. In this CLE course, malpractice attorney William McCaffery lays out the ethical framework, analyzes instructive case examples and provides practical tips for avoiding ethical violations & disqualification. These topics are also covered in this fast paced course: erroring on the side of caution, conflicts & current clients, duties to former clients, imputed disqualification, conflicts rules for government officers & employees, dealing with organizations, duties to potential clients, maintaining routine conflict procedures, using conflict waivers and what to include in the engagement letter.

William T. McCaffery concentrates in the areas of legal malpractice defense, professional liability, commercial litigation, and general liability defense. He represents attorneys and law firms that have been sued for legal malpractice in cases ranging from real estate and personal injury matters to complex business transactions and commercial litigation.

Specialty Areas: Legal Ethics

Practice Areas: Business Law, Ethics, Law Practice Management, Professional Conduct, Professionalism

State Accreditations: Alaska (AK) | Arizona (AZ) | California (CA) | Colorado (CO) | Connecticut (CT) | District of Columbia (DC) | Florida (FL) | Illinois (IL) | ITA (ITA) | Maryland (MD) | Massachusetts (MA) | Michigan (MI) | Nevada (NV) | New Hampshire (NH) | New Jersey (NJ) | New York (NY) | North Carolina (NC) | North Dakota (ND) | Oregon (OR) | Pennsylvania (PA) | South Dakota (SD) | Texas (TX) | Vermont (VT) | Washington (WA)

Course Expiration: 05/23/2024