Legal professionals have a duty to provide competent representation to their clients. In the past, that meant an attorney was competent based on their experience and knowledge of the law. Today, however, the concept of competence has evolved to include a duty of technological competence. Attorneys today use a wide variety of technology – from email to Word to Artificial Intelligence tools. This session will address the ethical obligations that arise from the use of technology in the practice of law.

In January of 2021, Congress passed the Corporate Transparency Act (‘CTA’), which requires many corporations, limited liability companies, and other entities created in or registered to do business in the United States to report information about their beneficial owners—the persons who ultimately own or control the company—to the Financial Crimes Information Network (‘FinCEN’). The purpose? To prevent the illicit use of the corporate form to shield money launderers, drug traffickers, terrorists, and other bad actors. Pursuant to FinCEN implementing regulations, the Act now requires newly formed qualifying entities to report their beneficial ownership, and existing entities to evaluate whether they qualify and if so, prepare to file in January of 2025. This CLE will review the CTA and provide a primer on what constitutes a ‘reporting company’ under the Act for purposes of triggering reporting requirements. It will then discuss the requirements for identifying beneficial owners, note compliance dates, and summarize the information that must be reported. Along the way, attendees will also learn about resources supporting relevant workflow.

This CLE explores the ways Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used to make employment decisions, and potential risks its use, including discrimination and algorithmic bias.

Environmental law is unique in that intersects with many other practices such as real estate, corporate transactions, banking, energy, infrastructure, and litigation, among others. This course will provide foundational knowledge of key environmental laws and regulations for attorneys who do not regularly practice in this area. The program will then provide background on environmental insurance coverage, the types of coverage historically offered as well as a discussion of litigation potential of types of policies and coverage. It will then cover some of the emerging issues in this area as well and court interpretations on some of the most controversial coverage issues. Finally, the program will review practical resources to assist practitioners in dealing with environmental insurance claims as well as how best to manage client concerns in real estate transactions and corporate mergers and acquisitions.

Judges and Experts are two of the key players in any litigation. A Judge has wide discretion in all facets of a case, and it is important to know their likes and dislikes. Just as critical is to investigate the Experts (including your own) involved in a case. This seminar looks at the various types of online resources that are available to investigate Judges and Experts as well as tips and strategies on how that information might be utilized. This seminar will address how to use online resources to learn more about those individuals who hear your cases. Even if you are not the one who conducts the research, just knowing what resources are available may help you better prepare the presentation of your cases.

This course will discuss trends in patenting, emerging issues in patent law and research techniques applicable to patent prosecution practice. We will review resources for searching prior art; avoiding USPTO rejections for drafting errors; leveraging analytics for examiners, art units, and technology centers to maximize efficiency; strategically managing large patent portfolios; and utilizing USPTO analytics for business development.

As the saying goes “money makes the world go round”. Simply put, money makes things happen. It’s essential to the ordinary operation of life, even in some respects, the world. To large businesses, organizations, government entities and individuals, gaining access to money through funding transactions may involve lenders, borrowers, and the lawyers who aid their clients in their efforts to borrow or lend. With coverage of various types and terminology of financings, a review of loan documentation, and a view into the current considerations facing finance practitioners; this course provides a primer into the legal aspects of finance transactions and the typical tasks of attorneys who structure and support them.

With data breaches and security incidents happening daily, it is not a matter of IF you will experience a cybersecurity incident, but WHEN. Cybersecurity threats are growing in scale and complexity and virtually every company in all industries face growing cyber risks. As cybersecurity laws and regulations unfold and consumer lawsuits become the norm, cybersecurity remains a top concern for businesses, including the C-suite.

In the United States alone there are over 11 million case opinions with 350,000 added each year. Despite the vast amount of data, attorneys want more than just a list of results. They want content that is actionable and insightful. This seminar will provide an overview of innovative tools that can help attorneys sift through the masses of information to find trends and patterns. It includes an overview of current trends and technology such as Artificial Intelligence and Analytics and how attorneys are using them to accomplish their everyday tasks more efficiently and effectively including answers to common legal questions, determine motion strategy and develop more persuasive motions.

Staying ahead of key developments across the broad and rapidly evolving legal, regulatory, and political landscape of U.S. energy law can be a challenging task. This 60-minute seminar will provide discuss the basics of the energy law practice and give an update on several significant legislative, regulatory, and judicial actions and demonstrate effective methods to stay up-to-date as events and issues unfold.