4freeCLE: free continuing legal education

P.P.S. If you're not in Texas, why not create a Free CLE for Your State website? Very likely you know your state better than I do! If you have technical questions, let me know and we'll chat!

Saturday, February 1, 2025

February 20+March 20: California Employment Law Update: How to Minimize Risk in Boilerplate Employment Documents

The employment relationship generates much documentation. Oftentimes, the routine provisions in these documents are simply recycled from one document to the next and may in fact create, rather than eliminate, legal risks. And more problematic is the “one size fits all” approach as California law is vastly different than other states’ laws.

This two-part program will explore common provisions in employment documents and the danger lurking in outdated boilerplate provisions

Title:
California Employment Law Update: How to Minimize Risk in Boilerplate Employment Documents

Webinar Date+Time:

Part 1: Wage and Hour, PAGA, and Mandatory Arbitration Agreements

Thursday, February 20, 2025

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. PT

Part 2: Confidentiality, Non-Disparagement,Choice-of-Law, Forum Selection, Integration, Severability, Survival Clauses, and Other Standard Clauses

Thursday, March 20, 2025

12:00 – 1:00 p.m. PT

Credit:

CLE is approved in NY, PA, TX, IL, NV, and CA. MN CLE has been applied for approval. You may be able to self-apply for credit in some other states.

Speakers:

By:

Cozen O'Connor, established in 1970 and ranked among the top 100 law firms in America, has 750 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions.

February 20: The Janus Face of Implicit Bias: Reassessing John Rawls’ A Theory of Justice in Postmodern Legal Practice

This presentation will cover:

What is implicit bias?
The relevance of implicit bias in the rules of professional conduct
California Rule of Professional Conduct 8.4.1
John Rawls' A Theory of Justice
Rawls' "Veil of Ignorance" in practical legal settings, such as client intake and jury selection

Title:
The Janus Face of Implicit Bias: Reassessing John Rawls’ A Theory of Justice in Postmodern Legal Practice
Webinar Date+Time:
Thursday, February 20, 2025
3:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Attendance is Limited - Register Now!
Speakers :
Attorneys Scott R. Herndon, attorney Jonathan Arons, Albert G. Stoll, Jr.
By:
The Attorney Action Club is a network of San Francisco Bay Area lawyers who host monthly topical discussions on attorney work life balance and law practice management.
Cost:
Free; registration is limited
Credit:
California: This meeting includes 1.0 hour of MCLE Implicit Bias Sub-credit; You may be able to self-apply for other jurisdictions.

More Information And Registration

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

May 29: Allocation of Responsibility for Construction Defects

Title:

Allocation of Responsibility for Construction Defects

Description:

"Allocation" is mostly "science," but critical parts include the “art” of applying professional judgment. Construction defect litigation claims come in all possible project types, sizes, and ownership structures.

It's rare that construction defect (CD) claims are related to a single party. There are usually multiple parties who share responsibility, and sometimes, there are dozens.

Given how complicated allocation is, it's important to have an engineered process for assigning supportable portions of the cost to repair defects and other damages to each responsible party. This includes making a sensible list of defects ("issues") that can be allocated, assigning values to each issue or category, making a list of all possibly involved parties and understanding their role in the project, and assigning justified portions of responsibility for each issue.

A real, professional, supportable allocation has a lot of moving parts.

Date+Time Of Webinar:

May 29th, 2025

1:00pm ET | 12:00pm CT | 11:00am MT | 10:00am PT

Credits:

1 Credit in California, Florida, and Texas You may be able to self-apply in other states.

Speakers:

Shannon Guerrero-Huff, Esq., Founding Partner, Guerrero-Huff Kaminski, PLLC
Gene Witkin, Esq., Attorney, Arbitration Mediation Conciliation Center
Pete Fowler, Chief Quality Officer , Pete Fowler Construction
Garrett Mott, Esq., Shareholder, Hennigh Law Corporation
Mike Villalba, Practice Director, Technical Consulting Services, Pete Fowler Construction

By:

Pete Fowler Construction Services.

More Information And Registration

February 5: Breakthrough Brain Discoveries and the Law

How do breakthrough brain discoveries impact the law?

This symposium will feature the country’s top experts speaking on topics as diverse as brain implants and injuries to neuroeconomics, drug addiction, aging and dementia, violence, and the steadfast impact of poverty. Discussions will reveal insights into accompanying legal and ethical challenges, including data security, accessibility and discrimination, regulation, and personal autonomy.

Presentations will appeal to lawyers, doctors, scientists, and any interdisciplinary researcher probing these rapidly evolving areas.

Title:
Breakthrough Brain Discoveries and the Law
Date/Time:
Wednesday, February 5, 2025

11:00 AM - 4:55 PM (ET) Eastern Time
Register Now!
By:
Fordham Law School Neuroscience and Law Center. Advances in neuroscience have prompted the legal profession to question long-held notions about criminal culpability, free will, thought, behavior, and pain.

The Center explores how these advances affect the legal system. The Neuroscience and Law Center is dedicated to:

Using a multidisciplinary, evidence-based approach to examine the current and potential uses of neuroscience evidence
Advancing legal scholarship and the use of neuroscience in legal circles
Providing information to academics, lawyers, and the public about legally relevant advances in neuroscience

Credit:
CLE credit for this program is pending in accordance with the requirements of the New York State CLE Board for 5 CLE Credits: 4 Ethics and Professionalism 1 Diversity, Inclusion, and Elimination of Bias . In many other jurisdictions, you may be able to self-apply for credit.

More Information And Registration

Monday, January 27, 2025

February 27: Navigating Supply Chain Challenges in 2025: Key Insights on New Import & Export Rules for U.S. Businesses

Supply chain challenges will persist in 2025, requiring businesses to understand their risks and responsibilities. This webinar will focus on important supply chain issues for businesses, including export controls, import restrictions, and tariffs--areas that have seen an explosion of new regulations, a trend likely to continue under the new Trump Administration. These topics will impact all businesses, even those who do not directly import or export goods. Our expert panelists will discuss the supply chain challenges and how lawyers can address these challenges.
Learning objectives:

Understand the latest updates to U.S. regulatory regimes that impact imports and exports.
Determine how changes to U.S. export controls, import restrictions, and tariffs will impact U.S. businesses.
Implement measures to mitigate the risks these regulations pose to your company’s supply chain.

Who would benefit from attending this program?

In-house counsel who advise their business on supply chain matters, including compliance and contract drafting.
Lawyers that deal with cross-border transactions as a supplier, a seller, or both.

Title:
Navigating Supply Chain Challenges in 2025: Key Insights on New Import & Export Rules for U.S. Businesses
Webinar Date/Time:
February 27, 2025
1:00 PM EST •12:00 PM CST •11:00 AM MST •10:00 AM PST
Register Now!
Credit:
Bloomberg Industry Group is an approved provider of CLE credits in all states. Credit details in each particular jurisdiction.
Speakers:

Everett Eissenstat, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs: Everett Eissenstat is a partner in the Public Policy Practice Group. Everett is one of the nation’s foremost global trade experts having served in senior positions in Congress, the Office of the US Trade Representative, the White House and a Fortune 50 company. He helps clients manage and mitigate geopolitical risk, influence international economic policy-making, and develop and execute successful international trade and investment strategies.
Anthony Rapa Partner Blank Rome. Anthony Rapa is co-chair of Blank Rome’s International Trade practice group. A dual U.S./UK-qualified practitioner, he counsels companies, private equity sponsors, and financial institutions regarding cross-border trade, operations, and investments, drawing from on-the-ground experience spanning four continents. Anthony is a trusted adviser to clients on matters involving economic sanctions, export controls, and investment screening involving the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”). Global Investigations Review and Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal ) have recognized him as a leading practitioner, and he is a former member of the Law360 International Trade Editorial Advisory Board.
Sarah Rathke Partner Squire Patton Boggs. Sarah Rathke is a Chambers-ranked trial lawyer whose practice focuses on complex and high-value disputes in courts and tribunals throughout the US. Sarah has served as first-chair trial counsel in numerous disputes across industry sectors, and is frequently recognized for her courtroom skills. In 2023, Sarah was profiled in Authority Magazine’s “Top Lawyers” series and included in 2023’s Top 100 Attorneys Magazine. In 2022, she was selected by The American Lawyer as a “Midwest Trailblazer” for her work in supply chain litigation. Since 2015, she has been recognized as a Future Star by Benchmark Litigation. In 2012, she was one of three lawyers nationwide appointed to the National Institute for Trial Advocacy’s (NITA) Next Generation Faculty. She has written and lectured extensively about trial practice, including for NITA, the Northeast Ohio Federal Bar Association Trial Academy and the Cleveland State University College of Law trial advocacy curriculum. Her article, “A BigLaw Ladies’ Guide to Becoming a 1st-Chair Trial Lawyer,” was awarded a 2018 Burton Award for Distinguished Writing.
Moderator: Louann Troutman Senior Legal Analyst Bloomberg Law. Louann Troutman is a Senior Legal Analyst in Bloomberg Law’s Commercial Transactions team, where she has written about international trade and supply chain issues for over 20 years. She has a B.A. in International Relations from the Ohio State University and a J.D. from George Washington University.

By:
Bloomberg Law.

More Information And Registration

February 27: Construction Site Accident Claims Webinar

Title:
Construction Site Accident Claims Webinar

Description:

It is no secret that a construction site is not a playground. Few places are more potentially dangerous; the list of safety regulations goes on and on to safeguard the wellbeing of construction professionals. Still, humans are flawed and prone to error, with three construction site fatalities and hundreds of injuries each day here in the US.
When these accidents happen, the companies involved are obligated to step in and investigate the details, rendering a thoughtful opinion about the facts surrounding the accident. No two claims are the same. Our analytical method walks through a professional investigation and analysis regardless of the specifics of the claim, like how the scientific method aids in discovery of the workings of our natural world.
Anyone who works with construction of any kind has an interest in being prepared for construction site accident claims and knowing how to handle them effectively. Insurance professionals need to know how to investigate a claim fairly and thoroughly with the full context of construction site safety standards. Legal professionals need the specific knowledge necessary to best represent their clients. Construction professionals should be aware of the process involved in an investigation.

Program Outline

Introduction
Method
Analysis
Drawing Conclusions
Conclusion

Learning Objectives

Introduce a framework for conducting a professional investigation of a personal injury that occurred on a construction site.
Gain a big-picture perspective on handling construction site accident claims from abuilding expert perspective.
Review real world case studies for examples of good practice handling construction site accident claims.
Discuss the roles and responsibilities on a construction site based on contracts, industry standards, and OSHA regulations, including their multi-employer worksite rules.

Date+Time Of Webinar:

Thursday, February 27, 2025
1:00pm ET | 12:00pm CT | 11:00am MT | 10:00am PT

Credits:

1 Credit in California, Florida, and Texas You may be able to self-apply in other states.

Speakers:

Tom Fama, Esq., Partner, Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP
Mike Villalba, Practice Director, Technical Consulting Services, Pete Fowler Construction
Don Gifford, Expert, Pete Fowler Construction
Elgin Hakala, Technical Lead, Pete Fowler Construction
Walter Nelson, Claims Manager, Turner Surety & Insurance Brokerage

By:

Pete Fowler Construction Services.

More Information And Registration

Saturday, January 25, 2025

April 25: Construction Defects from the Developer & GC Perspective

Title:

Construction Defects from the Developer & GC Perspective

Description:

Construction Defect Litigation from the Developer/GC Perspective is a series of case studies in successful planning, analysis, and execution of expert work on behalf of developers and general contractors.

Construction defect litigation can be expensive, confusing, and long-lasting, but it doesn’t have to be. Through this presentation, we will break down the process from the Developer/GC point of view, and provide approaches and alternatives in construction defect litigation.
This Webinar will demonstrate how developer and general contractor litigation should be investigated and executed from an expert consultant perspective, using the most current ASTM standards and science-based building performance analysis. In preparing for trial, you want the highest level of professionalism in conducting building performance investigations. Investigations should involve conformance with the best standards of practice, a written investigation plan, random selection protocol for inspection and testing locations so the data is not biased, a comparison of performance to perfection, realistic repair estimates, and allocations to trade contractors. This program will include real-life case studies applying various approaches to construction defect litigation matters and examples of good work.
Program Outline

Introduction

Preliminary Analysis
Analysis
Detailed Analysis
Allocation & Mediation
Deposition & Trial
Conclusion

Learning Objectives

Gain a big-picture perspective on handling construction defect litigation from a developer or general contractor perspective.
Review Case Studies of numerous project types.
Look at actual project deliverables.

Date+Time Of Webinar:

Thursday, April 25th, 2025

1:00pm ET | 12:00pm CT | 11:00am MT | 10:00am PT

Credits:

1 Credit in California, Florida, and Texas You may be able to self-apply in other states.

Speakers:

Don Gifford, Expert, Pete Fowler Construction
Walter Nelson, Claims Manager, Turner Surety & Insurance Brokerage
Pete Patterson, Expert, Pete Fowler Construction
Melissa Saracyan, Partner, Wood, Smith, Henning & Berman LLP

By:

Pete Fowler Construction Services.

More Information And Registration

February 25: Best Practices for Demographic Reporting

This seminar will help legal professionals better understand how to measure representation and hold their organizations accountable to DEI goals by presenting guiding principles for recording, analyzing and reporting staff demographics along the lines of identity.

Topics will include the differences and intersections between categories of race, culture, nationality, ethnicity, Indigeneity, and Tribal status, as well as a discussion of gender and sexuality. Participants will come away with practical tools for demographic reporting efforts, including specific recommendations for identity categories and best practices for self-reporting options, as well as a strengthened appreciation for the relevance of accurate and responsible reporting for equity and justice in the legal profession.
Title:
Best Practices for Demographic Reporting
WSBA Legal Lunchbox Series
Webinar Date+Time:
February 25, 2025
11:55 AM - 1:30 PM PT
Free Continuing Legal Education Webinar - Register Now!
Speakers:

Ayanna M. Colman - Washington State Employment Security Department, Puyallup, WA
Elliott Schwebach - Washington State Bar Association, Seattle, WA

By:
Washington State Bar Association Legal Lunchbox Series; Sponsored by ALPS.
Credits:

Washington State: 1.50 Ethics (Equity)
Other States: A Certificate of Attendance can be provided on your request.

Cost:
Free to all members of the Washington State Bar Association.

More Information and Registration

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

February 4: Navigating Generative AI Risks in Gaming for In-House Counsel

Title:

Navigating Generative AI Risks in Gaming for In-House Counsel

Description:
Generative AI is revolutionizing the gaming industry, unlocking unprecedented opportunities for innovation and creativity. However, its implementation comes with significant legal risks that span multiple areas of the law.

For in-house counsel supporting game design teams, understanding and mitigating these risks is critical to safeguarding the organization.
Join us on Tuesday, February 4th at 12pm ET / 9 am PT as Andrew Velzen of MBHB explores the potential legal pitfalls associated with generative AI in game design. This session will provide essential insights to help you navigate the complexities of AI integration while minimizing exposure to costly mistakes.
Key Takeaways:

Legal Risks of Generative AI: Understand the common legal challenges tied to intellectual property, data privacy, and content creation in gaming.
Avoiding Legal Traps: Learn how to identify and mitigate risks that may arise during the implementation of generative AI in game design.
Best Practices for AI Integration: Gain practical strategies to ensure compliance and reduce liability while harnessing the potential of AI-driven tools.

Who Should Attend
This program is designed for in-house counsel and legal professionals working in the gaming industry who are responsible for advising on technology implementation and risk management.

Date+Time:

February 4, 2025
12pm ET / 9 am PT
Live Zoom Continuing Legal Education Program - Register Now!

Speaker:

Andrew Velzon.

By:
In-House Connect is an online in-house counsel networking group, comprised of over 15,000 members across the United States. In-House Connect's mission is to help in-house counsel form meaningful connections with one another and cultivate key skills so that together we can advance our careers, derive greater job satisfaction, and provide maximum value to the organizations we serve.

Credit:

California: 1 Hour Wellness Competence MCLE Credit
Other States: You may be able to self-apply for credit, depending on the rules in your jurisdiction.

More Information And Registration