PLI'S California MCLE Marathon 2009: Latest Issues in Legal Ethics - Substance Abuse - Elimination of Bias in the Profession

Overview

Recently admitted NY attorneys: This program is accredited for transitional CLE credit

Why You Should Attend

This fast-paced and up-to-the-minute program satisfies all of California’s MCLE special requirements.  If your last name begins with a letter from A through G, your MCLE compliance deadline, February 1, 2010, is fast approaching.

PLI can meet all of your MCLE needs.  We have scheduled the MCLE Marathon, taught by a faculty of outstanding California lawyers and other professionals who are recognized leaders in their field, that will conveniently provide all of the California required subjects that you need – 4 hours of legal ethics; 1 hour of prevention, detection or treatment of substance abuse; and 1 hour of elimination of bias in the legal profession - all in just one day.

Who Should Attend

All attorneys licensed to practice law in California, and particularly those whose last names begin with a letter from A through G, should attend.  Receive all the required subject MCLE credit that you need in just one day.

Special Features

Live Webcast - Simultaneous live webcast of the San Francisco session is available for individual viewing. Webcast participants will receive streaming audio and/or video of the program, view and print the Course Handbook, and have the ability to submit questions electronically.

For more information click on the Live Webcast link in the Related Items box.

Special Bonus to all Registrants

All attendees will receive a complimentary copy of PLI's comprehensive Course Handbook. This softcover, bound volume was written to augment the program and to stand alone as a permanent reference. PLI's Course Handbooks represent the definitive thinking of the nation's finest legal minds, and are often the standard reference in the field.

Please Note: Webcast attendees will receive a downloadable version of the Handbook one business day prior to the program.

PLI Group Discounts

Groups of 4-14 from the same organization, all registering at the same time, for a PLI program scheduled for presentation at the same site, are entitled to receive a group discount.  For further discount information, please contact membership@pli.edu or call (800) 260-4PLI.

PLI Can Arrange Group Viewing to Your Firm

Contact the Groupcasts Department via email at groupcasts@pli.edu for more details.

Cancellations

All cancellations received 3 business days prior to the program will be refunded 100%. If you do not cancel within the allotted time period, payment is due in full. You may substitute another individual to attend the program at any time.

Schedule

Morning Session: 9:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.  

9:00  Program Overview

Mark L. Tuft (Moderator); Merri A. Baldwin, Randall Difuntorum, Arthur J. Lachman, James E. Towery

9:15  Forthcoming Changes in the Legal Services Market – Who Will Be Ready and Who Will Be Responsible?

Recent economic and global developments have placed significant pressure on traditional law firm practice. Lawyer mobility, technology, regulatory changes abroad and market conditions suggest that the current law firm model will likely not survive without change.  A distinguished panel of experts will discuss the forces of change and what the likely ethical concerns will be for lawyers in private practice and corporate law departments.  The program will focus on the ethical responsibilities of partners, managers and supervisory lawyers in this rapidly changing environment. The panel will explore the ethical implications of alternative law firm structures and financing arrangements, the buying and selling of law practices, conflict of law issues, management strategies and regulating the evolving law firm. Hypothetical scenarios will be presented that will allow for audience participation.

Mark L. Tuft (Moderator); Merri A. Baldwin, Randall Difuntorum, Arthur J. Lachman, James E. Towery

10:30  Break

10:45  The Ethics of Giving Legal Advice

Recent events have raised questions regarding the obligation of lawyers to exercise independent professional judgment and render candid advice in representing clients. This segment explores what the ethical mandate means and the implications of rendering legal advice and opinions to individuals and public and private organizations who want a particular result. Examples include advice on the legality of prospective client conduct and legal opinions on proposed business and tax strategies and in transactional matters. These and other issues will be presented in a series of vignettes that will allow for audience participation.

Mark L. Tuft (Moderator); Merri A. Baldwin, Randall Difuntorum, Arthur J. Lachman, James E. Towery

12:15  Break

12:30  Recent Developments on the Law Governing Lawyers

The panel will survey the latest cases, rules, statutes and ethics opinions affecting the practice of law in California, including developments in professional liability, conflicts of interest, vicarious disqualification and screening, aggregated litigation, the use of blogs, Twitter^SM, Facebook® and other social networking tools, in–house consultations and proposed new rules of professional conduct. This segment will also provide an opportunity for the audience to stump the panel with questions the audience will be encouraged to submit during the program.

Mark L. Tuft (Moderator); Merri A. Baldwin, Randall Difuntorum, Arthur J. Lachman, James E. Towery

1:30  Lunch Break 

Afternoon Session: 2:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

2:45  Coping with the Common Challenges of Legal Practice

An examination of the depression, substance abuse and stress challenges commonly encountered by legal professionals is presented.  Resources available to address these problems are identified.

Richard P. Carlton

3:45  Break 

4:00  Elimination of Bias Against Lawyers with Disabilities: Creating Access and Providing Reasonable Accommodations

In this interactive session, the challenges encountered by attorneys with disabilities in the practice of law, whether in the workplace or the courtroom, or when dealing with opposing counsel, are described.  The panelists offer guidelines on how to provide reasonable accommodations and create accessible environments for attorneys with disabilities.

Jane Kow, Linda McCulloh 

5:00  Adjourn

Faculty

Chairperson(s)

Speaker(s)

Program Attorney(s)

CLE Credit

Travel Information

Due to high demand we recommend reserving hotel rooms as early as possible.