Virginia Live CLE Bundle 2021

In the present day of increasing technology, attorneys need to learn about "big picture" challenges to legal ethics principles posed by advances in technology generally and "artificial intelligence" (AI) in particular. 

Stephan Hawking, the leading physicist of the latter 20th and early 21st centuries, predicted (until he died in 2018) that "artificial intelligence" would be mankind's "last invention." How near or far into the future is such a fate? Will he be proven right or will human intelligence (HI) manage to prevent such apocalypse? How long will AI's "childhood" last? Will it be possible to identify evolutionary changes warranting countermeasures so they don't become irreversible revolutionary changes for the worse rather than the better? Do not ethical duties of the legal profession necessarily include continuing vigilance regarding such technological changes to enable attorneys to protect and preserve the tools (such as attorney-client confidentiality and privilege) needed for the legal profession to continue performing the important mission of safeguarding liberty writ large?

The format of this program is a blend of the lecture method with the Socratic method, extensively involving a high degree of interactive participation and critical analyses of a wide range of issues relevant to the seminar subject in a manner not limited to mere chronological description of particular topics and sub-topics. In other words, the content of each seminar (and the order and extent of emphasis upon specific topics and sub-topics) will be substantially influenced by the nature and extent of interactive participation regarding particular aspects thereof. Depending on the number of participants in a specific seminar, the format usually results in most, if not all, participants verbally engaging in conversational-styled interactive discussion and analysis of particular topics in the seminar and also permits interruptions, questions, challenges, etc. throughout the seminar. Think of collegially enjoyable and enlightening round-table discussions. It's a form of learning by thinking in the course of interactively participating rather than learning solely by listening (the latter of which is the lecture method).

Attorneys at any level who understand (a) that the very nature of the constitutional form of government is to protect the good of liberty from the evil of tyranny, (b) that, therefore, the primary mission of the legal profession is to protect liberty writ large within the bounds of the rule of law [in contrast to the rule of men (mankind)], and (c) that protecting such good from such evil requires the legal profession to be disciplined by understanding essential principles of science in seeking to prevent the latter from destroying the former are encouraged to attend this program.

Learning Objectives:  

• Refresh what should be every lawyer's common knowledge of unique aspects of the legal profession in contrast to all other professions, occupations, etc.: It's the effect of the Constitution's (and each state constitution's) vesting of "the judicial power" of the sovereign in its "Supreme Court" and its thereby incorporation of the evolutionary nature of the judiciary's common law inherent judicial power (i.e., sui generis power) to define, prescribe, and enforce educational, moral, ethical and civil standards for the practice of law and the status of lawyers as officers of the courts
• Assess how exercising such common law inherent judicial power (sui generis power) in an adversarial system created under common law, the supreme court of the sovereign (i.e., the U.S. Supreme Court and each state supreme court) creates structural and functional tools for the administration of justice -- i.e., rules of evidence, burdens of proof, procedural rules, definitions of the practice of law, regulatory control over the conduct of attorneys, and the nature and scope of attorney-client confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, and attorney work-product
• Acknowledge how the judiciary generally encourages lawyers to utilize modern devices, programs, applications and procedures and in some contexts specifically requires utilization of particular devices, programs, applications and procedures while also requiring lawyers to utilize them in ways that comport with duties imposed by the judiciary upon lawyers)
• Recognize that in a broad variety of contexts, lawyers' uses of such devices, programs, applications and procedures intrinsically undermine the extent of privacy necessary for proper utilization of particular tools (such as attorney-client confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, and attorney work-product), and such undermining of privacy a fortiori interferes with, or jeopardizes, lawyers' abilities to utilize them in ways that comport with duties imposed by the judiciary upon lawyers. This creates a conundrum. What is (are) the solution(s) to this conundrum?
• Realize that it is necessary for attorneys to have sufficient scientific literacy to recognize the contexts in which technology can undermine or even negate efforts by attorneys to satisfy the legal and ethical duties imposed upon them by the judicial branch as "officers of the courts." 
• Explore the nature and ubiquity of technological threats to attorneys’ ethical duties are such that efforts by individual attorneys to counter or negate such threats cannot succeed without overt and comprehensive regulatory measures by the courts to provide constitutionally effective countermeasures against such threats
   

Course Time Schedule:

Eastern Time: 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Central Time: 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Mountain Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Pacific Time: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Alaska Time: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Hawaii-Aleutian Time: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM

This course is also being presented on the following dates:

Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Wednesday, December 31, 2025
 

*This course is not approved for Ethics for Kansas. It is approved for Substantive CLE credit.

First impressions are important in motor vehicle cases. From persuading a jury based on first impressions to ensuring a case goes to court, attorneys need a strategy. This course is designed to help attorneys prepare for personal injury cases related to motor vehicles.

This course introduces the preparation for jury selection in a motor vehicle case. Attorneys are looking to persuade a jury based on their first impression. They will learn to question a jury to discern if they can establish a “for cause” challenge against an undesirable juror. Attorneys will also learn tricks to “push”  their case in the right direction.  

Civil litigators at any level should attend, especially those who practice in personal injury.  

Learning Objectives: 

• Review how to prepare for voir dire
• Classify the two types of jury selection
• Assess how to push a case without using evidence
• Strategize for scenarios of a “for cause” challenge

Course Time Schedule:

Eastern Time: 8:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Central Time: 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Mountain Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Pacific Time: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Alaska Time: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Hawaii-Aleutian Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

This course is also being presented on the following dates:

Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Alcohol and substance abuse is a prevalent problem in the legal profession. Statistics show that the legal profession has higher rates of substance abuse than other professions. It is important for attorneys to be aware and equipped with the knowledge of how to respond to and prevent substance abuse.  

Attorneys will learn how to spot potential substance abuse issues, when reporting is necessary, and about the prevalence of substance and alcohol abuse in the legal profession. 

ANY and ALL attorneys are encouraged to attend due to the fact that substance abuse is so prevalent in the legal field.

Learning Objectives: 

• Examine the prevalence of substance abuse in the legal profession
• Explore the ways the profession is responding to this crisis
• Evaluate the limitations of these responses
• Integrate the intersection of the ethical obligations for attorneys and how to deal with substance abuse

Course Time Schedule:

Eastern Time: 7:15 PM - 8:15 PM
Central Time: 6:15 PM - 7:15 PM
Mountain Time: 5:15 PM - 6:15 PM
Pacific Time: 4:15 PM - 5:15 PM
Alaska Time: 3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
Hawaii-Aleutian Time: 2:15 PM - 3:15 PM

This course is also being presented on the following dates:

Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Tuesday, December 30, 2025

*This course is not approved for Ethics for Idaho and Minnesota. It is approved for General CLE credit.

The course will delve into the intricacies of handling trials in motor vehicle cases. Participants will gain a thorough understanding of the various stages of preparing for and conducting a trial, specifically tailored to the nuances of motor vehicle litigation. The course will cover the essential elements of trial preparation, including assessing the depth of preparation required and identifying key components necessary for a successful trial outcome.

Attorneys will delve into detailed preparation procedures, exploring strategies for establishing a compelling theme and developing critical motions in limine. The program will guide participants through effectively preparing a plaintiff for testimony, including techniques for ensuring their presentation is clear and persuasive. Attendees will also learn advanced methods for cross-examining defendants, focusing on uncovering inconsistencies and challenging their credibility.

The course will cover the art of direct and cross-examining witnesses, providing practical tips and strategies for questioning and eliciting impactful testimony. By participating in this program, civil litigators will enhance their skills in managing complex motor vehicle cases and improve their trial advocacy techniques.

This program mainly benefits civil litigators, especially those specializing in personal injury law with upcoming trials. It offers valuable insights and alternative preparation strategies to help attorneys refine their approach and achieve more favorable outcomes in their cases. Whether you are seeking to update your knowledge or explore new methods of trial preparation, this course provides essential tools and strategies to enhance your litigation practice.

Learning Objectives: 

• Prepare to file and complete exchanges
• Explore how to make motions in limine
• Differentiate between summary jury trials versus regular trials
• Assess how to conduct direct and cross-examinations of witnesses

Course Time Schedule:

Eastern Time: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Central Time: 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Mountain Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Pacific Time: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Alaska Time: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Hawaii-Aleutian Time: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

This course is also being presented on the following dates:

Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Tuesday, December 30, 2025