Virginia Live CLE Bundle 2021

This program will refresh knowledge of the evolution of the legal profession, legal ethics standards, civil liability standards, and modes of enforcement of such standards, all of which make the legal profession uniquely distinguishable from all other professions or occupations.

Attendees will learn (or be reminded of) the extent to which) legal-ethics standards gradually changed from being case-law-based to a uniform state-by-state set of "canons" and then uniform state-by-state codes, which gradually lost uniformity among the states. This program will also discuss the least-uniform standards in the form of the current set of Rules of Professional Conduct.

The format of this program combines the lecture method with the Socratic method, fostering extensive interactive participation and critical analysis of a broad range of issues relevant to the seminar's subject matter. This approach goes beyond merely chronological descriptions of specific topics and subtopics. The content of each workshop (and the order and extent of emphasis upon particular topics and subtopics) will be substantially influenced by the nature and extent of interactive participation regarding specific aspects thereof. Depending on the number of participants in a particular seminar, the format typically results in most, if not all, participants engaging in conversational-style, interactive discussions and analyses of specific topics during the seminar, and also permits interruptions, questions, challenges, and other contributions throughout the seminar. This program employs a form of learning that involves thinking while interactively participating, rather than learning solely by listening (the latter of which is the lecture method).

This course is designed for any attorney desiring to learn, or reacquire an in-depth understanding of what makes the legal profession uniquely vital to democracy, which is designed to protect liberty writ large.

Learning Objectives:

1. Refresh what should be every lawyer's common knowledge of unique aspects of our profession in contrast to all other professions, occupations, etc.: It's the effect of our 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.
2. Evaluate how the interpretation and enforcement of legal ethics standards have become more dynamic, making it vital for lawyers to not only keep abreast of changes in the law in their fields of practice but also changes in the ethical regulation of our profession.
3. Explore how the judiciary generally encourages lawyers to participate actively in the regulatory control over our profession and the conduct of lawyers individually. Therefore, each of us as a lawyer must keep abreast of such disciplinary and regulatory activities and, as much as possible, actively participate (pro bono, of course) in and support such activities.
4. Assess how to maximize one's objectivity in the process of seeking a thorough analysis of all relevant and material facts, issues, and laws in determining how to solve an ethics problem or dilemma.
5. Evaluate intrinsic conflicts between "justice" (or what's "morally right") on the one hand and our ethical duties on the other, and then analyze them to determine when we must, or sometimes must not, implement an ethically correct solution that is a polar opposite of "justice." 
6. Analyze the best way to prevent self-interest in desiring to avoid damage to the legal professional's standing in solving an ethics problem, and an attorney’s professional responsibility to derive an ethically proper solution.

Course Time Schedule:

Eastern Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Central Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Mountain Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Pacific Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Alaska Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Hawaii-Aleutian Time: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM

This course is also being presented on the following dates:

Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Substance abuse continues to be a significant problem among the legal profession and continues to show higher rates of addiction when compared to those in other occupations. There are many challenges to legal ethics principles posed by lawyers succumbing to alcoholism and/or addiction, and attorneys should be aware of how the legal profession is currently seeking (and/or ought to establish) to prevent or remedy such problems.

Attendees will gain insights about proposals for proactively preventing such problems rather than merely reactively and/or remedially responding to issues relating to lawyers already suffering from alcoholism and/or addiction. Even lawyers not suffering from alcoholism or addiction have a professional responsibility to learn about, and apply critical analysis to, the legal profession's ongoing efforts to prevent, or attempt to remediate, problems for the profession, by lawyers suffering from alcoholism and/or addiction.  Lawyers who are "recovering" from either condition (or both) can contribute valuable insights in an interactive seminar on the subject, such as this seminar.

The format of this program combines the lecture method with the Socratic method, fostering extensive interactive participation and critical analysis of a broad range of issues relevant to the seminar's subject matter. This approach goes beyond merely chronological descriptions of specific topics and subtopics.  In other words, the content of each workshop (and the order and extent of emphasis upon particular topics and subtopics) will be substantially influenced by the nature and extent of interactive participation regarding specific aspects thereof. Depending on the number of participants in a particular seminar, the format typically results in most, if not all, participants engaging in conversational-style, interactive discussions and analyses of specific topics during the seminar, and also permits interruptions, questions, challenges, and other contributions throughout the seminar. Think of collegially enjoyable and enlightening round-table discussions.  It's a form of learning that involves thinking while interactively participating, rather than learning solely by listening (the latter of which is the lecture method).

All attorneys are encouraged to attend as each lawyer has a professional responsibility to understand how the legal profession and the courts are currently seeking to (a) reduce the number of lawyers succumbing to such problems, (b) provide practical remedial assistance when needed, (c) apply suitable disciplinary measures when necessary, and (d) to consider developing programs, tools or methods to proactively prevent from ever getting onto that slippery slope to alcoholism and/or addiction.

Learning Objectives:

1. 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 our 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.
2. Understand that in 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, and regulatory control over the conduct of attorneys. 
3. Recognize how the judiciary generally encourages lawyers to participate actively in the regulatory control over the legal profession and the conduct of lawyers individually.  Therefore, each lawyer must stay informed about disciplinary and regulatory activities and, whenever possible, actively participate in and support them (pro bono, of course).
4. Examine the "illness" nature of alcoholism or addiction is necessary to develop and implement regulatory measures to provide remedial assistance to those suffering from such illness. Still, attorneys cannot permit the noble goal of remediation to completely eclipse the profession's ethical (and moral) responsibility to also apply common-sensical judgment in evaluating the degree to which volitional choices played a role in the creation of the illness and are needed in a process seeking recovery therefrom.  Nor should attorneys exclude consideration of whether new, proactive programs, methods, or tools could prevent lawyers from ever getting onto that slippery slope towards alcoholism or addiction.
5. Explore how the public perceives the legal profession as a "self-regulating profession" underscores the duty of the attorneys to handle this regulatory responsibility in ways that increase, rather than diminish, the public's confidence in our legal system. 
6. Assess how the legal profession owes to the public and to the legal system a duty to avoid letting compassion unduly repress the sense of responsibility to protect our system of justice from the too-widespread perception among the public that lawyers can always avoid the consequences of their shortcomings or misconduct, which perception undermines the public's confidence in our judicial system as the best created by human civilization thus far.

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, January 14, 2026
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Wednesday, February 11, 2026

There can be a conflict of interest when a real estate agent and an attorney are involved in a Real Estate deal. Both the real estate agent and attorney have a fiduciary duty - an ethical obligation to act in the best interests of another party; the real estate agent wants the property to sell, whereas the real estate attorney needs to view all terms of the deal and explain risks to the client (buyer or seller). This course covers real estate contracts and the process of a real estate deal.

This program provides an overview of real estate contracts and their elements. Attendees will learn about the different types of property that can be sold and how the property’s condition affects the contract. The necessary steps and documentation that must be completed before closing will be discussed.

This course is designed for attorneys with any level of experience who practice in or are interested in the real estate contract process.

Course Objectives:

1. Differentiate between real estate contracts and other types of contracts.
2. Understand the types of properties and when disclosures are necessary.
3. Assess what is needed for closing a real estate transaction (i.e., documentation, financing, post-possession agreements).

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, February 4, 2026
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Wednesday, June 10, 2026

In today’s rapidly changing digital landscape, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Intellectual Property (IP) are no longer niche areas; they are the driving forces of innovation and the foundation of global competitiveness. IP protection has moved from an internal legal concern to a key strategic priority and a central battleground for market leadership. As AI continues to produce content, code, art, and inventions, the intersection of IP and AI raises complex legal questions. From Fortune 500 companies to emerging startups, clients need an attorney who can confidently answer: "Who owns what the machine created?" This course explores the challenges of protecting IP in an AI-driven world, covering U.S. and international legal frameworks, the newest litigation trends in generative AI (GenAI), and practical strategies for advising clients during this transformative period.

This course provides foundational understanding, emerging issues, and cutting-edge legal developments. Participants will leave with actionable insights into: how the IP landscape is evolving with AI-generated materials under U.S. and international law; ownership, authorship, and protection in the age of generative AI; and litigation trends and high-profile legal battles that shape AI jurisprudence. This program will help attorneys assess, manage, and mitigate the legal risks associated with the use or deployment of generative AI tools.

This program is designed for attorneys of all levels, from new associates to seasoned IP litigators. Attorneys who deal with intellectual property, businesses, or those who advise clients in tech, media, or creative industries will benefit from attending.

Learning Objectives:

1. Evaluate AI fundamentals and how AI systems intersect with legal workflows.
2. Resolve difficult questions of IP protection for GenAI-created materials.
3. Compare U.S. and international approaches to protecting AI-generated content.
4. Identify and navigate emerging legal risks associated with generative AI.

Course Time Schedule:

Eastern Time: 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM
Central Time: 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Mountain Time: 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Pacific Time: 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Alaska Time: 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Hawaii-Aleutian Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM

This course is also being presented on the following dates:

Thursday, January 22, 2026
Thursday, February 5, 2026
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Thursday, March 5, 2026
Thursday, March 19, 2026