Virginia Live CLE Bundle 2021

Lawyers, the legal profession, law firms, and even legal ethics scholars are facing rapidly developing events and meteoric developments that threaten to upend the assumptions of law practice, and possibly worse. Bedrock assumptions about what constitutes ethical practice are being challenged. Technology and the reactions to the pandemic have exposed deep anachronisms in what have been regarded as settled legal ethics principles. This makes it a frightening time to be a lawyer and a challenging time to be an ethical lawyer.

This program examines critical practice challenges that the Rules of Professional Conduct do not adequately address, and in some cases, not at all. From recent legal developments to the date of the seminar, and from festering legal ethics dilemmas that lie lurking in the shadows, “The Legal Ethics Curse” will challenge, engage, and even frighten attendees. This is an intense, multidisciplinary, hypothesis-based program. Attendees will leave with new tools to address legal ethics problems when they arise, and will be prepared to prevent them from arising in the first place.

This course is designed for attorneys across all disciplines, regardless of experience, who are interested in the evolving landscape of legal ethics.

Learning Objectives:

1. Review Model Rules of Professional Conduct.
2. Evaluate the context, application, and limitations of the ethics rules, with an emphasis on the varying rules across jurisdictions and the risks of non-compliance.
3. Identify when legal ethics issues arise and address them.
4. Gain legal ethics problem-solving skills by examining complex legal ethics problems.
5. Explore recent legal developments and legal ethics dilemmas.
6. Anticipate the legal ethics issues likely to arise in 2026.

Course Time Schedule:

Eastern Time: 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Central Time: 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Mountain Time: 12:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Pacific Time: 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Alaska Time: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Hawaii-Aleutian Time: 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM

This course is also being presented on the following dates:

Thursday, April 9, 2026
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Thursday, May 14, 2026
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Thursday, June 11, 2026

The opening statement is a critical part of any jury trial. Many lawyers believe that a case can be won in the opening statement. While this claim has been met with some skepticism in empirical research, the consensus is that attorneys may not be able to “win” in the opening statement, but they can certainly lose their case if they fail to make a strong impression.

This course will discuss the law related to opening statements. Participants will go in-depth on the purpose, structure, and presentation of opening statements. In addition, attendees will learn about the ever-evolving thoughts on effective opening statements, including how to persuade without arguing in an opening statement.

This program is designed for attorneys at all levels who want to learn techniques that will enhance their trial skills, particularly in relation to opening statements.

Learning Objectives:

1. Review the purpose of the opening statement.
2. Prepare for the opening statement.
3. Create an opening statement using the “story method.” 
4. Persuade without arguing.
5. Navigate how to deal with “bad facts”.
6. Utilize visual aids in the opening statement.
7. Recognize the dos and don’ts of opening statements.

Course Time Schedule:

Eastern Time: 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Central Time: 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Mountain Time: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Pacific Time: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Alaska Time: 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Hawaii-Aleutian Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM

This course is also being presented on the following dates:

Thursday, April 23, 2026
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Thursday, July 23, 2026

Gender bias in the workplace creates an environment of inequality, missed opportunities, and negative morale. Whether these biases are conscious or unconscious, they can affect hiring, promotions, and interactions among leadership and employees. Overcoming these biases can lead to more inclusive and productive working environments.

In this program, attendees will learn how to identify gender bias within themselves and others. Attendees will also study the ways gender bias impacts the profession both collectively and individually. Perhaps most importantly, participants in this session will learn how to overcome such biases and create more inclusive environments. Other topics include hiring, pay disparity, leadership, caregivers, and harassment.

Attorneys and legal professionals who are interested in learning how inclusive working environments can benefit their practice and the profession are encouraged to attend. This program is designed for all attorneys in all practice areas.

Learning Objectives:

• Classify and describe examples of gender bias in the legal field.
• Recognize and label the impact of gender bias. 
• Identify and recognize strategies for addressing gender bias. 
• Design and construct policies that promote inclusivity. 
• Explore and examine the ethical implications of gender bias and promoting inclusive environments. 
• Examine and analyze the advantages of inclusivity.

Course Time Schedule:

Eastern Time: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Central Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Mountain Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Pacific Time: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Alaska Time: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Hawaii-Aleutian Time: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM

This course is also being presented on the following dates:

Thursday, April 9, 2026
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Thursday, June 18, 2026

The rise of the internet, social media, and digital communication platforms has profoundly transformed the landscape of defamation law. This program offers attorneys a clear and in-depth introduction to the foundational principles of defamation as they apply to both private individuals and public figures, while also addressing the nuanced legal standards that distinguish the two.

This program will provide attendees with insight into the evolving challenges posed by modern forms of communication, including issues related to the credibility of online content, First Amendment protections, and the complexities of preserving digital evidence. The course also examines current trends and emerging developments in defamation litigation, providing practical guidance for navigating this dynamic area of law.

Designed for attorneys seeking a deeper understanding of defamation law, this program balances core legal principles with real-world considerations relevant to today’s digital environment.

Learning Objectives:

1. Explain the foundational principles of defamation law. 
2. Distinguish the unique challenges that come with litigating a defamation case involving electronic communications. 
3. Compare and contrast historical definitions and modern interpretations of public figures.
4. Recognize issues of credibility in electronic communications. 
5. Analyze the First Amendment Protections. 
6. Identify methodologies for preserving evidence in defamation cases.

Course Time Schedule:

Eastern Time: 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Central Time: 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Mountain Time: 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM
Pacific Time: 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Alaska Time: 6:30 AM - 7:30 AM
Hawaii-Aleutian Time: 5:30 AM - 6:30 AM

This course is also being presented on the following dates:

Thursday, April 9, 2026
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Thursday, May 7, 2026
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Thursday, June 18, 2026