William R Newman
Title: University Professor & President of Barristers Educational Services
Firm/Company: The University of Southern Mississippi
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Billy Newman practiced law full-time for many years and now devotes the bulk of his time as a full-time professor at The University of Southern Mississippi. Billy founded Barristers in 1994. His years of law practice and his academic duties at the University contribute to the innovative Barristers approach to CLE. He is also the originator of the "Trivia Challenge," the popular trivia contests that are a staple at every live Barristers seminar.
Billy began his career in Jackson, Mississippi at Thomas, Price, Alston, Jones and Davis, where he led an active practice in complex commercial litigation, intellectual property, business entities, Wills and estates, and general business law.
Billy received his undergraduate degree, summa cum laude, from The University of Southern Mississippi where he was inducted into the University Hall of Fame and where he received the coveted "Silver Bowl Award for the Top Graduating Scholar." He then earned his law degree at the University of Mississippi School of Law where he was an Eastland Scholar, Articles Editor of the law review, a member of the National Moot Court Team, and president of the student body.
Billy is the proud father of two sons. Oldest son Will is a graduate and Presidential Scholar of Tulane University and of the graduate school at The University of Southern Mississippi. Proficient in several languages, Will has worked as a teacher in Chengdu, China, and in Melbourne, Australia. He now teaches as a language specialist in Washington, D. C. Billy's younger son Sam graduated from The University of Southern Mississippi, and later graduated cum laude from the Mississippi College School of Law. Sam began his private law practice in September 2020. Nonetheless, Sam, an accomplished musician and perfomer, still takes time to perform with his band, Mississippi Moonlight, across the South. Billy lives in Hattiesburg with his wife, Charissa (a licensed professional counselor), and their Jack Russell terrier, Winnie.
On-Demand Courses Taught at Barristers
"Elementary" CLE: Lessons in Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and Ethics Inspired by Sherlock Holmes
An innovative 1-hour discussion of Mental Health Awareness and Substance Abuse Issues for Lawyers (and the ethics issues they trigger). Lessons inspired by Sherlock Holmes!
25 Fast Tips for Legal Research & Legal Writing: A 6-hour On-Demand Seminar
A recording of our 6-hour Live Webcast that offers 25 "quick fixes" to improve the quality of your legal research and drafting. Includes 1 hour of ethics.
AL - Family Law: 2022 Recent Developments in Alabama Law
The Family Law segment of our annual Recent Developments in Alabama Law course.
AL - Wills, Estates, Real Estate, & Business Law: 2022 Recent Developments in Alabama Law
The Wills, Estates, Real Estate, & Business Law segment of our annual Recent Developments in Alabama Law course.
ARK - Family Law: 2023 Recent Developments in Arkansas Law
The Family Law segment of our annual Recent Developments in Arkansas Law course for Summer 2023.
ARK - Wills, Estates, Real Estate, & Business Law: 2023 Recent Developments in Arkansas Law
The Wills/Estates, Real Estate, & Business Law segments from our annual Recent Developments in Arkansas Law course for Summer 2023.
Basic Wills & Trusts Drafting: A 6-hour On-Demand Seminar
A recording of our 6-hour Live Webcast that provides very basic step-by-step instructions on the nuts & bolts of drafting a Will or basic trust. Includes 100-page book of forms! Also includes 1 hour of ethics.
Contract Drafting Basics, Part 1: Boilerplate Provisions
Part 1 of this very practical series of courses offers several pointers for avoiding problems that can arise from overlooking the standard "boilerplate" provisions in a typical contract.
Contract Drafting Basics, Part 2: Warranties, Covenants, & Indemnity
Part 2 of this very practical series of courses offers drafting tips & a checklist for preparing the warranty, covenant, & insurance provisions of a typical contract.
Contract Drafting Basics, Part 3: e-Contracts & Miscellaneous Provisions
The 3rd installment in our practical series on the nuts & bolts of preparing airtight contracts. This segment focuses on the growing popularity of paperless contracts, as well as considerations in drafting misc. contract provisions.
Contract Drafting Basics, Part 4: Contracts for the Purchase of a Business or Real Estate
Building on the general discussion of contracts in Parts 1 thru 3, this segment looks at the ins & outs of a specific type of contract - those involving the sale of a business or real property.
Copyright Law Basics for General Practitioners
Billy Newman's acclaimed introduction to copyright law is finally available online!
e-Discovery, Part 1: Basic Concepts & Rules (for Taylor Swift...and All Litigants)
An overview of the basics of conducting discovery of electronically-stored evidence, including a brief look at new tools that assist the process. Illustrated with a brief look at Taylor Swift's e-discovery saga.
e-Discovery, Part 2: Best Practices & Litigation Holds
The 2nd course in a 3-part series on e-discovery examines the law of "litigation holds."
Ephemeral Evidence: The Challenge of Disappearing Communications
A look at the emerging law on how to deal with evidence that, by its nature, disappears soon after its creation (including Snapchat and other disappearing message apps).
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Ethics for Lawyers: Lessons Inspired by the Peanuts(R) Comic Strips
This course presents a unique approach to the discussion of ethics and professionalism for lawyers.
Ethics Issues in Wills Drafting & Estate Planning
A discussion of the surprising array of ethics dilemmas that can arise from the routine preparation of a Will or other estate planning documents for clients.
Ethics of Age Bias in the Law Office
A look at emerging law on the ethics of eliminating age bias in the law office.
Ethics of Confidentiality: What You May Not Know
An in-depth look at some of the hidden pitfalls within the ethical duty of client confidentiality.
Ethics of Cybersecurity for Lawyers
A very practical 2-hour course that deals with the ethics of confidentiality and the myriad of threats posed by hackers and ransomware attacks. Taught from the perspective of lawyers who are not particularly tech savvy.
Ethics of Diligence & Time Management
The ethics rules and case law on Rule 1.3 of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct.
Ethics of Online Marketing for Lawyers
An overview of the different forms of digital marketing being used by lawyers, with an emphasis on the ethical limitations of each.
Five Trending Topics Every Lawyer Should Know About
A close examination of five trending developments that will likely have a big impact on law and the practice of law. Available for immediate viewing. (Available for viewing after May 26, 2023)
Great Trials in History, Part 1: The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case and the Trial of Sir Walter Raleigh
A fun -- but practical -- way to earn your CLE hours! Billy Newman looks at centuries of great trials and demonstrates that these historic cases can teach us a lot about good lawyering today.
Great Trials in History, Part 2: The Wyatt Earp and Lincoln Assassination Trials
The second installment in this unique & fascinating series of courses that extracts practical examples and lessons for modern-day lawyers by looking at the strategies & tactics used in some of the greatest courtroom events in history!
Health Care Directives and Powers of Attorney in Estate Planning
A comprehensive review of the various health-care related documents that usually should accompany the preparation of a Last Will & Testament.
Hearsay: Mastering the Objections & Exceptions
The complexity of the rules on hearsay evidence bewilder most law students. This course breaks down what you need to know to effectively make (or respond to) hearsay objections.
Lawyer Ethics in a Pandemic or Other Disaster
A discussion of the surprising ethics challenges that lawyers face when they and their clients face the major disruptions of a pandemic, hurricane, or other disaster.
Litigator's Toolkit #1: The Art of Negotiation
The first installment in a new series of practical, bite-sized courses on essential and innovative skills for litigators (both Plaintiff and Defense). This segment looks at the art of negotiation.
Litigator's Toolkit #2: More on Negotiation
This second installment in the practical "Litigator's Toolkit" series of courses continues a practical discussion on the art of negotiation for lawyers.
Litigator's Toolkit #3: Digital Communication Evidence - Getting It & Authenticating It
An updated discussion on obtaining and using social media posts, text messages, emails, and other digital communications in preparation for use at trial.
Litigator's Toolkit #6: Cross Examination
A quick overview of "Do's and Don'ts" for Effective Cross Examination
Litigator's Toolkit #8: Direct Examination
The latest installment in our series of practical courses on skills for the courtroom lawyer. In this segment, Billy Newman provides a discussion of the do's & don'ts of effective direct examination.
Motions in Limine
An examination of an often under-utilized litigation tool - the motion in limine. Includes an overview of the general law governing them and their various strategic uses in the courtroom.
MS - Family Law: 2023 Recent Developments in Mississippi Law
The Family Law segment of our 29th annual Recent Developments in Mississippi Law course. (Available for viewing by July 7, 2023)
MS - Torts, Insurance, Civil Procedure, & Workers' Compensation, Part 1: 2023 Recent Developments in Mississippi Law
Part 1 of the Torts, Insurance, & Civil Procedure segment of our 29th annual Recent Developments in Mississippi Law course.
MS - Torts, Insurance, Civil Procedure, & Workers' Compensation, Part 2: 2023 Recent Developments in Mississippi Law
Part 2 of the Torts, Insurance, & Civil Procedure segment of our 29th annual Recent Developments in Mississippi Law course.
MS - Wills, Estates, & Business Law: 2023 Recent Developments in Mississippi Law
The Wills, Estates, Real Estate, & Business Law segment of our 29th annual Recent Developments in Mississippi Law course.
Non-Compete and Non-Disclosure Agreements
An examination of the major do's & don'ts of drafting non-competition and non-disclosure documents, including a review of the law governing them.
Online Defamation Law: The New Era of "Twibel"
A review of the law that relates to libel and slander actions arising out of defamatory postings on the Internet.
Pet Law: Evolving Trends for the Famous & Non-Famous (beyond Leona Helmsley)
A surprisingly interesting look at a rapidly emerging area of law - the law governing pets and other animals!
Prenuptial Agreements: What Famous People Can Teach Us
The divorce court experiences of a half-dozen celebrities provide the lesson plan for general practitioners on the drafting of effective prenuptial agreements.
Presidential Problems: Ethically Dealing with Lawyer Stress, Depression, & Addiction
A discussion about dealing with lawyer mental health issues, as viewed through the lens of lawyer ethics.
Recent Developments in Federal Law - 2022
Our annual look at new developments in federal case law, statutes, rules, and regulations for late 2021 and early 2022.
Recent Developments in Federal Law - 2023
Our annual look at new developments in federal case law, statutes, rules, and regulations for late 2022 and early 2023.
Recent Headlines in Intellectual Property Law
A sequel to our popular "Ripped from the Headlines" course. This newest installment looks at the valuable lessons to be derived from recent high-profile cases involving copyrights, trademarks, and patents.
Regulatory Takings of Property
An overview of the case law that governs when the government's regulation of private property severely limits the owner's economic use of the property.
Setting Up a New Business: Choosing the Best Type of Entity & Getting It Started
A straightforward look at choosing the type of legal entity that is right for your new business client, followed by a nuts & bolts discussion of the process of thoroughly setting up all the requisite paperwork.
Six Overlooked Ethics Traps to Avoid
A fast-paced look at six commonly overlooked sources of ethics problems in everyday practice.
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The Law of Paralegals & Notaries: What Lawyers Need to Know
The role of paralegals in the legal system is rapidly changing. And the law governing paralegals (as well as notaries) is evolving too. This course acquaints lawyers with the essential information.
The New Role of Artificial Intelligence in Law Practice (Ethics)
The Chat GPT program and other publicly available forms of artificial intelligence have burst on the scene since late 2022. This course looks at the potential benefits (and pitfalls) of using this rapidly evolving technology in law practice.
TN - Family Law: 2022 Recent Developments in Tennessee Law
The Family Law segment of our annual Recent Developments in Tennessee Law course.
TN - Wills, Estates, Real Estate, & Business Law: 2022 Recent Developments in Tennessee Law
The Wills, Estates, Real Estate, & Business Law segment of our annual Recent Developments in Tennessee Law course.
Top Copyright & Trademark Law Headlines of 2020-2021
Billy Newman's latest fast-paced look at recent developments in intellectual property law - presented with general practitioners in mind!
Tort Remedies for Invasion of Privacy
An overview of the various civil tort actions that might be available to the Plaintiff who has been the victim of high-tech invasion of privacy.
Trademark Law Basics for General Practitioners
Billy Newman's acclaimed introduction to trademark law is finally available online!
Trial Graphics: Reaching Millennial Jurors, and More - Part 1
The first installment of a 2-part series on new standards and techniques for designing graphics and demonstrative aids that work effectively with today's tech-savvy jurors.
Trial Graphics: Reaching Millennial Jurors, and More - Part 2
The second installment of a 2-part series on new standards and techniques for designing graphics and demonstrative aids that work effectively with today's tech-savvy jurors.
Wills Drafting Do's and Don'ts from Famous People
Our newest peek into the Last Wills and estate plans of famous people (including Robin Williams and several former Presidents) provides a lot of practical lessons in Wills drafting for today's practitioner.