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Tales from the Great Detective of Baker Street, Sherlock Holmes, serve as a launching point for exploring the Mental Health and Substance Abuse challenges that afflict lawyers more than any other profession or occupation.  Billy Newman's lecture includes a discussion of the unique ethics issues that arise when a lawyer's professional competence is compromised by substance abuse or other mental health issues -- as well as the ethical responsibilities of lawyers whose colleagues are struggling with these issues.

    Approved for "Substance Abuse/Mental Health" CLE credit in North Carolina.

    Approved for "Competence" CLE credit in California.

    Approved for "Ethics" CLE credit in most other states.

Acclaimed trial lawyer, Steve Heninger describes and demonstrates the art of "storytelling" in the courtroom as a means of connecting effectively with jurors.

A recording of the 6-hour Live Webcast originally broadcast in September 2020.   A fast-paced look at very practical ways to improve your legal writing & research.  Includes real-world tips on: (1) Making sure you haven't "missed something" in your legal research; and (2) Simple fixes that make your briefs and other writings more "readable."

Satisfies the North Carolina State Bar Technology Training Requirement.

A recording of the 6-Hour Live Webcast seminar originally broadcast in September 2020.  This is an introductory level discussion of the practical nuts & bolts of drafting basic Wills and trust documents. An emphasis is placed on avoiding the most common mistakes made by lawyers in preparing even the simplest of Wills.  Includes complimentary 100 pages of Will and trust forms!

This practical one hour course is designed to acquaint lawyers of all backgrounds with the fundamental nuts and bolts of drafting a simple will for a client.

Topics covered include:

* Basic Drafting Considerations
* Finding and Using Forms
* Terminology
* Will Provisions Regarding Payment of Debts
* Separate Lists Disposing of Personal Property
* Adding Personal Touches to a Will 

PLEASE NOTE:  The content of this 1-hour On-Demand course is replicated in our 6-Hour On-Demand course with a similar title, "Basic Wills & Trusting Drafting: A 6-Hour On-Demand Seminar."

Basic Wills Drafting, Part II

A practical one hour course picking up where Part I left off in a discussion of basic wills drafting.

Topics covered include:

* Gift Provisions
* Digital Legacies
* Lapsed Gifts
* Simultaneous Death Provisions
* Designating Executors & Guardians
* Execution of the Will 

PLEASE NOTE:  The content of this 1-hour On-Demand course is replicated in our 6-Hour On-Demand course with a similar title, "Basic Wills & Trusting Drafting: A 6-Hour On-Demand Seminar."

Nationally-recognized attorney Bryan Moseley of Tennessee presents a wide-ranging overview of the nuts & bolts of civil rights claims involving law enforcement agencies, including claims involving use of force, false arrest, and malicious prosecution.   This could be a good introduction to the topic for rookies.

This is the inaugural installment in a planned series of courses that will offer a very practical, real-world discussion on preparing contracts that are designed to avoid ambiguities, hassles, and litigation.  This installment offers a fresh look at the parts of a contract that usually receive very little thought or attention from drafting attorneys - the standard "boilerplate" language.  Governing law and force majeure clauses receive particular attention.  

For eighteen years, attorneys across nation have attended Billy Newman's In-Person seminars on intellectual property law and have praised the way in which Billy provides an entertaining and fascinating introduction to a seemingly boring subject.  Now these lectures are finally available online!  Designed at a beginner level for non-specialists, this seminar explains the importance of copyright law in general law practice.

Topics discussed include:

• A practical explanation of how copyrights come into play in everyday law practice
• The alarming rate at which small "mom & pop" businesses are encountering expensive copyright problems
• The truth about some of the popular myths about copyright protection
• A brief explanation of how patent and trade secret law differs from copyright law

Also - check out the companion On-Demand course "Trademark Law Basics for General Practitioners."

Here's what recent attendees at the In-Person version of this seminar have had to say about it:

"Surprisingly fun and practical!"

"Great seminar - probably the best CLE I've ever been to."

"Mr. Newman is a great presenter with a fine command of the subject matter.  This seminar was MUCH better than I ever could have anticipated."

"This was a great seminar!  You gave a wonderful overview of all the main points that general practitioners should be aware of."

A practical review for both sides

    -  Laying the groundwork for qualifying the expert

    -  Doing your homework

    -  Digging into the basis of the expert opinion

An increasing percentage of the average estate consists of intangible digital assets, including electronic photos, music files, e-books, and valuable digital accounts and data.  This course explores how to deal with these assets when drafting a Will or when probating an estate.  Includes a discussion of the Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act.

Satisfies the North Carolina State Bar Technology Training Requirement.

An overview of established practices for the discovery of electronically-stored information, including a quick look at some new tools that greatly facilitate the process.  This is Part 1 of a planned 3-part series of courses on the ins and outs of e-discovery.

Satisfies the North Carolina State Bar Technology Training Requirement.

Direct-examination and cross-examination, at first glance, can seem like a simple, straightforward task for a litigator. However, any experienced lawyer can tell you that there truly is an art to eliciting evidence from witnesses in a way that will communicate effectively with the jury and judge.  This practical course offers a number of pointers on mastering that art.

An overview of the major employment discrimination that can result in litigation against business clients.

A look at wage & hour and other miscellaneous laws that can trip up the unwary business client.

Part 1 of a 3-part series on the basics of entertainment law, taught with the general practitioner in mind.   This installment covers the essentials of representing clients in the book publishing process (including traditional books and e-books).

Part 2 of a 3-part series on the basics of entertainment law, taught with the general practitioner in mind.  This installment focuses on the ins and outs of guiding clients through the legal complexities of film and TV projects.

Part 3 of a 3-part series on the basics of entertainment law, taught with the general practitioner in mind.  This final installment focuses on the basics of representing clients in the music industry (including recording contracts and the legal aspects of live performances).

Just when the law had figured out how to deal with new digital forms of evidence like e-mails and text messages... now a new twist has emerged.  Increasingly business and other potential parties and witnesses are communicating on platforms that are designed to fully and permanently delete the message soon after its transmission (think Snapchat and internal business messaging applications like Signal and Wickr).

This course examines the slowly developing case law that describes how the rules of discovery and evidence deal with these new challenges.

Satisfies the North Carolina State Bar Technology Training Requirement.

Bryan Moseley discusses the special ethics considerations when dealing with a personal injury client. 

This course presents a unique approach to the discussion of ethics and professionalism for lawyers.  

Billy Newman presents a look at the surprising array of ethics problems that can be triggered by routine estate planning tasks, including the preparation of a Will for a client.  

There is an increasing discussion in this country about the new generation gap that threatens to divide Millennials, Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, and Traditionalists.  The modern law office typically is home to a wide range of age groups, and the threat of age bias within law firms has become a concern of the ABA and the drafters of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct.  This course discusses the nature of potential age bias in various types of law offices, the emerging ethical rules addressing the issue, and practical tips for eliminating age bias in the workplace.

An examination of several common misconceptions held by lawyers about their duty of client confidentiality under the Model Rules of Professional Conduct. 

A practical discussion of the "timeliness" aspect of Rule 1.3 of the Rules of Professional Conduct, including the rule and major case law.  Includes practical tips on how lawyers can improve their time management skills to ensure compliance with this rule.

The heyday of the phone book advertisement is behind us.  Increasingly, prospective clients are shopping for legal services online, and lawyers are using a variety of platforms on the internet to reach potential clients.  This course provides an overview of the different types of online marketing and discusses the potential ethical dilemmas associated with each.  Topics discussed include:

• Law firm websites
• Lawyer blogs
• Paid internet ads
• Law firm social media accounts
• Content marketing
• Much more!

Satisfies the North Carolina State Bar Technology Training requirement.

A unique and fun -- but entirely practical -- way to earn your CLE hours!   In Part 1, Billy Newman looks at the historic trial of Sir Walter Raleigh and the Lindbergh kidnapping case and demonstrates what these cases can teach lawyers today.  

(Be sure to sign up for Part 2 as well --  for a discussion of the trials of Old West legends Wyatt Earp & Doc Holliday, along with a detailed look at the litigation history of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd, one of the defendants in the Lincoln Assassination case.)

A comprehensive review of the various health-care-related documents that usually should be a part of a complete estate plan, right beside a Last Will & Testament.  Health care power of attorneys and "living wills" are discussed in detail, but the course also delves into some new additions to the lineup, including Physicians Orders for Sustaining Treatment (POST orders) and "Right to Try" laws.

A beginner's overview of the basic rules, concepts, and procedures in the law of immigration and naturalization.  

A very practical discussion of the often-overlooked laws that impose strict obligations on all employers to ensure the legal status of all new employees. 

Acclaimed trial attorney Steve Heninger offers practical pointers on one of the most crucial aspects of trial practice -- jury selection.

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.

This is the first installment in a new series of practical courses on essential and innovative skills for litigators.  This session is the first of two installments on becoming a better negotiator.  

This second installment in the practical "Litigator's Toolkit" series continues Billy Newman's pragmatic look at simple techniques that enable lawyers to improve their skills as negotiators.

A quick overview of "Do's and Don'ts" for effective cross-examination.

A close look at an often valuable, but sometimes overlooked, litigation tool - the motion in limine.  Includes an overview of the law governing these motions and their relationship to the Rules of Evidence.  Strategic uses of these motions (for the purposes of both excluding AND ensuring the admissibility of evidence) are discussed.  

This course looks at a variety of practical gadgets, apps, and other technological developments that can truly improve your competence, organization, and efficiency as a lawyer.  Taught from the perspective of a non-technical lawyer, useful tools discussed include:

• Using dash cam evidence in ordinary civil cases
• E-mail organizers
• Virtual reality in the courtroom
• Programs for preserving and printing out text messages
• Much more!

Satisfies the North Carolina State Bar Technology Training requirement.

Many practitioners report an uptick in the number of businesses and other clients who are inquiring about non-competition and/or non-disclosure (NDA) agreements.  This course takes a practical look at the governing law and helpful drafting tips.

When a person or business is defamed on an online review site, a social media post, or elsewhere on the Internet, the frequent anonymity of the post (along with the worldwide and permanent reach of the Internet) poses major obstacles for the Plaintiff seeking to pursue an action for libel or slander.

This course examines the emerging case law and statutory law on the subject.

Hotel magnate Leona Helmsley's estate plan made national headlines when it was revealed that Helmsley had left nearly $8 million to her beloved dog, Trouble.  The discussion that ensued highlighted the rapid rise of "pet law" as a legal specialty.  This one-hour course provides an overview of the major legal issues surrounding pet ownership.

Topics discussed include:

• Estate planning for pets:  Who will care for your pets when you die?
• Insurance issues
• The current law on dog bites
• Veterinary malpractice

A practical look at the do's and don'ts of crafting an effective prenuptial agreement in today's world.  The experiences of over a half-dozen current celebrities serve as a springboard for discussing common drafting errors.

Topics discussed include:

• The absolute requirement of full disclosure in a pre-nup
• The necessity of broaching the subject far in advance of the wedding
• Non-traditional uses of pre-nups
• Celebrities discussed include Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Paul McCartney, Steven Spielberg, and much more!

Keith Obert offers practical tips for preparing your client for an upcoming mediation session.  He also presents a checklist of basic do's and don'ts (for clients AND lawyers) to ensure a successful mediation. 

Nuts & Bolts pointers to ensure that your client is prepared for the frightening experience of being deposed.  Topics discussed include:

  - How to control the "too-talkative" client

  - Insuring your client understands the relative importance of the subject matter

  - Advising your client on how to correct their own errors in testimony

Billy Newman, a practicing lawyer for 30 years and a life-long student of the American Presidency, offers a fascinating glimpse into little-known aspects of the lives and careers of many of our former Presidents.  From these anecdotes he then gleans important and practical lessons in ethics and professionalism for modern-day lawyers.

Topics discussed include:

• The ethical duty of competence
• Dealing with difficult clients
• Mental health issues affecting lawyers
• Presidents profiled include George Washington, James Madison, Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry S Truman, and more

In this first installment of a two-part series of lectures, nationally-recognized litigator Bryan Moseley of Tennessee discusses the initial stages of a premises liability claim, including case intake and initial investigation. 

In Part 2 of this series, Bryan Moseley offers practical tips on proving your case when you bring a premises liability claim. Topics include discovery strategies, dealing with experts, and trial presentation techniques. 

Our annual look at major new law on the federal scene. 

This course is a follow-up to our popular seminar, "Ripped from the Headlines: Lessons in Copyright & Trademark Law from Recent High-Profile Cases."  Once again, Billy Newman gleans practical lessons for general practitioners from several recent news stories involving intellectual property.

A review of the fascinating case law that has grown out of the "takings" clause of the Fifth Amendment.  Specifically, this course examines the evolution of the case law that defines when a government's regulation of private property becomes so excessive, that it constitutes a "taking by over-regulation" that requires governmental compensation.

A basic introduction to trusts -- targeted at rookie lawyers.  Billy Newman explains the varied and exciting uses of this simple, yet neglected, tool.  Trusts contained within Wills (testamentary trusts) and more conventional trusts (inter vivos trusts) are discussed.  

Presented by James "Bus" Cook, an attorney for over 40 years and one of the premier sports agents in the nation.  Mr. Cook has been the sports agent for dozens of professional football, basketball, and baseball players, including NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Brett Favre (the 3-time NFL MVP), Steven McNair, and Cam Newton.  

This course provides an overview of the issues involved in establishing and pursuing a practice in sports law.  Topics discussed include:

• Obtaining the necessary certification as a sports agent
• NCAA Rules
• NFL Players Association Rules
• Negotiating contracts of professional athletes
• Negotiating marketing contracts

Nationally recognized speaker Bryan Moseley of Tennessee presents a detailed overview of the various lien, subrogation, and reimbursement issues that often arise in personal injury practice.  This first part of a two-part series also delves deeply into Medicaid liens.  

In Part 2 of this 2-part series, Bryan Moseley delves more deeply into two particular lien, subrogation, and reimbursement issues that can arise in personal injury practice -- ERISA and Medicare.   

Presented in much the same manner as his popular "Ripped from the Headlines" lectures, Billy Newman provides a fast-paced look at some of the biggest and most interesting developments in intellectual property law in 2020 and early 2021.  He then explains how these issues are important to general practitioners.  

New technologies have provided "Peeping Toms" and other snooping parties with multiple tools that permit them to spy on our clients with relative ease.  This course looks at the civil causes of action that might be available to the victims, with a discussion of some of the difficulties inherent in building a case against such Defendants.

For eighteen years, attorneys across nation have attended Billy Newman's In-Person seminars on intellectual property law and have praised the way in which Billy provides an entertaining and fascinating introduction to a seemingly boring subject.  Now these lectures are finally available online!  Designed at a beginner level for non-specialists, this seminar (the companion to the On-Demand course "Copyright Law Basics for General Practitioners) explains the importance of trademark law in general law practice.

Topics discussed include:

• A practical explanation of how trademarks come into play in everyday law practice
• The alarming rate at which small "mom & pop" businesses are encountering expensive copyright problems
• Simple guidelines for helping your client select company names, product names, and slogans that are legally defensible

Here's what recent attendees at the In-Person version of this seminar have had to say about it:

"Surprisingly fun and practical!"

"Great seminar - probably the best CLE I've ever been to."

"Mr. Newman is a great presenter with a fine command of the subject matter.  This seminar was MUCH better than I ever could have anticipated."

"This was a great seminar!  You gave a wonderful overview of all the main points that general practitioners should be aware of."

As the Millennial generation matures, it has become obvious that Americans (and our jurors, in particular) increasingly expect visual aids in communication.  This two-part series provides practical tips and examples of visual aids that lawyers can incorporate in their courtroom presentations to connect more persuasively with today's jurors.  Topics discussed include:

• An overview of the generational differences between Millennials, Baby Boomers, and Generation Xers.
• Using timelines in the courtroom
• Presenting financial data in a visual form
• Using motion in your graphics to keep the jury's attention
• Much more!

Satisfies the North Carolina State Bar Technology Training Requirement.

This second installment in the Trial Graphics series provides further tips and examples of graphics and other visual aids that lawyers can use to get (and keep) the attention of jurors in today's world of short attention spans.  Topics discussed in this second installment include:

• Using visual checklists in your opening statements and closing arguments
• Equipment, angles, and other considerations to improve your jury communication
• Much more!

Satisfies the North Carolina State Bar Technology Training Requirement.

This course is a sequel of sorts to our popular online seminar on "Preparing Your Client for Deposition."  In this installment, Keith Obert examines the crucial differences between deposition testimony and trial testimony, and he offers practical tips on preparing your witnesses for the daunting ordeal of testifying in open court.

No-nonsense, step-by-step discussion of investigating, preparing, and trying the car accident case

    -  The value of visiting the accident scene yourself

    -  Using expert witnesses

    -  Proving the injuries

    -  Much more!

An excellent primer for the rookie litigator (and good food for thought for more experienced lawyers!)

    -  Choosing your cases

    -  Preparation, preparation, preparation

    -  Jury selection

    -  Preparing (and attacking) witnesses