The TBA Law Office Technology & Management Section is presenting four webcasts in July. On July 8, catch “60 Legal Tech Tips, Tricks, Gadgets and Websites in 60 Minutes, which will focus on the latest developments in legal technology. On July 9, tune in for “AI in Law: Use Cases,” which will explore 30 impactful use cases of generative AI for lawyers, including in the areas of legal research, document drafting and practice management. On July 10, join colleagues for “The Evolving Ethics of Law Firm Cybersecurity: Practical and Budget-Friendly Tips.” This program will focus on affordable cybersecurity measures that should be considered to protect confidential data. And on July 11, wrap up with “Our Era of AI: Responsible AI & Microsoft Copilot,” which will look at how Microsoft embraces Responsible AI in its development of AI solutions and how the company’s legal department uses Copilot to achieve more.

The TBA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) will host “The Rookie Series: Compassionate Lawyering” webcast on Aug. 27 from noon to 1 p.m. CDT. The program will introduce attorneys to the principles of trauma-informed legal practice and explore how lawyers can better serve clients — especially those from marginalized or vulnerable backgrounds — by incorporating empathy and awareness into their work. Mental health professionals will join the discussion to examine how legal systems can unintentionally retraumatize clients and offer strategies for compassionate advocacy across various practice areas. For more information and to register, visit the TBA website.

Stuart Teicher (the CLE Performer) says ethics educators should stop scaring everyone about generative AI (gAI) as he takes a different approach to AI in legal. In a July 17 webcast, Teicher will explore five ways lawyers ethically can use gAI, and specifically Chat GPT, including communicating effectively with clients (Rule 1.4), developing case strategy (Competence, Rule 1.1) and more. Teicher also will cover how to avoid confidentiality issues inherent in gAI (Rule 1.6). Get more information and register.

Attorney and legal ethics speaker Stuart Teicher will present “Shakira, Secrets and Scandals: Attorney Ethics and the World of Offshore Deals” on July 17. The one-hour webcast will explore the ethical pitfalls surrounding high-profile offshore financial schemes. Drawing on revelations from the Panama, Pandora and Paradise Papers, the session will examine legal and professional conduct issues tied to tax avoidance, asset protection and the role of attorneys in questionable financial structures. Topics will include lawyer supervision, responsibility for nonlawyer staff, confidentiality, advising on unlawful conduct and duties of candor and truthfulness. For more information and to register visit the TBA website.

The 2025 Federal Practice Forum will take place on July 15 and will feature essential and practical content for attorneys. More details about the program will be announced soon on the TBA website.

Family law attorney K.O. Herston will lead “The Art of the Family Law Consultation” webcast on June 26 offering practical guidance for attorneys on how to conduct effective client consultations. The seminar will cover strategies for efficient and empathetic intake and managing consultations to build trust and rapport. Designed for both new and experienced practitioners, the program aims to improve consultation skills and boost client retention. For more information and to register, visit the TBA website.

The TBA’s International Law Section will host a webcast on June 19 exploring the evolving landscape of tariffs and customs within the 2025 global market. “Tariffs and Customs: Insights into How to Navigate the Changes Within the 2025 Global Market” will examine current trends, trade disruptions and strategies for maintaining customs compliance. The panel will be led by Terry Olsen, chair of the International Law Section, and will include George Phillips of Phillips Ralston and Lee Broyles, vice president of international sales at Steam Logistics. Registration is available on the TBA website.

The CLE Performer Stuart Teicher is back with three new ethics webcasts on July 17! Shakira, Secrets and Scandals: Attorney Ethics and the World of Offshore Deals begins at 9 a.m. CDT, followed by Five Ways to Use Chat GPT Safely in the Practice of Law at 10:15, and wrapping up with The Office: What Michael Scott Teaches About Lawyer Professionalism at 11:30. Join your colleagues and earn one, two or three ethics credits.

A webcast on June 18 will cover upcoming changes to Tennessee’s foreclosure law, including a reduction in the number of required newspaper notices for foreclosure sales and a new requirement to post all sales and continuances online. Hosted by David Anthony of Exo Legal PLLC and Amy Heaslet of the Tennessee Bankers Association, the webcast will take place from 3 to 4 p.m. and include a discussion on how to comply with the new regulations taking effect July 1. Presenters will also answer participant questions. For more information and to register, visit TBA website. 

Commentators have offered vastly different approaches to the issue of whether arbitrators can and should perform independent legal research apart from the briefs submitted to them by the parties. With the growth of arbitration, it is prudent to reexamine those approaches to the extent they have limited arbitrators’ ability to conduct fulsome legal analysis. In this webcast, Gail Vaughn Ashworth and Chris Sabis will review different approaches to independent legal research, the applicable ethical rules and how courts have approached these issues. The speakers propose an approach that balances accuracy and efficiency with the quality of arbitration rulings and awards. Register for the June 25 webcast.