9:45 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Recent Developments in Legal Ethics and Professional Conduct—What You Need to Know
This panel will discuss important developments in legal ethics, centering on recent and developing advisory ethics opinions prepared by COPRAC and other professional conduct developments. Topics will include COPRAC's recent succession planning opinion and interim opinion concerning flat fees; recent developments in multijurisdictional and remote practices; and attorney wellness and mental health.
11:10 a.m.–12:25 p.m. Ethical Considerations of Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of Law
The panel will discuss current legal artificial intelligence (AI) use cases, emerging issues, pitfalls, and opportunities. We will explore risk mitigation and the increasing emphasis on the role of bias and cybersecurity.
12:25 p.m.–1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m. Blazing a New Trail in the Wild West of Outside Counsel Guidelines
This panel will address the evolving landscape of Outside Counsel Guidelines (OCGs) and their intersection with professional reasonability. Topics include: conflicts between OCG requirements and ethical obligations; compliance challenges with billing restrictions and staffing mandates; data security and confidentiality requirements; implementation of diversity directives; and development of internal compliance systems. The discussion will provide practical guidance for both law firm attorneys and in-house counsel on managing client-tendered terms of engagement while maintaining professional independence and ethical compliance.
Types of Threats: An overview of the spectrum of threats—from physical intimidation and targeted harassment to cyberattacks and doxxing—affecting judges today.
Legal and Policy Frameworks: A review of current laws, including the First Amendment and the Rules of Professional Conduct, and proposals for strengthening legal protections for judges, including legislative reforms and policy recommendations.
Best Practices for Lawyers: What are the limits of zealous representation in the courtroom, in briefing, and in the public arena? When and how does free speech backfire?
What are Judges Doing to Protect Themselves? Best practices for personal and institutional risk assessments, including how judges can identify warning signs and work with security professionals; cybersecurity and interagency collaboration.
International Perspectives: Insights into how other jurisdictions address judicial safety, offering potential models for reform and improved practices.
Registration information
This year the Ethics Symposium is being offered for free and is limited to 3,000 registrants. Register online no later than April 23, 2025.
In order to receive participatory MCLE credit, you will need to join the webinar by video through the use of a computer or mobile device. If you join by telephone, we will not be able to verify your attendance and you will not receive credit. See State Bar Rule 3.600(H).
Note: In order to authenticate your attendance, during the program, we will provide you with a link to an attendance sign-in page. Only those who sign in will receive MCLE credit and an email containing links to the MCLE certificate, written materials, and the MCLE program evaluation form. This may take up to three business days after completion of the program. Please check your spam or junk folder if you don't see it in your inbox.
MCLE credit
This program offers up to 5 hours of participatory MCLE credit. This program has also been approved for legal malpractice legal specialization credit by the State Bar. The State Bar and the Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct are approved State Bar of California MCLE providers.
Questions
For questions regarding registration, program content, or requests for special assistance, please email OPC-MCLE@calbar.ca.gov.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, those requiring accommodations for this event should notify Karen Garcia-Vargas at 213-765-1164. Please provide notification at least 72 hours prior to the event to allow sufficient time to make arrangements for accommodations.
