CLE Seminar Brochure

Co-Chairs
Jaclyn Barbosa
Aditi Deal
Travis Hookham
Jason Keith

HBA Staff Liaison
Ashley Gagnon Steininger

Committee Members
Laura Alaniz
Rick Anderson
Johnny C.C. Day
Chris DeMeo
Cheryl Diggs
Ian Furman
 

Keith Houston
Chandria Jackson
Hannah Koval
Hon. Lamar McCorkle
Adriana Merlan
Samantha-Anne Nadolny
Lan Nguyen

Claire Parsons
Stanley Santire
Kenneth Scott
Margot Stander
Ryan van Steenis
Victoria "Tory" Vonder Haar
Robert White

Friday, May 8
12:00 Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Updates from the People’s Court
Hon. Katie Chancia, Harris County Office of Court Management, Justice Courts

1 hour MCLE credit; no ethics credit 

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This CLE will address recent legislative and Supreme Court changes to a variety of the most common case types: class C misdemeanors, juvenile diversion, evictions, and ODLs.

Friday, May 29
12:00 Noon – 1:00 p.m.

What to Do When Cybercrime Targets Your Law Firm or a Client
Cordt Akers, The Akers Firm

1 hour MCLE, no ethics 

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This CLE will discuss topics such as Business Email Compromise, Ransomware, Data Breach, etc. including what these crimes are, how they occur, and what to do when they affect you.

Friday, June 5
12:00 Noon – 1:00 p.m.

The Effects of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBBA) Budget Reconciliation Act on Medicaid, Medicare, and the Affordable Care Act
James Passamano, Sufian & Passamano, L.L.P.
Beth Sufian, Sufian & Passamano, L.L.P.

1 hour MCLE credit, including .25 hours ethics credit 

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Learn how the 2025 Budget Reconciliation Act (a/k/a: One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 (OBBBA)) affects: Medicaid; Medicare; and the Affordable Act.  Identify the classes or groups of individuals who will be affected by the changes; and the changes in eligibility and coverage health plan beneficiaries will most likely experience.  The presenters will address the new federal “community engagement requirement” as a pre-condition to Medicaid enrollment, including: (1) what is required; (2) who is required to perform community engagement; (3) who is exempted from the requirement; and (4) new verification procedures.  Presenters will also address changes in the frequency of Medicaid Re-determinations and financial eligibility requirements.  Regarding the Medicare, the presenters will address new eligibility rules for certain non-citizens and reduced funding Medicare low income subsidies.  Regarding the Affordable Care Act Amendments, the presenters will address changes in ACA enrollment eligibility, proof of eligibility, and enrollment periods.

Friday, June 12
12:00 Noon – 1:30 p.m.

250 Years of Legal Experience in Honor of America’s 250 Years
Rusty Hardin, Rusty Hardin & Associates, LLP
James H. “Jim” Brannon, Retired
Jim M. Perdue, Sr., Perdue and Kidd
Robin C. Gibbs, Gibbs & Bruns, LLP
Hon. Alvin Zimmerman, Spencer Fane LLP
Moderator: Jonathan C.C. Day, Sorrels Law

1.5 hours MCLE credit; including .5 hours ethics credit

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In honor of our country’s founding 250 years, five Houston attorneys (each with 50+ years of legal experience) share their thoughts and opinions on a wide range of legal matters surrounding the question, “What has changed, and what has stayed the same about the practice of law?”

Friday, June 26
12:00 Noon – 1:30 p.m.

Closing Arguments – Civil
Hon. Mike Engelhart, Miles Mediation & Arbitration
Hon. Robert Schaffer, Miles Mediation & Arbitration
Hon. Pat Mizell, Vinson & Elkins LLP
Moderator: Johnny C.C. Day, Sorrels Law

1.5 hours MCLE credit, including .5 hours ethics credit 

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Three former Harris County District trial judges will discuss closing arguments in the context of a civil trial.

Friday, July 10
12:00 Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Mediation Best Practices
Michael Hawash, Hawash Houston Mediation
Hon. Jerry Zimmerer, National Mediation & Conciliation Service
Peter Silverman, Early Dispute Resolution Institute
Moderator: Stanley Santire, Santire Law Firm, PLLC

1 hour MCLE credit, including .25 hours ethics credit 

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This webinar is designed for attorneys who serve as mediators and for advocates who regularly use mediation to resolve disputes. It explores new tools for seeking resolution early and efficiently. The program will introduce practical decision-tree analysis and examine emerging uses of AI in mediation preparation, with attention to confidentiality and professional responsibility. Throughout, the focus is on concrete, real-world tools that lawyers can immediately apply to improve outcomes for their clients in mediation.

Friday, July 17
12:00 Noon – 1:00 p.m.

How to Screen Clients When Accepting Cases
Jonathan D. Sykes, Law Office of Jonathan D. Sykes
Roger G. Jain, Law Office of Roger G. Jain
Moderator: Jason Keith, Keith Law PLLC

1 hour MCLE credit, including .5 hours ethics credit 

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This speech with cover how to screen a client – what to ask, what not to ask, what material to cover, and ethically, how to protect yourself before you take on the case.

Friday, July 24
12:00 Noon – 1:00 p.m.

AI Best Practices: What Every Lawyer Should Know
Hon. Xavier Rodriguez, United States District Judge, Western District of Texas
Carrie Phaneuf, Texas Lawyers’ Insurance Exchange
Mitch Zoll, Zoll Firm
Moderator: Laura Alaniz, Liskow

1 hour MCLE credit, including .75 hours ethics credit 

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As the use of AI becomes more widespread and pressure grows to adopt these tools, it is essential for attorneys to understand how to use AI properly. This seminar will examine what judges are seeing from the bench, including the use of AI generated materials as demonstrative evidence, issues involving waiver of privilege when litigants rely on public AI platforms, and how courts are responding to attorney misuse of AI.  The panel will also explore the ethical use of AI under the professional responsibility rules, including the duties of competence and confidentiality. Finally, the program will outline best practices for integrating AI into your law practice, providing practical guidance on using AI responsibly, including how to avoid common pitfalls and suggesting strategies for remaining compliant with the rules of professional responsibility.

Friday, July 31
12:00 Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Voir Dire
Darlene Smith, Crain Caton & James

1 hour MCLE credit; no ethics credit 

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This program will cover the mechanics and best practice for voir dire.