Welcome to the ACBA Online CLE Center

The regulatory status of PFAS chemicals is a rapidly changing environment as numerous states have decided to chart their own regulatory path, U.S. EPA continues to make progress on their PFAS Action Plan, and U.S. EPA has issued a Draft Interim Guidance on the destruction and disposal of PFAS substances. The panel will provide an update on current PFAS regulations in various states and discuss the recent memorandum detailing an interim National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permitting strategy for addressing PFAS in EPA-issued wastewater permits. The U.S. EPA Draft Interim Guidance on the Destruction and Disposal of PFAS substances also will be discussed.

Date Recorded: March 30, 2021

Speakers: Paul Tomiczek, Thomas Maher, David Rockman

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The COVID-19 pandemic has driven pharmaceutical companies around the world to shift their focus on developing a safe and effective vaccine and/or therapeutic treatment as quickly as possible. However, the urgency and speed at which research and trials are being conducted leaves little time for companies to assess legal risks – including potential patent infringement. This program will provide an in-depth discussion of the options available to the Federal Government to shield potential infringers from liability in order to accelerate vaccine delivery and meet public demand. Also discussed will be how patent damages may be assessed in light of this unprecedented situation if companies are not immunized of infringement by the government.

Date Recorded: October 14, 2020

Speakers: David Duski

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 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, opportunities to use unmanned aircraft in support of medical services have evolved rapidly in just the past six months. The pace of change is expected to continue to accelerate.

Throughout the pandemic, the Federal Aviation Administration has been working proactively to ease restrictions in order to preserve air commerce. Among these initiatives, the FAA has enabled drone use for COVID-19 response efforts within its existing regulations and emergency procedures.

Beyond the current rules, the FAA also provides a process to obtain the necessary waivers to operate aircraft beyond the visual line of sight of the pilot, over people and in congested areas. These waivers can be leveraged to provide additional opportunities and value for unmanned aircraft operations. Finally, the FAA will be completing work on two important rulemakings later this year regarding flight over people, night operations and the remote identification of aircraft. These new rules will further standardize procedures, providing new flexibility and opportunities.

Understanding both the law and the technology is key to making informed decisions about how unmanned aircraft can be used effectively by the medical industry. Join Mark McKinnon for an update on what has been happening in the unmanned aircraft industry.

Date Recorded: November 11, 2020

Speakers: Mark McKinnon

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What exactly is Elder Law? An experienced panel will give an overview during this CLE. The program is ideal for young attorneys looking to learn more about the practice area, as well as experienced attorneys from other practice areas looking for a refresher.

Specifics to be covered include:

- What is Elder Law? An explanation
- Documents associated with elder law: POAs, Wills, Advance Health Care and Trusts
- Medicare, Medicaid and asset protection
- Guardianships, filial responsibility
- Guardianships, filial responsibility
- Tax implications of Elder Law practice

Date Recorded: December 14, 2020

Speakers: Carol Sikov Gross, Robin Frank, Christine Long, Lori Capone, Michael Marks, Craig O'Connor

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This panel will focus on important cases and bankruptcy decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court, 3rd Circuit, and the Western District of Pennsylvania that have been reached over the last year. In addition, we will mention cases that are moving toward the Supreme Court, with splits in the various Circuits, that may be worth keeping an eye on. The cases will be helpful to both the commercial and consumer practitioner, covering multiple chapters of bankruptcy.

Date Recorded: December 11, 2020

Speakers: Kenneth Steidl, Anthony Moody, Lois Vitti

Moderators: Lauren Lamb

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This program will provide a "behind the scenes" perspective of the typical residential real estate transaction in Metropolitan Pittsburgh. Rather than being "lawyered" up, the panel of experts is made up of not only lawyers, but also a home inspector, a mortgage broker/banker, an appraiser and a real estate broker.

Topics include:

- The fiduciary relationships (as well as lack thereof) of real estate licensees to the consumer in a residential real estate transaction.
- The full role of the home inspection in the residential real estate transaction
- The intricacies of the behind the scenes efforts of the mortgage process, including the appraisal, from pre-approval to closing.
- The intricacies of the behind the scenes efforts of the title/closing process in the residential real estate transaction.
- How various aspects of the above are impacted by many of the standard forms utilized in a residential real estate transaction.

Date Recorded: December 15, 2020

Speakers: R. Kevin Brown, Bradley Dornish, Jonathan Freed, Brian Mischler

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Ron Schuler, the author of "The Steel Bar: Pittsburgh Lawyers and the Making of America," will join Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Kim Berkeley Clark to discuss the different yet difficult journeys of women and African Americans into the Pittsburgh bar and ultimately into leadership positions within the legal community. He will talk about George Vashon's unsuccessful attempt to enter the bar before the Gilded Age. Additionally, he will discuss technology as an impetus for the successful entry of women into the profession, as well as taking a look at the careers of some of the pioneering women, such as Sarah Soffel, Anne Alpren, Ella Graubart Arensberg, Sarah Soffel and more. The program also will cover the limitations that have been imposed on women and African Americans within the profession, how some of them have been surmounted, and the challenges that lie ahead.

Date Recorded: February 11, 2021

Speakers: Ronald Schuler, Hon. Kim Clark

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Please join us for a fun Western District case retrospective. Regardless of the genre of your practice, whether you are a consumer or commercial attorney, you will find a colorful mix of case law and tales from the past including Bud Post the erstwhile lottery winner, the repossession of the Donzi's nightclub barge and the criminal shenanigans of the LeNature's insiders. The hour will round out with more recent and relevant issues such as the emerging treatment of nunc pro tunc approval and issues relating to defensive use of the automatic stay and violations of the stay. Finally, the panel will touch on impactful
rulings in the area of mortgage litigation.

Date Recorded: December 11, 2020

Speakers: Hon. Jeffrey Deller, Jana Pail, Julie Frazee Steidl, Robert Lampl

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Presented by the ACBA Criminal Litigation Section
A Look at the Ethics of Physical Evidence at a Crime Scene
This CLE will be a review and discussion of the legal and ethical problems when physical evidence of a crime is given or otherwise known to defense counsel.

Specifics to be covered include:

-The duties to preserve physical evidence
-Ethical responsibilities of a defense attorney when counsel possesses physical evidence
-The nuances of the law as applied to various types of evidence
-The possible penalties that are faced by counsel
-How to speak to a client when the client explains he/she possesses physical evidence
-What information obtained by a private investigator or attorney must be turned over to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

This course is essential for anyone that handles criminal defense work. A serious criminal defense practitioner needs to fully understand what their responsibilities are when they or their investigator comes across physical evidence or evidence from a witness.

Date Recorded: July 22, 2020

Speakers: Thomas Farrell, Kevin McCarthy

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The advance directive is a critical document in any estate plan. For years the ACBA has offered advance directive forms to attorneys and the public.

The ACBA's advance directive form has recently been updated, and during this seminar, a panel of attorneys will discuss the changes and why they're important. The panel also will discuss the importance of this valuable resource to the community.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic and other national emergencies, attorneys can start off the year with knowledge of advance directives such as Living Wills and Health Care Powers of Attorney.

The program will be beneficial to all attorneys, but in particular to those working with low income clients who are in need of advance directives for end-of-life planning.

Date Recorded: January 14, 2021

Speakers: Grace Orsatti, Sr. Mary Traupman, Karen Timko

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The Name Change Project of the Transgender Legal Defense & Education Fund came to Pittsburgh in 2013 and has helped more than 100 transgender people navigate the legal path to a name that matches their gender identity. Name Change Project attorneys Stefan Dann and Gregory Vose of Reed Smith will discuss how to navigate the name change process, including special concerns for transgender clients, and how volunteer attorneys can get involved.
 
This year marks the launch of a new Local Rule in Allegheny County, creating a special track within the Civil Division of the Court of Common Pleas for name changes involving vulnerable populations. This was created largely in response to the experiences of transgender people in the name change process. Administrative Judge Christine Ward will discuss why the new Rule was created, how the procedure for name changes will work and how it can also protect clients who are victims of abuse, harassment, or other crimes, whether transgender or cisgender.

Date Recorded: June 1, 2018

Speakers: Stefan Dann, Gregory Voss

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This presentation will provide an overview of fundamental policy provisions, judicial and legislative updates, and practical claims considerations relative to COVID19-related business interruption insurance claims in Pennsylvania.

This will be a "neutral" presentation that is balanced as it relates to industry vs. policyholder issues.

Date Recorded: July 9, 2020

Speakers: Christopher Jacobs

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This program critically examines and discusses the findings of a recent American Bar Association sponsored study exploring the pressures, internal and external, affecting the retention of women in the legal profession. Comprised of an overview PowerPoint presentation and followed by a panel discussion, this program will explore the ways in which the study's findings have manifested in the local legal community and what initiatives have been and can be taken to improve professional longevity for female practitioners. This program aspires to challenge attendees to think critically about these issues and to consider how they can contribute to the cultivation of a legal profession that seeks to retain all of its talent – male and female alike.

Date Recorded: December 11, 2020

Speakers: Helen Ward, Alexis Leventhal, Hon. Patricia Dodge, Hon. Carlota Bohm, Leanne Meyer, Lisa Stauffer

Moderators: Kelly Neal

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This program covers Act 33 and how certain juveniles can and will be charged as adults. The process of certification of juveniles into adult court and the procedure of decertification of a juvenile from adult court to juvenile court will be fully analyzed. This course is a must for any lawyer who handles criminal cases.

Date Recorded: March 26, 2021

Speakers: Melissa Hong-Barco

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Nonprofit organizations often make use of alcohol during fundraising and other events, but nonprofit leaders are not always sure what is and is not permitted under Pennsylvania law. In this program, attendees will learn the fundamentals involved in serving alcohol at events, selling alcohol, giving alcohol away for free and raffling off alcohol, among other matters. This presentation will be very useful to anyone who counsels nonprofits, works at a nonprofit, sits on a nonprofit board, or volunteers for nonprofits.

Date Recorded: February 18, 2020

Speakers: Mark Flaherty, Stanley Wolowski, Eric Altpeter

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This program will analyze the various ways of determining the need for, amount of and duration of Alimony. The analysis will be based not only upon the length of the marriage but taking into account the other alimony factors at 23 Pa.C.S.A. § 3701, including the size of the marital estate and income generated therefrom, the incomes or earning capacities of the parties, and the actual expenses (needs) of the payee spouse.

Date Recorded: August 13, 2020

Speakers: Judge Cathleen Bubash, Master Melaine Rothey, Beth Mascetta, Alex Kindler, Deborah Iwanyshyn

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A panel of judges and experienced trial attorneys will provide critical insight on the rules and current procedures for voir dire in Allegheny County. Learn about best practices in selecting jurors.

The seminar will cover topics including peremptory strikes and objections for cause, any potential impact of Trigg v. Children's Hospital of UPMC, ethical issues that may arise in voir dire and how Covid-19 may affect the jury selection process. New trial attorneys and experienced practitioners will benefit from attending this seminar.

Date Recorded: August 18, 2020

Speakers: Hon. Arnold Klein, Hon. Patrick Connelly, Christina Gill Roseman, Jonathan Stewart, Patrick Reilly

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Imagine "visiting" your doctor via FaceTime, getting a diagnosis and subsequent prescription all without leaving your home? That's telemedicine, and it's the wave of the future.

This presentation will focus on telemedicine with particular emphasis on occupational injuries and workers' compensation.

The program will define what telemedicine is in workers' compensation. Specifics to be covered include injuries, patient experiences, patient privacy, state regulations (including paneling/direction of care, types of provider and billing). Additionally, the program will cover what the future of telemedicine holds.

Date Recorded: February 28, 2020

Speakers: Ann Schnure

Moderators: Hon. David Torrey

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Most attorneys glaze over when they hear the words "cyber security." Some think the phrase has something to do with "cyber warfare" and others think that it is only of concern to IT professionals to handle.  Those notions are not entirely true, as cyber security directly impacts every practicing attorney.
 
In this seminar, attendees will learn, in layman terms, what cyber security means to the modern day practice of law. Those who attend will learn safe and secure practices to implement on their network and/or PCs. In addition to IT professionals, two ACBA members will be on the panel and talk about implementing cyber security practices within their own law offices.

Date Recorded: November 14, 2019

Speakers: Harry Rosensteel, Kathleen Schneider, Alicia Slade

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Bankruptcy law is its own, specialized practice area filled with its own procedures, concepts and dynamics. However, bankruptcy is also a practice area that overlaps with many other practice areas, meaning all attorneys should know the basics.

This program will discuss the bankruptcy basics of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 for the non-bankruptcy practitioner. This distinguished panel will discuss the automatic stay and its effect on other lawsuits. The session will review the bankruptcy process in general as well as discuss dealing with bankruptcy issues if your client is the debtor or a creditor. Any attorney who has cases or clients where bankruptcy may be an issue or a concern should not miss this CLE.

Date Recorded: March 5, 2020

Speakers: Hon. Carlota Bohm, Judith Fitzgerald, Robert Bernstein

Moderators: Abagale Steidl

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This CLE will discuss the bankruptcy basics of Chapter 11 for the non-bankruptcy practitioner. This distinguished panel will discuss the automatic stay and its effect on other lawsuits. The session will review the bankruptcy process in general as well as discuss dealing with bankruptcy issues if your client is the debtor or a creditor. If you have cases or clients where bankruptcy may be an issue or a concern, you do not want to miss this CLE.

Date Recorded: April 9, 2021

Speakers: Hon. Gregory Taddonio, Kirk Burkley, John Lacher

Moderators: Alexis Leventhal

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This panel will focus on the CARES Act and its impact on bankruptcy cases. Including, the procedures associated with COVID and the way that those procedures are changing the current legal landscape and how those changes will continue into the future, even after COVID is erradicated. An update will be provided from the bankruptcy court, including the new procedures, Zoom trials, and mediations.

Date Recorded: December 11, 2020

Speakers: John Kroto, Elizabeth Slaby, Hon. Thomas Agresti, Ryan Cooney, Christopher Frye, Ronda Winnecour

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With there being no end in sight to the COVID-19 pandemic, courts are becoming more agile and inventive in finding ways to try civil cases. From non-jury trials over Microsoft Teams to full-blown, in-person trials with social distancing and masks in place, the wheels of justice are still turning out there.

This program will cover new courtroom procedures, strategies and techniques that are being employed here in Western Pennsylvania in the era of COVID-19.

Date Recorded: December 16, 2020

Speakers: Hon. Christine Ward, Hon. Alan Hertzberg, Hon. Jackie Bernard, Brendan Lupetin, Michael Feeney

Moderators: Gina Zumpella

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Expert witnesses often play a critical role in intellectual property litigation proceedings. From assisting in discovery, formulating financial analyses and determining damages, to testifying at deposition and trial, experts can provide the information and insight necessary to make or break a case.

This program explores best practices litigators should consider when looking to retain and working with IP damages experts. Learn from two experts at BDO as to how you may be able to leverage an expert's skills and experience in order to help secure a favorable outcome for your client.

Date Recorded: August 31, 2020

Speakers: James Carroll, David Duski

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History shows that lawyers continually make big mistakes during trials, which negatively influences the jury and/or judge.

The Honorable Beth Lazzara has had extensive experience in the courtroom as an advocate and as a trial judge, and she's sharing lessons learned to members of the bar to help lawyers avoid committing these blunders.

Specifics to be covered include:


Professionalism or how to act in the courtroom to positively influence
The significance of being prepared
How to exude positive presence in the courtroom for the benefit of your client
The importance of passionate advocacy
How to be a better trial lawyer.

It does not matter how long you have been a trial lawyer, this program will help make you a better one. Judge Lazzara will remind attendees of the rules that attorneys know, but sometimes forget to follow. She will also cover new techniques that even experienced trial attorneys might not be aware of.

This program is a must for any trial lawyer.

Date Recorded: August 26, 2020

Speakers: Hon. Beth Lazzara

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For many, philanthropy is a big part of estate planning. This program will offer guidance for attorneys on how to have conversations related to philanthropy and estate planning.

The panel will discuss starting and having the client discussion. How much do you know about your client? How much do you know about your charitable community? How much do you know about planning options and techniques?

Other specifics to be covered include:

What's happening to create these opportunities
Disclaiming a charitable remainder trust interest
Why and when to convert a private foundation
The SECURE Act and changes that can foster charitable planning
Estate planning strategies

Date Recorded: August 25, 2020

Speakers: R. Douglas DeNardo, Gregory Allison

Moderators: Kate McKenzie

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This session will examine two hypothetical insolvencies involving commercial real estate in the COVID-19 era. The panelists will discuss the effect the pandemic has caused on cash flows for businesses and real estate entities in two settings. In examining the problems caused by COVID-19, the panelists will consider various insolvency situations, including Chapter 11 and state court receiverships, valuation issues, and will compare and contrast the current commercial real estate climate with the 2008 financial crisis.

Date Recorded: December 11, 2020

Speakers: Helen Ward, Matthew Herron, Juliann Haynes-Held, Kelly Neal

Moderators: Keila Estevez

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Comprehensive Estate Planning Tax Essentials for 2021

The recent changes to tax laws and tax codes have been monumental, and those changes impact estate planning.

This program will provide an overview of relevant law related to the Federal Transfer (Gift, Estate, GST) Tax, the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, the SECURE Act and the CARES Act. The program also will cover the Pa. Inheritance Tax and the 2020 changes (0% rate parent to child under 21), the Pa. Multiple Party Accounts Act, the Pa. Uniform Trust Code and the Pa. Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act.

Identifying and understanding your assets and beneficiaries and related planning considerations and techniques also will be discussed, including tax, retirement, and long term care planning considerations. Coordinating asset ownership and beneficiary designations will be covered as well.

Date Recorded: March 5, 2021

Speakers: Nora Chatha

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We all live in a world of constant technological advancement, and the law is forced to advance and adapt with this rapid growth. However, the law often struggles to keep pace with the ever-changing, technological world. This seminar will afford attendees the knowledge necessary to effectively handle criminal cases involving modern technology including warrantless cell phone tower ping searches, facial recognition software and recreational drone use.

Date Recorded: August 29, 2019

Speakers: Hon. Lisa Lenihan, Hon. Kevin Sasinoski, Laurel Gift, Michael Comber, David Berardinelli, Corey Bauer

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This session will be a potpourri of consumer topics, ranging from updated student loan case law to the CARES Act and forbearances to mortgage litigation. The panelists will be reviewing and discussing various consumer issues related to mortgages, vehicles and other types of claims and issues that attorneys are dealing with on a day to day basis. If you are a consumer bankruptcy practitioner (whether debtor or creditor), you do not want to miss this in-depth session of various topics related to your practice.

Date Recorded: December 11, 2020

Speakers: Hon. Carlota Bohm, Kenny Steinberg, Thomas Reilly, Ronda Winnecour

Moderators: Keri Ebeck

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Contract Drafting Overview: Tips and Tricks for Corporate Attorneys
Understanding the essentials of contract drafting is a necessity for all attorneys. Lawyers and their clients depend upon contracts to establish and enforce rights and to aid in obtaining their goals. A well-drafted contract avoids misunderstanding, helps guide the parties in the course of their relationship, and can help avoid (or at least mitigate) litigation costs.

This CLE will address the essentials of good contract drafting, starting with the goals of contract drafting, and including specific drafting tips. Key topics to be discussed:


Understanding the agreement and the deal points
Understanding the real world implications surrounding the contract
Tips and tricks of the drafting process

Date Recorded: October 26, 2020

Speakers: Jeffery Friedrich

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You are most likely being bombarded with messages about the Coronavirus, whether on television, social media or in your community networks. During uncertain times like these, anxiety, stress, fear and negative thoughts can easily take control.

You may be worried about being in crowds or about your loved ones, seniors and clients. You are likely concerned about your finances, practice or how to manage a quarantine.

Recent studies have shown that there has been a dramatic increase in impairment due to alcoholism, addiction and mental health disorders among members of the legal profession, even prior to the pandemic. The statistics are compelling and clearly indicate that one out of three attorneys will likely have a need for substance use counseling or mental health services at some point in their careers. Accordingly, unexpected events like the Coronavirus will have an even greater impact on lawyers.

In light of this unprecedented crisis and its far reaching impact, this program will cover:


• The early warning signs of impairment, with special emphasis on anxiety, stress and depression. The speaker will describe some of the ways to reduce or alleviate these conditions, which have become commonplace among members of the legal profession.

• The free services that Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers provides to lawyers, judges, their family members and law students, all of which are still fully available during the Coronavirus epidemic.

• A close look at what barriers exist that prevent lawyers and judges from seeking the help they need will be provided.

• The role that education plays in breaking the stigma and fear associated with addiction and mental illness in the legal profession.

• Special emphasis will be placed on what callers to the LCL Confidential Helpline can expect, regardless of whether it is a self-referral or a request for intervention assistance.

• How best to approach the impaired individual who may be in need of help.

Date Recorded: April 15, 2020

Speakers: Brian Quinn

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Learn about common issues for corporate lawyers in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic and generally. We all know of someone whose business or employment was negatively affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19. And, if you haven't had a friend, relative, or acquaintance ask you about the legal implications of these economic impacts yet, you likely will. This program will give attendees the working-knowledge to be able to provide basic guidance and pinpoint potential legal pitfalls when that day comes. Topics to be discussed include:

- The legal impact of PPP loans and the long-term outlook of the PPP program.
- How COVID-19 has impacted Force Majeure clauses.
- What to look for in contract warranties and representations.
- Fundraising transactions for the purchase and sale of companies.

Date Recorded: January 21, 2021

Speakers: Gregory Teufel, Catia Kossovsky

Moderators: Corey Bauer

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There are countless legal angles regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, but this program will take a look at the issue from the point of view of Pennsylvania teachers and educators.

A panel featuring a retired public school teacher-turned-attorney, an attorney representing members of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers (PFT) and an ethics trainer with the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association will cover an array of related topics, including:

-Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) 6-4-20 "preliminary guidelines" for re-opening schools
-The concerns Pennsylvania Educators have on re-opening schools during COVID
-Changes to Arbitration Hearing Process for Section 1133 Terminations during COVID
-PDE's record setting number of Educator Misconduct Complaints in recent years
-PMEA's ethics training today
-Professional Standards and Practices Commission January, 2020 recommendation to Pa. State
-Board of Education for mandatory ethics training for Pennsylvania Educators
-PDE discipline process for educator misconduct complaints before commission
-Pennsylvania professional code of practices and conduct for educators
-Sample ethics training slideshow and case study for Pennsylvania educators

This CLE is ideal not only for solicitors representing schools and educational institutions, but also attorneys who are parents of school aged children.

Date Recorded: July 16, 2020

Speakers: Thomas Bailey, Noah Jordan, Paul Fox

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This program will provide practical insights into the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on forensic accounting procedures and analyses performed for litigation and disputes. In addition, this program will address related considerations and methods to reduce and/or resolve the impact of the pandemic on forensic accounting procedures and related areas such as:

-Attorney and Client Communications
-Documentation and Evidence Gathering
-Assessing Causation in Damage Calculations
-Business Valuations

Program Objectives:

-Gaining an understanding of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on forensic accounting procedures and analyses
-Understanding considerations to reduce and/or resolve the impact of the pandemic to forensic accounting procedures and other related areas
-Understanding methods to reduce and/or resolve the impact of the pandemic to forensic accounting procedures and other related areas
-Review working with a forensic accountant to address the impact and considerations of Covid-19 on their work.

Date Recorded: March 17, 2021

Speakers: James Carroll, David Duski

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This program will offer a tax-focused update on recent legislation passed in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The seminar will cover paycheck protection program loans, tax credits available to employers under the CARES Act, payroll tax deferral and changes made to the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Date Recorded: July 28, 2020

Speakers: Christine Green

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Top notch criminal appellate lawyers will provide a review of all the new case law that has
occurred in the past year. Their presentation will provide a direction for practitioners in the criminal division to be on top of their game.

Date Recorded: March 26, 2021

Speakers: Kevin McCarthy, Martin Dietz

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This CLE is intended to provide attorneys who do not practice criminal law the basics on what happens to individuals who enter the Criminal Justice System. Many attorneys will at some point in their career get questions from friends, current clients, or potential clients about that individual's criminal case. This program will provide attorneys with the information necessary to keep their client safe until they can speak with an attorney who specializes in criminal defense. The program will cover the following specifics.


The Criminal Justice System Process – It is important for an attorney who does not regularly practice in criminal defense to understand where the defendant is in the process before being able to have an informed discussion with the individual.

Diversion Programs and Specialty Courts – This segment involves specialty courts and programs such as Mental Health Court, Drug Court and ARD). Many attorneys are unaware of the full options available to criminal defendants. It can be useful for these defendants to understand that they will have opportunities to handle whatever problems that lead to their involvement in the Criminal Justice System rather than worrying that they will automatically be locked away. This could also be useful to instruct clients who have mental health issues or got caught up in the opioid crisis to seek treatment before the case gets too far as that may help their case going forward.

Should a defendant speak to the police? – Whether a defendant should ever speak with police and their rights when police call an individual to the police station will be discussed. Many times, defendants do not understand their rights in relation to police questioning or interrogation. Attorneys should know the basic rights involved and explain how a defendant can clearly invoke these rights before the defendant goes to speak with police without consulting a criminal defense attorney first.

Preservation of Evidence – By the time a criminal defendant gets to a preliminary hearing, any videos or witnesses could have easily been erased or disappeared. It is imperative to the criminal defendant to preserve as much evidence as possible before speaking with a criminal defense attorney, and attorneys can save their clients potential criminal consequences by offering this advice.

Incarcerated Clients – Attorneys who do not practice criminal defense are likely unaware of the effects of bond or other matters, such as detainers, on the ability of a client to attend court hearings or the pressure of a client to plead to an offense that may affect their rights in a civil or family court lawsuit.

Date Recorded: January 28, 2019

Speakers: Anne Marie Mancuso, Professor David Harris, Francis Wymard

Moderators: James Baker

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Crises can take many forms for companies and individuals, and these crises can have quite an impact in the public eye. This is evident now, more than ever, as the globe deals with a pandemic. But, whether they are accidental, financial, legal or something else entirely, there is one thing that all affected businesses and people have in common: a critical need for a crisis response.

In the 21st century, crisis communication is driven by today's fast-paced, digital environment. Crisis communication requires specialized strategic and tactical knowledge, skills and experience. The challenges posed by a 24/7 news cycle, the internet, and increased pressure from internal and external stakeholders demand a holistic crisis response that transcends the legal framework.

By attending this CLE class, attorneys will develop a deeper understanding of core crisis communication concepts and tools, gain valuable insight into harnessing the power of traditional and social media in times of crisis, and learn how crisis communication and legal strategies complement one another.

Date Recorded: June 8, 2020

Speakers: Anne Linaberger, Oliver Schmidt

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Join a panel of distinguished speakers for a thoughtful discussion about the lack of diversity in probate and trust law practice and what steps can be taken to improve. The program will include discussion of the following:

- National law school demographics
- Law school enrollment and barriers encountered by diverse students
- Employment and career development data for diverse and women lawyers
- Diversity initiatives within the profession
- Diversity and inclusion efforts within firms and corporate legal departments
- Creating opportunities for diverse probate and trust lawyers
- Promoting estates and trust practice among diverse lawyers

Date Recorded: December 18, 2020

Speakers: Nicola Henry-Taylor, Quintarra Morant, Tony Thompson, Nancy Conrad, Danielle Conway, Daphne Goldman

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In this highly informative CLE, attendees will be offered a step-by-step demonstration on how to e-file documents in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas Orphans' Court Division and Department of Court Records of Allegheny County. Each step from creating a login and password to uploading and submitting filings will be discussed and displayed by the Chief Technology Officer for the County of Allegheny. Those in attendance will learn the many advantages to e-filing and who to contact for assistance.

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The Coronavirus crisis is impacting multiple areas of society, including education.

During this program, experienced attorneys will address the changing legal landscape of education as a result of pandemic-driven school closures. This CLE will provide relevant and timely information for attorneys with school clients and attorneys who are experiencing these changes on a more personal level as parents.

Specific topics to be addressed include distance learning, special education compliance, school policies and uncertainties facing schools as the 2020-2021 school year approaches, with a focus on the economic forecast and budgeting.

Date Recorded: May 20, 2020

Speakers: Annemarie Harr Eagle, Megan Turnbull, Aimee Zundel

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Most attorneys recognize that, like many other professionals, their lives are filled to the brim with stress. It's important to be proactive in dealing with stress. The consequences of shrugging it off can be catastrophic, not only for them but for their families, staff and friends.

And then there's trauma. The ramifications of trauma aren't discussed as frequently as those of stress and thus, for many attorneys, trauma is a topic in need of attention. While many experience trauma directly, it also can be secondary or vicarious. Trauma also results from a personal loss, such as the death of a family member or a close friend.

As the globe deals with the unexpected impact of a generational and societal traumatic event – the COVID-19 pandemic – it's important to recognize the signs of trauma in yourself as well as in your office staff, family and clients.

During this session, hear from an experienced speaker who will share his personal story of trauma. Attendees will learn to recognize the unhealthy and potentially life-threatening shadow it can cast.

Date Recorded: October 22, 2020

Speakers: Brian Quinn

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In today's day-and-age, electronic evidence is a critical aspect of many types of cases.

The type and location of electronic evidence and data that may be relevant in an employee investigation or trade secret lawsuit is ever growing and changing. Employers and employees routinely use business and personal computers and email, mobile devices containing call logs, texts, photos, HR and accounting databases, ShareFile, as well as Microsoft Teams, Slack, Instagram, cloud storage, Google Docs, WhatsApp, and other applications. And that's just some of them.

Potentially relevant evidence may be exclusively in the control of the employer, while other relevant data may reside solely with an employee or third party. During this presentation, electronic evidence experts from bit-x-bit will discuss how they forensically collect, preserve and review data on a variety of devices, platforms and systems.

Date Recorded: February 6, 2020

Speakers: Brett Creasy, Joseph Decker

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Retired attorneys can continue to use their skills to assist individuals with low incomes under Pennsylvania's emeritus rule. Adopted by the Pa. Supreme Court in 2018, the rule allows retired attorneys to be specially licensed for the purpose of doing pro bono work. Join a informative panel and learn about the history and purpose of the rule, as well as the process for obtaining emeritus status. Attorneys who have completed the process will discuss their experiences. Attendees also will learn about volunteer opportunities to put their licenses to work, and about the resources available from the Pro Bono Center of the Allegheny County Bar Foundation.

Specific topics to be covered include:


Pennsylvania Rule of Disciplinary Enforcement 403
Pennsylvania CLE Rule 105(d)
Process for obtaining emeritus status
Practice tips for emeritus attorneys
Pennsylvania Rule of Professional Conduct 6.1
Volunteer opportunities and resources for pro bono attorneys

Date Recorded: September 14, 2020

Speakers: Zelda Curtis, Jennifer Fox Rabold, Barbara Griffin, Thomas Farrell

Moderators: Kathryn McKee

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At both the federal and state levels, there are numerous environmental law and regulatory changes, developments, and updates every year, and 2020 was no exception. During this program, panelists will review significant federal and state environmental law developments from 2020 and look at environmental law issues likely to be on the horizon in 2021.

Specifically, panelists will review and analyze 2020 environmental decisions from the U.S. Supreme Court and the Third Circuit, and 2020 environmental decisions from the Pennsylvania appellate courts and the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board. Additionally, 2020 changes to federal and state environmental regulations and guidance will be discussed, as will the potential impact of key federal and state environmental regulatory changes in the year ahead. The program will be of particular interest to individuals whose practices touch on environmental law, energy law and administrative law.

Date Recorded: January 26, 2021

Speakers: Brandon Coneby, Brian Greenert

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The federally enacted All Appropriate Inquiry (AAI) ruling dramatically impacts due diligence on a contaminated site. This ruling will ultimately affect all organizations and individuals involved in evaluating contaminated properties.

For the insurance industry, this ruling affects both the underwriting and claims adjusting business. Some potential impacts include policy exclusions and errors and omission. This short one-hour course provides a detailed discussion of the ruling and focuses on the impacts to the insurance industry. Case studies and examples are used for illustrative purposes.

Date Recorded: November 19, 2020

Speakers: Kieran Purcell

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In Western Pennsylvania, many people include oil and gas rights among their assets.

Equitable distribution of oil and gas rights presents unique and complicated issues. This program will examine and discuss practical solutions to these challenges, including the severance of oil/gas rights, the carving out of executive rights and the need for accurate and reliable valuation reports.

Date Recorded: August 1, 2019

Speakers: Robert Burnett, Lisa Petruzzi

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Many attorneys in Allegheny County and across the country were forced to work from home for the first time in their careers following Governor Tom Wolf's order closing "non-essential businesses" in March 2020. Nearly a full year later, many lawyers in the area still find themselves working away from their offices more often than not. This CLE will focus on the ethical obligations incumbent on lawyers who are working from locations other than a commercial office and provide some practical considerations and solutions for attorneys continuing to adjust to the proverbial "new normal."

Date Recorded: February 12, 2021

Speakers: Tracey McCants Lewis, Thomas Cocchi

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This program will provide an overview of the non-profit sector, the roles and responsibilities of board members, and ethical and other complications attorneys may face as part of a nonprofit board.

Date Recorded: March 23, 2021

Speakers: Lawrence Castner, Hayley Haldeman, Jean Novak

Moderators: Richard Ernsberger

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Drafting contracts is one of the core job functions for many attorneys. But how often do you stop to consider the ethical implications that attorneys should follow when drafting these documents? This program examines these ethical dynamics.

Specifically, this course will present a study of inadvertent unilateral and joint drafting errors; intentional modification of "standard" forms; incorrect recitations of law; and omissions by error of an agreed-upon term, and the ethical duties of the drafting and receiving lawyers in each situation. Additionally, practice strategies to guard against such situations will be discussed. Specifics to be covered include:


Competence – knowing what you're doing.
Conflicts of Interest.
Doing business with client.
Dealing with unrepresented persons.
Conduct involving dishonesty fraud deceit and misrepresentation.

This course includes citation to numerous applicable model rules and state rules.

The discussion will be led by Claude Ducloux, who has four decades of experience as a civil litigator and is now a nationally recognized legal educator.

Date Recorded: May 28, 2019

Speakers: Claude Ducloux

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By their nature, custody cases bring about substantial ethical dilemmas:

Your eyes pop open from sleep at 2 a.m. You cannot stop thinking about your client advising you that she has a record from 15 years before her child was born. She had to support herself as a prostitute, but she will deny it at trial if she is asked. Now what?

Can a judge search social media sites or court dockets about parties to an action? If so, can that information be used in deciding the case if not presented in evidence?

If you are appointed as a GAL, where do your ethical duties lie?

Can or should a psychologist testify about a client who is a minor? If so, to what extent?

Litigating, negotiating and adjudicating custody cases often present thorny ethical/professional questions. Judges have to know not only the rules that govern their conduct, but also the conduct of lawyers and psychologists. All of this can impact how the issue of best interest of the child is decided.
During this program, the panel will feature an attorney experienced in handling ethical issues for lawyers, a professor who teaches issues related to judicial ethics and a psychologist knowledgeable in the area of ethics for psychologists.

The program aims to discuss the intersection of these issues in custody litigation. For example, attorneys are subject to Rule of Professional Conduct 1.6 on confidentiality. An attorney serving as Guardian ad Litem will necessarily have a different perspective on confidentiality. A Judge will have to comply with Code of Judicial Conduct 2.9 on ex-parte communication and 2.3 on bias and prejudice — all while balancing her responsibility to determine the best interest of the child.

Date Recorded: November 20, 2019

Speakers: Hon. Kathleen Mulligan, Hon. Alexander Bicket, Amy Coco, Samuel Schachner

Moderators: Hon. Jennifer Satler

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During their careers, many lawyers make "lateral moves" for a variety of reasons. However, lateral moves come with a host of ethical dynamics and considerations that attorneys must keep in mind when switching firms and going into/coming out of public service.

This program will cover specific rules of professional conduct in addition to exploring the recent ethics opinions on the topic. It also will include discussion of practical steps lawyers should take when accepting new roles. The program also will explore a firm's ethical responsibility when an attorney leaves. The panel includes attorneys who have taken lateral moves as well as attorneys who can speak to these moves from the firm's perspective. Panel members will share their experiences and tips for best practices for complying with the ethics rules when considering a change of employment.

Date Recorded: October 16, 2020

Speakers: Zachary Gordon, Art Stroyd, Aleksandra Kocelko, Theresa Miller-Sporrer

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Conflict between state and federal marijuana laws has created ethical conundrums for attorneys. In this one-hour CLE, members of the ACBA Medical Marijuana and Hemp Committee, with assistance from their colleagues in the ACBA Professional Ethics Committee, will give guidance in the often confusing, ever evolving area of medical marijuana law.

Specific topics include:

• Can an attorney provide advice to medical marijuana businesses without violating the Rules of Professional Conduct?
• How much advice can an attorney provide to such businesses?
• Can an attorney own or invest in a medical marijuana business?
• Should an attorney make such an investment?
• Can an attorney be a registered patient and a practicing attorney?
• What should a patient-attorney know about the Rules of Professional Conduct and how those rules may apply when the attorney is a patient?

Date Recorded: April 12, 2021

Speakers: Catia Kossovsky, Jeffrey Wertz, Patrick Nightingale, Scott Eberle

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Few topics in real estate are more important than fair housing. During this program, representatives from the City of Pittsburgh's Commission on Human Relations will discuss the following:

The Commission, its jurisdiction, and its procedures
Fair housing laws and their enforcement in Allegheny County and Pittsburgh
Rights and responsibilities for reasonable accommodations
Rights and responsibilities for reasonable modifications
Additionally, the program will review several real-life scenarios.

Date Recorded: May 6, 2020

Speakers: Wesley Speary, Rita Porterfield

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Attorneys spend their entire careers saving money for retirement. But when retirement hits, it can be quite stressful to start taking those hard-earned funds out of your accounts and savings.

Do you have enough saved? When should you start drawing on your saved funds? How do government benefits impact your plan? This program will focus on financial planning strategies, particularly for those attorneys nearing retirement.

Specific points to be covered include:
How much is enough
Defining the time horizon
Defining risk shouldn't be terrifying
Locking it in or riding it out
Insurance Life Cycle
Social Security
The "Retirement Red Zone"

Date Recorded: October 29, 2019

Speakers: John Battilana, Joseph Price

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The topic presentation will discuss the concept of Force Majeure, a point that was sometimes considered to be an "afterthought" of contract drafting, and how that point, along with other defenses/excuses of performance, have now become important provisions to be given extra scrutiny in the COVID landscape.

The presentation will review elements of a contractual force majeure clause and related common law doctrines of frustration of purpose and impossibility/impracticability of performance.

Date Recorded: July 24, 2020

Speakers: Maxwell Briskman Stanfield

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Instance of fraud have spiked amid the pandemic. The session will feature a panel including FBI agent Matthew Solomon who will discuss an increase in fraud related to COVID-19, the CARES Act and PPP loans. One reason businesses suffer fraud losses is that they generally do a poor job of proactively detecting fraud. Less than 10 percent of small businesses have anonymous fraud reporting systems, internal audit departments that conduct surprise audits, or conduct fraud training for their employees and managers. Most business frauds are detected by accident than by any other means.

Cyber criminals have modernized their techniques in order to take advantage of these gaps. With digital phones creating new ways to perform financial transactions, this brings new conveniences and abilities for attackers to commit their crimes. Being prepared in advance is the best defense against a fraud or cybersecurity attack.

This session will cover the following:

- A "state of the union" on fraud and statistics to show the impact
- How to identify common fraud schemes particular to internal accounting, cybercrimes and financial institutions today
- How to identify the warning signs of fraud and how to prevent data and identity theft
-Understanding that due diligence and prevention practices are needed for fraud risk assessments and an anti-fraud framework at the company
-Ethical issues and best practices for lawyers advising clients with respect to data security issues as well as protecting their own firm
-How wire fraud can be prevented with strong password rules and monitoring activity
-Education of the staff on what the company is facing in security threats is extremely important and needed to help them be part of the solution.

Date Recorded: September 30, 2020

Speakers: Heather Baranowski, Josh Lefcowitz, Judy Murtha, Matthew Solomon

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For many years, discussion of the role of race in the justice system centered on explicit racial attitudes and statements. The last 20-plus years of science have revealed a different, and more significant, problem: implicit racial bias that found in the minds of almost everyone. This session will define explicit bias and explain what is known about it. The program also will explain where implicit bias originates and the direct and indirect impacts it has. Potential intervention strategies also will be discussed.  

Date Recorded: October 17, 2019

Speakers: Professor David Harris

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Substance abuse isn't the only form of addiction. Recent studies have shown that there has been a dramatic increase in impairment due to alcoholism, drug addiction and mental health disorders among members of the legal profession. The statistics are compelling and clearly indicate that 1 out of 3 attorneys will likely have a need for substance use or mental health services at some point in their careers. What about that "other" addiction – Gambling?

In 2018, the United States Supreme Court, in Murphy vs. NCAA, held that sports gambling was legal in all of the United States. By 2019, Pennsylvania had added online gambling accessible by cell phone, computer and tablets, thus becoming the second largest commercial gambling state outside of Nevada. With it came the compulsive gambler.

This program will explore not only gambling disorder, but also the connection between gambling and the more well-known forms of impairment and why lawyers are at higher risk to develop problems. This problem has only been exacerbated by the stress, anxiety and isolation caused by the Coronavirus crisis. The results are startling.

Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers will discuss the issue, including the following specifics:

- The early warning signs of impairment and how they relate to gambling disorders. Special attention will be given to the connection between Coronavirus and its impact on social isolation, stress, anxiety, depression and gambling disorders.
- The free services that Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers provides to lawyers, judges, their family members and law students.
- A close look at what barriers exist that prevent lawyers and judges from seeking the help they need will be provided.
- The role that education plays in breaking the stigma and fear associated with addiction an d mental illness in the legal profession.
-Special emphasis will be placed on what callers to the LCL Confidential Helpline can expect, regardless of whether it is a self-referral or a request for intervention assistance.

Date Recorded: March 18, 2021

Speakers: Brian Quinn

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The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the practice of law, from working remotely to virtual client meetings to promoting your online office. This program will offer strategies designed to help your practice thrive amid the pandemic.

Digital marketing and legal research professionals will discuss ways your law firm can adapt – and even thrive – amid the new working environment. The panel will discuss topics such as making sure your firm and your brand are visible, using social media and conducting meetings through online platforms and virtual resources to help firms be more flexible and thrive during these times.

Date Recorded: June 26, 2020

Speakers: Bryan Barto, Mark Melago, Craig Vaughn

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This program will focus on communications between litigants in custody disputes. It will demonstrate how "Our Family Wizard" can assist those litigants in managing those communications and reduce the typical "he said, she said" in custody disputes. In addition to showing how the parties can better manage their relationship, the program also will go into detail on how judges and attorneys use these electronic communications when the parties cannot amicably resolve their disputes. In particular, the panel will address relevant evidentiary and credibility issues with these communications and the use of these items in Motions and Petitions.

Date Recorded: June 25, 2019

Speakers: Hon. Kim Eaton, Hon. Hugh McGough, Kevin Dorsey, Alyssa Angotti

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Recent studies have shown that there has been a dramatic increase in impairment due to alcoholism, addiction and mental health disorders among members of the legal profession. The statistics are compelling and clearly indicate that one out of three attorneys will likely need treatment for substance use or mental health services at some point in their careers.

In addition to a breakdown of the results of the recent ABA/Hazelden Krill report, the program will cover:

The early warning signs of impairment, with special emphasis on depression, stress and burnout

The free services that Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers provides to lawyers, judges, their family members and law students

A close look at what barriers exist that prevent lawyers and judges from seeking the help they need will be provided.

The role that education plays in breaking the stigma and fear associated with addiction and mental illness in the legal profession.

Special emphasis will be placed on what callers to the LCL Confidential Helpline can expect, regardless of whether it is a self-referral or a request for intervention assistance.
How best to approach the impaired individual.

Date Recorded: October 7, 2019

Speakers: Brian Quinn

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Attorney Jerry McDevitt has been lead outside counsel – and the personal attorney of Vince McMahon – for over 30 years. During this two-substantive credits CLE, McDevitt will cover how the relationship with WWE began and the nature of his role with the organization that has evolved from a regional wrestling company to a global entertainment giant.

He will discuss specific legal issues – many of which have been high-profile, media-sensitive matters – including criminal trials, wrongful death claims, libel suits, congressional investigations, sexual harassment claims, CTE lawsuit and now the rebirth of the XFL, a spring football league.

Date Recorded: May 8, 2019

Speakers: Jerry McDevitt

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COVID has impacted more than public health. It also has impacted international taxation.

This presentation will cover an overview of the CARES Act, various U.S. international tax updates and considerations related to foreign income tax updates.

Date Recorded: February 26, 2021

Speakers: Reid Meyer, Andrew McKinley

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This CLE is for anyone who is or plans to be interviewing for a new job in the future. The program will cover what is legal and what is appropriate during the interview/hiring process. Attendees will learn related substantive law from an experienced employment law practitioner and hear from a panel of young lawyers and advisors about real life interviewing perils and pitfalls. Attendees also will work through scenarios with the presenters during this interactive session.

At the end of this session, attendees will come away prepared to handle any potentially inappropriate or illegal interview tactics with professionalism and integrity.

Date Recorded: April 15, 2021

Speakers: Jean Novak, Asra Hashmi, Taylor Gillan

Moderators: Alysia Keating

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Ripped from the pages of "The Steel Bar: Pittsburgh Lawyers and the Making of Amercia," this program will cover the remarkable story of how two Pittsburgh lawyers came to argue the U.S. Supreme Court case that sustained the National Labor Relations Board as the arbiter of collective labor activity in the United States. This case came against the backdrop of an economic depression, intense labor strife and a president's threat to pack the court. The historical discussion will be followed by a moderated discussion by two noted Pittsburgh labor lawyers about the future of the NLRB.

Date Recorded: January 29, 2021

Speakers: Ronald Schuler, Joseph Hornack, Joseph Quinn

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This program is designed for those lawyers interested in becoming certified Landlord-Tenant Arbitrators, Mediators and/or volunteer lawyers who will participate with the Allegheny County Housing Court Pilot Program.

Participants will learn from experienced landlord-tenant practitioners who will cover landlord-tenant law, the procedural rules relating to filings, establishing supersedes, appeals from magisterial district courts and evictions.

Additionally, the program will include mediation training where the key traits and best practices of a successful mediation will be explained. During the mediation training session, The Hon. Alan Hertzberg will outline factors that can be used to encourage resolution in landlord-tenant disputes.

Date Recorded: October 2, 2019

Speakers: Hon. Alan Hertzberg, Daniel Vitek, Deborah Miskovich, Antoinette Oliver, Anna Majocha

Moderators: Dianne Wainwright

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Essentially all attorneys want to grow their practices. But getting there is not always a tangible process. This program will focus on the specific numbers and metrics attorneys need to make their practices grow.

Specific topics to be covered include:


Creating your individualized money map to get the life you want.
Dashboarding the 28 key performance indicators you need to make strategic decisions for practice/firm. (Stop guessing and only dealing with what's on fire).
Seeing how patterns provide clues to peak performance.
Getting free excel dashboards to get you from where you are to where you want to be.

Date Recorded: February 5, 2020

Speakers: Wendy Witt

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The course will address the numerous legal considerations relative to the listing and sale of properties which has (or may have) gas, oil and mineral rights.

In this program, attorney Brad Dornish will cover the history of oil and gas rights in Pa., as well as advising clients completing the oil, gas and mineral rights disclosure and addendum to the agreement of sale. Additionally, the program covers excepting and reserving oil, gas and mineral rights in Pennsylvania deeds, title insurance, relocation transactions, and protecting buyers and sellers in transactions.

Date Recorded: February 23, 2021

Speakers: Bradley Dornish

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The change management process empowers organizations to remodel traditional operating procedures, embrace innovations and acquire new, profitable skills. This includes the adoption of legal technology. In fact, law firms that adopt legal technology will outperform non-adopting practices in the coming years.

With that in mind, one question remains: How can law practices best adopt legal technology and manage the changes that accompany it? This program will explain how.

Date Recorded: June 3, 2020

Speakers: Dorothy Radke

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 This CLE will provide a Title VII overview. On June 15, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects gay and transgender workers from workplace discrimination. Prior to this ruling, it was not clear in many states whether LGBT employees had protections from employers firing an individual merely for being gay or transgender.

Date Recorded: November 30, 2020

Speakers: Michale Komo, David Garraux, Nicole Stockey

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Life care plans and medical cost projections are becoming more common in many types of legal work, including workers' compensation matters and personal injury litigation.

Life care plans are dynamic documents, based on published standards that offer concise plans for current and future needs for individuals who have experienced catastrophic injury or have chronic healthcare needs. Medical cost projections are unbiased third-party estimates on the total medical value of a claim.

During this program, experts will examine life care plans and medical cost projections and their roles in legal practice. Vocational liability cases also will be examined.

Date Recorded: September 16, 2020

Speakers: Michelle Repman-Pifer

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When it comes to labor contracts, an attorney's work isn't done when the collective bargaining agreement is signed. This program will explore those aspects of a labor contract that are most relevant after the agreement is in place.

Administering the contract, interpreting the contract, discipline issues and enforcing the contract.

Administering the contract: This portion of the program will focus on such topics as zipper clauses, management rights, union structure (role of shop stewards, etc.), labor-management committees and more.

Interpreting the contract: After a contract is in place, disputes are sure to arise. The panel will cover past practice, plain language rules, unfair labor practices arising out of contract administration, work rules and policies and more.

Discipline: During this segment of the program, the panel will cover investigations, seniority dynamics, bargaining unit work, last chance agreements, the duty of fair representation, the grievance process (stages, players, arbitration clause) and more.

Enforcing the contract: This segment of the program will focus on the arbitration process, trilogy cases, binding v. non-binding arbitration (fact-finding), The National Arbitration Act / The Uniform Arbitration Act, and arbitration clauses. Panelists will cover grievance (rights) arbitration v. interest (contract interpretation) arbitration, arbitrator selection, reasons for arbitrator disqualification, the duty to disclose conflicts, the arbitrator's authority and more. Arbitrability, preparing for the hearing and the arbitration hearing process and outcomes also will be discussed.

Date Recorded: September 25, 2020

Speakers: Sally Cimini, Ernest Orsatti, Marijane Treacy, Jack Yoedt

Moderators: Jared Simmer

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Building a law firm takes more than just an idea and some work. It takes vision, passion and the recognition that law is not just a practice, it's a business. But it's also different than a regular business because lawyers have fiduciary and ethical obligations. During this program, experienced practitioners will offer tips and advice that you can implement in your own practice. The program is especially relevant for solo or small firm practitioners; go from just being a lawyer to building the business that you want to have.

Date Recorded: July 29, 2020

Speakers: Amy Coco, Nicola Henry-Taylor

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You are most likely being bombarded with messages about the Coronavirus, whether on television, social media, or in your community networks. At uncertain times like this, anxiety, stress, fear and negative thoughts can easily take control. You may be worried about being in crowds, your loved ones, your seniors, your office, your clients, your finances or how to manage whatever the future holds as we prepare to return to the "new normal" in our personal and professional lives.

Recent studies have shown that there has been a dramatic increase in impairment due to alcoholism, addiction and mental health disorders among members of the legal profession. The statistics are compelling and clearly indicate that 1 out of 3 attorneys will likely have a need for substance use or mental health services at some point in their careers. Accordingly, unexpected events like those we are facing as a society will have an even greater impact on lawyers and those who work with them.

In light of this unprecedented crisis, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers will cover the following topics:

-The prevalence rates of impairment in the legal profession due to substance use and mental health issues prior to COVID-19
-Causes and symptoms of depression, stress and anxiety
-The impact of COVID-19 crisis on mental health issues and the role isolation plays
-Fear associated with the uncertainty surrounding the future of the legal industry
-Well-being strategies to reduce or alleviate these conditions
-Tips for maintaining a healthy and productive work/life balance
-Ethical dilemmas created by the Coronavirus crisis, including remote supervision of attorneys and staff, record and timekeeping, data security and confidentiality in the remote office setting.
-Why legal professionals are at higher risk to develop mental health and substance use disorders
-Challenges and barriers facing legal professionals from seeking help
-The free, confidential services provided by Lawyers Assistance Programs to lawyers, their family members, judges and law students
-The role that education plays in breaking the stigma and fear associated with addiction and mental illness in the legal profession
-Resources available to both lawyers and support staff with emphasis on COVID-19 issues

Date Recorded: February 4, 2021

Speakers: Brian Quinn

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Everyone knows that Social Security and Medicare are important resources available to them in retirement, but few people – even highly educated individuals – really understand the details and nuances. This session will provide a detailed look at how government benefits can work for you and your spouse. Specifics to be covered include when and how to start receiving Social Security benefits, opportunities to increase your benefits throughout retirement and understanding your options and when to enroll in Medicare. This program is ideal not only for attorneys approaching retirement age, but also for attorneys of any age who want to begin to understand how these benefits can impact long-term retirement planning.

Date Recorded: October 17, 2019

Speakers: Jennifer Taboada

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This presentation is an overview of the Medicare system and how it can be used effectively to obtain affordable quality health services. William McKendree – who is highly regarded for his Medicare knowledge – will examine the following topics:


- Medicare's eligibility and enrollment criteria
-The various parts that comprise the Medicare system
- How these parts function and interact with each other and coordinate with non-Medicare health care benefits
- How to compare and evaluate the available options to achieve the most effective and affordable health care coverage.

Date Recorded: April 13, 2021

Speakers: William McKendree

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Every lawyer needs malpractice insurance, and in this day and age, cyber liability insurance goes hand-in-hand with malpractice.

During this CLE, a knowledgeable panel from the ACBA Insurance partners at USI Affinity will discuss lawyers professional liability insurance, including what to look for in a policy and what coverages will be important post-pandemic. How to avoid risk and specific risk management best practices for law firms also will be discussed.

The panel also will discuss why cyber liability insurance is important for lawyers. Speakers will review cyber liability exposures for law firms and cover how to protect your firm against cyber-attacks.

USI Affinity is pleased to provide an additional benefit for select ACBA CLE programs. Simply complete the information form that will be emailed with the materials, and you may qualify for up to a 7.5% risk management credit per lawyer on your next CNA Lawyers' Professional Liability Insurance renewal, endorsed by the ACBA. The credit will be applied at the next renewal date and is good for two consecutive policy terms.

Date Recorded: February 24, 2021

Speakers: Michelle Logan, Mark LeFever

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As marijuana's presence expands to medical-use and legal recreational-use, attorneys encounter more cases involving these substances and their roles in impairment.

What are the differences between marijuana metabolites? What are some pearls in interpreting drug testing results? How do the various sources of marijuana (such as edibles, joints and oils) differ in potency and effects on the body? What is the science behind the marijuana breath testing device? What are synthetic cannabinoids and how do they compare with marijuana? These and other questions will be answered in this one-hour presentation.

Specifics to be covered include:


- The scientific names of the parent marijuana compound and major metabolites
- Similarities and differences between marijuana and synthetic cannabinoids
- Why determining impairment based on marijuana levels (or its metabolites) is challenging

Date Recorded: October 13, 2020

Speakers: Allison Muller

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Things have changed in most areas of life, due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and that includes mediation and ADR.

This interactive session will be hosted by three experienced mediators: Sally Cimini, Carole Katz and Selina Shultz. They will discuss remote mediations and compare and contrast them to in-person mediations.

Specifics will include:

Description of how remote mediations by Zoom work
What's the same and what's different about in-person vs. remote mediations
Pre-work
Confidentiality and security
Joint sessions
Private separate sessions (including a demonstration of the "breakout room" Zoom function)
The flow of the typical day
Other interactions during the course of the mediation
Papering the deal

Date Recorded: May 4, 2020

Speakers: Sally Cimini, Carole Katz, Selina Shultz

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Medicare Simplified is all about demystifying Medicare for retirees. The program will cover the following:

- The various aspects of Medicare
- The difference between Medigap and Medicare Advantages plans
- Tips to help you discover which plan might be appropriate for you and your clients
- How much you and your clients can expect to pay for your health coverage during retirement
- How to minimize your total health insurance cost during retirement
- The laws which started Medicare and Medicaid, the laws that govern IRMAA charges for both Part B and Part D and how to go about appealing those IRMAA charges

Date Recorded: December 7, 2020

Speakers: Ashby Daniels

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Ron Schuler, the author of "The Steel Bar," presents a one-hour substantive CLE on corporate issues arising out of the tempestuous business relationship between Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick. The program will cover issues arising from the Johnstown Flood and the Homestead Strike through the "World's Greatest Lawsuit" and the founding of U.S. Steel. The program will examine issues such as the limits of corporate authority and powers, limited liability, buyout agreements and M&A through the lens of 19th century Pennsylvania corporation law.

Date Recorded: January 17, 2020

Speakers: Ronald Schuler

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Conflicts between parents over parenting decisions can occur both before and after divorce. During this session, Dr. Deborah Gilman will discuss action-oriented processes that shift the focus to what can be done rather than simply focusing on preventing problems. The program will explore motivational interviewing techniques that encourage ownership and self-efficacy and assume competency. The course will identify cognitive and evaluative processes people apply to progress through change. It will explore core motivational skills, identify various states of readiness and identify skills to incorporate as a lawyer/mediator.

Date Recorded: September 18, 2020

Speakers: Dr. Deborah Gilman

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Do you advise a client where a sizeable portion of their compensation is represented by an employee stock option plan? Before exercising these options, there is much to consider, such as vesting schedules, hedging, wealth transfers and tax implications. In this seminar, two financial representatives who are Certified Private Wealth Advisors® will analyze these critical considerations and aid you in identifying the various courses of action in order to benefit your client.

Date Recorded: April 14, 2021

Speakers: Brandon Schwan, Michael Fertig

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The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented changes to many areas of life, including the workplace. This program will cover employment law issues in the COVID era, with a focus on the law and regulations affecting workers who have pressing home and family obligations.

In particular, the CLE will examine the impact of COVID on workers who are caregivers and parents of school-age children. What leave can people take? What are flexible options for retaining people with different schedules? How should policies and protocols be written or adapted to accommodate the needs of working parents in the COVID era?

The panel will address these questions and other employment issues arising in these challenging times. Various perspectives will be covered by panelists, including employer and employee perspectives. This session will be informative for employment attorneys counseling clients on legal and regulatory issues. It also will be useful for law firm management committed to ensuring the retention and advancement of women in the profession at a time when progress for women in the field is threatened by the pressures of working in a pandemic.

Major content areas: Labor and employment law generally; paid leave laws; FFCRA; Governor's orders on COVID issues; diversity and inclusion.

Who should attend: Employment lawyers; in-house counsel; diversity and inclusion officers; anyone impacted by the COVID situation for their own situation.

Date Recorded: November 20, 2020

Speakers: Bobbi Tucker, Emily Town, Terry Roberts

Moderators: Julie Vanneman

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For the last 25-plus years, confusion has existed as to what actual, legal relationships (fiduciary and otherwise) may exist between a real estate licensee and a buyer and/or seller of real estate. This confusion continues today, on a local, regional and national level. With both local and national speakers, this class will address:

- The "Agency Mess" on a local, regional and national level
- The various fiduciary and non-fiduciary duties that can/cannot exist in a real estate transaction
- The impact on a real estate transaction the noted confusion it can have
-The impact these various relationships can have in litigation involving a real estate transaction.
- Education efforts, locally, regionally and nationally, to educate the real estate "consumer" on these various relationships and corresponding duties

Date Recorded: March 24, 2021

Speakers: Steven Brobeck, Jonathan Freed, Tom Wemett, Bradley Dornish, Manasseh Lapin

Moderators: Kevin Brown

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The Coronavirus crisis has changed the way the world does business, including attorneys. For instance, in Pennsylvania, Governor Tom Wolf has ordered the temporary suspension of physical presence of stenographers to swear in witnesses, among other changes.

As a result, remote depositions are permissible for the first time, on a temporary basis. But how does that happen, exactly?

During this program, professionals from Network Deposition Services will explore best practices for conducting a deposition remotely. Specifics to be covered include:


Options for cloud-based conference and the 'ins and outs" of the most widely used web deposition software: Zoom
The most effective methods for presenting exhibits
Ways to include participants with minimal access to technology
How to adapt your deposition style to accommodate remote methods

Date Recorded: April 28, 2020

Speakers: AJ. Simeone

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From revised rules to new mandatory forms to electronic reporting, guardianship practice in Pennsylvania is changing dramatically. Attorneys and their clients must be up to date on the revisions to both procedures and forms, as they relate both to pleadings and practice, as well as to the rules and duties of the guardian. This seminar will give an overview of basic guardianship practice, discuss the revised rules and procedures, and provide essential information and resources for guardians and their counsel.

Date Recorded: October 30, 2019

Speakers: Lisa Dougan, Thomas Dempsey

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This program will cover the basics of what it takes to properly manage oil and gas risks on pad sites, as well as compliance for service contractors who service the site. The program will walk through why proper MSA terms are important and how risk management and transfer have evolved. Mitigating risk is a huge benefit to members of the legal community who practice in this field, and this program will cater to them. It will be a blend of how the legal works with the insurance community to protect both the oil and gas businesses and their employees.

Date Recorded: June 17, 2019

Speakers: James Miller, Phillip Glyptis

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COVID-19 has already changed how companies of all sizes do business around the globe, and those changes will continue long after the virus has passed. This webinar will focus on COVID-19 and discuss what management teams across industries and geographical regions should do in order to optimize their companies' COVID-19 readiness and responses.

Specifics to be covered include: organizational readiness, information collection and analysis, impact assessment and scenario planning, effective leadership in times of crisis and internal and external stakeholder communication. Other important tasks and success factors also will specifically be addressed. In addition, the webinar will provide lessons learned and an interactive question-and-answer session.

Date Recorded: April 24, 2020

Speakers: Oliver Schmidt

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"Work from home" is more of a thing now than ever before, and many experts think it's here to stay, at least in some capacity. Safety concerns, cleaning procedures and even elevator capacity are now major factors in the workplace.

What impact does all of this have on the market for downtown office space?

During this highly visual presentation, Dan Adamski, Senior Managing Director at JLL Pittsburgh, will provide an update on how the Pittsburgh market has been affected by the global pandemic, with special focus on law firms. Adamski will also offer a guide to re-entering the office, and how tenants can navigate the new market dynamics.

Date Recorded: August 26, 2020

Speakers: Dan Adamski, Tobiah Bilski, Nick Francic

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Have you thought of the day when you no longer want to practice law? It's only natural for all lawyers to think about this. But stopping your practice will involve a well-thought-out "exit strategy." Have you given this any thought?

When you completed your most recent Pennsylvania attorney registration form, you were asked whether you had a Succession Plan. In order to protect your clients' interests, as well as to protect your family and your own interests, you should prepare a Succession Plan for the time when you leave the practice of law.

Whether you're close to that point of your career or not, it's important to start thinking about and understand the dynamics that go into an exit strategy.

This seminar will help attendees understand the whys and hows of leaving the practice, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, the steps that are required to take, and other steps attorneys should consider taking. By the end of this seminar, attendees will have already begun to plan an exit strategy and have an understanding of what happens if you do not plan. Attendees also will have an understanding of the resources available to help with this process. This seminar will address issues that apply to lawyers of all ages, no matter the size of the firm or years of experience, and whether to considering retiring or simply changing careers.

Date Recorded: December 19, 2019

Speakers: Angela Mitas, James Ryan, Keith Cameron, Dr. Samuel Schachner, William Friedman, Michelle Logan, Amy Coco

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The POWER Act, passed by U.S. Congress in 2019, requires the chief judge for each judicial district to conduct public events to promote pro bono legal services for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking. The Act also requires the judge to organize public events aimed specifically at survivors belonging to trial organizations, if any live within their jurisdiction. A chief judge must, in conducting public events, seek to maximize the local impact and the provision of high-quality pro bono legal services to survivors, according to the Act.

This program will bring awareness to domestic violence situations in the community and provide opportunities for members of the bar to offer pro bono legal services to survivors.

Date Recorded: June 18, 2020

Speakers: Susan Abramowich, Hon. Maria McLaughlin, Margaret Prescott, Hon. David Spurgeon

Moderators: Hon. Cynthia Eddy

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Three members of the Office of Disciplinary Counsel explain various disciplinary pitfalls that have occurred in the criminal division. The speakers will provide insight and knowledge as to keeping an ethical practice and the difficulties in practicing in the criminal section where being brought before Disciplinary Counsel by disgruntled clients can be normal.

Date Recorded: March 26, 2021

Speakers: Thomas Farrell, Angie Mitas, James Fox

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Demonstrative evidence can be a major part of a case. What types of tools are out there to be used in presenting this evidence? And what are the ethical considerations?

This program will explore this topic. Specifics to be covered include:

- Explaining the Differences between Demonstrative Evidence and Demonstrative Aids
- Types of Demonstrative Evidence
- Examples of typical uses, including summaries, timelines
- Law covering demonstrations and simulations
- Themes and Scripts
- Story boards – Simplifying the complex case
- Inexpensive Techniques and use of "Teaching Witness"
- Rulings and Discretion of Trial Judge
- Use of Evidence in Closing Argument
- Learning styles - How to communicate with Judge/Jury
- Ethical Rules governing use of false evidence and Duty to Correct

Date Recorded: December 8, 2020

Speakers: Claude Ducloux

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The purpose of this program is to explore the role of vocational experts in social security disability hearings, thereby helping the Claimant's attorney to prepare for examination of the vocational expert witness. Attendees will hear from experienced Social Security practitioners and from vocational experts. This program will be directed to new and moderately experienced practitioners. Well-seasoned representatives may also obtain a few insights.

Specifics to be covered include:

- Addressing the Claimant's work history and educational history
- Insights on how vocational experts prepare for hearings
- Hearing preparation/vocational expert examination
- Questioning vocational experts at a hearing

Date Recorded: January 25, 2021

Speakers: Leah Fink, Frank Grzywinski, Chales Cohen, Frances Kinley

Moderators: Glen Sinko

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This CLE will offer advice, tips and strategies for giving a presentation … not just any presentation, but one that is impactful, memorable and, well, interesting.

Specific topics to be covered include:

Ways of removing stress from presenting.
Ideas for keeping your audience engaged.
Goals for how much to present and how to present it.
The beginning, the middle and the end: how to build your presentation with purpose.
Building an effective PowerPoint.
Knowing the topic and selling your points.
Understanding and gauging your audience.

Date Recorded: March 5, 2019

Speakers: Erin May, A.J. Simeone

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This virtual workshop will explore Defined Contribution and Defined Benefit QDROs as well as QDRO-like Orders (Governmental, FERS/CSRS, and Military) related to divorces. This workshop will review various retirement plans and the type of Order needed for your client's division of retirement assets. The program will review needed settlement agreement language and the most common mistakes to avoid saving countless hours, headaches and limiting liability exposure.

Specifics to be covered include:

- The differences in retirement plan types and benefit options
- The different ways to divide retirement plans (shared vs. separate interest)
- Language needed when representing the employee spouse and former spouse
- Language differences between drafting regular QDROs vs. Governmental, FERS/CSRS and Military Plans
- Ways to avoid common QDRO mistakes

Date Recorded: January 27, 2021

Speakers: Donna Cheswick

Moderators: Dorothy O'Neil

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This CLE will explore recent litigation regarding affirmative action in college admissions, especially the case Students for Fair Admissions, Inc., v. Harvard College, in which plaintiff accused Harvard of discriminating against Asian-American applicants. Panelists will discuss the constitutional framework under which the ongoing debate about the role of race, the value of diversity and the use of affirmative action in higher education has been carried out. Additionally, the potential impact of recent lawsuits on the future of affirmative action in higher education will be discussed.

Date Recorded: September 22, 2020

Speakers: Ron Jones, Sylvia Winston Nichols, Associate Dean Deborah Brake

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With the recent shift to increased remote work, the frequency of business conducted via mobile devices undoubtedly has increased as well, exposing users to critical risks, including data loss, cyber-attacks and exfiltration of corporate assets.

This webinar, led by a certified forensic analyst and senior attorney, will detail best practices for mitigating the risks of mobile device usage, as well as recovery of deleted information and remote collection of mobile data. In addition, the webinar will review important new guidance on ethical considerations facing lawyers managing client matters remotely.

Date Recorded: May 27, 2020

Speakers: Brett Creasy, John Unice

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This CLE will cover the basics of Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law and teach attorneys of all practice areas the best ways to help submit information requests on behalf of clients. The CLE also will discuss how attorneys representing government agencies can ensure these agencies follow the law. The program will cover:

- The timeline of submitting and responding to a request
- How to phrase a request to be specific
- Common reasons requests are denied
- The basics of the administrative appeal process
- An overview of the Court Process to challenge an administrative decision

Date Recorded: December 4, 2020

Speakers: Zachary Gordon, Elizabeth Rubenstein

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Social media is more than a fad. It's one of the primary ways people communicate today. But what impact does this still-new form of communication have on litigation?

This program will cover:

• Inappropriate use of social media by lawyers
• Necessary changes to law practice, client control and case selection due to use of social media
• Malpractice cases based upon inappropriate use of social media
• Disciplinary cases resulting from use of social media
• Monetary damages which may result from use of social media
• Dangers of spoliation of evidence by modifying websites; and necessary instructions to clients concerning modifying social media history
• How inappropriate use destroys the attorney client privilege

Date Recorded: February 18, 2021

Speakers: Claude Ducloux

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During this program the Administrative Chair for the Board of Viewers, attorneys handling exemption and assessment appeals and a certified real estate appraiser will cover the following:

- Practice tips
- Best evidence
- Effective use of appraisals
- Trends in valuation for commercial properties
- The new procedure for tax exemption appeals
- Recent cases and legal developments

Great CLE for attorneys representing property owners or taxing bodies, nonprofits or tax exempt entities, or for any attorney with an interest in real estate in Allegheny County.

Date Recorded: March 25, 2021

Speakers: Michelle Lally, Megan Turnbull, Jennifer Cerce, Anthony Barna

Moderators: Kate Diersen

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This program will discuss the impact of the 2020 election on the U.S. tax system. It will provide a brief update of 2020 filing requirements, as well as, planning opportunities for tax year 2021.

This CLE will cover corporate tax, estate and gift tax, individual tax, current tax legislation update and COVID-19 Tax Update. Program material will be adjusted as things continue to unfold in light of the election and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Date Recorded: January 19, 2021

Speakers: Justin Steele, Gregory Allison

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In July, the IRS and the U.S. Department of the Treasury issued final regulations under section 163(j) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code").

As enacted under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), and as amended by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (P.L. 116-136) (the "CARES Act"), section 163(j) generally limits the deductibility of net business interest expense to 30 percent of adjusted taxable income for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.

The final regulations remove a number of problematic items from the overbroad definition of interest in the Proposed Regulations. The result is a definition of interest that is more consistent with other parts of the Code and general tax principles and generally will be easier to implement for taxpayers Specific topics to be covered include the basic architecture of the regulations, key substantive provisions, changes from prior regulations, remaining key open questions, effective dates. The program will be geared towards tax and finance professionals in either a client service role or an in-house role.

Date Recorded: September 21, 2020

Speakers: Michael Bauer, Thomas Carpenter

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So much of the practice of law involves decision-making, and convincing others to make better decisions based upon fact rather than emotion. This course is intended to help attendees understand how they involuntarily make decisions. It also aims to guide them to recognize and prevent bias, and to know how to effectively communicate with persons whose bias affects others. This course was awarded recognition by the American Inns of Court in Washington, DC to be one of the six "Outstanding Presentations" of 2018 in the U.S.

Specifics to be covered include:

• The biology of human decision-making, including emotion, mood, complex cognition, and reasoning
• The psychology of decision-making, heuristics, issue-framing
• The seven steps to effective decision-making
• Self-serving bias, confirmation bias, and epistemic closure
• The backfire effect of receiving contradictory evidence
• Crushing your insular cortex to relieve the stress of unacceptable truth
• Justification and Politicization; and False Consensus
• Tipping Points to Change misperceptions
• Professional training received by judges
• Strategies to prevent bias in your own decision-making
• Strategies in communicating to third-parties
• Reframing Issues, and overcoming misunderstandings

Date Recorded: November 9, 2020

Speakers: Claude Ducloux

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United States Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos' new Title IX regulations – published May 6, 2020 and effective August 14, 2020 – will substantially change the requirements for the handling of sexual misconduct claims in all institutions that provide educational programs or activities and accept federal funds. Institutional policies, processes and practices surrounding sexual misconduct will all be impacted. As a result, litigation may increase, and litigation strategies will evolve.

In this session, lawyers representing higher education institutions, K-12 schools and teaching hospitals, as well as those representing individuals, will learn from those in the field about the key regulatory changes, balancing the important legal obligations and rights, and other practical tips.

Date Recorded: June 1, 2020

Speakers: Pamela Connelly, Jennifer Fink, Stephen Gilson

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Attendees will meet the new masters sitting on Allegheny County family court and learn the "do's and don'ts" of practicing in front of them. During the program, each master will run through what to do - and what not to do - when practicing in front of them. Major topics will include an overview of master's practice and procedure; drafting pre-trial statements; preparing for conciliations prior to trial; and parsing out relevant evidence and testimony at trial. Additionally, how best to prepare a case for presentation to the master for complex support, equitable distribution and enforcement issues will be covered

Date Recorded: May 8, 2019

Speakers: Melaine Shannon Rothey, Serena Newsom, Tricia Sorg

Moderators: Zach Gordon

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The opioid crisis in the community has a significant impact on families and children, and this addiction issue also can have a significant impact on many legal proceeds as a result.

The goal of this program, the third in a series, is to bring attention to the ways that opioid addiction can impact the way attorneys practice law.

During the program, the Hon. Kim Berkeley Clark and the Hon. Elliot Howsie will address the effect of the opioid crisis on children and families in our courtrooms.

Date Recorded: September 23, 2020

Speakers: Hon. Kim Clark, Hon. Eliot Howsie

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An appellant who has lost before a panel of the Superior or Commonwealth Court and seeks further consideration of his or her legal argument is faced with several options. In addition to proceeding immediately to an allocatur petition in the Supreme Court, the unsuccessful appellant can first petition the Superior or Commonwealth Court for reconsideration or re-argument before the court en banc, when the case is heard before all judges of the court.

During this session, a panel of appellate jurists and practitioners will offer an informative discussion on the relative strategic advantages of en banc and allocatur proceedings, the difference between reconsideration and re-argument, the proper content of an en banc petition, pitfalls to avoid and applicable filing deadlines. As an added bonus, the jurists on the panel will provide insight into considerations governing the granting of en banc petitions, the voting process on such petitions and their relative chances of success.

Date Recorded: July 30, 2020

Speakers: Temp Smith, Christopher Parker, Corrie Woods, Hon. Patricia McCullough, Hon. Victor Stabile

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Over the last 30 years the relationship between the United States and China has evolved into one of direct competition on many levels. This presentation will describe how the relationship has changed and how it has fractured with significant implications for both countries. What can we expect in the future?

*This program has been approved for 1 hour of Substantive CLE credit in Pennsylvania and also qualifies for 1 hour of credit under the West Virginia Rules for Mandatory Continuing Legal Education.

Date Recorded: October 7, 2020

Speakers: Dennis Unkovic

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The Honorable Roundtable discussion has been a highlight of the Symposium over the years. Join this group discussion with the Judges of the WDPA and visiting Judges who will provide feedback and tips to promote professionalism and excellence in your bankruptcy and insolvency practices. The Judges have always been agreeable to address an array of topics and issues, including giving their courts' perspectives on matters affecting legal practice and procedures for both consumer and commercial practitioners.

Date Recorded: December 11, 2020

Speakers: Hon. Joy Flowers Conti, Hon. Ashely Chan, Hon. John Hoffman, Hon. Michael Kaplan, Hon. Robert Opel

Moderators: Keri Ebeck

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2020 has brought a significant increase in restaurant and retail bankruptcies due to the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This panel will discuss various COVID-19 related issues that are arising in restaurant, retail, and service-industry bankruptcy cases. Topics discussed will include: The Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) Implications, Compliance with Wage and Hour Requirements, WARN Act Implications, Reclamation Claims, Intellectual Property Issues, Franchise Agreements, Force Majeure Clauses, Abstention.

Date Recorded: December 11, 2020

Speakers: Kirk Burkley, Donald Calaiaro, Frank Guadagnino, Sloane O'Donnell

Moderators: Maribeth Thomas

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The CLE will cover the impacts, challenges, and legal considerations for students, educators, and administrators regarding remote learning and in-person learning as a result of COVID-19.

The CLE will cover compliance with the IDEA and Section 504; state waivers for compliance with the IDEA; accommodation students with disabilities; addressing equity, equality, and ethical concerns regarding students who do not have Internet access; addressing equity, equality, and ethical concerns regarding students whose families do not have access to the same resources and support services that other families do; and balancing health and safety concerns with the benefits of in-person learning.

Attorneys who work on education and civil rights related matters should attend to get a better understanding of their clients' and (potential clients') rights and responsibilities, as well as ethical considerations for going above and beyond minimum legal requirements.

Date Recorded: February 10, 2021

Speakers: Stephanie Dangel, Joseph Hornack, Ian Michel, Jennifer Price

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The program will discuss the various impacts that COVID-19 has had on the construction industry as well as the practice of construction law.

Specific segments include:

- A panel discussion regarding certain contractual provisions and project/claim scenarios from the perspective of a project owner, general contractor and subcontractor.
- A discussion on how to prepare for COVID-related construction disputes.
- A presentation regarding virtual mediations and arbitrations of construction disputes.

Date Recorded: December 9, 2020

Speakers: Scott Cessar, Lisa Wampler, Michael Klein, Giselle Leonardo, James Miller, Chris Cieslak, Wiley Wright, Matt Stamp

Moderators: Lori Azzara

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This program is designed to educate participants about vehicle accidents, the evidence gathering process and event data recorders. The presentation introduces multiple types of reported vehicle crashes including: phantom vehicles, sideswipes and rear-end crashes. It also covers the process of gathering evidence after an accident, which includes site investigation, properly gathering and maintaining evidence, collecting witness statements and obtaining medical documentation. Participants also will learn about vehicle Event Data Recorders and the use of contained data in crash investigations, and how to identify situations in which a consultant is needed.

Date Recorded: November 12, 2020

Speakers: Gary Osterholt

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The actual negotiating of a collective bargaining agreement is the bread-and-butter of an attorney's role in labor contracts. These negotiations are the reason many attorneys go into this practice area.

The process of free collective bargaining is a high-stakes, demanding and intricate process with its fair share of gamesmanship and ethical challenges. Forces from outside the bargaining table, intransigent personalities within the ranks, or internal political drama are just some of the challenges that test the patience and reputation of the negotiator.

This program will explore – through the prism of a panel of local labor attorneys – what they were never taught in law school about the process of free collective bargaining.

Specifics to be covered include:

Preparing for negotiations
Formulation of Proposals
Legal considerations concerning conduct at the negotiating table
Key issues in contemporary bargaining
Contract costing concepts
Unwritten rules of bargaining etiquette and/or engagement

Date Recorded: March 13, 2020

Speakers: Brian Balonick, Amanda Bundick, Noah Jordan, Carsen Ruperto, John Yoedt

Moderators: Fulton Miklos

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The Partnership Track: Everything You Didn't Learn in Law School
Most attorneys strive to become a partner. This interactive program will review some eye-opening current statistics about law firms and discuss the importance of firms having diverse partners. Additional specific topics to be covered include:


• Being a business asset
• Law firm economics
• Partner personality
• Selling yourself
• Particular obstacles faced by attorneys of color and women

This CLE will highlight the fact that while young practitioners have to pay their dues on the way to making partner, women and minority attorneys face additional challenges. This program is ideal for anyone who wants to know what it takes to make partner, because it is no longer just working hard and producing outstanding work product.

Date Recorded: October 27, 2020

Speakers: Charles DeMonaco, Marie Rivera-Johnson, Carlota Bohm

Moderators: Daniel Conlon

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In this hour, we will examine past and current prominent cases that have impacted/continue to impact the concept of "amateurism" in the NCAA. We will also dive into recent by-laws affecting representation by certified agents (Men's basketball) as well as the overall "need" for agents in the future.

Date Recorded: June 21, 2019

Speakers: Eddie Edwards, Ron Jones

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The Small Business Reorganization Act (SBRA) took effect on February 20, 2020, in an effort to increase successful business reorganizations by the addition of Article V to Chapter 11. This panel will focus on the last year, as Debtors have started to utilize the SBRA, including the advantages and disadvantages that have emerged in conjunction with the Act.

Date Recorded: December 11, 2020

Speakers: John Lacher, Hon. Gregory Taddonio, Joseph Sisca, David Valencik, George Snyder

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The program will examine the "Second Founding" - the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments and related civil rights statutes. The knowledgeable panel will discuss the amendments and the extent to which these amendments were able to remediate the lingering effects of slavery, recognize Black citizenship, protect rights to due process and equal protection for all, and enfranchise African Americans.

In addition, the program will discuss the ebb and flow of racial progress in Pittsburgh during this time period, including within the legal community.

Date Recorded: February 19, 2021

Speakers: William "Chip" Carter, Jr., Ronald Schuler

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In December 2019, the United States Congress passed its first major piece of retirement legislation in almost a decade: the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act – aka the SECURE Act. The goal of the act is to encourage individuals to save for retirement. Key aspects of the SECURE Act and related retirement planning strategies in light of the new Act will be discussed.

Date Recorded: August 10, 2020

Speakers: Ray Vogliano, John Shaffer, Scott Magnuson

Moderators: Elizabeth Altman

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"Tiger King" was the number one rated show on Netflix earlier this year drawing over 34 million viewers in its first 10 days. However, the documentary reveals only part of the story.

In this interactive presentation, attendees will learn the complete story of the trial of Joseph Maldonado-Passage (aka "Joe Exotic") for two counts of Murder for Hire in violation of 18 U.S.C. 1958 (a) and several wildlife offenses. Prosecutor Philip Bogdanoff will examine the trial testimony and discuss the prosecution's attempts to use other acts evidence to show defendant's other attempts to solicit a hit on Carole Baskin, their attempt to protect the identity of an undercover FBI agent, and their efforts to prevent the defense from introducing evidence suggesting someone else had committed these offenses.

Attendees will review defense attempts to dismiss the indictment and prevent the joinder of wildlife offenses with the murder charge. Attendees will also discuss how to impeach the victim, Carole Baskin, the informant, James Garretson, and the hit man, Allen Glover. The program will discuss the strength of the government's case, the theme of the government's case, possible defenses such as entrapment, defense strategy at trial, and whether there was sufficient evidence to support the jury's verdict. The goal of this seminar is to teach various criminal rules, evidentiary rules, defenses, and trial strategy while reviewing this fascinating trial.

Date Recorded: November 5, 2020

Speakers: Phillip Bogdanoff

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Many lawyers encounter opioids on a much too regular basis when dealing with impairment, fatalities, and criminal matters.

What aspects of science do attorneys need to know about these drugs? How do they work? How do they poison and take the lives of so many? Where do they fit into postmortem cases? Where is fentanyl found? How does naloxone work and when does it work and when does it not? These questions and more will be answered during this one-hour crash course on the science of opioids for attorneys.

Specifics to be covered include:

- The effects of opioids on the body
- Examples of unexpected sources of opioids
- Examples of drugs that can intensify opioid toxicity
- The pitfalls in interpreting drug screen results as they relate to opioids
- Reasons for the presence of morphine in the blood

Date Recorded: September 29, 2020

Speakers: Dr. Allison Muller

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Vicarious trauma – the internal transformation experienced by attorneys who come into contact with a traumatic situation, information or materials – is a real problem in the legal profession.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about vicarious trauma and the impact it can have on them as practitioners. Attendees will hear from attorneys who are committed to pro bono and "low bono" work, and how through engaging in that work, they experienced vicarious trauma. Panelists will engage with attendees in an interactive manner to share tools and tips that can be helpful in combating vicarious trauma. Additionally, attendees will learn how to look for warning signs that they may be experiencing vicarious trauma.

Date Recorded: May 8, 2019

Speakers: Barbara Griffin, Elizabeth Hughes, Tracey McCants Lewis

Moderators: Morgan Moody

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Unpaid medical bills and liens can be a big part of workers' compensation cases.

This program will provide tips for handling unpaid medical bills and medical liens in the litigation and mediation of a workers' compensation case. It will include a discussion of Neves v. WCAB, No.1431 C.D. 2018 (Pa.Cmwlth. 2020).

Date Recorded: January 14, 2021

Speakers: Glenn Sinko, David Dille, Hon. Anne Crilley, Hon. David Cicola

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If you're a litigator, you probably attended a Zoom training program, and you've probably handled a handful of depositions or motions using an online videoconferencing app. You might, actually, be getting pretty good at it. But, in order to master these tools, you've still got a lot to learn.

This program is not intended for lawyers who need help finding and running Zoom. It is intended for those who are curious about technology, willing to try new things, and excited to be the best online version of themselves. An educated panel will discuss taking your online litigation skills from sophomoric to professional. The goal is to make a seismic jump from the "good enough" product most attorneys are currently cranking out to "how did they do that?"

The panel will discuss teamwork during online depositions and hearings, leveraging the power of back-channel communications to make you a super-litigator. The program will cover the science of distraction to learn the devastatingly effective advantages of online litigation over in-person proceedings. Attendees will watch examples of other lawyers' online litigation work-products to see the amazing things that can be done with the technology.

The program also will discuss equipment, including specific recommendations of items to buy, taking into account product availability at the time of the CLE.

Date Recorded: December 21, 2020

Speakers: Matthew Doebler, Roy Leonard, Sherie Cannin, Coreen Wilson, Brendan Lupetin, Gregory Dobson

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The term "toxicology" gets thrown around a lot in the legal world, but do you know the details of what that actually means?

This program will offer broad overview of what attorneys need to know about the effects of alcohol as well as common street and prescription drugs on the body. The program also will discuss the limitations of drug screens, how alcohol absorption can be delayed or increased, and the connection between drug levels and level of impairment. There is an abundance of information on the science behind drug and alcohol related impairment; this one-hour program will start with some basic principles.

Learning objectives:

- List the expected effects on the body from common street and prescription drugs.
- Differentiate between drug/alcohol levels obtained from blood, urine and breath.
- Identify common false positives when interpreting drug screen results.
- Assess the utility of drug levels for commonly encountered street and legal drugs.
- Describe the correlation between drug and alcohol levels and level of impairment.

Date Recorded: September 15, 2020

Speakers: Dr. Allison Muller

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This program features an in-depth discussion regarding the necessity of careful practice and insurance planning for firms and solo practitioners when the structure of a practice changes. Situations such as a firm merging, a firm bringing in lateral hires, a group of attorneys within a firm "spinning off" or even when lawyers decide to retire all have specific nuances and liability implications. The discussion will include the ethical issues that lawyers face when their practice changes, as well as risk management issues to keep in mind. Presenters also will discuss what to look for in a "claims made and reported policy" and with "tail coverage."

Date Recorded: March 8, 2019

Speakers: Amy Coco, Michelle Logan

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This program will discuss how solo and small firm attorneys (and infrequent litigators) should prepare for that occasional trial.

Presenter Claude Ducloux will start with understanding the business side of setting a fee, then he'll offer a preliminary checklist for limitations, venue, consideration of adding parties and early deals which you should consider.

The program will cover elements of proof (and how to attack them if you are on the defense side), developing a trial theme, putting together evidence, forms to use during trial to keep track of evidence and the court's rulings, and of course, the ethics of presenting evidence. There are 100 ideas to consider in this enjoyable and interesting presentation.

Date Recorded: February 25, 2021

Speakers: Claude Ducloux

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Even for times as unusual as these, the U.S. Supreme Court's term is shaping up to be a most interesting one. In addition to the usual fever-pitched anticipation as high-profile opinions are released, the legal community has experienced the first livestreamed and – the Chief Justice would want to note – very carefully orchestrated arguments by conference call.

Is it better when the arguments are more structured? Are advocates and justices finding new value in the argument? And who flushed the toilet heard round the world?

This session will feature a discussion of the Supreme Court's latest opinions, its experiment with live arguments by telephone, and predictions for the opinions still to be released. Additionally, the discussion will cover what it all might mean for the "least dangerous branch."

Date Recorded: June 18, 2020

Speakers: Ben Minegar, Dean Amy Wildermuth

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Formed in 1957, the mission of the Allegheny County Health Department is to protect, promote and preserve the health and well-being of the 1.2 million residents of Allegheny County, particularly the most vulnerable. This program will focus on the ACHD's Air Quality Program. Topics will include the Air Quality Program's permitting process, enforcement procedures and regulatory process. The program also will include information on the ACHD's other environmental programs which include Plumbing, Housing and Community Environment; Water Pollution Control and Waste Management; and Food Safety. The program will walk through the process of taking an appeal before the Administrative Hearing Officer. It also will provide tips on filing an appeal and litigating a case before the Hearing Officer.

Date Recorded: August 26, 2019

Speakers: Michael Parker, Jason Willis, Vijya Patel, Max Slater

Moderators: Jeffrey Bailey

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Whether retirement planning for yourself or educating yourself on Social Security for the benefit of your clients, this webinar will provide a comprehensive understanding of Social Security as a retirement income source. Everyone has their own retirement goals and timeframes. Proper planning can identify the most advantageous strategy for your unique situation. This one-hour session will cover many of the most frequently asked questions regarding Social Security, including:


- What is your full retirement age (FRA) and when should I start receiving this retirement benefit?
- Understanding the taxation of Social Security
- How does your longevity impact retirement funds?
- What do you need to know about spousal and survival benefits?

Date Recorded: November 10, 2020

Speakers: William Wolfe

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Equal access to voting has been an ongoing battle in the United States for centuries. The fight to ensure voting is accessible and secure continues today.

Every time voting access and security has come under attack, lawyers have been the frontline of defense. In an election year impacted by a global pandemic, a highly contentious presidential campaign, widespread protests and a new mail-in voting system available in Pennsylvania, lawyers are more important than ever in the efforts to secure voting access. This program seeks to educate lawyers about their importance and possible roles in protecting the vote for all.

Date Recorded: October 7, 2020

Speakers: Clifford Levine, Charles Pascal, Jr., Marcus Reed, Professor Jennie Sweet-Cushman

Moderators: Emily Kinkead

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Local courts often employ different policies for the administration of cases. Judicial leadership from federal and state courts will discuss what procedures work best for each court and division and what modifications and new protocol might be considered to make Western Pennsylvania a better place to practice. Topics will include master versus individual calendars, motions court practices and to what extent the decision-maker should be involved in efforts to settle a case.

Date Recorded: June 24, 2019

Speakers: Hon. Mark Hornak, Hon. Kim Clark, Hon. Kim Eaton, Hon. Christine Ward

Moderators: John Gismondi, Melaine Shannon Rothey

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It has been a very busy year for water law developments. In this program, a knowledgeable panel will discuss the practical implications of the following key regulatory revisions and case law from 2020 to this point:

• The new definition of "waters of the United States"

• The U.S. Supreme Court's introduction of the "functional equivalent" test in evaluating Clean Water Act liability and permitting obligations for groundwater discharges that reach surface waters

• Proposed revisions to the Pennsylvania Chapter 105 regulations regarding water obstructions and encroachments

Date Recorded: July 29, 2020

Speakers: Lisa Bruderly, Pat Gavaghan

Moderators: Howard Wein

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Planning for retirement is a career-long journey for many, and for attorneys, this process can be more involved as you're also often counseling clients along the way.

The program will cover the topic thoroughly. Specifics to be covered include:

- Understanding the challenges facing today's retirees.
- What is the biggest (and under-planned for) risk in retirement?
- How to establish a retirement spending plan.
- Understanding income streams in retirement to include Social Security and whether annuities might be a worthwhile consideration.
- Managing taxes and getting comfortable spending in retirement.
- Addressing various risks in retirement.
- How to build a retirement income portfolio.

Date Recorded: April 8, 2021

Speakers: Ashby Daniels

Moderators: Leah Sell

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From judicial hearings, fake news and fumbled investigations, sometimes you just don't know what to believe. BUT, when it comes to your firm, you NEED to know if harassment or hostility is driving people away and how to address it. Doing so is simply good business; improving retention rates, productivity, and even your bottom line. Turnover is expensive.
 
With a supportive environment, proper policies and a plan for investigating and dealing with complaints, you can create a culture where you are "in the know." This program will provide another toolkit of concrete actions, policies and strategies to create an environment where people are comfortable coming forward with complaints and ways to properly investigate and address issues. This will also increase your ability to create a positive, professional workplace that cultivates and retains the best talent and protect your assets.
 
The program will explain how to comply with the ethical requirements for professionalism and the judicial ethical requirements for the treatment and management of staff and lawyers.

Date Recorded: June 26, 2019

Speakers: Marie Rivera Johnson, Christine Miller, Tynishia Powell, Dean Stephen Tanzilli

Moderators: Thomas McGough

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It's always a hot-button issue in Western Pennsylvania: property tax assessments. This program is designed not only for those attorneys who practice as solicitors, taxation attorneys and real estate practitioners, but also for anyone who owns property in Allegheny County or any lawyer who represents these property owners.

The panel will feature an attorney representing property owners, a school district solicitor and the Solicitor for the Allegheny County Board of Property Assessments and Appeals Review (BPAAR).

Specific topics to be covered include:

Local Rules for BPAAR
Residential vs. commercial appeals
The best evidence to present during appeals
Managing client expectations
Recent cases and legal developments
Assessment and appeals practice tips

Date Recorded: February 27, 2020

Speakers: Nicole Amick, Kate Diersen, David Montgomery

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This CLE will cover some of the major wage and hour issues in the law today. The specifics to be covered include the current state of the law regarding independent contractor misclassification; joint employer liability; exempt versus nonexempt status; and company mistakes that often result in collective action litigation.

Date Recorded: October 21, 2020

Speakers: Christian Antkowiak, Joseph Chivers

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The Statement of Errors Complained of on Appeal can be both an effective tool and a trap for the unwary. An effective statement should both inform the trial judge of the precise issues to address in the trial court opinion and preserve those issues for appeal.
 
Join a panel of appellate jurists and practitioners for an informative discussion of how to utilize the Rule 1925(b) statement to your client's best advantage. Topics covered will include choosing which issues to raise, limitations on the number of issues to present, effective setting forth of the errors asserted, preservation of subsidiary issues, citing errors in seemingly vague trial decisions and waiver of issues. Examples of effective Statements of Errors will be discussed.

Date Recorded: June 28, 2019

Speakers: Hon. Mary Jane Bowes, Hon. Judith Olson, Hon. J. Nicholas Ranjan, Kevin McCarthy, Lisa Whisler

Moderators: Templeton Smith

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