Risk Update

(ONLINE) RISK CONFERENCE — California State Bar Annual Ethics Symposium

Posted Dan Bressler

Hat tip to Mike Guernon who flagged this one for me (and is set to speak on the OCG panel): “California State Bar 28th Annual Statewide Ethics Symposium” —

NOTES:

  • Looks like online registration is free (for the first 3000) but the deadline for that is April 23. So don’t dawdle…
  • They’re offering 5 hours of participatory MCLE credit for you risk lawyers in the reader ranks…

 

AGENDA:

  • 9:30 a.m.–9:45 a.m. Welcoming Remarks
  • 9:45 a.m.–11:00 a.m. Recent Developments in Legal Ethics and Professional Conduct—What You Need to Know
    • This panel will discuss important developments in legal ethics, centering on recent and developing advisory ethics opinions prepared by COPRAC and other professional conduct developments. Topics will include COPRAC’s recent succession planning opinion and interim opinion concerning flat fees; recent developments in multijurisdictional and remote practices; and attorney wellness and mental health.
  • 11:10 a.m.–12:25 p.m. Ethical Considerations of Artificial Intelligence in the Practice of Law
    • The panel will discuss current legal artificial intelligence (AI) use cases, emerging issues, pitfalls, and opportunities. We will explore risk mitigation and the increasing emphasis on the role of bias and cybersecurity.
  • 12:25 p.m.–1:30 p.m. Lunch
  • 1:30 p.m.–2:45 p.m. Blazing a New Trail in the Wild West of Outside Counsel Guidelines
    • This panel will address the evolving landscape of Outside Counsel Guidelines (OCGs) and their intersection with professional reasonability. Topics include: conflicts between OCG requirements and ethical obligations; compliance challenges with billing restrictions and staffing mandates; data security and confidentiality requirements; implementation of diversity directives; and development of internal compliance systems. The discussion will provide practical guidance for both law firm attorneys and in-house counsel on managing client-tendered terms of engagement while maintaining professional independence and ethical compliance.
  • 2:55 p.m.–4:10 p.m. Securing the Bench: Protecting Judges Amid Escalating Threats
  • This panel will focus on:
    • Types of Threats: An overview of the spectrum of threats—from physical intimidation and targeted harassment to cyberattacks and doxxing—affecting judges today.
    • Legal and Policy Frameworks: A review of current laws, including the First Amendment and the Rules of Professional Conduct, and proposals for strengthening legal protections for judges, including legislative reforms and policy recommendations.
    • Best Practices for Lawyers: What are the limits of zealous representation in the courtroom, in briefing, and in the public arena? When and how does free speech backfire?
    • What are Judges Doing to Protect Themselves? Best practices for personal and institutional risk assessments, including how judges can identify warning signs and work with security professionals; cybersecurity and interagency collaboration.
    • International Perspectives: Insights into how other jurisdictions address judicial safety, offering potential models for reform and improved practices.

For more information and to register, see their website.