CLEs You Actually Want to Hear

In this program, Ryan McCarl, the author of Elegant Legal Writing, will discuss how attorneys can make briefs more readable and persuasive. Drawing on examples from real litigation filings and concepts informed by cognitive psychology, the program examines how judges process information under constraints of time, attention, and working memory — and how lawyers can structure their briefs to help judges focus on what matters. Topics include using an approachable prose style, managing complexity, improving document design, and deploying visual aids such as summaries, diagrams, tables, and multimedia evidence. Participants will also explore citation strategy and brief structure, leaving with practical tools for writing filings that are clearer, better organized, and more persuasive.

A standard severability clause and a delegation clause can coexist in the same arbitration agreement, but until recently, California practitioners could not be certain a court would honor both. The Ninth Circuit's March 19, 2026 decision in Sandler v. Modernizing Medicine, Inc. provides important guidance for attorneys drafting, enforcing, or challenging employment arbitration agreements in California. Join Jared W. Slater, Ervin Cohen & Jessup LLP, as he examines the court's holding that incorporation of the JAMS rules constitutes "clear and unmistakable" evidence of delegation, and that a generic severability clause referencing "a court or other body of competent jurisdiction" does not undermine that delegation. The program will also address the court's FAA preemption analysis, explain why reliance on California state-court authority was reversible error, and provide practical drafting and litigation takeaways for motions to compel arbitration. This program offers practical guidance for anyone drafting arbitration agreements or litigating motions to compel in California. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

The term “brackets” raises anxiety or ire for many mediators and attorneys because it is susceptible to so many different interpretations. (And, of course, there is the math!) This often leads to a knee-jerk resistance to the use of this powerful negotiation technique. This presentation will cover various forms of “bracketing” such as conditional offers, public and private ranges, specific numbers, etc., as well as the many ways brackets can facilitate resolution. Diana L. Maier, Signature Resolution will discuss common assumptions made, benefits and drawbacks of different bracketing methods, timing considerations, and best practices for avoiding bracketing pitfalls and ethical dilemmas. Bracketing in its many forms can add another sophisticated and flexible negotiating instrument to the mediator’s toolbox. Bring your questions and join the conversation. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

As technology rapidly accelerates, drones and drone law move further from being a niche. In fact, drones are generating legal issues that cut across criminal defense, civil litigation, municipal law, real estate, entertainment, and more. Chances are you already represent clients utilizing drones in some capacity and if not, you may soon as the FAA’s new regulations will make them even more widely accessible in commerce and safety alike. In this introductory, sky level overview, Lauren Brown, Civica Law Group, will guide attorneys through the governing legal framework for drone use in California and beyond. Topics include FAA regulations, Fourth Amendment considerations and impacts on privacy, the public interest exception, and the evolving legal questions raised by advanced aerial surveillance. This program will address the a spectrum of clients operating in this space, from private individuals and commercial operators to public agencies and first responders, and what counsel needs to know when advising each. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

COPRAC's recent advisory makes clear that efficiency does not replace professional responsibility. Powerful AI systems require human oversight, and the lawyer's obligation to supervise, verify, and own AI-assisted work is non-negotiable under California Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.1 and ABA Model Rule 5.3. Christian Puzder of Casefriend examines how attorneys can responsibly integrate AI into legal workflows without compromising ethics, confidentiality, or client interests. The program focuses on accountability-first AI use, covering competence obligations, confidentiality risks under RPC Rule 1.6, and practical frameworks for supervising AI-generated work product. Attendees will leave with concrete protocols for integrating AI tools while satisfying their professional responsibility obligations. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Ashley Jones of LinkSquares will guide participants through the steps needed to compose focused purposeful AI prompts. Tailored to the unique demands of transactional attorneys, these prompts will address everything from clause generation and customization to document drafting and review. Drawing on practical examples spanning NDAs, deal summaries, complex contract review workflows, and more, participants will gain hands-on strategies to start incorporating AI into your daily legal workflows. By the end of this program, attorneys will be equipped to craft and deploy prompts across every stage of a transaction, saving time without sacrificing precision. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

The Lanham Act is the federal statute at the center of nearly every trademark and brand protection dispute in the United States, and entertainment lawyers run into it constantly. From artist names and band marks to character trade dress and false endorsement claims, studios, labels, and talent are turning to the Act to shut down unauthorized use before it does real damage. The panel will then turn to one of the most closely watched developments in entertainment IP. When Matthew McConaughey registered “alright, alright, alright” as a sound mark and Taylor Swift filed to trademark her voice and likeness, both were attempting to address a problem copyright law was not built to solve. The panel examines whether the strategy holds up and whether there may be better solutions. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Live Nation's grip on ticketing, venues, and concert promotion made it the target of one of the biggest blockbuster antitrust cases in the last decade. Taylor M. Owings of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, a former senior antitrust official in the U.S. Department of Justice, walks through the findings in the case, explains how the 2010 Live Nation/Ticketmaster merger set the stage for enforcement, and previews how the concert industry could change as a result of the liability finding. The program also covers lessons learned about antitrust enforcement, including the current roles that federal and state enforcers are playing in bringing cases against monopolists and anticompetitive mergers. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Mike Alder of AlderLaw will examine how insurance companies evaluate attorney behavior to assess risk and shape their litigation approach — and how understanding that process helps attorneys build stronger, better-documented cases. Topics include effective discovery practices, proper documentation of damages, and the litigation habits that consistently move the needle on case outcomes. Attorneys will leave with actionable takeaways they can apply immediately to improve results for their clients. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Generative AI is moving from novelty to everyday tax-practice tool. This webinar shows what tax attorneys can realistically do today with Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini, using examples drawn from the work tax lawyers handle every week. Through live demonstrations, Steve will show how AI can help analyze IRS and FTB notices, find and test authority in the IRM and Treasury Regulations, review taxpayer records and bank-deposit data, evaluate agreements against tax issue frameworks such as captive-insurance validity, and prepare a first draft of a Tax Court petition from a Notice of Deficiency. The session will also cover where these tools fail: hallucinated authority, missed deadlines, bad math, overconfident issue spotting, confidentiality risk, and the verification steps lawyers should use before any AI-assisted work product leaves the office. Recent frontier-model releases, including Claude Opus 4.7, have improved document reasoning, data analysis, and multi-step legal workflows. The focus of this session is not hype. It is practical use, careful supervision, and knowing what still must be verified. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Aleksandra Hilvert, founder of Vault Legal, provides an in-depth discussion of best practices for avoiding attorney-client fee disputes, protecting your right to payment, and navigating the decision of whether to pursue action when fees go unpaid. Topics covered include key terms to include in engagement letters, setting client expectations around billing, recognizing early warning signs of nonpayment, and understanding options when a client relationship breaks down. Hilvert will also address the practical calculus attorneys face when weighing the financial, reputational, and ethical risks of pursuing collection against the cost of walking away.

This program explores how legal professionals can move beyond general support of the LGBTQ+ community to practice thoughtful, effective allyship in the workplace. Drawing on the presenter’s perspective as an LGBTQ+ attorney and experience supporting LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, the presentation covers key terminology and highlights practical examples of effective allyship in the workplace. Attendees gain concrete tools to foster more inclusive environments and promote a culture where colleagues feel supported and empowered to be their authentic selves. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Building on the medical framework established in Part 1, this session turns to the practical realities of preparing and presenting expert testimony on cognitive impairment and capacity in the courtroom. Sarah N. Mourra, M.D. and David W. Trader, M.D. return with moderator Judge David J. Cowan to address how experts analyze medical records, structure written reports versus providing oral testimony, and scope their opinions appropriately. The panel explores the critical distinctions between testamentary and contractual capacity, the risks of straying into areas of undue influence or elder abuse that may be beyond their expertise, and how the Sanchez decision affects an expert's ability to evaluate a treating physician's conclusions without personally examining the patient. The discussion also covers what lawyers often overlook when working with a medical expert and what to look for when assessing the other side's expert on cognitive issues. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

As the State Bar rolls out the Client Trust Account Protection Program (CTAPP) audit requirements, this program will walk you through a sample engagement, present an in-depth review of the first round, explain common findings, and give you ways to better prepare for a CTAPP audit. The session is designed to be collaborative, with a focus on trust accounting and reporting requirements within the CTAPP compliance framework. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Elinor Haddad, USC Gould School of Law student and Executive Postscript Editor of the Southern California Law Review, presents her award-winning article on the legal gaps leaving child social media influencers unprotected. Kidfluencers operate at the center of a billion-dollar economy with no working hour limits, no permit requirements, and no meaningful privacy rights standing between them and the adults profiting from their content. Using the Piper Rockelle lawsuit as a case study, this program examines the limits of existing law, including the FLSA, the Coogan Law, and COPPA, alongside recent state legislation and the case for a federal response placing enforcement responsibility on social media platforms. The Rule of Law Writing Competition encourages law students to integrate Rule of Law concepts into their writings. Papers may be on any topic either directly discussing an aspect of the Rule of Law, demonstrating how the Rule of Law affected the topic, defining the Rule of Law, criticizing the Rule of Law, or demonstrating the economic social or political effects of the Rule of Law. 100% of proceeds from this program will be donated to the Beverly Hills Bar Foundation. The Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity is the community arm of the Beverly Hills Bar Association with direct impact in promoting equal access to justice, community service and law-related education. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Influencer marketing continues to be one of the most powerful tools for connecting with consumers – but it is also under unprecedented scrutiny. In this program, Allison Fitzpatrick, Advertising + Marketing partner at Davis+Gilbert, will walk through what brands, agencies, and counsel need to know about the rapidly evolving legal landscape governing influencer campaigns. Drawing on recent FTC updates, NAD enforcement actions, and high‑profile class action lawsuits, this session will focus on how to maximize the value of influencer partnerships while minimizing regulatory, reputational, and financial risk. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of:

Timing is one of the most underused tools in deposition practice. This program shows trial lawyers how to use the seven-hour rule, the order of depositions, and the pacing within each session to gain strategic advantage. From "jack-rabbiting" through testimony to knowing when to slow down and ask for more time to prepare, attendees will learn how the right deposition at the right time can shape the outcome of a trial — or drive a favorable settlement. The program also covers the rules that govern when, and how, courts will limit deposition questioning, and the consequences when deposition limits are exceeded or violated. By the end of the hour, participants will have a working framework for deciding which deposition to take first, how long it should run, and how to respond when opposing counsel pushes the rules. Taught by Pavel Kolmogorov, Michael J. Carrozzo, and Henry Nikogosyan, Kolmogorov Law, the program is designed for litigators who want a practical, rule-based approach to deposition strategy. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Rachel Green of Katz Banks Kumin, will review foundational legal limitations of non-competes and related restrictive covenants and demonstrate how California is one of the most protective jurisdictions in the country for workers and workplace mobility. The program will also cover recent state and federal legislative and administrative updates, from AB 692 to the FTC’s retraction from the Biden-era nationwide ban on non-competes, and what it all means for California practitioners. Participants will gain practical tools needed for advising employees seeking to challenge restrictive covenants and awareness of the employee perspective, valuable for those advising employers crafting restrictive covenants. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

International Family Law examines how family law disputes are handled across different legal systems, cultures, and jurisdictions. Through in-depth conversations with leading international practitioners, the series explores forum selection, property and support regimes, child custody, enforcement challenges, and conflicts of law, with each discussion grounded in practical comparisons to California family law.In this episode, Alessandro Gravante of Giambrone & Partners and Marzia B. Ghigliazza of Studio Legale Internazionale Ghigliazza-Rugani explore international family law disputes between Italy and the United States. The conversation covers forum selection and the role of EU instruments including Brussels II-ter, international child abduction and Hague Convention proceedings, child custody standards and the recognition of U.S. custody orders, international relocation, marital property regimes and financial claims, support obligations, and the enforcement of California judgments in Italy. Alphonse Provinziano of Provinziano & Associates moderates the conversation by drawing comparisons to California law, highlighting jurisdictional contrasts shaped by EU frameworks, and probing practical enforcement considerations across borders.

Meta's March 2026 decision to remove end-to-end encryption from Instagram direct messages has reopened fundamental questions about privacy of social media communication under California law. This program examines what the CCPA requires of businesses handling user communications, where the definition of "personal information" draws the line, and how platform terms of service interact with statutory protections. Don R. Dennis Jr., Law Office of Don R. Dennis Jr., brings current case law and regulatory guidance to the discussion, which extends to connected devices and the unresolved question of third-party exposure when recordings capture more than the consenting user. The program also takes on broader questions the law has yet to answer, including whether federal frameworks built for telephone communication are adequate for an era of direct messaging and ambient recording.

In litigation, “wait and see” is not a strategy. Should a trial judge enter an erroneous adverse ruling that prejudicially affects your client, you should have a ready plan and be prepared to implement it immediately to preserve an appellate challenge. This need for quick action arises because, with limited exceptions, appellate courts will not consider issues raised for the first time on appeal. We will tackle the steps required to preserve state court error for appellate review and identify some contexts that call for attention and scrutiny at the trial level. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

We're excited to offer members a rare chance to engage directly with Professor Edward Lee of Santa Clara University School of Law, one of the leading voices on AI, copyright, and the legal questions posed by disruptive technologies. The conversation will focus on his recent paper on vibe coding and copyright authorship, including whether fully AI-generated code retains copyright protection. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Christopher C. Melcher, partner at Walzer Melcher & Yoda LLP, Hon. Joshua D. Wayser of LASC, and Anthony Storm, founding partner at Storm Palyan LLP, will examine how mediation can work in family law cases where the financial stakes are high and the issues are genuinely complicated. Melcher and Storm will draw on their litigation and settlement experience to address the structural and strategic challenges these cases present, from business valuations and complex asset divisions to the dynamics that push parties toward or away from resolution. Judge Wayser will offer a judicial perspective on what courts are looking for, how mediators and counsel can better prepare their clients, and where the process tends to break down. Attorneys will leave with a clearer framework for assessing when mediation is the right path, how to position a complex financial case for settlement, and what it takes to get sophisticated parties to the table and keep them there. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Scott Rahn and Nicholas Van Brunt provide a survey of appellate decisions concerning or relating to trusts, estates, and conservatorships in the last 12 months that are relevant to estate planners, administration counsel, and litigators. Credits: 1.00 Hours. Credit Type: General. Specialty Area: Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law. Original Air Date: 05/19/2026. Program Materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b5RAa06WXbXoWNR4tC1WlX-8fj7anEqb/view?usp=sharing Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Mary-Christine (M.C.) Sungaila, a partner in the Complex Appellate Litigation Group and Space Law & Policy professor at LMU Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, will provide a foundational overview of the international and domestic legal frameworks governing outer space activity. Drawing on the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 and U.S. commercial space laws, she will cover core principles -- from state liability and private actor oversight to resource mining, orbital debris, and conflict resolution -- and flag the open legal questions that remain unsettled as commercial space activity accelerates. Attorneys will leave with a practical grounding in how space law works today and where the gaps are. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

International Family Law examines how family law disputes are handled across different legal systems, cultures, and jurisdictions. Through in-depth conversations with leading international practitioners, the series explores forum selection, property and support regimes, child custody, enforcement challenges, and conflicts of law, with each discussion grounded in practical comparisons to California family law.In this episode, Makiko Mizuuchi of Legal Profession Corporation CastGlobal explores international family law disputes between Japan and the United States. The conversation covers forum selection and jurisdictional strategy, child custody frameworks and the concept of sole custody post-divorce, international child abduction and Hague Convention proceedings, relocation and move-away standards, marital property and asset division, support obligations, and the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments. Alphonse Provinziano of Provinziano & Associates moderates the conversation by drawing comparisons to California law, contextualizing cultural and procedural differences within Japanese family courts, and framing cross-border enforcement realities for U.S.-based practitioners.

Workers’ compensation issues come up more often than you think, even if you don’t practice in workers’ comp. Join Alex McKay of NorCal Advocates, for a practical, straightforward overview of the California workers’ compensation system. Understanding how California workers’ compensation works can help you spot issues, avoid missteps, and better advise clients (and yourself). Whether you represent clients in personal injury, employment, business litigation/transactions, construction, civil litigation, etc. or you run your own firm with employees, this CLE offers practical value for attorneys at every level. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Attorney James (Jim) Menton explores the complex intersection of bankruptcy and family law when there is threatened or actual preference or fraudulent transfer litigation by the trustee in bankruptcy. In this insightful [article/program], Jim unpacks how this litigation could potentially impact transfers between spouses and at divorce and outlines what family law attorneys need to know. Key topics include: Preferential transfers under § 547 of the Bankruptcy Code. Domestic support obligation exception to bankruptcy preference laws. Fraudulent transfers under §§ 544 and 548 of the Bankruptcy Code. Practical considerations for handling preference and fraudulent transfer issues in divorce and bankruptcy proceedings.

The newest provisions to the Brown Act aim to modernize teleconferencing options and expand public access to government meetings. Kelly Doyle, Attorney at Cole Huber LLP, reviews the latest updates to the Brown Act under SB 707, with a focus on adapting meeting practices to fulfill the newest legal requirements. Participants will leave with an understanding of best practices for hybrid meetings, policies to handle disruptions, and expanded language access provisions.

With the enactment of SB 440, owners, contractors and subcontractors and their counsel must now navigate a mandatory claim dispute process defined by newly-enacted SB 440 (Civ. Code sections 8850 and 8851). The Legislature has made clear that it is in the best interest of the “state and its citizens” to ensure that claims on many private construction projects are “paid in full and in a timely manner”. This program will provide construction lawyers, their clients, insurers, and neutrals with a practical overview of the mandatory dispute resolution process enacted in SB 440, the strategies for how to best use those procedures, and the opportunities created for resolution of claims during the pendency of a project, without the accumulation of claims and the risk of additional draconian interest charges that will only make them much more difficult to resolve in the future. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Modern litigation is dominated by email and written correspondence, and direct conversations between lawyers have become less common. Yet many disputes stall not because the law is unclear, but because key information is not exchanged clearly or early enough. In this half hour presentation, mediator and former litigator Robyn Frick explores the role communication plays in moving cases toward resolution. Drawing on her experience as both a litigator and mediator, she discusses how timely conversations between counsel can clarify issues, reduce misunderstandings, and help cases progress more efficiently. Participants will leave with practical guidance on when direct communication is most effective and how conversations at key inflection points in litigation can strengthen advocacy and improve outcomes. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

International Family Law examines how family law disputes are handled across different legal systems, cultures, and jurisdictions. Through in-depth conversations with leading international practitioners, the series explores forum selection, property and support regimes, child custody, enforcement challenges, and conflicts of law, with each discussion grounded in practical comparisons to California family law.In this episode, Ranjit Malhotra and Mrunalini Deshmukh explore international family law disputes between India and the United States. The conversation covers forum selection and jurisdictional strategy across India's personal law frameworks, international child abduction in the context of India's non-signatory status under the 1980 Hague Convention, child custody standards and the recognition of foreign custody orders, relocation and move-away considerations, marital property and asset division, support obligations, and the enforcement of California judgments in India. Alphonse Provinziano of Provinziano & Associates moderates the conversation by drawing comparisons to California law, contextualizing India's diverse legal frameworks for U.S.-based practitioners, and probing practical enforcement and litigation strategies across borders.

Learn what you can and cannot ask, and what to do when someone refuses to answer your deposition question. Evan Walker, of The Law Office of Evan Walker, leads this program on essential deposition skills for every attorney. From how to utilize the court reporter to using the written transcript to your full advantage, this program discusses techniques every litigator should know. Attendees will walk away empowered with applicable directives to conduct their depositions like seasoned professionals. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Lawyers are increasingly visible in moments of public protest, civic action, and political expression. Join law professor and ethics expert Renee Knake Jefferson for a timely and practical examination of how professional responsibility rules apply when lawyers engage in protest and other forms of public participation. This program goes beyond the question of whether lawyers may protest to explore what the legal profession owes to the public when its members do. Drawing on recent, real-world examples, the ABA Model Rules, disciplinary cases, and emerging scholarship, the session will examine how ethical duties related to professionalism, public confidence in the justice system, and lawyer conduct intersect with civic engagement. Participants will leave with a clearer understanding of where ethical boundaries lie, how those boundaries are shifting, and how to navigate public action without jeopardizing professional standing or public trust.

In the span of 24 hours in March 2026, juries returned historic verdicts against Meta in both New Mexico and Los Angeles, reshaping what platform liability looks like in practice. Eric Goldman (Santa Clara University School of Law), Jess Miers (University of Akron School of Law), and Jeremy Rosenthal (Texas Defense Firm) break down what these decisions mean for practitioners, covering the product defect theories that circumvented Section 230, what plaintiffs must prove, the pending cases to watch, the science behind the addiction framing, and the criminal defense implications for attorneys advising clients today. Participants will leave with a comprehensive understanding of the evolving legal landscape around social media liability and practical tools for advising clients in this rapidly developing area.Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Join Michael G. Freedman (The Freedman Firm), Prof. Vince Farhat (LMU Loyola Law School), and Cassie D. Palmer (Kendall, Brill & Kelly) for a discussion of the strategic and ethical issues that arise when a defendant testifies and faces cross-examination in a criminal trial. This program will begin with a high-level overview of the Supreme Court’s recent opinion in Villarreal v. Texas and its key holdings. It will then turn to practical decisions facing criminal practitioners: whether a defendant should testify, how to prepare a client effectively without crossing the line into coaching, and how to help a client withstand cross-examination by the prosecutor. Although rooted in criminal practice, the discussion will also address witness preparation, attorney-client consultation, and cross-examination principles that broadly resonate across trial practice. Whether you are defending a client, cross-examining a witness, or preparing a witness to face aggressive questioning, this session will offer experience-driven insights into one of the most demanding skills in the courtroom.

For attorneys considering a seat on the bench, understanding what the Governor's office actually looks for in a candidate can be the difference between a strong application and a missed opportunity. Luis Céspedes, Judicial Appointments Secretary to Governor Newsom, and Adam Hofmann, Deputy Judicial Appointments Secretary, join Hon. Helen Zukin of the Court of Appeal, Second District, Division Four, for a candid conversation on how judicial appointments are made in California. Secretary Céspedes and Deputy Secretary Hofmann will cover the qualities and qualifications that matter most to the Governor, walk through the application form, and explain the steps a candidate moves through after applying. Justice Zukin, who was the architect of the Statewide Judicial Mentor Program and has chaired numerous vetting committees, brings her expertise from both sides of the application process to the discussion. No CLE credit will be provided for this program.

This program explores the medical foundations underlying expert testimony on cognitive impairment, the kind of grounding that litigators need before they can effectively challenge or present such evidence at trial. Sarah N. Mourra, M.D. and David W. Trader, M.D. join moderator Judge David J. Cowan to walk through the clinical landscape of cognitive impairment, from DSM-5 diagnoses, evolving terminology and the distinctions between different conditions. The panel will examine how testing methods are weighed, the significance of baseline deviation, and what concepts like mild, moderate, and severe impairment actually mean in the litigation context. In addition, consistent with the Probate Code, the panelists will address how to look at a person's mental functions rather than a mere diagnosis and how these diagnoses affect those functions. The discussion also covers the differences between treating physicians, forensic analysts, neurologists, psychiatrists, and psychologists and what each credential does or does not bring to the witness stand. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Oliver Roberts, The Roberts Legal Firm, and Dean Stefanie Lindquist, WashU Law, will provide a practical, hands-on introduction to vibe coding and examine how AI-powered tools are reshaping the legal technology landscape. This program will walk through how lawyers can use modern AI systems to build, test, and refine useful legal workflows and lightweight tools without traditional coding expertise. It will also explore the limitations of vibe coding, and where legal tech is heading more broadly. Attendees will walk away with an understanding of how AI-enabled platforms may evolve in the coming years, what that means for legal practice, and how to prepare for the next wave of change. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

This presentation offers a focused overview of transfer pricing under section 482, highlighting core principles such as the arm’s‑length standard and the Best Method Rule. This presentation will also examine current developments and emerging trends shaping transfer pricing planning, compliance, and controversy.

The Writers Guild of America’s new agreement with studios and streamers signals a meaningful shift in Hollywood’s labor deal landscape. Negotiated through a more productive process than the prior cycle and its painful strike, the deal reflects an industry recalibrating in real time. Rather than a reset, this iteration fine-tunes existing terms, enhanced residuals, adjustments to minimums, and incremental gains around streaming performance and AI transparency. The $321 million infusion into the Guild’s underfunded health plan also underscores the deep interdependence between labor and the companies sustaining the ecosystem. For practitioners, the significance lies as much in the process as in the substance, and what it signals for the next phase of the other upcoming Hollywood labor relations. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

ABA Formal Opinion 518, issued by ABA Standing Committee on Ethics (Oct. 15, 2025) applies to lawyers acting as mediators and also addresses the role of attorneys in mediation. This presentation will address how Formal Opinion 518 applies to the ethics of mediation, both for mediators and attorneys practicing before them. Credits: 1.00 Hours. Credit Type: Legal Ethics. Specialty Area: Legal Malpractice Law. Original Air Date: 04/29/2026. Program Materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1SsY5hCpZY6t8f_zHUHaT-SPDo-qQSu65/view?usp=sharing

This session explores how attorneys are using AI and social media to market their services while navigating the ethical rules governing legal advertising. Join attorney Ryan Little, Little Legal, for practical strategies on leveraging AI-driven marketing tools while ensuring compliance with professional responsibility rules. Attendees will learn how to avoid misleading content, and manage risks associated with digital outreach. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Donald M. de Camara of the Law Offices of Donald M. de Camara will walk through how long-term disability insurers assert liens against personal-injury recoveries, focusing on the "Other Income" provisions commonly buried in LTD policies. Drawing on key ERISA precedent and recent federal case law -- including Barnes v. Independent Auto Dealers Assn. H&B Plan, Aetna Health of Cal., Inc. v. Cianciulli, and Milam v. American Elec. Power LTD Plan -- he will explain when the make-whole rule applies, how self-funded versus insured plans affect lien enforceability, and what defenses are available under ERISA, the California Insurance Code and Civil Code provisions.

Join Justin Marquez, mediator at Signature Resolution, and Vedang Patel, partner at Bibiyan Law Group, for a practical discussion on securing approval of class and PAGA settlements—and avoiding the common pitfalls along the way. They will walk through the preliminary and final approval process, key considerations in drafting the scope of release, managing related litigation, and navigating issues such as escalator clauses, enhancement awards, and settlement administration. The program will also cover strategies to help ensure a smooth path to final approval, including positioning the case for recovery of fees.

All humans have implicit bias; it’s part of how we developed as a species to understand the world and protect ourselves. Looking at the reasons why implicit bias forms, executive coach and attorney Karen Morris will discuss how operating subject to our implicit biases can harm us and our colleagues. This program will examine why implicit bias diminish attorneys effectiveness in the courtroom and undermine confidence in the legal profession. Participants will leave this program with practical tools to shift their perspectives and help eliminate the harmful effects of implicit bias. Credits: 1.00 Hours. Credit Type: Implicit Bias. Specialty Area: None. Original Air Date: 04/29/2026. Program Materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q2sT45yjEJeztT8kwN0yQaxwJJAtAy4l/view?usp=sharing Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

When a single construction project spawns multiple disputes, things get complicated quickly. This program breaks down the real-world challenges of multi-track construction disputes—where litigation, arbitration, and mediation intersect. Learn how recent case law is reshaping arbitration, how some courts manage competing proceedings, and how the mediation-arbitration model can offer a smarter, more efficient path to resolution.

In litigation, negotiations, and client interactions, conflict often escalates in ways that undermine professionalism and impair judgment, increasing legal risk. This program provides attorneys with a practical framework for recognizing how conflict develops, from early signals of misalignment to moments of escalation, and what to do in real time to maintain control and effectiveness. Through realistic scenarios, participants will learn how to identify early warning signs of escalation, manage communication during high-pressure interactions, and apply strategies to maintain civility with clients, opposing counsel, and other stakeholders. Attendees will leave with practical tools they can immediately use to navigate conflict and improve outcomes in high-stakes legal matters.

Robin Sax, attorney and clinical therapist at Dear Co-Parent, Hon. Joshua D. Wayser of LASC, and Anthony Storm, founding partner at Storm Palyan LLP, will explore how integrating legal and therapeutic frameworks can lead to more durable resolutions in high-conflict custody matters. Sax will draw on her dual-discipline practice to address the emotional and psychological dynamics that drive conflict between co-parents, while Storm will cover mediation, arbitration, and collaborative strategies for steering disputes away from costly litigation. Together, they will walk through how a settlement-focused mindset, informed by both courtroom experience and therapeutic insight, can be applied at every stage of a custody dispute. Attorneys will leave with practical tools for identifying when a collaborative or therapeutic approach is appropriate, how to work alongside co-parenting professionals, and what it takes to help families reach agreements that actually hold. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

The Pinto decision upended long-standing assumptions in California insurance litigation, directly challenging the validity of CACI 2334 and setting off a wave of change across bad faith failure-to-settle claims. In response, courts and legislators acted—producing two significant published opinions and ushering in Code of Civil Procedure § 999, which now governs pre-litigation settlement demands.