August Compliance Period: Live Video Replay CLE Sale is Aug. 28
It’s easy to lose track of CLEs in the midst of summer. If you’ve fallen behind on CLEs and need credits by the August compliance period deadline, don’t fret.
This Live Video Replay CLE sale – scheduled for Friday, Aug. 28 all day in the Koppers Building – will feature screenings of 12 of the ACBA’s most popular CLEs from the ACBA Previously Recorded CLE Library. A total of six substantive and six ethics credits will be available at the reduced price of $35 per credit for members or $60 per credit for all others.
Each video will be shown following the schedule listed below. Please be mindful of start times as videos will start promptly then. No credit will be given if you miss more than 10 minutes of any given session.
You can choose the number of programs that you wish to view and since these are Live Video Replays, they “count” as live credits, not distance learning credits.
Substantive Programs
9:00 - 10:00 a.m. — Areas of Law Impacting Individuals with Low Income
Individuals with very low incomes who are struggling to meet their basic needs sometimes face a number of legal issues concurrently. For example, criminal convictions can impact eligibility for housing benefits, immigration relief and child custody. A protection from abuse order may keep a person from clearing a criminal record through the pardon process. This program will alert practitioners to intersections between criminal, family, housing and immigration law and raise potential impacts that attorneys should explore further when representing clients.
10:05 - 11:05 a.m. — An Overview of AI Data Centers
AI data centers are being developed in communities throughout Pennsylvania and beyond. During this program, panelists provide an overview of the relevant areas of law impacting data center development, and the issues that may be presented to attorneys in Western Pennsylvania.
The program reviews the development process and address the perspective of developers and communities. The following topics will be covered:
- Real estate requirements
- Environmental permitting
- Land use
- Electricity and power grid issues associated with such development
- Community benefits and engagement
- Public participation
11:10 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. — What to Know About Right-to-Know
The Right-to-Know Law (RTKL) continues to evolve in furtherance of its core purpose of promoting government transparency and accountability. This presentation examines the legal and procedural challenges currently facing the Office of Open Records, ranging from longstanding issues such as conclusory affidavits to emerging concerns involving generative AI. It is led by the OOR Executive Director and Chief Counsel. This session also provides a general overview of significant court decisions from 2025.
12:15 - 1:15 p.m. — Ten Essential Toxicology Insights for Attorneys
Toxicology can play a vital role in many types of cases.
This program – conducted by Allison Muller, a Dr. of Pharmacy and leading toxicology expert witness – will offer a comprehensive overview of key toxicology concepts relevant to various legal practices.
She’ll talk about toxicology involvement in workplace accidents and Workers’ Compensation matters, as well toxicology’s involvement in other practice areas, including criminal, personal injury, employment and more.
The presentation will equip attorneys with the knowledge to address toxicology issues in cases involving substance use, impairment and drug testing. Topics covered include the relationship between drug levels and impairment, the science behind alcohol-related visible intoxication, challenges in interpreting postmortem drug levels, the potential impairment caused by dietary supplements, and an explanation of the three basic principles of drug testing: screening, confirmation and reporting.
1:20 - 2:20 p.m. — Digital Forensics in Estate Litigation
This program explores how data from mobile devices, computers, and other digital sources can play a critical role in resolving disputes in probate and estate matters.
As digital communication becomes embedded in daily life, attorneys must understand what information can be recovered from a decedent’s or fiduciary’s digital footprint and how that evidence can affect claims involving capacity, undue influence, asset concealment, and fiduciary misconduct. The program examines the types of digital artifacts that often lie beneath the surface, including deleted or hidden data, and explains how such evidence can be defensibly collected and analyzed.
Participants will learn what forensic analysis can reveal, how to collect digital evidence in a manner that satisfies evidentiary authentication standards, and the practical limitations of forensic recovery. The program also addresses an attorney’s ethical duty of technical competence and highlights real-world examples where digital forensics has been used effectively in litigation.
2:25 - 3:25 p.m. — Family Law in the Age of AI
Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically Generative AI, is everywhere. Whether you are using Google to search for court operating procedures or a legal research tool that results in hallucinated case law, you’re using AI. Similarly, whether your client uses OurFamilyWizard's tone meter or ChatGPT to improve their messages, you’re using AI.
This program explores the basics of AI, the best practices and uses of AI, ethical implications, and how AI is impacting the practice of family law.
Ethics Programs
9:00 - 10:00 a.m. — Bias, Bots, and the Bar: Ethical AI for Attorneys
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools are increasingly incorporated (and even relied upon) in today’s legal practice. From research and drafting to document review and client communications, AI is proving a powerful tool for attorneys in nearly all aspects of practice. However, such use of AI requires lawyers to navigate complex ethical obligations to ensure responsible use of this increasingly prevalent technology.
This program explores the various uses of AI in the legal field and wide range of ethical considerations for attorneys and firms when this technology is implemented and integrated into legal practice. Topics covered include the implicated ethical rules; various pitfalls that accompany the use and reliance on AI in legal practice; and best practices and policies for AI use to navigate these potential hazards.
10:05 - 11:05 a.m. — DIY - DEI
Executive orders regarding diversity and inclusion have thrown a monkey wrench into all facets of education, health and employment. The resulting tangle of do-it-yourself fixes, snarled litigation and conflicting legal rulings is a nightmare for any seasoned contractor. This program will focus on the ins-and-outs of dealing with employment, health, education and legal compliance in the face of conflicts between the executive branch, ADA, Title IX and the rules of professional and judicial conduct.
11:10 a.m. - 12:10 p.m. — My client wants me to do WHAT!!??
In this session, panelists will discuss the ethical and practical implications of dealing with a difficult or demanding client. How does one handle a client that may not fully appreciate the lawyer’s ethical obligations (or not care) and options for resolving, including how and when to consider withdrawing as counsel. What is the intersection between the duty to be a zealous advocate and the duty of candor to the court? Also, from the perspective of the bench and counsel, what are suggestions for dealing with the difficult client during discovery, settlement discussions and trial? Also, when is it too late to withdraw and how much information needs to be in the motion itself?
12:15 – 1:15 p.m. — Mentorship, Networking And Professionalism Throughout Your Legal Career
Have you ever wanted to get more involved with the ACBA or another professional organization but didn’t know where to start? Do you feel overwhelmed by the prospect of attending another happy hour where you don’t know anyone? Have you ever had anyone call and ask you a question about an issue outside of your practice area? If you said “yes” to any of these questions, this is the program for you. Listen to a panel of experienced lawyers, judges and leaders to discuss the importance of mentorship and networking throughout your career and involvement with professional associations. With the advice from a knowledgeable panel, you’ll learn how to improve your career skills and be more involved with the community at large.
1:20 - 2:20 p.m. — Ethical Dilemmas and Impaired Colleagues
“I think he drinks too much – but he’s my boss!”
“She’s the firm’s rainmaker, but something isn’t right.”
“What will happen to our reputation if our clients find out he’s in a mental health facility?”
These issues are becoming more common as the prevalence rates for impairment due to substance and alcohol misuse, stress, anxiety and depression continue to rise. One out of three lawyers will require some form of treatment for these issues in their careers. Despite these startling statistics, the fear of asking for help remains.
Many believe it is the very culture which has been created in the legal profession that has lent itself to the notion that overwork remains the norm and seeking assistance is a sign of weakness.
Do I say something or remain silent? What will happen under either scenario? Have we become enablers who simply sweep problems “under the rug” and hope for the best or are we going to be proactive members of a profession that impacts society every day?
This program will explore these and related issues.
2:25 - 3:25 p.m. — Intergenerational Diversity in the Workplace
Panelists will explore the challenges and dynamics that arise in a multigenerational workforce, including issues related to supervision, mentoring, corrective behavior and personal relationships among colleagues. With a workforce spanning five generations, each with their own distinct experience related to technology, behavior norms, social media and dress codes, these are issues that face almost everyone in the legal community. Panelists will provide thoughts and experiences from their unique perspectives based on their roles.