Lawline.com

Lawline.com faculty member Scott Michelman has been featured on CNN.com ("ACLU sues Wal-Mart for firing employee using medical marijuana") and the NYTimes.com ("Medical Use of Marijuana Costs Some a Job"), regarding his representation of cancer patient Joseph Casias in a wrongful termination case.  ACLU attorney Michelman asserts that a Michigan Walmart store wrongfully terminated Casias for testing positive for marijuana use even though he was legally registered with the state to use the drug and did not use marijuana at work or come to work under the influence.  According to Michelman, "No patient should be forced to choose between adequate pain relief and gainful employment, and no employer should be allowed to intrude upon private medical choices made by employees in consultation with their doctors." In response, Walmart contends that regardless of the employee's reason for taking the drug, the company must terminate employees who test positive for drug use because of customer safety issues.  While fourteen states currently provide protections from prosecution for patients who use marijuana as recommended by a doctor, the extent to which many of these laws protect patients from adverse employment actions is unsettled.    Michelman and the ACLU are arguing that Michigan's medical marijuana law, which is more expansive in its language than most states' laws, includes such protections and therefore prohibited the firing of Mr. Casias for medical marijuana use in accordance with state law. 

To learn more about civil rights litigation in general, watch Lawline.com’s new course by Scott Michelman, The Basics of Civil Rights Litigation.  In this program, Michelman draws on his years of experience in this practice area to provide helpful tips on how to successfully handle civil rights cases.  In particular, Michelman shares his insights on selecting good plaintiffs and proper defendants.  Lawline.com will continue to follow the litigation in Casias’ suit against Walmart, and will update the Legal Beat with developments.  In the meantime, all attorneys can benefit from Scott Michelman’s civil rights litigation wisdom by watching his exemplary program on this subject matter. A short preview of the program is available below.

Land use and zoning attorney Stuart Beckerman recalls his path to finding his practice of law. He also describes a recent favorable decision that he obtained for his client and even the city of New York. Finally, Beckerman explains what keeps him passionate about his work and why he could not be happier professionally.

In honor of attorney Ronald Katter's return to Lawline.com, take a behind-the-course look at his latest program. Ronald reveals when and why he first knew he wanted to be an attorney, and discusses one of his early successful cases. He also discusses what keeps him passionate about his practice.

At Lawline we are one big family- customers, faculty, company and all. Here is one new faculty member's recollection on why he first chose Lawline.com for his CLE and why he then chose to present CLE with Lawline.com as well.

In this Lawline Exclusive CLE preview, attorney Patrick Oguinn and e-discovery consultants Keith Jones and Jason Briody discuss their work with e-discovery. They further reveal how their passion for technology influences the ever changing world of e-discovery. Finally, they disclose some of the mistakes that attorneys can make during e-discovery. 

In this Exclusive Lawline CLE preview Entrepreneur, Sergio A. Fernández de Córdova, and attorney Joel Wagman, discuss the complex relationship between and entrepreneur and an attorney. When it comes to deal making what are the priorities and who is in charge of the risk at hand?

Tax season represents the busiest time of the year for many professionals. Needless to say, it is easy to become confused, lost, or overwhelmed by the amount of work and little room for error.

Lawline.com is here to help. Check out our full listing of tax related courses here.

Also, get advice from some of Lawline.com's top tax attorneys:

Dr. Bart A. Basi (featured in picture) is a specialist in the areas of business succession, business valuation, mergers and acquisitions, retirement and estate planning, strategic planning, and tax aspects of business decisions for closely held and family businesses.  He speaks nationwide, writes, and researches on all of these areas.   He has written five loose-leaf bound books, over 300 articles, and has worked with hundreds of businesses and associations. Learn more...

Sheila Gowan joined Diamond McCarthy as a partner in the New York Office in April 2008. She is a trial and appellate attorney specializing in complex litigation and internal investigations. She has tried a constitutional case, and employment, tort, tax and environmental cases. Learn more...

Susan Hayden received her Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her law degree from Hamline University School of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. Since 1998, she has guided investors along with their legal and tax advisers through the exchange process. Learn More...

Jany Sabins is an attorney admitted to the New Jersey and New York State Bars. She completed degrees at The Ohio State University, Fordham University School of Law, and New York University School of Law, and has hands-on experience from her association with both New York and New Jersey law firms. Ms. Sabins specializes in tax, estate, and business planning and controversy for individuals and businesses, along with estate administration and litigation. Learn more...

Bruce Steiner has over 30 years of experience in the areas of taxation, estate planning, business succession planning and estate and trust administration. He is a frequent lecturer at continuing education programs for bar associations, CPAs and other professionals. Learn more...

Andrew Bluestone discusses when he first knew that he wanted to be an attorney. He also reveals his surefire motto for success for attorneys. I'll give you a hint.... it involves some very early mornings. To see Andrew Bluestone's exclusive Lawline CLE course go to Lawline.com.

40 years as a personal injury attorney, Robert Conason, what's your secret? What sustains his passion for his practice? Two words- responsibility and concern. Conason also puts a new positive twist on the phrases "sitting on your rear end" and "compulsive neurosis."

In this episode of Behind The Course, Lawline CLE Faculty Members and partners in crime, Josh Silber and Richard Abend discuss their Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice practice. They also recall the first case that they each tried, and what's important to remember when entering the legal field.To see more courses from Richard Abend and Josh Silber go to Lawline.com.

Like father like son, Andrew Smiley discusses how his father introduced him to the Legal World and how his "old school" teachings gave him an advantage over his "new school" contemporaries. He further relays his passion for teaching and Continuing Legal Education. Go to Lawline.com to see Andrew's full course, Practical Guidelines for Getting Items Into Evidence, with a special guest appearance by yours truly!

How does an altered power-of-attorney statute affect the daily practitioner? In this exclusive Lawline CLE preview, Attorney Joel D. Sharrow will focus on New York statutory major gifts rider, durable versus nondurable powers of attorney, and agents and the legal repercussions thereof.

In a post CLE interview, Ben Brafman and I sat down to discuss a side of criminal defense law that most attorneys may not know. Ben opened up about the addictive nature of the human drama in criminal defense. Although it's not always easy or fun to be Ben Brafman, he knows why he continues to practice, and believe me, he's not throwing in the towel any time soon.Go to lawline.com to view Ben Brafman's CLE courses.

The Legal Beat Takes you Behind The Course to meet faculty member, George Brunelle. Through his course on how to run a law firm ethically and profitably, he remembers the first night that he opened his own firm and why and how he knew he had made the right choice. He also recalls our first meeting and why teaching attorneys through CLE is so important. Go to Lawline.com soon to watch the full course.

In this episode of Behind The Course, Lawline.com introduces one of its faculty members, Criminal Defense attorney, Marc Agnifilo. Agnifilo discusses his passion for bonding with the humanity of every case. He also reflects on how he has changed as an attorney after 25 years of practice and even recalls his first big trial which involved bagels and a Machete! Lawline.com, meet your faculty member, Mark Agnifilo, and for more of Marc's CLE courses go to Lawline.com. 

In a final round of questions, Alan Schnurman reveals what maybe his own children did not know. With the help of the famous interviewer Bernard Pivot and his questionnaire, Alan answers the tough questions, like his favorite sound or alternative profession considerations. To see Alan's other interviews and courses go to Lawline.com and The Legal Beat.

Tax attorney, Jany Sabins, didn't plan on practicing tax law, but now it is the focus of her practicing. She also has invaluable advice for females breaking into the legal field.Go to Lawline.com to view Jany's course on estate tax planning,Tax Planning in Wills: Time is of the Essence.

Lawline.com faculty member Fernando Pinguelo and his 15 law review students of his eDiscovery Course at the prestigious Seton Hall Law students will channel their insights on today's hottest eDiscovery issues right here through The Legal Beat.

Fernando has also published an extensive reviews on the topic of eDiscovery, and will soon be presenting The Tiger Woods Effect: The Uncertain and Turbulent Future of Endorsement Deals, Morals Clauses, and Reverse-Morals Clauses, at The Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal Annual Spring Symposium, March 4, 2010. Fernando's blog e-Lessons Learned ia an ABA Top 100 blog.

Check in with the Legal Beat to get all the latest briefs of Fernando and his students legal insights.

In the third and final installment of On the Line with Alan Schnurman, Alan discusses the stakes of New York real estate and making patience the key to any success. Go to The Legal Beat to view Part 1 and Part 2 of Alan's On The Line interview, and go to Lawline.com for exclusive Alan Schnurman CLE programming.

This attorney is a self proclaimed ethics geek, who bleeds scarlet red, and is ultimately just a frustrated performer a heart. Who is teaching at lawline? Attorneys meet your faculty member, Stuart Teicher.

There are many times when lawyers who deal with estate planning and taxes will need to use an appraiser for different types of personal property.  Lee Drexler, president of Esquire Appraisals, Inc. of New York City and Westchester, is an experienced appraiser of fine arts, furniture and jewelry and has seen many unique pieces throughout her career.  We spoke with Lee recently and asked if she could share with us some of the more interesting things that she has seen over the years.

One such story that she shares in the video below is of a woman who wanted her to appraise her engagement ring.  It appears the woman had take the ring in to be reset earlier and had never been fully satisfied with the look and feel of the ring afterwards.  Well, as you might suspect, it didn’t take Ms. Drexler long to discover that in fact the ring she was given back was fake.  Both the diamond and the gold that it was set in were no longer real.  An awful fact to find out so many years later, but as Lee says, she is brought in to reveal an ugly truth a lot of times.

Lee Drexler recently filmed a presentation with James Cohen on the legal aspects of appraisals for CLE credit on Lawline.com.  The program covers the issue from both sides, the attorney and the appraiser. Lee has also written a book called Fabulous Finds, where she shares stories like this about finding valuable pieces that nobody even knew existed.

To contact Lee Drexler, call 212-889-2580.  Please enjoy the short video below, and look for the CLE lecture soon.

Lawline.com is proud to announce The Golden Ticket. The NYCLA Insitue and Lawline.com now offer unlimited online and live CLE programing for just $499. Register now at Lawline.com/goldenticket!

In this Legal Beat edition of the CLE Faculty Spotlight, attorney Abram Bohrer will review his background in and his passion for handling personal injury and airline travel. He will also reflect on his experience as a new addition to the Lawline Faculty. Look for Abram Bohrer's Lawline exclusive CLE course soon.

In this episode of On The Line, Alan Schnurman discusses his early days as a Personal Injury attorney and also reflects on his the proud moments of his career. He further reflects on what some of the more embarrassing moments in his career has taught him about his work. Even after thirty-eight years of practicing, Alan explains why he still gets nervous in trying a case. Go to The Legal Beat to catch Part 1 of Alan's interview and Lawline.com for all of your CLE needs and to view Alan's CLE courses.

This "On The Line" interview was four years in the making and too riveting to edit down to just one episode. In Part 1 of the interview Alan and I discuss his background and entrance into the legal profession and then his practice . He reviews then how he built his business to include Lawline TV and then Lawline.com.

In this Lawline.com Exclusive CLE Trailer, Attorney Louis Bricklin discusses the fundamentals of Insurance Bad Faith Claims. He further explains the burden of proof in a Bad Faith Claim case. Go To Lawline.com to view the full course.

Recognized for their innovative and relentless attention to customer service, Lawline.com focused on their distinguished faculty for one special night, celebrating and honoring their contribution to continuing legal education.

For Tim's full article go to

http://www.umcle.com/2009/11/lawline-com-honors-their-cle-faculty-with-a-reception-and-awards-ceremony/

Cloud Computing is the future of technology. Expert Joseph J. Bambara provides what attorney's need to know to prepare in his Lawline.com Exclusive course "Possible Thunder Storm: The Legal Ramifications of Cloud Computing."

Do you have questions for the Lawline CLE faculty members appearing on our upcoming programs? If so, Lawline wants to hear from you. Send your questions for our CLE faculty to me at Meredith@lawline.com or support @lawline.com. The Lawline team looks forward to hearing from you.
 

Upcoming Lawline CLE Prorgams

David Klein- Email Marketing

Richard Abend and Josh Silber- Hospital and Medical Records Used in Evidence.

Lily Royer- International Custody Dispute

As the host of The Legal Beat, I promised that I would start tweeting. I enlisted the help of Tim Baran, of UMCLE. In this episode of On The Line, he discusses the importance of attorneys being engaged in social networking such as Twitter. He further notes the future relationship between CLE and such social media platforms as Twitter.

It was 1987 when a crash in the stock market prompted Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice attorney Ed Ruffo to reconsider a career in business. With an upcoming CLE Course, Ruffo recalls his early days as an attorney and what still keeps him passionate about the profession today. He also imparts invaluable advice to young attorneys and legal associates entering the field.

“Extra! Extra! Read All About It!”

Remember when the penmanship of professional journalist, fresh off the daily press, dominated as our morning media source? Kids would stand on the street corners, selling the daily paper for a nickel in return from the passing professional catching up on the previous day's events. Those were the days. Okay, so I don’t remember that either, but I saw something like it in The Newsies. Nowadays, things are a little different.

The internet has created a platform in which millions of readers can decipher between a seeming endless array of sources for their news and media outlets.  What’s more is that just about anyone can be a journalist: professionals, amateurs, teenagers with permanently indented grooves in their computer chairs, and yes, even lawyers. It’s not all fun and games though, and there’s more legal repercussions than many realize when they type away at the keyboard, especially in the very privacy-sensitive Legal profession. Put it another way: “Lawyers who blog, it almost sounds like a horror movie.”

These are the words of Michael Grygiel, a chairman of Media and First Amendment Law Practice and speaker at the October 14 “Social Media For Lawyers” Gothamedia Ventures seminar at the New York Law School. The seminar dug deep into the growing blogging trend and the impact it has had on the Law profession. Perhaps it’s the ease or the seeming anonymity, but what may appear as harmless communication can lead to great consequences. The seminar discussed many of the pitfalls and legal repercussions that can result from “innocent” blogging. Every blogger is subject to risks, such as libel, trademark, copyright infringement, and invasion of privacy.

Then again, blogging is still a fairly new phenomenon, so there’s a lot of interpretation and ambiguity involved in its related law. Are bloggers treated the same as journalists? Do they get the same Reporters Privilege protection under the law as professional journalists? And finally, can Joe Schmo really get sued for the things he posts on his website after downing beer number twelve on a lonely Saturday night? How do we even know who Joe is?

The seminar covered all this in a one hour discussion that proved to be far greater in professionalism and class than my words can portray. However, Michelle Zierler, organizer of the event and Director of Programs in Law and Journalism at the New York Law School, provides greater grace: “We wanted to offer hands on tips for maximizing the effectiveness of social media and flag the dangers that lawyers, in particular, need to stay clear of.” And the program did just that. The speakers gave anecdotal references of attorney’s who have faced legal repercussions relating to issues of client confidentiality, multi-jurisdictional practice, advertising, and criticisms of fellow associates, despite the thought that these were “anonymously” written (as the discussion showed, no web blogger is actually anonymous).

From the basis of the first amendment on the Freedom of Speech to current issues involving Facebook, BALCO, and “The Skanks of New York,” this seminar provided a thorough breakdown of what attorneys need to be conscious of in regards to blogging and social networking. It is essential to any legal practitioner – and any blogger for that matter – who wishes to learn about a still maturing set of legal issues and boundaries. At the very least, the seminar revitalizes an appreciation to the art, professionalism, and delicacy that goes into traditional journalism. And, even though the internet has shared the power of the press with each and every one of us, perhaps there are some things better left for the boy on the street corner. If there’s still any around, that is.

In today's Tip of The Day, faculty member Marvin Pickholz explains the importance of understanding foreign anti-bribery statutes, what constitutes bribery varies in different countries and why accepting the normative procedure may involve risk.

This clip is from Marvin Pickholz's "A Primer on Corporate Compliance and Internal Investigations"

In today's Legal Tip of The Day, faculty member Herald Price Fahringer explains the importance of the opening statement and summation. From word choice to the way you say a sentence, the style in which you speak in extremely important when dealing with cases.

This clip is from Herald Price Fahringer's "Art of Persuasion"

In today's Legal Tip of the Day, faculty member Irwin Karp talks about the most frequent causes of procrastination. These include the task not a priority, fears of the unknown/failure/success, boredom, disintrest in the topic, perfectionism, waiting until the last minute, a high deadline task, questioning the task, and carelessness.

This clip is from Irwin Karp's "Overcoming Procrastination: How Lawyers Can Kick the Habit"

Thinking about starting a small business? Consider forming it under an S Corporation. These can be preferable to an LLC for tax purposes. Under an S Corporation, individuals are only liable for self employment tax on their "reasonable salary." Under an LLC, self employment tax applies a wider category--revenue minuses expenses. Finally, Lawline.com faculty member George Cornell mentions that self employment tax does not apply to passive income like real estate. This clip is from his course "Using LLC's and Other Forms of Asset Protection."

Copyrights are everywhere. Intellectual Property attorneys David A. Kalow and Tal S. Benschar explain where they come from, what they cover, and what they don't to anyone who is new to the area of intellectual property. This presentation originally appeared in our course, "Intellectual Property for the General Practitioner."

http://www.lawline.com/cle/course-details.php?i=698&course_type=video

In today's Lawline.com legal tip of the day, faculty member Amy Goldsmith talks about the difference between patent laws and trade secrets. Specifically, she goes into what happens with utlity patents after they expire, using the example of "generic drugs" after formerly being a patented drugs.

This clip is from Amy Goldsmith's "Overview of Patent and Trade Secrets"

In today's Legal Tip of the Day, faculty member Rick Supple talks about ethical issues in the litigation process. He specifically explains the appropriate behavior when dealing with judges. This includes no false or scandalous statements to the public, no objects of value offered to the judge and his staff, and no ex-party communication.

This clip is from Hal Lieberman and Rick Supple's "Ethical Issues in the Litigation Process"

In today's Legal Tip of the Day, faculty member Diane Steiner explains the common mistakes made by witnesses during matrimonial case depositions. The witness can be unprepared, leading them to ramble on and give too much information or they can be flat out lying, creating a theme for the opposing counsel.

This clip is from Diane Steiner and Elaine Lewis's "Matrimonial Depositions and Witness Preparation"

In today's Lawline.com Legal Tip of the Day, faculty member Phil Kleiner talks about what to look for in a passport when interviewing the potential immigration client. This includes the type of visa, date of issue and other requirements for it to be considered valid.

This clip is from Phil Kleiner's "Interviewing the Potential Immigration Client"

In today's Legal Tip of the Day, faculty member Erica Dubno defines "defamation" with six basic requirements. She also introduces the
problems associated with online publishing, third party viewers, and the anonymity of posters on the internet.

This clip is from Herald Price Fahringer and Erica Dubno's "The First Amendment: Defamation on the Internet"

In today's Lawline.com Legal Tip of the Day, faculty member Mary Noe talks about the classification of children with disabilities under the Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).  In this clip she particularly talks about the initial evaluation that a child must undergo in order to receive disabled status.  The components include psycho-education evaluation, social history, physical evaluation, observation of child and other specific tests for specific disabilities.

Watch the clip for more information.

For more information, visit Mary Noe's course "A Primer on Special Education Law."

Ever wonder what happens after you file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy? The eloquent, knowledgeable bankruptcy attorney, Daniel Gershburg explains how to get creditors off your back, rebuild your credit, and get back on the right track. Gershburg sees bankruptcy as a hurdle that clients have to get over, not an insuperable disaster. Working with an experienced lawyer, clients can start making good decisions and get on with life.

This clip is from Daniel Gershburg's course, "Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: The Initial Consultation."

www.lawline.com/cle/course-details.php

In today's Lawline.com Legal Tip of the day, attorney Ron Coleman describes the best thing an attorney can do if a clients come into the office claiming they're the victim of defamation on a blog--stay calm. Perhaps the worst thing an attorney can do is attract unneccessary attention on a blog that otherwise has little traffic. An example involving the major law firm, Jones Day, is highlighted in order to demonstrate a counter-productive response.

Watch the clip below for more.

The clip is from Ron Coleman's course, "The Legal Aspects of Blogging."

In today's Lawline.com Tip of the day, faculty member Harvey Weitz talks about attorneys finding their own style when cross examining a witness.  Mr. Weitz says you should "know yourself."  By knowing yourself, you will be able to work your strengths and weaknesses to your advantage.

Watch the clip for more information.

The clip is from Mr. Weitz's course "Cross Examination Strategies."

Badway discusses the crises of several big companies, as well as the credit card companies and international recessions. In addition, subtle issues have shaken the market, such as IFRS. Lastly, there is the mistaken belief that our markets can be perfect and need little regulation.

We hope you check out Mr. Badway's course, entitled "Transparency at the SEC: A Response to the Current Financial Crisis "

Follow Lawline.com On Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/lawline

Lawline.com has been receiving great feedback on our Legal Tips of the Day (via YouTube) initative.  We've been working very hard to facilitate the flow of information and make it accessible to those that seek it.

We wanted to remind everyone that you can subscribe to Lawline.com's Channel on YouTube.  You will be notified daily on your YouTube account of the latest clips that we have posted. 

Simply go to http://www.youtube.com/lawlinecle and hit "Subscribe."

In addition to the Legal Tips from our CLE courses, we have some other fun videos to share with you.  We appreciate all feedback, so if you have any comments or questions, don't hesitate to contact us.

In today's Lawline.com Video Clip of the Day, faculty member Scott Colesanti talks about the SEC and short sales.  In short-sales, an investor who believes their stock will fall and rise within a three day period, sells their stock at a high price, and leave it hanging within the three day period so that way they can buy it back at a lower price.  Public company officials are not permitted to sell their own stock.  In July of 2009, the SEC passed Rule 204 which tightened security measures around short-selling. 

Watch the clip for more.

The clip is from Colesanti's course,  The Securities & Exchange Commission: History & Status

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) implemented rules yesterday in an attempt to alleviate “abusive short sales” (also commonly referred to as “naked” short selling) and to provide more information to the public concerning these transactions.
Rule 204T, once temporary, is now permanent as Rule 204: Amendments to Regulation SHO. 

The rule will require broker-dealers to immediately buy or borrow securities to deliver on a short-sale.   Before, the investor was able to sell the shares short, without ever actually buying them.  The temporary rule was tested last year and has shown a 57% decrease in naked-short selling.

Attorney and Professor, J. Scott Colesanti, teaches one of Lawline.com’s newest courses, “The Securities and Exchange Commission: History & Status.”  The course  offers a detailed and comprehensive history of the SEC, starting with its inception in 1934 through the Securities Exchange Act, and continuing onward through the Joseph Kennedy era and the adoption of the No Action Letter Protocol.

Mr. Colesanti also discusses the SEC’s role in the economic crisis.  He talks about the temporary Rule 204T (before it was made permanent) and its effects, as well as many other recent developments.  

Check back later today for Lawline.com’s Legal Tip of the Day featuring Colesanti’s course.

To read the press release from the SEC click here.

In today's Lawline.com tip of the day, attorney Gina Rubel describes issues surrounding publicity, the media, and litigation. She uses personal anecdotes and general tips in order to explain best practices. She advises a conservative approach to trial publicity.

Watch the clip for more information.

The clip is from the course Social Media For Lawyers: Facebook, Linked In, Twitter and More!

In a clip from the course entitled Estate Planning: A Perspective on Family and Values by John S. Erwin and Thomas J Henske, there is a discussion on noticing the details of a situation, especially when the law is involved. Erwin and Henske give some examples as to what matters in the long run in regards to estate planning. Morals and values are discussed, and how important details are is highlighted.

This clip is from the course, entitled "Estate Planning: A Perspective on Family and Values"

         Today we shot a new CLE course on witness preparation that was pretty exciting. It's now in it's post-production phase, but here’s some interesting insight.

            Dr. Melissa Gomez is an expert in Psychology and Education. She’s using her background to teach lawyers what they need to get witnesses ready for trial. Are they giving off nonverbal cues like pausing, wiping their brow, fidgeting, swiveling in their chairs, or darting their eyes? If so, they’re probably distracting the jury. She suggests ways to put witnesses at ease so that they can do their job—listening to questions and answering them.
         
     She’s done some surprising research. It shows that 62% of jurors use their own conception of justice rather than the court’s jury instructions when considering a case.  It just goes to show that having the law on your side may not be enough. You have to understand how juries think and learn in order to win cases.

The new course should be up on Lawline.com in the next week or so, stay tuned!

Ever wonder what the law has to saw about birth control? This is one area where religious organizations and the legal system collide. Lawline.com faculty member Michael Grossman explains who comes out on top. He looks at landmark cases in order to illustrate some of the finer points of the law.

Join Lawline.com faculty member, Olivera Medenica, as she discusses legal issues surrounding domain names and trademarks. She explains how to avoid inconvenient court appearances, what makes for a good case, and other issues that arise in this common E-Commerce topic. She uses illustrative examples and real world facts to tell you what you need to know about domain names.

Lawline.com faculty member Benjamin Brafman, criminal defense attorney to the stars, explains how his process of developing a summation begins. He stresses that it is a work in progress that an attorney should begin considering the moment a client walks through the office doors. Essentially, a good summation should sell the attorney, the client, and the defense to a jury.

Take me out to the ball game . . . but please bring me back in one piece!  In one of the latest programs from Lawline.com, experienced attorneys Gil Fried and Carla Varriale offer a fact-packed run-down on the legal ins and outs of America’s most revered sports, the dangers they pose to those who revere them, and the forms of recourse, or lack thereof, that are available to injured spectators.  Dancing the fine line between acknowledging a sports facility’s need to protect its fans and the fans’ desires to get “up close and risky,” Gil and Carla leave no stone unturned in this nuanced and highly entertaining lecture. 

See the following for more details:

http://www.lawline.com/cle/course-details.php?i=811&course_type=video

In today’s Legal Tip of the Day, Richard Roth expands on his experiences in the Entertainment and Sports Litigation world, using his past cases as examples for each category. The clip below, entitled “When a Lawsuit is Necessary in Entertainment and Sport Litigation”, is a highlight on Roth’s explanation on why sometimes a lawsuit is inevitable in the entertainment and sports arena.

Richard Roth is a prominent lawyer in New York City. His practice areas include complex commercial litigation, securities litigation and arbitration, employment litigation, entertainment and sports litigation, real estate litigation, and more. An alumnus of Hofstra University School of Law, Roth has had several high profile cases, including a major sports litigation case with Peyton Manning, the quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts.

This clip can also be found on YouTube.com, in Lawline’s Legal Tip of the Day series. 

Attorney Jay Sullivan's work has appeared in the New York Times, the New York Law Journal, and Readers Digest. Now he brings his expertise to the YouTube community as a part of the Lawline.com Legal Tip of the Day series. Watch as he explains how to transform abstract ideas into a concrete, easy to follow presentation.

His advice originally appeared in a course at Lawline.com entitled "Building Dynamic Client Meetings" but can apply to anyone who wants to improve his or her communication skills. His ideas regarding using space strategically and organizing presentations logically can apply to the client meetings and beyond.

Watch the clip for more information.

In today's Lawline.com Video Clip of the Day, Sarah Jo Hamilton discusses the historical sources of ethics law, including the issues and solutions that ensued.  She briefly goes over the development of ethics law.

Watch the clip for information.

The clip is from Sarah Jo Hamilton's course (with Berry Temkin) "Ethical Considerations in Client Perjury".

Philip Kleiner discusses what to look out for when dealing with non-immigration visas, including what is a sign of fraud and what is legitimate in immigrant marriages.

Watch the clip for more information

The clip is from Phil Kleiner's Course "Overview of Non-Immigrant Laws and Temporary Visas" which can be accessed here.

Today in Lawline.com's Legal Tip of the Day, Ron Katter discusses the plaintiff's attorney's ethical obligation when reviewing the facts of the case with a witness that is going to go through a deposition. He also talks about actually going through the importance of the deposition with your clients.

Watch the clip for more information.

The clip is from Ron Katter's Course "Depositions: The Keystone of Litigation." Which can be accessed by going here.

In today's Lawline.com clip of the day, Lawline.com faculty member and image consultant Megan Kristel, talks about preparing your image for a public appearance. She particularly focuses on the importance for attorneys to ensure they are perceived as professionals. For High Definition (HD) television, Megan recommends that individuals work with make-up artists to ensure that they're satisfied with their appearance.

Watch the clip for more information.  

The clip is from the course "Understanding How Public Relations Can Improve Your Legal Practice" which can be accessed here.

In today's Legal Tip of the day,  productivity expert and Lawline.com faculty member,  Neen James outlines tips specifically targeted towards boosting attorney productivity. She gives clear, simple advice on everyday practices attorneys can use to make the most of their work day.

Her mantra "plan tomorrow today" captures the idea that lawyers can prepare for upcoming meetings, appointments, or projects by devoting ten minutes at the end of the previous workday for planning. This should be accompanied by fifteen minutes of planning at the beginning of every work day. This way lawyers can strategize about how best to allocate their time.

Watch the clip for more information.

The clip is from the course "Promotions and Productivity for Lawyers"

Today in In Lawline.com's Legal Tip of the Day, prominent criminal attorney, Benjamin Brafman talks about using humor when trying a case.  He particularly talks about how humor allowed him to successfully lighten the mood among the jury when working with Johnny Cochran to represent P Diddy a few years ago.  Watch the clip for more.

Benjamin Brafman is a well established attorney and Lawline.com faculty member.  He has represented and worked with many well known individuals including P Diddy, Michael Jackson, and most recently Plaxico Burress.

Click here for more information on Mr. Brafman's course "Summation: A Work In Progress"

Today in Lawline.com's Legal Tip of the Day, faculty member Jay Sullivan sheds some light on little tips to keep a client meeting organized and concise. He tells us how to not only keep the client's attention but how to appear prepared as well.

Watch the clip for more information.

Read more about Jay's course on "Building Dynamic Client Meetings" by going here.

Employment attorney and Lawline.com faculty member Ardra O'Neal talks about ways of structuring the inevitable layoff. Performance and Seniority based evolution may be one way that the layoff structure is approached. Watch the clip for more information. Ms. O'Neal notes that employers often fail to adequately document the poor performance of their employees, which can potentially lead to legal liability if laid off.  Watch the clip for more. 

The clip is from Ardra O'Neal's course "Best Practices For Implementing Lay-Offs For Private Sector Employers" which can be accessed here.

Today in Lawline.com;s tip of the day, faculty members Gina Rubel and Laura Powers talk about identifying your target audience when pursuing a social media campaign. Furthermore, you must decide what your key message will be to this audience and how it will influence your desired appearance.

Watch the clip for more information.

Our Unlimited CLE product has become so popular in the past month that we have decided to expand its reach.  We launched a Lawline.com Affiliate advertising campaign to allow anyone with a law related website to share in its growth.

Becoming an affiliate is quite simple.  We will give you an ad to place anywhere on your website.  The ad will promote our Unlimited CLE program to anyone who is visiting your site.  Since it is a special offer, it is something that will really relate to your readers.

Additionally, the ad will benefit you because it pays royalties based on conversions.  Through our tracking program, you can monitor how many sales you receive from the ad, and get paid a percentage of every sale.  So the more you promote the ad on your site, the more money you will make from the affiliate program.

If you currently operate a website that relates to the legal community and is seen by lawyers in general, please don’t hesitate to sign up.  Contact Frank Furbacher for more information or to register to become an affiliate advertiser today.

In today’s Lawline.com Legal Tip of the Day, faculty member Malcolm Taub discusses the significance of a condition report in the purchase and/or sale of artwork.  Condition reports are prepared by a curator or a restorer and should be obtained before the initial viewing of the artwork.  They refer to the mechanical characteristics of the art work, and have no relation to its visual appearance.  Mr. Taub further outlines the details of a condition report.  Watch the clip for more.

The clip is from Malcolm Taub's course "Legal Issues Relating to the Purchase & Sale of Art."  For more information click here.

    The great thing about the internet is that it provides the opportunity to publicize any type of information.  Today in Lawline.com’s Video Tip of the Day, Richard Levick talks about how the internet sets the agenda for the media and also about how the internet can provide as a valuable resource for the traditional media outlets.

Watch the clip for more information.

The clip is from Richard Levick's course "A Lawyer's Guide to Litigation and Crisis Communications" which can be accessed here.

Today in our Lawline.com Video Tip of the Day, faculty member Bart Basi talks about the difference between an acquisition, a merger and a consolidation in business transactions.

Watch the clip for more information.

Today in our Lawline.com Video Tip of the Day, faculty member Daniel Fish talks about the difference of custodial care and skilled care in the context of health care. Recently, due to health care issues, there has been an expansion of Elder Law Practice.  As Fish illustrates, the difference between the two types of care is an important distinction. 

Watch the clip for more information.

The clip is from Daniel Fish's course "Elder Law Fundamentals." For more information click here.

Today in our Lawline.com video tip of the day, faculty member Irwin Karp provides some tips on avoiding procrastination.  We all do it so this four minute clip is sure to be helpful to anyone.  He talks about the most efficient ways to get things done and how to beware of the tyranny of the urgent.  Watch the clip below for more.

The course is from Irwin Karp's course "Overcoming Procrastination." For more information click here.

This is a weekly post where we review some of our favorite User Feedback from attorneys who have completed Lawline.com CLE courses.  We decided to start this blog post because we thought it would be fun to share our favorites.

Faculty Member: Barry Temkin

Lawline.com CLE Courses:
Ethical Considerations in Client Perjury
Ethics: Deception in Undercover Investigations

Barry Temkin joined the Lawline.com faculty with his first course on undercover investigations, adding to our growing Ethics CLE subjects.  The response from that course was so good that he recently came back and presented a new ethics course on client perjury.  Take a look at some of the great comments that both courses have gotten below.

Favorite Comments about Barry Temkin
"Excellent speaker, with good exposition of the issues and use of hypotheticals."   - Michael (Matawan, NJ)

"Good subject matter by a speaker who has good analytical school and conducted good research."   - Judith (Lyons, IL)

Favorite Comments on his CLE programs
"Entertaining and informative, great examples and stories together with other jurisdictional interpretations to drive home subject matter. Best one yet, and there have been some very outstanding presentation."   - Glenn (Babylon, NY)

"Interesting examples showing the differing interpretations of various states on this topic."   - Paula (Alhambra, CA)

Today in our Lawline.com Video Tip of the Day, faculty member Ronald Coleman talks about the invasion of privacy clause as it relates to blogging.  He highlights the ability for an individual to take legal action if a photograph is posted of him or her on a blog and what types of claims may or may not be filed.   He also notes the the differing degrees of leniency from one state to the next with regard to privacy law.

The Clip is from Ronald Coleman's course entitled "Legal Aspects of Blogging."  To check it out go here.

Today in our Lawline.com Video Tip of the Day, faculty member Daniel Gershburg emphasizes the importance of paying your credit card bills on time.  Failure to pay your bills when they are due can severely hurt your credit score. Accordingly,  if you (or your client) has to raise your credit score, even over a short period of time, this is the most efficient way to do so.  Watch the clip below for more information.

Herald Price Fahringer says that cases are won or lost in an opening statement.  The Lawline.com faculty member, who has argued before the Supreme Court over fifteen times, adamantly stresses the importance of the opening statements attorneys give at trial.  Fahringer says that the opening line of a case, much like a book, is often what captivates the jury and strongly assists in their formation of an opinion.  In fact, studies show that 80% of jurists make their decision on a case at the close of the opening statements.

The opening line of a book by famous mystery writer P.D. James reads “The whistler’s fourth victim was his youngest…she died because she missed the 9:40 bus from East Haven…”   After reading a line like this, most readers would not put the book down.  And as Mr. Fahringer illustrates, attorneys must employ similar techniques when addressing the jury.   The words that an attorney uses are critical in making the jury intrigued, but furthermore, influenced by the argument he or she makes.

To receive some tips from Mr. Fahringer on how to deliver opening statements watch the video below. 

The mission of Lawline.com is to educate.  We focus on the legal community, but we aim to educate anyone who is eager to learn.  In accordance with this goal, over the next few months, we will be working our hardest to make available some of our best content via YouTube to anyone who is interested in watching it.  Areas of interest will range in all areas of law and will cater to a variety of topics. 

This is a weekly post where we review some of our favorite User Feedback from attorneys who have completed Lawline.com CLE courses.  We decided to start this blog post because we thought it would be fun to share our favorites.

Faculty Member: Amy Goldsmith

Lawline.com CLE Courses:
Corporations and Trademarks
Overview of Patent and Trade Secrets
How to Protect Websites from Legal Liabilities

Amy Goldsmith recently joined the faculty at Lawline.com, and has already recorded three popular programs in the Intellectual Property area.  Her programs have received some excellent feedback from lawyers around the country, and we continue to work with Ms. Goldsmith to come up with ideas for future course topics.

Favorite Comments about Amy Goldsmith
"Presenter was excellent. She clearly knew the area very well."   - Nancy (Alexandria, VA)

"I think the presenter did a good job of making understandable the complicated field of patents."   - Lester (Colleyville, TX)

Favorite Comments on her CLE programs
"This is one of the better lawline seminars I've heard. Anyone who uses the Internet will find this presentation fascinating."   - Jared (Arlington, VA)

"This was one of the more useful CLE presentations I've seen."   - James (Irvine, CA)

"This was the best Lawline seminar I have viewed to date. It was well organized, the written materials were clear and useful, and the speaker was engaging. Having it be a video of a real seminar before a live audience--instead of a single speaker in front of a dark background--made it more pleasurable to watch as well. Well done!"   - Elizabeth (Annandale, VA)

This is a weekly post where we review some of our favorite User Feedback from attorneys who have completed Lawline.com CLE courses.  We decided to start this blog post because we thought it would be fun to share our favorites.

Faculty Member: James Cohen

Lawline.com CLE Courses:
How to Dispose of Tangible Personal Property
Legal Aspects of Appraisals of Tangible Personal Property
What's New In Estate Planning?

James Cohen has been a part of three programs at Lawline.com, teaming up with Lee Drexler for two courses on personal property, and joining Bruce Steiner for a CLE program on Estate Planning.  We continue to invite him back for more, especially after the tremendous feedback we have been getting on his courses.  Some of the best comments we have gotten recently are listed below.

Favorite Comments about James Cohen
"Informative and engaging speakers - one of the better courses I have seen at lawline..."   - Nancy (Chicago, IL)

"I thought the speakers were excellent and presented the topic well."   - Jennifer (Fairfax, VA)

Favorite Comments on his CLE programs
"Excellent update for new and experienced practitioners. Especially useful are examples of how to combine, leveraging, planning techniques."   - Peter (Garden City, NY)

"Very informative, enjoyable even, and useful. Thank you."   - Sharon (Pana, IL)

This is a weekly post where we review some of our favorite User Feedback from attorneys who have completed Lawline.com CLE courses.  We decided to start this blog post because we thought it would be fun to share our favorites.

Faculty Member: Jay Sullivan

Lawline.com CLE Courses:
Building Dynamic Client Meetings
Communication Skills: Managing and Delegating in a Law Firm
Negotiation Skills for Attorneys
Presentation Skills: A Practical Approach

Jay Sullivan has partnered with Lawline.com to produce some incredible CLE Courses on communication and presentation skills.  Since these courses have been part of the CLE catalog on our site, their popularity has grown.  And recently Jay returned to film several new courses that will be added to the rest of the offerings soon.  Below is some of the great feedback we have already gotten.

Favorite Comments about Jay Sullivan
"Fantastic! Jay Sullivan is extremely informative and very easy to listen to and learn from. The best Lawline course to date!"   - Elsa (Northridge, CA)

"He is a dynamic speaker and the insights were tremendously helpful- this may have been the best selection I made."   - Jill (Chappaqua, NY)

Favorite Comments on his CLE program
"Excellent. Very useful information. I plan on using the written materials in the future. I sincerely believe this will better my practice."   - Mark (Memphis, TN)

"Best program of the lot so far; I'll not only recommend this, I'll watch it again."   - Annie (Denver, CO)

"I thought I knew how to negotiate. Although I did, now I know much better how to negotiate. Exquisite!!!"   - Glenn (Virginia Beach, VA)

This is a new weekly post where we will be reviewing some of our favorite User Feedback from attorneys who have completed Lawline.com CLE courses.  We decided to start this blog post because we thought it would be fun to share our favorites.

Faculty Member: Ernest Badway

Lawline.com CLE Courses:
Securities Enforcement: The Past, Present and Future
Transparency at the SEC: A Response to the Current Financial Crisis

Ernest Badway is one of our newer Faculty Members, joining the team less than a year ago.  He has helped us produce two extremely informative CLE Courses.  The most recent one involves a commentary on the current financial crisis as it pertains to the SEC.  His courses have received very solid reviews, and below you can find a few of the best.

Favorite Comments about Ernest Badway
"The speaker was excellent and made rather dry subjects interesting. He provided very specific examples that helped illustrate the points he wished to make."   - Mari (Chicago, IL)

"Excellent clear speaker....."   - Sherri L. (Laguna Niguel, CA)

Favorite Comments on his CLE program
"Very good substance and presentation. Very much enjoyed this CLE. Congrats!"   - Timothy (Washington, DC)

"Very well organized presentation, articulate and comprehensive!"   - John (New Rochelle, NY)

This is a new weekly post where we will be reviewing some of our favorite User Feedback from attorneys who have completed Lawline.com CLE courses.  We decided to start this blog post because we thought it would be fun to share our favorites.

Faculty Member: Murray Schwartz

Lawline.com CLE Courses:
Trial Strategies that Work for Employment Law
Age Discrimination in the Workplace
How to Handle an Employment Law Case

Murray Schwartz has been a part of the Lawline.com Faculty for many years.  He continues to provide us with some fascinating courses in the area of employment law, an area he helped to define through his years of practice.  His courses are always some of our users’ favorites, as you can see clearly from the comments below.

Favorite Comments about Murray Schwartz
"Mr. Schwartz is my favorite speaker. Great presentation."   - Katrina (San Diego, CA)

"Mr. Schwartz shows a passion for this field of law and a compassion for his clients. I wish he were my boss!"   - Jill (Fairfax, VA)

"I enjoyed Murray Schwartz very much. Such a gentleman, and it is inspiring to consider that the practice of law truly can be a lifelong endeavor."   - Ruth (Chicago, IL)

Favorite Comments on his CLE program
"One of the very best MCLE courses I have attended in nearly 30 years of practice."   - Arthur (Palm Springs, CA)

"This was an excellent program touring the details of employment law litigation. Really excellent in every way."   - Mark (New York, NY)

"Easy to understand. Good examples of age related employment problems. Relevant and timely"   - Bonnie (Niagara Falls, NY)

This is a new weekly post where we will be reviewing some of our favorite User Feedback from attorneys who have completed Lawline.com CLE courses.  We decided to start this blog post because we thought it would be fun to share our favorites.

Faculty Member: Richard Levick

Lawline.com CLE Courses:
A Lawyer’s Guide to Litigation and Crisis Communications

Richard Levick taught his course on Litigation Communications last year, and his course continues to be a popular choice for lawyers during this troubling economic climate.  His course provides a much needed refresher on communication strategies and tips.

Favorite Comments about Richard Levick
"Mr. Levick is incredible!!!"   - John (Harrington Park, NJ)

"For the first time in 30 years of attending CLE seminars I found myself totally concentrating on the speaker and the content. BRILLIANT."   - Kenneth (Richardson, TX)

Favorite Comments on his CLE program
"One of best, most interesting, useful and well communicated topic I have ever heard as an attorney! Forces lawyers to think outside just the lawyer-box in dealing with client crises."   - Christine (Davie, FL)

"Phenomenal quality of material, excellent presentation. Having spoken professionally, including teaching at the college level and training judges, I can unequivocally state that Mr. Levick's presentation was one of the finest CLE events I have had the privilege to experience. Well done!"   - Lory (Southlake, TX)

"I found it to be timely, relevant and refreshingly more interesting than I expected."   - Gerald (Montclair, NJ)

This is a new weekly post where we will be reviewing some of our favorite User Feedback from attorneys who have completed Lawline.com CLE courses.  We decided to start this blog post because we thought it would be fun to share our favorites.

Faculty Member: Ronald Coleman

Lawline.com CLE Courses:
Legal Aspects of Blogging

Ronald Coleman joined the Lawline.com faculty last year with an exciting new course on blogs.  The course is based on the idea that blogs are growing in importance and the rules and laws that govern the internet and online media are in the evolutionary process.  Ron goes over the basics and gives a good introduction of the area to lawyers who may still be unfamiliar with blogs.  Ron also writes his own blog entitled Likelihood of Confusion.

Favorite Comments about Ron Coleman
"Very interesting topic by knowledgeable speaker."   - Virginia (Red Bank, NJ)

"Interesting speaker; good presentation on a topic of growing significance."   - Kenneth (New York, NY)

Favorite Comments on his CLE programs
"This course was a home run! I can now have a conversation about blogging instead of looking at the subject as something from outer space."   - Gerald (Montclair, NJ)

"Fascinating information about a new technology in conjunction with legal issues associated there with. Good discussion."   - Paula (Alhambra, CA)

This is a new weekly post where we will be reviewing some of our favorite User Feedback from attorneys who have completed Lawline.com CLE courses.  We decided to start this blog post because we thought it would be fun to share our favorites.

Faculty Member: Joel Cohen

Lawline.com CLE Courses:
Ethical Issues with Roger Clemens and Other High Profile Clients
Ethics: Should Lawyers be Constrained by the Truth?
The False Defense: How Far May a Criminal Defense Lawyer Go?

Joel Cohen joined the Lawline.com faculty last year, with an interest in helping to make Ethics CLE course as interesting as possible.  With his help, we have produced 3 roundtable discussions on various ethical topics that have been rated very highly by our customers.  We hope to continue to work with Joel in the future so that we can provide the highest quality Ethics programming on the web.

Favorite Comments about Joel Cohen
"Joel Cohen excelled in this excellent panel discussion, exploring the ethical dilemmas of practicing law and focused quite well on client and witness truthfulness and attorney obligations. A very thoughtful discussion."   - Steven (Indianapolis, IN)

"Special to hear these very famous speakers. Thank you."   - Lauren (Boca Raton, FL)

Favorite Comments on his CLE programs
"Very good trio of advocates. comfortable, knowledgeable of their subject matter and they seem to like what they do. Great lecture, good 'office discussion' format."   - James (Reston, VA)

"I enjoyed this presentation, especially the "roundtable" format. The speakers were knowledgeable on the topic and effectively used examples to further explain their points."   - Chadwick (Washington, DC)

"Most engaging presentation; dialogue format with excellent attorneys was informative and enjoyable."   - Thomas (Evanston, IL)

Here at Lawline.com we know that times are hard.  That is why we have decided to launch the Continuing Legal Education Stimulus Package, to provide all new members with TWO FREE continuing legal education courses.  “We want to give attorneys a head start on their CLE requirements, it is important that the legal community stays informed, and we’re here to help” says Lawline.com president David Schnurman.  We’re hoping the free hours of CLE will give attorneys a break and turn them on to the ease of online CLE options.

Everyone keeps saying that the best time to polish your education and abilities is now, with the economic crisis, but education is not always cheap.  For attorneys who have lost their jobs it is difficult to spend thousands of dollars on CLE.  Not only is Online CLE cost effective for Law Firms and attorneys, but the elimination of travel to lecture halls saves money as well.  

The complimentary courses offer 1 general credit and 1 ethics credit.  They are two of our most highly rated programs, “Ethics: Should Lawyers Be Constrained by the Truth,” and “Chapter 7 Bankruptcy: The Initial Consultation.”  Incidentally Chapter 7 Bankruptcy has been viewed in record numbers in the last few months, showing a heavy rise of interest in bankruptcy law.

Please take advantage of these free courses by signing up today.  Click Here to Join.

This is a new weekly post where we will be reviewing some of our favorite User Feedback from attorneys who have completed Lawline.com CLE courses.  We decided to start this blog post because we thought it would be fun to share our favorites.

Faculty Member: Harvey Weitz

Lawline.com CLE Courses:
Cross Examination Strategies

Harvey Weitz joined the Lawline.com Faculty in 2008.  His first program, highlighted above, has received tremendous feedback by attorneys who have taken the course from all over the country.  Because of comments like the ones we have displayed below, we will be sure to ask Mr. Weitz back for future courses on Lawline.com.

Favorite Comments about Harvey Weitz
"As an aspiring trial lawyer, I found it especially helpful to learn basic cross-examination tips from a seasoned, well-respected attorney."   - Mandy (Houston, TX)

"Mr. Weitz is the man!"   - Roger (Richmond, VA)

"The speaker was very informative on a subject that I know little about."   - Mary (Winnetka, IL)

Favorite Comments on his CLE programs
"Thought he was a great speaker and really liked the written materials--easy to read and organized well"   - Colleen (Lake Forest, IL)

"Excellent presentation. Clear, but not dogmatic. Rules as guidelines was very helpful. As with all attorneys, they talk in generalities about their mistakes, but with specificity about their successes."   - Edward (Hanover, NH)

This is a new weekly post where we will be reviewing some of our favorite User Feedback from attorneys who have completed Lawline.com CLE courses.  We decided to start this blog post because we thought it would be fun to share our favorites.

Faculty Member: Hal Lieberman

Lawline.com CLE Courses:
Ethical Issues in the Litigation Process
Ethics: Conflicts of Interest

Hal Lieberman is an expert on professional responsibility and ethics.  He is one of the most respected attorneys in his field and we love that he continues to work with us to produce the highest quality Continuing Legal Education courses on the subject of Ethics.  His course have gotten rave reviews, and we expect that they will continue to do so for as long as they are available.

Favorite Comments about Hal Lieberman
"Mr. Lieberman is a very good, very clear speaker."   - Jennifer (Dallas, TX)

"Speaker was interesting and kept me engaged, which is most important in a course on the subject of ethics, well done."   - Laura (Decatur, GA)

Favorite Comments on his CLE programs
"Great format, great substance, well done. I'd use this service again."   - James (Research Triangle Park, NC)

"Hal Lieberman did a very thorough presentation on ethics and conflicts of interests in this CLE seminar program. The Q&A session was most helpful!"   - Steven (Indianapolis, IN)

"Thorough and well-presented. The best ethics seminar I've attended in my 25 years of practice."   - Michael (Buffalo, NY)

This is a new weekly post where we will be reviewing some of our favorite User Feedback from attorneys who have completed Lawline.com CLE courses.  We decided to start this blog post because we thought it would be fun to share our favorites.

Faculty Member: Malcolm Taub

Lawline.com CLE Courses:
The Prenuptial Agreement: A Key Aspect of Matrimonial Law
Legal Issues Relating to the Purchase and Sale of Art

Malcolm Taub became famous with our members after his course on Art Law.  Though it was an obscure topic, people found him engaging and powerful as a speaker.  Because the course became so popular, we had to ask him to come back and do another one.  I am sure we will see much more of Mr. Taub in the future.

Favorite Comments about Malcolm Taub
"The value of having a speaker with extensive experience in a field becomes apparent when viewing these courses."   - Roy (new york, NY)

"Excellent. The lecturer is obviously an expert in his field."   - Henry (Los Angeles, CA)

Favorite Comments on his CLE programs
"This is the best online seminar I have taken. Extremely interesting topic and very informed speaker. He offered great examples, good slides - I would definitely recommend this particular program to others!"   - Allison (Falls Church, VA)

"Excellent. The best lecture I've had - very substantive, and clear. Taub is an expert in his field and I was very grateful for his lecture, and all the materials he put together. Top notch."   - Lauren (Boca Raton, FL)

"Although this is not my area of law, this is one of the best courses I have ever taken, on-line or live. The speaker was excellent, and the materials are original, creative and yet practical."   - Francine (New York, NY)

This is a new weekly post where we will be reviewing some of our favorite User Feedback from attorneys who have completed Lawline.com CLE courses.  We decided to start this blog post because we thought it would be fun to share our favorites.

Faculty Member: Olivera Medenica

Lawline.com CLE Courses:
Basics of Operating an Online Business
Social Networking and Advanced E-Commerce Issues
How to Handle a TV Deal
International Copyright: What the US Practitioner Needs to Know
Representing the Fashion Client

Olivera Medenica has been a Lawline.com Faculty Member for two years now.  Through our partnership with the New York County Lawyers’ Association in addition to our own courses, we have featured Olivera in 5 courses on the website right now.  From the user comments below and the quality ratings of those courses, it is clear to see that Olivera is one of our highest rated faculty members.

Favorite Comments about Olivera Medenica
"This speaker seemed extremely comfortable with the presentation format and therefore, it was very easy to pay attention."   - Mary (Hopatcong, NJ)

"Ms. Medenica gave an excellent, informative presentation. In a very thorough and organized way, she covered many important, relevant, applicable areas of law. Thanks."   - Elisa (Chicago, IL)

Favorite Comments on her CLE programs
"Excellent seminar. Very informative and provided excellent written materials with citations that will be useful in the future."   - Jeffrey (Knoxville, TN)

"This was very helpful--questions addressed in this lecture come up routinely from clients who are taking their business on line."   - Claudia (Newark, NJ)

"Very good speaker and presentation good analysis of a technical subject"   - Gerard (hicksville, NY)

This is a new weekly post where we will be reviewing some of our favorite User Feedback from attorneys who have completed Lawline.com CLE courses.  We decided to start this blog post because we thought it would be fun to share our favorites.

Faculty Member: Herald Price Fahringer

Lawline.com CLE Courses:
Cross Examination of an Expert Witness
Art of Persuasion
Strategies for Delivering Opening Statements
The Basics of Legal Writing

Herald Price Fahringer has run the gauntlet at Lawline.com, teaching four amazing courses.  By combining years of experience and a real knowledge of people and the law, Mr. Fahringer has proven himself to be an expert speaker, and one that our users have asked for again and again.  Below are some comments we have received that really stand out.

Favorite Comments about Herald Price Fahringer
"What a great speaker. He performs like an actor on a stage. He really held my attention. Bravo!"   - Robert (Arlington, VA)

"The only thing that can be said about Mr. Fahringer is: wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, wonderful, and, then, when you run out of "wonderfuls," superb, superb, et cetera."   - Glenn (Virginia Beach, VA)

"As always, Mr. Fahringer is a gem in the crown of our profession -- knowledgeable, articulate, and engaging!"   - Cynthia (Pacifica, CA)

Favorite Comments on his CLE programs
"100 proof stuff here. It's an art not a science. Fahringer delivers with the strokes of Picasso."   - Neil (Northbrook, IL)

"Possibly the best CLE presentation I have ever seen, live or distance learning. He was just fantastic."   - Dana (Chattanooga, TN)

"Clear, concise and very effective. Speaker was well-organized, engaging and held my attention throughout the presentation."   - Scott (New York, NY)

This is a new weekly post where we will be reviewing some of our favorite User Feedback from attorneys who have completed Lawline.com CLE courses.  We decided to start this blog post because we thought it would be fun to share our favorites.

Faculty Member: Phil Kleiner

Lawline.com CLE Courses:
Family Based Immigration
Overview of Non-Immigrant Laws and Temporary Visas
Permanent Residency and Employment Based Immigration

Phil Kleiner has taught 3 courses on Lawline.com and it is fair to say in the past year he has picked up his fair share of fans. 

Favorite Comments about Phil Kleiner
"The three Lawline immigration seminars by this speaker are fabulous; please provide more seminars by him on additional immigration topics."   - Martha (Nashville, TN)

"I think Phil Kliner is one of the best CLE presenters I have seen."   - Nadia (Washington, DC)


Favorite Comments on the CLE program
"I thought this was an excellent presentation. The written materials are fantastic. The materials include pertinent forms, as well as pertinent federal law sections. It was a very informative lecture."   - Scott (Las Vegas, NV)

"The troubleshooting approach with an emphasis on practical skills was particularly effective. I also liked the consistent comparisons made between the different types of visas; it was helpful."   - Whitney (Houston, TX)

At Lawline.com, we are always looking for new ways to make the CLE process easier for attorneys across the country.  This holiday season, we were offering CLE Credits at discounted rates at www.lawline.com/cle/purchase-cle-credits.php. 

These credits work in a very interesting way.  Instead of purchasing a pre-packaged bundle of courses, this allows attorneys to add credit to their account which they can use at any time.  Since the credits don’t expire, you can use them on any course on the site, whenever you have time to take one.

This offer has become so popular that we are extending it an extra two days.  A deal that was supposed to end at midnight tonight, will now run until Friday afternoon.  So take advantage of this offer now, and use the credits whenever you need them.

In addition, we will continue to offer these credit packages through Friday and beyond.  Though the holiday rates will no longer be available, you can still take advantage of this convenient way to complete your CLE requirements.

Let us know what you think, and be sure to check out the offer here, www.lawline.com/cle/purchase-cle-credits.php.  Happy New Years from all of us here at Lawline.com.  We look forward to a 2009 filled with great new opportunities and programs for attorneys everywhere.

Look out Twitter, Lawline.com is now joining the ranks of the Micro-bloggers.  Launched just 2 years ago this month, Twitter is a social networking service that has over 3 million registered users.  And now you can add one more to that number, Lawline.com.

We can be found at https://twitter.com/Lawline.  We encourage everyone to sign up and follow us.  This will give you first access to new updates on the website, premium discounts and deals, and insight into the inner workings of a cutting edge online education company.

Signing up for Twitter is easy, just go to Twitter.com and fill out one simple form.  You can use that to promote your website or stay intouch with friends.  And most importantly, you can use it to stay in touch with us.  To follow us, you must sign up, then go to https://twitter.com/Lawline and click "Follow".  See you there.

You can’t say enough about the usefulness of a good CLE lecture.  A course that provides interesting and up to date information will not only help you prepare for the future, but give you the basic information that you need to grow your practice right now.  It allows you to help new clients, and also service current clients in new ways.

This article from the Star Tribune in Minneapolis, MN talks about a Continuing Legal Education program that is based on a very targeted on a specific, relevant theme.  The program will cover the basics of defending people arrested in demonstration and protest situations.  Why is this so important in Minnesota right now?  With the GOP National Convention happening in St. Paul this year, there are sure to be hundreds of those types of arrests to defend.

The last two conventions, in Philadelphia and New York, led to a combined 2400 arrested protestors.  The police can only do so much to prevent having to make such arrests, so it is a good idea for lawyers in the area to familiarize themselves with the laws regarding such situations.  CLE can help you in the long term, that much we knew.  But this type of CLE course can help a very niche market of lawyers in the very short term.  Sounds like it is worth every penny.

PRNewswire / New York, NY - June 10 -- Lawline.com, a leading online provider of continuing legal education and law-related programming, is proud to announce a partnership with the New York County Lawyers Association. Beginning June 1, 2008, Lawline.com started to broadcast NYCLA's lectures on its website. "We are looking forward to working with NYCLA, one of the city's oldest and most influential bar associations in the city," said David Schnurman, President of Lawline.com. "We are pleased to be able to offer NYCLA's extensive catalog of courses to our database of legal professionals.

In recognition of New York County Lawyers Associations' 100th year anniversary, Lawline.com will be offering a special introductory Centennial Anniversary Package to its subscribers. You can view the package, which includes all 24 Mandatory CLE Credits at http://www.lawline.com/cle/view-bundles.php?state=ny&category=24. "We are thrilled to be partnering with Lawline.com to bring quality CLE programming to the web," said Ann B. Lesk, President of NYCLA. "By merging NYCLA CLE Institute's superior content with Lawline.com's user-friendly technology, we are confident that we are forming an unbeatable combination."

Lawline.com's mission in partnering with NYCLA is to provide an online environment to facilitate the learning process through its high quality CLE programs that are intuitive and easy to use. Lawline.com reaches a national audience with courses approved in 36 states and currently offers hundreds of hours of CLE programming in all practice areas.

About Lawline

Lawline.com, based in New York, is the leading provider of online legal audio and video programming on the internet. Lawline.com's leadership in providing expert legal information and CLE programming has been recognized by American Lawyer Media, the New York Law Journal and the Social Law Library. In addition to providing legal education on the internet, Lawline is one of the first legal talk shows in the New York metropolitan area, with an inventory of over 500 programs over the last 25 years.

About New York County Lawyers Association

The New York County Lawyers' Association turns 100 years old this year. Throughout its history, NYCLA's bedrock principles have been the inclusion of all who wish to join and the active pursuit of legal system reform. Throughout its 100 years, NYCLA has been at the forefront of most legal debates in the country. The Association's founders were and their successors are dedicated to the highest standards for the legal profession and the preservation of justice for all.

CHICAGO, June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- For the first year ever, Illinois lawyers are required to complete mandatory Continuing Legal Education credits. The deadline, as imposed by the MCLE Board of Illinois, is June 30th. With the deadline so close and many attorneys still short on credits, Lawline.com is offering last minute savings on their Illinois One-Click Bundles.

Lawline.com hopes to show attorneys the many advantages of taking CLE courses online. First, it gives you more freedom to choose the course topics that are right for you. It offers the convenience of taking courses anywhere, anytime, without the hassle of traveling or rearranging your schedule. And with new technology, it is easier and more affordable than ever before.

Illinois CLE Bundles on Lawline.com fulfill all 20 MCLE credits, including 4 hours of Ethics/Professionalism. This offers a quick and easy way for attorneys to finish up their CLE requirements in the weeks leading up to the deadline. The cost of this bundle is only $299. You can view the Illinois Bundles at http://www.lawline.com/cle/view-bundles.php?category=25.

In addition to the Illinois Bundles, attorneys can choose to purchase a custom bundle of courses that are more interesting and relevant to their area of practice. This option can be attractive as they continue to grow their course offerings in the state of Illinois by partnering with local law firms and bar associations to deliver their programs online.

Lawline.com has been providing cutting-edge Continuing Legal Education courses online since 1999, the year the first mandatory requirements were introduced in New York. Since then, they have expanded to more than 30 states nationwide. Their courses give attorneys an easy to use, interesting, and up to date refresher of valuable legal topics.

Welcome back to Friday and the return of the Friday Five.  After a week off, we decided that it was time to get back to the old ball game.  Being located in New York City has its advantages, just not when the Pope is in town.  Try getting from point A to point B when all points are closed.  Difficult is an understatement.  Anyways, today the Pope spoke before the UN and addressed some pressing international issues.  I feel he may leave the U.S. without addressing some of our most pressing issues.  What issues am I speaking of, find out below.

TOP 5 ISSUES NOT ADDRESSED BY THE POPE DURING HIS U.S. VISIT

1. Steroids in baseball.
2. Whether or not Barack Obama is an elitist.
3. Polygamist compounds.
4. The credit crunch.
5. Mandatory CLE.

Now, I know most of you are used to seeing a longer description for each of the items on the list, but if the Pope is too busy to mention them, then so am I.  Happy Friday!

New York, NY - April 17 -- Lawline.com, a leading provider of Online Continuing Legal Education nationwide, has launched its brand new Refer-A-Friend Program.  The program allows members of the site to refer other lawyers to Lawline.com, for which they will be compensated with Free Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits.  In addition, those attorneys that are referred will be offered a one-time discount of 15% off of their initial purchase.

The program, which is designed to allow customers to spread the word about Lawline.com’s stress-free CLE experience, also helps attorneys save their colleagues and friends money.  There is no limit to how much you can save as each attorney can refer as many people as they want.  And because Lawline.com offers CLE courses accredited in 32 states across the country, there is no limit to who can sign up.  The free CLE credits are added to the attorneys account after successful completion of the initial purchase by those that they refer.

To learn more about the program or to begin Referring Your Friends, please visit http://www.lawline.com/cle/refer-a-friend.php.  Current members of Lawline.com will find an option to refer other attorneys upon signing in to their Lawline.com account.  This is an easy way to earn free credits for your next reporting cycle or finish up this year’s requirements before the deadline.

Lawline.com remains committed to providing innovative ways to help attorneys improve their professional skills in an efficient, inexpensive manner.  The Refer-A-Friend Program saves attorneys money and allows them to view a wide variety of high quality CLE programming offered by Lawline.com’s expert faculty.

April 16, 2008 – New York, NY - Lawline.com, a national provider of Online Continuing Legal Education, is announcing the launch of brand new CLE programs sponsored by Pincus Professional Education.  The courses will be hosted exclusively on Lawline.com starting April 15, 2008.  Pincus joins Lawline.com as a partner, providing course content to a growing list of CLE programs featured on Lawline.com.

Pincus Professional Education is an online educational company located in Paradise, California.  They provide attorneys with live in-person programs and teleconferences designed to improve professional skills for the practicing attorney.  The company was founded by Faith Pincus, Esq. on the concept of making attorneys better practitioners by hearing tips straight from the experts.

The new courses include such titles as “Immigration Practice in the 9th Circuit”, “Public Speaking for Attorneys”, and “Persuasive Appellate Brief Writing”.  All new courses can be found by visiting www.lawline.com/cle/index.php.  In addition, attorneys can purchase our brand new Pincus CLE Bundle, which consists of 15 Credits (including 1.5 Ethics) for a limited time special price of $550.

Lawline.com continues to offer the highest quality Continuing Legal Education online.  Their goal is to make CLE as easy and as interesting as possible.  With courses accredited in 32 states nationwide, and a growing variety of CLE course subjects, attorneys can fulfill their CLE requirements on Lawline.com easier than ever before.

For Daniel Gershburg, an attorney focusing on Bankruptcy, the credit crisis has a lot of his clients reeling.  He gets an inside look at the people that are really being affected by the struggling economy.  We recently asked Mr. Gershburg to explain some of the things that he thought were to blame for the current state of the economy in this country. 

Everyone wants to put the blame somewhere, but where?  In the end, it has to go on the individuals that got stuck in these bad credit habits.  People continue to borrow more than they can afford to buy things that they cannot pay off.  It is a nasty cycle, and one that has crushed many families and businesses in the past year.  People need to learn what it takes to maintain strong credit, and start to be smarter when it comes to matters of financial planning before things can start to turn around on the smallest level.

You can find more information on financial strategy and personal credit in Dan Gershburg’s new CLE program.  The course, entitled “Financial Advocacy”, will be hosted exclusively on Lawline.com and is coming soon.   Below, please enjoy a short clip from Mr. Gershburg’s interview.

Being that this is an election year, of course immigration is going to be a hot topic of discussion.  The different candidates all have something to say on the subject of immigration, and it is hard to tell what is going to happen when the next President takes office.  According to some reports, there are as many as 20 million immigrants living in the US illegally right now.  That will have to be addressed in some way, whether it is allowing those who are already here to stay and closing down our borders, or enforcing  stricter deportation policies.

Recently, we asked Phil Kleiner, our resident expert on immigration laws, to talk about the issue.  He discussed the many possible scenarios that might play out in the next year or so with regards to this problem.  Below, you can find a short video clip from the discussion.  Phil Kleiner is a Lawline.com faculty member, specializing in immigration.  His most recent CLE program, Permanent Residency and Employment Based Immigration, can be found in our course catalog.

In New York, as in many other states, newly admitted attorneys who need to satisfy their CLE credits must do so in person.  So Online CLE providers like Lawline.com are not able to provide this “Transitional” Continuing Legal Education.  Luckily, there are some great programs out there designed specifically for these new attorneys.  One such program is the Bridge the Gap Weekend, presented by New York Law School and the Marino Institute of CLE.

This April 5th and 6th, newly admitted attorneys can fulfill all of their initial CLE credit requirements in one weekend.  The program, which takes place at New York Law School, offers a very cost effective and simple way to complete all of these transitional credits.  The courses that will be included in the weekend will focus primarily on basic skills, knowledge, and techniques needed to be a successful practitioner.

The Bridge-the-Gap Weekend Program for April will meet from 9:00 am - 6:00 pm at New York Law School, 47 Worth Street, Building A300, New York City.  Tickets to the event are limited and are sure to sell fast, so register today.  You can do so by visiting www.micle.net.

Though many industries have found ways to use the internet to make their jobs easier and more efficient, some industries are slower to change.  The law, for example, is a profession where you will find a lot of people stuck in their ways, unwilling to respond to new technologies available.  However, with the vast amount of information systems out there, it is time that lawyers learn how to make the best use of the internet to help themselves out.

A company called Internet for Lawyers, based in California, has been trying to reach out to attorneys and show them how to accomplish a lot of what they have to do online.  After realizing that there was a great opportunity for research to be done on the internet, they saw a need from someone to teach these lawyers how to get the information the needed to have.  And so the continuing education company was founded with that goal in mind, to teach lawyers how to make best use of the internet.

Nowadays, with so much of our lives being moved online, it is about time that every industry learn to make best use of the internet and other technologies offered to them.  There are entire areas of the law focused on internet based activity and conduct, and with every new technology offered, those laws continue to adapt and expand.  Lawyers need to become familiar with everyday use of the internet both at work and at home.  Research is only a start.  Who knows what will come next…virtual trials?

The Roger Clemens steroid issue is one that is on the minds of people all over the country.  The only thing that is getting more coverage in the media these days are the primaries, so both baseball fans and non-fans alike are constantly bombarded with the latest information regarding his investigation.  One side that you rarely see is that of Clemens lawyers.  What are they going through?  What are their responsibilities to Roger Clemens?  What are their responsibilities to the law?

Recently, we filmed a new CLE course based on the Clemens investigation entitled, “Ethical Issues with Roger Clemens and other High Profile Clients.”  The course covers what the lawyers can and should do when presented with a client who wants to fight a very public, career damaging charge.  Speakers Joel Cohen, Gerald Shargel, Carol Zeigler, and Ivan Fisher cover the entire spectrum of the Roger Clemens matter in order to further explain the professional responsibilities of the criminal defense attorneys.

Below, please find a short clip from the presentation.  Watch for the course, “Ethical Issues with Roger Clemens and other High Profile Clients”, which is coming soon to the Lawline.com course catalog.

Trials can be a long and emotional process.  Just ask any trial attorney who has been through it.  The emotional rollercoaster can be an unsettling, and unnerving experience for most.  And as Justin Blitz, an associate with the firm Shandel, Blitz, Blitz & Ashley, describes, the thrills and disappointments involved are much like those of your first childhood basketball game.

“Winning is the greatest high, and losing is the lowest low,” he says when asked about the emotions he feels during any trial he has ever been involved with.  It can take a lot out of you and you had better be ready for the strain it puts on your mind and body from the very beginning.  Justin is an experienced trial attorney in New York City, having tried over 30 cases in 6 years.

Recently, Justin Blitz was gracious enough to film a new CLE course with Lawline.com entitled, How to Try Your First Case.  In the course he speaks about some key tips and procedures for any attorney who is going to trial for the first time, including how to prepare and what to expect.  In the short clip below, Justin introduces us to the emotions involved in the day to day trial experience.  Press play to watch, and look for Justin’s program on Lawline.com coming soon.

Happy Leap Day everyone!  It’s the one day every four years that begs the question, “Why isn’t it March yet?”  Don’t worry all of you March fans out there, your day will come tomorrow.  But for now, why not sit back and enjoy the extra 24 hours that you just got added to your year.

TOP FIVE REASON LAWYERS SHOULD LEAP

1. It’s Friday.  Since you are reading the Friday Five, you already know that it is Friday, but you can still celebrate.  Another grueling week behind you, it’s time to enjoy a few days off.

2. $$ Billable Hour $$.  Sure, the price of a gallon of gas will soon be $4, but the hourly rate for attorneys is rising at an ever faster rate.  With $1000/hr guys walking the streets, you can rest assured that you are well worth the money.

3. Your Job.  With the state of the economy where it is, you are lucky to be comfortably employed.  Either your firm sees your value or you are a solo practitioner still able to find and keep clients.  However, if in fact you have been laid off, skip to #4.

4. Your Free Time.  For those of you that have lost your job, you can take solace in the fact that more firms are laying people off now than ever before.  Now you have some free time to evaluate where you are at.  Maybe there is something you would rather be doing?  Maybe you want to start your own practice?

5. Cheap, Easy Online CLE. I’d be lying if this fifth one wasn’t a little selfish, but why not leap for CLE?  A bad economy means your time is very valuable.  So now, you don’t have to worry about fitting in big, expensive CLE conferences and seminars.  It’s all right at your computer anytime you need.

Whatever your reason, take this added day to enjoy yourself.  After all, it’s not every year you get this kind of time, only every four.

As of February 28, 2008, all Pennsylvania attorneys can take Online Continuing Legal Education with Lawline.com.  As an accredited provider, all of Lawline.com’s courses are approved for CLE credit in the state.  According to the Pennsylvania CLE requirements, attorneys may only complete 4 of their 12 mandatory credits online each year, including one hour of ethics.

According to Pennsylvania mandatory CLE rules, lawyers must complete 12 hours of approved CLE programs every year.  One of those hours must be in the subject of legal ethics.  The reporting deadlines for the state vary depending on the first letter of the attorney’s last name, either April 30th, August 31st, or December 31st.

Lawline.com features three different one-click bundles for the state of Pennsylvania.  Each of them contains 4 credits, including 1 hour of ethics.  The price of these bundles is $125, which is 25% off the full price of those courses.  Please follow the following link to view the Pennsylvania CLE Bundles.

If a one-click bundle is not what you are looking for, Pennsylvania lawyers have the option of choosing any courses in our growing course catalog.  Lawline.com’s management team remains committed to providing the highest quality Online Continuing Legal Education experience in the country.  Pennsylvania marks the 36th state in which Lawline.com is recognized as an Online CLE provider.

The area of Employment Law is as important an area of the law as any, and it is one that continues to grow and gain importance every day.   One of the more prominent law firms around focusing solely on Employment Law is Schwartz & Perry LLP.  Recently, we were lucky enough to be joined by three attorneys from Schwartz & Perry LLP, Murray Schwartz, Brian Heller, and Matthew Schatz.

Murray Schwartz, who has received a lot of positive feedback for his CLE programs on Lawline.com in the past, is back again with an interesting new style.  This program was filmed as a roundtable discussion covering everything from how to handle a client to trying a case.  It is a must see for anyone practicing in employment law, and a very interesting course for any attorney.

Below, please find a brief clip, in which Murray Schwartz explains a little of the planning that went into this program.  He introduces his colleagues and discusses the main purpose behind presenting this material.  And keep a look out for their course, which will be hosted exclusively on Lawline.com in the near future.

Here at Lawline.com, we feel that Lawyers who give CLE presentations should get the kind of recognition that they deserve.  So, in honor of awards season, we are presenting the first ever Lawline.com CLE awards.  All CLE courses filmed in 2007 were eligible and the winners were decided based on user feedback.  Click on the link following each winner to view that course page. Here they are:

Best Costume Design (Self-Explanatory): Legal Issues Relating to the Purchase and Sale of Art, Malcolm Taub (View)

Best Supporting Actress (Female CLE Speaker in as part of a Pair): Amy Greenfield, Strategies for Litigation Communications (View)

Best Supporting Actor (Male CLE Speaker in as part of a Pair): Michael Ross, Ethics: Should Lawyers be Constrained by the Truth? (View)

Best Actor (Male CLE Speaker): Herald Price Fahringer, Strategies for Delivering Opening Statements (View)

Best Actress (Female CLE Speaker): Olivera Medenica, Basics of Operating an Online Business (View)

Best Screenplay (Written Materials): Michael Grossman, The Laws Governing Religion and Religious Corporations (View)

Best Picture (Overall Program Quality): Ethics: Should Lawyers be Constrained by the Truth, Joel Cohen with Michael Ross and James Bernard (View)

Congratulations to all of this year’s winners and participants, we look forward to seeing the great courses still to come.

It’s not every day that Continuing Legal Education, CLE, makes the news.  So when it does, it makes sense to write about it.  By now, many of you probably heard the story about a prominent Minnesota prosecutor who was found in violation of the state’s CLE requirements over a 20 year span.  The penalty: $900 and a two year probation.

Now, I can understand an attorney might not like taking CLE courses, or might not see the value in some of the CLE programs that are out there.  However, this is a blatant disregard for the rules and should have been met with a heftier punishment.  The $900 fine amounts to only $45 for each year of non-compliance, a value far lower than the average attorney spends on CLE each year.

I think the real issue here is not necessarily the CLE, although that is what drives the problem, but the fact that the attorney was practicing when he should not have been.  Perhaps his ability and skill as a lawyer was not affected by a lack of CLE compliance, but the point is that an attorney has an ethical responsibility to his clients to comply with all rules and regulations.  And if that is too difficult, or too much of a hassle, something is wrong.

When most people think about the legal profession, the words humor, comedy, or laughter don’t come into play.  But that is because they have never met or heard of Sean Carter.  He calls himself the Legal Humorist, or Humorist at Law, and rightly so.  Sean, who has spent most of his career practicing law, has now made a name for himself in the newly created world of legal comedy.

Sean Carter travels the country, speaking to large corporations, law firms, and bar associations.  His speeches are far different than the traditional legal education programs that lawyers have become accustomed to, because his are comedic.  He has dubbed the title Comedic Legal Education, and his “students” love him for it.

What started out as a firm understanding of the law and a natural flare for humor has turned into an interesting and successful “practice”.  His programs offer lawyers a real chance to appreciate what they are doing and not to take everything so seriously all the time.  He offers insight into the humor in the legal profession and makes people see the balance between work and life.  In addition to these speeches, he has authored a book on the subject entitled, If It Does Not Fit, Must You Acquit? Your Humorous Guide to the Law.

But just because Mr. Carter’s speeches make you laugh, do not assume that they have no real educational value.  In fact, many legal authorities believe the opposite.  It is the opinion of many people that have heard him speak that the comedy adds to the learning process and actually gets the real message across more efficiently.  For this reason the Legal Humorist continues to tour the country as his programs become more and more popular.  He continues to offer insight into the lighter side of the law that we rarely see enough of.

Mainly because of the technology available in the world today, mandatory CLE requirements are now being considered and put in place in Canada.  Citing new online CLE technologies, members of the Canadian National Law Society said that it was now easier and more cost efficient for attorneys in Canada to complete CLE courses.  For that reason, it is more practical to impose requirements on those attorneys now than it ever was before.

In British Columbia, they just recently set new guidelines establishing a 12 credit requirement each year.  The British Columbia Law Society says that Online CLE and other distance learning options eliminate the need to travel or allot a substantial amount of time to Continuing Legal Education courses.  Now attorneys can take the necessary courses from their home or office computer.

Soon, we will start to see other provinces impose such standards as the practice of CLE becomes required nationwide.  In the US, we are very close to a nationwide CLE requirement, as it is now mandatory in 42 of 50 states.  The trend will only continue as legal governing bodies can see the benefits of mandatory CLE among attorneys everywhere.

January 15, 2008 - New York, NY -- Lawline.com is now offering packages of CLE credits for attorneys looking to earn their credits online.   Lawline.com, an innovative provider of Continuing Legal Education online, is changing the way their users can purchase courses.  Attorneys can now purchase a package of credit hours that never expire and apply the credit to any course they want.  

Unlike purchasing individual courses that may only be active in certain states for 1-2 years, these credits never expire.  This means that an attorney can buy a package of credits, use some right away and save some until their next reporting period.  In essence, attorneys will be getting a discount on courses they will need in the future.

Lawline.com first announced this new system in a holiday newsletter sent to the company's current users.  On January 1, 2008, the system was made available to everyone who signs up.  The hope is that users will get more enjoyment out of the CLE experience since they can take the courses they want, when they want.  The packages start as low as $275, and range from 12 to 45 credits. To take advantage of this new credit option visit http://www.lawline.com/cle/purchase-cle-credits.php 

Lawline.com has been providing online Continuing Legal Education since 1999, and now serves more than 35 states across the country. Lawline.com continues to look for new ways to assist attorneys nationwide complete their mandatory CLE requirements easily and efficiently.

As a Continuing Legal Education provider, Lawline.com maintains a constant communication with the many bar associations and CLE boards across the country.  It is important to note when there is a rule change, a reporting cycle update, or a deadline is approaching.  And in January, there are many deadlines for attorneys in a number of different states.  So to help remind attorneys that time is running out, below is a list of the five biggest deadlines to meet this January 31st.

TOP FIVE CLE DEADLINES THIS MONTH

1. Oregon.  Attorneys in the Beaver State have to complete 45 credit hours every three years.  This requirement includes 5 hours of Ethics, 3 hours of Elimination of Bias, and 1 hour of Child Abuse Reporting Obligations.  Oregon allows attorneys to take all 45 credits online, and Lawline.com offers discounted Oregon CLE Bundles for up to 41 credits.

2. California. Staying out on the west coast, California attorneys also have a deadline this month.  California requires 25 credits every two years, of which 4 hours have to be in the area of Legal Ethics, 1 hour in Substance Abuse, and 1 final hour in the area of Elimination of Bias.  Lawline.com offers a number of California CLE Bundles that include 23 credits for less than $400.

3. Georgia. As opposed to the previous two states, Georgia attorneys have a deadline every January.  They require 12 credit hours each year, including 7 general credits, 3 hours of trial skills, 1 hour of ethics, and 1 hour of professionalism.  Lawyers in Georgia are only permitted to take 6 of their credits online.  You can see a list of courses offered for Georgia on Lawline.com here.

4. South Carolina. Just like Georgia, South Carolina requires that attorneys complete CLE on a yearly basis.  They require 14 credits, including 2 hours of Ethics.  In addition, South Carolina also limits the amount of credits that can be earned online to 6.  Lawline.com offers a 6 credit South Carolina CLE Bundle for $175.

5. Wyoming. The final January 31 deadline here is Wyoming.  Attorneys in Wyoming have to complete 15 credits every year, including 1 hour of Ethics.  Lawline.com offers a 5 credit Wyoming CLE Bundle, the maximum amount of online credits permitted by the state, for $125.

In addition to these deadlines, attorneys in Florida, Texas, and New York have CLE deadlines every month depending on their birthdays and date of admission.  To all those with upcoming deadlines, we wish you good luck.  It can be hard to fit in the time to complete your Continuing Legal Education, which is why Lawline.com is trying to make the process as easy as possible.

The other day I had a brief communication with Scott Greenfield, a Criminal Defense Attorney in New York.  He had written a post on the state of Continuing Legal Education and we both agreed that it had gotten stale.  We spoke about Lawline.com’s goals of making newer, more interesting programs that attorneys would enjoy.  He took our conversation and wrote a blog post about Lawline.com on his blog, Simple Justice.  

If you are interested in reading the entire post, please click here.

Lawline.com is now offering online CLE programming to attorneys in the state of Illinois. As of January 1, 2008, Lawline.com was approved as an accredited provider of Continuing Legal Education by the Illinois MCLE Board. Illinois, which presently has more than 65,000 attorneys, introduced new CLE rules requiring lawyers to complete 20 hours of CLE every two years, including 4 hours of ethics/professionalism. Now these attorneys will be able to complete all of their MCLE requirements in an online Stress-Free environment.

In addition to saving attorneys time, Lawline.com wants to help attorneys save money by discounting its online CLE courses for new customers. For a limited time, Lawline.com is offering one-click bundles for Illinois lawyers that fulfill all mandatory 20 credits for only $399, which is less than $20 per credit. To take advantage of this offer, attorneys can either call 1-800-LAWLINE (529-5463) or visit Lawline.com (www.lawline.com).

Illinois CLE Bundle - $399

Lawline.com has been providing easy to use, online continuing legal education since 1999. They continue to grow; now serving more than 35 states across the country. “We are excited to bring our online CLE to the great state of Illinois,” says Lawline.com president David Schnurman, “we believe that continuing education should be convenient, as well as interesting and informative.” Through streaming audio & video courses, as well as MP3 downloads, Lawline.com continues to bring Stress-Free Continuing Legal Education to attorneys nationwide.

Should lawyers be constrained by the truth?  That is a question that carries with it a lot of moral and professional issues.  It is also a question that can be answered in many different ways depending on the given situation, or the person responding.  That is why it makes the perfect subject for a Continuing Legal Education seminar.

Lawline.com recently filmed a new CLE program featuring Joel Cohen, Michael Ross, and James Bernard.  The three attorneys discuss different ways that the “truth” affects the way the law is practiced.  They give a good overview of different situations in which the truth can help or hurt a case, and what the ethics codes say on the subject.  Drawing from real world experience as well as a firm grasp of professional responsibility rules, the conversation covers many ethical questions from every angle.

This program is filmed as a roundtable discussion between the three attorneys.  Every time a new question is posed, each attorney offers their opinion of the matter.  This makes for a very interesting video that fulfills one hour of the mandatory ethics CLE requirements.  Please enjoy a short excerpt from the lecture below, and keep an eye out for the full course on Lawline.com.

Hello all.  I know you have become very accustomed to reading a top five list every single friday.  Unfortunately, this week is so hectic that we could not produce one of any quality for you.  So instead of leaving you with nothing to read, I thought I would give you my own personal excuses to enjoy.

TOP FIVE REASONS THERE IS NO FRIDAY FIVE

1. It's Friday.  I know that might sound counter-intuitive, but today was just not the day to do any writing.

2. It's Rainy.  Even though I am in the shelter of my office, the rain has made everything in and around New York City so dull.  It does not put me in the mood to write.

3. It's a Holiday.  Looking forward to the long weekend has put me in a rest and relaxation mode.  That does not bode well for writing a Friday Five.

4. I am Too Focused on CLE.  And now there is a new holiday special, so it gets people even more excited about continuing legal education.  To check out the holiday special, click here.

5. I was too busy stealing this from UPS.

The estate tax code in the United States has a bit of a loophole.  The way the code is written right now, the tax lessens every year until 2009, and then disappears completely in 2010, only to go back to a higher level in 2011.

We recently spoke with James Cohen, partner at the firm Kleinberg, Kaplan, Wolff and Cohen, P.C.  He has spoken about this issue with many people, including Joe Lieberman, who he knows well.  When speaking with Mr. Lieberman, he joked about how the loophole in the Estate Tax Code could cause some problems.  The two spoke seriously about the fact that it could cause murders to go up that year.

For instance, if someone has an elderly parent with a large estate and they die, usually the estate is taxed up to 50%.  If this happens in 2010, that tax is zero.  And who knows what some people will do to get at all of that extra money.  Along those same lines, if a person is sick and near death in 2009, there is a huge incentive to keep the person alive until the next year.  The best thing that Washington can do is to take a long hard look at the tax code and revise it to better fit the year 2010.

Enjoy the video with James Cohen below and look for his upcoming CLE program on Lawline.com entitled Legal Aspects of Appraisals of Tangible Personal Property.

Alan Schnurman has been practicing the art of negotiations for 37 years as a Personal Injury Lawyer.  He has been involved in many different types of negotiation s and has perfected a few simple rules to achieve success.  He shares those rules as well as additional tips in his one hour CLE lecture on Lawline.com entitled, Negotiation Strategies from the Plaintiff’s Side.  In the video below, Alan previews the course and discusses the major things to consider for every negotiation.

The most important thing to remember is that when parties are negotiating, everyone wants to resolve the issue or case at hand.  You have to establish yourself as credible, and working towards a solution.  This does not mean that you have to be too agreeable that you give up your position, but you have to establish a rapport with the other party so negotiations can move forward and reach a middle ground.

It is your job as an attorney to reach a resolution that is cost efficient and effective for your client.  You learn the tips and techniques needed to be successful through years of practice and experience.  And though every negotiation varies in format and matter, there are certain things strategies that you can employ in every negotiation.  If you do not perfect these techniques than the outcome of a negotiation is more likely to wind up in favor of the opposing party.

Please enjoy the short video below with Alan J. Schnurman and check out his program on Negotiations in the Lawline.com Course Catalog.

Week in and week out, we are working hard to produce the most recent and highest quality CLE lectures for you.  In this special edition of the Lawline.com Friday Five, I wanted to share with you some of the most recent courses we put together.  These courses are available on the website and are featured as a part of our state bundle packages.  Enjoy.

FIVE NEWEST CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION COURSES ON LAWLINE.COM

1)    Intellectual Property from a Lender’s Perspective.  In this course, Bryan Sugar covers the entire scope of Intellectual Property as it relates to the lender.  He discusses the many different categories of intellectual property, as well as the many pitfalls associated with intellectual property collateral.  The course will give any lawyer an in depth understanding of the rules and regulations associated with IP.

2)    What’s Up with Prenups, Postnups & Cohabs.  This CLE lecture covers all aspects of the laws surrounding prenuptial agreements, as well as postnuptial agreements and cohabitation agreements.  Arlene Dubin, a prominent Matrimonial Law attorney as well as the author of “Prenups for Lovers”, discusses the different marital agreements thoroughly, while also providing examples of actual agreements made by celebrities and their significant others.

3)    Basics of Operating an Online Business.   Operating an business online has never been more popular than it is today.  In this lecture, Olivera Medenica, introduces some of the major rules and regulations surrounding e-commerce.  Drawing on her experience as an International Business and Intellectual Property attorney, Ms. Medenica discusses the opportunities and pitfalls found in introducing a business online.  Included in the lecture are real life examples and cases that demonstrate the laws and regulations that govern internet business.

4)    Fundamentals of Personal Injury Practice.  Ron Katter, Esq. gives a step by step explanation of how to run a personal injury law firm.  The online CLE video covers everything from obtaining clients to handling the investigation and bringing a case to trial.  Throughout the program he gives numerous examples of personal injury law updates and he cites specific examples of personal injury torts.  A terrific nuts and bolts lecture for the personal injury litigator.

5)    Strategies for Litigation Communications. This course provides an overview to litigation communications.  Litigation communications is about protecting and providing counsel to corporations and individuals facing litigation. Emerging media trends have made litigation communications that much more complex, as well as increased their importance.  This lecture covers the emergence of 24 hour news, online journalism, blogs and global media.  It goes over a simple 3 stage process to dealing with public relations communications and counsel that will help insure a more positive result.

Each of these five courses is offered in online streaming audio/video format as well as in downloadable MP3 format.  This makes for a very Stress-Free CLE experience.  Happy watching.

Don’t look now, but I think we just made it through another week.  Since last Friday so many incredible things have happened.  Al Gore won a Nobel Prize.  The Rockies made the World Series.  And you all probably did some work on a case.  I was also hard at work on another fantastic top 5 list for your viewing pleasure.  Please enjoy.
 
TOP 5 EXCUSES TO TELL YOUR STATE IF YOU MISS THE CLE DEADLINE
 
1) I AM TOO SUCCESSFUL.  With so many clients, and so many cases, there is no extra time to fit in those pesky CLE courses.  The schedule is too packed and there is not enough time in the day as it is.  What are you gonna do, sue me?

2) I ALREADY KNOW EVERYTHING IN THOSE COURSES.  The Allen Iverson “I am so good I don’t need to practice” approach.  There is nobody out there that knows more about the law than I do.  I learn more by listening to the thoughts in my own head than I ever would by taking courses taught by other people.

3) MY DOG ATE MY CERTIFICATES.  The classic elementary school excuse.  I could have sworn I left those darned things on my desk to fax in the morning.  Oh well, I guess Sparky got a little hungry last night.  Maybe I can get copies sent to you in a couple of weeks.  Is that okay?

4) THERE’S ALWAYS NEXT YEAR.  The Chicago Cubs approach.  I know the deadline was yesterday, but these things come around once a year.  So it seems that in about 364 more days, there will be another deadline for me to meet.  Well as long as I get that one I will be up to date right?

5) IT’S THE PROVIDER’S FAULT.  The blame game.  I did all my required courses with one provider.  Didn’t they send you the certificates?  I thought they were supposed to give me the credits for those courses themselves.  I apologize so much for putting my faith in them.  I will never use that company again.

Any way you decide to do it, do it well.  Sell it.  And sit there and take it like a man when you are forced to pay the penalty.

Please enjoy our latest press release:

Lawline.com, a leading provider of online Continuing Legal Education, has just released four new Virginia Continuing Legal Education bundles. Each of these bundles contains 12 credits, including two hours of ethics, and can be used to complete all the MCLE requirements for the year.

With the deadline to complete Virginia CLE requirements for attorneys practicing in the state of Virginia coming up on October 31^st, Lawline.com is making it easier than ever to obtain credits. The four new bundles include a wide selection of courses and practice areas. Two of the bundles are general bundles, to give the attorney a broad overview of the law. The third focuses on real estate law, and the fourth bundle focuses on business and corporate law. Each one of these bundles is priced at $275, a savings of more than 40% off the listed price.

Since 1999, Lawline.com has been on the cutting edge of online Continuing Legal Education. Through their streaming audio & video courses, as well as MP3 downloads, their goal has always been to bring high quality CLE programs to attorneys across the country. Lawline.com’s mission is not only to serve individual attorneys, but to make the CLE process easier, more efficient, & streamlined for law firms. Lawline.com recently launched Firm CLE to give law firms the ability to pre-purchase blocks of credit hours and easily share them with their partners & associates.

Lawyers and law firms today are growing and competing in a rapidly changing legal environment. The drive to gain clients, work on bigger cases, and continue to deliver faster and higher quality service is increasing. This makes the jobs of paralegals and legal assistant ever more important. With this in mind, it is no wonder why more and more law firms are requiring that their paralegals take some form of continuing legal education.

Continuing legal education for non-lawyers is becoming popular for a number of reasons. First, law firms realize the value of more knowledgeable assistants. They can take on more responsibility on certain cases dealing with laws that they are familiar with. And especially withan increase knowledge of ethics, there is greater trust with access to important and many times confidential documents.

Secondly, it encourages the paralegals to take on more of an active role within the firm. When these assistants realize that learning about different aspects of the law can help drive their careers, they become focused on increasing their own knowledge and expertise. It motivates them to work harder on cases when they understand completely the processes that are taking place.

All around, continuing legal education for paralegals seems to be a win-win situation. It is no wonder why many of the larger firms have already started to introduce CLE to their assistants. It is anticipated that this will become more commonplace in the future and may one day become a mandatory requirement.

Nobody likes deadlines. Deadlines mean you have to get something done. Deadlines mean you are in a hurry. Deadlines bring about stress.

Well, the Virginia continuing legal education (CLE) deadline is coming up on October 31st. And just like any deadline, people usually wait until the last minute to do anything. This causes a feeling of being overwhelmed; so much to do, so little time. If you are one of those lawyers who has yet to complete this year's requirements, here are 5 great ways to relieve the stress over the next two months.

1) TAKE SOME TIME OFF. I realize that we just got through the Labor Day weekend, but working hard day in and day out, takes its toll. And there is no way to do CLE while you are plugging away those hours in the office. So give yourself a break and take a long weekend to yourself. Spend some time with the kids. Then sit back, relax, and listen to a CLE course.

2) GET SOME EXERCISE. A good run or an hour at the gym is a great way to forget about everything else going on in your life. It gives you a chance to concentrate on one thing, and clear your mind of the stress that is holding you down. Once you sweat out the worries of holiday planning, client management, and putting your kids through school, you will be able to concentrate on the more important things. And you will feel good about yourself for doing it.

3) LISTEN TO MUSIC. And I don't mean something depressing or loud and obnoxious. Most of the time that kind of music does nothing but add stress. I suggest something relaxing, easy to listen to. For those of you looking for something like that, I recommend such bands as The Shins, Dave Matthews, Jack Johnson, etc. All you need is a guitar, a soft melody, and a soothing voice. Just let the music take over, and you will leave all thoughts of deadlines behind.

4) DO SOMETHING SPONTANEOUS. I don't care what it is, but if you change up your daily routine once in a while it will go a long way towards feeling better. If you feel run down by the pressures of work, life, and CLE requirements; just change the pace. Go for a long drive, take the family out for a night on the town, go out and have a drink after work. Whatever it is, take advantage of a few hours in your day and do something completely different and out of the ordinary. It makes the ordinary seem more bearable.

5) GET IT OVER WITH. The best way I know of to forget about the pressure of the CLE deadline is to get it done as quickly and easily as possible. Sure, the first four suggestions are great for clearing your mind, but eventually you have to get these credits over with. For quick and easy CLE, give your online options a try. Lawline.com offers a variety of courses that you can take right at your computer, from home or work, anytime. So if you are starting to feel the stress of the October 31st deadline, these courses will help.

So stop wasting your time complaining about CLE requirements and do something about it. After all, the Virginia CLE deadline is not going away.

Lawyers across the country are faced with the time consuming task of completing mandatory continuing education courses to continue to practice in their respective states. But in an age where new technology seems to be changing the way we do everything, lawyers are now presented with a number of ways to make this task easier than ever before.

Newer options for lawyers include online video and audio courses, downloadable video and mp3 files, web seminars and lectures, and cd's. Each of these available options can be obtained from a wide variety of companies. So rather than attending lengthy seminars and traveling long distances just to get credits, lawyers can now receive credit in a few simple steps from their home or office.

One of the most important things in the growth of online cle trends is the fact that lawyers everywhere need to learn of their options. Without the information, lawyers will never know how much easier their lives could be. Even the President of the New York State Bar Association recognizes this issue . Too many lawyers out there are still practicing the same old routines when it comes to CLE. Once these options are presented, the next step is learning how to use them to your advantage. Simple research can be done to find the easiest and most cost effective way of completing the mandatory number of credits.

There are a surprising number of companies that now offer these online cle options. Many of them have been in the cle industry for a long time, and are just recently adding the online option. But some newer companies are taking advantage of the new market created by these opportunities. Sorting through these companies may take time, but in the long run will save you the frustration of overpaying for useless information. For example, a google search for the term “online cle” returns over 2 million sites.

This just goes to show how popular new CLE technology is becoming. It is a trend that is sure to continue into the distant future, and one that is becoming ever more practical today

Let's face it, CLE can be a pain most of the time. But, since it’s mandatory, there is no sense in complaining. Why not figure out a way to cut the time it takes to complete the requirements as much as possible. There is one proven solution that I know of, and that is to become a lecturer. For example, in New York, if you present a lecture on a topic of your choice that is approved for CLE credit, you get three times the credit that the course is worth.

This is not a lie. Many states use a system just like this to help regulate the continuing education. They encourage people to give lectures and presentations on topics that you know well. For example, if you are a Personal Injury lawyer with a lot of knowledge in the field, why not give a one hour lecture and receive three credits, just for teaching us what you already know.

Lecturing can do many things. As we already discussed, it helps you complete your CLE requirements. Also, this is a way to advertise your personal practice or the law firm you represent. It gets your name out there in a positive way and keeps you in the public eye. So, in essence, it is a win-win opportunity for lawyers everywhere. For more information on becoming a lecturer with Lawline.com, check out the advertising page of the website.