CLEs You Actually Want to Hear | Podcast on RSS.com

CLEs You Actually Want to Hear

CLEs You Actually Want to Hear

by Beverly Hills Bar Association

Season 2

What AI Hallucinations Can Teach Lawyers About Judgment, Verification, and Professional Responsibility

AI hallucinations are no longer a novelty. Nearly 1,000 documented court decisions in the United States now involve AI-generated errors in legal filings, from fabricated citations to inaccurate procedural statements, and the number continues to grow. These incidents highlight not only the limitations of AI technology but also lawyers' longstanding responsibilities to verify information before relying on it. In this program, Professor John Lande, University of Missouri School of Law, will examine what AI hallucinations reveal about lawyers' duties of competence, diligence, and candor under the ABA Model Rules. The program will explore practical verification strategies and how thoughtful use of AI can reinforce habits of careful analysis and independent professional judgment under California's AI-related ethics proposals. Attendees will leave with a practical framework for integrating AI into their practices while maintaining responsibility for the accuracy of their work. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Discovery: Identifying & Eliminating Bottlenecks

Discovery bottlenecks quietly drive up cost, blow deadlines, and put cases at risk long before anyone names the problem. Hon. Susan L. Greenberg (Ret.) of Signature Resolution gives litigators a practical method for catching them early, tracing each one to its root cause, and clearing it before it stalls the matter. Drawing on the informal discovery conference program she built for her court, she covers how to read the warning signs, tell a one-time delay from a structural problem, and keep the same bottleneck from resurfacing. Attendees leave with a repeatable approach they can apply to any case. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Legal Ethics in the Age of Social-Media Discovery

Kristopher Peerali and Serena Peerali of Peerali Law present a timely exploration of ethical best practices in handling social media as a critical source of discovery. Learn the importance of proactive strategies—treating social media posts the same as other potential evidence like medical records or depositions—and guiding clients early on regarding what to expect and how to proceed. Attendees will gain practical tools for preserving relevant digital content, advising clients on the implications of their posts, and maintaining ethical compliance while safeguarding narratives in an era where a single photo or caption can make or break a case. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

AI in Practice ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini — 2026 Summer Update

OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google are all rolling out their next generation of models this summer. GPT-5.6, the Claude 5 family, and the first Gemini 3.5 models arrive within weeks of one another, and each release changes what these tools can do in a law practice. Stephen Smith, founder and CEO of Intelligence by Intent, breaks down what is new in each platform and what the changes mean for your practice. Smith has trained more than 3,000 attorneys across more than 100 law firms and bar associations, with a focus on practical adoption and governance. The session covers how each model handles core legal tasks like drafting, document review, and legal research, and how to use the newest visual creation features to build timelines and infographics for your clients and your cases. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

The Effects of Vicarious Trauma on Trial Lawyers

Cristina Garcia, trial attorney at Dolan Law Firm, P.C., will explore how attorneys representing clients with catastrophic injuries are regularly exposed to intense trauma. Over time, they may absorb their clients' experiences, placing them at risk for secondary traumatic stress. Garcia will cover how to identify the signs of vicarious trauma and emphasize the importance of self-care in sustaining effective, compassionate advocacy. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Wellness Starts From the Inside Out: Building a Sustainable Family Law Practice

Family law attorneys are entrusted with guiding clients through some of life's most emotional and complex transitions. While empathy is essential to effective advocacy, consistently managing conflict, trauma and heightened emotions can take a significant personal and professional toll. Moderated by Hon. Vanessa Zecher (Ret.), with panelists Mary Lund, Ph.D., Rebekah Frye, CFLS, and Elena Gonzalez, LCSW, this discussion brings together leaders in family law and mental health to explore practical strategies for building a sustainable and rewarding legal practice. Inspired by Judge Zecher's article, Facing the Daily Stress of Family Law: Why Self-Care Is Vital for Attorneys, the discussion will examine how attorneys can establish healthy professional boundaries, recognize and address compassion fatigue, navigate high-conflict relationships, and develop practical tools for managing stress. Drawing on perspectives from the bench, private practice, psychology and clinical social work, panelists will share actionable insights that attorneys can incorporate into their practice.

Civility in ADR: Strengthening Advocacy Through Professionalism

Civility is often viewed as a matter of professional courtesy, but it can also be a powerful tool for effective advocacy and dispute resolution. This program will explore the role of civility and professionalism throughout the ADR process, including mediation and arbitration, and examine how attorney conduct can influence negotiations, client outcomes, costs, and credibility. Panelists Hon. Nancy Wieben Stock (Ret.), Hon. Stuart Rice (Ret.), and Edith Matthai, Esq., all of JAMS, will discuss practical strategies for maintaining zealous advocacy while fostering productive dialogue, preserving professional relationships, and advancing the interests of clients. Through real-world examples and insights from these experienced neutrals, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how civility can contribute to more efficient and successful resolutions. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

The Elemental Lawyer: Freedom Quest Emotional Mastery

In this session, attorneys will discover how the language they use — internally and out loud — directly fuels or sabotages their performance, and how to leverage emotion as a tool rather than be governed by it. The legal profession is associated with some of the highest rates of anxiety, depression, and burnout of any profession. Emotional intelligence and self-regulation are increasingly recognized as core competencies — directly tied to client trust, negotiation outcomes, ethical decision-making, and personal wellbeing. Specific words and emotional states measurably shift physiology and judgment. Learning to recognize and shift them on demand is one of the highest-leverage skills an attorney can develop.

Arbitration Essentials for In-House Entertainment Counsel

This program will explore the critical importance of close collaboration between in-house and outside counsel to ensure alignment on strategy, cost management, and risk mitigation throughout the arbitration process. Participants will gain practical strategies for controlling costs, managing timelines, selecting arbitrators strategically, and ensuring that the arbitration process supports broader business objectives. Topics will include: Deciding which arbitration rules to apply for your dispute type. Types of arbitration clauses and which ones typically lead to cost overruns. Hiring the right outside counsel. Working with outside counsel to select the right arbitrator. How involved should in-house counsel be in the arbitration process? Working with outside counsel to control costs throughout the arbitration process.

Patent Litigation Defense in the Trenches: Venue, Local Rules, and the Defense Playbook

Where a patent case is filed can be almost as consequential as the merits. Local patent rules, individual judges’ standing orders, unwritten “rules,” and judicial temperament vary dramatically across districts. For defendants, those differences can mean everything. Karen Boyd, Thompson Hine LLP, brings a defense-side perspective to the tactical decisions that shape a case from day one: where to fight, how to use early motion practice, and how local rules can be leveraged to narrow the battlefield. Participants will leave with a practical framework for evaluating venue, reading judicial preferences, and making the early procedural moves that strengthen a defense. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

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