West Virginia CLE Course Catalog

Everyone knows that the First Amendment safeguards freedom of speech from government intervention, but does that protection extend to speech that is hateful, offensive or incites violence? Peter Afrasiabi reviews the history of free speech protections in the United States — from famous cases involving flag burning, Nazi marches and anti-war protests — and carries it through to present day controversies including cyberstalkers who send messages threating violence and former President Donald Trump who made statements targeting protesters at a campaign rally.

From polygamy and abolitionism in the 1800’s, to socialist and anti-war movements in the 1900’s to same-sex marriage in the 2000’s, the First Amendment is the vehicle through which social issues of the day become test cases. While content and viewpoint limits generally fail to pass constitutional muster, other types of speech such as obscenity, fighting words and defamation receive less protection and may be restricted by the government under certain conditions. In the latest installment of “The Curious Lawyer” series, Peter Afrasiabi takes a deep dive into each of the ten amendments in the Bill of Rights, reminding us what each amendment protects and illustrating its impact on the other constitutional protections we enjoy. Whether you are a budding constitutional scholar or simply looking for interesting facts to share at a cocktail party, the Bill of Rights series is for you.

We all know that CLE programs are boring and a chore to watch. But we’re breaking the rules – a CLE program that’s intentionally funny and (gasp) entertaining, yet somehow still informative. In this unique installment of this popular series, Mark Wooster is joined by Magician, Anthropologist, Cybersecurity Expert and Keynote Speaker Paul Draper. Paul teaches you what you need to know about cybersecurity, privacy and data protection, all the while keeping you entertained with some awesome magic tricks. From the basic steps you and your firm need to take right now to prevent being hacked by someone who dabbles in hacking to more advanced measures you need to consider if you might become a target of a more sophisticated ransomware attack, Paul gives you the benefit of his decades of practical experience working and consulting in cybersecurity for Fortune 100 companies. Reserve your seat today and we’ll waive the two-drink minimum!

What happens when a client sorta, kinda lies? Is it really even a lie? And what’s a lawyer to do about it? Well, it depends. ...is it in a tribunal or a negotiation? ...is it a statement of fact or law? In this program we’re going to try to help you keep your head afloat by explaining it all.

Is it okay to be zealous, or does that push the boundaries too much? The word has been used to used to cover up all manner of sins in the practice. Join "the CLE Performer" Stuart Teicher Esq., as he explains how professionalism concepts asks us to question whether “zealousness” is proper and explains how the practice is moving away from that approach.

Join Stuart Teicher, Esq, as he shows how this masterful piece of music can help lawyers learn about mental health issues in the practice, such as: -Anxiety in the practice of law. -Lawyers, burnout, and being past the breaking point. -The need for lawyers to address anger management. -The unique issue in the practice of law: compassion fatigue.

With a demanding work schedule and stressful environment, many lawyers are no strangers to mental health challenges and often don't get the help they need. Join our mental health workshop to hear key actionable insights that will help you identify, understand and respond to mental health challenges of your own and others within the legal industry. Our speakers will share experiences and insights to ensure those in the legal industry are well-equipped with the right mental health resources and effective communication skills to discuss mental health and wellness.

Most lawyers went to law school to practice law. Increasingly, however, lawyers need to wear multiple hats working across both the practice and business of law. Learn how technology has started to help legal teams break down the silos of information throughout the client matter lifecycle, from the business of law to the practice of law, and what skills lawyers of tomorrow will need to find success.

In this competitive environment, there’s a renewed sense of urgency around client retention, as well as being adept at delivering a range of services that can address shifting client needs and expectations. This panel will explore how teams can embrace innovation, deliver higher customer satisfaction, and create more efficient tech-powered workflows that increase value and help them come out on top.