New Jersey Ethics & Diversity CLE Bundle

Civility is often viewed as something "nice but not necessary" in the practice of law; in fact, many attorneys will argue that it is counter to zealous representation of their clients. Others will see it as something required in order to properly focus on the legal merits of a case.

Implicit bias is assessed here by looking at our three major areas of IP law—copyright, patent and trademark—and discussing the required issues of implicit bias through the lens of a survey of our IP laws. In this program, intellectual property lawyer Peter Afrasiabi takes you on a fun, interesting journey asking these questions: Does copyright law and fair use as it collides with modern AI technologies require us to assess, where implicit bias in the stock of material that AI is learning on, whether fair use and copyright law need to take that into account in deciding the AI fair use questions being litigated? Do the large differentials in male to female inventor patent grant rates, and the differential in male to female patent examiners, create implicit bias in the patent system, especially where we have elastic patentability concepts on abstract ideas? Do our trademark laws’ central focus on the archetypal “consumer” create their own bias issues by not seeing the “consumer” as an actual person? These and other interesting implicit bias issues, with strategies to combat implicit bias, are addressed.

From revolutionizing industries and increasing productivity to displacing jobs and increasing bias, the rapid progression of Artificial Intelligence is impacting society and brings with it a host of ethical considerations and challenges. This session will explore the ethical implications of using AI in legal decision-making, including issues related to bias, privacy, and transparency. Our expert panelists will share best practices to use AI tools ethically and responsibly, and will provide valuable insight on how legal departments are navigating the risks.

With a focus on how AI relates to Comment 8, Model Rule 1.1 of the ABA's Model Professional Rules of Conduct, the program will address how understanding technology is no longer optional, but rather a "...requisite knowledge and skill" to the practice of law. The program will help attorneys stay current on and evaluate "...the benefits and risks associated with relevant technology" while applying it to real world legal practice. , engage in continuing study and education and comply with all continuing legal education requirements to which the lawyer is subject.

Two landmark civil rights events occurred in Alabama — the Scottsboro Boys case and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Both of those events have important lessons to teach lawyers about diversity and inclusion in the practice of law. Join the CLE Performer, Stuart Teicher, as he travels to Alabama and delivers a travel-vlog style program