California MCLE Podcast

Bourbon is a uniquely American spirit and has played an outsized role in developing aspects of American law. Bourbon history is peppered with dramatic legal battles and legal (and illegal) innovation…

If a lawyer suspects, but does not know, that a client or potential client is seeking their services to engage in criminal activity, can they still offer legal counsel? When does a lawyer have a duty…

The Batson rule, prohibiting exclusions from jury based on race, is widely viewed as nearly impossible to enforce in practice. However, where Botson fails, do the Model Rules of Professional Conduct …

In 2008, a woman in India was convicted of murder for the death of her fiancé on the basis of evidence derived from a brain-based memory detection exam. The test measured brain activity which purport…

In 2008, a woman in India was convicted of murder for the death of her fiancé on the basis of evidence derived from a brain-based memory detection exam. The test measured brain activity which purport…

In part 2 of this 2-part series, Professor Harmon explains the constitutional right to record the police and under what circumstances that right may be limited, and explores the potential federal ref…

Police officers have broad authority and discretion to enforce order — they can take property, stop, detain, and arrest people — at times under threat of lethal force. With such great power comes a s…

In part 2 of this 2-part series, space law expert Professor Frans von der Dunk discusses how the Outer Space Treaty applies to space tourism and other private space activities and explains the laws o…

In early 2021, shares of GameStop (GME) spiked, jumping nearly 1000% amid weeks of volatile trading. The rally was initially spurred by discussions of shorting the stock in the Reddit subreddit r/wal…

Drafting client emails on an airplane, reviewing an agreement while vacationing out-of-state - lawyers all do this, but are they running afoul of ethics rules? As clients are increasingly doing busin…

 Despite increasing numbers of minorities and women in law schools and state bars, there continues to be a lack of diversity in the judiciary. As the first female South Asian judge in New York, Judge…

What are the do's and don'ts for lawyers making lateral jumps from one firm to another? Sarah McShea, legal ethics guru, reveals the hidden dangers and breaks down the ethics minefield in conflicts, …

As humans, we all hold implicit biases which create blind spots that subconsciously affect our understanding and decision-making. Such biases have continue to contribute to low diversity and inclusio…

(0.5 Ethics California MCLE)

When criminals use shell companies, offshore bank accounts, and real estate as money laundering vehicles, lawyers, whether knowingly or unknowingly, assist these transact…

(0.5 Ethics California MCLE)  Facebook friending a judge, telling a client to "clean up" his Facebook, or an attorney tweeting, "Who wants to win next?" Nicole Hyland explains the common and uncommon…