5:30pm - 6:30pm

Join us for our kick-off happy hour at the Hillside Boutique Hotel Luxury Suite. Socialize with other retreat attendees, speakers, and sponsors!

6:30pm - 7:00pm

Dinner will be served in the Hillside Hillside Boutique Luxury Hotel Suite. Tickets will be provided for all registered attendees.

7:00pm - 8:30pm

The featured book will be “CItizen: An American Lyric” by Claudia Rankin. The discussion will be led by Jade Heep.

8:30pm - 9:30pm

Come join us in the Hillside Boutique Hotel Luxury Suite for a craft-filled pajama party while we get ready for Friday’s CLEs.

7:30am-8:15am

Join us for breakfast in the Hillside Boutique Hotel Tasting Room. A great start for a great day!

8:15am-8:30am

Retreat CLE will be held in the Hillside Boutique Hotel Ballroom.

Elizabeth Hartsell, Annual CLE Retreat Co-Chair

8:30am - 9:15am

It’s a normal Tuesday afternoon when a reporter calls and asks you for an on-the-record comment about your client. Suddenly, you’re in the TV show Scandal, and you need a fixer. This presentation will cover how lawyers should respond when a sensitive situation surrounding their client, whether it's litigation or a government investigation, is about to go public. Participants will learn how to balance driving the narrative with the confidential nature of litigation and investigations. They will also learn how to develop rapid response playbooks, communications toolkits, and effective techniques for “backgrounding” reporters.

Attorney Stephanie Dodge Bigley

9:15am - 10:00am

As corporations are increasingly thrust into societal debates, lawyers grapple with how to advise their clients on “doing good” while “doing well.” Professor Martin will use the hit television series “The West Wing” and select other television shows to aid in her discussion.

Professor Jena Martin

10:00am-10:10am

Thank you to our sponsors!

10:10am - 10:55am

The 1996 comedy-drama, The First Wives Club, is an engaging case study to explore how family law issues—such as divorce, spousal support, hidden assets, and emotional abuse—can intersect with criminal law concerns including fraud, coercion, and evidence tampering.

Attorney Shanti Day and Judith K. Wemmert

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10:55am - 11:40am

As generative AI touches so many aspects of our life, how is it impacting the legal interests of creative professionals and publishers? What ethical responsibilities do lawyers have regarding the use of generative AI? This presentation will highlight recent legal developments related to AI and copyrighted works like photography, movies, news articles, books, and more. We will also touch on the use of generative AI in the legal profession and the ethical responsibilities that lawyers have related to the technology.

Attorney Alicia Calzada

11:40am - 12:25pm

This presentation will draw on both practical and every-day scenarios and the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct to assist practitioners in navigating potential conflicts arising from joint representation. Participants will learn how to prepare for and address differing interests that may arise between previously aligned parties in litigation while maintaining an emphasis on effective representation and ethical compliance. Megan and Natsumi will draw from the television show “Landman,” as well as other shows, to aid in the discussion.

Attorney Megan Sturm and Attorney Natsumi Covey

12:25pm - 12:55pm

Join us in the Hillside Boutique Hotel Ballroom for lunch.

12:55pm-1:40pm

This presentation will cover the legal definitions of capacity and incapacity in Texas and the spectrum of legal supports available to assist individuals with diminished capacity as well as those who are incapacitated. Participants will learn the myriad of alternatives to guardianship available including unique options such as psychiatric advance directives for mental health, and supported decision making agreements for those with a disability. The presentation will also cover the requirements and process for guardianship and the safeguards in place for all involved. Special attention will be given to Section 1102 of the Texas Estate Code for guardianships and attendees will have a unique opportunity to sign up for the Pro Bono service utilizing the information learned during the presentation.

Attorney Mónica Palma

1:40pm-2:25pm

Self-represented litigants are here to stay in Bexar County. SRLs file a breadth of cases and motions spanning all areas of law. The Practice often shows SRLs navigating the legal system. Sara will walk us through what we should be thinking about when we are up against a SRL.

Attorney Sarah Juhl

2:25pm - 2:45pm

Thank you to our sponsors!

2:45pm - 4:00pm

Judges face a myriad of issues on the bench. Television shows and movies frequently portray judges navigating political pressure, personal bias, high-profile cases, judicial discretion and impartiality. We’ll listen as the Judges talk about their favorite legal movies and television shows – and give their real takes. What should you incorporate in your next hearing? Trial? Is what we see true?

Hon. Elizabeth Martinez, Hon. Marisa Flores, Hon. Monique Diaz, Hon. Nadine Nieto, Hon. Mary Lou Alvarez, Hon. Angelica Jimenez, Hon. Antonia Arteaga, and Hon. Nicole Garza

4:00pm - 4:05pm

Hon. Elizabeth Martinez, Annual CLE Retreat Co-Chair