Statewide Ethics Symposium

Program schedule

9:30–9:45 a.m. Welcoming Remarks

9:45–11:00 a.m. Recent Developments in Legal Ethics and Professional Conduct—What You Need to Know
A survey of significant developments in California legal ethics and professional conduct over the last year, including proposed revisions to solicitation in domestic violence restraining orders, new lawyer advertising and legal referral laws, civility in the legal profession and the civility toolkit, the State Bar succession planning guide, and pending COPRAC opinions regarding legal fee conversion clauses and conflicts arising from in-house counsel lateral moves.

11:10 a.m.–12:25 p.m. Is the Use of AI a Choice? AI Is Here
This interactive panel will issue spot “common” legal resources, practices, and tools that may unknowingly raise ethical concerns. Emerging case law, considerations, trends, pitfalls, opportunities, and risk mitigation will be explored.

12:25–1:30 p.m. Lunch

1:30–2:45 p.m. Who’s Next? Strategic Succession Planning for Law Firms
Law firms don’t plan to fail—but nearly 40 percent of law firms have no succession plan in place, and close to half of those have no intention of creating one. This session covers the importance of succession planning—from identifying future leaders to transitioning client relationships—and what law firms can do to ensure success for generations to come.

2:55–4:10 p.m. Beyond the Billable Hour: Rethinking Legal Billing Practices in the Age of AI

MCLE with Emil Ali and Amanda Moghaddam.

The integration of AI in legal practice is transforming how lawyers will bill for their work in the future. Clients increasingly expect efficiency, predictability, and high-quality work product. This presentation explores alternative billing arrangements and examines how these models can help firms navigate the age of AI while meeting client expectations. This program will review various fee agreement structures and the requirements under the Rules of Professional Conduct and the State Bar Act.

Registration information

Presented by the Committee on Professional Responsibility and Conduct, State Bar of California

This program offers up to 5 hours of participatory Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) credit in Legal Ethics.

The Ethics Symposium is being offered for free and is limited to 3,000 registrants. Register by April 16, 2026.

Participatory MCLE activities require the provider to verify attendance. To receive participatory MCLE credit, you must join the webinar by video using a computer, tablet, or mobile device. If you join by telephone, we will not be able to verify your attendance (see State Bar Rule 3.600(I), remote attendance verification).

Note: All registrants will receive a confirmation email containing a link to the Zoom webinar. To verify attendance during the program, a link to the attendance sign-in page will be provided. Only attendees who complete the sign-in process will receive MCLE credit and a follow-up email with the MCLE certificate.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, those requiring modifications or accommodations to view this program should notify Karen Garcia-Vargas at 213-765-1164 at least 72 hours prior to the meeting to allow sufficient time to make arrangements for accommodations in advance.

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When you get a letter from the State Bar, don’t go it alone! You need competent, experienced counsel to respond to the State Bar at every stage. Your license is at risk, so ensure you have the best representation from a former State Bar prosecutor before sending any response to an investigator or responding to formal charges leveled by the State Bar. You cannot make an informed decision without good advice. Call Erin now.