D.C. Bar Schedule of Events

800 4th Street SW, No. N517   Washington, DC 20024
Phone: 202-479-7240   E-mail: tramstack@gmail.com

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D.C. Bar Headquarters 
901 4th Street NW

Washington, DC 20001
phone: 202.737.4700


Hours of Operation: 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Weekday Events (5 p.m. – 11 p.m.)

Nearby Metro Stations
Judiciary Square (Red) - five blocks directly south at 450 F Street
Gallery Place-Chinatown (Green/Yellow/Red) - five blocks southwest at H and 7th Streets
Mt. Vernon Square/7th Street Convention Center (Green/Yellow) - six blocks at 7th and M Streets
Union Station (Red) - six blocks southeast down Massachusetts Avenue

 

EVENTS​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​

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Alphabet Soup: An Introduction to Environmental Law 2023

Credit(s): 3 General (60-minute hour)
3.5 General (50-minute hour)
Course Number: E10231110W
Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes
Date: November 28, 2023
6:00 PM - 9:15 PM 
Credits: 3.0 Credit Hours

Description: Environmental statutes, while critical to public health and safety, are challenging to navigate. So, join us for the return of this informative class that introduces those who attend to the most common federal environmental statutes. Among the statutes our distinguished panel will discuss are the:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) (a/k/a Superfund)
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA)
Clean Water Act
Safe Drinking Water Act
Clean Air Act
Oil Pollution Act
Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA)
Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA)
Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA)
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 

While no class can comprehensively cover these statutory schemes in one sitting, those who attend this presentation will leave with a better understanding of the scope and the basic requirements and provisions of each.
Faculty: Daniel A. Eisenberg, Beveridge & Diamond PC and Scott E. Kauff, Law Offices of John K. Dema PC
Fees: $89 D.C. Bar Communities Members; $99 D.C. Bar Members; $109 Government and Nonprofit Attorneys; $129 Others

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REMOTE PROGRAM: Part 1 of 4 Tax Audits and Litigation Series: Self-Employment Taxes: Their History and Current Controversies

Course Number: C1624TA01W
Duration: 1 hour 
Date: November 29, 2023
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Credit: 0 Credit Hours

In recent years there has been increasing controversy regarding whether income earned by limited partners is subject to self-employment tax. This panel will discuss the history of the limited partner exception to self-employment taxes, recent and pending cases addressing these issues and steps that taxpayers might consider taking going forward.

This program is part 1 in a 4-part series. If you would like to register for the entire series, please click here for that registration page.

Pre-registration for this program is required. As always, please feel free to share this invitation with colleagues. D.C. Bar membership is not required to attend. Non-members will need to create a profile to register and access the content.

Renew or join Communities to receive the best discount on registration. Click here to log in and join Communities. 

Are you a current law student and looking to register for one of our programs? Learn about the D.C. Bar Law Student Community and attend most individual programs at a discounted rate. Find out more here.

This remote program will be hosted on the Zoom platform. You will receive access information from D.C. Bar Communities staff the afternoon prior to the program. The Zoom access information should not be shared with others, as registration is required.

Sponsored by: Tax Audits and Litigation Committee of the D.C. Bar Taxation Community

Speakers:
Jennifer Breen, Partner, Morgan Lewis
Armando Gomez, Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom
Sanessa Griffiths, Associate, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (Moderator)

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NEW DATE - PROGRAM SERIES: 2023 - 2024 Employee Benefits Tax Series

Course Number: C1624EB00W
Duration: 1 hour 
Date: November 30, 2023
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Join the D.C. Bar Taxation Community for this Employee Benefits annual series. This is your chance to secure your space for this year with a one-time registration. Register for all four programs now. Topics covered in previous years included, how Pooled Employer Plans (PEPs) are changing the market; SECURE 2.0 – policy goals and implications; how the FTC’s proposed Noncompete Rule would shake up Executive Compensation Arrangements; and health and welfare benefits after the end of the COVID-19 Emergency. Speakers and topics for the current year will be released closer to the date of the individual program to have the most up to date information. Dates and times are subject to change, you will be notified of any changes. Dates for this year’s series: 
 
NEW DATE Thursday, November 30 – Part 1 of 4: TBD
Wednesday, February 14, 2024– Part 2 of 4: TBD
Wednesday, April 3, 2024 – Part 3 of 4: TBD
Wednesday, May 29, 2024 – Part 4 of 4: TBD

Pre-registration for this series is encouraged. Please note, registration for the entire series is not a part of the free community member offer, see Pricing Information tab for fees. If you would like to secure your spot now, please click “Add to Cart”. If you would like to take advantage of the Community member offer, individual session registration will be available two to three weeks prior to the program date. Series registration will end on Thursday, November 30, 2023, or as space is available. Feel free to share this invitation with colleagues. D.C. Bar membership is not required to register. Non-members will need to create a profile to register and access the content.
 
Renew or join Communities to receive the best discount on registration. Click here to log in and join Communities. 

Are you a current law student and looking to register for one of our programs? Learn about the D.C. Bar Law Student Community and attend most individual programs at a discounted rate. Find out more here.

Individual program dates and times are subject to change, some individual programs maybe offered as a hybrid/in-person program. All programs will be recorded. 

This remote series will be hosted on the Zoom platform. You will receive access information from D.C. Bar Communities staff the afternoon prior to the program. The Zoom access information should not be shared with others, as registration is required.

Sponsored by: Employee Benefits Committee of the D.C. Bar Taxation Community

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Managing Money (12/04/2023)

Course Number: MM_120423
Date: December 4, 2023
9:00 AM - 12:30 PM 
A variety of fee agreements will be examined with the focus on the scope of representation, managing the fee, expenses and the earning mechanism established for the advance fee.  In examples established by the fee agreement, an advance fee will be collected and deposited into the firm’s trust account.  As time passes and work is performed, funds will be transferred from the trust account to the firm’s operating or business account as the fee is earned.  Ledger entries will be demonstrated for all transactions.  TrustBooks.com will be used to demonstrate fund management and the creation of client and account ledgers. 

The following client transactions will be explored:
Agreement for Initial Consultation
Advance Flat Fee Representation for Client Charged with A Felony Criminal Offense
Advance Flat Fee Representation for an Immigration Client
Advance Hourly Fee Representation for a Civil Litigation Client
Advance Flat Fee Representation for an Estate Planning Client
A Contingency Fee Representation for an Injury Case
An Availability Representation (Classic Engagement Retainer)

The course manual will be provided to registrants and should be read prior to the session. Once you have registered, please go to the Managing Money course in the "My Events" tab of your DC Bar account and download the digital materials.

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Basic Training and Beyond (12/05/23 - Day 1)

How to Start a Law Firm

Course Number: BT_120523
Date: December 5, 2023
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM 
Basic Training & Beyond is a two day program for lawyers and law firm staff interested in starting, managing and growing a law firm in the District of Columbia. It is presented monthly, without charge, for D.C. Bar members and firm staff.

In the day-one session, all the essentials of starting a firm in D.C. are covered.
In the day-two session, growth and management issues are covered including client relations, productivity, technology and marketing.
In order to attend this event in person, you must comply with the D.C. Bar’s policy located here.

As a resource, an eManual is provided to those who attend. The program has been presented regularly since 2008 and thousands of members have attended and many have launched successful firms. Many of these members stay in contact with our presenters, Dan Mills and Kaitlin Forster, former small firm lawyers, and these connections inform the content of the sessions.

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How to Win Discovery Motions and Take Charge of Your Case 2023

Credit(s): 3 General (60-minute hour)
3.5 General (50-minute hour)
Course Number: E18231203W
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Date: December 6, 2023
6:00 PM - 8:15 PM
Credits: 2.0 CLE Credit Hours

Description: Join us for the return of this informative and practical class that focuses on effective strategies and practical tips for drafting and arguing discovery motions. Among the topics our experienced and engaging presenters will cover are:
Deciding if, and when, to bring a motion.
Developing a strategy for using motions to strengthen your case.
Knowing your court, including local and federal court differences.
Drafting persuasive pleadings and briefs.
Surviving contentious meet-and-confer discussions.

This class will be of interest to all civil litigators whether they practice in federal court, the D.C. Superior Court, or in other jurisdictions.
 
Faculty: Saunders McElroy, Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Alexandra Russell, Kirkland & Ellis LLP
Fees: $89 D.C. Bar Community Members, $99 D.C. Bar Members, $109 Government and Nonprofit Attorneys, and $129 Others

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Lunch and Learn: Lead Generation| How to Build a Steady Pipeline of New Clients

Course Number: LL_120723
Duration: 1 hour 
Date: December 7, 2023
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
If you had to identify the biggest marketing challenges for many small-to-midsize law practices, generating new, qualified client leads would almost certainly rank at or near the top of the list. In this engaging and topical webinar, we’ll cover 8 core steps of lead generation. Attendees will walk away understanding the framework they need to get the phone to ring more often, as well as gain insights into best-practice strategies and tactics. (Q&A included)

At the end, we’ll give away a signed copy of our new book, Small Business Digital Marketing Handbook (2022, MNG Press)

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Navigating Real Estate Issues for Cannabis Businesses

(Cannabis Law Series – Part Two)

Credit(s): 1 General (60-minute hour)
1 General (50-minute hour)
Course Number: E19231204W
Duration: 1 hour 
Date: December 11, 2023
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM 
Credits: 1.0 CLE Credit Hour

Description: Those who attend this informative class will learn the basics of cannabis legalization and how it impacts various commercial and real property issues. Among the topics our knowledgeable faculty will discuss are how cannabis legalization affects landlords, tenants, deals, REITs, leasing, purchase agreements, banking, and other issues plaguing those who choose to do business in the cannabis industry. 
 
Those interested in attending this class may also be interested in attending The Business of Cannabis: Financial Challenges & Opportunities 2023 and IP Strategies, Enforcement Considerations and Potential Pitfalls in the Cannabis Industry 2023.
 
Faculty: Lauren A. Rudick, Hiller PC and Katy M. Young, Ad Astra Law Group LLP
Series Fees: $87 D.C. Bar Community Members, $117 D.C. Bar Members, $147 Government and Nonprofit Attorneys, and $207 Others
Individual Class Fees: $39 D.C. Bar Community Members, $49 D.C. Bar Members, $59 Government and Nonprofit Attorneys, and $79 Others

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Tort Damages in the District of Columbia 2023

Credit(s): 3 General (60-minute hour)
3.5 General (50-minute hour)
Course Number: E21231206W
Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes
Date: December 12, 2023
6:00 PM - 9:15 PM
Credits: 3.0 Credit Hours

Description: Those who attend this informative class will learn the nuts and bolts of handling tort damages in the District of Columbia. Our expert faculty will provide practical tips and considerations for proving and disputing damages in your case. Learn the answers to these questions and more:
What are the damages caps in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia? 
How do you assess damages pre-suit? 
What evidence do you need to prove damages?
When are damages too speculative?
Do you need an expert to reduce damages to present value? 
Are you likely to recover punitive damages?
Do you know how to prepare your experts?
How do you dispute damages if you represent the defendant?
What should you do with damages in mediation?
How should you handle damages at trial?
How do you prepare your client to testify?
What should the verdict sheet look like?
What jury instructions should you use?

While this class focuses on tort practice in the District of Columbia, those who handle tort cases in other jurisdictions may find it of interest.
 Faculty: Crystal S. Deese, Jackson & Campbell PC and Denis C. Mitchell, Stein Mitchell Beato & Missner LLP
Fees: $89 D.C. Bar Community Members, $99 D.C. Bar Members, $109 Government and Nonprofit Attorneys. and $129 Others
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Patent Law a Year in Review 2023

Credit(s): 3 General (60-minute hour)
3.5 General (50-minute hour)
Course Number: E16231207W
Original Program Date: December 13, 2023
Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes
Date: December 13, 2023
6:00 PM - 9:15 PM

Credits: 3.0 Credit Hours
Description: Attend this informative class to learn about significant patent case law developments that occurred in 2023, including those from the Supreme Court, the Federal Circuit, and the PTAB. Those who attend will gain insights into recent USPTO rule changes and proposed legislation. Topics our expert faculty will address include the following: 
Updates on patentable subject matter
New developments in prior art
Defenses in patent litigation
Procedure in patent litigation
Shifts in IPR practice and trends
 
Faculty: Matthew P. Becker, Banner & Witcoff Ltd. and Scott M. Kelly, Banner & Witcoff Ltd.
Fees: $89 D.C. Bar Communities Members; $99 D.C. Bar Members; $109 Government and Non-profit Attorneys; $129 Others

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Objection! Objection! Making and Responding to Objections 2023

Credit(s): 2 General (60-minute hour)
2 General (50-minute hour)
Course Number: E18231210L
Date: December 14, 2023
10:00 AM - 12:15 PM 

Credits: 2.0 Credit Hours
Description: Making and responding to objections is critical to the trial or hearing process. However, many litigators don't appreciate the tactical and strategic considerations objections pose. Avoid these practice pitfalls by joining us for this award-winning class that provides the practicing attorney with a guide to making and responding to objections at trial or hearing. The class covers the following topics:

Making and responding to typical objections, including objections to the form of the questions, objections to documents, hearsay objections, objections to expert witnesses, objections to attempts to impeach, and objections for inadequate foundations.
How and when to make objections, including objections to opening statements and closing arguments.
Making pretrial objections – motions in limine.

As part of the class materials, attendees receive practice aids including a list of common objections and a reference list with relevant federal rules and local practice, citations to leading cases, and brief explanations. Our distinguished faculty will use a game show quiz format and a polling responder system to help attendees learn and practice making objections and responding to them. 
 
Faculty:  Hon. Sharon E. Goodie, Administrative Law Judge, District of Columbia Office of Administrative Hearings and Daria J. Zane, Antonin Scalia School of Law at George Mason University 
Fees: $89 D.C. Bar Community Members, $99 D.C. Bar Members, $109 Government and Nonprofit Attorneys, and $129 Others

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REMOTE PROGRAM: Complex Defined Benefit Plans

Course Number: C0924NC03W
Duration: 1 hour 
Date: December 15, 2023
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Credit: 0 Credit Hours

This informative program includes a refresher on pension division and in-depth coverage of the retirement plans of the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, United Nations, and Inter-American Development Bank. These plans are highly unique and require extra special care when involved in a divorce. Our knowledgeable speakers will also touch on additional benefits available to employees of these organizations that are not divisible in a divorce, but can be impacted by decisions the parties make in their divorce agreement. Since each of these organizations have a headquarters or office location in Washington D.C., it is likely that each of us will have some cases involving their employees and these benefits. 

Pre-registration for this program is required. As always, please feel free to share this invitation with colleagues. D.C. Bar membership is not required to attend. Non-members will need to create a profile to register and access the content.

This remote program will be hosted on the Zoom platform. You will receive access information from D.C. Bar Communities staff the afternoon prior to the program. The Zoom access information should not be shared with others, as registration is required. Registration fees have been discounted for this program. 

Speakers:
Jessica Markham, Attorney, Markham Law Firm 
Leslie Miller, Attorney, Markham Law Firm

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A Lawyer’s Ethical Duties to Understand Metadata, Digital Evidence in the Cloud, Secure Client Data, and More 2023

Don't Miss the Last Chance to Earn Ethics & Professionalism Credits in 2023!

Credit(s): 2 Ethics and Professional Responsibility (60-minute hour)
2 Ethics and Professional Responsibility (50-minute hour)
Course Number: E11231209W
Duration: 2 hours 15 minutes
Date: December 18, 2023
6:00 PM - 8:15 PM
Credits: 2.0 Ethics & Professionalism Credit Hours

Description: ChatGPT, predictive coding, machine learning . . . the rapid rise of generative AI over the past year has generated a renewed focus on attorneys’ ethical duty to understand and use technology in their practice. But this duty goes far beyond competence in generative AI. Join our experienced and knowledgeable presenters as they discuss the scope of Comment 8 to ABA Model Rule of Professional Conduct 1.1, which states that attorneys should keep up with changes in the law and its practice, “including the benefits and risks associated with relevant technology.”  From metadata to electronically stored information to social media to the cloud, find out how much of the technology you need to know.
 
Faculty: Adrienne Fowler, HWG LLP and Deepika H. Ravi, HWG LLP 
Fees: $89 D.C. Bar Community Members, $99 D.C. Bar Members, $109 Government and Nonprofit Attorneys, and $129 Others

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Attorney-Client Privilege and the Work Product Doctrine: 2023 Trends and Developments

Join us at Bar Headquarters and Help Meet Your In-person CLE Obligations by Attending This Engaging and Topical Class!

Credit(s): 3 Ethics and Professional Responsibility (60-minute hour)
3.5 Ethics and Professional Responsibility (50-minute hour)
Course Number: E11231205W
Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes
Date: December 19, 2023
9:30 AM - 12:45 PM
Credits: 3.0 CLE credit hours (Note: While this class qualifies for ethics and professionalism credit in most jurisdictions, it does not qualify for such credit for Virginia. Instead, it qualifies for 3.0 general CLE credits for Virginia.)
 
Description: In this popular and informative class, Tom Spahn will help you understand two important legal principles: the attorney-client privilege and the separate but related work product doctrine. The class includes 2023 trends and developments and focuses on these issues:
How to determine which attorney-client privilege and work product law will apply.
Clients' misunderstanding of the privilege's applicability, and the key legal advice component. 
Privilege protection in the corporate setting (including the danger of widespread intra-corporate communications). 
Sources of proof courts examine in analyzing privilege protection, and practical steps for maximizing the protection.
Identifying who is outside privilege protection, including clients' and lawyers' agent/consultants. 
Privilege waiver (including implied, "at issue,” and subject matter waivers).
Joint defense/common interest agreements (highlighting their unpredictability).
Basic work product principles (including the "litigation," "anticipation," and "motivation" elements). 
Work product waiver.
Privilege and work product issues arising before, during, and after internal corporate investigations.

This class is a must for all attorneys regardless of the nature of their practice or the courts before which they appear.
Faculty: Thomas E. Spahn, McGuireWoods LLP
 Fees: $89 D.C. Bar Communities Members, $99 D.C. Bar Members, $109 Government and Nonprofit Attorneys, and $129 Others

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REMOTE PROGRAM: Monthly Media Law Meeting of the D.C. Bar Arts, Entertainment, Media and Sports Law Community
Course Number: C2124ML05W
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Date: January 17, 2024
12:15 PM - 1:30 PM
Credit: 0 Credit Hours

Join the D.C. Bar Arts, Entertainment, Media and Sports Law Community the second Wednesday of every month for an informal and dynamic round table discussion on the most recent developments in Media Law. Guest speakers will present on one or two recent cases and answer questions from participants. 
 
The program will be moderated by Katie Townsend, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. This is an “Off the Record” program. Remarks made during “Off the Record” programs may not be used for publication.

**This event is free and open to the public. Pre-registration for this program is required. As always, please feel free to share this invitation with colleagues. D.C. Bar membership is not required to attend. Non-members will need to create a profile to register and access the content.

This remote program will be hosted on the Zoom platform. You will receive access information from D.C. Bar Communities staff the afternoon prior to the program. The Zoom access information should not be shared with others, as registration is required. In order to receive the link and be entered into the program you must be registered. 

Sponsored by: Media Law Committee of the D.C. Bar Arts, Entertainment, Media and Sports Law Community
Related Community of Interest: D.C. Bar Early Career Lawyers Community; D.C. Bar Law Student Community 
 
Fees: Free, registration is required. Registration closes at 12 PM the day of the program.

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Copyright and Trademark Law Year in Review 2023
(Intellectual Property Law Series – Part Two)

Credit(s): 3 General (60-minute hour)
3.5 General (50-minute hour)
Course Number: E16240113W
Duration: 3 hours 15 minutes
Date: January 18, 2024
6:00 PM - 9:15 PM
Category: CLE, Administrative Law and Agency Practice, Antitrust and Consumer Law... (show more)
Other: Administrative Law and Practice, Arts Entertainment Media and Sports, Federal Practice ...(show more)

Credits: 3.0 general credit hours
Description: Join our knowledgeable faculty as they highlight significant changes in copyright and trademark law during the past year. They will review new developments in the law, focusing on 2023 court decisions, and will explain their implications for those who practice in these areas. The panel will also discuss legislative developments, international developments, and trends and tips, and will offer a Trademark Office update.

Those who attend this class may also be interested in attending the first class in our Intellectual Property Series, Patent Law a Year in Review 2023.
Faculty: Leigh Ann Lindquist, Sughrue Mion PLLC and to be named
 
Series Fees: $148 D.C. Bar Communities Members, $168 D.C. Bar Members, $188 Government and Nonprofit Attorneys, and $228 Others 
Individual Class Fees: $89 D.C. Bar Communities Members, $99 D.C. Bar Members, $109 Government and Nonprofit Attorneys, and $129 Others