'Ethical and Practical Risks of Using Technology' explored in webcast

American Law Institute Continuing Legal Education in collaboration with the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers will present the webcast “Ethical and Practical Risks of Using Technology: What You and Your Clients Need to Know” on Thursday, January 12, from 2 to 3 p.m.

Today’s lawyer engages with technology regularly, and that engagement implicates basic ethical principles arising out of the attorney’s obligation to understand what they are doing, to maintain client confidences, to communicate reasonably, and to supervise others—including retained non-lawyer consultants and experts. Lawyers are expected to be current with the most recent technological developments and not to ignore technology risks. In fact, most state professional conduct rules include an ethical duty of technology competence.

In this one-hour discussion, a data privacy expert and two emerging technology lawyers will explore the attorney’s ethical obligations surrounding technology, including its role in today’s practice. Attendees will learn how to:

• Handle electronic communications and files correctly.
• Keep electronic communications and documents confidential and secure.
• Supervise nonlawyers sharing electronic communications and documents.
• Understand the benefits and risks of social media and your obligation to use it wisely.

The faculty will also explore your ethical duties of competence, confidentiality, communication, and supervision (MRPC 1.1, 1.6, 4.1, 5.1, 5.3)

This webcast is the last in a three-part series—“Understanding Your Data: Technology and Privacy Issues for 21st Century Lawyers”—designed to address the intersections of law, technology, and privacy in today’s legal practice, whether for advertising, communication, or in the course of representing a client in both litigation and regulatory proceedings.

Recording of the previous webcasts are available online by visiting www.ali-cle.org and clicking “On-Demand CLE.” The May 11 program discusses the benefits and risks of new forms of technology for law firms and other business settings. The August 25 program provides a concise review of the current state of data privacy and the regulation of technology behind it. Attendees do not need to watch all three parts of the series to benefit from any segment as a standalone program.
Any lawyer interested in learning more about the attorney’s ethical duties surrounding technology and its use in practice should register for this webcast.

All registrants will receive a set of downloadable course materials to accompany the program.

Cost for the webcast is $199. To register, visit www.ali-cle.org.