Attorneys will learn about the American Rule's historical origins, its numerous statutory and contractual exceptions, and strategic use of offers of judgment for fee recovery.
Attorneys will gain practical strategies for documenting fees, navigating choice of law issues, and leveraging state offer of judgment provisions for favorable settlements.
Attorneys will learn about the American Rule's historical origins, its numerous statutory and contractual exceptions, and strategic use of offers of judgment for fee recovery.
Attorneys will gain practical strategies for documenting fees, navigating choice of law issues, and leveraging state offer of judgment provisions for favorable settlements.
Agenda
Session 1
The American Rule on Payment of Attorneys' Fees
Session 2
Understanding Contractual Fee-Shifting Provisions in Practice
Session 3
Statutory Fee-Shifting Mechanisms in Civil Litigation
Session 4
Sanctions and Bad Faith Attorneys' Fees Awards
Break
Break
Session 5
Offers of Judgment as Strategic Defense Tools
Session 6
State Variations in Offer of Judgment Recovery
Session 7
Best Practices for Documenting Attorneys' Fees Claims
Session 8
Moving for Fees in Offer of Judgment Context
Session 9
Legal and Ethical Pitfalls in Fee Recovery
2:00 pm - 2:15 pm EST
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
This session explores the historical origins of the American Rule from its 1796 foundational case, distinguishing it from the English Rule where the loser pays. Participants will examine policy considerations both supporting and criticizing the rule, along with an overview of its numerous exceptions.
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
2:15 pm - 2:30 pm EST
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
This session examines how courts enforce contractual attorneys’ fee provisions and the discretion involved in determining reasonableness. Practical examples from recent case law illustrate key considerations when drafting and litigating fee-shifting clauses in contracts.
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
2:30 pm - 2:45 pm EST
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Participants will explore the extensive landscape of federal statutes providing fee-shifting exceptions, including the ADA, Civil Rights Act, FLSA, FDCPA, and Clean Air Act. The session addresses how these provisions encourage enforcement while examining concerns about potential abuse.
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
2:45 pm - 3:00 pm EST
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
This session covers discovery sanctions under Rule 37, certification requirements under Rule 11, and courts’ inherent authority to sanction bad faith conduct. Key Supreme Court guidance on ensuring sanctions remain compensatory rather than punitive will be discussed.
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
3:00 pm - 3:10 pm EST
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
A short intermission allowing participants to refresh before continuing with the remaining program sessions on offers of judgment and fee recovery strategies.
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
3:10 pm - 3:20 pm EST
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
This session defines offers of judgment and their unique features under Federal Rule 68, including timing requirements, irrevocability principles, and acceptance procedures. Participants will learn how rejected offers trigger cost-shifting consequences and explore the circuit split on summary judgment interactions.
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
3:20 pm - 3:30 pm EST
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Participants will compare state offer of judgment provisions with the federal rule, focusing on states allowing any party to initiate offers and those providing independent bases for attorneys’ fees. Choice of law considerations under Erie analysis and key state examples from Florida, Georgia, and Alaska are examined.
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
3:30 pm - 3:45 pm EST
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
This session covers Federal Rule 54 requirements, the lodestar method for calculating reasonable fees, and the Johnson factors. Participants will learn strategies for supporting fee requests with expert testimony, handling privileged billing information, and documenting flat fee arrangements.
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
3:45 pm - 3:55 pm EST
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
This session provides practical guidance on timing offers, understanding state rule variations, and choice of law considerations in federal court. Client counseling points regarding judgment appearance, public perception, and disclosure requirements are also addressed.
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
3:55 pm - 4:10 pm EST
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Drawing from recent cautionary cases, this session examines fee requests gone wrong, including excessive billing, dishonest reporting, and manufactured claims. Participants will learn how courts scrutinize fee petitions and the consequences of ethical violations in fee recovery.
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
Butler Snow LLP
SESSION I
Deposing trucking company personnel…
SESSION II
Defending the Company. Effective Deposition …
SESSION III
Defending the Company. Effective Deposition …
SESSION IV
Defending the Company. Effective Deposition …
2:00 – 3:00 PM EST
In trucking accident litigation, plaintiff attorneys must strategically depose key company personnel to uncover negligence, regulatory violations, and systemic misconduct.
This session provides practical deposition strategies to hold carriers accountable and maximize case value. From frontline drivers to senior executives, attendees will learn how to ask precise questions that expose operational lapses, reveal liability patterns, and strengthen plaintiff claims.
Participants will gain tools to challenge unsafe company cultures, evaluate inadequate training and hiring, and document compliance gaps that often lead to catastrophic incidents.
2:00 – 3:00 PM EST
In trucking accident litigation, plaintiff attorneys must strategically depose key company personnel to uncover negligence, regulatory violations, and systemic misconduct.
This session provides practical deposition strategies to hold carriers accountable and maximize case value. From frontline drivers to senior executives, attendees will learn how to ask precise questions that expose operational lapses, reveal liability patterns, and strengthen plaintiff claims.
Participants will gain tools to challenge unsafe company cultures, evaluate inadequate training and hiring, and document compliance gaps that often lead to catastrophic incidents.
2:00 – 3:00 PM EST
In trucking accident litigation, plaintiff attorneys must strategically depose key company personnel to uncover negligence, regulatory violations, and systemic misconduct.
This session provides practical deposition strategies to hold carriers accountable and maximize case value. From frontline drivers to senior executives, attendees will learn how to ask precise questions that expose operational lapses, reveal liability patterns, and strengthen plaintiff claims.
Participants will gain tools to challenge unsafe company cultures, evaluate inadequate training and hiring, and document compliance gaps that often lead to catastrophic incidents.
2:00 – 3:00 PM EST
In trucking accident litigation, plaintiff attorneys must strategically depose key company personnel to uncover negligence, regulatory violations, and systemic misconduct.
This session provides practical deposition strategies to hold carriers accountable and maximize case value. From frontline drivers to senior executives, attendees will learn how to ask precise questions that expose operational lapses, reveal liability patterns, and strengthen plaintiff claims.
Participants will gain tools to challenge unsafe company cultures, evaluate inadequate training and hiring, and document compliance gaps that often lead to catastrophic incidents.
speakers
A 2013 graduate of the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College in Dubois, Wyoming, Joe is rated AV Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell — the highest peer rating for exceptional legal ability and ethics. He is among the first nine attorneys nationwide to earn board certification in Truck Accident Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Joe received the Roadway Safety Award from the American Association for Justice (AAJ) for his commitment to improving highway safety. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (ATAA) Safety Committee, advocating for higher safety standards across the trucking industry.
Joe serves on the faculty of the AAJ Advanced Trial Advocacy College: Litigating Truck Collision Cases (2015 & 2024). He is an active member of AAJ’s Trucking Litigation Group and sits on the Board of Regents for the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys.
Joe frequently consults and co-counsels on complex commercial truck cases. His proven track record includes numerous successful trials against motor carriers and truck leasing companies — delivering justice for victims of commercial vehicle accidents.
A 2013 graduate of the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College in Dubois, Wyoming, Joe is rated AV Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell — the highest peer rating for exceptional legal ability and ethics. He is among the first nine attorneys nationwide to earn board certification in Truck Accident Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Joe received the Roadway Safety Award from the American Association for Justice (AAJ) for his commitment to improving highway safety. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (ATAA) Safety Committee, advocating for higher safety standards across the trucking industry.
Joe serves on the faculty of the AAJ Advanced Trial Advocacy College: Litigating Truck Collision Cases (2015 & 2024). He is an active member of AAJ’s Trucking Litigation Group and sits on the Board of Regents for the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys.
Joe frequently consults and co-counsels on complex commercial truck cases. His proven track record includes numerous successful trials against motor carriers and truck leasing companies — delivering justice for victims of commercial vehicle accidents.
A 2013 graduate of the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College in Dubois, Wyoming, Joe is rated AV Preeminent™ by Martindale-Hubbell — the highest peer rating for exceptional legal ability and ethics. He is among the first nine attorneys nationwide to earn board certification in Truck Accident Law from the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Joe received the Roadway Safety Award from the American Association for Justice (AAJ) for his commitment to improving highway safety. He currently serves as Co-Chair of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys (ATAA) Safety Committee, advocating for higher safety standards across the trucking industry.
Joe serves on the faculty of the AAJ Advanced Trial Advocacy College: Litigating Truck Collision Cases (2015 & 2024). He is an active member of AAJ’s Trucking Litigation Group and sits on the Board of Regents for the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys.
Joe frequently consults and co-counsels on complex commercial truck cases. His proven track record includes numerous successful trials against motor carriers and truck leasing companies — delivering justice for victims of commercial vehicle accidents.
Butler Snow LLP
Beth is a member of Butler Snow’s Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare group, focusing her practice on appellate and written advocacy and drug and device litigation.
Butler Snow LLP
Beth is a member of Butler Snow’s Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare group, focusing her practice on appellate and written advocacy and drug and device litigation.
Butler Snow LLP
Katelyn is a member of Butler Snow’s Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare group, focused on the representation and defense of manufacturers in complex products liability litigation in state and federal courts, with an emphasis on prescription drugs, medical devices, and chemicals.
Butler Snow LLP
Denise is a member of Butler Snow’s Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare Litigation group, focused on the representation and defense of manufacturers in complex products liability litigation.
Butler Snow LLP
Emilee is a member of Butler Snow’s Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare Litigation group, focused on the representation and defense of product manufacturers in complex litigation.
Plans
| Access type | Individual Purchase | Basic | Premium Most Popular | Corporate CLE Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price |
$95 – $245
Price varies based
on the course duration of 1 to 3+ hours |
$395/year
One-time purchase
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$495/year
One-time purchase
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Custom
based on firm size
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| Access type | Pay per class | Unlimited annual access | Unlimited annual access | Unlimited access for all firm members |
| Number of Available Webinars | 1 | 1,000+ | 1,000+ | 1,000+ |
| Number of New Webinars Added Yearly | Limited | 500+ | 500+ | 500+ |
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Special credits (Ethics, Elimination of Bias, etc.) |
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| Personalized CLE Platform |
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| Bootcamps |
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| Access type |
Pay per class |
|---|---|
| Number of Available Webinars | 1 |
| Number of New Webinars Added Yearly | Limited |
| Earn "Live" CLE credit |
|
|
Ability to Ask Questions During the Presentation via a Chat Box |
|
| Attend "Live" Re-Broadcasts |
|
| Exclusive Partner Webinars & Events | |
|
Special credits (Ethics, Elimination of Bias, etc.) |
|
| Instant Certificates After Completion | |
| Personalized CLE Platform | |
| Live Conferences | |
| Bootcamps |
Why Attend
Being an attorney is hard enough without the bookkeeping/IOLTA nonsense. Ready to keep more of what you earn? Whether you’re launching a new law practice or been in your own practice for forty years, this program is your roadmap to slashing your tax bill and building real wealth. Want to write off that second home, or discover how to deduct your vacation? In this dynamic, eye-opening session, civil and criminal tax controversy attorney Eric Green will walk you through often-overlooked strategies to dramatically cut taxes, increase deductions, and protect your law practice from IRS audit adjustments. You’ll walk away armed with actionable insights you can put to work immediately and easily earn back 8-10X what you invested in this seminar!
The program will cover not just how to deduct these expenses but what documentation you need to maintain to make sure you are audit proof if Uncle Sam comes calling!
In this new expanded webinar, Eric and Leighanne will review other benefits like converting your practice to an S Corporation, retirement planning and discuss apps that can help tie all this together and make your record keeping a breeze!
Who Should Attend:
Don’t miss this opportunity to transform the way you think about taxes—and take home the tools you need to save thousands year after year.
Key topics to be discussed:
Closed-captioning available
2025-09-05 13:00:00
This program begins with the foundations of generative AI, introducing large language models and transformer architecture, then moves into practical applications for legal professionals. Participants will learn how to design and deploy custom GPTs in OpenAI and build agent-based automations in Microsoft Copilot, both of which enable legal teams to streamline repetitive work across transactional matters, litigation management, and broader legal operations. The program also highlights how to use OpenAI projects and Microsoft’s integrated tools to scale and organize AI-driven efficiencies across the legal function.
Key topics to be discussed:
Date / Time: December 19, 2025
Closed-captioning available
2025-10-30 14:00:00
Session I – Considerations: Revocable vs. Irrevocable – Georgia Bender
In this session, attorney Georgia Bender will present a brief analysis of the structures and considerations involved in revocable and irrevocable trusts and when each type of trust may be appropriate. Next, Ms. Bender will go into a broad discussion of revocable trusts and the advantages they bring in flexibility of administration, probate avoidance, and estate tax planning. She’ll then review who might be an ideal candidate for this type of trust.
Key topics to be discussed:
Session II – Irrevocable Trusts and Trust Administration – Joseph Donohue
In this session, Attorney Joseph Donohue will review four common types of irrevocable trusts and the contexts in which they are best used. Next, Mr. Donohue will offer some helpful drafting tips for trusts. Lastly, he will dive into topics surrounding trust administration from tax reporting to key phases, avoiding trust contests, and drafting documents to protect your fiduciary clients.
Key topics to be discussed:
Date / Time: December 11, 2025
Closed-captioning available
2026-05-08 14:00:00
FAQ
Yes — the Basic Unlimited Pass gives members access to all online live, replay, and on-demand CLEs, excluding only the live conferences. With the Premium Unlimited Pass, members receive access to over 11 multi-day live conferences as well.
Yes — myLawCLE is an officially accredited CLE provider and seeks CLE approval in all 50 states. Our live webinars, on-demand programs, and replays meet or exceed state bar requirements, ensuring your CLE credits are fully recognized wherever you practice.
Yes — after completing the CLE webinar, attendees select their state for CLE credit and fill out an online evaluation form. Once submitted, a CLE certificate is emailed to them and uploaded to their dashboard.
Yes — myLawCLE develops CLE programs meeting all required CLE types, including mental health, ethics, professionalism, technology, substance abuse, and elimination of bias.
myLawCLE maintains all CLE programs in its library for 12 months following the original broadcast date. Attendees can access any program that remains available in the system during this period.
Yes — all of myLawCLE’s programs are originally broadcast live, with a chat box available for attendees to submit questions during the webinar. Additionally, replays and on-demand versions offer email correspondence with the presenters for any follow-up questions.
Expand Your Legal Expertise
Requirements
The Alabama State Bar MCLE Commission requires attorneys to complete 12 credits, including 1 ethics, by December 31 of each year. All credits must be reported by February 15 of the following year. A maximum of 12 credits, including 1 ethics credit, may be carried over for 1 year only.
Formats
