Category: Events Archives

Key Dates

Ron Chichester on July 11, 2022

Sept. 23, 2022.

First virtual CLE seminar. Topic: This Digital Health
Privacy CLE will include discussion on the expanded definition of
“health data” under emerging state laws, how state privacy laws
interact with other health privacy laws, and how attorneys can partner
with business partners to identify new classes of health data.
Speaker: Mason Fitch, Section Council Member.

December 2, 2022.

Annual Technology and Justice for All CLE seminar
(Austin). Topics will include:

Cyber boot camp for new attorneys. Speakers: Mitch Zoll and Mark Unger
Cyber insurance. Speaker: Natalia Santiago, McGriff, Houston
Technology in the courtroom. Speakers: Judges Xavier Rodriguez
and Karin Crump
HR and cyber security. Speaker: Grecia Martinez, Ryan, Dallas
Space law. Speaker: Charles Mudd, the Mudd Law Firm, Houston
Cyber due diligence in M&A. Speaker: S. Tuma, Spencer Fane, Dallas
30 Apps in 30 minutes: Speakers: to be announced

February 24, 2023.

Second virtual CLE seminar. Autonomous vehicles and
their litigation risks. Speaker: Quentin Brogdon, Partner, Crain
Brogdon LLP.

April 28, 2023.

Third virtual CLE seminar. Subject and speaker to be
announced.

5th Annual Technology and Justice for All Webinar (Friday, February 11, 2022)

Ron Chichester on January 24, 2022

Dear Colleagues:

The past two years have been an unprecedented time for the adoption of technology by lawyers. From the use of Zoom and other video communication tools by courts, businesses, and individuals to the importance of disaster recovery planning, since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic the practice of law demands a new level of competence in technology for attorneys to meet their duties under Texas Rules of Professional Conduct 1.01 cmt para 8.

Start the new year with a better practice by joining the Computer and Technology Section for our 5th Annual Technology and Justice for All CLE webinar, and earn up to 4.75 hours MCLE credit, including 1.75 hours of ethics credit.

This seminar will be presented by law and technology experts bringing perspectives from a diverse range of practices including cyber law, litigation, government, in-house counsel, and IP. This program will be archived and available for replay for the next 30 days, until March 13, on the CTS Section website. BUT YOU MUST REGISTER AND PAY NOW to take advantage of the archived presentations.

Use the links below to register and view the program agenda.

5th Annual Technology and Justice for All CLE Webinar

When:

Friday, February 11, 2022
9 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. CST

Registration

Section members: $75

Non-section members: $100

Legal Aid Providers/Justice Incubators: FREE

Up to 4.75 hours of MCLE credit, including 1.75 hours ethics

Join the Computer and Technology Section for $25 here and receive the section member price of $75!

Register

Program Agenda

Description:

From using software for automation and efficiency, to privacy and free speech in a digital world, to reaching and ethically representing clients when businesses and individuals are embracing a remote-friendly, on-demand economy and workplace, this course will advance your legal technology skills to make a tech-forward 2022 work for you and your firm. Attendees will learn:

How to think like an engineer and work smart, not hard, to harness technology for a more efficient practice
What it means to meet your ethical duties to your clients in the Zoom-enabled, smartphone-friendly, cybercrime-ridden practice environment of 2022
The latest developments in U.S. and global cybersecurity requirements impacting your firm and your client’s businesses
How to use the Texas Bar’s new, attorney-friendly Advertising Review Portal for faster guidance on how to market ethically and effectively
Key recent holdings on the application of the First Amendment to social media platforms like Snapchat and Twitter
60 Apps to make your practice and life easier and more successful

Attend live streaming via Zoom on Friday, February 11 and ask presenters questions live via chat OR watch on-demand at your convenience for 30 days after.

A great value: Registrants for this seminar can earn up to 4.75 hours of MCLE credit, including 1.75 hours of ethics credit. It is only $75 for Section members, and $100 for others, including one year of free Computer and Technology Section membership.

Supporting Access to Justice: Registration is FREE for Legal Aid Providers or Justice Incubators.

Register now! Click HERE to register. Whether you’re a digital native or the PEBKAC, this CLE course will leave you better equipped for 2022.

We hope you will be able to join us!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Rogers, Chair
Computer and Technology Section
State Bar of Texas

Join us on Dec. 11 for the 4th Annual “Technology and Justice for All” CLE: Vaccinating Your Technology Tools for Practice in a Pandemic

Admin on December 2, 2020

The Computer & Technology Section will be hosting (virtually) its 4th Annual “Technology and Justice for All” CLE — Vaccinating Your Technology Tools for Practice in a Pandemic — from 8:45 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. CST on Friday, December 11, 2020. You don’t want to miss this outstanding CLE providing 5.5 hours of continuing legal education credit, including .75 of ethics.

See the full agenda below and you can register online here.

COST

$50 for Section members
$75 for non-Section members
FREE for any legal aid providers or justice incubators

FULL AGENDA

4th Annual Technology and Justice for All CLE: Vaccinating Your Technology Tools for Practice in a Pandemic

8:45 Welcome, Opening Remarks and Announcements
Shawn Tuma, Chair, Computer & Technology Section
William Smith, Course Director; Assistant General Counsel at Business Talent Group LLC, CIPP/E

9:00 Ransomware – a True Existential Threat to Your Practice! (1 hr / .25 ethics)
Lavonne Hopkins, Sr. Legal Director – Cybersecurity, Product & App Security, IT Security at Dell Technologies
Brett Leatherman, Supervisory Special Agent at the Federal Bureau of Investigation
Shawn Tuma, Co-Chair, Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Practice, Spencer Fane, LLP

10:00 Ethical Considerations for Practicing Remote and in a Pandemic (.5 hr ethics)
Hon. Roy Ferguson, Judge 394th Judicial District Court
Craig Haston, Attorney at Law at The Haston Law Firm, P.C.

10:30 Break

10:45 Trials, Depositions, Hearings, and other Remote Proceedings (1 hr)
Sammy Ford, Trial Lawyer, Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C. or AZA
Tim Shelby, Partner at Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C. or AZA
Monica Uddin, Attorney at Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C. or AZA
Jason McManis, Trial Lawyer for Business and IP Disputes, Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C. or AZA
Paul Turkevich, Attorney at Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing P.C. or AZA

11:45 Break

12:00 Celebrating 30 Years of the Computer and Technology Section (No MCLE Credit)
Peter Vogel, Cyber, IT, eCommerce, eDiscovery, Arbitrator, Mediator, Trial Lawyer, & Of Counsel at Foley & Lardner

12:45 Break

1:00 U.S. Supreme Court Technology Case Roundup (1 hr)

Matthew Murrel, Partner at Soltero Sapire Murrell PLLC
Pierre Grosdidier, Senior Assistant City Attorney at City of Houston
Ron Chichester, Attorney at Law at Ronald Chichester, P.C.

2:00 #SoEasyEvenMarkCanDoIt: Practice Management Systems and Virtual Law Practice with Mitchell and Mark (.5 hr)
Mitch Zoll, Founder & Principal at Zoll Firm, PLLC
Mark Unger, Attorney at The Unger Law Firm and Consultant at Muse Legal Technology Consulting

2:30 Expert Panel – Q&A With the Techies (.5 hr)

3:00 60 Apps in 60 Minutes (1 hr)
Michael Curran, Executive Legal Professional, CEO ➲ Leading Financial & Technology Expertise for Risk Mitigation & Asset Protection
Shannon Warren, Patent Attorney at The Law Office of Shannon Warren, PLLC
Robert Ray, Attorney At Law at TexasAntiSlapp.Com
Al “VirtuAl” Harrison, VP at Harrison Law Office, P.C.

4:00 Closing Remarks and Adjourn
William Smith, Course Director; Assistant General Counsel at Business Talent Group LLC, CIPP/E

HEY, WHILE YOU’RE HERE, CONNECT WITH US ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

We are excited to provide you with seven social media channels to interact with others and stay connected to the Section:

The Section’s Facebook Group, Computer & Technology Section – State Bar of Texas, https://www.facebook.com/groups/ComputerTechnologySection/, is limited to only active members of the Section and provides a great opportunity to communicate with other members of the Section.
The Section’s Facebook Page, Computer & Technology Section – State Bar of Texas, https://www.facebook.com/TXBarTech, is a Page that anyone on Facebook can “Like” and “Follow” and is a great way to stay updated on Section news and events.
The Section’s LinkedIn Group, Computer & Technology Section – State Bar of Texas, https://www.linkedin.com/groups/1890047/ is limited to only active members of the Section and provides a great opportunity to communicate with other members of the Section.
The Section’s LinkedIn Page, Computer & Technology Section – State Bar of Texas, https://www.linkedin.com/company/computer-technology-section-state-bar-of-texas/, is a Page that anyone on LinkedIn can “Follow” and is a great way to stay updated on Section news and events.
The Section’s Twitter, @TXBarCompTechSection, https://twitter.com/TXBarCompTech, is a Twitter account that anyone can “Follow” and is a great way to stay updated on Section news and events.
The Section’s Instagram, @TxBarTech, https://www.instagram.com/txbartech/, is an Instagram account that anyone can “Follow” and is a great way to stay connected to the Section.
Follow and use #TxBarTech, the Section’s hashtag, on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/TxBarTech/), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/feed/hashtag/?keywords=txbartech), and Twitter (https://twitter.com/hashtag/TXBarTech) to keep up with and share Section-related content.

In memoriam of our friend and colleague, Josh Hamilton

Erica Anderson on February 9, 2020

Josiah Quincy “Josh” Hamilton

August 1, 1968 – February 3, 2020 (age 51)

Former Chair, App Developer, Council Member, Musician, Friend

It is with immense sadness that we share that Josh Hamilton, former Chair, passed away from glioblastoma, an aggressive brain tumor. Josh was as amazing a friend as anyone could have known. He was kind beyond words or actions, transcending this quality to an art that is so rarely seen that it appears to perhaps be endangered. In essence, he was quite literally the ‘nicest guy you might ever want to meet.’ He was smart beyond knowledge, wise beyond years and gracious beyond anyone’s ability to ask.

Josh was an integral part of the team creating the Computer & Technology Section app for its members, figuring out how to authenticate a user’s identity with the State Bar of Texas and writing the code to accomplish this that was adopted by the company that made the app.

In 2011, he received The State Bar of Texas Presidents/Directors Certificate of Merit, State Bar of Texas Annual Meeting, and Computer & Technology Section Award of Merit for his work on the App and his contribution to the State Bar.

Josh was a true husband and partner to his wife, Jane, devoted and loving father to his children, Bethany, Josiah, and Sophia and many other family and friends. How his children grew up, and how they are now is a testimonial of Josh as a father. How his wife loved him is a testimonial of Josh as a husband. How he treated his fellow attorneys is a testimonial of Josh as a friend.

Those who knew him admired his ability as a first-class hacker. He was easily the best Perl hacker that the State Bar could call their own. He built his own home security system (from cobbled-together parts). He created spamgourmet.com (a great website that provided disposable email addresses that helped thousands of people avoid unwanted spam/corporate messages). That’s what Josh did best. He used his considerable hacking skills to devise creative solutions for the common good — all on a shoestring budget. Practical as well as pragmatic. He was level-headed, and did not possess any of the idiosyncrasies common to geeks.

We, the Council and section members, lawyers and friends, will miss him more than we have words. Thank you Josh, for what you were and what you have done to make us better.

Memorial Service and reception:

Friday, February 14, 2020 at 11:00 AM
Christ Church Cathedral
1117 Texas Avenue
Houston, Texas 77002

Tribute to Josiah “Josh” Hamilton.

2018 Strata Data Conference

Ron Chichester on September 16, 2018

Google saw fit to bestow a free ticket to a member of the Council to attend the Strata Conference (https://conferences.oreilly.com/strata) in New York City. The Strata Conference is all about Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Data Science, as well as some attendant topics. Size-wise, this conference is on a par with LegalTech and the International Legal Technology Association (“ILTA”) Conference . However that is about where the similarity ends. As far as I could tell, I was the only attorney in attendance. They were curious to know why I was there, but when I described e-discovery, data breach situations and the like — they got it. A very welcoming lot. Here are some observations:

1. As with the legal conventions, AI was all the rage. Not surprising, however, because the Strata conference is all about data, so Data Science (aka “Big Data”) plays an more important role. AI is used to analyze Big Data. There is just so much data that only a machine could cope with it.

2. Open source software applications dominate the field. In fact, there was one presentation entitled “Commercial Software in an Increasingly Open Source Ecosystem.” Large companies now insist on open source applications (for a variety of reasons). So much so that when they go looking for solutions, they turn to the open source versions first. Even Microsoft was touting how well you could run Linux and other open source applications on Azure. Microsoft knows that it has a credibility problem in this area, but they are truly making an effort to make amends with the open source community (and by extension, corporate America).

3. AI and Data Science are quickly being institutionalized in corporate America. Corporate networks are being modified to capture company data for use in AI-based applications (which have an insatiable thirst for data).

4. The pace of AI development is exponential, and that pace won’t slow down anytime soon. Indeed, the pace of infrastructure modifications to take advantage of AI development will ensure that that exponential rate of GPU (graphic processor units) growth continues for the near term.

5. Moore’s law is officially dead — kind of. The current rate of growth of *CPU* capability is 1.1:1, rather than the 1.5:1 during the heyday of Moore’s law. Don’t despair. The growth rate for *GPU’s* (favored by AI applications) is currently 1.5:1. Moore’s law isn’t quite dead yet, but it has shifted a bit.

6. AI is getting easier to develop and use. Software is being developed to abstract the process of creating AI. This abstraction process is intended to insulate normal people from the nitty-gritty of developing AI. I saw one Microsoft engineer build an AI-based chat bot in less than 5 minutes (he timed himself, right in front of us). The point is, AI is getting easier to develop and use all the time. Soon, even a lawyer will be able to do it. What this portends is hard to fathom, but people would be wise to monitor the developments. Even better, AI has now hit the “hobby” level, in that the tools to start developing AI are free (from a software royalty standpoint) and the hardware costs to do it (beyond a snail’s pace) are modest.