The Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University is pleased to offer the legal
community a variety of continuing legal education (CLE) opportunities throughout the
year.
Duquesne Kline will continue to offer CLE programs that will move you to reconsider
the past, broaden your experience and occasionally challenge your values. All provide
a mix of topics, from re-examination of fundamental principles to the cutting-edge
exploration of legal issues. We also partner with leading companies, organizations
and firms to present day-long conferences.
Costs
Individual courses generally cost $40. Occasionally special rates apply to specific
courses and will be noted on the registration for that course(s). A limited number
of CLE scholarships are available.
CLE Credit
All courses have been approved by the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board
for substantive or ethics credits as noted above. For Continuing Legal Education credit
outside Pennsylvania, Duquesne Kline will provide a Uniform Certificate of Attendance.
Participants can request this form and use it to obtain credit outside of Pennsylvania.
CLE registration is required for all courses. Attendees can pay while registering
online, with E-checks and credit cards (Visa, MC and Discover) - or at the door with
cash, check or credit card after registering online.
Duquesne Kline Law Alumni Association Discount
Duquesne Kline Law Alumni Association members receive a $25 discount on an individual
course or the series each fall and spring. Find out about all DLAA membership benefits.
Duquesne Kline is committed to providing low-cost continuing legal education and to
providing scholarship assistance for our programs for attorneys demonstrating financial
hardship.
Scholarship Policy
Duquesne Kline supports the legal community by offering discounts and scholarships
for public service attorneys and attorneys experiencing financial hardship.
In order to qualify for a discount or scholarship for any program, application should
be made via email at least two business days prior to the subject program to:
Samantha H. Coyne, MBA Assistant Director of External Relations and Director of Continuing Legal Education cleFREEDUQUESNE%C2%A0
The email should provide reasons for the scholarship based upon financial hardship
and/or indicate your public service employer. The determination of the discount or other scholarship is within the sole discretion
of the director. All applications will be kept confidential.
In Association with Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania: Mental Health IS Health October 10, Law School Mental Health Day
This was a collaborative program between Duquesne Kline School of Law and Lawyers
Concerned for Lawyers and featured attorneys and students.
In Association with Keep Our Republic: Moore v. Harper, the Independent State Legislature
Theory, and the 12th Amendment to the Constitution October 8
This program was a discussion of the Supreme Court's consideration of Moore v. Harper,
the independent state legislature theory, and the 12th Amendment to the Constitution
and the Electoral Count Act of 1887. Our speakers included Duquesne Kline School of
Law Distinguished Executive in Residence and former Governor of Pennsylvania Tom Corbett,
Duquesne Kline School of Law Professor Wilson Huhn, Justice Emeritus Thomas G. Saylor,
former Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and Jonathan Winer, member
of the Advisory Council of Keep Our Republic.
The New Supreme Court Cases: Duquesne Kline School of Law Faculty Explains September 30
Several members of Duquesne Kline School of Law's Faculty explained the recent Supreme
Court cases and provided a preview of a major case the court will be hearing in the
fall. Additionally, the panelists addressed legal and judicial ethics in a one-hour
presentation entitled "Promoting Public Confidence in the Court." During this presentation,
the panelists also discussed the implications of the Court's recent decisions.
Between Abdication and Suffocation: Three Eras of Governing Digital Platforms Presented by Professor Jonathan L. Zittrain September 28
The conventional wisdom around digital governance has shifted from one of hands-off
privatization to one of anxiety bordering on horror about what the twenty-five year
experiment of a hyper-networked world is doing to all of us, and whether there's anything
to be done about it. Professor Jonathan L. Zittrain's talk explored the issues and
possible mitigations and resolutions.
#Respond2Reality: The Impacts of Social Media on Mental Health and Domestic Violence Presented In Association With UPMC Passavant Hospital September 16
Social Isolation has been a norm for the past two years resulting in the increasing
needs to use digital platforms as a means of communication. Our youth and young adults
have had an increase in mental health issues as well as a rise in domestic violence
because of being socially isolated. This program intended to enlighten the participants
of different media platforms that may not be safe and encourage communication with
specialists, parents or caregivers in providing tools for prevention and knowledge
for assistance with any mental health issues or domestic violence situations.
The Death of Eyewitness Testimony and the Rise of the Machine Evidence Conference Chair: Duquesne Kline School of Law Professor Jane Campbell Moriarty, Carol
Los Mansmann Chair in Faculty Scholarship April 8
The legal system is increasingly reliant on machine-driven evidence including biometric
identification, cell service location information, neuroimaging, and computer-automated
DNA profiles. Although these technologies are remarkable, they pose challenging legal
and ethical questions. Speakers at the conference addressed constitutional concerns
about privacy, self-incrimination, and confrontation; the reliability of machine evidence;
the role of racial discrimination and bias in technology; and the ethical implications
of technological evidence.
The Future of Law in the Time of the Death of God Presented by Duquesne Kline School of Law Adrian Van Kaam Endowed Chair in Scholarly
Excellence and Professor of Law Bruce Ledewitz March 29
This CLE discussed the implications for law of Professor Bruce Ledewitz's new book,
The Universe Is on Our Side: Restoring Faith in American Public Life. The phenomenon
Friedrich Nietzsche called the Death of God has undermined trust in American society,
including trust in the rule of law. The framers of the Constitution would have embraced
the vision of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., of the arc of the moral universe bending
toward justice. But that faith as well has eroded. The book offers a new starting
point for the renewal of the claims of truth, beauty, goodness and justice.
Introduction to Practice within the Department of Veteran Affairs Presented by Commander J. B. Wells (L'94) U. S. Navy (Retired) Chairman, Military-Veterans Advocacy, Inc. March 17
This CLE included the structure of the VA claim process, ethical requirements of those
participating in the VA system, rulemaking within the VA, important court decisions
and pending litigation/legislation especially in the area of toxic exposure claims.
The Invisible Lawyer: Ethical Issues Arising from the Remote/Hybrid Workforce Presented by Jay Glunt (L'00), Fisher Phillips LLP February 17
As the COVID-19 global pandemic enters its third year, it is commonplace for attorneys
to practice law in a hybrid workplace. We regularly work from home or another remote
location some of the time, and other times (perhaps in the same work day) we practice
law in a more traditional office setting. These hybrid work arrangements trigger ethical
responsibilities in the areas of competency, confidentiality, and supervision of others.
Our presenter, Jay Glunt (L'00), is a workplace law specialist. Jay regularly trains
employers about best practices for managing remote workers, sometimes referred to
as the "invisible workforce." In this presentation, Jay brought his practical approach
to the professional responsibility obligations of an "Invisible Lawyer."
Recent Developments in Pennsylvania Constitutional Law Presented by Duquesne Kline School of Law Adrian Van Kaam Endowed Chair in Scholarly
Excellence and Professor of Law Bruce Ledewitz September 25
Recent Developments in Pennsylvania Constitutional Law was comprised of two hours
of substance and one hour of ethics. The two substantive hours discussed changes in
the jurisprudence of automobile searches, as well as other recent cases, and the constitutional
lessons that can be gleaned from litigation over the 2020 election and the pandemic.
The ethics hour explored the proper limits of professional self-regulation through
three case studies: the legal ethics investigation of the Allegheny County District
Attorney, threats of impeachment against Democrats on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court
stemming from alleged political partisanship and judicial recusal in the context of
discussion of public issues on the campaign trail in Pennsylvania versus Supreme Court
nomination hearings in the U.S. Senate.
Emerging Trends in Managing Global Entities Presented by Devlin Aaron Fisher, Esq. (L'12), and Robert J. McHugh, Esq. (L'12),
Global Sales Support Managers, CT Corporation October 14
In the face of rapidly changing laws and regulations in foreign jurisdictions, U.S.
companies are confronted with a growing number of obstacles and challenges when operating
globally. With the complexity of managing entities abroad only increasing, U.S. companies
are now taking steps to operate more efficiently and to ensure that their global entities
remain in compliance. With this in mind, it is important for attorneys and legal professionals
to have an understanding of the best practices in managing global entities and be
aware of the potential risks that this work presents. This presentation outlined the
growth and expansion of U.S. companies to global markets, recent jurisdictional changes,
operational efficiencies and considerations for global entity management, and upcoming
changes and trends to expect.
LLC Basics: A Roadmap for the General Practitioner Presented by Rocco E. Cozza, Esq. (L'03), Founder, Managing Attorney, and Matthew
Bolewitz, Esq. (L'15), Senior Counsel, Cozza Law Group PLLC November 4
Topics covered include:
Purpose of an LLC entity structure
Types of structure (member-managed vs manager-managed)
General formation process (Pennsylvania based)
Tax advantages discussion (S-Corp designation)
Structure of the Operating Agreement
The "Four D's" - Death, Disability, Death, Divorce
Purpose of Buy-Sell Agreement
Criminal Defense Representation: The Do's and Don'ts Presented by Turahn L. Jenkins, Esq. (L'04), Criminal Defense Lawyer November 18
Attorney Jenkins discussed the things that you must always do, as well as the things
that you must absolutely avoid. From fee agreements, instructing clients on the law,
to preserving attorney client privilege, a host of issues that we all need to be cognizant
of that would be beneficial to both newer and seasoned attorneys were discussed.
Cryptocurrency and Digital Assets in Estate Administration Presented by Ashley R. Bozewski, Esq. (L'12), Sherrard, German & Kelly, P.C. December 9
This CLE discussed the unique challenges in managing digital assets, including cryptocurrency,
in estate planning and estate administration. The first part reviewed the Revised
Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets adopted by Pennsylvania made effective
in January 2021 and then moved into a discussion of the complications cryptocurrency
may create for a fiduciary as well as emerging trends with handling cryptocurrency
in estate planning and administration.
Race, Poverty & Democracy CLE Series (Fall 2020 - Spring 2021)
We live in turbulent times. Democracy, poverty, and racism have been at the center
of everyday life and at the forefront of national events. Duquesne Kline School of
Law's pursuit of justice, understanding, human dignity, and respect is at the center
of our mission and vision. To that end, Duquesne Kline School of Law faculty presented
a series of continuing-legal-education programs to highlight the deleterious effects
of racism and discrimination, and to examine how democratic institutions have historically
perpetuated, and can be used to combat, racial injustice. Our goal was, and continues
to be, to educate, lead positive change and serve as active participants against racial
injustice.
The series began in the fall 2020 semester, with Duquesne Kline School of Law faculty
leading sessions that examined the "Historical Overview of Race and Voting in the
United States," "Discrimination and Voting Rights in America," and, "Hate in America:
Anti-Semitism, Misogyny, and Racism."
The spring semester encompassed sessions on "Prohibition's Surprising Role in the
Regulation of Modern Police," "Police Dogs: Problems of Violence and Racism," and,
"Human Trafficking in Your Neighborhood," a CLE co-presented with The Villanova Law
Institute.
As part of a Catholic and Spiritan University Founded in 1878, the Duquesne Kline
School of Law's mission since our very inception in 1911 has been (and steadfastly
remains) built upon a pursuit of justice that advances the values of human dignity
and mutual respect. As a law school, we are uniquely positioned to foster inclusive
excellence and we are obligated to be powerful agents of change in our community.
We sincerely appreciate your support of this and future CLE series.
Learn more about the inception of the Race, Poverty & Democracy speaker series in
Duquesne Kline School of Law News.
Race, Poverty & Democracy CLE Series
September 26, 2020 Presented by Duquesne Kline School of Law Professor Will Huhn
This program is about systemic racism; specifically, the laws and court decisions
that historically and to this day are used to suppress and dilute the votes of persons
who are members of racial minorities. Covered are the denial of citizenship to persons
of color; the battles that led to the adoption of the 15th Amendment; the annihilation
of voting rights during the Redeemer Movement; the decisions of the United States
Supreme Court initially upholding and then at long last striking down the use of white
primaries, poll taxes and malapportionment; the adoption of the Voting Rights Act
in 1965; the initial enforcement of the Voting Rights Act; the chipping away at the
Voting Rights Act; and current schemes of voter suppression and vote dilution.
October 15, 2020 Presented by Duquesne Kline School of Law Associate Professor Jalila Jefferson-Bullock
Today, there are still credible threats to access to voting. In 2013, Shelby County
v Holder weakened the Voting Rights Act by declaring Section 4's preclearance formula
unconstitutional. For that reason, there is no longer federal oversight in areas with
histories of discrimination in voting practices and procedures. Yet, there is still
rampant discrimination in voting practices and procedures throughout the United States.
For example, voter ID laws, reduced polling places, voter registration purges, lack
of absentee balloting, and "poll taxes" of old remain as hurdles that minority voters
currently face in accessing the franchise. The question is how will Section 2 of the
Voting Rights Act protect against these discriminatory practices?
November 6, 2020 Presented by Duquesne Kline School of Law Associate Professor Rona Kaufman
The CLE focused on three specific types of hatred in America: Anti-Semitism, Racism,
and Misogyny, and explored similarities and differences between these hatreds and
the movements combatting them. It viewed these forms of hate through the lenses of
intersectionality, history, law, and populism. The CLE considered both causes of and
solutions to these forms of hate with specific attention on opportunities for collaboration
between groups to achieve equality and end oppression and persecution.
February 26th, 2021 Presented by Duquesne Kline School of Law Professor Wesley M. Oliver
The legal limits on the use of force by police officers are very unclear and the subject
of much controversy. Search and seizure law, by contrast, is governed by a vast body
of law and - Breonna Taylor's case notwithstanding - is not a matter of public concern.
To put this contrast more starkly, the law very precisely tells an officer when it
is appropriate to search the trunk of a car, but provides almost no guidance on when
it is appropriate to shoot someone dead. Police academies largely rely on judicial
decisions to train officers. The law's lack of guidance on force therefore has significant
consequences. How did the law come to thoroughly regulate searches but not shootings?
This CLE demonstrated that judicial responses to Prohibition in the 1920s provide
a possible explanation and suggest that the remedy Prohibition gave us - namely the
exclusionary rule - is a relic of that era, unsuitable for a world with concerns much
more consequential than liquor searches, and unworthy of the deference we typically
attribute to precedent.
March 19, 2021 Presented by Duquesne Kline School of Law Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and
Associate Professor Ann Schiavone
This CLE discussed the dilemma of using police dogs in the apprehension of criminal
suspects, particularly focusing on the issues surrounding use of force and racial
bias. Recent severe injuries and even deaths caused by police dogs have triggered
media attention and government audits of K-9 programs. This CLE discussed the legal
basis for using police dogs for the apprehension fuTnction, while bringing in historical,
scientific, and psychological evidence, along with current events to help reevaluate
their use.
March 27, 2021 Presented by Duquesne Kline School of Law and The Villanova Law Institute to Address Commercial Sexual and Exploitation
What is human trafficking? Human trafficking is a serious crime and violation of human
rights, involving force, coercion, or fraud to exploit a person into labor or sexual
exploitation. A common misconception about human trafficking is that it does not happen
in the United States. This is false, sex and labor trafficking happen throughout the
United States in nearly every town and city. Recent social media campaigns have drawn
attention to this issue, but misrepresent the reality of sex and labor trafficking
in the United States. This CLE explored Federal and State Trafficking Law with Rebecca Silinski (L'15),
Assistant United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania, and Summer
Carroll, PA Office of Attorney General, Organized Crime Unit. Richard Mullen, retired
lieutenant with the Allegheny County Police, Karen Davidson, retired Special Agent
of the FBI, and Denise Holtz, retired Special Agent of the FBI, discussed investigating
this heinous crime. Rebecca Mackenzie shared her experiences as a human trafficking
survivor. Alexia Tomlinson, Senior Justice for Victims Fellow at the Institute to
Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation at Villanova University's Charles Widger School
of Law, covered the vital importance of trauma informed lawyering's role in representing
trafficking victims. The program was moderated by Judy Hale, Esq. (L'14), MPA, Legal
Advocacy Manager at the Women's Center & Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh.
