Lessons from Villarreal v. Texas: Defendant Testimony, Witness Preparation, and Cross-Examination

The Top 7 Strategies That Increase Case Value, and 5 Mistakes That Kill It

Mike Alder of AlderLaw will examine how insurance companies evaluate attorney behavior to assess risk and shape their litigation approach — and how understanding that process helps attorneys build stronger, better-documented cases. Topics include effective discovery practices, proper documentation of damages, and the litigation habits that consistently move the needle on case outcomes. Attorneys will leave with actionable takeaways they can apply immediately to improve results for their clients. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

AI in Tax Practice: Practical Workflows from Tax Research to Tax Court

Generative AI is moving from novelty to everyday tax-practice tool. This webinar shows what tax attorneys can realistically do today with Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini, using examples drawn from the work tax lawyers handle every week. Through live demonstrations, Steve will show how AI can help analyze IRS and FTB notices, find and test authority in the IRM and Treasury Regulations, review taxpayer records and bank-deposit data, evaluate agreements against tax issue frameworks such as captive-insurance validity, and prepare a first draft of a Tax Court petition from a Notice of Deficiency. The session will also cover where these tools fail: hallucinated authority, missed deadlines, bad math, overconfident issue spotting, confidentiality risk, and the verification steps lawyers should use before any AI-assisted work product leaves the office. Recent frontier-model releases, including Claude Opus 4.7, have improved document reasoning, data analysis, and multi-step legal workflows. The focus of this session is not hype. It is practical use, careful supervision, and knowing what still must be verified. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

From Engagement to Enforcement: Managing Fee Disputes and Nonpayment for Attorneys

Aleksandra Hilvert, founder of Vault Legal, provides an in-depth discussion of best practices for avoiding attorney-client fee disputes, protecting your right to payment, and navigating the decision of whether to pursue action when fees go unpaid. Topics covered include key terms to include in engagement letters, setting client expectations around billing, recognizing early warning signs of nonpayment, and understanding options when a client relationship breaks down. Hilvert will also address the practical calculus attorneys face when weighing the financial, reputational, and ethical risks of pursuing collection against the cost of walking away.

LGBTQ+ Allyship for Legal Professionals

This program explores how legal professionals can move beyond general support of the LGBTQ+ community to practice thoughtful, effective allyship in the workplace. Drawing on the presenter’s perspective as an LGBTQ+ attorney and experience supporting LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, the presentation covers key terminology and highlights practical examples of effective allyship in the workplace. Attendees gain concrete tools to foster more inclusive environments and promote a culture where colleagues feel supported and empowered to be their authentic selves. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.

Diminished Capacity? Part Two: Assessing Expert Testimony on Cognitive Impairment at Trial

Building on the medical framework established in Part 1, this session turns to the practical realities of preparing and presenting expert testimony on cognitive impairment and capacity in the courtroom. Sarah N. Mourra, M.D. and David W. Trader, M.D. return with moderator Judge David J. Cowan to address how experts analyze medical records, structure written reports versus providing oral testimony, and scope their opinions appropriately. The panel explores the critical distinctions between testamentary and contractual capacity, the risks of straying into areas of undue influence or elder abuse that may be beyond their expertise, and how the Sanchez decision affects an expert's ability to evaluate a treating physician's conclusions without personally examining the patient. The discussion also covers what lawyers often overlook when working with a medical expert and what to look for when assessing the other side's expert on cognitive issues. Audio versions of Beverly Hills Bar Association programs are eligible for Self-Study CLE credit in California. Visit www.bhba.org/podcasts for more information.