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

Preserving Error for Appellate Review

In litigation, “wait and see” is not a strategy. Should a trial judge enter an erroneous adverse ruling that prejudicially affects your client, you should have a ready plan and be prepared to implement it immediately to preserve an appellate challenge. This need for quick action arises because, with limited exceptions, appellate courts will not consider issues raised for the first time on appeal. We will tackle the steps required to preserve state court error for appellate review and identify some contexts that call for attention and scrutiny at the trial level. 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.

In Conversation with Professor Edward Lee: Vibe Coding, AI Authorship, and the Future of Copyright

We're excited to offer members a rare chance to engage directly with Professor Edward Lee of Santa Clara University School of Law, one of the leading voices on AI, copyright, and the legal questions posed by disruptive technologies. The conversation will focus on his recent paper on vibe coding and copyright authorship, including whether fully AI-generated code retains copyright protection. 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.

Finding Common Ground: Mediating the Complex Financial Case

Christopher C. Melcher, partner at Walzer Melcher & Yoda LLP, Hon. Joshua D. Wayser of LASC, and Anthony Storm, founding partner at Storm Palyan LLP, will examine how mediation can work in family law cases where the financial stakes are high and the issues are genuinely complicated. Melcher and Storm will draw on their litigation and settlement experience to address the structural and strategic challenges these cases present, from business valuations and complex asset divisions to the dynamics that push parties toward or away from resolution. Judge Wayser will offer a judicial perspective on what courts are looking for, how mediators and counsel can better prepare their clients, and where the process tends to break down. Attorneys will leave with a clearer framework for assessing when mediation is the right path, how to position a complex financial case for settlement, and what it takes to get sophisticated parties to the table and keep them there. 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.

2026 - Trust, Probate, & Conservatorship Annual Litigation Update

Scott Rahn and Nicholas Van Brunt provide a survey of appellate decisions concerning or relating to trusts, estates, and conservatorships in the last 12 months that are relevant to estate planners, administration counsel, and litigators. Credits: 1.00 Hours. Credit Type: General. Specialty Area: Estate Planning, Trust & Probate Law. Original Air Date: 05/19/2026. Program Materials: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b5RAa06WXbXoWNR4tC1WlX-8fj7anEqb/view?usp=sharing 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.

Space Law 101 - What Attorneys Need to Know About the Legal Framework Governing Commercial Space Act

Mary-Christine (M.C.) Sungaila, a partner in the Complex Appellate Litigation Group and Space Law & Policy professor at LMU Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, will provide a foundational overview of the international and domestic legal frameworks governing outer space activity. Drawing on the Outer Space Treaty of 1967 and U.S. commercial space laws, she will cover core principles -- from state liability and private actor oversight to resource mining, orbital debris, and conflict resolution -- and flag the open legal questions that remain unsettled as commercial space activity accelerates. Attorneys will leave with a practical grounding in how space law works today and where the gaps are. 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.