2026 Ethics Update Part 1

Sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Freestone and WebCredenza, Inc. 

 

February 9, 2026

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MT)

*Live Audio Stream Only

1.0 Ethics credit

Registration Fee:  $60.00

 

 

Stay current with the rapidly evolving landscape of professional responsibility as ethics rules adapt to modern practice realities and technological advancement. This comprehensive program examines the most significant recent developments in legal ethics, from regulatory changes to landmark disciplinary decisions that reshape professional conduct standards. Ensure your practice remains compliant while understanding the practical implications of emerging ethical requirements.

 

• Examine significant disciplinary cases establishing new precedents for professional conduct

• Understand updated guidance on technology use and data security obligations

• Address evolving standards for client communication and fee arrangement

2026 Ethics Update Part 2

Sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Freestone and WebCredenza, Inc. 

 

February 10, 2026

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MT)

*Live Audio Stream Only

1.0 Ethics credit

Registration Fee:  $60.00

Building on foundational updates, this advanced program explores complex ethical scenarios and emerging challenges that define the future of professional responsibility. Delve deeper into sophisticated ethical dilemmas involving conflicts of interest, client confidentiality, and professional competence in our rapidly changing legal environment. Master the nuanced analysis required to navigate tomorrow's ethical challenges with confidence and integrity.

 

• Navigate complex conflict scenarios involving multiple clients and business relationships

• Address advanced confidentiality challenges in team-based and technology-assisted practice

• Discussion of general trends in rules of professional responsibility

2026 Uniform Commercial Code Update

Sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Freestone and WebCredenza, Inc. 

 

January 12, 2026

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MT)

*Live Audio Stream Only

1.0 CLE credit

Registration Fee:  $60.00

 

Stay current on the UCC changes that will shape commercial deals and secured transactions in 2026. This program distills statutory amendments, evolving case law, and digital-asset developments into practical guidance you can apply immediately. You’ll leave with drafting tips, risk flags, and checklists you can use in your next deal or dispute.

 

• Map the key updates affecting Articles 2, 4A, 7, 8, and 9.

• Understand how “control” and electronic records impact priority and enforceability.

• Spot high-risk terms in sales, leasing, and secured-credit documents.

• Get sample clause language and due-diligence checklists.

 

44^th Annual Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Seminar

Sponsored by the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law & Bankruptcy Section

 

Thursday, February 19 - Saturday, February 21, 2026

**In-Person Attendance Only

 

The Grove Hotel
245 S. Capitol Blvd.  – Boise

13.0 CLE credits including 1.0 Ethics credits

 

Registration:

Standard Registration:                 $400

Bankruptcy Section Members:   $350

Paralegals and Court Staff:         $200

Law Students:                               No Cost

 

Take Advantage of the Section Membership Registration Benefits Now: Join the Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section for only $30.

 

Join the Idaho State Bar Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section for their 44^th Annual Bankruptcy Seminar that will be held at the newly renovated Grove Hotel.  The seminar will feature nationally recognized speakers on bankruptcy and jurists from the Idaho and Montana bankruptcy bench who will present on various aspects of bankruptcy law and practice.

 

Don’t forget to book your lodging at The Grove Hotel by January 21^st to get the discounted rate of $209/night. 

 

Program Agenda

Thursday, February 19, 2026

1:00 p.m.      Welcome & Ninth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel Presentation

2:30 p.m.      Break

2:45 p.m.      Case Law Review

                        Suzanne J. Hickok, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Idaho

                        Carol K. Mills, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Idaho

                        Glory M. Crocco, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Idaho

4:00 p.m.       The Ethics of Television Legal Dramas

                       Joseph N. Pirtle, Idaho State Bar

5:00 p.m.       Adjourn

 

Friday, February 20, 2026

8:00 a.m.       Breakfast

8:30 a.m.       Bad Boys of Bankruptcy Podcast: Richard Butler

                        Hon. Elizabeth Gunn, United States Bankruptcy Court, District of Columbia

                       J. Ford Elsaesser, Elsaesser Anderson, Chtd.

9:45 a.m.       Break

10:00 a.m.     Subchapter V Trustee's Panel

                        Moderator:  Matthew T. Christensen, Ampleo

                        Gary L. Rainsdon, Subchapter V Trustee - Idaho

                        Matthew W. Grimshaw, Grimshaw Law Group, P.C. - Subchapter V Trustee – Idaho

                        TBD, Subchapter V Trustee – Utah or Montana

11:00 a.m.     Secured Transactions

                        Steven T. Waterman, Dorsey & Whitney LLP

                        Megan Baker, Dorsey & Whitney LLP

                        Aaron R. Bell, Dorsey & Whitney LLP

12:00 p.m.     Hosted Lunch, Annual Awards Presentation and The Creation of the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel

                       Hon. Benjamin P. Hursh, Chief Bankruptcy Judge, District of Montana

1:30 p.m.       Debt’s Grip

                        Deborah Thorne, Ph.D., University of Idaho

                        Pamela Foohey, University of Georgia School of Law

3:00 p.m.       Break

3:15 p.m.       The Return of Bankruptcy Jeopardy!

                        J.B. Evans, Dorsey Whitney, LLP

4:30 p.m.       Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section Business Meeting & Elections

5:00 p.m.       Cocktail Reception Hosted by Foley & Freeman

 

Saturday, February 21, 2026

8:00 a.m.       Breakfast

8:30 a.m.       Legislative Update

                        Lucas T. Malek, Malek + Malek

9:30 a.m.       The Case for Doing Debtor Work: Building a Client-Centered Consumer Bankruptcy Practice That Protects Your Staff and Your Sanity

                        Tecla Druffel, Tec Law, PLLC

10:30 a.m.     Break

10:45 a.m.     Bankruptcy Judge’s Panel

                        Hon. Noah G. Hillen, Chief US Bankruptcy Judge, District of Idaho

                        Hon. Brent R. Wilson, US Bankruptcy Judge, District of Idaho

                        Hon. Benjamin Hursh, Chief US Bankruptcy Judge, District of Montana

                        Hon. Jim Pappas, US Bankruptcy Judge, District of Idaho, Retired

12:00 p.m.    Conference Concludes

Handling Your First or Next Employment Law Case

Sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation
 

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (MT)

The Law Center
525 W. Jefferson St. – Boise

*In Person Attendance  / Live Webcast Available

 2.0 CLE credits – NAC approved

 

Registration Fee: 

Standard Registration:                                $75.00

Day of Registration:                                     $80.00

Law Student/General Public:                     $20.00

 

Whether you are contemplating taking your first employment case or you are a seasoned practitioner wanting up-to-date information in the employment law arena, this program will provide essential information and practice tips on current trends, the typical and not so typical issues that arise, including, but not limited to:  FLSA exemptions, sexual harassment,  Title VII, ADA and age discrimination claims.  Veteran employment attorneys Matthew Gunn, Law Offices of Matthew G. Gunn, and Douglas A. Werth, Office of the Idaho Attorney General will present.

 

Handling Your First or Next Real Estate Case

Sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation

Wednesday, February 4, 2026

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (MT)

The Law Center
525 W. Jefferson St. – Boise

*In Person Attendance / Live Webcast Available

 2.0 CLE credits – NAC approved

 

Registration Fee: 

Standard Registration:                                $75.00

Day of Registration:                                     $80.00

Law Student/General Public:                      $20.00

 

Join experienced practitioners T. Hethe Clark of Clark Wardle, LLP and Hilary S. Vaughn of First American Title Insurance Company, as they cover topics affecting real estate including but not limited to security documents, foreclosures, zoning, legal descriptions, easements, second mortgages, deeds of trust, underlying encumbrances, instruments of conveyance, proration of rents and damage deposits. Their presentation will also address property taxes, fire & casualty insurance, title insurance, environmental provisions, due on sale clauses and warranty deeds.

 

Helping Your Client Respond to a Cyber Attack

Sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Freestone and WebCredenza, Inc. 

 

January 13, 2026

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MT)

*Live Audio Stream Only

1.0 CLE credit

Registration Fee:  $60.00

 

When minutes matter, a calm, prepared response can save your client money, reputation, and leverage. This session walks you through a lawyer’s role from first call to full recovery, with scripts, timelines, and decision trees. Learn how to protect privilege, coordinate forensics, and meet disclosure obligations without over-informing.

 

• Build a 72-hour incident-response timeline with counsel at the center.

• Preserve privilege while working with IT, vendors, and insurers.

• Navigate ransom demands, notifications, and regulatory reporting.

• Draft tight engagement letters, hold notices, and public statements.

Lawyer Ethics in a Digital World

Sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Freestone and WebCredenza, Inc. 

 

February 20, 2026

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MT)

*Live Audio Stream Only

1.0 Ethics credit

Registration Fee:  $60.00

 

 

Technology integration creates unprecedented ethical challenges as traditional professional responsibility concepts meet digital reality in ways the original rule drafters never imagined. This program addresses the complex intersection of legal ethics and modern technology, from cloud computing and mobile practice to social media and virtual client relationships. Master the evolving ethical landscape of digital practice while leveraging technology's benefits for enhanced client service.

 

• Navigate data security and confidentiality requirements in cloud-based and mobile practice environments

• Address ethical implications of social media use for client development and case investigation

• Understand competence requirements for technology-assisted legal services and AI integration

• Manage client relationship boundaries in virtual practice settings and remote service delivery

Lawyer Ethics of Using Paralegals

Sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Freestone and WebCredenza, Inc. 

 

January 27, 2026

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MT)

*Live Audio Stream Only

1.0 Ethics credit

Registration Fee:  $60.00

 

Effective delegation elevates service, but ethics rules set clear guardrails. Learn how to supervise work, protect confidentiality, and prevent unauthorized practice. We provide workflows and billing practices that withstand client and court review.

 

• Implement Model Rule 5.3 supervision with practical checklists.

• Safeguard client data in shared drives and remote settings.

• Describe and bill paralegal time with clarity and accuracy.

• Set boundaries on client communications and court appearances.

Primer on Taking and Defending Depositions

Sponsored by the Idaho State Bar Young Lawyers and Litigation Sections

 

Thursday, February 12, 2025

9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (MT)

Light breakfast and networking begin at 8:30 am

 

University of Idaho College of Law

501 W. Front St., Room 221 – Boise

*Live Webcast Available

3.0 CLE credits – NAC Approved

 

Registration

Standard Registration                                                         $125

Young Lawyers & Litigation Section Members               $100

Paralegals and Court Staff                                                 $75

Law Students                                                                        $50

 

Depositions are where cases are won, lost, or irreversibly shaped, and yet many attorneys learn them by trial and error. This practical, nuts-and-bolts CLE is designed to sharpen one of a litigator’s most powerful tools: the deposition.

 

Whether you’re taking testimony or defending a witness, this program walks through the full lifecycle of a deposition, from strategic preparation to effective execution. Presenters will cover how to prepare yourself and your witnesses for success, including techniques for managing difficult personalities, controlling the narrative, and protecting the record. You’ll also learn best practices for taking depositions that advance your case theory, lock in testimony, and set up dispositive motions for trial.

 

Just as importantly, presenters will focus on defending depositions: when to object, when to stay quiet, and how to handle aggressive or acrimonious opposing counsel without escalating the conflict or harming your client. Real-world examples and practical tips will help you navigate high-pressure situations with confidence and professionalism.

 

If you litigate, depositions are not optional, they are essential. This CLE will give you concrete tools you can use immediately to conduct smarter, more effective depositions and to defend your clients when it matters most.

Professionalism for the Ethical Lawyer

Sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Freestone and WebCredenza, Inc. 

 

February 13, 2026

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MT)

*Live Audio Stream Only

1.0 Ethics credit

Registration Fee:  $60.00

 

Elevate your practice beyond mere rule compliance to embody the highest ideals of legal professionalism that distinguish exceptional lawyers from the merely competent. This program explores the intersection of ethics, civility, and professional excellence that defines truly successful legal careers. Discover how professional conduct enhances client relationships, improves case outcomes, and contributes to a more effective justice system.

 

• Understand the distinction between ethical minimums and professional excellence standards

• Develop strategies for maintaining civility and respect in adversarial proceedings

• Address challenging situations involving difficult opposing counsel and uncooperative parties

• Build a reputation for professionalism that enhances client development and career advancement

2025 Ethics Update: Navigating New Challenges, Part 1

Sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Freestone and WebCredenza, Inc. 

 

January 6, 2026

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MT)

*Live Audio Stream Only

1.0 Ethics credit

Registration Fee:  $60.00

*Please Note: If you received credit for this course for February 11, 2025, you will not be able to receive credit for attending this replay.  This replay will count as live CLE credit.

 

This annual ethics program will provide you with a round-table discussion of practical ethical issues important to your practice. The program will provide you with an engaging discussion of ethics developments involving technology and law practice, conflicts of interest, and attorney-client communications in a digital world where no one is truly unplugged. The panel will also discuss the ethics of withdrawing from a matter and firing a client and the ethics of developing new business.  This program will provide you with a wide-ranging discussion of practical ethics developments important to your practice.

 

Day 1:

• Ethics and artificial intelligence
• Ethics and witness prep
• Emerging issues in conflicts of interest, part 1

 

Day 2:

• Office sharing and imputed dq issues
• Protection for data
• Emerging issues in conflicts of interest, part 2

2025 Ethics Update: Navigating New Challenges, Part 2

Sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Freestone and WebCredenza, Inc. 

 

January 7, 2026

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MT)

*Live Audio Stream Only

1.0 Ethics credit

Registration Fee:  $60.00

*Please Note: If you received credit for this course for February 12, 2025, you will not be able to receive credit for attending this replay.  This replay will count as live CLE credit.

 

This annual ethics program will provide you with a round-table discussion of practical ethical issues important to your practice. The program will provide you with an engaging discussion of ethics developments involving technology and law practice, conflicts of interest, and attoarney-client communications in a digital world where no one is truly unplugged. The panel will also discuss the ethics of withdrawing from a matter and firing a client and the ethics of developing new business.  This program will provide you with a wide-ranging discussion of practical ethics developments important to your practice.

 

Day 1:

• Ethics and artificial intelligence
• Ethics and withness prep
• Emerging issues in conflicts of interest, part 1

 

Day 2:

• Office sharing and imputed dq issues
• Protection for data
• Emerging issues in conflicts of interest, part 2

2025 Ethics Update: Navigating New Challenges, Part 2

Sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Freestone and WebCredenza, Inc. 

 

January 7, 2026

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MT)

*Live Audio Stream Only

1.0 Ethics credit

Registration Fee:  $60.00

*Please Note: If you received credit for this course for February 12, 2025, you will not be able to receive credit for attending this replay.  This replay will count as live CLE credit.

 

This annual ethics program will provide you with a round-table discussion of practical ethical issues important to your practice. The program will provide you with an engaging discussion of ethics developments involving technology and law practice, conflicts of interest, and attorney-client communications in a digital world where no one is truly unplugged. The panel will also discuss the ethics of withdrawing from a matter and firing a client and the ethics of developing new business.  This program will provide you with a wide-ranging discussion of practical ethics developments important to your practice.

 

Day 1:

• Ethics and artificial intelligence
• Ethics and witness prep
• Emerging issues in conflicts of interest, part 1

 

Day 2:

• Office sharing and imputed dq issues
• Protection for data
• Emerging issues in conflicts of interest, part 2

Generative AI in Law Practice: Opportunities and Ethical Perils

Sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Freestone and WebCredenza, Inc. 

 

February 6, 2026

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MT)

*Live Audio Stream Only

1.0 Ethics credit

Registration Fee:  $60.00

*Please Note: If you received credit for this course for February 21, 2025, you will not be able to receive credit for attending this replay.  This replay will count as live CLE credit.

 

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are at the heart of many software packages and other technology lawyers use to automate drafting of transactional, estate planning, and pleadings. When lawyers use these forms of AI and machine learning, it raises substantial ethical issues touching the core of what is giving legal advice and service to clients. This program will discuss these ethical issues and how they may expose lawyers to liability.

Generative AI in Law Practice: Opportunities and Ethical Perils

Sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Freestone and WebCredenza, Inc. 

 

January 28, 2026

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MT)

*Live Audio Stream Only

1.0 Ethics credit

Registration Fee:  $60.00

*Please Note: If you received credit for this course for 2/21/2025, you will not be able to receive credit for attending this replay.  This replay will count as live CLE credit.

 

Artificial intelligence and machine learning are at the heart of many software packages and other technology lawyers use to automate drafting of transactional, estate planning, and pleadings. When lawyers use these forms of AI and machine learning, it raises substantial ethical issues touching the core of what is giving legal advice and service to clients. This program will discuss these ethical issues and how they may expose lawyers to liability.

Law Firm Files in the Cloud: Understanding Ethical Risks

Sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Freestone and WebCredenza, Inc. 

 

January 28, 2026

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MT)

*Live Audio Stream Only

1.0 Ethics credit

Registration Fee:  $60.00

*Please Note: If you received credit for this course for July 11, 2025, you will not be able to receive credit for attending this replay.  This replay will count as live CLE credit.

 

Most files are now stored in the “cloud,” a global network of servers that store files for organizations of every size, including law firms.  Many applications, including word processing, email and billing software packages that are used daily by lawyers and law firms, are also stored and used in the cloud.  This dramatic shift in the way files are created, modified, stored, and shared has substantial implications for law firms.   The first is a duty of competence requirement that lawyers understand how the technology they employ works and how it might impact client communications and confidentiality, among many other issues.  This program will provide you with a practical guide to ethical issues when lawyers and law firm store and create files in the cloud.

 

• Technology competence as an ethical duty of competence
• Ethical benchmarks and diligence for ensuring file and communication confidentiality in the cloud
• Mobile access – issues when the cloud is used via smartphone or tablet
• What if your client uses the cloud but you do not?
• Attorney-client privilege issues when using the cloud to communicate
• Internal policies – ensuring law firm security supplements cloud security

When the Law or Facts Are Against You: Ethical Considerations for Lawyer

Sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Freestone and WebCredenza, Inc. 

 

January 23, 2026

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MT)

*Live Audio Stream Only

1.0 Ethics credit

Registration Fee:  $60.00

*Please Note: If you received credit for this course for February  26, 2025, you will not be able to receive credit for attending this replay.  This replay will count as live CLE credit.

 

Every lawyer wrestles with how to handle facts or law that is unfavorable to a client. There is a natural tension between a lawyer’s duty to be honest, on the one hand, and the lawyer’s duty to provide zealous representation of a client.  In some instances, bad facts or bad law must be disclosed.  In other instances, disclosure is not required. How this tension is resolved involves substantial ethical issues.  This program will discuss the ethics issues involved and how they may be resolved in a practical setting. Ethical issues surrounding the representation of adverse facts to tribunals and adversaries

 

• Disclosure of adverse legal precedents
• Required discloses of bad facts or law
• Timing issues – when must the disclosure occur?
• Related issues of confidentiality and the attorney-client privilege
• Ex parte communications with the courts – what’s ethically permissible, what’s not?

Communicating in Opposing Counsel & the Courts: Professionalism and Ethics

Sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Freestone and WebCredenza, Inc. 

 

March 11, 2026

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (MT)

*Live Audio Stream Only

1.0 Ethics credit

Registration Fee:  $60.00

*Please Note: If you received credit for this course for April 9, 2025 or September 22,2025, you will not be able to receive credit for attending this replay.  This replay will count as live CLE credit.

 

Effective communication is key to a successful legal practice, especially when dealing with opposing counsel and the courts. This session explores the ethical and professional responsibilities lawyers have in their communications, offering strategies to maintain professionalism even in contentious situations. Learn how to navigate challenging interactions while upholding your ethical obligations.

 

Highlights:

 

• The ethical guidelines governing communications with opposing counsel.
• Best practices for clear and professional court filings and oral advocacy.
• Strategies for managing contentious or unprofessional opposing counsel.
• Avoiding ethical pitfalls in email and written correspondence.
• Real-life examples of communication missteps and how to avoid them.

Lawyers Supervising Lawyers: Navigating Ethical Responsibilities

Sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Freestone and WebCredenza, Inc. 

 

February 26, 2026

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MT)

*Live Audio Stream Only

1.0 Ethics credit

Registration Fee:  $60.00

*Please Note: If you received credit for this course for July 31, 2025, you will not be able to receive credit for attending this replay.  This replay will count as live CLE credit.

 

Lawyers are not only responsible for their own ethical conduct and decision making but also for the ethical practice of lawyers they supervise.  Whether it’s a partner supervising the work of an associate or the lead lawyer on a case supervising a group of partners and associates, the supervising lawyer has responsibilities to ensure that the lawyers he or she is supervising are ethically compliant. When subordinate lawyers violate ethics rules, supervising lawyers are potentially liable for that misconduct. This program will provide you with a guide to ethical issues when lawyers supervise other lawyers and non-lawyer support staff.

 

• Standards for ensuring compliance by subordinate attorneys and potential liability when they act improperly
• Lawyer supervision of paralegals and other non-lawyer staff
• Responsibilities of subordinate lawyers who rely on judgment of supervising lawyers
• Special issues involved in billing the work of subordinate and co-counsel attorneys, and paralegals
• In-house counsel of outside counsel

Litigation Ethics: Disqualification and Sanctions

Sponsored by the Idaho Law Foundation, Inc. in partnership with Freestone and WebCredenza, Inc. 

 

February 27, 2026

11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (MT)

*Live Audio Stream Only

1.0 Ethics credit

Registration Fee:  $60.00

*Please Note: If you received credit for this course for January 14, 2025, you will not be able to receive credit for attending this replay.  This replay will count as live CLE credit.

Disqualification standards have their roots in conflicts of interests. When an attorney has a conflict that rises to a certain level, he or she is disqualified from representing a certain party in litigation. Though ethics rules substantially overlap with disqualification standards, those standards do not follow traditional conflicts analysis in every detail.  Indeed, the relationship between conflicts of interest (and related confidentiality concerns) and disqualification is highly nuanced, varying depending on facts of each case.  There are also substantial issues in the context of joint representations, including whether the disqualification of one attorney necessarily disqualifies co-counsel.  This program will provide you with a practical guide to attorney ethics rules and their relationship to disqualification in litigation.

 

• Attorney ethics, conflicts of interest, and disqualification standards
• How ethics rules and disqualification standards overlap and vary from each other
• Ethics standards and tests for obtaining – or defending against disqualification
• Joint representations and disqualification – if co-counsel is disqualified, are you?
• Screening for conflicts of interest and the risk of imputation of conflicts/disqualification to other attorneys
• Ethical sanctions and their relationship to disqualification