Ethics - Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 12:00 PM via Zoom

AI on Trial: Top 10 Sanctions Cases and the Ethics of Generative AI in Legal Practice

Presented by : Hon. Vedica Puri (Ret.)

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As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms legal research, drafting, and advocacy, courts across the country are grappling with a new wave of ethical missteps and misconduct—often tied to the misuse of generative AI tools like ChatGPT. From fabricated citations and hallucinated case law to misleading briefs and undisclosed reliance on AI, the legal profession is entering uncharted territory.

This CLE presentation dives into the Top 10 sanctions cases involving generative AI, including headline-making decisions such as Mata v. Avianca, Lacey v. State Farm, and Quinteros v. Harbor Distributing. Each case is analyzed for its ethical implications, procedural fallout, and the evolving standards of attorney conduct in the AI era.

Participants will learn:

• How courts are responding to AI-generated filings containing fake citations or misrepresentations.
• What professional rules of conduct (e.g., ABA Model Rules, California Rules of Professional Conduct) are triggered by AI misuse.
• Practical guidelines for ethically integrating AI tools into legal workflows.
• The importance of disclosure, supervision, and verification when using generative tools in client matters.
• What the future of AI accountability looks like—from sanctions and corrective orders to emerging court rules and disclosure requirements.

Whether you're a technophile or a tech skeptic, this program offers a cautionary yet constructive roadmap for practicing law ethically and effectively in the age of AI.

Judge Vedica Puri has dedicated over 30 years to litigation and dispute resolution—first as a trial lawyer, then as a respected judge, and now as a mediator. Appointed to the San Francisco Superior Court in 2019, she presided over a wide range of civil and criminal matters, managing trials, settlement conferences, and intricate legal motions with fairness and efficiency. Now focusing on mediation with ADR Services, Inc., she leverages her deep courtroom experience and evaluative approach to help parties reach clear, practical resolutions.

This activity is approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of California. This program qualifies for 1.0 hour of Legal Ethics MCLE credit. SCCTLA is a certified provider. Provider # 3376.

 

Technology & Ethics - Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM via Zoom

Current Developments in the Use of AI in Legal Practice

Presented by: Jeffrey I. Ehrlich

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AI tools for litigation practice now range from specialized platforms like Westlaw Advantage and Lexis Protégé, which offer advanced legal research and document analysis, to general tools like ChatGPT, Clio, or Acrobat that can assist with drafting or summarization. A comparison highlights the trade-off between the authority and precision of legal-focused systems and the accessibility and flexibility of off-the-shelf AI solutions.

The presentation will also include the following:

• The ethical requirements for the use of AI in law practice, as articulated by the California Bar's COPRAC report.
• The prospect of AI use by the Courts – what we can expect

Jeffrey I. Ehrlich is a co-author of The Rutter Group's California Practice Guide: Insurance Litigation, editor-in-chief of the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles Advocate magazine, and a frequent CLE speaker. His practice focuses on providing appellate support to the plaintiffs' trial bar. He has briefed and argued more than 250 appeals throughout the federal and California appellate systems — including the U.S. Supreme Court, the California Supreme Court, and every California appellate court.

This activity is approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of California. This program qualifies for 0.5 hour of Technology and 0.5 hour of Legal Ethics MCLE credit. SCCTLA is a certified provider. Provider # 3376.

 

Ethics - Wednesday, December 10, 2025 at 12:00 PM via Zoom

Update on Legal Ethics for Lawyers, Neutrals, and Judges

Presented by: Hon. David A. Rosen (Ret.)

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This engaging MCLE presentation by Hon. David Rosen (Ret.) explores the evolving landscape of legal ethics in California, with a focus on new professional obligations and risks at the intersection of technology, civility, and professional conduct. Attendees will gain practical insights into the ethical implications of generative AI in legal practice, the impact of California's still recent "snitch rule" (CRPC 8.3), the ongoing movement toward mandatory civility standards, and heightened client trust account compliance requirements under CTAPP.

The program also examines conflicts of interest for attorneys, judges, and neutrals, providing real-world analysis drawn from recent case law and State Bar guidance. Through this comprehensive overview, participants will deepen their understanding of how to uphold competence, confidentiality, and integrity in a rapidly changing profession.

Judge Rosen was appointed to the Los Angeles Superior Court in 2015. His expertise spans personal injury claims, products liability, business disputes, real estate matters, and employment lawsuits. Judge Rosen previously served on the Board of Governors for the American Association for Justice (AAJ), the Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC), and the Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles (CAALA). He now brings that wealth of legal experience to his role as a mediator and arbitrator at ADR Services, Inc.

This activity is approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of California. This program qualifies for 1.0 hour of Legal Ethics MCLE credit. SCCTLA is a certified provider. Provider # 3376.

 

Ethics - Wednesday, January 14, 2026 at 12:00 PM via Zoom

Ethical Issues in Negotiation and Conflict Dispute Resolution: How to Identify and Handle Them

Presented by: Hon. Peter Kirwan (Ret.) from Signature Resolution

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This presentation will explore the ethical challenges that can arise during negotiation and dispute resolution. Participants will learn how to recognize common ethical dilemmas, understand their implications, and apply practical strategies to address them with integrity and professionalism.

In 2024, Hon. Peter Kirwan (Ret.) embarked on a new chapter of his legal career by joining Signature Resolution as a mediator. Judge Kirwan’s journey—from attorney to judge to mediator—underscores his adaptability, perseverance, and unwavering commitment to the principles of justice. His dedication to serving the community and resolving conflicts remains unwavering, whether in the courtroom or the mediation room.

This activity is approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of California. This program qualifies for 1.0 hour of Legal Ethics MCLE credit. SCCTLA is a certified provider. Provider # 3376.

 

Technology - Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 12:00 PM via Zoom

Truth or Tech - Navigating AI-Generated Evidence in the Courtroom

Presented by: Brian Chase, Managing Director of Digital Forensics and eDiscovery at ArcherHall

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As technology advances, the manipulation of digital content has become more sophisticated and accessible than ever. It is now easier to generate or alter photos, videos, audio recordings, and even handwriting, raising critical questions about the integrity of evidence presented in legal proceedings. With the rise of AI-generated content, we must consider how these advancements can potentially compromise the reliability of evidence in court. This presentation addresses the need for legal professionals to understand and respond to the challenges posed by AI manipulation. We will explore whether our existing authentication rules are sufficient to withstand the complexities introduced by AI-generated evidence.

Brian Chase also serves an expert witness and an adjunct professor of law. He has a diverse background, including years working as a network administrator for the University of Arizona, a Management and Information Systems degree from the Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona, and a law degree from the same institution.

This activity is approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of California. This program qualifies for 1.0 hour of Technology MCLE credit. SCCTLA is a certified provider. Provider # 3376.