Echion CLE Courses

Live Webinar

October 24, 2024 

12:00 noon EDT

11:00 a.m. CDT

10:00 a.m. MDT

9:00 a.m. PDT and MST

8:00 AKDT

VIdeo Replay: November 8, 2024, 12:00 noon CDT (1:00 EDT, 11:00 MDT, 10:00 PDT/MST, 9:00 AKDT)

1.5 hours

A growing number of jurisdictions are adopting joint custody and equal shared parenting time laws. This course provides a survey of state joint custody and equal shared parenting laws and describes what has been learned from the experiences of three jurisdictions - Kentucky, Ohio, and Spain - that have enacted a presumption or preference for equal shared parenting time.

Program Agenda: 

A Brief Survey of State Joint Custody and Equal Shared Parenting Time Statutes 

-- Thomas James, JD 

The Impact of Equal Parenting Time Laws on Family Outcomes: Evidence from Spain

-- Daniel Fernandez Kranz, PhD

The Kentucky Experiment

-- Carl E. Knochelmann, Jr., JD

The Impact of Equal Parenting Time on Family Outcomes: Evidence from Ohio and Kentucky

-- Donald C. Hubin, PhD

For more information, or to register, visit the Course Page.

Live Webinar

June 12, 2024 

1:00 p.m. EDT

12:00 noon CDT

11:00 a.m. MDT

10:00 a.m. PDT and MST

9:00 AKDT

This course is the third of a 3-part trademark search training program for attorneys, paralegals, and entrepreneurs. 

    On November 30, 2023, the USPTO retired the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) and replaced it with a new, cloud-based search system. Searches in the new system use different syntax and make use of the RegEx (Regular Expressions) programming language. 

12:00 – 12:30 p.m. CDT – This course segment explains how to use Regular Expressions with field tags to conduct a trademark search at the USPTO, covering syntax, wildcards, and logical operators. Attendees will also learn about the ethical issues that are raised by what the USPTO calls “dabbling” by non-trademark attorneys. 

12:30 – 12:50 p.m. CDT – The second half of the program describes useful ways to deploy Regular Expressions to broaden a trademark search to include homophones and alternate spellings; search strategies for immediately ruling out a mark (“knock-out” searches); broadening a search to identify potentially confusing similar marks; narrowing results; and reviewing records for potential problems in terms of likelihood of confusion between an existing trademark and the one sought to be cleared. 

Students will also learn how to conduct a clearance search for a design mark (logo). 

12:50 – 1:00 p.m. – Questions and Answers

The course includes a set of over 50 exercises so students can practice searching the USPTO database using regular expressions. 

Presented by Attorney Tom James

For updates, visit the Course page.

Live Webinar

June 11, 2024 

1:00 p.m. EDT

12:00 noon CDT

11:00 a.m. MDT

10:00 a.m. PDT and MST

9:00 AKDT

This 1-hour course is the second of a 3-part trademark search training program for attorneys, paralegals, and entrepreneurs. 

    On November 30, 2023, the USPTO retired the Trademark Electronic Search System (TESS) and replaced it with a new, cloud-based search system. Searches in the new system use different syntax and make use of the RegEx (Regular Expressions) programming language. 

This module explains the different kinds of trademark clearance search; introduces students to the USPTO’s new search system; procvdes guidance on when a drop-down menu search is and is not appropriate; and explains what field tags are and how to use them; Students will also learn about ethical issues that are raised by what the USPTO calls “dabbling." 

The presenter will guide students through live demonstrations of field tag searching. 

In addition, students will be provided a set of exercises so they can practice searching the USPTO database using drop-down menus and field tags.  

Presented by Attorney Tom James

For updates, visit the Course page.

Live Webinar

June 10, 2024 

1:00 p.m. EDT

12:00 noon CDT

11:00 a.m. MDT

10:00 a.m. PDT and MST

9:00 AKDT

The first of a 3-part trademark search training program for attorneys, paralegals, and entrepreneurs. This module explains the principles of trademark law with which a trademark researcher needs to be familiar in order to conduct a worthwhile trademark search. 

12:00 – 12:30 p.m. CDT – Trademark Law Basics

What qualifies as a trademark; types of trademarks (word, design, sound, trade dress, etc.); categories (trademarks, service marks, certification and membership marks); common law vs. registered trademarks; trademark registration and registration systems; distinctiveness and other requirements for a valid trademark; duration of trademark rights. 

12:30 p.m. – 12:50 p.m. CDT – Likelihood of Confusion Analysis

How courts determine likelihood of confusion; the DuPont and Sleekcraft factors; USPTO and judicial guidance in determining when two marks are confusingly similar (homophones, misspellings, foreign and legal equivalents, unitary consideration, and more); the concept of relatedness; the Trademark Modernization Act, and ethical issues in searching and clearing trademarks. 

12:50 – 1:00 p.m. CDT – Questions and Answers

Presented by Attorney Tom James

For updates, visit the Course page.

Coming soon

Live Webinar

TBD 

Video Replay

TBD

--Miki Lewis-Frost

The murder of George Floyd and others brought the problem of violence against and within the African American community in the Twin Cities to the fore. Black activist Miki Lewis-Frost saw it as a call to action for community peace-making. No stranger to violence and crime himself, he founded the 8218 Truce Center as a nonprofit community mediation program primarily serving (but not limited to) African American youth in the Twin Cities. In this webinar, Miki will discuss what community mediation is, how it works, its advantages, and the role that culture plays in the process. He will also talk about how he de-escalates tense situations.

For updates, visit the Course page.

 Live Zoom webinar: 

July 12, 2023, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. CDT  (8:00 a.m. AKDT; 9:00 a.m. PDT; 10:00 a.m. MDT; 12:00 p.m. EDT)

Minn. Event Code  487529 

Video Replay:

August 1, 2023, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. CDT (11:00 a.m. AKDT; 12:00 p.m. PDT; 1:00 p.m. MDT; 3:00 p.m. EDT)

Minnesota Event Code 488852 

--Jennifer Bovitz

--Katie Olson

Trauma-Informed Practices as an Ethical Obligation (60 min.)

Jennifer Bovitz, a Minnesota Lawyers Mutual attorney and former senior assistant director of the OLPR, and Katie Olson, Mitchell-Hamline Law School faculty, explain the critical importance of trauma-informed practices in terms of an attorney’s ethical obligations and the risk of exposure to professional liability. 

Understanding and Responding to Trauma (60 min.)

Katie Olson and Jennifer Bovitz explain what trauma is and how it impacts those who experience it. Attendees will learn how to identify office environments and behaviors that can have the effect of re-traumatizing or impairing communications with clients and others, even if unintentionally, and how to improve communications.  

The Minnesota Board of Continuing Legal Education has approved this course for 2.0 CLE credits, including 1.0 Ethics and 1.0 Elimination of Bias credit.  Visit the Course page for more details and updates. 

Cost: $75

Register for the July 12, 2023 Live Webinar

Register for the August 1, 2023 Video Replay

Visit the Course Page for more information.

Live Webinar:

July 6, 2023, 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. CDT

(8:30 AKDT; 9:30 PDT; 10:30 MDT; 12:30 EDT). 

Minnesota Event Code  487306 

Video Replay:

August 8, 2023, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. CDT 

(11:00 AKDT; 12:00 PDT: 1:00 MDT; 3:00 EDT) 

Minnesota Event Code 488542 

-- Matt Kulseth

--Tom James

This 1-hour webinar is designed to give attorneys who do not regularly practice in the area a basic understanding of the key principles and ideas in intellectual property law, with a focus on trademark and copyright law.

This course has been approved for 1.0 Standard CLE credit by the Minnesota Board of Continuing Legal Education. 

For more details and updates, please visit the course page. 

Cost: $30

Included with this course: IP Law for Non-IP Attorneys (2023, 172 pages), in pdf format. This brand new book will be distributed in pdf format to registered attendees at no additional cost.  

Register for the July 6, 2023 Live Webinar

Register for the August 8, 2023 Video Replay

Visit the Course Page for more information.

Free course open to attorneys and non-attorneys

Live Webinar:

May 17, 2023, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CDT

(9:00 -10:00 a.m. PDT, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. MDT, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. EDT) 

Minn. CLE Event Code  483589 

Video Replay:

June 1, 2023, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. CDT 

(10:00 - 11:00 a.m. PDT, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. MDT, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. EDT)

Minn. CLE Event Code  485423 

-- Steven Tepp

--David Newhoff

 Attorney Steven Tepp explains the U.S. copyright registration requirement and why it matters. He will explain the import of the United States Supreme Court’s recent decision in Unicolors, Inc. v. H&M Hennes & Mauritz, L.P. Finally, he will talk about common problem areas, such as compilations and group registrations, and practical and ethical problems that can arise when a mistake is made.

The webinar includes an explanation of how to use RightsClick, a copyright registration and management service. Attorneys, paralegals, and individual authors and artists use it to register, maintain, and track enforcement of their copyrights. A demonstration is provided by developer David Newhoff. 

The Minnesota CLE Board has approved this course for 1.0 Standard CLE credit Credits may be available in other jurisdictions. Check with you licensing jurisdiction.

Register for the May 17, 2023 Live Webinar

Register for the June 1, 2023 Video Replay

Visit the Course Page for more information

Live Webinar:

June 22, 2022, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. CDT (Minn. Event Code 461904) 

July 13, 2022, 12:00 - 2:00 p.m. CDT (Minn. Event Code 461906)

The Copyright Alternative in Small Claims Enforcement Act (CASE Act) calls for the creation of a copyright small claims tribunal within the U.S. Copyright Office for small claims involving either misrepresentation in a DMCA takedown notification or counter-notification, or copyright infringement. This course explains everything you need to know about this new tribunal: Who the judges are; the amount and kinds of claims that can be heard; the kinds of relief available; opting-out; records; pleadings; service; the e-filing system; discovery; hearings; conferences; effect on the parties' legal rights; effect on court proceedings; defaults; judicial review; and more. 

The course will also discuss potential constitutional challenges under the Appointments Clause, separation of powers, and the Due Process clause.

2.0 attorney CLE credits approved in Minnesota. Credits may be available in other jurisdictions.

NALA has approved this course for 2.0 paralegal CLE credits.

Visit the Course Page for more information.

Minn. Event Code 453542.

  See the Course Page for more information or to register. 

Live Webinar: 5/24/2022 - 9:00 a.m. to 12:10 a.m. CDT   (Starting time in other Time Zones: 7:00 a.m. PDT; 8:00 a.m. MDT; 10:00 a.m. EDT)  

Video Replay: 6/10/2022 (same times)

9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. "Racial Bias in Child Welfare Proceedings" (1.0 Elimination of Bias credit) 

Kelis Houston, founder/directory of Village Arms, describes how racial bias operates in child welfare proceedings; the adverse consequences of foster care placements, including the increased risks of substance abuse, mental health issues, and involvement with the criminal justice system; and the role that racial stereotypes play. She discusses measures that have been taken or that are proposed to be taken to address racial disparities in child welfare proceedings.   

10:00 a.m. – 10:05 a.m. Break   

10:05 a.m. – 11:35 a.m. “Representing Relatives in Post-Permanency Proceedings”   

Family law attorney Rhia Bornmann Spears will walk you through the process of representing a relative in post-permanency proceedings:

• Overview of the process, from a report of abuse/neglect/etc. through CHIPS, TPR, post-permanency proceeding, adoption, restoration of parental rights
• Procedure for involving a relative in a proceeding  
• Applicable legal standards  
• Dealing with racial bias
• Mediation 
• Appeals   

11:35 a.m. – 11:40 a.m. Break   

11:40 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. “Home Studies and Foster Care Licensing”   

Misty Coonce, senior program director, Ampersand Families, elucidates home studies and foster care licensing requirements, sharing insights that will help attorneys navigate the process.    

12:00 p.m. – 12:10 p.m. Questions and Answers   

CLE credits:   

Minnesota: Approved for 3.0 CLE credits, including 1.0 Elimination of Bias.   

Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Northern Mariana Islands, Wisconsin: This activity may qualify for up to 3 hours toward your annual CLE requirement   

Visit the Course page for more information or to register. 

See the Course Page for more information or to register. 

2 dates to choose from:

April 26, 2022 -  8:00 - 11:05 a.m. CDT

Minn. Event Code 453503

May 17, 2022 - 8:00 - 11:05 CDT

Minn. Event Code pending

Whether you work with trauma victims on a regular basis or only occasionally, and whether it's a client or a witness, a colleague or possibly even you, everyone working in the legal field needs to have a plan for dealing with someone who has experienced trauma. This course explains why and provides guidance for implementing trauma-informed practices.  

Jennifer Bovitz, JD, former managing attorney and senior assistant director of the Minnesota Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility (OLPR), and now an attorney with Burke & Thomas PLLP, describes the importance of trauma-informed practices from the perspective of legal ethics and professional liability risk management. 

Katie Olson, JD, attorney/faculty at William Mitchell School of Law, is spearheading the innovative Trauma-Informed Advocacy in Legal Systems Certificate Program there. She is also training director for the Zero Abuse Project and a volunteer attorney for the Children’s Law Center, representing children in foster care in child protection cases. She will pass along key considerations involved in developing and implementing trauma-informed practices. She will also provide information about available resources. 

A third speaker explains what trauma is and how it impacts people. Attendees will learn how to identify office environments and staff and attorney behaviors that can re-traumatize and impair communications with clients, often unintentionally. You will also receive  specific guidance on how to transform a practice from one that re-traumatizes, or risks re-traumatizing, clients into one that empowers while improving and enhancing relationships with them. 

This is a 3-hour live webinar. It will be offered two times, first on April 26, 2022 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:05 a.m. CDT, and again on May 17, 2022 from 8:00 a.m. to 11:05 a.m. You may register and attend the course twice if you wish; however,  you can only receive CLE credit for attending one of the courses. 

CLE credits:

Vermont: The Vermont Continuing Legal Education Board has approved this course for 3.0 CLE credits, including 1.0 Ethics and 2.0 Diversity/Inclusion credits.

Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina,  North Dakota,  Northern Mariana Islands, Wisconsin: Up to 3.0 CLE credits may be claimed. Check the Course page for more details.  

Minnesota: Echion has applied to the Minnesota Board of Continuing Legal Education for approval for 3.0 CLE credits, including 1.0 Ethics and 2.0 Elimination of Bias credits. Event Code 453503 has been assigned for the April 26 class. Event code for the May 17 class is pending. If you do not need Ethics or Elimination of Bias CLE credits, you may claim Standard CLE credits. 

Other jurisdictions: Credit may be available in other jurisdictions. Check with the applicable continuing legal education authority. Updates will be posted as they become available. 

For more information, updates, or to register, visit the course page. 

See the Course Page for more information. 

  Attorney Karl Nastrom, J.D., Indian Child Welfare Law Center, talks about the stressors that attorneys, mediators and other professionals in the volatile field of family law experience; the various sources of stress; secondary trauma and compassion fatigue; common reactions and responses; and implications for practice.

Bob Schuneman, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers Outreach Coordinator, further illuminates the nature, signs and symptoms of secondary trauma and stress, providing suggestions and recommendations. He also provides resources for attorneys, mediators and other professionals who find themselves or a colleague in this situation.

1.0 Standard CLE (professional development) credit and 1 ADR (including Mediation) CE credit have been approved in Minnesota. 

CLE credit may also be claimed in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota and the Northern Mariana Islands.

Minnesota CLE Event Code No. 427963 

 $25. 

Zoom Webinar:  January 11, 2022 - 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m. Central (10:00 a.m. Pacific; 11:00 Mountain; 1:00 Eastern)

Video replays:

Jan. 28, 2022 - 12:00 noon - 1:00 p.m. Central (10:00 a.m. Pacific; 11:00 Mountain; 1:00 Eastern)

February 18, 2022 - 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Central (1:00 Pacific, 2:00 Mountain, 4:00 Eastern)

Register here.

Visit the Course page.

See the Course Page for CLE credit and more information. 

 This course explains the various ways that copyrights in music and sound recordings can be registered in the United States, with explanations of key concepts and demonstrations of the application process for each kind of application.

Eligibility requirements are explained and demonstrations are provided of how to complete each kind of application pertinent to music and sound recordings -- including the Group Registration of Unpublished Works (GRUW), and the new Group Registration of an Album of Published Musical Works and/or Sound Recordings (GRAM). The GRAM application is new in 2021 and offers a way to save hundreds, potentially over a thousand dollars in filing fees. 

Instructor Tom James also discusses registration of a group of songs as a collective work, the advantages and disadvantages, and the risks.  Post-filing procedure is also covered. 

The course concludes with a discussion of Declarations of Ownership in Musical Works (DOMWs) -- what they are, when you should file them, how to complete them, and how and where to file them. 

1.5 CLE credits approved in Minnesota. Visit the Course Page for details.

This course is ON-DEMAND ONLY.

To register, visit the Course Page. 

A non-CLE version of this course is available on-demand here.

See the Course Page for CLE credit and more information. 

Legislatures have been making sweeping and dramatic changes to both civil and criminal statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse. Some of these eliminate the limitations period for this kind of claim; some extend them; some apply prospectively only; some apply retroactively to revive formerly time-barred claims - at least for a limited period of time. And more legislation is on the way. Attorney Tom James unravels the complexities of these statutes and provides updated information about existing laws and new legislation in this area.  

Course materials include a state-by-state guide to applicable statutes of limitation, claim revival laws and discovery tolling rules, with a compendium of each state's relevant statutory provisions.

1.0 CLE credit approved in Minnesota. Visit the Course page for details.

To register, visit the Course Page.

NOW AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND

See the Course page for CLE credit information.

NOW AVAILABLE ON DEMAND

 About 1 in 6 adult males has been sexually assaulted as a child, yet it is a subject that generally is still shrouded in secrecy and shame.  This course examines and dispels myths and misconceptions, explains the kind of trauma male children experience from sexual abuse and the long-term psychological consequences. Attendees will learn to recognize how the experience, and the social stigma attached to it, affects these men; how to deal with a disclosure, how to be supportive, what resources are available, and what referrals to make. The course features Dr. Richard Gartner, who is widely regarded as the leading expert on male childhood sexual trauma, and a panel discussion with actual male childhood sex crime survivors selected from the Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) Speakers Bureau. Dr. Gartner and Jim Struve, LCSW, who is also a leading expert in this field, will join in the discussion.

Dr. Richard Gartner, PhD

Jim Struve, LCSW

Rhett Hackett

Kenneth Rogers, Jr.

John Moffitt

Thomas G. Stump

Andrew P. Lausten

Tom James, JD

CLE credit approved in Minnesota and many other states. Visit the Course page for details.

To register, visit the Course page

Looking for the course materials? They are here.

See the Course page for Video Replay dates and times, and for CLE credit information.

Zoom webinar

NOW AVAILABLE ON DEMAND 

Historically, men and women were confined to rigidly defined social roles determined by sex. The past fifty years have seen a wholesale rejection of rigid gender roles and stereotypes. This course examines whether family courts have kept pace with these changes, and explores possible explanations for why they have not, focusing on the Gender Paradigm in child custody and domestic violence cases. 

John Hamel, PhD, LCSW

Don Hubin, PhD

Mandy Morrill, MA, EdD, LMHC, NCC

William Hoskovec, JD

Tom james, JD

Molly K. Olson

Jonathan Heisey-Grove

CLE credit approved in California, Minnesota, and many other states. Visit the Course page for details.

To register, visit the Course page

Looking for the course materials? They are here.