ONLINE
See the "Schedule & Faculty" tab below for course titles, dates, and times
A webcast series designed to supplement the programs offered at the 2025 Probate and Trust Law Section Conference by providing high-quality ethics, elimination of bias, and mental health and substance use in the practice of law content. Registration is open to anyone interested in these topics. For 2025 Probate and Trust Law Section Conference attendees (in person or replay), attendance is FREE. (Instructions on how to register for free will be provided to attendees at the Conference.)
Times listed are Central Time.
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Elimination of Bias: Gender Identity Awareness and Considerations in Estate Planning
As of 2024, it is conservatively estimated that 1.6 million people in the United States identify as transgender. The transgender and non-binary community is expected to grow as younger generations become more comfortable identifying themselves publicly. Transgender and gender expansive individuals have unique estate planning needs connected to their identities, like ensuring they are buried in accordance with their gender identity. The panel will address this and other issues that are important to the community.
– Mary Pat Byrn; Viitala Byrn & Ives Law Offices
– Rachel M. Dahl; DeWitt LLP
– Yemaya Hanna; Orgel Wealth Management
– Alex Swanson; Attorney at Law
– Amy Crea; Lathrop GPM LLP (moderator)
– Carly J. Johnson; Maslon LLP (moderator)
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Ethics: Representing Clients with Diminished Capacity
This presentation will explore the ethical challenges estate planners face when representing clients with diminished capacity. The presenters will discuss how to assess capacity, the role of the attorney in ensuring informed consent, and how to navigate potential conflicts of interest when clients may be vulnerable. Key ethical considerations will include balancing client autonomy with the duty to protect, recognizing signs of undue influence, and maintaining confidentiality.
– Aram V. Desteian; Bassford Remele
– Jacob P. Petersen; Bassford Remele
Wednesday, July 23, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Ethics: 10 Things You Should Do Before Going on Vacation
Susan Humiston, the Director of the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility, and Courtney Sebo Savica, an estate planner and litigator with a solo law practice, discuss the ethical duties lawyers have even when they’re on vacation. They will also share best practices for communicating that you’re taking time off and for arranging for coverage in case of emergencies.
– Susan Humiston; Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility
– Courtney R. Sebo Savica; Sebo Savica Law Firm, PLLC
Friday, July 25, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Mental Health and Substance Use in the Legal Profession and the Practice of Law
This presentation focuses on building awareness and reducing the risk of stress-related problems in the law, including, but not limited to, recognizing signs of stress in oneself or one’s colleagues, addressing the connection between stress, burnout, and other factors on the development of mental health issues, work/life balance, instituting preventative measures individually, and the development of policies and practices within a law firm, legal department, or other organization employing lawyers for reducing the risk of impairment, supporting well-being, and guiding organizations on options when an attorney may be impaired.
– Jon Tynjala; Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers
Thursday, July 31, 2025
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
2025 Attorney Discipline Case Update for Estate Planners
Two attorneys from the Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility review the attorney discipline cases from the past year and share advice for avoiding ethical pitfalls in the practice of estate planning law.
– Caitlin Guilford; Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility
– Joanna Labastida; Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility
$245
Other discounts that may apply:
Scholarships available!
Need-based scholarships are available for in-person and online seminars. For further information or to obtain a scholarship application, contact us at 800-759-8840 or customerservice@minncle.org.
This package provides 5.0 total CLE credits. Credits should be reported individually for each webcast attended, not the package as a whole.
Minnesota CLE has applied to the Minnesota State Board of CLE for the standard, ethics, elimination of bias, and mental health/substance use CLE credits as listed below. Application has been made to the Minnesota State Bar Association for any "specialist" credits and to the Supreme Court ADR Program for any continuing education in ADR credits.
Click titles for credit status and individual event codes.
Elimination of Bias: Gender Identity Awareness and Considerations in Estate Planning
1.0 elimination of bias credit
Ethics: Representing Clients with Diminished Capacity
1.0 ethics credit
Ethics: 10 Things You Should Do Before Going on Vacation
1.0 ethics credit
Mental Health and Substance Use in the Legal Profession and the Practice of Law
1.0 mental health/substance use credit
2025 Attorney Discipline Case Update for Estate Planners
1.0 ethics credit
