This CLE course examines four of the most pressing and evolving ethical challenges confronting civil litigators today. Drawing on decades of trial experience, the faculty will analyze core ethical principles and apply them to high-risk situations that routinely arise in civil practice.

The program will address ethical boundaries in preparing clients for testimony, including where effective advocacy ends and improper coaching begins. It will explore emerging professional responsibility issues associated with the use of artificial intelligence in legal research, briefing, and representations to opposing counsel and the court. The panel will also examine ethical obligations during mediation, with a focus on advocacy, disclosure, and candor in settlement negotiations.

In addition, the course will address the “plus” issue that underlies all civil practice: the ongoing duties of professionalism, honesty, and candor owed to courts, clients, and opposing counsel. Throughout the program, faculty will highlight recent developments, enforcement trends, and practical guidance designed to help civil litigators navigate ethical gray areas, mitigate risk, and maintain credibility in an increasingly complex litigation environment.