The Davis Wright Tremaine Seattle office offers a monthly series of one-hour CLE programs. If you can't join us, check back to download slides from the presentations listed below.
View our presentations from our 2011 or 2010 Monthly CLE Series.
You are also invited to receive free CLE credit for recorded Davis Wright Tremaine LLP CLEs via West LegalEdCenter. Register to access recorded DWT CLE programs.
Greening the Supply Chain
01.11.12
What do Wal-Mart, Costco, Microsoft, Nike, Amazon and a growing number of other large companies have in common? All have adopted sustainability policies aimed at reducing their organization's overall carbon footprint through a combination of energy conservation, waste reduction and greener products.
Vendors and other parties in the supply chain are under increasing pressure to align their operations and products with those of their customers. This CLE provided tips on sustainable contract drafting and enforcement and preparing for a carbon footprint audit.
View the presentation slides.
Presented by Steve Ellis and Haeryung Shin
Advanced License Drafting Strategies
02.08.12
This presentation included practical, useful tools for drafting licenses. Dave Daggett applied his drafting experience to develop and explain license drafting hints and strategies that go well beyond the standard "top ten tips." In addition, the presentation included an update on the latest legal developments in licensing law and how to draft in response to them.
Fundamentals of Joint Ventures
03.21.12
This presentation focused on practical tips regarding the issues to consider in the formation of (and drafting agreements for) international and domestic joint ventures. Content was based on a presentation to the International Section of the Association of Corporate Counsel at its annual meeting this year. The issues and principles discussed also had application to domestic joint ventures.
Read Milt's "International Joint Ventures, A Practical Approach" article.
Presented by Milt Stewart
Avoiding Environmental Liability in Transactions
04.11.12
Environmental liability is often driven by status, rather than fault; i.e. owners and operators have strict and (sometimes) joint and severe liability for hazardous substances on or under the property. Since the liability can be catastrophic, environmental due diligence is in order for every transaction involving land—developed or not—or ongoing industrial operations.
This presentation provided an overview of:
- Superfund and the game changing BSNF case
- Parent and successor company issues
- Effective due diligence and protective strategies—Phase 1 or 2 assessments, qualifying for defenses using EPA's "all appropriate inquiry" rule and prospective purchaser agreements
- Documentation issues from the perspectives of purchasers. sellers and lenders
- Ancillary issues that can limit the economic value of the acquisition, such as wetlands and water rights
View a recording of the presentation, here.
Presented by Richard Glick
Top Ten Ways to Avoid Employee Claims
05.09.12
Employees are suing their employers in record numbers. Crucial to avoiding employment law claims is a top-notch risk management program. Employers should have in place:
- Good policies and procedures that are uniformly enforced and known to the employees
- Well-trained and experienced manager and supervisors
- A responsive and well-trained human resources department
In this presentation, Davis Wright Tremaine partner Chrys Martin reviewed ten steps that the client/employer can take to help minimize the threat of employee claims and litigation.
Download the presentation slides (PDF)
Themes and Trends in the Supreme Court Today
06.22.12
The 2011-2012 Supreme Court term ends in June. Jeff Fisher, who has argued 17 cases in the U.S. Supreme Court, and has participated in briefing many others, shared his views regarding what the 70 cases argued this term that do not involve health care tell us about the Roberts Court and where it is heading.
In addition to practicing law at Davis Wright Tremaine, Jeff is a professor at Stanford Law School, where he is Co-director of the school's Supreme Court Litigation Clinic. Jeff was a law clerk to the Hon. Justice John Paul Stevens.
Preparing For and Responding to Government Investigations
07.11.12
On July 11, 2012, DWT partner Jeff Coopersmith discussed the topic of preparing for and responding to potential government investigations. Jeff is a former federal prosecutor who has guided many companies and individuals through this difficult process. The government's initiation of an investigation can range from a relatively mild phone call, to service of a grand jury subpoena, to the most aggressive step of executing a search warrant with agents carrying guns and wearing badges arriving at a business office in the early morning.
The first steps that a company or individual takes in response to the investigation can have a lasting impact, positive or negative, on the course of the investigation and even on the ultimate outcome. In the current environment where the government is becoming increasingly aggressive in a range of substantive areas, it is crucial that businesses have at least a basic understanding of proper procedures in the early stages of government investigations.
Download the presentation slides (PDF)
Recent Developments and Implementation Measures Under the JOBS Act
09.12.12
Davis Wright Tremaine partners Joe Wallin, Marc Williams, and Ryan York discussed recent SEC guidance on implementation of the JOBS Act and the practical impact on emerging and later stage companies. Attendees learned how a company's opportunities to access capital may be impacted by these recent developments.
Social Purpose Corporations
10.10.12
8:00-9:00 a.m.
Many companies are increasingly looking to build social values – such as making a commitment to environmental sustainability or improving other aspects of the local, national, or world communities – into their corporate DNA. As of June 7, 2012, a new form of business corporation – the social purpose corporation - is available in Washington that allows companies to do just that.
This program discussed the unique features of this new form of corporate entity, the requirements to form or convert to a social purpose corporation, and the social purposes that may be advanced using the social purpose corporation form. DWT partner John Reed, chair of the Washington State Bar Association Corporate Act Revision Committee that drafted and sponsored the proposed legislation, provided an insider's perspective on the legislation.
Speakers: John Reed and Ame Lewis
Protecting Your Brand in the Age of the Internet and the Rise of Social Media
11.14.12
8:00-9:00 a.m.
We discussed how the Internet has changed the world of brand protection from infringements to counterfeiting, to how to best enforce your brand in a world where the Internet has blurred country boundaries and social media enables an instant international town hall meeting.
Speaker: Roxanne Elings
Technology, Ethics, and In-house Legal Risks
12.12.12
8:00 - 9:00 a.m.
National ethics expert and DWT partner, Bruce Johnson, discussed the legal risks in-house counsel face related to technology such as cloud computing, e-discovery, and Google searches.
Additional topics include:
- Tips for safeguarding in-house privilege
- Recent ABA developments on cloud computing
- Additional data loss risks
- New electronic confidentiality duties
- Scripting client communication
- Liability risks for in-house lawyers