2025 Ethics Express

These presentations are included in our 2025 CLE Express.

Noon-12:50 p.m. | Shakira, secrets and scandals: Attorney ethics and the world of offshore deals
Dive into the glitzy yet shadowy world of high-profile offshore dealings with this captivating CLE program by the CLE Performer, Stuart Teicher. From Shakira to other global celebrities, the revelations of the Panama, Pandora, and Paradise Papers exposed legal and ethical challenges surrounding tax avoidance, asset protection, and attorney involvement in questionable financial structures. This program examines the ethical rules that were broken in those cases and contains guidance about important rules for all lawyers.

Learning objectives:

• The lawyer’s duty to supervise lawyers, Rule 5.1.
• The issue of nonlawyer assistants who go rogue, and the lawyer’s responsibility under Rule 5.3.
• Confidentiality and lawyer breaches, Rule 1.6.
• Explore the ethical boundaries of advising clients on offshore financial strategies, including tax minimization and asset protection under Rule 1.2(d).
• Navigate Duties of Candor and Truthfulness, Rule 2.1.

12:50-12:55 | Break

12:55-1:45 p.m. | The rise and gall of Rudy Giuliani: Lessons in legal ethics from a public scandal
Once celebrated as "America's Mayor," Rudolph Giuliani's legal career took a dramatic turn into controversy and ethical turmoil. This compelling CLE program (created by the CLE Performer, Stuart Teicher) takes a 100% completely non-political look at the ethical missteps that contributed to Giuliani’s professional decline, including accusations of misconduct, false statements, and violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct. Through this case study, we’ll uncover critical lessons for attorneys on upholding professional integrity, avoiding conflicts of interest, and navigating high-pressure scenarios in public and private practice. Learn from the mistakes of a high-profile attorney to safeguard your own ethical standing.

Learning objectives:

• Examine Giuliani’s alleged violations of Rule 3.3 (Candor Toward the Tribunal) and Rule 8.4(c) (Misconduct) related to his public and legal statements.
• Discuss the application of Rule 4.1 (Truthfulness in Statements to Others) and Rule 8.4(d) (Conduct Prejudicial to the Administration of Justice) when advocating in high-profile cases.
• Explore how Giuliani’s dual roles as attorney and political advocate may have created conflicts under Rule 1.7 (Conflict of Interest).
• Learn strategies for maintaining ethical compliance and professional decorum when under intense public and media attention, as guided by Rule 1.1 (Competence) and Rule 1.6 Confidentiality of Information).

1:45-1:50 p.m. | Break

1:50-2:40 p.m. | Harmony in justice: Using R&B to address bias and diversity in the legal profession (1.0 elimination of bias credit)
Discover how the powerful messages of R&B music can help lawyers confront implicit and explicit bias and disparities within the legal profession. "Harmony in Justice" ties iconic R&B songs to the essential principles of equity and inclusion. This program encourages self-reflection and practical strategies for promoting diversity and inclusion, challenging both individual and institutional biases. Drawing from classics like "Respect" by Aretha Franklin, "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke, and "Glory" by Common and John Legend, we’ll explore how these songs’ themes of empowerment, justice, and social change parallel the work needed to achieve true equity in the legal profession.

Learning objectives:

• Through the lens of "Respect" by Aretha Franklin, participants will identify how gender bias affects career opportunities in law and develop strategies to promote fair treatment for all genders in legal practice.
• By examining "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke, we’ll discuss how racial disparities persist in the legal system and the actions lawyers can take to address these inequalities.
• Using "If I Were a Boy" by Beyoncé, we’ll explore how gender inequity in law is connected to broader societal structures and how cultural competency in practice can mitigate these biases.
• Drawing from "Glory" by Common and John Legend, participants will learn how to implement effective diversity and inclusion strategies in the legal profession, helping to build a more equitable bar.

Speaker: Stuart Teicher, The CLE Performer

Opinions and positions stated by presenters of MoBarCLE programs are those of the presenters and not necessarily those of The Missouri Bar. This program is intended as information for lawyers in Missouri, in conjunction with other research they deem necessary, in the exercise of their independent judgment.