Continuing Legal Education Courses

RubinBrown offers a variety of Continuing Legal Education (“CLE”) programs to attorneys, a few of which are described below. Our CLE programs are accredited by the state and range in length from 1 to 4 hours of CLE credit. Also, CLE programs may be customized to meet the needs of individual law firms. For example, our courses on earnings multiples and present value concepts (i.e., “discounting”) are closely-related topics and can be combined into a single, 1½ or 2-hour CLE program.

Most of our CLE programs are advanced-level courses and are designed to provide attorneys with tools they can use in their practices. Our CLE programs include i) cites to published sources and cases, ii) practice aids and iii) trial graphics.

What Attendees are Saying:

"Among the best CLEs I’ve ever attended."

"I have been in practice…for 15 years, and this...is the best and most informative I’ve seen."

"A complicated topic very well presented in a simple, understandable format."

"Very practical presentation of difficult material."

CLE Courses Offered

Proving Economic Damages
Gain Insight into Economic Damages
4 hours CLE Credit

Based on our experience, training and case law, Proving Economic Damages is an excellent tool for experienced trial attorneys, and can have a significant impact on economic damages. Based on current authorities and trends in lost profits damages cases, this advanced-level course also uses graphs and metaphors to break down the often intimidating topic of discounting. Our user-friendly focus includes practice aids and tips beneficial to lawyers when making litigation decisions or facilitating work with damages experts.

Section 1: Conceptual Framework

Hypothetical Damages Model

Section 2: Frequently Encountered Issues

Lost Profits – Components & Methodology
Discounting
Inadequate Testimony and Foundation

Section 3: Proving Damages with Graphics

Communication Mediums
Learning Study
Case Studies

Section 4: Hiring and Working with Experts

Checking Out Experts
Selection Criteria
Preparing an Expert for Testifying
Do’s and Don’ts for Experts
Do’s and Don’ts for Attorneys

Understanding Present Value Computations in Business Litigation
Achieve Greater Knowledge of Discounting and Capitalization
1 Hour of CLE Credit

Shorter than Proving Economic Damages but with the same user-friendly format, Understanding Present Value Computations in Business Litigation borrows the discounting portion of Proving Economic Damages (see Section 2 above), and adds in the related concept of prejudgment interest. The course allows attorneys to grasp the often difficult subjects of discounting lost future profits to present value, while necessitating a lesser time commitment.

"Multiple Myths" -- Exploring the Uses (and Misuses) of Earnings Multiples
Achieve Greater Knowledge of Earnings Multiples
1 Hour of CLE Credit

Earnings multiples are so common in business, law and accounting, that almost all professionals have some familiarity with them. Earnings multiples are used so widely because they are seemingly simple to understand and apply; i.e., multiplying a single income statement figure (e.g., net income, revenue, or EBITDA) times a number (i.e., the “multiple” or “multiplier”). However, the simplicity of earnings multiples can make them beguiling and can lead to misuse. This is because, contrary to the ease of calculating, the derivation of earnings multiples and underlying financial theory is complex. More specifically, earnings multiples are actually finance “shorthand” for discounted cash flows. This program explains the nexus between earnings multiples, capitalization rates and discounting (i.e., present value). Because earnings multiples are so ubiquitous, this program is appropriate for a broad range of practitioners, including litigation, tax, estate, bankruptcy, transaction, and family law attorneys.

About the Authors / Instructors

Schulman

With over 40 years of public accounting practice, and over 30 years experience as a testifying expert in both state and Federal courts, author and instructor Peter Schulman brings a wealth of knowledge to the classroom. Widely published, his portfolio includes citations in both a leading Federal court case¹ and the leading legal treatise on lost profits damages.² He is also a frequent lecturer to bar associations and CPA societies. Peter effectively explains complex financial concepts in terms that lawyers can both understand and utilize in the courtroom.

¹ Energy Capital Corp. v. The United States, 47 Fed. Cl. 382 (2000)² Robert L. Dunn, Recovery of Damages for Lost Profits (6th ed. 2005)

Continuing Legal Education Courses Leaders

For more information about Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Courses, please contact:

Peter Schulman, CPA, CIRA, CDBV
Partner
303.952.1275
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Matt Wester, CPA, CFE
Partner
303.952.1277
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