Watergate Continuing Legal Education Programs

Lawyers, Leadership and Democracy

What We Can Learn From Former White House Counsel John W. Dean

A New 2024 Ethics CLE exploring Model Rule 1.2 (Scope and Authority) and the Lawyer’s Oath To Support the Constitution of the United States

I, (state your name), do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States and the
Constitution of the State of (add);

Virtually Every State in the Union Requires Lawyers to affirm or swear an Oath to support the Constitutions of the United States and their individual state

Watergate CLE

When must lawyers lead, especially in an time when the Constitution of the United States is under attack?

Are lawyers simply blind advocates or enablers for their clients or do lawyers have affirmative ethical obligations to lead at critical times?

And what does it mean that all lawyers take an oath to support the Constitution of the United States?

This seminar (back to live programs, 2 or 3 hour ethics and professionalism credits) will look at these issues through the lens and experience of former White House Counsel John W. Dean

Starting in 2011, Mr. Dean and Mr. Robenalt presented nearly 300 continuing legal education ethics programs to thousands of lawyers across the nation. After the COVID interruption, live programs are now being scheduled.

Watergate cle

Contact jim.robenalt@thompsonhine.com.

John Dean and Jim Robenalt in Omaha, Nebraska, 2018

“John Dean and Jim Robenalt’s CLE programs have been hailed by attendees across the country as the best CLE in the nation.”

Professional Education Group

Click HERE for the Seminar History July 2017 Graphics

Co-Presented with Lawyer/Presidential Historian Jim Robenalt

Books

Previous Programs

(3 or 2-Hour Ethics and Professionalism)

Classic Watergate CLE. These original series of courses (Watergate I, II and III) explore a lawyer’s ethical obligations when confronted with organizational crime or fraud. See Model Rules 1.6 (Confidentiality) and 1.13 (Organization as Client)

Watergate I, The Week After the Break-In, The Cover-Up Begins

Watergate II, Cancer on the Presidency Warning in March 1973

Watergate III, Breaking with the White House

With a generous use of historic video and White House Tapes, we use John Dean’s experience as the ultimate in-house counsel to the most powerful CEO in the world as our case study

Nixon’s Supreme Court. An Inside Look at the Vetting of Supreme Court Candidates and the Backstory of Roe v Wade


Preamble of the Model Rules, Section 6, Lawyers in a Constitutional Democracy

As a public citizen, a lawyer should seek improvement of the law, access to the legal system, the administration of justice and the quality of service rendered by the legal profession. As a member of a learned profession, a lawyer should cultivate knowledge of the law beyond its use for clients, employ that knowledge in reform of the law and work to strengthen legal education. In addition, a lawyer should further the public’s understanding of and confidence in the rule of law and the justice system because legal institutions in a constitutional democracy depend on popular participation and support to maintain their authority. A lawyer should be mindful of deficiencies in the administration of justice and of the fact that the poor, and sometimes persons who are not poor, cannot afford adequate legal assistance. Therefore, all lawyers should devote professional time and resources and use civic influence to ensure equal access to our system of justice for all those who because of economic or social barriers cannot afford or secure adequate legal counsel. A lawyer should aid the legal profession in pursuing these objectives and should help the bar regulate itself in the public interest.