Cyber Law: The Digital Age and the Practice of Law

Send us Fan MailThis episode covers the impact of the digital age on lawyers, the law, and society. There are pros and cons to our increasingly sophisticated cyber-world, and this episode covers  the dire consequences of bullying when it's taken online, how criminals use technology to stalk and harass victims, advantages of the continued trend towards online mediation, and legal considerations for online healthcare. We also have a fun "Off the Record" interview with Houston lawyer Adam Schiffer, guitarist for Twenty 24 Souls.  Online BullyingCyberbullying in Texas Schools: Definitions, Remedies, and Concerning TrendsDustin Rynders, Legal Director at Texas Civil Rights Project, discusses the laws and practicalities relating the cyberbullying in Texas and provides insight into potential future trends. (17.5 minutes)Nationwide Cyberbullying: The Real-World Impact of a Viral RumorMonica Uddin, Partner at AZA, discusses an ongoing case in which she represents a young woman who was the victim of an online rumor that went viral. (14 minutes)Online CrimesCybercrimes Against the Elderly: How to Protect the Elderly from Becoming Victims of Online ScamsJoseph Frank, chief prosecutor of the Elder Abuse section at the Harris County District Attorney's Office, discusses cybercrimes that target elderly victims and provides tips on how to protect elderly people from becoming victims of these types of crimes. (10.5 minutes)Cybercrime Prosecution: CyberStalking, Revenge Porn, Online Impersonation, and Online ScamsKeith Houston, Chief Prosecutor in the Cybercrime Section of the Financial Crimes Division of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, discusses revenge porn, cyberstalking, online impersonation, and the online financial scams that tend to go along with these types of crimes. (11 minutes)Online ServicesCyber Mediation: Logistics, Advantages, and Trends Jessica Crutcher, Founder and Principal of Jessica Crutcher Law PLLC, discusses the logistics and benefits of cyber mediation and addresses why she believes it is here to stay. (10 minutes)Cyber Healthcare and the LawInterviewer: Anietie AkpanRachel Rose, Principal with Rachel V. Rose - Attorney at Law, PLLC, addresses legal issues at both the federal and state levels related to online healthcare, including compliance with privacy laws, confidentiality, security, billing, licensure requirements, carve outs for critical care, prescribing controlled substances, and consumer health data. Ms. Rose also discusses potential future trends in virtual healthcare, including the use of AI. (20 minutes)Off the Record: When Law Rocks, Lawyers (and Charities) ThriveInterviewer Nico ZulliBehind-the-Lines Interviewer Nico Zulli interviews lawyer and guitarist Adam Schiffer (Brown Rudnick). Adam plays the guitar for Twenty 24 Souls, the band that won the 2025 Law Rocks competition in April 2025 here in Houston. They discuss the competition as well as the benefits of having a creative outlet. (5 minutes)This episode is approved for 1.25 hours of Texas CLE credit for HBA members. See The Houston Lawyer Committee page on the HBA's website for more details. For full speaker bios, visit The Houston Lawyer (hba.org/thehoustonlawyer). To read The Houston Lawyer magazine, visit The Houston Lawyer_home. For more information about the Houston Bar Association, visit Houston Bar Association (hba.org).*The views expressed in this episode do not necessarily reflect the views of The Houston Lawyer Editorial Board or the Houston Bar Association.