The AIA Trust develops webinars to assist you in your practice, and most offer learning unit credits. You may complete various self-assessment tests about AIA Trust online resources for learning unit credits.
Retirement Risks & Reality
September 16, 2021; 12PM – 1 PM ET
Participants will learn ways to calculate future retirement needs, decisions to make when funding a firm’s retirement plan, how to select the appropriate retirement plan for one’s firm based on its size and structure, and the importance of retirement planning based on data regarding architects nationwide. Registration is free of charge to all AIA members and staff. AIA member attendees will receive 1 AIA Continuing Education Credit. Register: https://aia.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_neCIJiVzRKeiWvK-RMTMVg
Mediation for the Design Professional
November 3, 2021; 1 PM – 2:30 PM ET (10 AM – 11:30 AM PT)
Mediation is a cost-effective dispute resolution vehicle commonly used in clashes involving design professionals. It can also be used as a mechanism to better understand the claims and respective positions of the other parties to a dispute before or during litigation.
Jacqueline Pons-Bunney, Esq. and Peter Stacy, Esq., respected construction attorneys who run the new Practice Coach service for AIA members, present an overview of the benefits of mediation as a non-binding dispute resolution vehicle to help members better understand the role of the mediator and how to prepare for mediation, and next steps if mediation fails – and more. This webinar will provide design professionals insight into how mediation is used to resolve claims or to further the investigation of complex issues commonly found in construction-related litigation. Registration is free of charge to all AIA members and attendees will receive 1.5 AIA Continuing Education Credits. Register: https://aia.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3dxCh6EeT4iENst3-grmVQ
Taking the Lead to Address Climate Change
October 18, 2021; 1 PM – 2 PM ET
Extreme climate variability means design firms must respond with solutions and take the lead in adapting the built world to climate change while mitigating worsening impacts. With power and responsibility comes risk. The pace of developments, the changing regulatory/policy landscape, the costs for integrating new systems, materials, and technologies– all require significant time and due diligence. This program will discuss the challenges that professionals face, strategies for managing risks, and the support professional liability insurance provides while they provide innovative solutions to address the changing climate. Registration is free of charge to all AIA members and attendees will receive 1 HSW/LU AIA Continuing Education Credits. Register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8491058126840561936
The Risks and Rewards of Integrated Project Delivery
October 28, 2021; 1 PM – 2:30 PM ET
This webinar will focus on the unique risks and rewards which architects may face when participating in Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) contracts. Participants will better understand the value proposition that IPD can provide building owners, the benefits and potential risks for the design team (some of which could be uninsurable), and some options for mitigating the inherent risks in these contracts. CES pending. Check back for registration details!
If You Build It, They Will Sue
The 90-minute webinar, “Condominium 
Projects: If You Build It, They Will Sue,” focuses on the risks faced by architects in designing condominium projects which include residential subdivisions, common interest developments, and mixed-use projects.
Jacqueline Pons-Bunney, Esq. and Peter Stacy, Esq., respected construction attorneys who run the new Practice Coach service for AIA members, present an overview of the most common risk factors such as why condo projects have such poor claims experience, the most common defects alleged in condo claims, and legal theories of liability. In addition, they share practical approaches to manage these risks with a focus on best contract practices, suggestions for maintenance manuals and CC&R protections, along with insurance options. Click here to listen to the recorded webinar.
Click here for the Self-Assessment Test and submit for 1.5 learning unit credit upon successful completion.
Negotiating Contracts: Understand Your Risks
Architects are often faced with unreasonable contractual provisions generated by prospective clients or their attorneys. Onerous contract 
language can challenge an architect’s ability to protect public health and safety and threaten the very viability of the architect’s firm. This 90-minute webinar looks at the importance of clear, reasonable and coordinated contractual provisions and analyze non-standard professional services agreements as well as significant changes to AIA documents. Real-world examples are discussed including the negotiations needed to meet client needs while avoiding unreasonable risk. Click here to listen to the recorded webinar. Click here for the handout.
Click here for the Self-Assessment Test and submit for 1.5 learning unit credit upon successful completion.
Healthcare Coverage For Firms with Employees
This 30-minute webinar presented by Pendella* will answer your questions about:
- Funding: the types of financial strategies that are available to you;
- Plan design: how HRAs or HSAs could help lower overall costs;
- Renewals: why getting a no-obligation quote before Open Enrollment ends on 12/15 is more important than ever.
Click here to access the recorded webinar. Click here for the slides handout.
Healthcare Coverage For Individuals and Sole Proprietors
This 30-minute webinar presented by Pendella* will answer your questions about:
- Access: where and how you can compare costs and register for benefits;
- Deadlines: which dates to keep in mind as you explore your benefits options;
- Support: what resources are available to you if or when you have questions, with no obligation.
Click here to access the recorded webinar. Click here for the slides handout.
*Read more about the new Pendella Healthcare service by clicking here.
Blockchain 101
Understanding blockchain technology and potential use cases and applications that could impact architects is the topic that Yvonne Castillo Esq, Vice President & Director of Risk Management for Victor and Adam Wilbrecht, AIA, Principal and Chief Knowledge Officer with Cuningham Architects in Minneapolis recently discussed in this webinar. The webinar included an overview of the technology, a review of use cases being tested in various industries, and possible applications in the built environment. Click here to listen to the recording. Click here to download the slides.
Structuring Success: How to Start and Run Your Own Firm
Starting an architectural firm is a challenge; structuring it to survive is a formidable task. Architects who wish to create their own professional practices, and those who recently have, need to know the practical, professional, ethical, legal and insurance issues that a new firm faces. This video of the A’19 highly interactive session examines the issues involved in getting started, structuring a firm to minimize financial risk, and building a firm for long-term success. You may watch the seminar presentation by clicking here. To view (only) the slides, click here. Complete and submit the Self-Assessment Test (SAT) to receive 1.5 learning units.
Virtual Architectural Practice – An Alternate Reality
Learn about the many benefits of a virtual practice approach – as well as the risks you’ll need to manage — and find out more about what a virtual practice may mean for you. Presented in partnership with the AIA Practice Management Knowledge Community, current virtual practitioners, a legal expert, and an insurance expert share their insights in this 90-minute session. You may download the slides from the webinar by clicking here.
If you have questions, email aiatrust@aia.org. You’ll receive 1.5 LU/CES Credit for participating in the webinar.
Get Ahead of Cyber Risk Webinar
Learn how to avoid the professional and business liability implications of this increasing digital threat. It’s important for architecture firms of all sizes to take steps now to address the risks, minimize any possible data breach that occurs – and manage it if it does. 
Former Victor US Senior Vice President and Professional Liability Leader, Jill Tellez, ARM, shares her expertise on protocols that firms should consider and Brad Benjamin, AIA, LEED AP bd+c, a founding partner of Radium Architecture, shares his views on how architects can proactively protect their firms.
The one-hour webinar discusses what other architectural firms are doing to address risks such as hackers taking control of your servers, criminals tricking you into paying false invoices, and having your digital records held for ransom. Members can earn 1 hour AIA CE Credit for the webinar by emailing your name and member number along with a statement that you have listened to the entire webinar to: AIATrust@aia.org; you will receive the credit on your online transcript. Click here for the webinar recording. (NB: it may take a minute to download.) Click here for a copy of the webinar slides.
The Changing Rules and Continuing Challenges of Employment Practices
This one-hour webinar will help architecture firms address how to handle the complexity of employment conditions and practices. Victor’s Senior Risk Management Attorney, Frank Musica, addresses the current rules and latest case law that guide professional service firms and includes advice on how firms can reduce employment issues and avoid employee claims. Participants may earn one AIA CE Credit; click here for the webinar recording. Click here for the handout. Then email your name and member number with your statement to: AIATrust@aia.org.
Copy-Catting: Intellectual Property Principles and Rights
This 75-minute webinar for design professionals covers principles of intellectual property law as they relate to the creation, reproduction and use of original drawings, specifications and other documents, as presented by Charles R. Heuer, FAIA, Esq. Every design professional needs a solid working knowledge of intellectual property and copyright law as it affects their work products and use of other’s work products. AIA members may receive 1.5 learning unit credits for listening to the entire webinar; click here for the webinar recording. Then email your name and member number with your statement to: AIATrust@aia.org.
Managing Professional Exposures as a Small Project Practitioner
This 60-minute webinar on Managing Professional Exposures as a Small Project Practitioner presented by Frank Musica, Assoc. AIA, Esq. of Victor is aimed at educating members about identifying and managing the professional risks faced by small firms. You may click here to download the handout.
Click here for the webinar recording. After listening to the entire webinar and reviewing the handout, you may email your name and member number with your statement to: AIATrust@aia.org for one learning unit credit.
Creating and Maintaining a Professional Practice
Learn what is needed to start and run a successful architectural practice from experienced architects running successful firms. Click here to download the manual. Below is the video-webinar to click on to start. Two learning unit credits available after viewing the webinar & materials; email your request with name/member number to AIATrust@aia.org. (Note there is a 30 second delay in the start of the webinar.)
