Law Firms: Cle Provider Potential?

CLE, or Continuing Legal Education, is a requirement for lawyers to maintain their license to practice law. CLE credits are earned by completing eligible courses, webinars, or other educational formats. While CLE requirements are set by state bar associations, there are many CLE credit providers, including law firms, that offer courses to help attorneys meet these requirements. Law firms that are accredited CLE providers can deliver CLE content through various formats, such as classroom settings, digital platforms, or mobile applications. These courses cover a range of legal topics, including ethics, diversity and inclusion, cybersecurity, and specific areas of law like criminal law or international law. By partnering with accredited CLE providers, law firms can offer engaging and interactive CLE courses to a wide audience, ensuring attorneys stay current with legal developments and maintain their professional competency.

CLE requirements vary by state

For instance, in Alabama, lawyers who have passed the bar are required to complete a three-hour course in professionalism within the first 12 months of their admission to the state bar. Half of the 12 hours must be earned through in-person Alabama State Bar or ABS-approved programs, while the other half can be completed online or remotely. In Alaska, there is a three-hour Mandatory Ethics CLE requirement, with an additional nine credit hours of Voluntary CLE encouraged. Arizona lawyers admitted between July and December are only required to complete ten total hours of CLE credits, with two of those hours dedicated to ethics or professional responsibility.

New York is unique in that it has different CLE requirements for different tiers of attorneys. Attorneys admitted to the state bar for two years or less are considered "newly admitted attorneys," while those admitted for over two years are considered "experienced attorneys." Experienced attorneys are required to earn 24 CLE credit hours biennially, while newly admitted attorneys must earn 16 credit hours per year for both their first and second years of admission.

The District of Columbia (DC) Bar does not have mandatory CLE requirements for its attorneys, but they are encouraged to pursue CLE voluntarily to stay current with legal developments and maintain high standards of practice.

The reporting period for CLE credits generally ranges from one to three years, and the time of year the credits are due also differs from state to state. Attorneys should be mindful of these variations and the consequences for failing to meet CLE requirements, which differ across states.

CLE credits are necessary to keep a license to practice law

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) requirements must be met in order to keep a license to practice law. CLE credits are necessary to ensure that attorneys remain up-to-date with the most current laws, ethics requirements, and legal developments. While CLE requirements are minimum standards imposed by state bar associations, they vary by state, and attorneys must understand the requirements of their jurisdiction. These requirements include a minimum number of CLE hours per reporting period, which may be one year, two years, or more, with each hour generally considered a CLE 'credit'.

CLE programs help lawyers stay abreast of changes in the legal profession, such as new legal developments, practices, and ethics. They also ensure that attorneys maintain professional competency and can cover a wide variety of topics, including practical guidance, ethics, and diversity. For example, CLE credits can address innovations and developments related to the digital aspects of the legal industry, such as data security and artificial intelligence.

Attorneys can obtain CLE credits through various methods, including attendance at online courses, webinars, and legal conferences. Some states, such as New York, New Jersey, Illinois, California, Florida, Virginia, Texas, and Washington, have accredited CLE providers that offer classroom and online courses. Additionally, CLE-eligible webinars and in-person events, such as ClioCon, can provide CLE credits.

It is important to note that CLE requirements may seem burdensome, but they can be viewed as a positive opportunity for ongoing education and professional development. Attorneys can benefit from the training provided by CLE courses, which can help them stay on top of their game and provide better service to their clients. Furthermore, CLE credits earned in one jurisdiction may be applicable in another, depending on the specific state requirements and bar reciprocity agreements.

CLE courses are available in many formats

CLE, or Continuing Legal Education, is a requirement for lawyers to stay licensed to practice law. CLE courses are available in a variety of formats, including:

Traditional Classroom Setting

This involves a traditional live classroom setting where all faculty and at least one attendee are physically together in the same location.

Fully Interactive Videoconferences

These are live programs where participants are seated together in a group and can see and hear each other, as well as the faculty. This format allows for interaction and discussion, making it a dynamic learning experience.

Live Simultaneous Transmissions (Webconferences)

Live simultaneous transmissions, or webconferences, are also live programs, but participants may be seated by themselves or in a group and do not necessarily see or hear each other. This format offers more flexibility for attendees to join from different locations.

Online Courses

Online CLE courses are a popular option, with many providers offering video courses, live lectures, and discussions via videoconference. These courses are often designed to be accessible on any modern web browser, making them convenient for lawyers to complete their CLE requirements from anywhere.

Hybrid Courses

The CLE Board offers hybrid accreditation, where a course can be repeated over a period of up to three years. This format provides flexibility for attendees to choose when and how they complete the course.

Transitional and Nontransitional Courses

Transitional courses are designed for newly admitted attorneys to help them develop foundational skills, techniques, and procedures for practicing law. Nontransitional courses, on the other hand, are meant for experienced attorneys and cover more advanced topics.

CLE courses are also available in other non-traditional formats, such as pre-recorded videos, webinars, and in-person events like conferences or workshops. The availability of these formats may vary by state and jurisdiction, and it is important for lawyers to understand the specific CLE requirements of their state or jurisdiction before enrolling in a course.

CLE credits can be earned through pro bono work

CLE, or Continuing Legal Education, is a requirement for lawyers to stay current with legal developments, practices, and ethics. CLE credits are needed to maintain a license to practice law. While CLE requirements vary by state, CLE credits can generally be earned through pro bono work.

The New York State Continuing Legal Education Board (CLE Board), for example, accredits pro bono work for CLE credits. Attorneys can earn one CLE skills credit hour for every two 60-minute hours of pro bono legal services, up to ten CLE credits during any two-year reporting cycle. Newly admitted attorneys can also earn CLE credits for pro bono work, which can be carried over to the following biennial reporting cycle. Similarly, in West Virginia, attorneys can obtain one CLE credit hour for every three hours of pro bono legal service through approved pro bono organizations.

Pennsylvania attorneys can also fulfill a portion of their CLE requirements through pro bono service. For every five hours of pro bono service performed through an Accredited Provider of Pro Bono CLE, attorneys can earn one CLE credit hour, up to a maximum of three credits. These credits must be reported to the CLE Board through an accredited provider.

While CLE credits can be earned through pro bono work, it is important to note that CLE ethics minutes cannot be earned from pro bono service. Additionally, the availability and specifics of CLE credits for pro bono work may vary depending on the state and the organization providing the credits. It is always a good idea to refer to the specific guidelines and requirements of your state and the CLE provider.

CLE courses cover a broad range of topics

• Bankruptcy and Creditors Rights
• Business Law
• Cannabis Law
• Contract Law
• Criminal Law
• Employment Law
• Family Law
• Finance and Banking
• Immigration Law
• Insurance Law
• Intellectual Property
• International Law
• Medical Law
• Personal Injury
• Practice Management

CLE courses are designed to help lawyers stay current with legal developments, practices, and ethics. They also help lawyers maintain professional competency. CLE requirements vary by state, but they typically include a minimum number of CLE hours per reporting period, which may be one or two years. Each hour of CLE is generally considered a CLE 'credit'.

CLE courses are offered in various formats, including online courses, video courses, live lectures, and discussions via videoconference. Some providers also offer CDs for lawyers on the go. CLE programs may also be tailored specifically for newly admitted attorneys, helping them to develop a foundation in the practical skills, techniques, and procedures essential to the practice of law.

Frequently asked questions