So You’ve Got Responsibility for CLE

Or What You Need to Know if the Bomb Drops!

CT, DC, IL, MA, MD, MI, NE, NJ, SD

AK

Where to turn for CLE information

Local jurisdiction West’s LegalEdCenter (interactive map) PLI (quick and dirty text summary) Reqwired (CLE reciprocity table)

CLE Requirements

Who needs the CLE?What are they thinking of doing for CLE?Where are they located? When do they need to have their CLE done?

Traditional “Live” Program

Single speaker or panelLed by subject-matter expertLecture formatDuration: 1 hr. – several days

In-House

Typically 1 hour Often at lunch time Narrow subject May be video-conferenced Speaker resources

– Inside firm– Outside organizations– Vendors

In-House

Challenges – Find, coordinate, and confirm speaker– Reserve and set up venue– Video- or audio-conferencing:

Arrange for equipment Coordinate with remote locations Double check set up before program Monitor transmissions during program

In House

More challenges– Order and confirm meal– Track attendees at multiple offices

External consultants

Question: How do you find an expert? Answer: Network, network, network

– Professional organizations (State Bar, local Bar, ABA, practice-specific sections)

– Law school professors– Ask a Librarian

And then there are Vendors ….

External Consultants

Partnering with Vendors Often overlooked Vendors in the legal field usually have subject

matter experts available to present a CLE program

External Consultants

Partnering with Vendors Added benefits – usually FREE and vendor

often provides meals Caveat: Check for state certification restrictions

on Vendors providing CLE

Client Development Seminars

Not exactly CLE – but…. Marketing opportunity for your library Business development opportunity for your firm Typically devoted to specific, highly topical

subject Provide food, handouts, in-house speakers

Audio/video programs

May be live or recorded In-house or purchased from commercial CLE

provider Many states are accepting these. Check with

the accrediting body in your state.

Webcasts and Web Programs

Webcasts – live programs carried over web Web programs – archived programs carried

over web More states are accepting these for CLE credit

Promoting CLE programs

Advertise EARLY for in-house presentations Create graphic invitation that may be emailed

internally and printed as a flyer for posting To encourage participation, ask a section head

to support a program by “strongly suggesting” that attorneys attend

Caveat: Some states require that even in-house programs be advertised publicly

Sample Invitation

Promoting CLE programs

Advertise EARLY for in-house presentations Create graphic invitation that may be emailed

internally and printed as a flyer for posting To encourage participation, ask a section head

to support a program by “strongly suggesting” that attorneys attend

Caveat: Some states require that even in-house programs be advertised publicly

Keeping track of CLE credits

Sometimes it’s easy, sometimes it’s not

Homegrown methods

The hardest part of managing CLE is keeping track of details

Homegrown methods

For each program, you must:– Check the state(s) requirements for pre- and post-

certification … and Fees– Advertise appropriately– Use the approved sign in sheets– Obtain/File Certificates of Attendance– Enter all this data in a CLE Tracking Database

Homegrown methods

CLE Tracking Database You don’t have to spend money Simply use Access or Excel For each attorney, include all elements

required by each state in which an attorney has CLE responsibility

KEEP UP!

Spending money

CLE Tracker Harraka Intellectual Software CLE provider software Reqwired

CLE provider software

West LegalEd Center State and local bars (MyAZBar.org, OCBar.org) Taecan and all the others….!

Best Practices

KEEP UP! This is very detailed work. Get/create the best CLE tracking database you

can. Time spent up-front will simplify your life forever.

KEEP UP! Collect pertinent information from every state in

which you will seek accreditation. KEEP UP!

Best Practices

Monitor changes in the CLE requirements in each state that affect you.

Call the CLE accreditation office in those states. Make friends. Ask them about suggested best practices and how to monitor changes.

Good Luck! (and….. KEEP UP!)