The legal industry is always changing. The federal legislature is currently examining a variety of complex reforms and bills, from immigration to surveillance. Private firms have legal professionals who rely on technology to provide business intelligence. For some, these developments signal opportunity–opportunity to kickstart a legal career, advance within an existing one, or use their skills to effect positive change. A professional degree can help you get in the door. Continuing legal education and professional growth is an investment that could help you increase your legal knowledge and skills while you work towards achieving your career goals.

Continued education and professional development can give you a competitive edge in legal practice. According to the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, the legal market is expected to grow by five percent between. What are some resources for continuing legal education or professional development? This guide will explore the various options available for continuing legal education or professional development.

Washington University’s online MLS for Non-Lawyers

Keep your job competitive in paralegal work. Find out more about the online Master of Legal Studies. You can complete the MLS in one year. You do not need to take the GRE/LSAT exam to apply.

What’s Continuing Legal Education?

Continuing legal education (or CLE) is an additional training and education for attorneys after they have passed the state bar exam. There are different requirements for continuing law education in different states and jurisdictions. Some schools and individuals might use the term CLE for any education after graduation.

Continuing Legal education (CLE) vs. Continuing Professional Development(CPD)

CLE and CPD are often used interchangeably. CPD is more common in the United States, while CLE is more popular in Canada and Australia. CPD may be used by certain employers and organizations in the United States to refer to continuing legal education.

Who are CLE and CPD Legal Designed for?

CPD and CLE in the legal area are for lawyers who need to keep their licenses, and also paralegals and legal assistants who wish to enhance their professional skills.

The value of continuing legal education and professional development

You can reap many benefits from continuing your professional development in the field of law. Laws, regulations, and standards are constantly changing. Continuing professional development in the legal field can have many benefits. It may be that your professional interests change over time. Continuing legal education may help you explore new areas and possibly shift your practice.

• Live programming
• Distance learning programs
• Specialty credits for topics such as ethics, professional conduct, and malpractice prevention

For legal professionals, credit trainings and degree programs

You have many options for continuing your legal education, whether you are an attorney, paralegal or another professional in the field. The American Bar Association (ABA) may recognize credits, programs and degrees. The ABA is the principal governing and advocacy body for the legal profession in America. It promotes legal education and professional conduct.

Online Hybrid J.D. program at University of Dayton now accepts LSAT/GRE scores program. Apply now

Through its Online Hybrid Juris Doctor program, the University of Dayton School of Law provides greater access to quality legal education. Students can sit for the bar exam in all 50 states through this ABA-approved program.

• Flexible online learning
• Collaborative on-campus experiences
• Semester-long externship in legal practice

Contact the University of Dayton School of Law

The ABA offers CLE credits to attorneys who wish to keep their license. If you want to keep your license, it is essential to meet the CLE requirements in your area. The ABA offers CLE via webinars, teleconferences or in-person courses, as well as on-demand courses. These CLE courses typically last 60-90 minutes and focus on a specific topic. ABA members can receive most of the CLE offerings for free. You have the option to choose which courses are most relevant or interesting to you. Many can be completed at your own pace. Check the CLE requirements for your state. The amount of mandatory CLE required in each state will vary. Some states may require credits in specific topics.