This was an Ignite presentation at a Denver Bar Association Pro Bono week event in October 2011. I advocated for a structured learning/mentoring plan for lawyers seeking CLE credit for pro bono activities. You can view the video here: http://vimeo.com/31515223

2. I think CLE matters
 Redefining CLE
 When Classes (and Credits) Aren’t Enough
 The Future of Online CLE Is Free
 Update: The Future of Online CLE Is Still Free
 Where Have All the Young Lawyers Gone?
 No, really. Marketing how-to isn’t continuing legal
education.

3. But many lawyers don’t
In 2010, the Colorado Lawyer asked “Why did you become a lawyer?”
I wanted to be required to take 45 units of general
CLE and 7 units of ethics CLE every three years.

4. CLE has lost its meaning

5. Where Did It Go?
How much time do we have?

6. What is the [actual] purpose
of CLE?
As society becomes more complex, the delivery of legal services
likewise becomes more complex. The public rightly expects that
practicing attorneys, in their practice of law, and judges, in the
performance of their duties, will continue their legal and judicial
education throughout the period of their service to society. It is the
purpose of these rules to make mandatory a minimum amount of
continuing legal education for practicing attorneys and judges in order
to foster and promote competence and professionalism in the practice
of law and the administration of justice.

7. Why is she talking about
CLE?
Don’t worry. It’s only 5 minutes.

8. Rule 260.8
Lawyers can earn up to 9 credits in each
three-year compliance period for pro bono
work!
 One credit/5 hours of representation
 One credit/completed matter for mentoring lawyers
 One credit/completed matter for mentoring law students

9. Pro Bono (without mentoring)
But what about the lawyer with
a lot of experience? 
Flickr: WarmSleepy
 And what about the lawyer with none?
Flickr: ilhu industries

10. Is the purpose of CLE
served?
Courtesy of Frankzed onFlickr

11. Is society served?
Wikimedia commons: ChvhLR10

12. Redefining CLE
and Pro Bono

13. Learning by Teaching
Docendodiscimus
LuciusAnnaeus Seneca (ca. 4 BC – 65
AD)

14. Learning by Doing
Courtesy of Geoff LMV on Flickr

15. Did you know we have a
mentoring crisis?
This presentation isn’t about mentoring, but…

16. Classroom Component
Courtesy of jisc_infonet on Flickr

17. Field Component
Flickr: mike tormsby
Flickr: limonada
Flickr: mytudut
Flickr: martinc

18. Support and Stability

19. Get what you paid for
 Structure
 Quality
 Measure Outcomes
 And, yes. CLE credit.

20. Lawyers and society are
served by the same plan

21. And don’t forget CLE
Because it’s really more than just a
mandatory minimum requirement.
It’s the future of our profession.