Students frequently ask how they can start connecting with potential employers and get involved in the legal community. Attending CLEs is one of the best (and most inexpensive!) ways to network with attorneys in the area. Continuing Legal Education (CLE) is an important part of every licensed attorney’s practice as they are required in order to remain licensed but are also valuable to stay current on the state of the law. For practicing attorneys, CLEs are often used to advertise one’s expertise to the legal and business communities, to develop expertise, and find business.
As a law student, CLEs are a great opportunity to learn more about different areas of the law and meet individuals who practice in those areas. Many CLEs are FREE for law students, so it is smart to take advantage of this perk while you still can.
ATTENTION 3LS – It would be wise to act on this opportunity now! By this time next year, the vast majority of current 3Ls will be one week away from being admitted as a licensed attorney. Missouri requires all newly admitted attorneys to complete at least three credit hours of ethics CLE in their first year of practice. (See Missouri Rule 15.05(e).) BUT – You can complete these three hours prior to being admitted. Get the credit while it’s free!
There are many opportunities to get CLE credit. Two of the best are sources for CLE credit are familiar to most of you. Both UMKC Law and the Kansas City Metropolitan Bar Association (KCMBA) organize a number of CLE programs throughout the year covering a wide range of practice areas. Check out the law school’s CLE website and KCMBA’s website for more information and schedules for CLE events.
Coming up soon, on October 16th, the 34th Annual Midwestern Bankruptcy Institute & Professional Development Workshop will be hosted at the KCMBA Conference Center. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone interested in bankruptcy and transactional law to learn more about bankruptcy and meet practitioners here in the Midwest. Visit the workshop’s website to learn more about the CLE, and if you would like to attend (FOR FREE), e-mail Daniel McCaroll at mccarrolld@umkc.edu.
Tagged: continuing legal education, employers, job search strategy, networking, resources
Leave a Reply