Continuing Legal Education Subcommittee
| Publication year | 1993 |
| Pages | 250 |
| Citation | Vol. 22 No. 2 Pg. 250 |
1993, February, Pg. 250. Continuing Legal Education Subcommittee
The mission of the Continuing Legal Education ("CLE") Subcommittee has been to implement the recommendations of the "Report of the CBA Task Force on Professionalism," which relate to continuing legal education.(fn1) These recommendations called for an increase in the mandatory CLE requirement in ethics credits, from two out of forty-five total credits every three years to seven out of forty-five; and a mandatory course on professionalism to be taken by all new potential bar admittees. The first goal has been met. The Colorado Supreme Court has since increased the ethics credits requirements to seven hours, effective January 1, 1992.(fn2)
The second original recommendation of the Task Force, which concerned the mandatory course, was that it be two days in length (as in Virginia). However, the Subcommittee thought it was important for new attorneys to take this course before they are allowed to practice law in Colorado and therefore it should be part of the admissions process. Given the time constraints between the grading of the bar exam and the swearing in, it became apparent that a one-day course would be more practical.
The Subcommittee presented this proposal to the CBA Board of Governors at its meeting on April 11, 1992. After lively debate, the Board passed the following resolution:
Be it resolved, that the Colorado Bar Association urges the Colorado Supreme Court to adopt a rule requiring completion of a course on legal professsionalism before admission to the bar of the State of Colorado.
This resolution, along with general proposals regarding the content and format of the course, was discussed at length with the Supreme Court. In July 1992, the court approved the one-day course in concept, requesting details concerning its implementation. The Subcommittee has been carefully researching professionalism courses around the country to come up with the best curriculum for the Colorado course.
As noted in the first report of this Subcommittee,(fn3) mandatory courses in professionalism have been adopted in various forms by other states. Virginia requires a two-day course, to be taken within one year of receiving a license...
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