Taking Advantage of Your Public Law Section Benefits

• Publication year: 2017
• Author: By Bonnie C. Maly

Taking Advantage of Your Public Law Section Benefits

By Bonnie C. Maly^*

Lawyers have various reasons for joining a state bar section, like networking with people who practice in the same areas of law. That alone is a good enough reason to check off that extra box for section membership when renewing your State Bar membership and paying annual dues. But there is an equally important reason: the Public Law Section (PLS) offers some of the best MCLE programs I have seen in my 40-year legal career.

I served as the liaison from CEB to the PLS Executive Committee for about 10 years and watched how the educational subcommittee operates It is not the same people over and over again; the Executive Committee (Ex Com) rotates volunteer section members (as officers) through the various functions of the Ex Com, including the educational subcommittee.

This rotation provides a continuous fresh perspective from section members who participate in the educational subcommittee. Because, like you, these are practicing public law attorneys, they know what tools you need to be successful in your practice, what issues are cutting-edge, and what areas of law are developing and unsettled. With that kind of perspective, they also know who the most capable speakers will be. They work hard to bring you the training you need, in the time and ways you want it. Live seminars lead to vibrant discussions; webinars are easily accessible and timely address the latest developments in our field.

The educational mission of the Bar sections is a key benefit of membership, and is not unique to the PLS. I am also a member of the Real Property Section. They also offer timely, focused...