Gina's CLE Blog

Comments Requested: Where Do You Find CLE Requirement Information?

As I'm preparing the finishing touches on my ACLEA presentation: " Changes in MCLE Guidelines: Staying Current, Finding Information", I decided I would like to hear from my readers on this subject. I have my own tips and processes that I follow and I'll be sharing them with the ACLEA audience and here on my blog following my return. But I'd like to hear from you: 

• What source has been best?
• What do you wish you'd known from the get-go?
• Who do you contact first if you have a question?
• How do you get a regulator to respond to your inquiry?
• Are there any differences between the rules and their practical application by the state?

As I'm planning on recommending this blog as a potential source for updating one's MCLE knowledge, I figure I'm obligated to more frequent updates. Watch the site for follow ups on ACLEA's 48th Mid-Year Meeting, on my presentations therein, and on any changes or news in the CLE world! 

ACLEA Heads to New Orleans for the 48th Mid-Year Meeting

Break out the Mardi Gras masks and beads - ACLEA's 48th Mid-Year Meeting begins in New Orleans on Saturday, January 28, 2012!

I'm looking forward to basking in some warm weather, exploring the interesting and informative learning opportunities available, and spending time with entertaining and witty colleagues (and Sean Carter).

The conference begins with the New Member Orientation and CLE Boot Camp - a must for anyone new to ACLEA or to the CLE world. CLE veterans Leslie Lynn Myers, Vince O'Brien, Mark Rosch, Peter Berge, Jan Majewski, Dinane Morrison, Donna Passons, and I will introduce attendees to the ACLEA organization and topics spanning from marketing and programming to negotiation.

Join old friends and make new at the Welcome Reception honoring new members and faculty on Saturday evening - open to all attendees. This is a great time to meet and catch up with CLE colleagues you haven't seen since Boston. The reception area will be sure to have a potted palm or two to assist with the avoidance of Sean Carter.

Sunday, January 29, 2012 through Tuesday, January 31,2012 the conference offers plenaries and workshops sure to appeal to a wide variety with topics covering all aspects of CLE and professional development. The full agenda can be found here.

One note: I will be speaking on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 from 1:45pm-2:45pm on "Changes in MCLE Guidelines: Staying Current, Finding Information".

In an industry with more than 45 regulating authorities in the United States alone and many more worldwide, finding out what rules and regulations apply to your programs and attorneys is difficult. Add to that the task of staying current when changes occur. How do you find the guidelines and requirements of these regulating bodies? Discussion includes:

• Sources for information
• Updating your knowledge
• Finding non-US continuing education rules
• Ensuring your program meets the requirements in multiple jurisdictions

I hope to see y'all (and Sean Carter) in New Orleans! Be sure to find me for a chat! Laissez les bons temps roulez!

Did You Know? Colorado Has Two Rounding Rules!

With the craziness that always accompanies year-end: attorneys seeking last-minute credits, running through hundreds of pieces of paper to generate all of the compliance paperwork, family holiday obligations...I am finally settling back into the rhythm of the work day once again.

One interesting fact that came to light in our year-end crunch - Colorado has two diferrent rounding rules! We have always used the "general" rounding rule in Colorado: for every 50 minutes of class an attorneys earns one credit, rounded to the nearest whole credit. But, interestingly, if the topic involves ethics the minutes are divided by 50 and rounded to the nearest 1/10 of a credit.

This will make for some interesting changes in our processes here in the office as we don't currently have a way to incorporate two different rounding rules based on content into our system, so we'll have to handle manually for now.