The 3 C's of Choosing the Right CLE Provider

This is a guest post by Sarah Mills, J.D., Program Attorney at Lawline, an online CLE provider.

For many attorneys, CLE requirements are an afterthought until right before their deadlines, but in an ideal world continuing legal education is an ongoing endeavor. For law firms, making sure their attorneys stay compliant is critical, and they can entice top talent by covering CLE costs. Small and medium size firms especially face unique pressures to be cost effective and efficient, and that extends to decisions about CLE. Whether you’re looking to fulfill your own requirements or finding the best fit for your law firm before your annual budget is due, make sure you consider the3 C’s of Choosing the Right CLE Provider. ‍

1. Content

‍CLE should be interesting, practical, and relevant. Before you buy, look at the breadth and depth of the content the provider offers.  Are there programs in your practice area? If your firm has attorneys in different practices and jurisdictions, do they offer credit in different states and practice areas, and for different skill levels? Check to see if the provider offers free trials or course previews so you can get a feel for the quality of the content.

2. Cost

‍You don’t want your CLE to break the bank. Traditional CLE at bar associations, public interest organizations, and law schools may offer programs ranging in price from free to hundreds of dollars – but remember, a free program still costs the labor hours lost to travel. Online providers also vary widely in price, and the costs will differ if you pay for a single program, purchase an unlimited subscription, or go for a group deal for all the lawyers in the firm.

3. Convenience

‍Traditional CLE requires an attorney to leave the office for several hours or a full day, bringing billable work to a halt or extending the workday into the evening. With online CLE, you can fulfill your requirements at the office or at home – and if the provider has an app, you can earn credits on the go. Before you commit to a provider, check for other added features, such as tools to keep track of your credits.

To learn more selecting the CLE provider that’s right for you, check out this Lawline white paper: How to Select a CLE Provider.

Smith.ai Readers Save $100!

Smith.ai readers can save $100 on Unlimited CLE from Lawline — learn more and sign up here. For more information about group CLE, contact stephanie@lawline.com.

For more information on CLE and other legal issues, check out the Lawline Blog.