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Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
Introduction
The Middle Tennessee Paralegal Association (“MTPA”) generally holds three Continuing Legal Education (“CLE”) seminars per calendar year, which are usually approved by the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (“NFPA”) for 1.5 hours of CLE credit. The cost to attend the seminars, which also include lunch, is generally $25 for MTPA members and approximately $40 for non-members.
Most paralegals are not required to obtain CLE hours, however, attending CLE seminars is the best way to stay current on the law, how it is constantly changing and how those changes affect your daily practice.
CLE can take the form of self-study, on-line seminars, in-house seminars/training, day-long seminars produced by commercial education companies, training provided by vendors to the legal community such as Lexis® and WestLaw®, or programs sponsored by MTPA, state and local bar associations and specialty bar associations. Programs presented by other professional groups can be considered continuing education for paralegals who work in related fields. Many consider courses in technology, ethics or management skill to be CLE, provided they relate to legal practice.
Paralegals who have taken the Paralegal Advanced Competency Examination and who have earned the designation “PACE Registered Paralegal” (RP) are required to certify the completion of 12 hours of CLE, including at least one hour of ethics, every two years to maintain the designation. Certain paralegals who have other professional designations are also required to maintain CLE hours to remain in good standing.
CLE Events presented by MTPA in 2008
Legal Research Solutions - Overview and Research Tips Using LexisNexis
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Lida Burke, Esq. and Whitney Lawson, Esq. presented a concise tutorial on the benefits of using LexisNexis as a primary research tool. They demonstrated performing general online legal research and guided us in utilizing other various public records' features to stay abreast of what is pertinent to a client's needs. We learned a few tricks on finding the information we (and the attorney) should know to stay ahead of the pack!
This CLE was an accredited seminar in which attendees earned 1.5 hours credit and was offered to MTPA members for only $15.00. Non-members were able to attend at the rate of $25.00 per person. Rates for an equivalent CLE accredited seminar range from $50 to $100 per person.
Ethics for Paralegals: Managing the Ethics of Conflict
This is a CLE accredited seminar in which attendees earned1 hour credit and was offered to MTPA members for $15.00. Non-members could attend at the rate of $25.00 per person. Rates for an equivalent CLE accredited seminar range from $50 to $100 per person.
2009 Online NFPA CLE Seminar schedule coming soon !
CLE Sponsorship Opportunities
Our Sponsorship Members have the option of sponsoring a CLE seminar meeting. This helps offset MTPA’s cost as well as provide great exposure for our Sponsorship Members members.
The benefits of sponsoring a CLE seminar are:
1. Recognition of the Sponsor on the website and in the initial notice sent to all MTPA members;
2. The Sponsor will be acknowledged and thanked from the podium by a MTPA Board Member;
3. If the Sponsor desires, brochures, favors or handouts may be placed at each attendee’s seat or on the registration tables for attendees to pickup as they leave the meeting; and
4. The Sponsor will be given two minutes at the microphone to make a brief presentation, if desired.
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