Illinois attorneys with last names beginning A–M: do you still need CLE hours before the June 30 MCLE completion deadline? (Check your MCLE transcript here to see where you stand.)
The Commission on Professionalism currently offers 7.5 hours of free CLE through nine courses on our website.
Our CLEs are approved for professional responsibility (PR) CLE credit in Illinois and include courses that qualify for the mental health and substance abuse (MHSA) and diversity and inclusion (D&I) PR CLE carveouts.
MCLE requirements for the 2022-2024 reporting period call for Illinois attorneys with last names beginning A-M to complete 30 hours of approved Illinois MCLE credit by the initial credit completion deadline of June 30.
This includes at least six hours of PR CLE in the areas of professionalism, civility, legal ethics, sexual harassment prevention, D&I, or MHSA. At least one of these six PR CLE hours must be in D&I and at least one hour must be in MHSA.
Please note that newly admitted attorneys have separate requirements.
New D&I CLE course on allyship
If you still need D&I credit, we have you covered. We recently launched a new course, “From Intention to Action: Ten Rules for Allyship in the Legal Workplace.” The course is available now for 1.0 hour of D&I CLE credit.
In this course, Michelle Silverthorn, attorney, author, and Founder & CEO of Inclusion Nation, defines allyship for legal professionals and shares language, actions, and tools that can help attorneys be better allies.
“I am so pleased to collaborate with the Commission on this e-learning experience,” Silverthorn said. “Every day we see the need for attorneys to stand up and speak up and serve as allies to those whose voices remain unheard. I hope this course gives every Illinois attorney the skills to do so.”
The course is based on Silverthorn’s presentation at the 2024 Future Is Now: Legal Services conference. Please note that if you received CLE credit for attending the 2024 Future Is Now: Legal Services conference, you are not eligible to receive additional credit for this course.
Additional free online CLEs from the Commission
Below are several other Commission courses that will help Illinois attorneys A-M meet their PR CLE requirements.
- [NEWLY ADDED] From Intention to Action: Ten Rules for Allyship in the Legal Workplace (1.0 hours of D&I CLE credit) Please note: If you received CLE credit for attending the 2024 Future Is Now: Legal Services conference, you are not eligible to receive additional credit for this course.
- Civility in Legal Practice: Why it Matters (1.0 hours of PR CLE credit)
- High-Performing and Highly Stressed: How Attorneys Can Prioritize Mental Health (1.0 hours of MHSA credit)
- Communicating During Conflict: Understanding Your Role (0.5 hours of PR CLE credit)
- The Busy Lawyer’s Guide to Well-Being (0.5 hours of MHSA CLE credit)
- The Resilient Lawyer (0.5 hours of MHSA CLE credit)
- Ending Harassment, Bullying, and Incivility in the Legal Workplace (1.0 hours of PR CLE credit)
- Rebalance the Scales: Implicit Bias, Diversity, and the Legal Profession (1.0 hours of D&I CLE credit)
- The Buck Stops Here: Ethics and Professionalism for In-House Counsel (1.0 hours of PR CLE credit; satisfies the Rule 716(c) requirement for foreign in-house counsel)
Other CLE opportunities
CLE is also available through several Illinois legal organizations, including:
- Illinois ARDC: The ARDC provides licensed Illinois attorneys access to free on-demand legal education on its website. Among the free CLE offerings is the newly released PMBR (2024-2025) Self-Assessment Program which is available to all Illinois attorneys for up to 4.0 hours of PR CLE credit.
- ISBA: Eligible ISBA members can select from over 700 hours of on-demand CLE content to earn up to 15 MCLE credit hours per bar year (July 1 to June 30) via their on-demand CLE site at no additional cost.
- Illinois Lawyers’ Assistance Program: LAP provides on-demand CLEs at a low cost that meet the MHSA PR CLE requirement. Courses address topics such as mindfulness, addiction, and stress.
- Public Interest Law Initiative: PILI’s Virtual Pro Bono CLE Series will feature “Where Do We Stand? Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts in 2024” on June 25, from 12 to 1 p.m. (1.0 hours of general CLE credit)
- Local bar associations: Many local and affinity bar associations offer in-person or virtual courses this month. Check with your local bar association to see if there is an option that suits your needs.
The MCLE Board also provides a course database to search for CLE courses.
Did we miss any free CLE opportunities in Illinois? Please comment below and we will add them to the list.
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From Intention to Action: Ten Rules for Allyship in the Legal Workplace
“High-Performing and Highly Stressed: How Attorneys Can Prioritize Mental Health” CLE
“Communicating During Conflict: Understanding Your Role” CLE