Diversity and Inclusion CLE Guidelines

The following guidelines were developed by the Commission on Professionalism for CLE providers and administrators who wish to apply for PR CLE credit in the area of diversity and inclusion (D&I).

In planning any PR CLE, including D&I, please refer to the General Guidelines for all Professional Responsibility CLE.

When considering courses for D&I CLE, we recommend providers review whether the qualifications and experience of the presenters are appropriate to not only deliver the content but also to position the presenter as an expert in the field.

This is particularly important with regard to topics such as unconscious bias, stigma, dimensions of diversity, and harassment, as these are topics in which participants may have had negative experiences in their daily lives.

For these areas of expertise, it is essential that the presenter has incorporated how the unique challenges of the legal profession can create barriers to change. Generic courses on societal bias, D&I may not address these barriers and be a source of frustration for the participants looking for practical, customized solutions.

If a D&I presenter doesn’t have academic or practical experience in the legal field, we strongly recommend that an attorney is also engaged in the design and delivery of the course to ensure compliance with Rules 795(a)(1) and 795(a)(2) regarding the focus on the legal profession.

When designing a D&I CLE program, courses should fulfill the following three criteria:

1. Topic

Address one or more of the following — benefits of fostering an inclusive legal organization/profession/system; bias and discrimination experienced by lawyers or clients within the legal profession/system; strategies for eliminating bias and discrimination in the legal profession/system; developing cultural competency to better serve clients from diverse backgrounds; and eliminating bias and discrimination in hiring, retention, promotion, and professional development within legal organizations.

2. Application

Provide practical advice lawyers can apply within their organization, when representing clients, or in the legal profession as a whole.

3. Faculty

Have faculty with personal and/or professional experience with D&I and the legal profession/system.