Indiana Mandatory CLE for New Lawyers - Q&A

Newly admitted attorneys admitted after passing the Indiana Bar Exam must complete CLE programs designated by the Commission as appropriate for new lawyers during their first three-year educational period.

Question: I was admitted sometime this year. Does the New Lawyer Requirement apply to me? If so, what is my requirement?

Answer: Yes, the New Lawyer Requirement applies to you. You must report CLE that has been designated by the Commission as appropriate for new lawyers beginning January 1 of next year.

The New Lawyer Requirement is as follows: Newly admitted attorneys must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours designated as appropriate for new lawyers within the first three years. Six of the 36 hours must be from the Commission-Accredited Six-Hour Applied Professionalism Course; and newly admitted attorneys must complete a minimum of six hours per year.

Question: I will be leaving Indiana and beginning practice in another state sometime during my first three-year educational period. Does the New Lawyer Requirement apply to me?

Answer: Yes. As long as you are listed on the active Roll of Attorneys, you must complete the initial three-year educational period as described in question one.

If you become an inactive attorney by filing an Affidavit of Exemption (see www.in.gov/judiciary/cofc/) with the Roll of Attorneys, you need not satisfy the New Lawyer Requirements until you reactivate your license.

If you seek a waiver or exception of this rule, follow the procedures set out in Indiana Admission and Discipline Rule 29 section 8(a).

Question: Where do I find new lawyer programs?

Answer: The Commission-Accredited Six-Hour Applied Professionalism Course is offered by a variety of sponsors. Use the CLE Course Database, located at www.IN.gov/judiciary/cle/searchcle.html; check "Applied Professionalism" at the bottom of the form and then click the "Submit" button (see right).

If you would like to attend or develop a new lawyer course that is not listed, you may call the Commission office at (317) 232-1943 and request an application for accreditation or download an application from www.in.gov/judiciary/attorneys/cle.html. You will be asked to verify on the application that the course is appropriate for lawyers who have been in practice for fewer than five years.

Question: How does the Commission tell if I have satisfied the New Lawyer Education Requirement?

Answer: Sponsors of accredited activities for new lawyers must report your attendance to the Commission within thirty (30) days of an activity. You will be sent a transcript in early October of each year and it is your job to inform the Commission of any omissions or inaccuracies.

Please keep your address current with the Roll of Attorneys in order to insure receipt of your annual transcript. The Commission will send all information to you at the address listed with the Roll of Attorneys. All address and name changes must be immediately reported to:

Indiana Clerk of Courts, Roll of Attorneys
Room 217 State House
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 232-5861
Fax: (317) 232-8365
Email: www.in.gov/judiciary/cofc/

Question: What happens if I miss the deadline for reporting attendance at the Commission-Accredited Six-Hour Applied Professionalism Course or at New Lawyer CLE Programs?

Answer: You run the risk of having your law license suspended. If you think you will have difficulty meeting the deadline, immediately file a petition for an extension pursuant to Admission and Discipline Rule 29, section 8(e). If your license becomes suspended, you will have to make up the requirements in addition to reporting penalty hours to reinstate. You will also have to pay a substantial reinstatement fee.

Question: Whom should I contact with questions?

Answer:

Julia L. Orzeske
Indiana Commission for Continuing Legal Education
30 South Meridian Street, Suite 950
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 232-1945
Fax: (317) 233-1442
Email: jorzeske@courts.state.in.us