<b>Professional Development University: </b>Invest in Your Future: You Are Worth It

The vast majority of lawyers in the United States do not work in large law firms that provide a broad array of business support services including organized professional development. They are in either solo practice, share space with other lawyers, or work in a firm with less than 50 lawyers. The need for professional development is just as vital, and perhaps more important, for lawyers who may find themselves under pressure to generate business and collect fees, lack the necessary discipline, commitment or financial resources to support their continuing education, or are isolated by geography or specialization.

If professional development has not found its way into a lawyer's practice and values, compliance with state CLE requirements is forcing a change. A growing number of states call upon lawyers to report their professional development activities and some states require stress management, substance abuse, or ethics education, as well as learning in a substantive area of law. There are also lessons from the larger firms: professional development is good for business and commonly used to market the firm's expertise.

What can the majority of lawyers do to support their professional development?

• Contact the appropriate state agency where you are admitted to practice to get the latest CLE requirements, filing deadlines and forms;
• Mark your calendar to ensure that you meet CLE filing deadlines;
• Examine fee structure to insure that there is an adequate margin to support a modest professional development budget;
• Examine the past 6 to 12 months of billable and non-billable time to determine how 1 hour per week can be devoted to professional development;
• Review your State Bar Association committee lists and sign-up for e-mail notifications, discussion groups, seminars, print materials and 24/7 on line learning;
• Contact your state's CLE organization to make sure you are receiving timely notification of seminars that address your practice knowledge and skills, practice management and business development;
• Join and participate in Bar Association Committees that meet your current needs and interests, and others that may expand your thinking;
• Connect with law schools and get on their mailing lists for special seminars, social gatherings, online learning;
• Contact colleges and universities with academic programs in non-legal topics that are relevant to the businesses you serve;
• Seek opportunities to teach ' it is not only one the best ways to learn, it is commonly accepted for CLE credit, depending upon your role and other factors;
• Communicate with your clients: let them know what you are doing to stay current;
• Do not neglect personal health and wellness in your professional development planning; participate in wellness programs offered by your local gym and health care facility;
• Next time you talk to your dental hygienist, accountant, doctor or architect, ask them about their profession's requirements;
• Create a virtual or live discussion group; and
• Invest in the services of a professional who can do a needs assessment and create an education plan that is practical, affordable and improves your practice.

Professional development is an investment in the future health of one's practice and personal health. The cost in dollars to fulfill this commitment is far less than the cost of neglect. You are worth it!

The vast majority of lawyers in the United States do not work in large law firms that provide a broad array of business support services including organized professional development. They are in either solo practice, share space with other lawyers, or work in a firm with less than 50 lawyers. The need for professional development is just as vital, and perhaps more important, for lawyers who may find themselves under pressure to generate business and collect fees, lack the necessary discipline, commitment or financial resources to support their continuing education, or are isolated by geography or specialization.

If professional development has not found its way into a lawyer's practice and values, compliance with state CLE requirements is forcing a change. A growing number of states call upon lawyers to report their professional development activities and some states require stress management, substance abuse, or ethics education, as well as learning in a substantive area of law. There are also lessons from the larger firms: professional development is good for business and commonly used to market the firm's expertise.

What can the majority of lawyers do to support their professional development?

• Contact the appropriate state agency where you are admitted to practice to get the latest CLE requirements, filing deadlines and forms;
• Mark your calendar to ensure that you meet CLE filing deadlines;
• Examine fee structure to insure that there is an adequate margin to support a modest professional development budget;
• Examine the past 6 to 12 months of billable and non-billable time to determine how 1 hour per week can be devoted to professional development;
• Review your State Bar Association committee lists and sign-up for e-mail notifications, discussion groups, seminars, print materials and 24/7 on line learning;
• Contact your state's CLE organization to make sure you are receiving timely notification of seminars that address your practice knowledge and skills, practice management and business development;
• Join and participate in Bar Association Committees that meet your current needs and interests, and others that may expand your thinking;
• Connect with law schools and get on their mailing lists for special seminars, social gatherings, online learning;
• Contact colleges and universities with academic programs in non-legal topics that are relevant to the businesses you serve;
• Seek opportunities to teach ' it is not only one the best ways to learn, it is commonly accepted for CLE credit, depending upon your role and other factors;
• Communicate with your clients: let them know what you are doing to stay current;
• Do not neglect personal health and wellness in your professional development planning; participate in wellness programs offered by your local gym and health care facility;
• Next time you talk to your dental hygienist, accountant, doctor or architect, ask them about their profession's requirements;
• Create a virtual or live discussion group; and
• Invest in the services of a professional who can do a needs assessment and create an education plan that is practical, affordable and improves your practice.

Professional development is an investment in the future health of one's practice and personal health. The cost in dollars to fulfill this commitment is far less than the cost of neglect. You are worth it!