Summer CLE Strategy: Planning Your Professional Development
BY TALI THOMASON
As summer approaches, it’s the perfect time to strategically plan your continuing legal education to maximize both your professional growth and your schedule flexibility. With the wealth of resources available through the Denver Bar Association and the Colorado Bar Association’s CLE programs, you can craft a summer learning plan that fits your practice needs and lifestyle.
Why Summer CLE Planning Matters
Summer offers unique advantages for professional development. Court schedules often lighten, client demands may ease, and the longer days provide more learning opportunities. Rather than scrambling to meet your annual CLE requirements in December, a strategic summer approach allows you to:
- Choose from the full catalog of available programs
- Take advantage of early-bird pricing
- Balance in-person networking with flexible online options
- Focus on areas that will immediately benefit your practice
Exploring Your CLE Options
Live Seminars and Institutes CBA-CLE offers an extensive calendar of live programming throughout the summer. Major institutes like the Family Law Institute provide intensive, focused learning opportunities that can significantly advance your expertise in specific practice areas. These events also offer invaluable networking opportunities with Colorado’s legal community.
Home Study Flexibility For busy practitioners, CBA-CLE’s extensive home study library offers the flexibility to learn at your own pace. Popular recent additions include “Best Practices and Ethics in the Profession” and specialized webinars like “ICE Raids: What to Know and How to Prepare.” These programs allow you to earn credits while maintaining your summer schedule.
The CBA-CLE Pass Advantage Consider investing in a CBA-CLE Pass for maximum value and flexibility. Unlike other providers’ offerings, the CBA-CLE Pass includes unlimited access to Colorado-specific content, written and taught by experienced Colorado lawyers. Passholders receive:
- Unlimited access to the entire home study library
- Discounted publications
- Reduced or free registration for live programming (elite pass holders)
- Networking opportunities within Colorado’s legal community
Practice Area Focus Summer is an excellent time to deepen expertise in your core practice areas or explore new ones. CBA-CLE offers programming across diverse areas including:
- Ethics & Professional Responsibility (always valuable for any practitioner)
- Law Practice Management (perfect for summer efficiency improvements)
- Emerging areas like Cannabis Law and Technology Law
- Traditional strengths like Real Estate, Family Law, and Business Law
Building Your Summer CLE Strategy
- Assess Your Requirements: Review your current CLE credit status and identify any specific requirements (ethics, professionalism, etc.)
- Identify Learning Goals: What skills or knowledge areas would most benefit your practice? Summer learning should align with your professional objectives.
- Mix Formats: Combine live seminars for networking with home studies for convenience. This approach maximizes both learning and professional connections.
- Plan for Professionalism: Don’t forget mandatory professionalism requirements. CBA-CLE offers multiple options to fulfill these credits.
- Consider Group Learning: If you’re part of a firm or practice group, explore CBA-CLE’s group pricing options for cost-effective team development.
Making the Most of Summer Learning
Summer CLE isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s about strategic professional development. Use this time to:
- Explore new practice areas that interest you
- Deepen expertise in your current focus areas
- Build relationships within Colorado’s legal community
- Stay current on legal developments and best practices
Resources and Support
Both the Denver Bar Association and CBA-CLE provide extensive support for your professional development journey. Visit denbar.org for DBA-specific programming and networking opportunities, and cle.cobar.org for the full catalog of CLE offerings. The CBA-CLE staff is available Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM at (303) 860-0608 to help you plan your summer learning strategy.
Remember, strategic summer CLE planning isn’t just about meeting requirements—it’s about investing in your professional future while maximizing the season’s unique opportunities for growth and connection.
