The Court of Appeals of Maryland is mulling over a new proposed MCLE Rule requiring 10 hours of continuing legal education per year for every lawyer practicing law in Maryland. This could take effect as early as next year. Personally, I would have liked a little more notice because I have, you know, plans. I would like to think my teaching will get me there, but I guess I will have to read the fine print of what counts and what does not.
The safe path is to get up on a soapbox and complain about how Maryland lawyers need more education. I just don’t buy it. People who want more education get it constantly. Lawyers who don’t want it will not gain much knowledge at gunpoint.
It is hard to legislate ethics or diligence. You either have it or you don’t.