Sept. 18, 2024 – Fall is here! That means fall weather and falling leaves, football weekends, and State Bar of Wisconsin PINNACLE® fall programming.
CLE Programs and Conferences in October
PINNACLE ramps up its programming every fall to ensure members can meet their CLE reporting deadlines while they learn what’s new in specific practice areas. Here's what's brewing in October.
Legal Ethics 2024. (Oct. 3, 2024, 8:30-11:15 a.m., 3.0 EPR CLE, in-person in Madison, and webcast on select dates through June 2025.) Legal Ethics 2024 explores and explains your ethical responsibilities in a variety of everyday legal situations. It’s your chance to ask questions about your ethical duties and to review the implications of your actions when using recording systems, prepping witnesses, screening prospective clients, and more. Explore your duties when using AI and gain guidance on the attorney-client relationship.
Wisconsin Solo & Small Firm Conference 2024. (Oct. 17 to Oct. 19, in-person at the Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells.) Gain valuable practice tips and a boatload of CLE and connect with colleagues at the Wisconsin Solo & Small Firm Conference 2024, the conference made for lawyers in solo to mid-size practices. It’s two-and-a-half days of learning, networking, trading practice tips, swag and prizes in the vendor hall, and enjoying great food and maybe some bowling with pizza, riding on a carousel, and fun at the waterpark. Really, what’s holding you back from attending this gem of a conference? Find out much more at wssfc.org.
6 Habits of Highly Effective Commercial Negotiators Featuring Colleen Byers 2024. (Oct. 23, 8:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., 4.0 LPM, in-person in Madison and webcast on specific dates through December.) Negotiation is an essential skill for any lawyer seeking to achieve positive outcomes for their clients. Effective negotiators help parties collaborate, communicate, problem-solve, and reach agreements that align with their respective interests, while avoiding the need for time-consuming and costly litigation. Negotiation requires self-reflection, listening skills, emotional management, and patience – principles that benefit everyone practicing law (or practicing life).
Legacy Planning for Family Vacation Property 2024. (1.0 CLE, Webcast on specific dates in October through January 2025). Learn how to create a framework for future ownership and management of family properties. Gain a better understanding of how to help your clients create a plan for the family property and structure decision-making and dispute resolution so their wishes will be carried out with minimal family friction.
There’s More
Visit the WisBar Marketplace for all PINNACLE programming.
Evens and Odds: When Do You Report Your CLE Credits?
"Active" status lawyers admitted to practice law in Wisconsin must obtain at least 30 continuing legal education (CLE) credits every two years. At least three of those credits must be in the area of ethics and professional responsibility (EPR).
The reporting period for those admitted in an odd-numbered year ends Dec. 31, 2025.
If you were admitted in an even-numbered year, the reporting period technically ends on Dec. 31, 2024. The rules grant an additional month to obtain and report CLE activity for the reporting period. That is, to avoid a late filing fee or other penalties, 2023-24 courses must be completed by Jan. 31, 2025, and CLE reports must be submitted electronically to the Board of Bar Examiners (BBE) on or before Feb. 1, 2025. Note that the 30-credit requirement applies to “Active” status members.
“Senior Active” members – those age 75 and older who are still practicing law – are only required to obtain 15 credits, three of which must be ethics and professional responsibility (EPR) credits.
