Title: MATTER OF RULES FOR CONTINUING LEGA

State: montana

Issuer: Montana Supreme Court

Document:

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF noxranal | L E Cc
70EC2 1 2009

 

CLERK GE sienE coum
IN RE THE RULES FOR ) = StATE GF tiowrana
CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION ) ORDER

In September of 2000, a the direction of the State Bar of Montana Board of Trustees
and upon the request of the Montana Continuing Legal Education Board, the State Bar of
Montana submitted to the Court proposed amendments to the Rules for Continuing Legal
Education (CLE).

‘On September 26, 2000, we submitted the proposed amendments tothe bench, bar and
other interested parties for comments. A number of comments were received and each was
carefully considered by this Court, as was the CLE Board's December 20, 2000
‘memorandum addressing these comments. Having thus considered the proposed
amendments to the CLE Rules and the comments, we have determined to adopt the proposed
amendments as attached to our September 26, 2000 Order

‘Therefore, pursuant tothe authority granted this Court by Article VII, Section 2 of the
Montana Constitution,

ITIS HEREBY ORDERED that the amendments to the Rules for Continuing Legal
Education attached to our September 26, 2000 Order are adopted, effective January 1, 2001
(Underlined material will be added to the Rules; lined-through material will be stricken. A

copy of the final Rules, as amended, is attached to this Order).
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the Clerk is directed to provide copies of this Order
together with the amended CLE Rules to the State Bar of Montana with the request that this
Order and the attached amended Rules be published in the next available issue of the
Montana Lawyer, and be posted on the State Bar of Montana web cite
(www.montanabar.org); to Judith Meadows, State Law Librarian, with the request that she
post this Order and the amended CLE Rules on the Montana Law Library web cite
(www lawlibrary.state.mt.us); to K. Paul Stahl, Chair of the Commission; to West Group; to
the Code Commissioner and Director of Legal Services at the Montana Legislative Services
Division; and to each ofthe Clerks ofthe District Courts of Montana.

1
DATED this *! day of December, 2000.

 

Justices
RULES FOR CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION
Inthe Supreme Cour ofthe State of Montana

PRINCIPLES

1. The primary purpose of Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) in Montana isto improve the
competence of attorneys,

2, The MCLE program should function inthe interest of consumer protection, assisting Montana attorneys
in remaining abreast of changes in the law inorder to beter serve the puble.

3. Regulatory author for MCLE rests wit the Montana Supreme Court. In ight ofthe author ofthe
Court provided in Acie Vil, Section 2 of the Montana Constiuton pecmiting the Court to make rules
‘governing acimission tothe bar and the conduc fits members, the Court oversees the continuing legal
‘education system withthe same thoughtful deliberation i devas to deciding cases.

4. The MCLE program should be a means of inculcating principles of ethics and professional conduct,
wall as providing knowledge and training in eubetantive areas ofthe lw.

 

5. Based on the belie that interaction with fellow attomeys contributes to the learning process,
significant portion of the MCLE requirement should be salisfed by interactive seminars or by euch
'methods that allow for interaction among the participants and the instructor by electronic means.

 

 

6. Because the professions obligation to the public ls paramount, al active attorneys must comply with
MCLE, subject to the need to accommodate special ezcumstances, as long as they remain inthe
Practice.

7. The MCLE program shouldbe administered forthe Court by the Stata Bar in @ cost elective manner,
withthe aim being nether to generate revenue nor produce franca losses forthe ar.

8. There should be an on-going evaluation ofthe effectiveness of MCLE, particularly in terms of whether it
helps attomeys meet heir obligations tothe publi.

RULE 1, PURPOSE
‘These rules establish standards forthe continuing egal education required of all persons licensed to
practice law inthe State of Montana. Its of primary importance tothe members ofthe Stale Bar of
Montana and tothe public that atomeys continue their legal education throughout ther active practice of
law.

RULE 2. DEFINITIONS:

‘A. “Active Member” means any person who Is icensed to practic law inthe State of Montana and who
ays “Active Member" dues tothe State Bar of Montana

®. “Approved Legal Education Activity” means an individual seminar, course, or atneractity approved by
the Commission.

C. “Commission” means the Montana Commission of Continuing Legal Education
. “Board of Trustees” means the Board of Trustees ofthe State Bar of Montana,

. “Legislator Member means @ member of he State Bar of Montana who fs holding office 28 duly
lected or appointed member ofthe Montana House of Representatives or the Montana Sense,

F. “Chairperson” means the chaleparson of the Commission,
6. “Credit Hour means sixty (60) minutes of approved legal education activity.

H. “Inactive Member” means any person who i licensed to practice law in the State of Montana and who
pays Inactive Morsber dus tothe State Bar of Montana,

|. "MCLE Administrator is the person designated by the Corwmission, with the approval of the Executive
Director of the Stato Bar of Montana.

41. "Rule" or “Rules” refers tothe Rules for Continuing Legal Education.
K. “Reporting Year" means April 1st through March 31st

RULE 3. COMMISSION

‘A. Membership, Appointment, and Terms.
‘The Commission consists of rine (9) members, s< (6) of whom shal be acmited to practice law inthe
‘Slate of Montana, two (2) of whom shall be residents ofthe State nat admitted tothe practice of law.
‘and one (1) of whom shal be a paralegal member ofthe State Bar of Montane. The State Bar shal
‘nominate and he Court shal appoint members for three-year tems, Each yearly class of members
shal include two lawyers and one layperson. In adetion, one member ofthe Montana Supreme Court
shall Serve as an ex-ficio member of the Commission,

‘The Commission shall designate one ofits attorney members to sorve a8 Chairperson for @ term of two
years. The MCLE Administrator shall serve as Secretary to the Commission, The Coutt may terminate
‘membership on the Commission in accordance withthe By-Laws ofthe Stato Bar. Inthe event of
vacancy, a successor vill be appoiniod by the State Bar of Montana lo serve the unexpired term. The
‘successor wil be given frst consideration for eppointment toa ful term atthe expiration ofthe ier
appointment

 

‘The Commission has autho to act whien 8 quorum is present. A quorum ofthe Commission consists
‘of fve (6) or more of is members.

1B. Powers of the Commission,
1. The Commission shall a¢minister and interpret these Rules.

2. The Commission sha
1. Determine whether, under Rules 6 and 7, a or portions of individual courses and programs not
presented by an Accredited Sponsor are approved legal education acts;
». Determine the numberof creit hours allowed foreach approved legal education activity,
Including those of Accreditea Sponsors;
Designate Accredited Sponsors and annually review such designations;
Report annually to the Board of Trustees;
‘Assess annual affidavit fling fees to pay the reasonable and necessary costs of administering
these ules, assess penalty foes for falure to fie afcavis as raqured by Rule 5, assess a
{or the restoration to active practice of attorneys suspended from the practice of aw under Rule
12, assess sponsor fees, and assess cher fees deemed necessary by the Commission;
{Meet at least trae times per year. The time, method, and place of meetings shall be athe
<scretion of the Commission, subject o these Rules; and
18 Place upon any member seeking fo quality under these rules the burden of proof.

 

eae

 

3. The Commission may take other action deemed necessary to administer these rules.

C. Committees
‘The chairperson may appoint one or more commitees, which shal her be standing or ad hoc, 2s
‘2pproprate but tere shal be a standing commitee krown as th “Accreditation Commitee” consisting
of 2 least trae (3} members of the Commission. The Accreditation Committee shall have the interim
authority to determine caquests for exemption or extension under Rule 4 and eamed hours of
‘accreditation under Rules 6 and 7.

D. Expenses ofthe Commission
‘Members of tne Comission shall not be compensated except for actusl and necessary expenses
incurred in the performance of Commission cuties,

E. Annual Budget
The Commission shall submit an annual budget to the Board of Trustees for approval. Expenses ofthe
Commission shall not exceed the annual Budget approved by the Boer of Trustoes,

F. MOLE Administrator.
‘The Commission may delegate its power tothe MCLE Adminstrator pursuant to guidelines established
by the Commission. At each meeting ofthe Commission, the MCLE Administrator shall report on al
{terminations made since the preceding meeting ofthe Commission

G. Authority.
‘The Commission shal operate, for administrative purposes only, under the general authory ofthe
Board of Trustees. For all ther purposes inciuding amendments tothe rules, recommendations for
‘changes in the methods of operation, and reports on the effectiveness of enforcement, the Commission
‘shall operate under the authory of the Court

RULE 4. EDUCATI JIREMENTS, EXEMPT cTENSIONS

‘A. tive Member Minimum Continuing Legal Education Requirement:
Each active member shall compete @ minimum of fteen (18) credit hours of approved continuing lege!
‘education activity each year. Of those teen (15) credit hours, at leas ten (10) erect hours must be
‘earned by attendance at interactive seminars a defined in Rule 7. No more than fe (6) erect hours
‘may be eamed through “other methods" as defined in Rule 7

Ifa member accumuiates mote interactive crests than required ina year, the excess interactive credits
‘may be carrid forward and applied to ether or both ofthe naxt two succeeding years. Credits earned
by ‘other methods" may net be carried forward. A maximum of thirty (30) interactive credit hours may
De carried forward,

Every three years, each active member must complete @ minimum of five (5) crecit hours in ethics.
Ethics means the accepted principles of professional conduct and responsibilty as established by the
Montane Rules of Professional Conduct. Ethics credis may be used to fulfil he 16 credit hours of
‘required continuing legal education.

'B. Inactive Member Continuing Legal Education Exemption:
‘An inactive member is exempt from the continuing legal education requirement ofthese rules.

CC. Legisitor Member and Governor Continuing Legal Education Exemption:
A legislator member or the Governor ofthe Stato of Montana is exemt fom the continuing legal
{education requirement ofthese rules during his o: her term of ofice as a member of the Montana House
of Representaives, as a member ofthe Montana Senate, or a8 the Governor.

D. Judiciary Member Continuing Legal Education Exemption:
‘A fulltime judge or retired judge eligible for tornporary judicial assignment and not engaged in the
‘Practice of aw is exempl fom the continuing educaton requirement of these rules.

A tlltime judge isan elected or appointed member ofthe Judiciary who devotes his or her fulsime
professional activity fo his or her positon as a judge. The Judiciary includes Montana Supreme Court
{ustices, Montana cst! court judges, tribal judges, Montana water cout judge, Montana workers
‘Compensation judge, Montana justices ofthe peace, Montana city judges, Montane municipal udges,
‘and federal administrative law judges, U.S. crcul court judges, U.S. istict court judges, US.
Magistrates, and US. bankruptcy judges,

 
E. Other Exemptions:
Exemptions may be granted by the Commission a follows:
1. Bxemptions cu to special crcumstances:
Upon writen and swom apptcation, accompanied by the annual fling feo
required by Rule 362(¢), the Commission may exempt an attorney trom all or
‘3 portion ofthe continu legal education requirement for a period of not
‘more than one (1) year upon a fring by the Commission of special
‘crcumstances, unique to that member, constituting undue hardship. Such
creumstances include:
2. Severe or protonged ness or disability ofthe member that prevents the
‘member from pericipatng in approved continuing legal education
‘actives. If the member i disabled or hospitalized, a sworn statement
‘rom another person who i familiar with ho facts may be accepted:
Extended absence from the United States; or
©. Other extenuating crcumstances,
2. An exemption may not be granted in successive years forthe same or similar hardship,
3. Exemption during year of admission:
[An active member's exempt fom the continuing legal education requirement ofthese ules during
the balance ofthe reporting year during which he or she is admitted

F. Waiver
If an active member requests to become an inactve memiber aftr the Commission has notified the
Court of noncompliance, the Commission may waive the continuing legal education requirement fr the
previous year

G. Extensions
‘The Commission may grant an extension of me for the reporting requirement of Rule 5, upon a finding
by the Commission of special circumstances unique to tha member constituting undue hardship.

H. Burden of Proof
“The burden Is onthe member to submit and satis the requirements ofthese
ues.

RULES. Ri

AL Report,
(On or before Api tof each year, each active member who has net been granted an exemption under
Rule 4, shal fle an affcavit wth the Commission reporting continuing legal education activity inthe
preceding reporting year. The report may include any cary-over credits specfied in Rule 4A together
‘with any proof the Commission may require. The Commission shall mat the prescribed affidavit form to
‘each active member on or Before Maren 1 of each year.

8. Foe,
“The Commission shall require payment of fe not to exceed twenty-five dollars (S25 00), which each
reporting atorey must pay to defray the cost of maintaining records and enforcing the Rules, The
prescribed fee shall accompany the Supreme Court Lisense Tax and the State Ser of Montana
‘Membership Dues submited by each atlomey. Failure to pay the prescrbed fee constitutes
‘poncomplignce under Rule 12.

C. Noncompliance Fees.
In adciton to the fing fee prescribed in Rule 382(e), atorneys in noncompliance who correct the
‘deficiency shall pay the folowing foes:

1 Ifthe noncompliance is corected before the Commissions final notice Is sent, a prescribed in Rule
412A, the addtional fee shall not exceed fifty dollars ($50.00),

2. Ifthe noncompliance is corrected after the Commission's final natice it sent out, the ational fee
shall not exceed one hundred dots ($100.00). An attorney In non-compliance for a second
‘consecutive year shall be assessed a at fling fee not to excoed three hundred dolars ($300.00),

 
“The fees prescribed in Rule SC shall be determined by the Commission each year.

D. Ifthe prescribed reporting affidavit is deemed Incomplete or ambiguous by the Commission or its MCLE
‘Administretor,sditonalnfermation may be required from the reporting member

The burden ison the member to submit and satisfy the requirements of these rules, an fallure to
respond in a timely manner shall constitute noncompliance under Rule 12,

RULE. CREDIT {REDITATION STAN

AL Credit Hours
‘The Commission shall designate the number of credit hours tobe eared by participation in or teaching
of approved continuing lagal education activites.

Creat shail be earned on the basis of one (1) credit hour for each sity (60) minutes actually spent by @
‘member in attendance at an approved actviy or in preparation for and teaching of an approved activ
Cecit wil nt be earned for time spent in inteductory remarks, coffee and luncheon breaks, or business
‘meetings. Further, credit wil not be eamed for speeches presented at, or attendance a, luncheons or
banquets. Repetiton ofan actwty does not quality for ere.

B. Accreditation and Accreditation Standards - Genera
‘The Commission may approve continuing legal education activities when consistent with these Rules.
‘The folowing standards as to content shall govern the approval ofa continuing legal education activity:
41." It shall have significant legal content;

2. Its primary objective shal be to increase professional competence 2s a lawyer;

3. It shall constitute an orgenized program of learning dealing with mators
‘directly reiated o the practice of law, professional conduct, or the ethical obligations of lawyers;

4. I'shallbe conducted by an individual or group qualfied by practical or academic experience in &
‘setting physically suite to the educational actly ofthe program: and

5. I'should inctude thorough, high-quality, and carefully prepared writen materials to be distributed to
allatendees ator before the time the course Is presented. While Is recognized that wrtien
‘materials are not suitable or readily availabe for some types of subjects, the absence of wren
‘materials fr distribution should be the excoption and not the rule,

(C, The burden ison the member to submit and satsy the requirements ofthese rues.
8 OF Pi 1S AND AC sT QUALIFY F¢

A. All activities must meet the standards sel fort in Rule 68, The folowing methods of presentation willbe
consigared for ere
1 Interactive seminars - 8 minimum of ten (10) creit hours per year must be
‘eared by attending interactive seminars. An intoracive seminars an
‘ctv where the instructor and at least four other parcpants are avallable to
Interact wih each other fr the purpose of futher dacussion ar answering
questions.
22. Other methods ~ a maximum of fe (5) crect hours por year may be earned by participation in any
‘one oF a combination ofthe following other methods:
‘2. Using autio- oF video-produced material,
'. Participating in online Seminars that do not ivolve interaction wih instructors and other
paricipants;
‘©. Weting an article which appears in any Law Review published by an ABA. accredited iw
‘schoo!
4. Aitending courses taught at an ABA accredited law schoo! subsequent to being admited to the
‘State Bar of Montana;
©. Teaching ang preparing writen materials for an approved activity. Repetiion of such teaching
activity does nat qualify for credit,

    
4 _Altending inchouse courses offered by aw fms, corporate legal departments, or similar entities
‘rimerly forthe education of their employees oF members. The standards sei forth in Rule 6B
‘are applicable to the approval of individual i-house courses. In addition, the folowing
adéitional standards must be met:
{An application fr approval must be fied withthe Commission before the date on which the
‘course ist be held. The Applicant wil be expected to furnish curriculum materials and @
‘Schedule and to provide assurances that clt-elated matters and case studies are not
part ofthe credit hours being sought
|The course must be attended by five (5) or more lawyers, including the instructor,
|K, The course must be scheduled at atime and location so a8 tobe ree of ineruption from
telephone cals and other office matiors;
Iw. The applicant must agree to permit any member ofthe Commission, ofa designee ofthe
‘Commission, inctuding the MCLE Adminstrator. to be in attendance atthe activity
‘deemed necessary by the Commission:
9. Satisfactory completing an approved selt-study program; or
1. Utuizing any other method ifthe applicant can demonstrate the activity has signcant legal
content and the primary objective ofthe activity is uniquely connected tothe practice of law.
‘3. The burden ison the member to submit and satisty the requirements ofthese rules.

B. The folowing will not be considered for ered

1. Bar Review Courses,
Credit shall not be eamed for any bar review course offered in any state or for any other course
attended betore acmission fo practic law any state.

2. Teaching at Educational Insitutions.

‘Teaching in scheduled activites of any education institution by an attorney who has an
‘employment relationship withthe intuition, ether as an emplayee or a a contacter, or by an
‘attorney who isa guest speaker on a regular bess isnot an approved continuing legal education
‘ectvity under this rule.

PRESUMPTIVE TION

‘The Commission may recognize and presumptively accredit courses that have been accredited by and held
in other states. The Commission wil grant the same number of credits to each course that was grated in
‘he stat in which the course was presented. ‘The Commission retains the right to reject accreditation of ay
‘course that I beleves doos not meet the standard set out rule 6(8) or for which documentation of
‘accreditation i not provided.

RULE 9, ACCREDITATION

A. sponsor (other than an Accredited Sponsor or an indvidual member may seek advance approval on
®2 form provided by the Commission, accompanied wit fing fee in an amount to be determined by the
Commission each yoar. The same procedure may be folowed after presentation ofthe activity, except
that, uniess weived by the Commission, requests for approval of activites must be submitted before
March 31 ofthe reporting yearn which the activity was presenteg. Courses submited after the March
‘31 deadline wil incur alate fing fee not o exceed fity dollars ($60.00). The Commission, withthe
MCLE Administrator, shall advise the applicant in witng whether the activity is approved and, i
‘pproved, the number of cred hours allowed

Except as provided above, no credit wil be recognized without application and approval. Any delay
which takes place in making a determination ona request for approval does not rebeve the member
from compliance with the Rules.

RULE 10, ACCREDITED SPONSORS

‘A. An Accredited Sponsor isan organization designatod as such by the Commission, Continuing legal
‘education activites presented by an Accredited Sponsor ae approved legal education actives,
'8. An application for approval as an Accrected Sponsor shal be submited annually on a form provided by
‘te Commission and accompanied by a fing fe in an amount tobe determined by the Commission
‘each year. Applications shal be evaluated under criteria defined in Rules 6 and 7” A sponsor shal not
be accredited unless it has offered five or more separate continuing legal education actives during the
preceding year,

CC. Upon approval as an Accredited Sponsor, the organization is exempt from the requirement of apalying
for approval of individual programs. Documentation fr individual programs must be submited prior 10
December 31 ofthe calendar year in which the activity was presented. Documentation submited after
the December 31 deadine wil not be considered uniess accompanied by late fling fee not to exceed
fity dliars ($50.00). The Comission wil determine the number of credt hours foreach continuing
legal education activity

. The Commission may at any time re-evaluate end revoke the status ofan Accredited Sponsor fa
program fals to meet ether the accreditation standards set forth in Rule 6B or the methods of
resentation set frtn in Rule 7.

. Alist of organizations or groups which are approved as Accredited Sponsors of continuing legal
‘education activites willbe maintained by he MCLE Administrator in the office ofthe State Bar of
Montana. A current list of Accredited Sponsors willbe published inthe Montana Lawyer.

RULE 11, APPEALS

‘An attomey or sponsoring agency disagreeing with a determination ofthe Commission, the Accredtation
‘Commitee, or the MCLE Administrater, other than the noncompliance provisions of Rule 12, shall submit
his or her statement, together with supporting data, to he Commission, The Commission shall consider the
‘matte at ts next requir meeting. The Commission shall send written notoe tothe sponsoring agency or
attomey advising ofthe date, timo, and location ofthe meeting and advise that he or she has the right to
‘appear a the meeting and present any evidence on his or her behalf. Consideration ofthe matter isnot en
‘26versarial or contested proceeding, and forma rules of evidence shall nct apply. The Commission shall
etermine the matter by majorty vote of those present and its decision shall be final

RULE 12. NONCOMPLIANCE

A. Notice of Noncompliance
‘The Commission shal, by May 15 of each year, send a witen notice of noncompliance o each attorney
wo has not fled an acceptable afidavit forthe previous year as required by Rule 5. The notice of
Roncompliance shall descrbe the nature o te noncompliance and shal state thet, unless the atiomey
files an acceptable afidavit withthe Commission by June 15 of thal year showing thatthe
‘noncompliance has been corrected and pays the appropriate fees, his or her name wil be submitted to
the Montana Supreme Court for scton by the Cour

1B. Notice to Supreme Court.
‘Alter June 15 of each year, the Commission shall notify the Supreme Court ofthe names of each
‘attorney in noncompliance,

©. Final Notice
‘Alter June 18 of each year, the Commission shall send @ fina notice of noncompliance to the attorney.
‘The notice shall be sent by certified mall and will advise that a letter has been sent tothe Montana
‘Supreme Court advising thatthe attorney is in noncompliance,

D. Show Cause Order.
‘The Montana Supreme Cout shall, within fifteen (15) days of receiving notice from the Commission,
Issue an order to each attomey in roncompliance to show cause wy the Court should not suspend the
aiomey fom the practice of faw. inthe absence of a showing of ood cause within the me alowed,
the Court wil enter its order suspencing that attomey from the practice of law. The Court wil also ve
notice of hat decision to all State and Federal cours in Montana and tothe State Bar of Montana for
publication in the Montana Lawyer magazine.
RULE 13. CLE REQUIREMENT UPON REINSTATEMENT AFTER SUSPENSION

‘An attomey suspended from the practice of law in accordance with Rule 12 may be reinstated by the Court
upon the payment of al fees roqured by the Commission and certification bythe Commission tha the
‘attorney has completed the minimum continuing legal education requirements that brought about the
suspension. The attorney requesting renstaiement shall have completed ftee (15) hours of approved
continuing legal education for each 12-month period the altorney was suspended from the practice of aw.
‘The total continuing legal education requirement under all ofthe foregoing shall not exceed thet (20) hours.
‘The Commission may consider hours of approved continuing legal education that the atiomey has
completed within twenty-four months rir tothe application for renstatement.

Upon a showing of good cause, the Court may waive the continuing lega education requirement fo hat
year on the condition thatthe attomey agrees to change to inactive status,

RULE 14, |EMENT UPON CH {OM INACTIVE: IVE STATUS

Within 6 months of re-admission to active status by the Cour, the atorney shal complete 16 hours of
‘2pproved continuing legsl education for each 12-month period of inactive stat, not fo exceed a totl of 30
hours. The Commission may consider hours of approved continuing legal education which the member has
‘completed within 24 months prior tothe application for reinstatement to active status,

 

‘Aitomeys wio believe ther ccupatons during inactive status are suficien to warrant readmission to active
Status without being required to make up continuing logal education credits may submit pettions tothe
Court for such re-2mission setting forth the grounds fr re-admission,

Wan active member requests fo become an inactive member, the continuing legal education requirement
may be walved fo the preceding year.

RULE15. CONFIDENTIALITY

Unioss otherwise drectd by the Supreme Court or these Rules, the files, records and proceedings ofthe
Commission, as thay relate to or arise out of any failure of any atorney to satsy the requirements ofthese
Rules, shallbe deemed confidential and shall not be eisclosed, except in furtherance of te duties ofthe
Commission, upon the request ofthe Commission on Practice, or the attorney affected, or a9 Inttoduced into
‘evidence or otherwise produced inproceedings under these Rules. After the Supreme Gout suspends an
‘attomey from the practice of law, the mattr becomes one of public record and is no longer confidential

Fr more information regarding Montana Continuing Legal Education
contact the Stale Bar of Montana
(408-442-7680),