Continuing Legal Education (CLE) refers to the educational activities that lawyers, judges, and other legal professionals undertake to update their knowledge and skills in the legal field. CLEs are mandatory in many jurisdictions, requiring legal professionals to attend courses, seminars, workshops, and conferences on a regular basis to maintain their license and stay up to date with changes in the law. The term Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) is also commonly used.
CLEs cover various topics such as legal ethics, legal research, writing and drafting, trial skills, and substantive law. The requirement for CLEs varies by state, with some states mandating a specific number of hours or types of courses, while others have no requirements.