CLE for Newly Admitted Members of the Bar

As part of the overall Minimum Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) requirements set forth by the Illinois Supreme Court, Rule 793 (Basic Skills Course Requirement) calls for all newly admitted attorneys, those admitted after December 31, 2005, to complete a 15-hour basic skills course within one year of admission to practice in Illinois. The course shall cover topics such as the jurisdiction of local courts, local court rules, how to draft pleadings and other documents, practice techniques and procedures under the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct, client communications and record keeping, among other things.

The John Marshall Law School offers this Basic Skills Course and it is available to the law school’s alumni and other practitioners.  Please see the main CLE page for details.

The newly admitted attorney’s initial two-year reporting period begins after the deadline for completing the Basic Skills Course, on the next July 1 of an even-numbered year for lawyers whose last names begin with a letter A through M, and on the next July 1 of an odd-numbered year for lawyers whose last names begin with a letter N through Z. 

During the time after admission when new attorneys need to complete the Basic Skills Course, these attorneys are exempt from the other MCLE requirements.