Legal Distance Learning

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Online legal training is one of the latest frontiers in online learning. New online law schools are popping up, causing many students to be turned away from sitting for the bar exam in their states. There are rules, varying by state, on who can and can't sit for a bar exam, so it is important to know the rules before you have invested money in your distance education in law.

The other type of online legal training that has saturated the Internet is continuing legal education (CLE) courses. These online law classes are meant to serve the legal professionals, both lawyers and paraprofessionals. The state bar associations have placed fewer restrictions on online law continuing education courses and have therefore allowed many new companies to enter the online law training arena.

When considering any online legal training, you should:

1. Watch for accreditation and approval of online legal education courses.

2. Get specific laws for your state regarding the online legal coursework you select.

3. Find general CLE courses online that are allowable by your state bar.

Choose an online law continuing education degree from an accredited school

The American Bar Association (ABA) "approves" law school programs. A law school must be in operation for at least a year before the provisional approval is allowed. The law school then has three years to complete all the steps to become fully approved by the ABA. Most state bar associations will not allow a person to sit for the bar exam without a degree from an ABA approved law school.

Find legal distance learning courses specific to your state

Each state has its own bar association. The bar is tasked with monitoring the legal profession in each state. The legal profession is self policed, and the state bar of each state enables lawyers to stay abreast on legal and ethical matters. One arm of each state bar is education. Each state bar requires an attorney to accumulate a certain amount of legal education credits after his first year practicing law. These credits can be done in any legal field, but must meet a certain criteria to be approved for online legal courses.

Select general legal courses offered through CLE organizations

Another way to get the online law training you need is to attend online legal classes through other organizations. Most organizations offering CLE courses do not require you to be an admitted bar member. The prices for online law classes can even lower if you are not admitted. These organizations are in business to educate, not determine who is allowed to be educated.

The ABA currently has no 100% approved online law school programs. Be cautious when the schools claim otherwise, since distance learning for law school is currently against the ABA's policy.

Tips & Advice for Legal Distance Learning

Legal distance learning courses, such as those from Concord Law School or Abraham Lincoln University, are one way for law students to earn a degree. However, some law firms also use courses from these institutions to provide currently employed attorneys with continuing education opportunities. While many schools offer courses aimed at getting a Juris Doctor or Executive Juris Doctor degree, not all of these schools are recognized as suitable law schools by every state.
Whether you are looking to hire a new graduate or provide attorneys in your firm with continuing education, it is vital that you check with the distance learning center to determine if the courses offered are accredited by the American Bar Association and your state. This is especially important if the new graduate has yet to take the Bar Exam, as only graduates from accredited institutions are allowed to sit for the exam.
You have a little more leeway when you are only using the courses as a continuing education option; however, if the course hours are to comply with your state's continuing education requirements, the institution must be accredited. In any case, you must ensure that the courses being taught are offering legal, as well as ethical, teachings.
Business.com offers a plethora of resources to help you find a suitable legal distance learning institution to fit your firm's needs.

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