While the Massachusetts Bar Association does not require its attorneys or paralegals to take Massachusetts CLE classes, your professional liability insurance carrier may. Continuing education courses are designed to further your understanding of specific legal topics and ensure that you're always up to date on current law practices.

There are so many MA legal seminars being offered that you can most assuredly find one that interests you. Not only can you take classes in person, you can take online at any time of the day, giving you myriad options to choose from.

Before you start looking for classes, remind yourself of the point of taking continuing legal education in Massachusetts:

1. Use Massachusetts CLE classes to keep up with changes in the law. You need to stay abreast of the current issues in your legal specialty.

2. Expand upon your knowledge base: If there's something you've always wanted to learn, go ahead and take a MA legal seminar you're curious about.

3. Think about the networking opportunities that live Massachusetts legal seminars can give you. You'll meet other professionals as well as industry experts.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find a great Massachusetts legal seminar specifically for paralegals

Many paralegals choose to take CLEs to get ahead, even though they aren't required by the state. Although these seminars are different than those for attorneys, it's still beneficial for you, as a paralegal, to take some of these courses so you can work to the best of your ability.

I recommend: Search for paralegal CLEs at the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). Check the calendar at the Massachusetts Paralegal Association on a regular basis to see if any CLEs are being offered in your area.

Choose from online legal courses in MA

Depending on the time limits set by your insurance carrier, you can take your time and pick whatever CLEs you want. This allows you to manage your time the way you desire and to complete courses at your leisure.

I recommend: Find a seminar that interests you at InternetBar.org, which offers special courses at a reduced fee for MassBar members. Check out the huge selection of "On-Demand" courses offered at West LegalEdcenter, which is endorsed by the Boston Bar Association.

Locate live legal seminars in Massachusetts

Some people learn better when they attend interactive lectures, as opposed to just staring at a computer screen. If you know that your learning style requires you to take classes in-person, you still have a wide variety of options to choose from.

I recommend: Browse through the courses sponsored by the Massachusetts Bar Association. Select from the live seminars posted on Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It's a good idea to take courses that are of special interest to you so you can explore the wide scope of the field of law. Take a legal seminar in Massachusetts that appeals to you so you can expand upon your knowledge base and become an even better paralegal or attorney.