Where to Find Free, On-Demand CLE

If you’re scrambling to finish up your continuing legal education credits before a compliance deadline, or just want to make sure you’re on top of the latest legal developments, here’s one thing to keep in mind: you don’t have to shell out a lot of cash, or trudge over to a conference center, in order to get CLE credits.

In fact, there are several high-quality CLE programs out there which will help you continue your legal education without having to leave your office — or your couch. And because they’re on-demand, you can complete them on your own schedule. Here are a few.

The Practising Law Institute

The Practising Law Institute has a ton of programs around everything from antitrust law to legal ethics to pro bono practice. (Yes, they spell practising with an s, and no, they’re not some strange British or Australian outfit.) Many of PLI’s programs can be streamed online, on-demand, and completely for free.

PLI’s website, for example, lists over 400 on-demand CLE programs for credit in California. Most of these offerings aren’t for free — but many of them are, including a seminar on eviction defense that comes with six and a quarter CLE credits and a hefty course package full of sample materials.

The American Bar Association

The ABA also offers a series of free CLE programs. ABA members can access the last three in the series online, for free. (Non-members need to shell out $195 per course — or $52 more than membership costs, so if you’re considering using this resource, we’d suggest just joining the ABA if you haven’t already.)

The on-demand recordings are available for three months after they’re held in real life, so new offerings are available regularly. As of this writing, the ABA had on-demand, free CLE on human trafficking, resilience training for lawyers, and representing service members and veterans.

In addition to these three, you can often find extra CLE sources on your state bar’s website. And if you come across a program that is interesting but not free, remember, some CLE is worth paying for.