Elimination of Bias

Why this credit exists

California requires this credit because the profession decided that even-handedness has to be trained rather than assumed. The requirement covers bias in the legal profession and in society at large, and part of it must address implicit bias specifically, along with the strategies shown to reduce it.

For trial lawyers this is not abstract. Jury selection, witness credibility judgments and sentencing advocacy are all places where a bias you did not know you held changes an outcome for somebody else.

Where it sits in the California cycle

Active California attorneys complete 25 hours of MCLE every 3 years. Within that total, the State Bar requires 2 hours in elimination of bias.

Compliance groups, deadlines and required hours are set by the State Bar and change from time to time. Confirm yours at calbar.ca.gov.

How CDTA delivers it

As part of full-day MCLE events at the Indio campus, taught by practicing trial attorneys, prosecutors, public defenders and judges rather than by a recording. All required subjects are covered across the academic year.

For dates and registration, call (760) 342-0900 or request the schedule.

Other required subjects

• Legal Ethics
  4 required hours. The largest single required block in the California cycle. Conflicts, confidentiality, fees, candour to the tribunal, and the duties that follow you out of the courtroom.
• Competence Issues
  2 required hours. Recognizing and addressing the substance-use, stress and wellness issues that impair competent practice, in yourself and in colleagues.
• Technology in the Practice of Law
  1 required hour. Remote proceedings, electronic evidence, and the duty of competence as it applies to the tools now sitting on every practitioner’s desk.
• Civility in the Legal Profession
  1 required hour. Professionalism toward opposing counsel, court staff, clients and colleagues, and why incivility is a case-management problem as much as a manners problem.