Technology in the Practice of Law

Why this credit exists

The duty of competence has always included the tools of the trade. The tools changed. Remote proceedings became normal, discovery became overwhelmingly electronic, and generative artificial intelligence arrived in legal research with a documented habit of inventing citations.

The session covers what the technology does, where it fails, and what a practitioner is expected to verify before a filing goes out with their name on it.

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 1 hour in technology in the practice of law.

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.
• Elimination of Bias
  2 required hours. Bias in the legal profession and in society, including a required hour on implicit bias and the strategies that reduce it.
• 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.