New Jersey Institutes Mandatory CLE Requirements for All Licensed Attorneys, Effective Immediately

On December 18, 2009, the New Jersey Supreme Court adopted Court Rule 1:4-2, which sets forth requirements for mandatory continuing legal education (CLE), in accordance with regulations to be adopted under the Rule. The requirements apply to all attorneys holding a license to practice in New Jersey, including in-house counsel (and those in-house counsel not admitted on a plenary basis in New Jersey who must register for a limited license), judges and law clerks. Attorneys are now required to participate in 24 hours of CLE over a two-year period, which must include four hours in the areas of ethics and/or professionalism. Attorneys must maintain all records and documentation to demonstrate their compliance, which will be monitored by a newly-established 11-member CLE Board.