Bench & Bar January/February 2025

FEATURE: KBA MEMBER BENEFITS

ENHANCING CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION: YOUR KBA MEMBERSHIP BY CASSIE H. COOPER KBA DIRECTOR FOR CLE

T he Kentucky Bar Association (KBA) offers a plethora of member ben efits and assistance, but one of the most popular benefits is the Kentucky Law Update (KLU), which is held every fall in cities throughout the Commonwealth. The KLU was established as an element of the mandatory minimum continuing legal edu cation system adopted in Kentucky in 1984 as a way for Kentucky attorneys to fulfill their full 12 hours of required CLE credits each year for free. Historically, the KLU was held exclusively as an in-person event over two days in loca tions in each of the Supreme Court districts. As we all know, Covid changed the way everyone, including attorneys, meets and learns. The post-Covid structure has trans formed the KLU into a hybrid program with one day of in-person programming at nine different locations across the state providing 7 CLE credits, including 2 ethics credits, as well as an on-demand portion that provides at least an additional 7 CLE credits, includ ing 2 ethics credits. The 2024 in-person KLU was held in Ashland, Bowling Green, Covington, Lex ington, London, Louisville, Owensboro, Paducah, and Pikeville. The on-demand program was available and accessible from September 1 st through December 31 st . Members were able to earn a total of 14.75 free CLE credits, including 5.5 ethics cred its by attending both the in-person and the on-demand programs. THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE. Nearly 2,500 members attended an in-person pro gram, and more than 5,000 members took advantage of the on-demand option, easily making KLU the most heavily attended program that the Kentucky Bar Association holds each year.

event full of great speakers, timely topics, and fun networking opportunities. There is also an on-demand component that is included with the in-person registration or that can be purchased as a stand-alone program to earn credits towards the end of the educational year. The 2025 annual con vention is being held June 5-6 at the Central Bank Center in Lexington.

The KLU agenda consists of current issues, court decisions, ethical opinions, legislative and rule changes, and other legal topics of general interest that Kentucky practi tioners face on a daily basis. While it is not intended, nor designed, to be an in-depth analysis of any one topic, it is a good pro gram to alert Kentucky attorneys to changes in the law and rules of practice that could impact the general practice of law. An added benefit to the post-Covid hybrid design of the KLU is that it caters to all audi ences. For those members who enjoy the opportunity to interact with local judges, network with old colleagues, or who just learn better by sitting in the same room with the presenters, the in-person KLU program provides the opportunity to earn a full day’s worth of CLE credits within a short driving distance from home. For those attorneys who prefer the flexibility and convenience of staying home or at the office to complete their CLE requirements, members can obtain more than half of their required CLE credits over a four-month time period with the virtual on-demand option. This makes it easier for attorneys with busy work schedules or who may have a conflict on the day of the scheduled KLU in their area to still take advantage of the free CLE offerings. If you are unable to attend the local KLU or happen to miss the virtual on-demand option and you still find yourself short on your required CLE credits for the year, members can purchase the KLU sessions on the KBA website. Aside from the free KLU programs, the KBA provides other amazing opportuni ties to earn your required CLE credits. The annual KBA convention offers an in-person

The KBA has also recently introduced a new “Learn & Earn” virtual lunchtime series that takes place the second Tuesday of each month at noon ET. These monthly presentations deliver interesting and uncon ventional CLE programming at a minimal cost, with additional discounts frequently being offered to KBA members. The lunch time series has featured speakers like Judge Clifton Newman, the presiding judge of the Alex Murdaugh case, and Shay McAlister, an investigative journalist who provided an update on the Crystal Rogers case. Further, the KBA is offering free informa tional webinars for members on topics that are of extreme importance to Kentucky attorneys like artificial intelligence and the Corporate Transparency Act. Stay tuned for next year’s KLU schedule and be on the lookout for our exciting upcom ing speaker lineup for the monthly Learn & Earn lunchtime series and other virtual education programs. If you have a CLE sug gestion, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the CLE department as we continue to strive to offer cutting-edge legal education for Kentucky attorneys.

16 january/february 2025