Bench & Bar July/August 2025

CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION

I recently had the opportunity to travel to Ireland as part of the KBA’s CLE Abroad program, and it proved to be everything I hoped it would be. The CLE Abroad initia tive offers Kentucky lawyers the opportunity to explore international legal systems, engage with foreign colleagues, and develop a broader understanding of law’s global context. The 2025 Ireland trip showcased the power of comparative learning: partic ipants visited the Law Society of Ireland, the Bar of Ireland, and the Bar of Northern Ireland, each offering firsthand insight into their respective legal institutions, education models, and regulatory frameworks. At the Law Society of Ireland, attorneys traced the evolution of Irish legal educa tion and disciplinary systems—a mirror to our own progression from Inns of Court One of the most compelling sessions came from Conor Houston, a solicitor advocate and thought leader who outlined the legal and constitutional complexities posed by Brexit. For Kentucky attorneys working in areas impacted by international trade, immigration, or constitutional law, such discussions offered meaningful, real-world insight into transnational legal implications. BY KELLY KIRBY RIDINGS CLE Abroad WHY KENTUCKY LAWYERS SHOULD CONSIDER to modern licensing authorities. A recep tion with leadership from the Bar of Ireland offered comparative perspectives on access to justice and ethical regulation. In Belfast, our delegation met with members of the Inn of Court at the Bar of Northern Ireland, fos tering cross-border dialogue on advocacy, training, and post-Brexit legal challenges. Beyond the courtroom, Ireland’s legal history came alive through immersive pro gramming. A guided tour through Christ Church Cathedral revealed the hidden legal artifacts of Dublin’s ecclesiastical past, including a rare copy of Magna Carta. At Trinity College, lectures on censorship and immigration law connected Ireland’s his torical experiences to America’s modern challenges—with particular attention to the Irish immigrant influence in Kentucky. CLE programming was thoughtfully paired with cultural enrichment: a guided tour of the EPIC Irish Emigration Museum, after noon tea at the Titanic Hotel, and a “Black Cab” tour of Belfast’s sectarian past brought legal context into human perspective. These experiences didn’t just teach law; they reminded us why law matters.

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