SOME ANSWERS TO YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PRACTICAL SKILLS TRAINING
Who must complete this requirement?
All attorneys admitted under Article II, Rule 1.
What is the Introduction to Practice One-Day Seminar?
The Introduction to Practice seminar will cover the
disciplinary system client relations and professionalism, practical tips on
going to court and member services and programs of the Bar Association. You will
receive notice of the next scheduled session.
When is the Practical Skills Series offered?
The Practical Skills courses are scheduled form November to
June each year. All members of the Bar receive brochures about the programs 4 to
6 weeks in advance. The courses are identified as part of the Practical Skills
Series in the brochure description. These courses are designed for new attorneys
and are basic, introductory programs about Rhode Island practice. The average
cost for new attorneys is $90.00.
What is the cost to attend these programs?
The Introduction to Practice one-day seminar is free of
charge. It is open to new attorneys only. The individual sessions of the
Practical Skills series are offered at a nominal charge, usually $90.00 each for
new attorneys, and are open to all bar members.
How do I report my compliance?
As soon as you have attended four of the Practical Skills
courses (Part Two) and the Introduction to Practice course (Part One) send the
reporting form to the Supreme Court Clerk's Office. Again, you must attend the
Introduction to Practice seminar to complete your Practical Skills requirement.
Send this completed form to the Board of Bar Examiners, att: Brian Burns, RI
Supreme Court, 250 Benefit Street, Providence, RI 02903.
What if I cannot comply with Rule 33?
All requests for waiver of this requirement must be sent in
writing to the Board of Bar Examiners, 250 Benefit Street, Providence, RI 02903.
Will the Practical Skills seminars count toward my MCLE
requirement?
Yes. All of the Practical Skills seminars and the
Introduction to Practice one-day program are approved for MCLE credit. However,
to comply with the MCLE regulations you must report attendance at these programs
on the MCLE reporting form (Appendix G), attach certificates of attendance, and
mail to the MCLE Commission by June 30 each year. (The MCLE requirement for all
attorneys is ten credits, two of which must be in ethics, each year. The
Practical Skills seminars are designed to provide five credits (one in ethics)
each. So attendance at two Practical Skills seminars each year will fulfill your
MCLE requirement as well as your Practical Skills training requirement.)
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