Product Description

Completion of your Rule 3:16 requirement—and much more

Observance of the highest ethical standards, proficiency in essential elements of law practice, and engagement in the legal community are among the hallmarks of professionalism. MCLE's Practicing with Professionalism course brings these principles to life through video, lecture, interactive polling, compelling hypotheticals, and valuable best practices.

SJC Rule 3:16 requires all newly admitted lawyers in Massachusetts to complete a one-day mandatory professionalism course within 18 months of admission. Spend this day with MCLE and build a foundation in professionalism that will serve you throughout your career.

Program highlights

• An introductory video featuring Massachusetts judges and lawyers sharing their insights on professionalism and what it means to be a Massachusetts lawyer.
• A nationally recognized ethics trainer, Jack Marshall, using interactive discussion and specially tailored hypotheticals to highlight the distinctive elements of ethical practice in Massachusetts.
• An address by a leading member of the Massachusetts judiciary on the court system and the role of professionalism in Massachusetts practice.
• Presentations by experts on how to manage a law practice and develop successful attorney-client relationships, how the bar's disciplinary system works, and how to handle client funds.
• Information on professional organizations and pro bono practice—opportunities for connecting and contributing.
• An introduction to lawyer assistance resources—where you can find support for stress, addiction, and mental health concerns.
• An opportunity to spend lunch (provided by MCLE) in breakout discussion groups for a Q&A session with experienced practitioners in the areas of business and real estate law, estate planning and family law, and criminal and civil litigation.

Resource materials

A major advantage of taking the Practicing with Professionalism course at MCLE is the rich compilation of resource materials—provided in print and electronic formats—over 1,000 pages of original articles from existing MCLE publications, and materials from a number of regulatory agencies and professional organizations.

These publication serve not only as a valuable companion for the course, but also as a continuing resource for research and reference in daily practice.

Attendance Policy

Attendance at this program, per SJC Rule 3:16, is a post-admission requirement. Only those already admitted to the Massachusetts bar will receive credit for the course; anyone not yet admitted to the bar will have to retake the course after admission.

Attendance at the entire program is required. Registrants who arrive after the course has commenced will not be permitted to attend the day's program, but must register for another course date.

Agenda & Materials

• Practicing with Professionalism Video Montage

• Professionalism and Being a Massachusetts Lawyer, with an Overview of the Massachusetts Court System

  Hon. Dennis J. Curran, Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.) , Wellesley Hills
  

• Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct and How They Differ from the Model Rules

  Jack Marshall, Esq., ProEthics, Ltd. , Alexandria
  

• Managing the Attorney-Client Relationship, Including Social Media Do’s and Don’ts

  Christa A. Arcos, Esq., Arcos Law Office , Stoneham
  

• Lunchtime Practice-Area Breakout Sessions (lunch provided by MCLE)

• Business Law & Real Estate

  Catherine F. Downing, Esq., Downing Van Dyke LLC , Natick
  Jennifer Audeh, Esq., Foley Hoag LLP , Boston
  William F. Griffin, Jr., Esq.,
  Luke H. Legere, Esq., McGregor Legere & Stevens, PC , Boston
  

• Family Law & Estate Planning

  Donald L. Pitman, III, Esq., The Pitman Law Offices LLC , Newburyport
  E. Steven Coren, Esq., Kerstein Coren Lichtenstein, LLP , Wellesley
  Melissa Langa, Esq., Bove Langa Witherell & Soiffer , Boston
  

• Litigation (Civil & Criminal)

  Curtis B. Dooling, Esq., Pierce & Mandell, PC , Boston
  David Jon Fredette, Esq., Boston, City of/Law Department , Boston
  Jonathan A. Karon, Esq., Karon Law, LLC , Boston
  Jane F. Peachy, Esq., Federal Public Defender Office , Boston
  

• In the Court’s Own Words (Video)

• Overview of the Bar Discipline System and Common Ethical Issues

  Merle R. Hass, Esq., Office of the General Counsel, Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers , Boston
  

• Why Every Lawyer Should Be Interested in Cultural Competency

  Hon. Shannon Frison, Massachusetts Superior Court , Boston
  

• Law Office Management

  Heidi S. Alexander, Esq., Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Lawyer Well-Being , Newton
  

• The Importance and Rewards of Pro Bono Work

  Emily T. Jarrell, Esq.,
  

• General and Affinity Bar Associations and Mentoring Programs

  James M. Baron, Esq., Law Office of James M. Baron , Waltham
  Stephen Patrick Hall, Esq., Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP , Boston
  Sa'adiyah K. Masoud, Esq., Tufts Health Plan , Watertown
  

• Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers

  Dr. Jeff Fortgang, Ph.D, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL | MassLOMAP) , Boston
  

Please Note

MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal. There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only. They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.

Faculty