The Illinois MCLE Board requires all new attorneys who have been sworn in to the Illinois Bar to take a new lawyer basic skills course during their first year of admission (Illinois Supreme Court Rule 793). The CBA offers the "New Lawyer Tool Kit: Basic Skills for the New Attorney" live once a year. New admittees who are unable to attend a live seminar, can access the CBA's course online via the CBA's Webcast Center or West LegalEdcenter.

The 15-hour course covers a variety of topics including civility and ethics, managing your practice, an introduction to the court system, effective legal writing, introductions to substantive legal topics, and more. The live course is currently $99 per person. The online version is currently $99 per person. Online users may bookmark their place and return to the course as needed. Once you have completed the course, a certificate of attendance will be issued.

The next live course will be held in the Fall of 2010.

To access the course online, visit www.chicagobar.org's  Webcast Center or  West LegalEdcenter.

For more information from the Illinois MCLE Board regarding the Basic Skills requirement, click here.