As a public interest attorney, it can sometimes be a challenge to find CLE courses that are both germane and affordable. The Public Interest Law Section (PILS) Board has put together a short resource list of low cost, on-topic options:
Judicare Inc. Participating Attorney Program
Wisconsin Judicare Inc. covers a wide variety of civil cases, including consumer, education, family, health, housing, income maintenance, and individual rights, and provides training opportunities to both pro bono and low bono public interest attorneys. Judicare Participating Attorneys agree to take one extended representation case or five initial consultations within the first year. In exchange, they receive free CLEs, backup support from Judicare staff, and secondary malpractice insurance.
Contact (715) 842-1681 for more information or visit Judicare's website to sign up for the program.
Legal Action of Wisconsin Volunteer Lawyer’s Project
The attorneys who volunteer their time through Legal Action's Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) donate more than 9,000 hours of civil legal aid to Legal Action clients each year.
Attorneys who participate in Legal Action’s VLP have access to at least two free CLE trainings each year. These trainings cover a variety of civil legal topics that are of interest to public interest attorneys. In exchange for the free CLEs, attorneys agree to donate their time to clients served by the VLP by either staffing intake clinics or taking clients for extended representation.
The next VLP training is Oct. 19-20, 2017, in Madison, and Nov. 15-17, 2017, in Milwaukee. Call (414) 278-7722 or visit Legal Action of Wisconsin's website for more information.
Public Interest Law Section Board CLE Program
In addition to the other resources we offer, the PILS Board also provides low cost CLEs to our members.
This past May, the PILS Board organized a CLE titled “Advocacy for Low-Income Clients: Tackling Issues with Medicaid and Employability.” It was held at the State Bar in Madison and was discounted for PILS members. These CLE programs are held annually and the Board strives to make sure they are on point and low cost.
Check your newsletter for upcoming dates.
