This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to collect information about how you interact with our website and allow us to remember you.
We use this information in order to improve and customize your browsing experience and for analytics and metrics about our visitors both on this website and other media.
To find out more about the cookies we use, see our Privacy Policy.
California attorneys must complete a minimum of 25 credit hours of approved continuing legal education activities every 3 years including at least 4 hours of Ethics, 1 hour of Civility, 1 hour of Technology, 2 hours of Competence and 2 hours of Elimination of Bias. Additionally, at least one of the hours in Elimination of Bias must be an approved Implicit Bias program.
At least 12.5 of the credit hours must be in a "Participatory" format. The remaining hours can be in a self-study format.
**The State Bar of California is implementing changes to the MCLE course requirements effective October 1, 2023. Beginning with the compliance period ending March 29, 2025, licensees will be required to also complete and report compliance on the following new subfields:
Technology in the Practice of Law (one credit)
Civility in the Legal Profession (one credit)
Competence (Increased from one credit to two)
California attorneys may earn all 25 hours with the United Institute for Continuing Legal Education. Our Online and iOS/Android App platforms are automatically deemed participatory and our MP3/MP4 downloaded courses may also be taken in participatory form as well.
California MCLE rules do not allow carryover. Credit for participating in a CLE activity may not be earned forward from one compliance period to another.
Members are required to comply online under “My State Bar Profile” www.calbar.ca.gov by attesting under penalty of perjury that the member has complied with the education requirement or is exempt and the nature of the exemption. Attorneys who are unable to comply online must contact the State Bar’s Member Services Center 888-800-3400.
State Bar of California
180 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94105-1639
(t) 415-538-2100
(f) 415-538-2180 mcle.calbar.ca.gov
Ethical Use of Social Media in One's Legal Practice
United Institute for Continuing Legal Education is a CLE provider accredited by the California State Bar, Provider #15390.
To view our full accreditation details please .
Ethics Credits
1
$34
All Courses Available iOS/Android Web
About This Course
In today’s digital age, social media has become an unavoidable part of both personal and professional life—including legal practice. This CLE course delves into the ethical pitfalls that attorneys and law firms may encounter across various social media platforms. Participants will examine the common hazards that can jeopardize a lawyer’s ethical standing and reputation, while also learning strategic best practices to sidestep these challenges before they arise.
The program also covers how to respond effectively when mistakes happen despite preventative efforts. Key topics will include ethical considerations in lawyer advertising, appropriate responses to misleading or false online posts, professional communication through text messaging, handling inquiries from bar counsel, and measures to prevent cybersecurity incidents.
By the end of this course, attendees will gain a clear, practical roadmap for using social media in a manner that is both effective and ethically sound.