July 29 – August 4, 2020 Online The American Bar Association, in consideration of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, announced on April 30 that it will transition its 2020 Annual Meeting, scheduled for July 29-Aug. 4 in Chicago, to an entirely virtual meeting. The virtual meeting will offer registrants access to influential speakers relevant to the…
Law Society of Scotland strategic partnership on cybersecurity
The Law Society of Scotland has agreed a new strategic partnership with Mitigo, a cybersecurity consultancy. The partnership will provide targeted guidance, advice and resources for the legal sector, helping solicitors to keep their digital operations secure. As well as supporting CPD and training events and providing practical advice, Mitigo will offer security and resilience…
New Zealand Law Society launches consultation into bullying and harassment
The New Zealand Law Society| Te Kāhui Ture o Aotearoa has announced a consultation on rule changes in the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act (Lawyers: Conduct and Client Care) Rules 2008 (RCCC) and the (Lawyer: Ongoing Legal Education Continuing Professional Development) Rules 2013 (CPD), in order to combat bullying and sexual harassment in the legal profession. …
Law Society of Scotland launches new mental health action plan
On Wednesday the 3rd June, The Law Society of Scotland launched a three-year action plan that aims to tackle the stigma around mental health in the legal sector. The plan follows the release of a survey in 2019 on the Scottish legal profession and individual views on mental health and the workplace. The full survey…
Canadian Bar Association launches programme to demystify tech
The Canadian Bar Association (CBA) has opened registration for a series of lectures on digital literacy in the law. The aim is to equip legal practitioners with the digital skills to ensure that both their and their clients’ personal information is being properly handled and secured in a digital environment. The programme has been launched…
Victoria Legal Services Board and Commissioner consultation on CPD
The Victoria Legal Services Board and Commissioner is currently accepting thoughts for their ongoing review on CPD in the state. The review is keen to hear from a broad range of lawyers and other stakeholders. The review is hoping to hear opinions on topics such as the levels CPD is aimed at, the role of…
IBA launches global survey on the impact of COVID-19
The International Bar Association (IBA) has launched a global survey to look at the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on members’ interests. The survey will collect information on: the impact of Covid-19 on bar associations’ and law societies’ day-to-day operations, finances and staff; the impact measures taken to tackle the virus have had on local…
Law Society of New South Wales launches online program for future lawyers
The Law Society of New South Wales has launched an online mentoring program for over 650 high school students across the state in the wake of ongoing social distancing requirements. The Future Lawyers programme is running over 6 weeks with different topics and lectures being given to students on topics such as an Introduction to…
Washington State Bar Association to appeal ending of LLLTs
The Washington State Bar Association is set to seek review of the state Supreme Court’s decision to end the limited licence legal technician (LLLT) program in the state. At the LLLT board meeting on June the 8th the board decided to request the Supreme court review the decision or at least provide longer for those…
Washington Supreme Court grants bar exam exemption
On the 12th of June the Washington Supreme Court issued an order allowing graduates, currently registered to take the July or September UBE in Washington, with a J.D. from an ABA accredited law school, to be admitted to the Washington State Bar Association and practice law in the state without taking the bar exam. The…