Why You Need an Attorney Who Continues Their Legal Education

Although every attorney must complete law school and pass the bar exam in order to practice law, their learning should not end once they become a lawyer. Laws change on a regular basis, and you need an attorney who keeps up with new information that can affect their cases. One of the most important characteristics to look for in an attorney is their ability to continue educating themselves in their area of expertise.

In the state of Indiana, attorneys and judges are required to attend a minimum of 6 hours of approved continued legal education (CLE) every year and at least 36 hours for each three-year cycle. Additionally, they must have a minimum of 3 hours of ethics CLE credit in that three-year cycle. This requirement ensures that practicing attorneys in Indiana are maintaining their knowledge as well as expanding it.

However, there are lawyers who go above and beyond to teach and learn from others even though they are considered experts in their area of law; this is the type of attorney you want representing you after a catastrophic truck wreck.

Determining If an Attorney Truly Continues Learning

When someone attends law school, they are taught how to be lawyer in the general sense, but they are not taught how to practice a specific area of law, such as truck accident law. After graduating and passing the bar exam, they receive a certificate stating that they are licensed as an attorney and can now practice any type of law. This allows them to do anything requiring a lawyer’s license, from writing wills and contracts to wrongful death and personal injury cases. But is a general practice attorney fresh out of law school equipped with the expertise needed to handle your case?

Although law school teaches attorneys how to analyze, research, and problem solve, you need to know if an attorney you plan to hire has learned anything since leaving law school. And while attorneys are required to meet their CLE credits each year, the rules for attending CLE events have relaxed since the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing lawyers to fulfill these credits remotely. This change in format enables attorneys to divide their attention between learning and working, meaning they may not fully retain the most valuable information. Even those attending in-person CLE events might not be paying attention and miss material that can help their clients.

As the law, cases, strategy, and technology all change, you need a lawyer that stays on top of these things. The best attorneys are the ones who understand they must continue their education to be better for their clients and look forward to expanding their expertise. When looking for attorneys to hire, ask them about the different methods they use to continue their education. Does this attorney regularly attend conferences, and which ones do they attend? How do they choose to keep up with their area of expertise outside of earning CLE credit? Do they participate in any groups or organizations that are specific to their niche, like the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys for truck wreck law, and which ones do they associate with? Once they have answered these questions, research these conferences, organizations, etc. and look into the credentials of where the attorney is choosing to get their information.

If a lawyer is truly dedicated to continued learning and improving their practice, then they typically share that knowledge with others. Many attorneys that are considered experts in their field regularly speak at conferences and seminars, write extensively on topics pertaining to their area of expertise, or disseminate their knowledge through media like books and podcasts. Someone who makes an effort to educate others has demonstrated that they are an authority in their area of practice and engage in enough legal education to then teach others.

While some attorneys may believe that they are too busy with their caseload to go above and beyond with their continued legal education, it is that lack of interest in learning that may actually harm their practice in the long run. After all, how is a lawyer supposed to help you get justice if they can’t find the time to learn everything possible to achieve the outcomes their clients deserve?

Ask David: Episode 89 of After the Crash with Ashley Napier

David W. Craig is the managing partner and a founding member of Craig, Kelley & Faultless, a personal injury and wrongful death law firm. He has authored two books, Semitruck Wreck: A Guide for Victims and Their Families and It’s Never Been Easier to Hire the Wrong Attorney, to help victims navigate the legal process.

Ashley Napier is the Litigation Supervisor at Craig, Kelley & Faultless. She is a crucial member of the firm’s legal team, working to keep attorneys, file managers, legal assistants, and law clerks on track.

She and David discussed why you need an attorney that continues educating themselves on a recent episode of After the Crash, David’s free podcast. Ranked fourth-best personal injury podcast by FeedSpot, After the Crash educates and empowers listeners.

Ashley asked David questions about why continued legal education is important and how to tell if your attorney is still making an effort to learn during episode 89.

Injured in a Truck Wreck? Craig, Kelley & Faultless Can Help

Attorneys at Craig, Kelley & Faultless are prepared and have the experience to help victims and their loved ones involved in commercial vehicle wrecks through every aspect of their case. Both David W. Craig, Scott A. Faultless are board-certified in truck accident law by the NBTA, accredited by the American Bar Association. The firm also has a rapid response team—including investigators, reconstructionists and mechanics—that is sent to the scene of a wreck to collect evidence as soon as the firm is hired.

Their team-centered approach puts client needs at the forefront, and several attorneys will work on your case to achieve the best possible outcome.

Reach out for a free case consultation today at (317) 434-3520 or online.

David W. Craig is board-certified in truck accident law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, accredited by the American Bar Association in Truck Accident Law. He sits on the Board of Regents of the Academy of Truck Accident Attorneys. He is the managing partner and one of the founding partners of Craig, Kelley & Faultless LLC. He is recognized as a Top 10 Trucking Trial Lawyer and Top 100 Trial Lawyer in Indiana by the National Trial Lawyers, as well as a Top 50 Indiana lawyer by Super Lawyers. David is the author of Semitruck Wreck: A Guide for Victims and Their Families and It’s Never Been Easier to Hire the Wrong Attorney, both written to help people navigate what comes next after a tragic wreck. He also hosts the podcast After the Crash, where you can gain valuable information about the dangers involving semis and large trucks that do not follow safety protocol regarding speed, weather conditions, maintenance upkeep, etc.