Lawyers, exlawyers, legal peeps and SAHMs come in

[sonrisa]

Legal people, moms and anyone else who needs continuing education credits for their career, can you weigh in on something for me?  (I'd also love feedback from legal people who aren't necessarily lawyers).

My area is crawling with SAHMs who are still licensed to practice law in CA but haven't written a brief or contract in years. Pride and/or future plans keeps us paying dues and taking CLEs each year. I'm thinking (vaguely) of putting together "Mommy CLEs."  The idea would be to offer classes in the evenings, after the kids are down, on legal topics that are relevant to daily life. I'd start with a small group of friends the first year (for a dry run) then if it went well, expand from there. We'd try to make it more fun than your average CLE class with good food, maybe wine. A mom's night out sort of thing.

So here are my questions:

1) Has anyone ever gotten certified to provide CLEs in your area? How difficult was it to do so? (I wouldn't teach them - I'd coordinate people who know something)

2) If you were a SAHlawyerM would you attend such classes? If a friend went, would that sway you?

3) What topics would you cover? Some that come to mind are -
- legal side of hiring a nanny including nanny taxes, maybe some basic relevant immigration stuff
- an estates and trusts brush up
-  a family law brush up  

Any thoughts?

[snipsnsnails]

Look at you all enterprising and stuff! You're sitting on a gold mine!!

[katb]

I'm not a lawyer, but I would go just because I am fascinated with law and dream of being Judge Judy one day. I am unsure of what topics you have to include but the ones you suggested are good. I would also include simple contract law perhaps (selling cars, real estate, simple loans come to mind). Local permit laws, zoning. what about Legalese of IEPs? Like I said, not a lawyer so I don't even know if my suggestions make sense.

[cville]

My understanding is that getting things approved for credit can be onerous, but it's a great idea. Landlord/tenant, HOA stuff, residential real estate transactions, basics of business start ups (for all the momtogrohpers), and a survey of the latest developments in hot topics (marriage equality, political fundraising, etc.) may also be popular.

[mcc]

Sounds a lot better than the boring ones I sit though. Some states, not sure about CA, require CLEs in different areas and ethics are often the hardest to get because the topics can be tough to come up with. I'd try to do a seminar series of groups of topics in a row. Some things that come to mind are areas that are good for aging parents (Medicare, Living Wills, POA), Insurance law for your house and personal liability, privacy rights on the internet (good for parents of teens to know and also can be fun CLE--I went to one that talked about porn and Reddit), animal law (interesting because it's a novelty--people have wills for pets), starting your own business from scratch, etc.

[karmasabiotch]

Not a lawyer but in the legal field and always wanting to learn. It could be even more cool is you can cross over for social workers in the legal field that need CEU plus that I do would be great to share with clients potentially. I'd totally go.

[mcc]

Oh I like katb's idea of IEP/education law. I had a client with an IEP issue and knew nothing about it!

[janegold]

It sounds awesome! We don't have a CLE requirement in my state but I would love this if I did (and if I SAH). I know a lot of SAHM lawyers still take some work on the side so if it were me, I would probably try to get a feel for what type of work might be common and focus CLEs on that. Trusts and estates might be easy work to pick up on the side, for example, or adoptions. Maybe some classes based on solo pracs, tax implications, etc.

[Ohhmm(bligo)]

I know nuthin about that lawyer stuff, but I would LOVE something like that in the SpEd field.

[Deleted]

I hate CLEs. I'd rather watch a DVD than mingle.

xo,
My Honest Answer

[stacyb1983]

I do most of my CLE credits online due to scheduling. I think working mom's might be interested too if you did them in the evenings or weekends.

[stacyb1983]

To clarify, I am a CP not an attorney, I still have to do 10 hours of CLEs to maintain my credentials. If you opened it up to paralegals/legal assistants you may draw more people.

[karmasabiotch]

iEP education law is so needed here.

I would pay to take a class through community Ed taught by an attorney. The one I'm working with is $450 am hour. Luckily so far I've just had a few questions.

Parents don't understand what their rights are.

[angelaa73]

is there booze?!

Y or N

[missyny]

Sounds like a really great idea, sonrisa!

[rubysapphire]

I am currently a SAHM, I quit my big law attorney job about a year ago after practicing for 8 years. I think you have a great idea. My state requires CLE credits, and I will probably let my license lapse because I don't see how I will be able to attend CLEs while I have very young children at home. Also, I don't know how hard it is to get a class approved, but I do know there are a lot of REALLY stupid CLEs out there.

Feel free to message me if you want any further input, I realize I fall exactly into the dynamic you'd be targeting.

[sonrisa]

Apr 23, 2014 20:26:50 GMT -5 angelaa73 said:

is there booze?!

Y or N

Unless the CA bar says it's verboten, absolutely. That is an important component.

[rubysapphire]

Also, you should start a business doing this so I can run it for you in my state

[angelaa73]

Apr 23, 2014 20:37:41 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Apr 23, 2014 20:26:50 GMT -5 angelaa73 said:

is there booze?!

Y or N

Unless the CA bar says it's verboten, absolutely. That is an important component.

Booyah!

[Deleted]

Apr 23, 2014 20:37:41 GMT -5 sonrisa said:

Apr 23, 2014 20:26:50 GMT -5 angelaa73 said:

is there booze?!

Y or N

Unless the CA bar says it's verboten, absolutely. That is an important component.

I've been going to a monthly dinner hosted by the local bar association that includes booze and CLE credit.

If faced with the choice of a CLE with wine and a CLE without, the choice is clear.

ETA: This is in CA.

[Deleted]

This organization was started with goals similar to what it sounds like yours are. The target group is SAHM ex-biglawyers. Might be a good starting place.

www.dcvlp.org/

[Deleted]

I am certified to provide CLE. Staff at my firm did it for me but it took like 10 minutes. And I think this is a great idea. Invite me to come speak! I will present on how not to insider trade. Key knowledge for the wealthy mommy.

[sonrisa]

Thanks for all the feedback!

I feel like if it is reasonable to get accreditation, it should be pretty easy to get lawyers who are interested in teaching. Local practitioners in relevant areas could use it as a way to generate business.

[sonrisa]

Apr 23, 2014 21:14:35 GMT -5 @weeble said:

This organization was started with goals similar to what it sounds like yours are. The target group is SAHM ex-biglawyers. Might be a good starting place.

www.dcvlp.org/

Fantastic

[sonrisa]

Apr 23, 2014 21:26:25 GMT -5 elle said:

I am certified to provide CLE. Staff at my firm did it for me but it took like 10 minutes. And I think this is a great idea. Invite me to come speak! I will present on how not to insider trade. Key knowledge for the wealthy mommy.

That would be awesome!