The law is a rapidly changing field. Most states recognize this and require attorneys, paralegals and others in the profession to participate in continuing education. In the second decade of the 21st century, it has become commonplace for such professional development courses to be completed using the Internet. On line classes present a number of advantages over traditional brick-and-mortar schools.
For one thing, both students and facilitators can be recruited over a wide geographical area, eliminating the need to find an economically sufficient number of busy lawyers able to juggle their schedules and attend a physical event at the same time.
It also permits the recruitment of more experienced instructors than might be available in some localities. The scope of on line classes is enormous. Administrative law & regulation education courses, ethics seminars, biotechnology, admiralty law and even sports law and gaming law can be studied from the student’s own office.
Many firms offer continuing education for paralegals, as well. Continuing education is not just a matter of complying with requirements. Keeping up with new material and exploring additional areas closely related to one’s own practice hones skills and expands knowledge that will be useful in many situations. Internet based classes make it possible to study more subjects in more depth, and so raise the standard of legal practice all over the country.