California Superior Court Attorneys Exempt From CLE, Court Rules

Attorneys employed by California superior courts are exempt from the State Bar’s mandatory continuing legal education requirements, a state appeals court said, affirming judgment for a Northern California attorney.

The continuing education program is intended to protect consumers by enhancing the competency of California’s attorneys, the opinion said, but certain groups of attorneys, including those employed full-time by the state, are exempt from the requirements.

Philip Obbard, a research attorney at the Alameda Superior Court, said the State Bar told him he wasn’t exempt from the program, despite his employment, because his paychecks were issued by the superior court, rather ...