Posted with permission of:  Terri Muse – Deputy Executive Director, Idaho State Bar

      When the Idaho State Bar formed the first CLE committee in 1955, seminars were generally conducted in a traditional lecture format in a one-day or multi-day program. Over the years, the mode of viewing options, the number of programs, and the style of presentation has changed considerably.

     In 1983, the CLE Committee began to record live programs in an effort to expand the number of attorneys who could benefit from the committee’s programming.  These programs were then available for rent for lawyers to view in a group or individually.

     In the mid-1980s, the CLE Committee saw the need to further expand the number of programs available and began to offer programs produced by national organizations such as the ABA. These programs were available via telecast at various viewing sites set up around the state.

     The 1990s saw the introduction of a more interactive – style of CLE seminars.  Interactive seminars use learning techniques such as discussion of case scenarios and other hypothetical situations, role playing, and other trial practice skills training opportunities.

    In 2001, the CLE Committee approved the first on-demand on-line CLE distribution. Programs were offered for viewing by attorneys statewide on their computers.

     In May 2007, the first live webcast of an Idaho CLE program was launched from the Law Center in Boise.  The arrival of the live webcast viewing option greatly expanded the availability of live CLE programming options to Idaho attorneys on a state-wide basis.

     Today Idaho attorneys have a variety of CLE options available to them. Programming is offered live and via live webcast. Attorney can choose to do up to one-half of their CLE requirement as self-study credit and programs are available on DVD, audio CD, and online for that purpose.