Category: CLE

Leading Immigration Lawyer To Give Presentation for CLE Companion on Challenging Employment-Based Visa Denials and Delays in Federal Court

Hot off the Press! CLE Companion, a disruptor in the legal industry with a convenient and inexpensive Continuing Legal Education platform, will host Immigration Lawyer Ann Massey Badmus in a streaming presentation on May 15, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. CDT, at: https://clecompanion.com/product/challenging-employment-based-visa-denials-and-delays-in-federal-court/ The presentation will then be available on demand thereafter at: https://clecompanion.com/product-category/courses/on-demand-courses/ . . .

Hot off the Press!

CLE Companion, a disruptor in the legal industry with a convenient and inexpensive Continuing Legal Education platform, will host Immigration Lawyer Ann Massey Badmus in a streaming presentation on May 15, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. CDT, at: https://clecompanion.com/product/challenging-employment-based-visa-denials-and-delays-in-federal-court/

The presentation will then be available on demand thereafter at:

https://clecompanion.com/product-category/courses/on-demand-courses/

Badmus’ talk will address the various options as well as procedures to challenge federal agency actions or inaction in immigration cases before the Department of Homeland Security.  The presentation will include:

    • An overview of and lessons learned from recent immigration lawsuits, particularly H-1B visa litigation
    • Typical defenses claimed by the DHS and how to overcome them
    • Building a strong administrative record to set the stage for challenging the denial of a client’s visa petition in federal court.

Badmus is principal attorney and founder of Badmus & Associates. She represents immigration clients worldwide.  Since 1993, Badmus has helped businesses cut through immigration red tape and execute leading edge hiring strategies to win the global competition for top talent. Her practice has a deep expertise in the healthcare and information technology industries, representing companies and their employees with complex immigration matters such as  two-year foreign residency waiver applications,  permanent residence applications based upon labor certification, extraordinary ability, national interest waiver, outstanding researcher, and multinational managers and executives applications.  She also works with employers seeking to ensure compliance with state and federal immigration rules regarding employment eligibility verification and anti-discrimination.

Badmus frequently speaks about immigration issues before chambers of commerce, bar associations and other interested organizations, and has been featured as an immigration commentator on numerous television and radio news programs.  She has also written numerous published articles about immigration and has authored a book for foreign national physicians, Immigration Prescription – The Practical Guide to Immigration for Foreign Born Physicians.

“Employment Law is an important subject matter in the lives of attorneys right now, given our current COVID-19 conditions” Said Kristin Davidson, Founder and CEO of CLE Companion, “Ms. Badmus’ experience level and presentation style is impressive, we are excited to host her presentation.”

About CLE Companion

CLE Companion is a fully accredited online CLE provider. Their mission is to take continuing legal education into the next phase of legal technology, which led them to create the most innovative, convenient CLE platform in the industry. Through goals of quality, service and value, CLE Companion has set the bar for Continuing Legal Education in all areas of practice. Find out more at: https://www.clecompanion.com

COVID-19 MCLE Updates

In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, many states are relaxing regulations and offering extension to MCLE deadlines. Read the latest updates.

Requirements by State: What you Need to Know

As Coronavirus continues to spread thought the world, we are all affected by this virus in one way or another.  Our hearts go out to all of our community members in these trying times.

Many aspects of our daily lives have changed, and we are looking at a new normal for the time being.  As conferences continue to cancel well into the summer, many State Bar Associations are rethinking their live CLE requirements.  Below, we have listed each state and the changes you can expect.  This list will be updated daily.

Latest Update: 4/23/2020 @ 8:17 AM CDT

 

  • Alabama: 

 

  • Alaska: 

 

  • Arizona: The Supreme Court of the State of Arizona issued an order extending the 2019-2020 CLE and reporting deadlines to December 30, 2020 (previously June 30 and September 15 respectively).  For more information, please see the official FAQ here.

 

  • Arkansas: 

 

  • California: 

 

  • Colorado: 

 

  • Connecticut: 

 

  • Delaware: The Supreme Court of the State of Delaware issued an order temporarily waiving the 12-hour Live credit requirement for attorneys for the reporting cycles ending on December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021. All 24 CLE credits for those two-year reporting cycles may be satisfied by approved courses in any format including On Demand. Previously, the Delaware Supreme Court issued a similar order waving the Live requirement for those who have not completed their 2019 requirement.

 

  • Florida: The Florida Bar issued an order extending CLE reporting deadlines for February, March, April and May 2020 to August 31, 2020. All other annual compliance deadlines remain the same.

 

  • Georgia: The Supreme court of Georgia will waive the 6-hour in-person CLE requirement.  Attorneys may take All 12 courses through on-demand and Self-Study Courses.

 

  • Hawaii: 

 

  • Idaho: 

 

  • Illinois:

 

  • Indiana: The Indiana Supreme Court has issued an order temporarily waiving the credit limitation for distance education as follows: Attorneys with a CLE deadline on December 31, 2020 may complete all of their credits via online courses. Attorneys with a deadline on or before December 31, 2022 may complete up to 24 credits via online courses.

 

  • Iowa: The Iowa Supreme Court has issued an order temporarily waiving the credit limitation for unmoderated courses. Iowa attorneys may complete any portion of their requirement as On-Demand courses until further notice from the Iowa Supreme Court.

 

  • Iowa:  The Supreme court of Iowa is waiving the live in-person and online-moderated CLE requirement until further notice.  Iowa attorneys may complete all MCLE requirements via On-demand courses.
  • Kansas: The Supreme Court of the State of Kansas has issued an order granting an automatic extension for the 2019-2020 CLE and Reporting Deadlines to September 30, 2020 for attorneys unable to complete their requirement by June 30, 2020. They have also removed the credit limitation on pre-recorded CLE for this same period. Kansas attorneys can complete their entire 2019-2020 requirement via On Demand CLE courses.

 

  • Louisiana: 

 

  • Maine: The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has issued an order temporarily waiving the in-person CLE requirement. Maine attorneys may complete their entire CLE requirement via On-Demand courses until further notice. Also, the board of overseers of the bar is extending the 2018/2019 reporting until may 2020.  There will also be no late fees for this period.

 

  • Minnesota: Minnesota is waiving the credit limits for On-demand courses.  Attorneys in category 3 (deadline of 08/31/20) may complete all 45 courses On-demand.

 

  • Missouri: The Supreme court of Missouri has extended the 2020 deadline to September 30, 2020 and waiving late fees.

 

  • Mississippi: 

 

  • Montana:  The Supreme Court of Montana Commission of Continuing Legal Education will not assess any late fees as long as the required credits are completed and reported by May 15, 2020 (the usual deadline for completion is March 31). Montana attorneys can complete all of their credits online via a combination of live webcasts and on-demand programs.

 

  • Nebraska: The supreme court of Nebraska is removing the limit of distance education credits that can be earned. Attorneys may complete 10 courses On-Demand before their due date of 1/20/2021.

 

  • Nevada: 

 

  • New Hampshire: The Supreme Court of New Hampshire has postponed all MCLE requirements until April 6th while the MCLE offices are closed.  Additional postponements are expected thereafter.  We will continue to update this post as information becomes available.

 

  • New Jersey: The Supreme court of New Jersey is waiving the 12-hour in-person CLE requirement until further notice.  NJ attorneys may satisfy all 24 MCLE course requirements On-demand.

 

  • New Mexico: The Supreme Court of the State of New Mexico issued an order extending the MCLE late reporting deadlines by 30 days. The new deadlines are as follows:

April 30, 2020: 2019 credits can be reported with a $100 late fee

May 31, 2020: 2019 credits can be reported with a $350 late fee

June 1, 2020: The list of non-compliant attorney names will be sent to the Supreme Court

 

  • New York: The New York CLE board is waiving the live skills- training requirement for Newly Admitted Attorneys. Live skills training credits can be completed online through 6/30/2020.

 

  • North Carolina: The supreme court of North Carolina had previously issued an amendment (on 1/20/2020) to remove all live in-person CLE requirements.  NC attorneys may complete all MCLE requirements On-demand from 1/20/2020 further.

 

  • North Dakota: Attorneys with 2020 reporting may now complete all or a portion of their 45 credits via self-study.

 

  • Ohio: The Ohio Commission on CLE has extended the 2018/2019 Late Compliance deadline until 6/29/2020, AND waived the cap on Self-Study credits for the same period.

 

  • Oklahoma: 

 

  • Oregon: 

 

  • Pennsylvania: The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has issued two orders for attorneys. First: Attorneys within the 4/30/2020 deadline postponing this MCLE deadline to 8/31/2020. The second order waives the distance learning cap for all 2020 deadlines. Pennsylvania Attorneys may now complete their entire 2020 requirement online via On-Demand, Webcast, or MP3 courses.

 

  • South Carolina: The Supreme Court of South Carolina is waiving all in-person MCLE requirements for the 2019-2020 reporting period ending 4/15/2020.  South Carolina Attorneys may satisfy all 14 MCLE credits On-demand. View our South Carolina course library here.

 

  • Tennessee: The Supreme court of Tennessee is waiving the 8-hour distance learning limit for credits within the 2019 reporting period ending 3/31/2020.  TN attorneys may complete all MCLE courses online. View our Tennessee course library here.

 

  • Texas: The Supreme court of Texas has extended the deadline by 60 days for attorneys with compliance deadlines in March, April and May.  Attorneys with missed deadlines in January and February may also take advantage of this 60 day extension.  Attorneys subject to suspension for failing to meet their November or December deadlines are granted a 30 day extension.

 

  • Utah: The Supreme court of Utah is waiving all in person MCLE requirements until 6/30/2020.  Utah attorneys with 6/30/2020 deadlines may complete all MCLE courses On-demand.

 

  • Vermont: The Vermont Supreme Court has issued an order temporarily waiving the 10-hour limitation on self-study CLE for the 2018-2020 reporting period. Vermont attorneys with an upcoming deadline on June 30, 2020, can complete their entire requirement through approved self-study courses.

 

  • Virginia: The Supreme Court of Virginia has issued an order extending the 2020 MCLE deadline to midnight EST December 31, 2020 (usually October 31). The required CLE hours must be reported no later than 4:45 p.m. EST February 15, 2021.

 

  • West Virginia: The West Virginia Commission on MCLE is waiving the live CLE requirement through 6/30/2020.  WV attorneys may take all 24 courses On-demand.  View our West Virginia course library here.

 

  • Wisconsin: The Supreme Court of Wisconsin has temporarily increased the number of MCLE credits that attorneys can complete On-demand through 12/31/2020.  This includes attorneys working to complete late filings from their 2019 deadline.  WI attorneys may take all 30 MCLE required courses online.  Ethics requirements must be completed via Live-Stream format.  View our Wisconsin course library here.

 

  • Wyoming: 

 

 

About the Author:

Kristin Davidson founded CLE Companion with a mission is to take Continuing Education into the next phase of Legal Technology by creating the most innovative, convenient, and cost-effective CLE platform in the industry.

Through insight and direct attorney feedback, she and her executive team created an easy to navigate website, with the convenience of online learning, a place to track credits, and advanced API functionality.

Kristin integrated Legal Technology into every facet of CLE Companion to keep costs down without sacrificing integrity. This allows us to provide courses at a fraction of the traditional CLE cost.  Our goals of quality, service, and value guide our everyday interactions as well as the industry-leading innovations we create.

 

CLE Companion and Auxana Inc. Create Partnership to Deliver Unlimited CLE to Small Law Firms and Solo Practitioners

CLE Companion, a fast-growing legal technology company that makes it easy for attorneys to satisfy their CLE requirement

CLE Companion, a fast-growing legal technology company that makes it easy for attorneys to satisfy their CLE requirement, and Auxana Inc., a marketplace for attorneys providing flat-fee, subscription-based outsourced general counsel services in the Small and Medium Business (SMB) sector, have created a partnership that will make it even easier for Auxana’s legal clients to grow their book of business.

“This is a perfect match,” said Kristin Davidson, the founder of CLE Companion. “Small law firms and solo practitioners typically operate on a tight budget. By bundling our unlimited CLE product into Auxana’s powerful new service, we eliminate the cost of having to travel to conferences or seminars to fulfill the CLE requirement, as well as the time drain of having to scramble at the last minute to identify CLE opportunities.”

Auxana Founder and CEO, Beth Lebowitz, built Auxana based on her experience as an Outsourced GC, as well as the experiences of her colleagues.  “Baked into the Auxana Outsourced GC model is a fundamental belief that we can all be entrepreneurial,” says Beth, “and we can maintain flexible work and personal time that best suits each individual schedule.”  The calling has proven to be a combination of peer support, technology partnerships, marketing and lead generation efforts. Through this model, attorneys are now able to leave the ‘myth of the law firm safety net’ without feeling like they’re out there on their own, and growth companies are able to engage counsel at an earlier stage than ever before.

Valerie Spengler, the co-founder of Auxana, added that while the Auxana service is focused on growing a firm’s practice, the company realizes that simplifying the day-to-day aspects of running a business is very important, as is introducing cost-saving opportunities through vendors such as CLE Companion.

“We’re excited to partner with another woman-owned business that is pioneering the delivery of products and services to small law firms and solo practitioners,” said Valerie. “Together, we will help change the industry… for the better.

Davidson Listened to Attorneys While Building CLE Companion

Davidson interviewed thousands of attorneys while building the platform. They urged her to make taking the courses as convenient as possible, advice she took to heart in creating CLE Companion.

“Courses can be completed anytime, anywhere from any device,” said Davidson. “This contrasts with taking CLE at a conference, which is a major inconvenience.”

Attorneys are already taking note.

“CLE Companion is a powerful resource that I know I can turn to when I need it,” said Fletcher Brown, a partner at Waller Lansden Dortch & David LLP. Carla Varriale, a partner at New York City-based Havkins Rosenfeld Ritzert & Varriale, added that “my CLE Companion is a powerful tool for diving deeper into subject matters. The courses are always current and relevant to my practice.

About Auxana

Auxana is an industry-disrupting marketplace that helps entrepreneurial attorneys build and grow their practice as an Outsourced General Counsel while benefiting from the support of a like-minded community.  By utilizing the flat-fee model, growth companies are able to engage that legal partner from the earliest stages. Read more about them at https://auxana.co/

Beth Lebowitz

About CLE Companion

CLE Companion starts every day with its simple mission statement: To be the easiest, most cost-effective resource to complete your MCLE online.  With a multitude of offerings in both Live Stream and On-Demand formats, CLE Companion sets the bar for Continuing Legal Education in all areas of practice.  Find out more at https://clecompanion.com/

Kristin Davidson

Become a Expert in your field by Presenting CLE

It all comes down to exposure, online CLE courses can get thousands of views nationwide.

Become an Expert in your practice area by presenting CLE

Do you want to be perceived as an expert in your field? Do you want clients to know you are an expert in your field? Do you want FREE CLE Credits?

Blogging and engaging on social media are great marketing tools for lawyers, but nothing establishes expertise and gains meaningful exposure like speaking gigs. And they are proven to pay off!

We have compiled a list of the top ways to use your CLE Presentation to its fullest potential.

Exposure

It all comes down to Exposure, Online CLE courses can get thousands of views from across the country resulting in a stream of potential clients.

Personal Branding

In today’s society, Personal branding is a requirement to build your client roster and presenting CLE is one of the most efficient ways to do so. We at CLE Companion go even further, providing you with custom emails ready to send to clients and prospects as well as snapshots of your presentation to share across social media.

Expertise

Building expertise in your practice area can be difficult but combining the research you will conduct on your presentation topic with the aforementioned publicity is a sure way to get there.

Public Speaking Practice 

Hate public speaking? CLE presentation is a great way for you to build up your speaker credentials and work on your delivery. At CLE Companion, we urge presenters to shoot at their home or office, right from their phone or laptop, resulting in a comfortable environment to practice, resulting in better real-world performance.

Save Time and Money on CLE

CLE credits can be expensive, and Presenting CLE is one of the easiest ways to get your CLE credits for free! Forget the days of sitting through conferences, present on a topic of your choice and get your (free) CLE credits in the process.