| Bar Bulletin |
August,
2003 |
| MSBA News |
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MICPEL Reaches Out Via Distance Learning
By Janet Stidman Eveleth
MICPEL is reaching out to attorneys in all parts of Maryland through
distance learning. Catering to the needs of lawyers in today’s high-tech
world, the Maryland Institute for Continuing Professional Education for
Lawyers (MICPEL) will soon offer a comprehensive online CLE learning
package so attorneys may electronically access MICPEL’s wealth of
educational resources from a distance. Attorneys will soon have instant
online access to MICPEL programs and publications 24/7 and will eventually
be able to electronically download and virtually access CLE programs from
any geographic location.
In recent years, MICPEL has capitalized on new technology to support the
educational and technological needs of Maryland’s practitioners in today’s
electronic information market. It has broadened its horizons, expanded its
mission, enhanced its array of high-quality CLE programs and publications
and incorporated new technology to give lawyers a competitive edge. Now,
through distance learning, MICPEL is offering cutting-edge technology to
streamline CLE for lawyers across the state.
For the last three decades, MICPEL has catered to the CLE needs of
Maryland lawyers, offering special programming and publications to sharpen
their legal skills and keep them abreast of the latest legal trends and
new laws. In recent years, it has focused on new technology to better
service practitioner needs in today’s e-market. Now, with distance
learning, attorneys can access CLE programs and publications, participate
in programs and conduct transactions from their offices.
This new innovative service will be implemented in two phases. This fall,
MICPEL will unveil the e-commerce phase of distance learning, which will
allow Maryland attorneys to electronically access MICPEL’s entire
comprehensive listing of programs and publications 24/7. In addition to
reviewing these valuable online resources, attorneys will also be able to
register for programs online and electronically place orders.
“This will be the low-tech segment of our new distance learning service,”
states Brent Burry, MICPEL’s Executive Director. “We are using a secure
server to process and safeguard all transactions, so they will be
commercially protected.” MICPEL will complement its e-commerce service by
offering audio CDs and programs videos as well.
CLE e-commerce will prove beneficial for all Maryland lawyers. “It affords
easier and better online searchability for all of our topics and titles
and greater accessibility,” explains Burry. “Plus, it enhances an
attorney’s ability to personalize selections.” In this way, an attorney
can design an individual list and be notified of new resources in
designated categories. “MICPEL will automatically e-mail each attorney’s
list for added convenience.”
Burry expects phase two – the high-tech portion of distance learning – to
be up and running by the winter. This phase will allow attorneys to access
selected MICPEL CLE offerings and participate in the most recent live
videotaped programs. “Close to 90 percent of our programs are currently
being videotaped,” states Burry, “and they are now being shown in eight
replay locations around the state.”
Phase two will consist of selected videotaped presentations digitally
re-formatted to run in one- to two-hour segments. Written materials
accompanying each program will be available online. When MICPEL initiates
this portion of distance learning, attorneys will be able to download CLE
seminars and have virtual access to program offerings from the convenience
of their offices.
“Distance learning will fill the gap so that people outside of the major
Maryland metropolitan areas will now have easier and immediate access to
MICPEL’s resources,” notes Burry, who is very excited about MICPEL’s
newest technological service. “We have a broad spectrum of 24 practice
areas to assist Maryland attorneys, and we will build an online library
for their use. This will be continually updated like all MICPEL programs.”
As always, MSBA member discounts are offered and MCLE credit, where
desired, is built into the system. MSBA members receive a $30 discount on
all live MICPEL programs as a membership service, and young attorneys who
are members of MSBA’s Young Lawyers Section receive an additional $20
discount. MSBA Section members receive an additional $20 member discount
when they attend a program sponsored by their Section.
Since 1976, MICPEL has served as the Maryland State Bar Association’s CLE
arm. It was created by MSBA, the University of Baltimore School of Law and
the University of Maryland School of Law. Over the years it has adapted
its array of CLE programs and publications to meet the changing needs of
the legal profession.
MICPEL continually adapts to the legal market’s changing dynamics and
today offers a delivery system that utilizes technologies, user-friendly
programming formats and other contemporary innovations to advance
everything from electronic communication to distance learning. It is and
has always been a valuable CLE resource for all Maryland lawyers.
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