(ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Feb. 3, 2010) The Maryland Court of Appeals has been asked to consider requiring continuing legal education for all attorneys in the state.

The Professionalism Commission, which was set up by the Court of Appeals, is asking the Court to set a minimum annual requirement of 10 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) for attorneys practicing in the state. The Commission, headed by Court of Appeals Judge Lynne A. Battaglia, also proposes that a Commission on Mandatory Continuing Legal Education be set up to oversee the requirement.

The Professionalism Commission has posted the proposed Rules for the Maryland Commission on Mandatory Continuing Legal Education on the Judiciary’s Web site. To review the proposal, visit http://mdcourts.gov/professionalism/pdfs/proposedrules-mcle.pdf.

The date for a public hearing before the Court of Appeals of Maryland regarding the proposed rule for Mandatory CLE has not yet been established. The hearing date will be announced on the court website, www.mdcourts.gov.

Comments regarding the proposed rule should be directed to the Court of Appeals, Robert C. Murphy Courts of Appeal Building, 361 Rowe Boulevard, Annapolis, MD 21401, to the attention of Bessie Decker, Clerk of the Court of Appeals.

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