The benefits of becoming a continuing legal education (CLE) presenter range from marketing and business development opportunities, to earning mandatory CLE credits to being recognized as an expert in your field. Check out A CLE Presenter is Born for a few good tips.
Participating in courses and activities presented by state and local bar associations is a great way to earn your chops, network and build your brand and reputation. And in the process, give back to the community.
However, if you’re among the massive law firm layoffs of the past couple of years or chose to leave the large law firm environment, and have such a passion for teaching and presenting that you’re considering it as a profession, then you also need to generate revenue.
“Do Bar Associations compensate CLE Presenters?“
I’m being asked this with increasing frequency so decided to go to the source and pose this question to national state and local bar associations around the country. The response was robust and very generous.
Respondents were unanimous: Bar associations do not offer payment to presenters at their CLE courses. Many however, provide assistance like airfare and/or hotel accommodation for out of state faculty, judges and law professors. The lone exception is nationally recognized, professional speakers who are occasionally compensated for keynote speeches.
As a newly minted volunteer presenter, honing your content, delivery and technology skills, you can tap into a massive informal community of speakers, further expanding your network. And you become eligible to join and access the terrific services of organizations such as the Association for Continuing Legal Education (ACLEA) and the National Speakers Association.
So if you’ve decided to become a presenter or still trying to decide if speaking at seminars is for you or simply wish to teach while maintaining your practice, volunteering as a presenter at bar associations in your area is a win-win-win.
Additional questions, suggestions and advice are welcome and comments encouraged.
