The Key Resources located within the Law Society’s Resource Centre align with the nine domains of the Profile, to help lawyers easily locate resources relevant to their CPD plans.

The Law Society’s Education department can offer guidance and suggestions on possible learning activities. However, it is up to each lawyer to determine how to best improve proficiency in chosen areas of professional development, depending on level of experience, practice context and goals.

The Law Society has always taken a broad approach regarding the types of learning activity a lawyer can engage in for continuing professional development. The definition of “Continuing Professional Development”, set out in Rule 67.1 of the Rules of the Law Society of Alberta, allows for both formal and informal learning activities to be completed provided they are:

• relevant to the professional needs of a lawyer;
• pertinent to long-term career interests as a lawyer;
• in the interests of the employer of a lawyer or
• related to the professional ethics and responsibilities of lawyers.

Learning activities may include a wide range of activities, such as:

• Attend a conference
• Attend a firm, organization or association meeting or event
• Be a mentor or mentee
• Create and publish/share a resource
• Implement a new process to improve your practice
• Implement a new routine or habit (practice or personal)
• Join an online forum
• Learn on the job
• Listen to a podcast
• Plan and host a learning event for your firm or organization
• Read a book
• Review a written resource
• Take a course or seminar
• Teach a conference, course or seminar
• Volunteer
• Watch a video

Lawyers can add other types of activities not listed above that are appropriate to their practice and circumstances.

Junior Lawyer

• Complete the Practice Fundamentals Program
• Complete the Law Practice Essentials course
• Develop and implement practice management skills
• Engage in a mentorship relationship with a senior practitioner
• Join and attend CBA section meetings that align with your practice area(s) and interests
• Learn about the resources and supports offered by the Law Society of Alberta, Assist and other provincial organizations
• Regularly review your CPD goals to make your professional development a lifelong habit

Mid-Career or Senior Lawyer

• Address potential areas to improve your practice through completion of a Practice Management consultation or practice management self-directed Assessment
• Develop and present a CPD event for your firm or organization
• Learn new technologies that apply to your practice
• Mentor a junior lawyer
• Participate in administering PREP
• Teach a seminar or course
• Volunteer for an organization, association or pro bono clinic in your community
• Write and publish a legal paper, article or resource

Sole or Small Firm Practitioner

• Address potential areas to improve your practice through completion of a Practice Management consultation or practice management self-directed Assessment
• Complete the Law Business Essentials course
• Develop and implement a well-being policy for you and your staff
• Join and attend CBA Small, Solo and General Practice Section meetings
• Participate in networking opportunities
• Prepare a Business Continuity and Succession Plan

Research Lawyer

• Develop a research bank in various areas of law
• Develop project management skills for large scale files
• Join and attend CBA Legal Research and Knowledge Management Section meetings
• Present a luncheon seminar at a Canadian Bar Association section meeting

In-House Lawyer

• Develop lunch and learn seminars for in-house legal department lawyers
• Join and attend relevant Canadian Corporate Counsel Association events
• Review and become updated on employment law and privacy law
• Review CBA Alberta’s Legislative Update for recent legislation changes that may affect the company

Lawyers Anticipating a Career Transition or Absence

• Learn about the different membership status options to determine which membership will best suit your situation
• Plan for the coverage, succession, sale or closing of your practice
• Review the Practice Transition Videos and resources
• Seek appropriate advice and supports to help make important decisions

Unlike other jurisdictions, the Law Society of Alberta’s CPD program does not have a mandatory minimum number of accredited hours to be counted towards CPD. Therefore, it is not necessary for lawyers to have their learning activities accredited by the Law Society.

While Continuing Legal Education (CLE) providers may develop and market activities they offer to Alberta lawyers as being activities that may be included in an Alberta lawyer’s CPD plan, the Law Society does not accredit activities offered by CLE providers. Below is the suggested wording to place in your CLE marketing:

 For Alberta lawyers, consider including this activity as a CPD learning activity in your annual Continuing Professional Development Plan.