Standards for approval of CLE activities

(1) The board shall designate the number of hours applicable to the requirement of SCR 31.02 for each approved CLE activity. (2) The following standards shall govern the approval of CLE activities by the board: (a) The primary objective of any CLE activity shall be either to increase the attendee's professional competence as a lawyer or to fulfill their professional responsibility to provide pro bono legal services. (b) The CLE activity shall deal primarily with matters related to the practice of law, professional responsibility or ethical obligations of lawyers. (c) Except for repeated on-demand programs, a mechanically or electronically recorded activity will be approved only if a qualified instructor is available to comment and answer questions. (d) CLE materials shall be prepared by and activities shall be conducted by an individual or group qualified by practical or academic experience. (e) thorough, CLE activities shall be accompanied by well-organized and readable written materials which are available to attendees at the time of presentation unless otherwise permitted by the board. (f) The board may grant approval of an activity to an individual lawyer, although the activity itself does not satisfy SCR 31.07(2)(a) and (b), where the lawyer demonstrates to the satisfaction of the board the manner in which the activity increases his or her competence as a lawyer. (3) The board may approve published legal writings for use toward 262 the CLE requirement under rules it may adopt. (4) An activity sponsored by a private law firm, corporate law department or federal, state or local government agency offered for lawyers connected with it may be approved if it meets the requirements set forth in sub. (2). (5) The board shall not approve any CLE for legal ethics and professional responsibility credit unless that education has a minimum component of at least one continuous hour devoted to legal ethics and professional responsibility.