As part of our CPD focus fortnight, Lawyers Weekly spoke to three providers on what some of the obstacles have been and how they’re positioned to help lawyers navigate through the requirements.

CPD for Me

CPD for Me founder Paula Gilmour said by far the “biggest threat right now is the coronavirus”.

“Our online CPD offering is the perfect answer to complete all your 10 units,” Ms Gilmour said.

“Everyone is time-poor and online suits busy lawyers’ schedules.”

In addition, Ms Gilmour said CPD for Me has released the following courses as a way to combat challenges lawyers are faced with.

“[Our] Juris IT Cyber Security Series and the Practice Resilience Program [covers] the major cyber security issues facing law firms today, including how to stop email compromise,” Ms Gilmour said.

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“[Meanwhile, our] Business Development Series [will see] Jeremy Streten [provide lawyers] with practical tips on how to make more money without a lot of extra effort, provide simple steps that lawyers can do now to build their practice and tips on how to expand in the future.”

LawCPD

LawCPD director Sarah Mateljan said there have been a few challenges lawyers have been faced with over the past 12 months.

“The escalating threat that cyber risk poses to Australian businesses means that it is critical for lawyers advising businesses to understand this rapidly evolving area of law. In response to this trend we recently published a course on ‘Directors’ Duties and Liabilities When Faced With Cyber Risks’ to help lawyers build their understanding of the impact of cyber threat on businesses and the legal responsibilities of directors in this context,” Ms Mateljan said.

“The ongoing Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has brought the issue of elder abuse front and centre over the past year. Our recent course on the topic ‘Elder Abuse and Lawyers’ Ethical Responsibilities’ is designed to enable lawyers to better understand the signs of elder abuse and how to respond to ensure they meet their ethical obligations.

“Technology and its impact on the profession [continue] to be a hot topic, but lawyers have told us that they find it difficult to separate the hype from reality. So our new course ‘Lawyers, Innovation and Technology’ takes a practical approach to how lawyers can engage with technology in a way that results in tangible, positive benefits to both their practice and their clients.”

Law Society of NSW

Speaking to Lawyers Weekly, Law Society of NSW president Richard Harvey said that the society recognises that lawyers are busy people and that it is not always possible for them to attend courses in-person, particularly those regional and rural practitioners.

“This was a key driver in recording our most popular courses and promptly making them available as on-demand videocasts, including both our Property Law One Day Intensive and our Elder Law, Wills & Estates One Day Intensive,” Mr Harvey said.

“Practitioners are also increasingly aware of the impact that exposure to trauma can have, on both themselves and their clients, in their day-to-day practice.

“In response, this March we have partnered with Blue Knot Foundation to present two half-day courses, one on trauma-informed practice and the other on vicarious trauma.”