This listing of free and low cost MCLE opportunities available online will be updated when new information is available. If you know of a program that should be included in this listing please let us know at refdesk@sdlawlibrary.org.
Last updated January 4, 2023
MCLE at the San Diego Law Library
At the San Diego Law Library, we offer participatory MCLE for only $10 per credit hour. We also offer the opportunity to earn FREE self-study credit by viewing recordings of many of our webinars on our YouTube channel (see the MCLE Self-Study Playlist).
Here are some other free and low cost MCLE opportunities that you can find online:
Free MCLE
4FreeCLE – a website that tracks free MCLE offerings and provides registration links for upcoming programs with the ability to filter by state.
Above the Law – this legal news website charges for most of their CLE offerings but has a free self- study class each quarter of the year that is approved for credit in California.
Appellate Defenders, Inc. of San Diego – ADI is a nonprofit law firm involved in the appointed counsel program for the Fourth District Court of Appeal in California. ADI has MCLE materials for self-study on its website covering topics related to appellate practice such as brief writing, as well as other topics such as substance abuse. These recorded programs are eligible for self-study in California if they were recorded in the last five years, which applies to several dozen recordings on the website.
Attorney Protective – this insurance firm hosts free CLE webinars, some of which provide Ethics credit for California.
Cozen O’Connor – this global law firm specializing in litigation, business law, and government relations hosts regular webinars, some of which provide free MCLE credit. Click on the links for individual webinars under “Upcoming Events” on the Cozen O’Connor website to see if a particular webinar involves California MCLE credit.
Lawline – has on demand webinars, including one called “Creating a Coronavirus Response Plan: A How-To Guide for Employers” that qualifies for one hour of CLE credit in California. Most of their webinars are not free, but you can sign up for a 10 day free trial without providing credit card information.
LawPay – this company that provides billing services for lawyers has several dozen on-demand courses for free CLE credit on its website, mostly related to ethics.
Legal Aid Association of California – LAAC has an archive of recorded webinars that are free on their website, and they provide completion certificates through submission of an online form. The webinars cover topics relevant to public interest lawyers but are available to anyone.
Legislative Intent Service, Inc. – this company that offers California legislative intent research services also offers three hours of free California approved MCLE, including one hour of Ethics, one hour about the Legislative Process, and one hour on the California Public Records Act.
MCLEZ – another online continuing legal education company, MCLEZ offers one hour of free CLE. Registration is required to access the free class.
National Academy of CLE – this continuing education company offers one free hour of CLE for California. Registration is required to access the free class.
OneLegal – this process serving and e-filing company offers a number of free MCLE and non-MCLE courses regarding e-filing, service of process and similar topics. For California MCLE go to the Resources page and choose the filters for “California” and “Webinars: On-demand.”
OneLLP – OneLLP, a law firm specializing in intellectual property law, has several free California State Bar-approved MCLE video presentations for self-study credit on IP related topics, for which you can download an attendance certificate.
PLI Pro Bono MCLE – The Practicing Law Institute has a complimentary MCLE program available to legal services attorneys, pro bono attorneys, government attorneys and attorneys over 65. To access this program, you must be eligible and submit an application.
San Diego Law Library YouTube Channel – includes a playlist of over 20 MCLE webinars that can be viewed for free for self-study MCLE credit on a variety of topics, including specialty credits such as Ethics.
San Diego Paralegal Association – has regular events open to everyone involving free MCLE, such as their free monthly Virtual Lunch with Leaders Program.
WestLegalEdCenter – most of the CLE offered by this website is not free, but you can access one free program with the link on the home page “Try a Free Complimentary Program.” WestLegalEdCenter also has CLE scholarships for attorneys who are unemployed or underemployed, legal aid and government attorneys, paralegals, and attorneys in private practice wanting to learn skills to assist in pro bono work. For more information about that program see this page.
Low Cost MCLE
American Bar Association CLE – ABA members can access a CLE library with hundreds of hours of programs. Membership ranges from $75 to $450 based on years of practice and practice area.
American Inns of Court – this organization has online CLE opportunities, most are $30 per hour for members and $45 for non-members.
California Lawyers Association – CLA offers free MCLE for members including live programs, online programs and self-study articles. CLA membership costs $95.
California State Bar Online MCLE – The California State Bar provides online MCLE for $20 for each hour of self-study credit and $45 for each hour of participatory credit, which includes on demand videos and podcasts.
Federal Bar Association of San Diego – FBA San Diego offers MCLE webinars on demand with participatory credit on their website for only $9.99 each, and they provide an attendance certificate on request.
LexVid – an online CLE company that has a package including 25 hours of California approved MCLE credit, including required specialty credits, for $59. Some of the videos in their catalog were filmed at San Diego Law Library.
North County Bar Association – NCBA provides a wide selection of live and on-demand programs which are free for members with an MCLE pass, $20 for members without an MCLE pass, and $40 for non-members.
San Diego County Bar Association – SDCBA offers a variety of CLE options, including an all access CLE pass that provides access to all annual CLE programs for $100, various CLE bundles such as a 6 Hour Specialty Credits bundle for $75 for members and $150 for non-members, and single credit classes that cost $25 for members and $55 for non-members.
Insurance Carriers – some legal malpractice insurance carriers offer free online MCLE opportunities to their insured customers. Check with your insurance carrier to see if they offer this service.