State Bar asks Wisconsin Supreme Court to recognize CLE category for cultural competency and bias reduction

The State Bar of Wisconsin asked the Wisconsin Supreme Court at a rules hearing to add a new, voluntary continuing legal education (CLE) category for cultural competency and reduction of bias that would be approved under the court’s rules as a distinct six‑credit category (petition 24‑04).

The petition, presented by Dean Dietrich, immediate past president of the State Bar of Wisconsin, would let lawyers take up to six CLE credits identified specifically for cultural competency and bias‑reduction training and have those credits count toward the 30‑hour CLE reporting requirement. Dietrich told the court the change is intended to “provide a clear pathway for lawyers to take credits dealing with cultural competency” and to “help lawyers understand and provide services to their clients, recognizing the variety we have of people with different backgrounds.”

Why it matters: Proponents said a defined credit category would clarify how courses are approved and encourage development of instruction aimed at improving access to justice for clients from diverse backgrounds. Opponents and some justices pressed for empirical support and warned that adding a third non‑substantive credit category could reduce the time attorneys spend on substantive law updates.

What was proposed and what supporters said - The State Bar’s proposal would treat cultural competency and reduction of bias as a distinct CLE category, similar to existing categories such as law practice management and lawyer awareness and understanding.…