PRINTER'S NO. 4557
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
1059
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY HANBIDGE, GALLOWAY, HILL-EVANS, SHUSTERMAN,
FREEMAN, SAPPEY, SANCHEZ, ROZZI, WEBSTER AND HOWARD,
OCTOBER 19, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY, OCTOBER 19, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Urging the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board to
mandate one ethics continuing legal education credit on
diversity, equity and inclusion for every active lawyer in
this Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, A permanent program adopted by the Supreme Court of
Pennsylvania established minimum requirements for continuing
legal education for Pennsylvania lawyers; and
WHEREAS, The program was established by an order of the
Supreme Court dated January 7, 1992, and is administered by the
Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education (PACLE) Board; and
WHEREAS, The public properly expects that lawyers, in the
practice of law, will maintain certain standards of professional
competence and ethical behavior; and
WHEREAS, The requirement for continuing legal education was
established to ensure that, throughout their careers, lawyers
admitted to practice in this Commonwealth remain current
regarding the law and maintain the requisite knowledge and skill
necessary to fulfill their professional responsibilities; and
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WHEREAS, Lawyers who became admitted to practice law in
Pennsylvania on or after July 1, 1992, must complete a program
of continuing legal education as provided by the rules and
regulations of the PACLE Board; and
WHEREAS, An active lawyer is a member in good standing of the
bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania who is not an active or
senior member of the judiciary; and
WHEREAS, The PACLE Board has acknowledged the critical
importance of diversity in the legal profession and justice
system; and
WHEREAS, The educational process is fundamentally important
to advancing diversity and eliminating bias; and
WHEREAS, In developing the ethics continuing legal education
credit on diversity, equity and inclusion, the PACLE Board is
encouraged to consult with lawyers who have proven their
knowledge and experience on diversity, equity and inclusion;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the
Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board mandate one ethics
continuing legal education credit on diversity, equity and
inclusion for every active lawyer in this Commonwealth.
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