(1) At least twice each educational year, the Commission shall provide or cause to be provided a New Lawyer Program of not less than twelve and one-half (12.5) credits. The Commission may in its discretion, accredit a New Lawyer Program proposed by other CLE providers.

(2) Continuing legal education credits for the New Lawyer Program shall be awarded in a number consistent with the award of credits for other continuing legal education programs.

(3) The New Lawyer Program shall include at least two (2) hours of ethics, a course on law practice management and other subjects determined appropriate by the Commission.

(4) The Commission or other provider accredited under SCR 3.652(l) may charge a reasonable registration fee approved by the Supreme Court of Kentucky for the New Lawyer Program.

(5) Within twelve (12) months following the date of admission as set forth on the certificate of admission, each person admitted to membership to the Kentucky Bar Association shall complete the New Lawyer Program.

(6) Each individual attending the New Lawyer Program shall certify to the Director the completion of the Program on the attendance certificate provided for that purpose. Such certification shall be submitted to the Director upon completion of the program and in no case shall the certification be submitted later than thirty (30) days after completion of the program. Continuing legal education credits awarded for the program shall be applied to the educational year in which the program is attended, and if applied to a year in which the individual so attending is otherwise exempt from CLE requirements under SCR 3.666(l)(b), then said credits shall carry forward in accordance with SCR 3.661(5) and (6).

(7) Members required to complete the New Lawyer Program pursuant to paragraph (5) of this Rule may, upon application to and approval by the Commission, be exempted from the requirement if the member is admitted to practice in another jurisdiction for a minimum of five years, and will certify such prior admission to the Commission, or if the member has attended a mandatory new lawyer training program of at least twelve and one-half (12.5) credits, including two (2) ethics credits, offered by the state bar association of another jurisdiction and approved by the director.

(8) The time for completion and certification set forth in paragraphs (5) and (6) of the Rule may, upon written application to and approval by the Commission or its designee, be extended. Written applications for an extension under this paragraph must be received by the Commission no later than thirty (30) days after the member’s deadline to complete the Program as set forth in paragraph (5) of this Rule. All applications must be signed by the member and notarized. The Commission may approve extensions for completing the Program under the following circumstances:

(a) Where the member demonstrates hardship or other good cause clearly warranting relief. Requests for relief under this subsection must set forth all circumstances upon which the request is based, including supporting documentation. In this circumstance, the member shall complete the requirement set forth in paragraphs (5) and (6) as soon as reasonably practicable as determined by the Commission or its designee; or

(b) Where the member fails to demonstrate hardship or other good cause clearly warranting relief. In this circumstance, the member must pay a fee of $250.00 and complete the requirement set forth in paragraphs (5) and (6) at the next regularly scheduled New Lawyer Program.

(9) Failure to complete and certify attendance for the New Lawyer Program pursuant to paragraphs (5), (6), or (8) of this Rule shall be grounds for suspension from the practice of law in the Commonwealth or other sanctions as deemed appropriate by the Court. Ninety (90) days prior to the end of the twelve (12) month period all individuals not certifying completion of the New Lawyer Program pursuant to paragraphs (5), (6) or (8) shall be notified in writing that the program must be completed before the end of the twelve (12) month period, indicating the date. Names of all individuals not submitting certification of completion of the New Lawyer Program within the twelve (12) month period or not being granted an extension of time, pursuant to paragraph (8) of this Rule, shall be submitted to the Court by the Director, certifying the member’s failure to comply with the New Lawyer Program requirement. The Clerk shall docket the matter and the Court shall issue each such member a rule returnable within twenty (20) days thereafter to show cause why the member should not be suspended from the practice of law or otherwise sanctioned as deemed appropriate by the Court. The Commission shall be permitted to file a reply within ten (10) days following the filing of a response by a member. Unless good cause be shown by the return date of the rule, or within such additional time as may be allowed by the Court, an Order shall be entered suspending respondent from the practice of law or imposing such other sanctions as may be deemed appropriate by the Court. An attested copy of the Order shall forthwith be delivered by the Clerk to the member, the Director, and in the case of suspension, to the Circuit Clerk of the district wherein the member resides for recording and indexing as required by Rule 3.480.

HISTORY: Amended by Order 2012-01, eff. 3-1-12; prior amendments eff. 2-1-08 (Order 2007-007), 1-1-04 (Order 2003-4), 1-1-97 (Order 96-1), 7-1-95; adopted eff. 9-1-93