Professionalism Course Information
SJC Rule 3:16 on Practicing with Professionalism requires a mandatory course on professionalism for new lawyers admitted to the Massachusetts bar, effective September 1, 2013.
Important Update (posted Sept. 11, 2020): In light of the ongoing and urgent public health concerns regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic, the Supreme Judicial Court has issued Supreme Judicial Court Order re: Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:16 (effective September 10, 2020).
Approved Providers
2020 Professionalism Course Calendar
A course calendar will be available soon.
SJC Standing Advisory Committee on Professionalism
The SJC Standing Advisory Committee on Professionalism is charged with overseeing the implementation of SJC Rule 3:16 on Practicing with Professionalism, which requires a mandatory course on professionalism for new lawyers admitted to the Massachusetts bar. The rule was effective on September 1, 2013.
The Committee's duties and responsibilities include: designating approved course providers; making recommendations to the Court regarding the fees to be charged for the course and any circumstances under which the fees may be waived; evaluating the course providers; reporting to the Court on at least an annual basis on the implementation of the course and an assessment of whether the program is accomplishing its intended goals and outcomes; and overseeing the administration of all aspects of SJC Rule 3:16.
Committee Members
Hon. Margot Botsford, Chair, SJC (ret.)
Heidi Alexander, Director of the SJC Standing Committee on Lawyer Well-Being
Linda G. Bauer, Assistant Bar Counsel, Office of Bar Counsel
Kendra Berardi, Robinson & Cole
Joseph Berman, General Counsel, Board of Bar Overseers
Beth D. Cohen, Associate Dean, Western New England School of Law
Maura S. Doyle, Clerk of the SJC for The County of Suffolk
Hon. Kevin Maltby, District Court
Ingrid C. Schroffner, Senior Associate Attorney in the Office of Management at the University of Massachusetts Medical School
Kathleen Elliot Vinson, Director of Legal Writing, Suffolk University Law School
Marilyn J. Wellington, Executive Director, Board of Bar Examiners