News  Request for Response (RFR) - Practicing with Professionalism Course for Newly-Admitted Lawyers

In 2013, the Supreme Judicial Court, seeking to ensure a future of the legal profession with the highest levels of professionalism and integrity, adopted Rule 3:16, establishing a requirement that all persons licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth complete a Practicing with Professionalism Course (“Course”). Rule 3:16 requires that attorneys, in order to maintain admission in good standing, complete this course within 18 months of their date of original bar admission.

The Supreme Judicial Court’s Standing Advisory Committee on Professionalism (“Committee”) is charged with the oversight of all aspects of the implementation and oversight of this program including, but not limited to:

a. Identifying goals and outcomes of the Course;

b. Evaluating the Course and assessing its impact;

c. Developing, evaluating, and refining the Course curriculum to meet the continually evolving needs of the legal community, and to respond to advances in legal practice and educational technologies and platforms, and teaching methodologies;

d. Advising the Supreme Judicial Court on changes to the Course curriculum or other aspects of implementation;

e. Selecting the Course Provider(s), and approving specific curriculum;

f. Recommending the fees to be charged for attendance at the Course, as well as potential waivers of such fees;

g. Evaluating the Course Provider(s);

h. Reporting to the Supreme Judicial 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;

i. Overseeing the administration of all aspects of Rule 3:16.

Having closely monitored and evaluated the Course since its inception in 2013, the Committee issues this Request for Response (the "RFR"), seeking proposals for refined and improved Practicing with Professionalism Courses that focus on the principles and goals set out in Attachment A to this RFR.

Click here to see the full Request for Response Practicing with Professionalism Course for Newly-Admitted Lawyers, which includes more information about specifications, proposals, proposal evaluation, RFR procedure, contact information and relevant attachments.