Starting your legal career in New York means navigating a lot of firsts: your first clients, your first courtroom, and yes, your first round of CLE requirements. We want to make sure that the last one is the easiest thing on your list.

New York updated the mandatory CLE requirement for all newly admitted attorneys. Beginning January 1, 2026, newly admitted attorneys will need to complete their skills credit via a traditional live classroom setting or a fully interactive videoconference attended in a group setting. Live webcasts no longer qualify. It’s a real change, and we know it asks more of attorneys who are already juggling a lot.

That's why we created a solution. Lawline now offers four dedicated Bridge the Gap in-person events per year, designed specifically to help newly admitted New York attorneys meet the new requirements without the stress of figuring it out on your own. 

Here’s everything you need to know.

What Changed in 2026

Beginning January 1, 2026, the State of New York now requires that newly admitted attorneys complete their 12 Skills credits in a traditional live classroom setting or a fully interactive videoconference attended in a group setting. Live webcast format, which became available during the COVID-19 pandemic and many attorneys have relied on since, is no longer an option for these specific credits.

These 12 Skills credits must be completed within your first two years of admission. That might sound like a lot to manage, but with Lawline's Bridge the Gap program, you can knock out all 12 credits in just one year by attending two events.

This is a major shift. For more details on what's required, you can review the full New York Newly Admitted CLE requirements on Lawline's website.

How Lawline Is Helping Newly Admitted Attorneys

Lawline recognized this challenge early and built a solution: four dedicated Bridge the Gap in-person events per year, split across two tracks.

Track A covers 6 Skills credits, and Track B covers another 6 different Skills credits. The tracks were carefully designed so there's no duplication between the two, ensuring that, by attending both Track A and Track B, you will get all 12 required Skills credits, with no overlap and no wasted time. You can keep track of the upcoming Bridge the Gap events and plan your schedule in advance.

The next event, Bridge the Gap: NY Newly Admitted CLE (Track A), is coming up on March 29, 2026.

Here's what you can expect from a Lawline BTG event:

•    One full day to earn 6 Skills credits toward your NY Skills Credit requirement;
•    Practical, real-world sessions grounded in the kind of lawyering you'll actually do;
•    Content taught by experienced attorneys who understand what new lawyers need to know;
•    A clear path to all 12 required Skills credits by attending both Track A and Track B across the year.

If you're newly admitted and need to get started, you can register for the Bridge the Gap Track A event on March 29 here.

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Don't Wait! Get Ahead of Your Requirements

The two-year window for completing your Bridge the Gap requirements goes by faster than you'd expect. With four events per year, Lawline makes it manageable. Registering early is always a good idea, especially for in-person events with limited capacity.

If you want to knock out your remaining CLE credits (Professional Practice and Ethics requirements) as efficiently as possible, a Lawline Plus subscription includes access to Bridge the Gap events along with Lawline's entire online CLE library. It's the simplest way to check every box, all in one place.

Newly admitted and ready to get started? Register for the next Bridge the Gap event and take the first step toward completing your New York CLE requirements.

Further Your Legal Education With Lawline Courses

Interested in learning more strategies and tips for becoming a better lawyer? Lawline offers a wide assortment of informative continuing education courses that allow you to develop your expertise and take charge of your professional growth. Check out our programs covering more than 60 practice areas and sign up for a free trial today.

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