--- title: What Attorneys Are Choosing to Learn and Why It Matters for Law Firms description: "Not surveys, but real completion data: three trends in what attorneys choose to learn, and what they mean for law firm training programs." image: https://blog.lawline.com/hubfs/11.05.26_blog-header.png --- [![LAWL\_logo\_fullcolor\_300px (3)](https://blog.lawline.com/hubfs/Landing%20Pages/LAWL_logo_fullcolor_300px%20(3).png)](https://www.lawline.com/) - [Start Here](https://blog.lawline.com/start-here-welcome-to-lawline) - [Browse CLE Courses](https://www.lawline.com/browse) - [Pricing](https://www.lawline.com/subscription) - [Firms & Teams](https://www.lawline.com/enterprise/pricing) - [Blog Home](https://blog.lawline.com) [Start Free Trial](https://www.lawline.com/register/trial) # What Attorneys Are Choosing to Learn and Why It Matters for Law Firms [![Lawline Staff Writer](https://blog.lawline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(6).png?width=50&height=50&name=Untitled%20design%20(6).png)](https://blog.lawline.com/author/sarah-mills) [Lawline Staff Writer](https://blog.lawline.com/author/sarah-mills) 05 November, 2026 ![](https://blog.lawline.com/hubfs/11.05.26_blog-header.png) What do attorneys choose to learn when no one is telling them what to take? On October 20, we explored that question in our live webcast, [What Lawyers Are Watching](https://www.lawline.com/course/what-lawyers-are-watching-trends-in-legal-learning-and-attorney-interests), sharing insights into the courses and topics attorneys are engaging with most on Lawline. Rather than relying on survey responses, we looked at what attorneys are actually completing, offering valuable insights for law firms looking to better understand their attorneys’ interests and make informed decisions about professional development and training. Lawline’s Programs Manager [Gabriella DiSilvio](https://www.lawline.com/lawyer/gabriella-disilvio-3) and Senior Customer Success Manager [Lana Glacken](https://www.lawline.com/lawyer/lana-glacken?__hstc=45788219.3dcdd20aafa939faf47dd970895a21eb.1793632618195.1793632618195.1793632618195.1&__hssc=45788219.1.1793632618195&__hsfp=1c26991f53d1d66c0b5136141df59e74) shared key trends in attorney learning, with Learning Solutions Attorney [Cali Franks](https://www.lawline.com/lawyer/cali-franks) moderating the discussion. [Desiree Gareau](https://www.lawline.com/lawyer/desiree-gareau), a professional development leader at Offit Kurman, joined the conversation to offer a law firm perspective on the findings. Here’s what we learned and how you can put these insights into practice. ## Three Trends Worth Knowing - **AI is a lens, not a topic.** Attorneys want to know how AI applies to the work they already do. It now runs through our ethics, IP, employment, corporate, and cybersecurity programs. Firms are asking more specific questions too, such as how partners should supervise associates and staff who use AI tools. - **Human skills are holding their own.** Our most completed course is on mindfulness strategies for dealing with difficult people, and it ranks first among attorneys who come to us through their firms. Attorneys are choosing content that helps them function well under pressure, not only content that keeps them compliant. - **Structured learning paths are on the rise.** A learning path is a curated sequence of courses built toward a specific goal. Attorneys can take the whole path or only the courses they need, and they earn CLE credit for each course along the way. ## How We're Building Content Around These Trends - **AI woven in, not tacked on.** When we build a program on employment law or IP, AI is part of the conversation from the start. The question has shifted from "do we need an AI course?" to "where does AI touch this practice area?" - **Human skills held to the same standard.** We produce well-being and human skills content to the same standard as our technical CLE, often with real lawyers sharing real stories, because attorneys recognize themselves in those experiences. - **Paths that build toward an outcome.** When we decide whether a topic earns a full learning path, we look at how deep the subject goes and how often attorneys return to related topics. # Watch Any Course for Free Start a no-risk free trial today to watch any Lawline On Demand course for free. Choose from over 2,000 courses, including attorney well-being, ethics, professional development and 40+ practice areas. [Start Watching Courses](https://www.lawline.com/register/trial) [Learn More](https://www.lawline.com/subscription) ![1-1](https://blog.lawline.com/hubfs/1-1.png) ## How Firms Are Putting This to Work Firms are using these trends in a few ways. Some give new associates structured, role-specific learning paths, including a path on AI. Some recommend an AI path to partners and leadership too, a reminder that learning paths are not only for new attorneys. Others weave human skills content into their leadership programs, and some use well-being courses to keep training engaging, watching together and following up with a lunch and learn. ## Six Steps to Start Training New Associates If you are building or refreshing training for new associates, here is a practical place to begin. 1. **Start with new associates.** Choose one learning path and make it required. Lana's advice is that this is where structure pays off most, and where firms are most open to requiring training instead of leaving it optional. 2. **Make it role-specific.** Not every new hire needs the same path. Some firms build separate paths by role, so each person gets what they need to get up and running. 3. **Weave AI into what you already teach.** Add it to your ethics, supervision, and billing training instead of creating one standalone course. 4. **Include human skills.** Communication, leadership, and difficult conversations belong in the mix. Some firms watch a well-being course together and discuss it over lunch. 5. **Give associates safe places to practice.** Practice-level examples they can use right away, and room to practice without fear of failing, help new skills stick. Psychological safety matters when you are learning something new. 6. **Tie courses to competencies.** Some firms use the skills they evaluate in associate reviews to decide which courses belong in each path. ## Watch the Webcast The full recording is available on demand: [What Lawyers Are Watching](https://www.lawline.com/course/what-lawyers-are-watching-trends-in-legal-learning-and-attorney-interests). Short on time? Download the [one-page takeaways](https://blog.lawline.com/hubfs/Lawline%20Thought%20Leadership%20Webinars/what-lawyers-are-watching-oct-2026-webinar-takeaways.pdf) and share them with your team. If you would like to look at your firm's training together, reach out to Cali Franks at [cali.franks@lawline.com](mailto:cali.franks@lawline.com). ---   ## Watch Any Course for Free [Start a no-risk free trial today](https://www.lawline.com/register/trial) to watch any Lawline On Demand course for free. Choose from over 2,000 courses, including cryptocurrency and digital assets, banking and finance, ethics, and 40+ practice areas. [![Start My Free Trial](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/711044/2f25d682-4b4c-4c99-a623-719dd0956af7.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/711044/2f25d682-4b4c-4c99-a623-719dd0956af7)     **Stay up to date!** Receive updates on new content, promotions, and more: Previous Post ###### [The GENIUS Act, Explained: 18 Questions Attorneys Are Asking About Payment Stablecoins](https://blog.lawline.com/the-genius-act-explained-18-questions-attorneys-are-asking-about-payment-stablecoins) ### Similar Blog Posts [![](https://blog.lawline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/09.03.26_blog-header.png?width=352&name=09.03.26_blog-header.png)](https://blog.lawline.com/lawyers-dont-leave-firms-they-leave-managers-heres-how-to-change-that) #### [Lawyers Don't Leave Firms, They Leave Managers: Here's How to Change That](https://blog.lawline.com/lawyers-dont-leave-firms-they-leave-managers-heres-how-to-change-that) [![](https://blog.lawline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Jack_Newton__at_ClioCon.00_Still_1_with_LWL_Bug.png?width=352&name=Jack_Newton__at_ClioCon.00_Still_1_with_LWL_Bug.png)](https://blog.lawline.com/ai-just-compressed-10-hours-of-legal-work-into-45-minutes-what-this-means-for-every-lawyer) #### [AI Just Compressed 10 Hours of Legal Work Into 45 Minutes: What This Means for Every Lawyer](https://blog.lawline.com/ai-just-compressed-10-hours-of-legal-work-into-45-minutes-what-this-means-for-every-lawyer) [![](https://blog.lawline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/03.17.25_blog-header.png?width=352&name=03.17.25_blog-header.png)](https://blog.lawline.com/unlock-the-future-of-law-introducing-lawlines-ai-hub) #### [Unlock the Future of Law: Introducing Lawline’s AI Hub](https://blog.lawline.com/unlock-the-future-of-law-introducing-lawlines-ai-hub) [![LAWL\_logo\_fullcolor\_reverse\_300px](https://blog.lawline.com/hubfs/LAWL_logo_fullcolor_reverse_300px.png)](https://www.lawline.com/) With timely, relevant subject matter that covers a broad range of practice areas, Lawline transforms traditional Continuing Legal Education (CLE) compliance into practical knowledge that accelerates your ability to grow and serve. [![tiktok-circle](https://blog.lawline.com/hubfs/tiktok-circle.webp)](https://www.tiktok.com/@lawlinecle) #### [About Us](https://www.lawline.com/info/about-us) #### [Unlimited CLE](https://www.lawline.com/subscription) #### [Customer Reviews](https://www.lawline.com/customer-reviews) #### [Public Profile](https://www.lawline.com/profiles) #### [Solutions for Teams & Firms](https://www.lawline.com/subscription/group?utm_campaign=blog&utm_source=footer&utm_medium=hubspot) #### [CLE Requirements](https://www.lawline.com/requirements/cle) ###### Get In Touch ![contact](https://blog.lawline.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/@marketplace/MakeWebBetter/Academia/images/icons/phone-blue.svg) (218) 278-3570 ![Envelope](https://blog.lawline.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/@marketplace/MakeWebBetter/Academia/images/icons/envelope-blue.svg) [support@lawline.com](mailto:support@lawline.com) ![map](https://blog.lawline.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/@marketplace/MakeWebBetter/Academia/images/icons/location-blue.svg) 228 Park Ave S, PMB 81742 New York, NY 10003-1502 Copyright © 2023 Lawline. All Rights Reserved. [Privacy Policy |](https://www.lawline.com/info/privacy-policy) [Terms & Condition](https://www.lawline.com/info/terms-and-conditions) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lawline Staff Writer", "url" : "https://blog.lawline.com/author/sarah-mills" }, "dateModified" : "2026-11-05T15:00:00.097Z", "datePublished" : "2026-11-05T15:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "What Attorneys Are Choosing to Learn and Why It Matters for Law Firms", "image" : [ "https://blog.lawline.com/hubfs/11.05.26_blog-header.png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.lawline.com/what-attorneys-are-choosing-to-learn-and-why-it-matters-for-law-firms", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.lawline.com/hubfs/LAWL_logo_fullcolor_300px.png" }, "name" : "Lawline" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "FAQPage", "mainEntity" : [ { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Online CLE course programs use a digital learning management system to deliver quality education. The system allows you to access learning materials from any location. An annual subscription gives you access to a CLE course catalog, where you can choose a course that provides CLE for your state. Tools can seamlessly track credits earned, which benefits those completing mandatory CLEs. You’ll instantly receive a certificate after completion of the course." }, "name" : "How Do Online CLE Courses Work?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Yes, Lawline offers a 10-day free trial without putting in your credit card details. This gives you access to a wide range of on-demand courses without commitment. " }, "name" : "Can I Try Online CLE Courses for Free?" }, { "@type" : "Question", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Yes, Lawline offers financial assistance to help attorneys who need it grow professionally. All you need to do is fill out the financial aid request form. You can get a discounted rate for the unlimited subscription if approved. This financial aid renews each year automatically at that discounted rate." }, "name" : "Do Online CLE Courses Offer Financial Aid?" } ] } ```