One of the perks of working for a big law firm is that they usually pay for your continuing legal education credits. When you decide to strike out on your own, these credits are one of the many expenses that you'll be shouldering all by yourself. For an attorney just starting out in your own practice, every penny you can save counts. That's why you need to know how to find affordable continuing legal education courses so that you can stay current without spending a fortune.

Buy in Bulk

Just like rolls of paper towels at a big box store, continuing legal education credits are often cheaper when you buy in bulk. Sure, you'll spend more money up front, but you'll save money overall. Look for providers that offer bundles that will give you one or two years' worth of continuing legal education credits for one price.

Make sure the bundle includes courses that often come at a premium price, like ethics courses. Also, if you'll be taking the courses online, find out the details of when you can access the courses. You should have access for some reasonable length of time – for example, if you're buying all the credits you need for a year, you should have access for a year. Just make sure that the bundle isn't priced cheaply because it only provides you with access for a brief window.

Use Your Networks

In the course of obtaining a legal education and building a career, you've managed to amass at least some contacts that should be useful to you when searching for affordable legal education credits. If you live near your law school, check out their alumni events – sometimes they offer free continuing education credits. If you're still paying off your college loans, you may find it satisfying to collect something useful from your alma mater for free.

Bar associations can be another good source of inexpensive or free legal education credits. It may not be worthwhile to pay for a bar association membership just to get the affordable credits, but if you're already maintaining a membership, take advantage!

Try the Trade Shows

Trade shows are a great way to develop your contacts, and they often offer cheap or even free registration. On top of that, some trade shows offer access to a number of continuing legal education credits.

You can even find virtual trade shows that make an effort to offer all of the same benefits as regular trade shows, but you can access them from the comfort of your home. This is definitely an avenue worth exploring when you're in the market for continuing education credits.

When you find a great deal on continuing legal education courses, be sure to share the information with your friends and colleagues who might need the same information. Hopefully, if you help your friends keep their continuing education costs down, they'll do the same for you the next time they find a great deal. Contact a company like Talks on Law for more information.