“To maintain the requisite knowledge and skill, a lawyer should keep abreast of changes in the law and its practice, including the benefits and risks associated with relevant technology…” – ABA Model Rule of Professional Conduct 1.1, Comment 8
Technology know-how is not optional for lawyers! Explore essential skills for today’s legal practice and showcase your competence to potential employers by earning the Maloney Library Law Practice Technology Certificate.
The Law Library has been offering law tech programming for several years, and we are excited to launch this new opportunity for students to develop their skills! Past students completing law tech programming have said:
“I liked that it was tailored to the legal profession. Even with tasks that I thought I knew, it was useful to have formal training.”
“Extremely helpful, this should be mandatory for all students. Would’ve saved me hours of frustration at summer internship.”
“I’m not a tech-savvy person so I like that Fordham gave us a taste of what we can expect in practice.”
“An important part of knowledge for lawyers, and for personal life!”
How do I earn the Law Practice Technology Certificate?
Prior to graduation:
- Complete 3 modules with a score of “Qualified” or above in Procertas. You may choose any 3 modules from the following list: 1) Word for Legal Assessment, 2) Excel for Legal Assessment, 3) PDF for Legal Assessment, and 4) PowerPoint for Legal Assessment; AND
- Attend 5 library-approved programs on important law practice technology topics OR successfully complete the Advanced Legal Research Law Practice Technology class.
How do I get started?
Fill out this form. Then keep an eye out for a welcome email from the reference team, which will help you get going.
How can I add the LPT Certificate to my resume?
Make sure you tell potential employers about your law tech experience! Add a line to the “Skills” or “Law School Activities” sections of your resume: Earned Maloney Library Law Practice Technology Certificate.
What is Procertas?
The Procertas Legal Technology Assessment is an online platform that helps users learn core office technology for lawyers by focusing on tasks lawyers use most frequently (for example, removing metadata). To complete the Certificate, you’ll need to earn a score of Qualified on three of the four following modules: 1) Word For Legal Assessment, 2) Excel for Legal Assessment, 3) PDF for Legal Assessment, and and 4) PowerPoint for Legal Assessment. For details on how the system works and FAQs, visit our Procertas website.
The quickest way to achieve a score of “Qualified” in Procertas is to first complete the Trainer associated with each Assessment: Word For Legal Trainer, Excel for Legal Trainer, PDF for Legal Trainer, and PowerPoint for Legal Trainer. The Trainers do not count towards completion of the Certificate but will help you pass the Assessment. All of the Assessments and Trainers, along with a tutorial walking you through the system, will appear on your Modules List when you log into the system.
What are the approved programs?
Each semester, the library presents multiple “Lunch ‘n’ Learn” sessions and Workshops on Law Practice Technology topics, all of which count toward the LPT Certificate. Other Law Practice Technology events at the law school – including programs planned by student groups – may also satisfy the 5-program Certificate requirement. For a current list of approved programs, check here.
Who do I contact with questions?
Email us at [email protected], call us at 212 636 6908, or chat with us at this link.