Mandatory continuing legal education, “MCLE,” has been part of the practice of law for over forty-five years and is now required of licensed attorneys in most states. The introduction of MCLE was justified on the basis that it would make practicing attorneys more competent and improve ethical compliance. This Article presents a study of the impact, if any, of the introduction of MCLE across the United States, including a review of the history and rationale for the introduction of MCLE. It then reviews the various legal challenges to the imposition of MCLE on attorneys and examines the evidence of the success of MCLE in achieving its objectives. The Article concludes with recommendations for the future practice of law.