By continuing their legal education throughout the period of their practice of law, attorneys can enhance their competence to serve their clients. Chapter 3, article 4, of the Nebraska Supreme Court Rules establishes minimum requirements for such continuing legal education (CLE) and the means by which the requirements shall be enforced. The mandatory CLE requirements of these rules shall apply to all active members of the Nebraska State Bar Association, unless otherwise provided herein. These rules shall become effective on July 1, 2009, except that those provisions mandating attorney compliance with the CLE requirements of the rules shall not become operative until January 1, 2010. Attendance at any accredited or approved CLE program, as approved by the Director of Judicial Branch Education (Director) as set forth in these rules, in the three (3) months preceding January 1, 2010, may apply toward CLE requirements for the first reporting period upon application of the attorney and approval of the Director.