Taking The High Road: Dealing Ethically and Professionally With Legal Bullies
Unfortunately, too many attorneys mistakenly believe that they have to take zealous advocacy to the extreme by engaging in bullying, hostile, abusive and unprofessional conduct. This conduct often is directed against junior attorneys, women and minorities and may include comments that are sexist, racist or otherwise offensive. Having a good understanding of the ethical prohibitions …
Shifting Into Neutral: Dispute Resolution For Beginners
Legal and other disputes are increasingly resolved by dispute resolution processes other than litigation. Given this trend, it is important for new lawyers to be familiar with these alternative processes, such as arbitration and mediation, and the benefits and risks they present. At the same time, these alternative processes require creative and interdisciplinary problem-solving perspectives …
The Impact of COVID-19 on the Legal Profession
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed the legal, economic and social order. In today’s highly uncertain situation and rapidly changing environment, legal professionals like other businesses and industries are facing new challenges in their practice. New lawyers will experience a transformation of their practice and employment prospects. For these reasons, in response to the COVID-19 …
Over The River & Through the Woods: Practicing Law in Greater Colorado
Nearly 14,000 Colorado lawyers practice in rural and mountain Colorado – also known as Greater Colorado. The practice of law outside of the Denver Metro area is unique, challenging, and …
Beyond Legalization: Psychedelic Decriminalization, Industrial Hemp, and The Evolution of Cannabis Law
Psychedelics are powerful psychoactive substances that alter consciousness and brain function. Like cannabis, psychedelics have long been considered prohibited Schedule I substances under the Controlled Substances Act of 1970. However, …
Social Justice Law in 2021: Perspectives from the Trenches
The racial equity reckoning of 2020, brought on by the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery to name a few, has caused many lawyers to consider their role in achieving social justice. Social justice law is practiced by lawyers who have incredible passion for human rights and equality. But what does social …
Critical Conversations: Retaining Diverse Lawyers in the Legal Profession
Promoting the culture of diversity is important for all professions, but it is especially lacking in the legal field. In fact, the legal profession is among the least diverse professions in the United States. Diversity and inclusion in the legal organizations help lawyers to identify and embrace different backgrounds and contribute to the overall advancement …
Killing Time: Addressing the Effects of the Billable Hour
Much has been written about the problems associated with the billable hour business model. Numerous pundits have slammed it, demonized it, and blamed it for the profession’s ills. None of this criticism has had much effect. The billable hour is still the primary way many clients pay their lawyers—and how lawyers make their money. But …
A Matter of Justice: The Lawyer’s Role in the Climate Change Debate
Can lawyers do better than scientists at persuading the public of the importance of climate change? We are not suggesting that lawyers should predict the impact of rising greenhouse gas emissions. That task will still fall to the scientists. But if a new approach to framing the issue is genuinely needed, how might lawyers make …
The Science of Positive Thinking
Many of the evidence based clinical interventions deployed by psychologists and counselors are grounded in cognitive theory. Learn how your thought processes affect your physiological and emotional experience and why these interventions are so powerful. Participants will leave the session with practical strategies for counteracting their own problematic thinking patterns. Presented by Robyn Hacker, PhD, …
Social Media: Ethical and Professionalism Obligations for the Tweeting Lawyer
With social media comes a host of new considerations for practicing law, including impacts on discovery, evidence, ethics and trial procedure. The impact of online social media on the legal profession is an issue that requires attention. Members of the legal community these days use social networking websites and applications such as Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter …
The Benefits of Becoming a Bar Junkie
With so many demands on a lawyer’s time, anything additional must be well worth it. Active involvement in Bar Associations or other, similar professional organizations, definitely passes that test. To reap the benefits, just joining the bar in your community doesn’t do the trick; you must seek out and involve yourself in other bar activities …