We appreciate you, fellow travelers on this professionalism quest. In 2014, we have published slightly over 100 blog posts written by commissioners, staff, and guest bloggers. We are grateful that some of you have shared comments and sent emails in response.
The idea of this blog is to engage lawyers and all who care about the legal profession in a dialogue about ways to improve. Ways to improve ourselves as legal professionals and ways to improve service to our clients and to our communities.
The topics of our blogs tend to focus on the aspects of professionalism above and beyond the compliance-based ethical rules that every practicing lawyer must obey. We delve into the broad topics of professionalism, civility, diversity and wellness. Also leadership and future law.
As you may have noticed, we like to share thoughts on the meaning and effect of professionalism amid the rapidly changing effects of technology on the way we educate lawyers and practice law.
Here are some of our more popular blog posts of 2014:
- Some argue that the definition of “legal services” (like that of “dental services”) exists to protect the revenue of guild members rather than the clients. Whiten Legal Services’ Teeth?
- Why we should ditch our lecture notes and power point presentations for effective adult education. Adult Learning: How Do We Learn?
- Let’s reverse the fact that lawyers are more than twice as likely as the general population to suffer from mental illness or substance abuse. Blueprint for Healthy Lawyer Workplaces
- Plan for the fact that the majority of legal positions aren’t landed through OCI. Beyond On-Campus Interviews
- Letting non-lawyers perform some services reserved for lawyers may open access to the legal system. Serving Clients: New Roles for Non-Lawyers
- “Diversity is being invited to the party; inclusion is being asked to dance.” The Ballad of Jackie Robinson West
- Success is less about what we store up as learned knowledge and more about using our interpersonal skills and networks—not something necessarily natural to lawyers. Embrace the Empathy Piece
We wish you a peaceful and professional 2015! Please continue to engage with us on our blog and all our social media channels. Your comments inspire us. Let’s together change the professionalism landscape.