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Conversation, connection may be antidotes for incivility in law

Conversation, connection may be antidotes for incivility in law

Shielded behind computer screens, some people behave in ways that are downright rude — or worse. As the practice of law moved online with the COVID-19 pandemic, those familiar hazards to civility arose in the legal profession as well.
The incivility monster: Why being bad feels good

The incivility monster: Why being bad feels good

Practicing attorneys are acutely aware of the potential consequences of incivility. And yet, incivility persists. Could it be that attorneys are hard-wired to lose their cool? Does it pay to be belligerent? And how do the pandemic and other stressors contribute?
Zealous advocacy and beyond: Leaders share views on civility

Zealous advocacy and beyond: Leaders share views on civility

Terry A. Fox of the Illinois Defense Counsel, Patrick A. Salvi II of the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association and Stephanie Villinski of the Illinois Commission on Professionalism contemplated our questions on what’s going right — and wrong — with how attorneys act.
Collaborative conversations require a mindful approach

Collaborative conversations require a mindful approach

Contributors Dan Cotter and Pat Eckler reflected on how they behave as media partners — and why civility is the necessary foundation of the conversations about the law they want to convene.

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Law Day Letters

Elsa Andrianifahanana

Pushing forward, together

Since its inception in 1987, the Black Women Lawyers’ Association of Greater Chicago, Inc. (BWLA) has worked to foster civility, community and compassion within the legal profession. We do this through various mentoring, scholarship and community outreach initiatives. Although our efforts are generally focused in Chicago, every five years, it has been our tradition to host a national summit inviting judges, attorneys and law students from across the country for an opportunity to engage, encourage and empower one another and the next generation of lawyers. The theme of the 2023 National Summit March 30-April 1 was “Together, We Soar,” emphasizing that our potential is limitless when we work to uplift one another.
Thomas J. Miles

Robust debate encourages healthy communication

Law Day and its purposes are welcome companions to the aspirations of legal education. Law schools have a special role in advancing the rule of law in our society; they educate the next generation of lawyers.
Rebecca R. Pallmeyer

Harsh words impress no one, including juries

I don’t know whether incivility is trending up in absolute terms, but we live in a fractious society, one where even our leaders call one another “liars,” level harsh criticism and engage in insulting name-calling. This conduct is tolerated by too many and actually admired by some.
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