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IMPLICIT BIAS

Mindfulness-Focused Elimination of Bias Training for Attorneys

Mindfulness is a simple, yet effective tool that can help lawyers recognize implicit bias in ourselves and others. Our trainings and Continuing Legal Education courses harness these powerful science-based techniques to help you identify unconscious bias and avoid perpetuating discriminatory decision-making. Contact us today to discuss your organizational needs and schedule a customized program.

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ELIMINATION OF BIAS CLE

Implicit Bias: About Me

Learn Mindfulness to Curtail Implicit Bias and Make Ethical Decisions

Join Cindy Sharp and Becky Howlett for this timely educational webinar as they unpack implicit bias—what it is, why it matters, and reveal strategies to become aware of our own unconscious biases and ultimately enhance mindful decision-making. Overall, this program will support your ability to recognize these biases and implement strategies to curtail their harmful effects in your legal practice.

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Implicit bias is universal—everyone has it! Yet, these biases are uniquely our own as they are shaped by our individual life experiences. Although we all have them, we are generally unaware of their presence and effects, meaning implicit biases can negatively impact our decisions without our knowing. Research has shown that mindfulness meditation may effectively reduce implicit bias at the individual level.  

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Certified Meditation Instructor and Attorney Becky Howlett will teach and lead mindfulness practices throughout this session designed to promote awareness of your own biases. Co-Presenter and Veteran Attorney Cynthia Sharp will join with Becky in sharing their own perspectives as well as viewpoints and experiences of others in the legal community. The speakers will delve into why words DO matter and discuss commonly held harmful assumptions related to diverse groups of people.  

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You will also learn: 

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  • How to use mindfulness tools to develop deeper awareness of implicit bias and to counter insensitive attitudes 

  • Specific steps that you can take IMMEDIATELY to reduce the ill effects of implicit bias in the legal setting

  • Concepts that will help identify and address unconscious bias when dealing with colleagues, clients, and others 

  • How enhanced cultural competency will help any attorney both serve justice and advocate more effectively  

Elimination of Bias: Combating Ageism in the Legal Field

Join veteran attorney Cindy Sharp and certified contemplative practices teacher and attorney Becky Howlett as they unpack age bias in the legal field—what it is, why it matters, and ways to enhance collaboration across all age levels. Addressing ageism in the legal profession can strengthen cross-generational collaboration, meaning better service for clients and more fulfilling workplaces for us all. 

Lawyers of all experience levels and ages will benefit from this program.


Overall, this course will support your ability to recognize implicit bias and implement strategies to curtail its harmful effects. Cindy and Becky―whose age difference spans 35 years!―will share their own perspectives, as well as viewpoints and experiences of others in the legal community. You will also learn:

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  • Concepts to help identify and address age bias when dealing with colleagues, clients, and others. 

  • How enhanced cultural competency will help any attorney both serve justice and advocate more effectively.

  • How to use mindfulness tools to develop deeper awareness of age bias and learn to counter insensitive attitudes.

  • Specific steps that you can take IMMEDIATELY to reduce the ill effects of age bias in the legal setting.

IMPLICIT BIAS-AGEISM CLE

Implicit Bias: About Me
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IN THE NEWS

ABA GPSolo eReport


Attorneys Becky Howlett and Cynthia Sharp's monthly column in the American Bar Association's GPSolo eReport focuses on all aspects of attorney wellness and the real-life challenges of practicing law, including substance use, mental health, civility, and implicit bias.


We believe that generating open and honest conversations, including sharing our own personal struggles with mental health and addiction, will encourage others to seek needed help, as well as promote cultural change within our profession.

Eliminating Implicit Bias among Lawyers, Part 1

A number of states have imposed a CLE requirement in the area of diversity, inclusion, and elimination of bias. Given the critical importance of exercising fairness and equality in the legal system, it is incumbent on all of us—including lawyers, judges, jurors, and staff—to identify our implicit biases and take conscious steps to curtail their potentially harmful effects.

Eliminating Implicit Bias among Lawyers, Part 2

As respected members of the community, legal practitioners are in a unique position to influence positive societal change through our words and actions. By understanding another’s cultural background, we can build a client-centric practice that emphasizes communication and trust.

Creating the Law Firm of the Future – Combating Age Bias

Working together across generations, we can craft supportive, sustainable work environments that bolster our individual and collective well-being. Addressing ageism is a "win-win" for all participants in the legal process, lending to better service for clients and more fulfilling workplaces for us all.

RESOURCES

Implicit Bias for Legal Professionals: What is it and how can we overcome?

Learn about implicit bias in the legal field with diversity, equity, and inclusion expert, Cedric Ashley. As a practicing attorney for more than 30 years, Cedric shares some basic information on what unconscious bias is and why it matters for individual and organizational health.

Implicit Bias Meditation for Attorneys

Mindfulness is a proven method to reduce implicit bias and the prejudicial behaviors that it causes. Studies show that practicing mindfulness meditation—for as little as 10 minutes—can reduce the automatic judgments we make about people, including decreased bias toward race and age. Join us now for a brief mindfulness meditation to see your own implicit bias in action!

The Legal Mindset Corner: What Attorneys Need To Know About Implicit Bias

Becky Howlett and Cynthia Sharp are joined by fellow attorney and changemaker in the legal field, Cedric Ashley. A former law firm owner, Cedric is a ICF certified coach, a trainer, and a facilitator with significant experience in helping individuals, teams, and organizations reach new heights of performance and fulfillment.

 

Topics of discussion include the importance of becoming aware of our implicit biases, examples of implicit bias impacting legal environments, being your own best advocate and much more!

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