Mindful Technology Use for Lawyers
Mismanaged technology use can lead to strained relationships, damaged reputations, and even attorney misconduct. Our trainings and Continuing Legal Education courses leverage targeted strategies—including cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence like ChatGPT—to help legal professionals mindfully manage their digital life, communicate effectively and maintain well-being. Contact us to discuss your organizational needs and schedule a customized program.
MINDFUL TECHNOLOGY CLE
How to Take Charge of Technology - Ethically and Mindfully
Do you control your digital life or does it control you? Whether texting, emailing, posting on social media, or browsing the Web, many people are at the mercy of their digital devices. Indeed, Internet addiction is on the rise and is linked to mental health concerns like depression and anxiety. In 2019, the average American checked their phone 96 times a day. By the end of 2021, that figure skyrocketed to 344 times a day―a 3.5 times increase since the start of the pandemic. Those suffering from severe internet addiction are 8 times more likely to be depressed, 9 times more likely to have anxiety, and 14 times more likely to experience both of these mental health concerns.
Join attorneys Becky Howlett and Cindy Sharp as they present strategies designed to help attorneys manage and even unplug from the digital world - ethically and mindfully.
In this timely program, we will explore:
Dangers of digital addiction on mental health and well-being
Ethical ramifications of mismanaged use of technology, including relevant Model Rules of Professional Conduct
Suggestions for creating an organizational digital policy
Specific steps to mindfully disconnect from the digital world
ChatGPT CLE
ChatGPT in the Legal Field: Benefits, Pitfalls, and Ethical Considerations
Join Attorneys Cynthia Sharp and Rebecca Howlett in this cutting-edge CLE course exploring the benefits, pitfalls and potential ethical considerations as you incorporate ChatGPT into your legal practice. Through real-life examples, we will examine how ChatGPT can enhance legal research, drafting, client communication and even marketing. Don't miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the law. The presenters provide tips on how to comply with the Model Rules of Professional Conduct while integrating ChatGPT into their daily practice lives. Our discussion will include details about MRPC 1.1, 1.3, 1.6 and 5.3 and their relevance in the AI context.
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Mindfully leveraging technology such as ChatGPT can help promote attorney wellbeing by providing lawyers with an effective means to help reduce workload and stress. For example, ChatGPT can help streamline workflow and communication processes, which can have far-reaching positive effects on reducing the anxiety of uncertainty and managing client expectations. Ultimately, harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT lends itself to more balanced work-life integration, including more time for self-care, family, and friends.
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Learning objectives include:
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Understand the capabilities of ChatGPT and how it can be used in the legal setting to enhance efficiency.
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Identify the benefits and pitfalls of using ChatGPT in legal practice.
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Discussion of issues related to bias, accuracy, and confidentiality when using ChatGPT.
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Understand the ethical considerations that arise when using ChatGPT with references to relevant Rules of Professional Conduct.
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.
How to Mindfully Take Charge of Your Digital Life
Although technology can help us maximize our efficiency, we must be vigilant that our technology use isn't leading to addictive behavior that can severely harm our personal and professional lives. Here we explore the mental health dangers of Internet addiction, as well as targeted strategies to help you mindfully wield your digital devices in all aspects of your life.
ChatGPT: What Lawyers Needs to Know Before Using AI
Prediction: Artificial Intelligence like ChatGPT will be mainstays of the legal field in just a few years. Don't get left behind. Explore the limitless possibilities of using ChatGPT in your law firm today. Gain a basic understanding of what ChatGPT is and how you can best leverage it as a lawyer, including best practices, risks and limitations, and ethical implications.
RESOURCES
Grounding Meditation to Promote Calm
Attorney and certified meditation instructor Becky Howlett guides participants in a visualization mediation using the five senses. Grounding is a helpful technique to cope with distressing moments and calm yourself if you are experiencing anxiety, frustration, or traumatic memories.
The Legal Mindset Corner: Sharing The Latest On AI And Its Impact On The World Of Law
Becky Howlett and Cynthia Sharp are joined by attorney and ChatGPT expert, Marc Hoag. who runs a boutique law practice focused on AI law. Here we discuss why Marc believes any law firm not embracing AI technology will be dead or dying by 2025, how attorneys should go about using AI right now and much more!