9:00 – 9:05 am
Introduction
9:05 – 10:35 am
I Think, Therefore, I am…Biased
The human brain is wired to recognize patterns and make generalizations, even those based on faulty or incomplete information. And contrary to popular opinion, lawyers are human as well, and are just as susceptible to forming biases and acting upon them. And it does not require that we harbor ill will or animus toward other people. In fact, most often, our biases are not even our own, but rather those that have been taught to us.
In this eye-opening presentation, Sean Carter will use videos to show just how easy it is to form biases, how they manifest themselves in the way we treat clients, colleagues and opposing parties, and most importantly, how we can reduce the effect of these biases by recognizing and compensating for them.
Submitted for 2 EDI Credits
10:35 – 10:50 am
Stretch Break
10:50 – 11:40 am
From Competence to Excellence: The Ethical Imperative for Excellent Client Service
Sean Carter will review the competence requirement with an eye toward demonstrating that the ethical canon actually requires far more than mere competence on the part of practitioners. In doing so, he will discuss the:
- Four competencies (skill, preparation, knowledge, thoroughness)
- Importance of relevant past experience
- Preparation Paradox
- Different kinds of knowledge required by the rules
- Three keys to diligent representation (avoiding conflicts of interest, over-commitment and procrastination)
Submitted for 1 Ethics/Professionalism Credit
11:40 am – 1:00 pm
Lunch on your own
1:00 – 3:45 pm
(Including a 15-minute break)
The Fantasy Supreme Court League: The 2021 Season
Legal humorist Sean Carter will give his annual review of the most significant cases to come before the court this term, dealing with such hot-button issues as:
- Copyright protection for software programming interface conventions
- Fourth Amendment restrictions on police pursuits
- Eighth Amendment limitations on sentencing minors
- Free exercise of religious rights for adoption agencies
- Constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act
- Voting rights
- Sentencing on crack offenders
- Free speech rights of students while off-campus
- Privacy rights of charity donors
- Qualified immunity for law enforcement officers
- Compensation of college athletes
- And more!
3:45 pm
Adjourn