The Art of Communication Out of Stock
Effectively and Strategically Connecting with Clients, the Bench, and Opposing Counsel
Quantity
November 2015
The Art of Communication: Effectively and Strategically Connecting with Clients, the Bench, and Opposing Counsel
Presented by COBALT, the Colorado Bar Association's Leadership Training Program
Program Highlights:
- Dr. Bill Wallisch, a renowned speaker on Strategic Communications, will discuss clear messaging in communications, taking into account the audience receiving the message, and offer practical tips on how lawyers can implement these principles into effective documents and email communications with clients, opposing counsel, the judiciary and others.
- Anjali Nandi, Program Director at Center for Change, will provide skills and strategies for engaging in meaningful conversations with clients or individuals one-on-one that facilitate behavior change and assist in decision-making. These skills, which are grounded in Motivational Interviewing, are efficacious and are considered an evidence-based practice.
Program Description:
As lawyers representing clients, we are trusted with acting as advocates, counselors, advisors, and negotiators. The Colorado Rules of Professional Conduct require lawyers to be effective, strategic, and ethical communicators in these multiple contexts concerning clients and client matters, stating:
As advisor, a lawyer provides a client with an informed understanding of the client's legal rights and obligations and explains their practical implications. As advocate, a lawyer zealously asserts the client's position under the rules of the adversary system. As negotiator, a lawyer seeks a result advantageous to the client but consistent with requirements of honest dealings with others. As an evaluator, a lawyer acts by examining a client's legal affairs and reporting about them to the client or to others.
Being a lawyer means being an effective communicator. Yet, in an increasingly electronic age, what is effective communication and how do we measure our own effectiveness in keeping our clients informed as to complex issues, guiding them in making difficult decisions, and speaking on their behalf to others?
This half-day interactive seminar is designed to explore in depth the art of strategic communication. The faculty identifies and develops practical, effective, and necessary communication skills for lawyers, while evaluating communication styles and strengths. Whether practicing as a trial lawyer, transactional lawyer, litigator, or judge, communicating with clients, opposing counsel, affected parties, or the bench, is integral to the practice of law, to advancing the legal interests of the participants, and adhering to the Rules of Professional Conduct. Strategic, persuasive, and clear interpersonal and written communication advances the interest of the client.
This seminar introduces participants to specific theories and practice tips concerning improved written and electronic communications by lawyers and how to guide clients to make informed and often difficult decisions through conversation grounded in the concept of motivational interviewing. Both techniques introduce participants to specific, practical tools to implement into their varied practice areas and to identify habits that hamper communication.
This program is presented by COBALT, the Colorado Bar Association's leadership training program as part of its mission to enhance, promote, and inspire leadership throughout the Colorado legal profession.
About COBALT:
Launched by the Colorado Bar Association in 2007, COBALT has trained more than 150 lawyers throughout the state, sending them out into their local and legal communities as ambassadors for our profession. The six-month annual curriculum covers eight days, beginning with an initial leadership retreat, followed by five monthly workshops and a graduation ceremony. Each COBALT class includes approximately 20 lawyers of varying ages and experience, and from different parts of the state. Class members are selected based on their demonstrated leadership in and commitment to the legal profession. COBALT builds upon each participant’s leadership skills and promotes new leadership experiences by:
- Teaching accepted and recognized leadership skills and philosophies;
- Fostering professional relationships within the Colorado legal profession and the greater community;
- Promoting professional ethics and community service; and
- Raising awareness among lawyers of the broad range of issues and challenges facing the legal profession and our overall system of justice.
Agenda:
12:30-- 12:55 PM
Registration
1:00 -1:10 pm
Welcome by Loren Brown, CBA President
1:10 –2:30 pm
Effective Verbal Communication
Anjali Nandi
2:30 - 2:45 pm
Networking Break
2:45 – 4:45 pm
Strategic Communications
Dr. Bill Wallisch
4:45 – 5:00 pm
Closing Remarks from the Colorado Bar Association Leadership Training Program
Ben Currier
- CLE Pass Price *FREE! - exclusions may apply
- Standard Price $95.00 USD
- Member Price $85.00 USD
- General Credits 4.00
- Ethics Credits 0.00
- EDI Credits