The Future Is Now – It’s Time To Be The Answer
This May, nearly 400 legal professionals attended the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism’s The Future Is Now: Legal Services 2.018 Conference. This year’s speakers addressed a wide array of topics including diversity and inclusion, legal technology, data and analytics, artificial intelligence, and access to justice.
Though each speaker addressed varying problems in the legal profession, all had one thing in common. As Toussaint Romain put it, each of the speakers was the answer. They saw a problem and tackled it head on to find a solution.
As a profession, lawyers are called to lead. Regardless of your practice area or job title, lawyers have an obligation to serve, and through service be an answer to a legal problem, our clients, and the public at large.
Below, we’ve shared a few examples of lawyers leading the charge. Inspiring, right? Now it’s your turn. Get out there, and the be answer.
Lawyers Are The Answer
- Every lawyer has a professional responsibility to provide legal services to those unable to pay. So, what can you do to assist in closing the access to justice gap? Do something that inspires you. Be the answer. https://www.2civility.org/answer-access-to-justice-gap-blog/
- If we want to move the needle forward on diversity and inclusion, we need to get intentional in mentoring, sponsoring, and training diverse attorneys. https://www.2civility.org/the-future-is-now-for-diversity-and-inclusion/
- When he’s not teaching trial advocacy in Ireland or at Chicago-Kent College of Law, this attorney works as a partner and trial lawyer at Goldberg Weisman Cairo. Meet Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism Commissioner Lance Northcutt. https://www.2civility.org/commissioner-spotlight-lance-northcutt/
- This pilot program assists self-represented litigants seeking uncontested divorces, in hopes of simplifying the court process for court-goers in one trip. https://www.2civility.org/22-circuit-launches-erp-pilot-program/
- We have the tools and technology at our fingertips to create an impact. Now is the time to be a data-driven lawyer. https://www.2civility.org/data-driven-law-practice-starts-now/
Content That Inspires Change
- If adopted, North Carolina will become the second state to require a technology CLE requirement. https://www.2civility.org/north-carolina-technology-training/
- New research from the CLOC found that in-house legal departments across the country are taking steps today to create a more inclusive legal profession for tomorrow. https://www.2civility.org/cloc-legal-department-diversity-report/
- This month’s #LawyerSpotlight thinks lawyers in his practice area will be spending less times in the courts for litigation, but rather online using alternative dispute resolution. Meet Chicago lawyer Champ Davis. https://www.2civility.org/champ-davis-davis-mcgrath-llc/
- Next month, the Illinois Lawyers’ Assistance Program is hosting its annual training program in Chicago and in Carbondale, Illinois. The program equips attorneys with the tools they need to help colleagues in need who are struggling with mental health and substance abuse issues. https://www.2civility.org/lap-annual-training-carbondale-chicago/
--------------
I currently serve as the Communications Specialist of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism, essentially the brains behind all of 2Civility’s communication platforms.
I spend my days developing strategies that work to increase our social presence across all digital media channels, bringing a fresh take on our brand’s methods of engagement and strengthening the Commission’s level of influence amongst the legal profession online. However, my focus isn’t solely digital. I also works to enhance the Commission’s reputation through more traditional methods as the primary media relations contact, developing and maintaining relationships with local and national media as well as other legal professionals and influencers across the globe.
Recent legal news pieces I’ve published include:
- LAP Hosts Annual Training in Carbondale and Chicago
- North Carolina Considers Adopting Mandatory Technology Training
- The Future Is Now: Lawyers Take Action
- CLOC Releases Corporate Legal Department Diversity Report
- 22nd Circuit in McHenry County Launches ERP Pilot Program
For more information about 2Civility blogs and news, visit our Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism website and subscribe to our company LinkedIn page.
