ALI – CLE: Understanding and Addressing Unconscious Bias in the Legal Profession

If you have a brain, you have implicit (unconscious) bias. Implicit bias is not always bad. Without it, it would be hard for anyone to make all the decisions that need to be made to get through a day. Implicit bias may limit your ability as a lawyer. If you draw conclusions based on implicit bias, you may be less effective in engaging with your colleagues, advocating for a client, getting a client, assessing a case, or arguing before a judge.

 

This enlightening webcast explains how implicit bias works, how it impacts your legal practice, and effective ways to minimize bias influences on your daily practice. In this program, we will discuss:

Overview of the state of diversity in the legal profession

The neurological basis for implicit bias

What factors may make it more likely that implicit bias will occur (such as stress)

What factors may make it less likely that implicit bias will occur (such as deliberate rather than reflective decision making)

How colleagues can raise concerns about implicit bias without specifically suggesting it

What can each of us do to minimize the risk and unintended impacts of implicit bias: What systems and strategies are effective

The faculty will answer questions submitted during the program. In addition, all registrants will receive a set of downloadable course materials.

 

Need Elimination of Bias or ethics credit?  This seminar qualifies for 1.5 to 1.8 Elimination of Bias, ethics, or general credit hours, depending on state requirements in MCLE jurisdictions that accredit live webcasts.

 

All attorneys, support staff, and related professionals will benefit from listening to this webcast on implicit bias and its practice impacts.