Empowering Lawyers for Leadership and Influence in Compliance with ABA Standards
This content explores how a Leadership Development Program at Baylor Law School satisfies the new ABA Standard by equipping graduates with the skills needed to excel as lawyers, leaders, and influencers. It delves into the importance of professional identity formation, ethical responsibilities, and the multifaceted role of lawyers in society. The program focuses on developing a complete lawyer who is not only a technical expert but also a wise counselor, effective leader, and trusted advisor.
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Leadership Development Programming Satisfies the New ABA Standard While Better Equipping Graduates for the Important Role of Lawyers as Leaders and Influencers Leah Teague (Leah_Teague@baylor.edu) Professor of Law Director of Leadership Development Program Baylor Law School 2023 Complying with ABA Standards conference Presented by the Institute for Law Teaching and Learning Hosted by Pacific McGeorge School of Law June 1, 2023
What the title should have been: Beyond ABA Compliance: Leadership Development to Equip Lawyers for Success, Service & Significance Leah Teague Professor of Law Director of Leadership Development Program Baylor Law School 2023 Complying with ABA Standards conference Presented by the Institute for Law Teaching and Learning Hosted by Pacific McGeorge School of Law June 1, 2023
Leadership Development satisfies new standards ABA Standard 303(b) provide substantial opportunities to students for the development of a professional identity. ABA Standard 303(c): provide education to law students on bias, cross- cultural competency, and racism. ABA Standard 508(b): provide students with information on law student well-being resources.
Why is PIF already in leadership developmen Lawyers lead! t for lawyers?
ABA Standard 303(b): Professional Identity Formation Lawyers role as leaders in society IS a fundamental part of lawyers professional identity! Lawyers Professional Obligation: ABA Model Rules Preamble service to clients AND special responsibility to society. Legal Profession s Influence on Society 1. The Lawyer as the Protector of the Rule of Law 2. The Lawyer as an Instrument of Positive Social Change 3. The Lawyer as a Community Servant 4. The Lawyer as Leader
A Complete Lawyer is: Technical legal expert Competent and striving for excellence Solves problems Acts with honor and integrity i.e., ethical lawyer who does the right thing even if it hurts Wise counselor Guided by moral, values, including care for self & others Provides principled advice Trusted by clients Effective and moral leader Builds relationship/community Inspires vision Resolves conflict Does the right thing even when no one is looking
What is leadership? Peter Northouse s definition of leadership: a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal. For all leaders: INFLUENCE and IMPACT For lawyer-leaders: OBLIGATION & OPPORTUNITY for INFLUENCE & IMPACT 7
Why is PIF already in leadership developmen Lawyers influence and impact: Clients Colleagues lawyers, judges, etc. Other professionals Communities t for Society lawyers?
What we know about leadership development: All lawyers will be in positions of influence and impact. You can teach leadership. Leader are made, not born. A law degree is a degree in leadership. Leadership training is necessary in law school. Leadership can easily be integrated into the curriculum and other programming. Leadership development includes PIF and then builds to equip with skills and competencies to serve and lead 9
Why Invest in Leadership Development? BENEFITS TO LAW STUDENT 1. Personal Growth toward self-actualization being best self. 2. Define identities & their values beyond ethics 3. Find meaning and purpose that leads to wellness & impact 4. Professional Development - Build competencies and skills for competitive advantage and success BENEFITS TO PROFESSION AND COMMUNITY 1. Creates sense of ownership of obligation 2. Inspires people to seek opportunities to help 3. Sparks innovation 4. Supports diversity efforts & encourages culture of belonging 5. Increases civic engagement 6. Improves civil discourse 7. Enhances involvement in community
ABA Standard 303(c): education on bias, cross-cultural competency, and racism Whole development of our students professional formation: Start with leadership of self and move to working well with others to meet professional obligation and see opportunities to make a difference: - Recognize bias/implicit associations in all of us - Understand emotional intelligence - Develop culture competency (sensitivity, humility) - Reflection upon values (benefits of diverse teams) - Importance of effective communication - - Civil discourse Artful listening
ABA Standard 508(b): provide information on law student well-being resources. Topics in leadership development: - self-assessment (preferences, perceived strengths and weaknesses) - develop emotional intelligence - reflect on their values (beyond professional responsibility rules) in act congruent with their values - techniques for better decision-making consistent with values (leads to happiness and satisfaction) - techniques for effectively dealing with difficult situations and challenging individuals (conflict management, difficult conversations) - goal-setting (plan for purpose and meaning in life - create legacy)
Common Objectives for Leadership Development: 1. Discuss role of lawyers as leaders: - Obligation to serve clients and communities with honor and integrity. - Opportunity to positively impact. 2. Self-awareness, self-assessment and self-regulation 3. Goal setting and strategic plan 4. Study leadership characteristics, competencies, skills, styles and strategies 5. Study organizational and human behavior: Looking for context and barriers 6. Develop cultural competencies, value differences, and foster inclusivity and belonging 7. Experiential learning through case studies, role playing, problem solving, etc.
8. Equipping for success in the practice of law and leadership: - Effective communication includes listening and empathy - Collaboration - Team Work & Building Teams - Building Relationships - Ethical Judgement - Managing Conflict - Crisis Management - Creativity, Innovation, Entrepreneurship - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (implicit bias) - Cultural Competency sensitivity, humility - Mentorship; Coaching; Sponsorships - Emotional Intelligence - Grit
Status of law schools engaged in leadership development 1/2 of American law schools have leadership development program or course All but a few of those were created in the last 10 years 15
An approach to leadership development Leadership of Self Leadership with Others Leadership within Community or Leadership with Purpose
Leadership of Self Leadership of Self Topics to explore through continual self-awareness, -reflection, - development and -assessment 1. Take ownership of lawyers professional obligation 2. Make every decision guided by their principled values honor and integrity 3. Courageously face challenges to get grittier 4. See the world with a growth mindset and value differences 4. Failing gracefully to see the growth potential 5. Gain resilience to bounce back higher 6. Seek feedback and embrace the process 7. Prioritize wellness
Leadership with Others Leadership with Others 1. Vision plus preparation is necessary to take advantage of opportunities. 2. Think strategically. 3. Effective communicators - listen to understand. 4. Create vision to inspire change 3. Relationships make magic happen 4. Emotional Intelligence builds bonds - stronger, productive working relationships 5. Cultural competency leads to sensitivity, diversity and belonging 6. Inclusive leadership invites innovation, encourages ownership, inspires dreams 7. Add value wherever you go
Leadership within Community Leadership within Community 1. Passionate service produces positive results 2. Service to others brings you peace and joy 3. Finding significance through living your best life 4. Legacy: using your time, talents and treasures to leave the world a better place
Leadership development starts with striving to be one s best self Growth Mindset + Grit leads to Resilience Feedback is necessary for growth Failing is part of growth so Fail with Grace Seek to add value and value others Results: Better COPING skills Leads to more SUCCESS (technical and relational competencies) Greater SATISFACTION ensues Resulting in HAPPIER, more PRODUCTIVE citizens Making a bigger IMPACT on the world
Example slides from various on Personal/Professional Identity Can use in: Orientation Professional Identity Professional Development Leadership Development
Exercise: What are your preferences? Are you watching [insert sport in season]? What is your favorite donut shop? What is your favorite hamburger chain? What is your favorite weekend activity? What is your favorite genre of music?
Exercise: Sign your name Now sign with the other hand if able
Draw a Circle Inside: Who are you?
Exercise to go with free version of MBTI (16Personalities.com) Questions to discuss in two groups: Introverts and Extroverts (How do you interact with your environment?): If you had an entire weekend free, how would you spend your time? Thinking vs. Feeling (How you make decisions and deal with emotions?) You are the leader of an organization. Due to budget cuts, you will need to eliminate one employee s position. How do you decide which person to lay off? Judging vs. Perceiving (How do you approach work, planning and decision-making?) You are leading a group of colleagues from your organization on a retreat. How do you go about planning it?
Growing Movement: Leadership Development in Law Schools: Survey of websites of ABA - accredited law schools to find leadership development Before 2014: - less than 10 85 programs and courses 2017 2022 2014 2019 37 programs and courses 100+ programs and courses
The objectives of the Baylor Law Leadership Development Program To encourage and assist law students to: 1. Embrace their professional identity as they serve clients & society with honor and integrity; 2. Develop competencies and skills to succeed; and 3. Boldly seek opportunities to be difference makers in the profession, their communities, and the world.
Three Main Parts: Leadership of Self: Growing into Leadership Leadership of Others: Effective Group Dynamics Leadership within Community: Service and Impact https://www.wklegaledu.com/Teague-Leadership
Blog: TrainingLawyersAsLeaders.or g
Emphasis on Professional Identity, Service, Leadership & Ethics throughout their three years: Orientation & Service Project Required 1styear Civil Discourse Workshop Required 1styear Introduction to Law and the Legal Profession Required Professional Development Program throughout Required 3rdPractice Court Program Leadership Engagement & Development (LEAD) course Award winning - 2022 ABA E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Award
Leadership Fellows recognized at graduation Complete the Leadership course 5 extra hours of Professional Development programming Active officer of a Baylor Law School student organization 25 hours of community service 45- hour leadership externship
The Lawyers Legacy: May Your Footprint Be Larger Than Your Foot -Professor Gerald R. Powell
