Practicing Civility: Balancing Zealous Advocacy and Professional Respect
A live 60-minute CLE video webinar with interactive Q&A
This CLE webinar will explore the critical role of civility in restoring public trust in the rule of law and maintaining integrity in the legal profession. As growing polarization, mental health crises, and diminishing public perception threaten the profession, civility becomes more than outdated courtesy: civility remains essential to our profession's future.
Outline
- Introduction: a call to civility
- Why it matters: polarization, well-being
- Defining what civility is and isn't
- Civility vs. politeness and compliance
- Relation to model rules
- Uncivil conduct examples: Rambo lawyering," emotional triggers, reactive language
- Civility: communication, conduct, and attitude
- Written: legal writing, social media
- Spoken: court, depositions, hearings
- Behavior: demeanor, body language, interrupting, hostility, escalation
- Advocacy vs. aggression
- Zealous representation, respectful restraint
- Cousins: professionalism and civility
- Civility's relationship to bias
- Mental health, emotional triggers, and trauma
- Civility's role in maintaining healthy practice
- Behavioral techniques: mindfulness, breathing, pausing, reframing
- Renewed commitment and resources
- Formal civility pledges: Illinois' 2Civility.org, California Rule of Court 9.7, Georgia's "A Lawyer's Creed," etc.
- Resources
- Conclusion
Benefits
The panel will discuss these and other key issues:
- Civility as a foundational principle under the Model Rules and state MCLE ethics/professionalism guidelines
- Distinguishing zealous advocacy from incivility
- Improving emotional regulation in stressful interactions
- Communicating professionally in writing, in person, and online
- Connecting civility, trauma, and attorney well-being
- Personal commitments to promote civility in practice and mentoring
Faculty
Honorable Jon Schmidt
Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge
Minnesota Judicial Branch
Judge Schmidt was appointed to the Minnesota Court of Appeals by Governor Walz in September 2023. Before he joined the... | Read More
Judge Schmidt was appointed to the Minnesota Court of Appeals by Governor Walz in September 2023. Before he joined the court of appeals, his legal career included public service, private practice, clerking for two distinguished appellate jurists, and teaching appellate advocacy. As a Minnesota Court of Appeals Judge, he is committed to ensuring fairness and equal justice for all people.
CloseEarly Discount (through 08/22/25)
