The legal profession is built on principled disagreement — yet today’s climate of polarization can make difficult conversations inside law firms, courts, agencies, and corporate legal departments feel more combustible than constructive. Topics such as abortion, immigration, gun regulation, affirmative action, climate policy, LGBTQ+ rights, and gender-affirming care can surface in client matters, workplace interactions, community leadership roles, and even everyday colleague conversations. When discussions become charged, the risk is more than discomfort: communication breakdowns can impact professionalism, teamwork, client service, and trust.
This interactive CLE equips attorneys and legal professionals with practical tools to engage across differences with clarity, civility, and “civil courage” — the ability to speak honestly while preserving dignity, respect, and psychological safety. Participants will learn techniques for discussing contentious issues without escalating conflict, stereotyping opposing viewpoints, or shutting down dialogue. The session includes structured, facilitated role-plays using realistic legal workplace and practice scenarios (e.g., client counseling, team disagreements, leadership decisions, public-facing moments, and cross-functional collaboration). Facilitators/neutral moderators support participants in practicing inquiry, framing, and response strategies that promote mutual understanding — even when agreement is not the goal.
Learning outcomes (participants will be able to):
- Distinguish viewpoint diversity from other forms of difference and understand why it matters in legal workplaces and client-facing roles
- Understand why viewpoint diversity is essential for a thriving law practice
- Apply practical frameworks for civil discourse in high-stakes, high-emotion settings
- Practice “civil courage” framework for responding to inflammatory statements, bias-laden assumptions, and tense moments while maintaining professionalism
- Recognize common derailers (moral injury triggers, identity threat, contempt spirals, performative debate) and intervene early
- Strengthen a culture of respect and belonging without demanding ideological conformity
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