The Civility Center for Law is committed to developing innovative CLE/CJE seminars, as well as custom presentations and other programs, to integrate civility more fully into the legal profession. In addition to our other distinguished staff and consultants, presenters at our seminars have included Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst and Justices Steven González and Mary Yu, as well as internationally renowned negotiation and mediation expert Professor Guiseppe de Palo.
Read more about the Civility Center's previous events below, or browse by category using the menu.
Intensive CLE/CJE seminars created for legal professionals offered in the United States and Italy.
View past CLE/CJE seminars »
Custom presentations and strategies designed to increase civility in law firms and other organizations of legal professionals.
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April 10, 2015
Pacific County Bar Association CLE
Pacific County, WA
Tim Jaasko-Fisher, Robert’s Fund Senior Director of Curriculum and Program Development, gave a presentation on fostering civility in the legal profession to the Pacific County Bar Association.
View the readings and resources for this seminar.
Download the seminar handout and Powerpoint.
March 19, 2015
East King County Bar Association CLE
Bellevue, WA
Paula Lustbader, Professor of Law, Seattle University School of Law; President of Robert’s Fund, gave a presentation on fostering civility in the legal profession to the East King County Bar Association.
View the readings and resources for this seminar.
Download the seminar handout and Powerpoint.
March 13, 2015
Seattle University School of Law
Seattle, Washington
Presenters Lisa Brodoff, J.D., Director, Ronald A. Peterson Law Clinic, and Associate Professor, Seattle University School of Law; Tim Jaasko-Fisher, J.D., M.A., Director of Programming and Curriculum, Robert's Fund; Paula Lustbader, J.D., President, Robert’s Fund; and Director of the Academic Resource Center and Professor, Seattle University School of Law; and Craig Sims, J.D., Chief of the Criminal Division, Seattle City Attorney’s Office facilitated this interactive and engaging CLE seminar. During this seminar, participants' enhanced their listening skills to foster civility in the legal profession; they examined the value of listening; they explored ways in which listeners demonstrate they have heard; they identified challenges to listening; they discussed strategies to improve listening skills, and they practiced effective listening. Click here for the Presentation PowerPoint, the handout, and a table of contents to the readings and resources.
Based upon their experience in the seminar, participants wrote:
I was inspired by all the presenters.
I loved the participation and active learning and the opportunity to connect lawyering to the rest of my life.
This should be a mandatory CLE for every attorney.
Great dialogue and openness. A wonderful day.
This was an awesome CLE- Thanks!
March 13, 2015
State of Washington Attorney General’s Office
Tumwater, WA
Mary E. Fairhurst, Justice, Washington State Supreme Court; Consultant for Robert’s Fund gave a presentation on fostering civility in the legal profession to the Attorney General’s Office as part of their CLE-Lite series.
August 8-9, 2014
Robert’s Fund would like to thank our wonderful participants and presenters Judge Paul Bastine, Dr. G. Andrew H. Benjamin, Professor Dave Boerner, Professor Lisa Brodoff, Justice Mary E. Fairhurst, Tim Jaasko-Fisher, Judge Eric Z. Lucas, Professor Paula Lustbader, Division Chief Craig Sims, Sumeer Singla, Susan Shulenberger, and Justice Mary I. Yu, M.A., J.D., Washington State Supreme Court.
In this 2-day intensive seminar, we explored and discussed characteristics of civility, the costs of incivility, the benefits of civility, the foundations of civility, and strategies to foster civility. Our group of engaging participants enriched the experience for all as they reflected upon the ideals of our profession, revitalized their commitment to their practice, and addressed relevant areas in their personal and professional lives to enable them to foster civility in their practice and promote justice for their clients.
Based upon their experience in the seminar, participants wrote that:
“I realized that we need to show respect and courtesy to others even if we can’t reach agreement.”
“This seminar confirmed that I need to listen and fill less space in the room as a leader.”
“I plan to create a habit of focusing on the issue behind the uncivil behavior than the than the behavior itself.”
“If I have to choose between the cleverest response and the kindest response, I will go with kindness.”
Robert’s Fund offers CLE/CJE seminars in Seattle every spring and summer. Learn more about upcoming seminars in Seattle
July 2014
Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Convention CLE
Justices Mary Fairhurst, Susan Owens, and Debra Stephens from the Washington State Supreme Court gave a presentation on civility in the legal profession.
July 2014
Washington State Office of the Attorney General
Tumwater, Washington
Robert’s Fund Assistant Director of Programming and Curriculum, Tim Jaasko-Fisher, and Division Chief at the State of Washington Attorney General’s Office, Gretchen Leanderson, presented a 90-minute workshop that focused on the overlap of professionalism and civility in the legal profession. Participants examined the nature of civility, the price we all pay for uncivil behavior, and the precursors that lead to incivility. They reviewed the Washington State Bar Association’s model for professionalism as well as Robert’s Fund’s model for promoting civility and opportunities to promote civility both personally and within the profession.
June 2014
Spokane County Bar Association
Gonzaga University Law School
Justices Mary Fairhurst, Debra Stephens, and Mary Yu from the Washington State Supreme Court gave a presentation on civility in the legal profession.
May 2014
Children’s Justice Conference
Spokane, Washington
Robert’s Fund Assistant Director of Programming and Curriculum, Tim Jaasko-Fisher, presented a 90-minute workshop designed to engage a multi-disciplinary group of professionals in an exploration of civility in the child welfare legal system. Participants examined the relationship of civility to various standards of professional conduct. Through facilitated discussions, participants considered how, at times, core principles of legal ethics sometimes seem incompatible with social-work ethics and how focusing attention on civility may help begin to resolve such issues. In addition, participants were also encouraged to consider the costs of incivility and the benefits of civility with a focus on how civility helps judges, lawyers, and other professionals not only to avoid misconduct, but also to better serve the interests of justice.
April 2014
Superior Court Judges’ Association
Skomania, Washington
Robert’s Fund consultants, Dr. G. Andrew H. Benjamin and Justice Mary Yu, gave a 2-hour workshop to help judges become better listeners. Judges are the symbolic heart and face of our justice system. When judges listen well, both civility and justice flourish. Often, judges can avoid protracted litigation and other potential problems by intervening early in cases when they suspect potential or actual incivilities between lawyers will escalate. Moreover, research has shown that a critical factor in our justice system is for litigants to feel heard. When people feel heard, they perceive that equitable process has occurred, even if the outcome of the litigation does not favor them. Such litigants are still much more satisfied with the Justice system than those who have felt unheard. Listening requires more than simply hearing spoken words. It requires us to approach the communication with openness, respect, and curiosity; to observe non-verbal communication and carefully read between the lines of written communication; and to consider the context of the situation and the speaker. In this interactive presentation, participants reviewed the value of listening, articulated ways in which listeners demonstrate that they have been heard, identified personal challenges they face as a listener, and discussed strategies to improve their listening skills.
March 2014
We'd like to thank our presenters David Boerner, Lisa Brodoff, Tim Jaasko-Fisher, Patricia Lally, Gretchen Leanderson, Paula Lustbader, Judge Richard R. McDermott, Craig Sims, and Catherine Walker as well as all the participants who engaged in this interesting and thought provoking seminar that explored the differences and similarities between ethics, professionalism, and civility; examine the relevant portions of the Washington Rules of Professional Conduct; and identify strategies to increase ethical, professional, and civil behavior within the profession.
“This CLE should be a required course for all Washington lawyers.”
Comments about the presenters included: “Great energy, [their] passion for [the] subject is contagious;” “excellent and very powerful; sparked a great conversation; and very creative.”
Based upon the seminar respondents said they plan to do the following: “To be a better example of a professional lawyer–represent integrity, ethics, and professionalism in dealing with people – [emulate] the golden rule.”
“Be grounded in [my]self and practice humility.”
“Mindfulness and self-care makes me a better attorney.”
Robert’s Fund offers CLE/CJE seminars in Seattle every spring and summer. Learn more about upcoming seminars in Seattle
January 2014
Children’s Law Institute
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Robert’s Fund Assistant Director of Programming and Curriculum, Tim Jaasko-Fisher, presented two 90-minute workshops designed to engage a multi-disciplinary group of professionals in an exploration of civility in the child-welfare legal system. Participants examined the relationship of civility to various standards of professional conduct. Through facilitated discussions, participants considered how, at times, core principles of legal ethics sometimes seem incompatible with social-work ethics and how focusing attention on civility may help begin to resolve such issues. In addition, participants were also encouraged to consider the costs of incivility and the benefits of civility with a focus on how civility helps judges, lawyers, and other professionals not only to avoid misconduct, but also to better serve the interests of justice.
January 2014
University of New Mexico, School of Law
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Robert’s Fund Assistant Director of Programming and Curriculum, Tim Jaasko-Fisher, presented to the UNM Law faculty a 90-minute program that featured an exploration of the nature of civility and the personal, economic, and societal costs associated with uncivil behavior, as well as a guided discussion about what can be done to promote civility on an individual and institutional level.
December 2013
Washington State Bar Association-NLE Personal Injury Section
Seattle, Washington
Robert’s Fund President, Professor Paula Lustbader, presented a 60-minute program focused on the costs of incivility, the benefits of civility, and the ethics of civility. Participants discussed ways to encourage clients to take a civil approach in order to reduce transaction costs and obtain more just and satisfying results.
August 2013
Robert's Fund would like to thank all who joined us for this seminar.
A key component of civility is increasing our awareness of how our culturally based assumptions and biases influence our interactions with others. Extensive research, especially in the field of anthropology, has facilitated a better understanding of how cultural differences impact our interactions. This seminar introduced the fundamentals of civility and key research about cross-cultural understandings. It also suggested practical approaches to achieve more effective cross-cultural encounters. A key part of the presentation was devoted to building the participants’ own cultural profile and familiarizing them with the fundamental societal values that shape how people think and act. This nuanced understanding will empower them to interact more effectively with people from other cultural groups, well beyond what anecdotes and stereotypes offer.
“Excellent speakers and a good use of my time.”
“Very informative seminar, lively and creative presenters.”
“One of the best presentations I have heard in my life.”
“Opened my eyes.”
Robert’s Fund offers CLE/CJE seminars in Seattle every spring and summer. Learn more about upcoming seminars in Seattle
July 2013
A 60-minute program presented for the SCBA.
May 2013
A 90-minute CLE program presented at the Williams Kastner Partner Retreat.
March 2013
This mural, created by 18 lawyers and judges during the April 2012 Civility Promise Seminar in Tuscany, is now installed permanently in Judge Mary Yu’s King County Superior Courtroom. It symbolizes the value of civility in the service of justice in our profession.
Many thanks to all who joined us at the mural unveiling! View the event recap
March 2013
Following the civility mural unveiling and reception in Judge Yu's courtroom, alumni of The Civility Promise seminars reconnected with each other over a sumptuous meal. Held in the Chinese Room at the historic Smith Tower in downtown Seattle, the dinner was accompanied by lively conversation and brief remarks from Professor Paula Lustbader, Robert's Fund President. All enjoyed a wonderful evening as they took in panoramic views of the city skyline and renewed their commitment to civility in the legal profession.
March 2013
A 30-minute CLE program tailored for the 19th Annual Family Law Conference of the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Seattle, WA.
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