Performance & Workshop Schedule
Answers to
Frequently Asked Questions
For almost 2400 years training in the rhetorical arts was the
essential element of legal education in western culture. In 1870,
with Christopher Columbus Langdell as Dean of the Harvard Law
School, law began to be taught in the United States as a science.
Hundreds of years of a rich rhetorical tradition and teaching
of the law as an art were thrown out of law schools with the
advent of this "new" technological training. For over
a century now, lawyers have been trained primarily as technicians.
The examinations taken for entrance to law schools dwell almost
exclusively on technical, analytical and linear thinking to the
exclusion of all other modes of mental behavior. The testing
of students in law school and for the bar continues to be dominated
by this mode of thinking. Consequently, much of the practice
of law has become the "processing" of the law and,
in the processing, the profession has lost much of its traditional
creativity, historical civility and many of the highest aspirations
of professionalism.
Lawyers today are in desperate need of different ways of thinking in order to solve, not only the complex problems brought to them by clients, but their personal problems and the problems of the profession as well. But, in order to do this, lawyers must enter the professional field as "whole brain" and not just linear thinkers. Though "thinking like a lawyer," using analytical and linear thinking, is an important part of legal training and practice, it is only a part of a much larger whole. Lawyers need to have at their disposal ALL of the historic rhetorical and artistic elements and tools available in the culture and need the skills to apply them in practice. This workshop takes participating lawyers back to the historical roots of the legal profession to explore many of those traditional elements.
The Art of the Law: A Workshop in Professionalism for Lawyers, facilitated by Anna Marie Thatcher, J.D. and Graham Thatcher, addresses many issues, concerns and problems that fall under the realm of "ethics and professionalism" but are rarely addressed in programs for lawyers. It is based on the premise that the practice of law is fundamentally an ART and not a science or technology and explores how many of the problems in the realm of "professionalism" relate to the narrow ways of thinking which have dominated legal education and law practice over the past century. The program uses "art" and "artist" as metaphoric tools to help lawyers see themselves and their vocations and the problems of the profession from a new perspective. It provides a more intensive experience for participants than more traditional CLE programs and seeks to get to the roots of many professional problems, rather than only deal with the symptoms. It is a participatory program which includes interactive exercises and activities that directly engage the participants in the learning experience. It includes exercises which help the participants explore their own personal creative resources and offers them practical applications of the mental tools to do the work that lawyers do. The goal is that participants will return to work with a fresh perspective on the profession and its values and a renewed energy and enthusiasm for their own work as professionals.
The Art of the Law: A Workshop in
Professionalism for Lawyers
can be presented as a half day or full day program, but
is even more effective when scheduled as a one and half or two
day "retreat." CLE credits for the half and full day
programs range from three to eight hours depending on state requirements
and the schedule requested by the sponsoring organization.
|
The Art of the Law: A Workshop in Professionalism for Lawyers has been approved for CLE credit (including Ethics credit) in several states. Performances and related study materials are available for law school and legal conference programs. We are happy to assist in filing a CLE application for your organization. |
- What Your Colleagues Are Saying . . .
"[The Thatchers] are extremely interesting and well educated. The topic and possible solutions were timely and challenging. The theatrical production was a great introduction to the seminar. The bibliography in the course materials is excellent. It's nice to know these issues are being discussed seriously in the legal profession." (Attorney, Wichita KS)
"Professionalism is a topic that needs more attention by lawyers. In some ways our profession has lost its soul. Programs like this help me realize that we're not so far down the slope we can't reverse course. Thanks!! I know the practice of law is a business, but it is first a PROFESSION." (Attorney, Wichita KS)
"Good material - It is nice to discuss ethics in a broader manner than the limits of legal ethics." (Attorney, Wichita KS)
This was wonderful - a refreshing approach to CLE and much appreciated!! I hope we can extend another invitation to the Thatchers for next year. There are still members of our Bar Association who are unaware of this tremendous opportunity and should be given another chance for this experience!" (Attorney, Wichita KS)
I would attend another of your symposiums or programs!" (Attorney, Wichita KS)
A breath of fresh air! Thank you!" (Attorney, Wichita KS)
"Undoubtedly one of the best seminars I've attended." (Attorney, Wichita KS)
"Bring them back again." (Attorney, Wichita KS)
"Excellent!" (Attorney, Wichita KS
Clients Include . . .
© 2000, Anna Marie and Graham Thatcher
qqqq
qqqq
