Navigating Legal Ethics and Mindfulness for a Bias-Free Legal Practice
This course delves into the legal ethics surrounding bias, focusing on Rule 8.4(g) of the Model Rules of Professional Conduct (MRPC). Attorneys will explore the distinction between explicit and implicit bias and examine their impacts on the practice of law. The course also delves into the science of implicit bias, its measurement, and strategies to mitigate its effects. Participants will engage in mindfulness training and practice to increase self-awareness and address bias in their legal profession.Â
Key topics discussed:Â
• Understanding Bias: Explicit vs. Implicit BiasÂ
• Measurement of Implicit Bias: The Implicit Association Test (IAT) and other methodsÂ
• Mindfulness Training and Practice: Enhancing self-awareness and empathyÂ
• Identifying Personal Implicit Bias: Self-reflection and recognizing biasÂ
• Strategies to Reduce Bias Impact: Acknowledging blind spots and mitigating biasÂ
• Harmful Assumptions and Stereotypes: Recognizing and addressing stereotypesÂ
• Inclusive Speech in Legal Practice: Promoting diversity and inclusive communicationÂ
• Ethical Considerations and Legal Obligations: Compliance with MRPC 8.4(g)Â
• Creating an Inclusive Legal Practice: Strategies for fostering inclusivity in organizations and advocacy for equity
Legal Training Attorney, Focusing on Advocacy Tools and Resources That Help Professionals Fully Thrive.
Barbara Harris, BA, JD, CDE is the Disproportionality Attorney, Legal Training Coordinator for Washington State Office of Public Defense. Before assuming this position in January 2020, Barbara was WA’s Department Social Health Services’ Chief Review Judge of administrative hearing appeals for five years. Barbara has served as an administrative law judge for WA’s Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), and a judge pro tem in King County Superior Court. Barbara is committed to social justice and indigent representation. She is a past Senior Managing Attorney for the King County Bar Association’s Housing Justice Project and was a public defender for eight years with Associated Counsel for the Accused. Barbara attended Seattle University and Seattle School of Law. She is a credentialed Certified Diversity Executive through the Institute for Diversity Certification.
Director of Partnerships and Senior Podcast Producer
I have over a decade of multimedia experience as a desktop publisher, Livestream producer, PA announcer, webcast director, professor, emcee, and more. I am a radio broadcasting graduate with additional coursework in political science and journalism. I gained critical knowledge while shadowing veteran broadcasters. I have extensive training in creative writing, current affairs, freelancing, and story structure. I have crafted current affairs interviews with Justin Trudeau, Romeo Dallaire, Ed the Sock, Kenny and Spenny, and Mike MacDonald. I love working as a creative storyteller and having conversations with people from all walks of life. My goal is to connect with diverse voices and to foster discussions on complex issues while striving to make the conversations as accessible and inclusive as possible.
