Putting the ‘pro’ in professionalism
A unique professionalism seminar in April and a fall conclave of legal educators, bar admissions officials, law clinic instructors, and others to focus on reaching law students with professionalism ideals are on the agenda of the Bar’s Professionalism Committee.
The seminar, set for April 21 at the West Palm Beach Hilton, is titled “Putting the ‘Pro’ in Professionalism.” Registration for the event will open in January.
“This is going to be like no other CLE you’ve ever attended,” said Jacina Haston, director of the Bar’s Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism. “We will be talking about professionalism competencies. It’s going to be a great, dynamic program.”
Information has been posted on the center’s page on the Bar’s website, including that the seminar will look at emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and provide a 20-plus page behavioral assessment. The committee is actively seeking sponsors for the seminar, and information about sponsorships is also on the webpage.
Committee Chair Tim Chinaris recounted his plans for a professionalism summit next year to focus on the needs of law students. A committee workgroup — which he dubbed the “How To Be a Professional Workgroup”— would oversee the effort.
“The best time to reach law students and set the tone for what is expected of them is in law school,” he said. “The whole idea of this conference is to involve people from the law schools and the [Florida Board of] Bar Examiners and talk about what is going on, what works, what are the problems, how do people deal with them.”
Chinaris, who teaches at Belmont University College of Law in Nashville, said if Belmont sees a law applicant who might have a behavioral problem that could cause problems on a bar character and fitness review, the school suggests the applicant immediately contact the Tennessee Lawyers Assistance Program (like Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc.).
That’s only one idea, Chinaris said, with a larger aim “of how to do a better job of presenting graduates who are in a better position to not have professionalism problems.”
He said he’s approached Bar President Bill Schifino and President-elect Mike Higer and both are supportive, as is Michelle Gavagni, executive director of the Florida Board of Bar Examiners.
“The whole goal is probably in the fall of next year to try to have a conference that will invite people like the deans for student services or the academic deans from the law schools, representatives of the bar examiners, people who teach in the clinical program, people who deal with this stuff on a daily basis, and try to develop ideas,” Chinaris said.
To address Higer’s question of what results were expected, Chinaris answered, “The goal is to get some ideas that we haven’t thought of. I’m not predetermining an outcome. I think there are a lot of ideas and talent out there. Let’s put our heads together and come up with something that people can share and use.”
The committee met October 20 at the Bar’s Fall Meeting in Tampa.
