Cutting Edge Law
Good news about law & the legal system. Innovation. Transformation. Integrative Law To that, they add many other skills and different fields of knowledge.
Cutting Edge Law reflects the emerging trend to see law as more holistic and human. We are integrative lawyers with the same analytical legal training and skills as other lawyers. Often, integrative lawyers have studied other disciplines - psychology, human dynamics, organizational development, neuroscience, coaching, etc. - which they incorporate into their practices. Compassion, empathy, conflic
Over 300 students, lawyers, academics, and other stakeholders from across the globe had the good fortune to learn about and share their contributions in this respect at this year’s Annual Conference on Legal Issues in Social Entrepreneurship and Impact Investing, hosted by the Impact Investing Legal Working Group & the Grunin Center at New York University (the “Grunin Conference”) on June 4th and 5th, 2024....
This year’s Conference highlighted two additional tools for shared-value contracting:
The Conscious Contracts® Process is a values-based, relational model of contract formation practiced around the world that advocates for a shift in the relationship between contracting parties from adversarial to partnership, and often a shift in the drafting process from narrative to visual. Discussing this Process at the 2024 Conference was a logical outgrowth of the Vested® conversation at the 2023 Conference. Among other elements, a Conscious Contract is in plain language (not legalese), is clear on expectations, represents an alignment of interests between the parties, and is a living document that can evolve as their relationship evolves. Co-founder Linda Alvarez wrote about the process in Discovering Agreement: Contracts That Turn Conflict Into Creativity; Kim Wright included a section in her book, Lawyers as Changemakers, the Global Integrative Law Movement; and the model itself has been discussed in various business books, including Lead Together: The Bold, Brave, Intentional Path to Scaling Your Business by Brent Lowe, Susan Basterfield, and Travis Marsh.
https://impactentrepreneur.com/shifting-power-dynamics-in-investing/
06/06/2024
Another pioneer has passed away. Daniel Bowling made a big difference in the legal system.
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In 1999, a few of us were talking about this paradigm shift in law that we were experiencing. We saw a more humane and peace-focused profession arising. We had a lot of ideas about what we might do to support, even midwife, it. Bryden Manning, Carolyn E. Hansen and I thought maybe we could start a consultancy project.
I had read a book by Joseph Jaworski, a retired lawyer turned consultant (and one of my heroes). He talked about the renaissance that was happening in education, psychology, and more. He did not mention law and that bugged me.
We decided to call our organization, Renaissance Lawyer. (We'll show him!) The Renaissance Lawyer website I created reached 100,000 unique visitors in 2000. Bryden was tied up with the demands of family and stepped away. Carolyn went on to become a board member and actually filed the corporate documents of the new organization, The Renaissance Lawyer Society. I have made the paradigm shift the core of my life's work (so far).
As they say, the rest is history. That site let lawyers know they were not alone. In 2009, I was declared a "Legal Rebel" (their designation for visionary changemakers) by the American Bar Association and they asked me to write a book about this budding movement. (It was the first of three ABA books.) This paradigm shift now has a lot more mass and is in the process of infiltrating the mainstream.
Over the years, we kept in touch, mostly on their birthdays, not nearly enough but there were touchpoints along the way.
A few weeks ago, on her April birthday, I discovered that Carolyn had passed away in December. Today, on Bryden's birthday, I learned that she died less than a month ago. I am so grateful for their vision and the support they gave me for my crazy ideas all those years ago. I'll tag their obits and some others in the comments. May they rest in Peace.
15/02/2024
https://sps.columbia.edu/events/necr-webinar-series-restorative-justice-special-jurisdiction-peace
NECR Webinar Series: Restorative Justice in the Special Jurisdiction for Peace During our February webinar, special guest Dr. Ariel Sánchez Meertens, Head of the Restorative Justice Office for the Special Jurisdiction for Peace …
25/10/2023
My Niche: An Integrative Law Practice Where Values Matter Those who have followed my work know that I have always marched to a different drumbeat. What you may not realize is that my drumbeat is based on my values, and I design my life to align with what matters most to me.
06/09/2023
The criminal justice system is broken. Restorative justice can help fill the gap. Inside a movement that aims to bring accountability and healing to the justice system.
31/08/2023
Register now for the first Earth Law Symposium, September 14 & 15, co-hosted by the The George Washington University Law School's Environmental and Energy Law Program & Earth Law Center. We are so honored to co-host this major event covering developments in Earth law.
Topics include the Rights of Nature, rights of future generations, rights to a healthy environment, laws prohibiting ecocide, ecocentric Ocean law, Indigenous legal frameworks and rights, the public trust doctrine, animal rights, and more (agenda).
The symposium is the week before Climate Week NYC (Sept. 17-24), so travelers should consider stopping by DC on your way to New York City. This event is in-person only with full recordings released later on. Please invite everyone you know! Email [email protected] to inquire about large group visits.
Day 1: Thursday, September 14, 12:15pm - 4:15pm
Day 2: Friday, September 15, 9:00am - 3:30pm
Earth Law Symposium | GW Law | The George Washington University Leading Earth law practitioners and academics are exploring the cutting-edge legal movement for restoring a dynamic equilibrium between people and the planet.
14/08/2023
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3679669406/
Earth Island Institute hiring General Counsel in Berkeley, California, United States | LinkedIn Posted 10:15:20 PM. Earth Island Institute descriptionEarth Island Institute is a nonprofit environmental organization…See this and similar jobs on LinkedIn.
09/07/2023
https://www.winsummit.com/we-are-hiring/executive-director
Now Hiring - Executive Director | WIN Summit WIN Summit in New York City is looking for our next Executive Director. Apply today!
30/06/2023
Or maybe conference planning is more your cup of tea?
NACRJ Event Coordinator - NACRJ NACRJ seeks qualified candidates for the contracted position of Event Coordinator. To apply, please complete this form and submit a resume and cover letter. Thank you
30/06/2023
The Grunin Center has job openings. Is one of them yours?
Executive Director - NYU Law Grunin Center for Law and Social Entrepreneurship A Full Time job in New York, NY by New York University School of Law in the Executive field: Executive Director - NYU Law Grunin Center for Law and Social Entrepreneurship
31/05/2023
"To make a change, we had to change" Norway's recidivism rate is currently around 20%. It was at 70% in the 1980s.We talk to Norwegian Prison Officers about the systemic shift that occurred acro...
05/03/2023
If you or someone you know is highly motivated, has a passion for social change, and a drive to work in an international environment, then HiiL could be the next stop. We’re currently searching for a Program Manager to join our Justice Innovation Labs team.
Applicants must demonstrate an ability to design and develop scalable justice services through HiiL’s Justice Innovation Labs. These labs consist of a structured series of creative sessions in which innovators and individuals from the public sector, private sector and civil society connect to design scalable services that improve access to justice across Africa, the Middle East but also in The Netherlands.
Are you, or someone you know, a good fit for this position? Then, comment below, share with your network and apply at https://recruitment.portal.hiil.org/
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27/10/2022
Stunned to read the news of the loss of Peter Gabel. Condolences to all who loved him.
Peter Gabel Part 1 Integrating Law, Politics, and Spirituality
11/10/2022
Job opening: Director, Stanford Negotiation and Mediation Program.
Director, Gould Negotiation and Mediation Program, Stanford Law School in Stanford, California, United States The Martin Daniel Gould Center for Conflict Resolution at Stanford Law School invites applicants for the position of Director of the Gould...
The second episode of series 3 with Marcello Rodante is live!
14/08/2022
Another creative family lawyer who saw a need and a way she could help.
Lessons in heartbreak: I coach women to get over their ex A shocking moment in a divorce court prompted Aronke Omame to switch careers and become a break-up coach.
"Our findings suggest the value of educating litigants about legal procedures, helping them develop realistic expectations for what each procedure can entail for their situation, and helping them make informed decisions about whether to attend their procedures.
The findings also highlight the role that lawyer involvement and efficient case disposition play in terms promoting satisfaction and perceived fairness from the litigant viewpoint.
…
Courts can institute rules that require attorneys to discuss all legal procedures that are available to their clients. Ideally, such rules would encourage lawyers to start these discussions early in the litigation process and revisit them at various points as the case develops."
Shestowsky’s Study Supports Value of Lawyers’ Early Education of Clients About Their Procedural Options | Indisputably Shestowsky’s Study Supports Value of Lawyers’ Early Education of Clients About Their Procedural Options July 28, 2022 John Lande Leave a comment For a long time, Donna Shestowsky has conducted empirical studies of litigants’ perceptions about dispute resolution processes. CPR’s Alternatives ...
27/07/2022
On Friday, we said good-bye to Quinnipiac extern, Jen Guzzardi. We wish her well on her summer holiday and look forward to seeing her back at Quinnipiac for her last year of law school!
Ilze Olckers, Rhiannon Thomas, and I had a planning session for the upcoming Cape Town gathering in September. More details to come soon!
27/07/2022
Do you have a legal design that is actually being used? We've redesigned and retooled and are now accepting submissions!
LAWYERS AS DESIGNERS is an online gallery that showcases innovative legal design solutions to legal problems or challenges. This will eventually lead to an edited book filled with examples and community feedback hosted on this website.
We are interested in short, visual demonstrations of how design can provide different solutions – check out our examples or submit your own work.
We want to try to showcase a broad and representative range of the work that lawyers do as designers.
All submissions will be reviewed, and we may come back and ask questions or for more information. Please ensure that you have the full legal and moral rights and permissions in place before you submit any materials.
More at: https://lnkd.in/d7mJDj9W
LAWYERS AS DESIGNERS – A Collaborative Web-based Project on the Road to Being a Book HomeLegal documents and solutions can be creativeLAWYERS AS DESIGNERS is an online gallery that showcases innovative legal design solutions to legal problems or challenges. This will eventually lead to an edited book filled with examples and community feedback hosted on this website.We are intereste...
11/07/2022
Kim's at the Southern African Law Teachers Conference in East London. With Bronwyn Batchelor
The University of Fort Hare is the proud host of the 2022 Southern African Law Teachers Conference. The programme started today with a Research Methodology Workshop and a cocktail function this evening. The official opening is tomorrow.
Our Story
Cutting Edge Law is the professional presence of J. Kim Wright, J.D. The image above is Kim’s vision and reflects her work in the world. Kim is a leader in the integrative law movement.
Cutting Edge Law reflects the emerging trend to see law as more holistic and human. Integrative lawyers have the same analytical legal training and skills as other lawyers. To that, we add many other skills and different fields of knowledge. Often, integrative lawyers have studied other disciplines - psychology, human dynamics, organizational development, neuroscience, coaching, etc. - which they incorporate into their practices.
Compassion, empathy, conflict resolution, and healing are not taught in law schools, but are critical to the healthy practice of law.
Integrative lawyers work in ways that are aligned with their values and they help their clients do the same. They tend to be reflective, both personally and in groups, inquiring into not only the substance of law but also the purpose, the "why" behind the law, a broader, systemic picture. They want to make the world a better place. Many are exploring paths of personal and spiritual growth, taking care of their own well-being and being more present and effective for their clients. Often, integrative law is referred to as a more conscious way to practice law.
Are you a 'weird' lawyer or are you actually a pioneer in new ways of practicing law? Can you imagine a profession based on peacemaking, healing, and problem-solving? Do you see that the legal system needs to evolve? Are you part of manifesting those changes? Or maybe you want to be. Come join us in this exploration.
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