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In Fundamentals of Lawyer Leadership: A Skills Guide to Professional Identity Formation, we explore the aspects of leadership and professional identity formation that take root and begin to grow while students are in law school and throughout their lifelong journey as practicing attorneys and professionals. We like to describe professional identity and its formation as the process of becoming a complete lawyer; however, honing the skill sets of a complete lawyer takes time and study. Just as developing legal skills is a life-long endeavor, growing as a leader is a process that evolves over a lifetime.
To become whole, healthy, skilled professionals, it is imperative that lawyers engage in a process of lifelong learning. That journey begins in law school, where professors help guide students not only in the formation of their professional identities, but also to develop as effective, thoughtful leaders. This process is vital, not merely as an ABA requirement, but to ensure the future of the profession. For students to develop as both professionals and leaders requires a personal, practical, and reflective approach to the issues. This ownership of continuous professional growth toward excellence, grounded in a service-oriented approach is a cornerstone of preparedness for leadership, and therefore, development as a lawyer.
This textbook begins with professional identity formation and foundational leadership and what each means. In Part II, Leadership of Self: Growing into Leadership, the leadership journey requires looking inward to examine who you are, what type of lawyer you want to be, and how you will lead. In Part III, Leadership with Others: Effective Group Dynamics, the book covers topics such as building and nurturing relationships, developing emotional and cultural intelligence, becoming a valuable member of teams, civility, civil discourse, and creating inclusive environments. Finally, in Part IV, Leadership within Community: Service and Impact, the book examines the role of the lawyer in society, including crisis management, how to be prepared for moments of opportunity, and how you can use your skills to have influence and impact others. Contributing your energy to worthy causes about which you are passionate will bring purpose and satisfaction to your life.
The authors are available to advise any law school faculty who plan to teach a leadership course and would be happy to discuss the lessons they’ve learned in teaching leadership. Their contact information will be provided upon request.
Highlights of Second Edition:
- Incorporates more clearly the ABA’s requirements for professional identity formation (PIF)
- Discusses the intersection of that concept with leadership
- Provides a practical skills approach to becoming a professional
- Includes an overview of lawyers’ professional identity and formation as a first step to influence and impact through leadership
- Adds material on new topics, including:
- Civility and Civil Discourse
- Character Development o Addressing Fear, Failure, and Feedback
- Preparing for the future through innovation
- Design theory
- Technology
- The business of lawyering and marketing/branding
- Addresses the disruptions facing the profession (via changes such as artificial intelligence) and suggests a way forward
- Takes a fresh look at the issues facing those who would join the profession and gives meaningful, relevant guidance to prepare lawyers to be their best as they serve their clients and communities
- A modular nature due to its multipartite organization, making the book uniquely adaptable for different settings, including:
- Leadership as a full course, incorporating a module into doctrinal courses, or providing leadership training in a professional development setting, and more
- A roadmap for teaching these concepts in an easy-to-understand manner that allows for flexibility and adaptability via its teaching framework
- A book and comprehensive resources written and designed for both new and experienced professors
- The emphasis of the themes of life-long professional development, lawyers’ ethical obligations, and service throughout
