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Course Details

Course Information
  • smart_display Format

    Interactive E-Learning

  • signal_cellular_alt Difficulty Level

    Beginner

  • work Practice Area

    Professional Skills

Date & Time
  • event Date

    Tuesday, May 21, 2024

  • schedule Time

    1:00 PM E.T.

  • timer Program Length

    60 minutes

Credit Information

  • This 60-minute webinar is eligible in most states for 1.0 CLE credits.

$125.00

This course is $0 with these passes:

CLE
ALL
PS

Strong communication skills are a hallmark for top lawyers. This series equips you with essential techniques for managing difficult conversations, crafting persuasive emails, and tailoring your messages to diverse audiences. You'll also learn how to use storytelling to make your points more compelling and memorable—skills that are invaluable in every legal setting. 


Course Format and CLE Credit Information

This course includes two types of learning components:

  • A 60-minute webinar, which is eligible for CLE credit in most jurisdictions (subject to individual state approval)
  • A set of interactive self-study eLearning modules, which are not eligible for CLE credit

While the total course duration is approximately 116 minutes, only the 60-minute webinar may qualify for CLE credit. CLE credit is awarded only for participation in the webinar, and credit eligibility may vary by state. We recommend verifying credit eligibility with your specific state bar or accrediting authority prior to enrollment.

Faculty

Jeffrey Cunningham
Attorney
McAngus Goudelock & Courie LLP

Mr. Cunningham’s practice focus runs the gamut of professional liability exposures but with a particular emphasis on lawyers. He defends lawyers and acts as outside General Counsel to solo to mid-sized law firms across the U.S. For over a decade, Mr. Cunningham has defended industry professionals in a wide range of professional liability, ethics and professional disciplinary matters. His extensive background in civil litigation includes commercial disputes, varied malpractice claims, D&O liability, employment and labor law, catastrophic personal injury, premises liability and products liability. With an emphasis on simple systems of risk management, Mr. Cunningham brings a holistic approach of protecting his clients before problems occur. He produces a weekly newsletter and daily blog, Point One: A Bite of Ethics a Day Keeps Legal Malpractice Claims Away, as well as the world’s only ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct-based meme page, The Model-Rule-Meme-A-Day. A life-long learner and teacher, Mr. Cunningham presents CLE courses on varying topics of law firm risk management and ethics.

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Description

Course Modules and Webinar Include:

  • Difficult Conversations (8 min) Difficult conversations are a reality of the workplace. Avoiding these conversations can have negative consequences—for you, your colleagues, and the firm. When we view these conversations as opportunities rather than obligations, we can use them as tools to strengthen relationships and make a positive impact. In this module you'll learn how to apply the "Seven A's" and face difficult conversations head-on to get the best results.
  • Communicate! – Part 1: Preferences and Channels (11 min) You know how important communication is in your practice. And you know that senior lawyers expect you to communicate clearly, professionally, and proactively. But what does that mean exactly, and how do you do it? In this module, part one of a two-part series, we explore communication preferences and how you can optimize your use of the communication channels available in the firm.
  • Communicate! – Part 2: Being Proactive (9 min) Communicating proactively with senior lawyers, peers, and clients is a highly valued trait in the firm. But what does "communicating proactively" actually mean? And how do you go about doing it? In this module, part two of a two-part series, we explore the importance of anticipating the need others have for information and take a deeper dive into how you can be a more proactive communicator in your day-to-day practice.
  • Writing Effective Emails (16 min) The emails you write say a lot about you … for better or for worse. In this module we explore how to draft emails that are easy to read and understand and that demonstrate your professionalism, your clarity of thought, and your ability to communicate effectively and respectfully of others' time.
  • Communicating With Storytelling (12 min) Storytelling can be a pivotal skill for effective legal advocacy, engaging audiences from the courtroom to the conference room. How can you leverage the art of storytelling to make complex or mundane concepts accessible and compelling? In this module you'll explore the art of crafting engaging narratives and learn why storytelling is not just an art but a strategic tool.
  • Webinar: Informal Written Communication Skills for New Attorneys in a Digital Age: Drafting Emails, Texts, Instant Messages This CLE webinar will instruct new lawyers on the art of drafting clear and concise informal communications, including emails, texts, and instant messages (IMs), that are audience-appropriate and persuasive. The panel will also address privilege and ethical considerations.

Outline

I. Pre-drafting considerations

A. Understanding your audience

B. Organizing your ideas

II. Selecting the right medium (email, text, IM)

A. Advantages and disadvantages of each

B. When to use which type of medium

C. Setting client expectations

III. Drafting a persuasive message

A. Tone

B. Clear, concise, and to the point

C. Word choice

  1. Legal vs. nonlegal terminology
  2. Slang, emojis, acronyms, and idioms

D. Level of explanation required

IV. Privilege and ethical considerations

V. Review and revision

VI. Practitioner takeaways

Benefits

The panel will review these and other key considerations:

  • What pre-drafting considerations should be made before drafting any informal communication, and how do these differ based on the audience?
  • Under what circumstances should certain methods of communication be used? Be avoided?
  • What ethical and privilege issues should lawyers consider when selecting a method of communication and before drafting the communication?
  • What are best practices for drafting a persuasive message?