Traditional judicial education has focused mainly on the “substantive” aspects of judging, such as procedure, statutes, and case law, with little focus on the emotional/human relations aspects of judging.  As Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor wrote in My Stroke of Insight: A Brain Scientist’s Personal Journey, “Most of us think of ourselves as thinking creatures that feel, but we are actually feeling creatures that think.”  Ignoring this reality is unkind to judicial officers and detrimental to their professional conduct, especially in the area of judicial demeanor as set forth in the Model Code of Judicial Conduct Rules 1.2, 2.2, and 2.8. Thought Kitchen’s work is grounded in the belief that addressing the emotional experience of judging results in judicial officers who are not only healthier and happier, but who also make better decisions and behave in a way that is more aligned with the Model Code of Judicial Conduct.  This belief is supported by a growing body of research led by professor and scholar of judicial temperament, Terry Maroney of Vanderbilt University.  The course materials also include discussion of 2017’s The Path to Lawyer Well-Being: Practical Recommendations for Positive Change, published by the National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being as well as 2020’s Stress and Resiliency in the U.S. Judiciary, published in Journal of the Professional Lawyer.

Supplier Diversity: The Missing Piece of Your DEI Strategy Organizations, courts, and law firms have brought Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies to the forefront over the last few years with a goal of fostering an inclusive work environment for all. While boosting workplace diversity is important, focusing here alone ignores a critical piece of the DEI strategy – supplier diversity programs that promote an inclusive approach to procurement. After completing this program, participants will have a better understanding of what supplier diversity is and why it is important. They will gain an awareness of related policies, laws, and case law at the state and federal level, including the standard set forth in City of Richmond v. J. A. Croson Co., and they will gain knowledge to debunk the common myths the community of diverse businesses hear the most when trying to work with companies. Faculty: Lesley Crane and Megan Lawson, Thought Kitchen This is an on-demand recording and transcript of the live CLE that was presented on April 6, 2023. The program is approximately 1 hour long and has been approved by the Indiana Office of Admissions and Continuing Education for 1 hour of ethics CLE (Course 320407). Please note: This program is appropriate for anyone who would like to learn more about supplier diversity programs. This course is available for CLE credit until April 6, 2024. Cost: Freely offered