The Civility Center for Law is committed to developing innovative CLE/CJE seminars, as well as custom presentations and other programs, to integrate civility more fully into the legal profession. In addition to our other distinguished staff and consultants, presenters at our seminars have included Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary Fairhurst and Justices Steven González and Mary Yu, as well as internationally renowned negotiation and mediation expert Professor Guiseppe de Palo.
Read more about the Civility Center's previous events below, or browse by category using the menu.
Intensive CLE/CJE seminars created for legal professionals offered in the United States and Italy.
View past CLE/CJE seminars »
Custom presentations and strategies designed to increase civility in law firms and other organizations of legal professionals.
View past custom programs »
July 11, 2017
Seattle, WA and via webcast
Tim Jaasko-Fisher, Senior Director of Curriculum and Program Development for Robert’s Fund gave a 1-hour presentation for the King County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division to approximately 20 members of the Young Lawyers Division.
I thought both the speaker and this CLE were highly informative, relevant, interesting, and engaging. I hope to see more CLE’s on this topic in the future. Thank you!
November 2016
Seattle, WA
Paula Lustbader, Professor Emerita of Law, Seattle University School of Law; President of Robert's Fund, gave a 90-minute presentation titled, The Ethics of Civility in the Legal Profession for a Professional Responsibility Class at Seattle University School of Law.
September 13, 2016
Seattle, WA
Paula Lustbader, Professor Emerita of Law, Seattle University School of Law; President of Robert's Fund, gave a presentation titled Fostering Civility in Law School and the Legal Profession for the University of Washington School of Law orientation program. This presentation was given to the entire entering class of the law school.
September 13, 2016
Seattle, WA
Paula Lustbader, Professor Emerita of Law, Seattle University School of Law; President of Robert's Fund, gave a presentation titled Civility in Negotiations for the King County Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution. The keynote presentation focused on civility in negotiations.
July 26, 2016
Seattle, WA
Paula Lustbader, Professor Emerita of Law, Seattle University School of Law; President of Robert's Fund and Tim Jaasko-Fisher, Robert's Fund Senior Director of Curriculum and Program Development, presented a live webcast on fostering civility in the legal profession for the Washington State Bar Association.
This 1.5-hour webcast-only event had one of the highest attendances of any Legal Lunchbox event with over 1600 registered attendees! The monthly series is targeted at members of the Washington State Bar Association.
Comments from participants included:
“I found the social and psychological research discussed as to the effects of incivility and its contagious nature to be incredibly informative. This was a particularly timely topic given the vitriolic tone of the current political campaigns.”
“Any discussion about civility is difficult because most persons, including myself, consider themselves to be civil and do not need a "Ms. Manners" refresher course. I found that the material was presented in a fresh, thoughtful manner. This presentation played to my bias in favor of speakers who present evidence based information.”
“Excellent content; of critical importance to the profession; well-presented, with a good balance of moral, practical, and philosophical considerations”
“I think every WA lawyer should be required to view this webinar – seemingly common sense approaches that unfortunately get forgotten. Really great presentation!”
January 26, 2016
InVigor Law
Seattle, WA
Presenter: Tim Jaasko-Fisher, Robert’s Fund Senior Director of Curriculum and Program Development
InVigor is a small boutique firm of 6 lawyers. This presentation was an hour-and-a-half discussion with the firm about how to promote civility within the profession, with a focus on issues stemming from cross-generation issues in the practice of law.
October 29, 2015
The 8th Annual Negotiation Nuts & Bolts Conference
Seattle, WA
Paula Lustbader, Professor Emerita of Law, Seattle University School of Law; President of Robert’s Fund, gave a presentation on fostering civility in the context of negotiation and mediation at the 8th Annual Negotiation Nuts & Bolts Conference.
October 10, 2015
American Judges Association Conference/Washington State Judges Fall Conference
Seattle, WA
Mary E. Fairhurst, Justice, Washington State Supreme Court; Consultant for Robert’s Fund gave a presentation on fostering civility in the legal profession to the American Judges Association Conference/Washington State Judges Fall Conference.
What participants had to say about this program:
"Excellent session because it was applicable no matter what jurisdiction or type of court.”
“These skills will give me food for thought in assessing myself and others.”
“Gave me some new ideas regarding working with judges / attorneys.”
July 16, 2015
Asian Bar Association of Washington
Seattle, WA
Tim Jaasko-Fisher, Robert’s Fund Senior Director of Curriculum and Program Development, gave a presentation on fostering civility in the legal profession to the Asian Bar Association of Washington.
June 4, 2015
WSBA LAMP Section CLE
Seattle, WA
Tim Jaasko-Fisher, Robert’s Fund Senior Director of Curriculum and Program Development, gave a presentation on fostering civility in the legal profession to the Washington State Bar Association LAMP Section.
May 15, 2015
WSBA Business Law Section Mid-Year Meeting
Seattle, WA
Tim Jaasko-Fisher, Robert’s Fund Senior Director of Curriculum and Program Development and Paula Lustbader, Professor of Law, Seattle University School of Law; President of Robert’s Fund gave a presentation on fostering civility in the legal profession at the WSBA Business Law Section mid-year meeting.
April 24, 2015
Washington State Society of Health Care Attorneys
Seattle, WA
Mary E. Fairhurst, Justice, Washington State Supreme Court; Consultant for Robert’s Fund gave a presentation on fostering civility in the legal profession to the Washington State Society of Health Care Attorneys.
March 13, 2015
Seattle University School of Law
Seattle, Washington
Presenters Lisa Brodoff, J.D., Director, Ronald A. Peterson Law Clinic, and Associate Professor, Seattle University School of Law; Tim Jaasko-Fisher, J.D., M.A., Director of Programming and Curriculum, Robert's Fund; Paula Lustbader, J.D., President, Robert’s Fund; and Director of the Academic Resource Center and Professor, Seattle University School of Law; and Craig Sims, J.D., Chief of the Criminal Division, Seattle City Attorney’s Office facilitated this interactive and engaging CLE seminar. During this seminar, participants' enhanced their listening skills to foster civility in the legal profession; they examined the value of listening; they explored ways in which listeners demonstrate they have heard; they identified challenges to listening; they discussed strategies to improve listening skills, and they practiced effective listening. Click here for the Presentation PowerPoint, the handout, and a table of contents to the readings and resources.
Based upon their experience in the seminar, participants wrote:
I was inspired by all the presenters.
I loved the participation and active learning and the opportunity to connect lawyering to the rest of my life.
This should be a mandatory CLE for every attorney.
Great dialogue and openness. A wonderful day.
This was an awesome CLE- Thanks!
August 8-9, 2014
Robert’s Fund would like to thank our wonderful participants and presenters Judge Paul Bastine, Dr. G. Andrew H. Benjamin, Professor Dave Boerner, Professor Lisa Brodoff, Justice Mary E. Fairhurst, Tim Jaasko-Fisher, Judge Eric Z. Lucas, Professor Paula Lustbader, Division Chief Craig Sims, Sumeer Singla, Susan Shulenberger, and Justice Mary I. Yu, M.A., J.D., Washington State Supreme Court.
In this 2-day intensive seminar, we explored and discussed characteristics of civility, the costs of incivility, the benefits of civility, the foundations of civility, and strategies to foster civility. Our group of engaging participants enriched the experience for all as they reflected upon the ideals of our profession, revitalized their commitment to their practice, and addressed relevant areas in their personal and professional lives to enable them to foster civility in their practice and promote justice for their clients.
Based upon their experience in the seminar, participants wrote that:
“I realized that we need to show respect and courtesy to others even if we can’t reach agreement.”
“This seminar confirmed that I need to listen and fill less space in the room as a leader.”
“I plan to create a habit of focusing on the issue behind the uncivil behavior than the than the behavior itself.”
“If I have to choose between the cleverest response and the kindest response, I will go with kindness.”
Robert’s Fund offers CLE/CJE seminars in Seattle every spring and summer. Learn more about upcoming seminars in Seattle
March 2014
We'd like to thank our presenters David Boerner, Lisa Brodoff, Tim Jaasko-Fisher, Patricia Lally, Gretchen Leanderson, Paula Lustbader, Judge Richard R. McDermott, Craig Sims, and Catherine Walker as well as all the participants who engaged in this interesting and thought provoking seminar that explored the differences and similarities between ethics, professionalism, and civility; examine the relevant portions of the Washington Rules of Professional Conduct; and identify strategies to increase ethical, professional, and civil behavior within the profession.
“This CLE should be a required course for all Washington lawyers.”
Comments about the presenters included: “Great energy, [their] passion for [the] subject is contagious;” “excellent and very powerful; sparked a great conversation; and very creative.”
Based upon the seminar respondents said they plan to do the following: “To be a better example of a professional lawyer–represent integrity, ethics, and professionalism in dealing with people – [emulate] the golden rule.”
“Be grounded in [my]self and practice humility.”
“Mindfulness and self-care makes me a better attorney.”
Robert’s Fund offers CLE/CJE seminars in Seattle every spring and summer. Learn more about upcoming seminars in Seattle
December 2013
Washington State Bar Association-NLE Personal Injury Section
Seattle, Washington
Robert’s Fund President, Professor Paula Lustbader, presented a 60-minute program focused on the costs of incivility, the benefits of civility, and the ethics of civility. Participants discussed ways to encourage clients to take a civil approach in order to reduce transaction costs and obtain more just and satisfying results.
August 2013
Robert's Fund would like to thank all who joined us for this seminar.
A key component of civility is increasing our awareness of how our culturally based assumptions and biases influence our interactions with others. Extensive research, especially in the field of anthropology, has facilitated a better understanding of how cultural differences impact our interactions. This seminar introduced the fundamentals of civility and key research about cross-cultural understandings. It also suggested practical approaches to achieve more effective cross-cultural encounters. A key part of the presentation was devoted to building the participants’ own cultural profile and familiarizing them with the fundamental societal values that shape how people think and act. This nuanced understanding will empower them to interact more effectively with people from other cultural groups, well beyond what anecdotes and stereotypes offer.
“Excellent speakers and a good use of my time.”
“Very informative seminar, lively and creative presenters.”
“One of the best presentations I have heard in my life.”
“Opened my eyes.”
Robert’s Fund offers CLE/CJE seminars in Seattle every spring and summer. Learn more about upcoming seminars in Seattle
May 2013
A 90-minute CLE program presented at the Williams Kastner Partner Retreat.
March 2013
This mural, created by 18 lawyers and judges during the April 2012 Civility Promise Seminar in Tuscany, is now installed permanently in Judge Mary Yu’s King County Superior Courtroom. It symbolizes the value of civility in the service of justice in our profession.
Many thanks to all who joined us at the mural unveiling! View the event recap
March 2013
Following the civility mural unveiling and reception in Judge Yu's courtroom, alumni of The Civility Promise seminars reconnected with each other over a sumptuous meal. Held in the Chinese Room at the historic Smith Tower in downtown Seattle, the dinner was accompanied by lively conversation and brief remarks from Professor Paula Lustbader, Robert's Fund President. All enjoyed a wonderful evening as they took in panoramic views of the city skyline and renewed their commitment to civility in the legal profession.
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