Last week I returned from Pepperdine Law School in Malibu California and I'm still "higher than a kite." The blue skies and sunshine over the Malibu Hills and the Pacific Ocean were stunning. More importantly, I had the privilege of being the co-director and one of four instructors for an outstanding leadership program for practicing attorneys. One of my colleagues, Sukhsimran Singh, used a kite analogy during his instruction, perfectly describing my lingering elation.
My colleagues and I were at Pepperdine's Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution to present Leadership for Attorneys in Business (LAB) in collaboration with Willamette University's Atkinson Graduate School of Management. We presented with our minds and hearts to a group of successful and highly-engaged attorneys from a variety of backgrounds, including for-profit businesses, courts, bar associations and not-for-profits. Three of the participants told us the program was the best conference they had attended in their careers! Following are some of their comments:
- By far the best course I have taken. I am going to suggest all the attorneys in our team attend.
- I cannot say enough about this program to do it justice. It exceeded my expectations and left me with the desire to learn more and improve further.
- LAB ranks at the very top of my list of professional development programs ever attended in my career. The intricate and artful blend of materials not only broadened my knowledge but more significantly broadened my perspective and understanding of myself as a professional and person. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
- Most valuable professional seminar that I have ever attended.
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Instructors, Agenda and More Testimonials:
Vince Chiappetta, Professor, Willamette Law School. The Big Picture. A former General Counsel at Tektronix, and AGC at Apple, headquartered in Paris, and Levi Strauss, Vince opened our program addressing the bridge between lawyers and business. I specifically came to this training to learn from Professor Chiappetta. He is amazing at taking a subject and simplifying it to be actionable.
Nicole Thibodeau, Associate Professor of Accounting Practice, Willamette University.Financial Reports, Legal Advice, and Financial Decisions. Nicole partners with business owners, executives and CFO's to drive growth and wealth. She makes numbers come alive. Professor Thibodeau knocked it out of the park. She inspired me to read and learn more about financials to be a more active participant in my business.
Sukhsimran Singh, Law Professor and Managing Director, Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law. Getting to Agreement. An Honorary Fellow with the International Academy of Mediators, Sukhsimran has mediated intercultural and commercial cases in the United States, India and Canada. Professor Singh touched our hearts and souls through sharing his knowledge, stories, and humanity. He artfully brought the deepest and best reflections out of us all, in a forever meaningful way.
Jo Smith CMC®, Consultant, Coach and Speaker to Attorneys. Leadership and YOU! I wrapped up the four-day seminar with a discussion of leadership theories, styles and tools, then explored personal strengths and closed with individualized leadership development planning, enhanced by group discussion and collaboration. Jo pushed and pulled us, albeit gently, to look at ourselves in our current working roles and as people. This was a perfect ending to this wonderful session. The materials will require us to continue our quest into our future.
Next Up
Leadership for Attorneys in Business (LAB) will be presented again, May 6th - 9th, at Willamette's Portland Center in the Pearl District. Same instructors, same contact. You can learn more or register at www.willamette.edu/go/lab. Please feel free to contact me directly at josmith@josmithassociates.com or 503.913.0499 with any questions.