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Continuing Education Programs for Lawyers

Continuing Education Programs for Lawyers

Since 1992, the Nyingma Institute has offered courses that fulfill the MCLE requirements established by the State Bar of California. We offer several sections of all required courses: Legal Ethics, Preventing Substance Abuse, and Bias in the Legal Profession. We have worked with practicing attorneys to design our schedule to meet your needs. Courses are scheduled so that you can earn up to 6 MCLE credits in a single day. Most programs are held in Berkeley in the peaceful environment of the Nyingma Institute and include a delicious vegetarian lunch.

The instructors are: Barbara Bryant, J.D.; Robin Caton, J.D.; Jack Petranker, J.D.; and Erika Rosenberg, Ph.D.

In 2010 - 2011, MCLE courses will be given on Friday, November 12, 2010; Friday, December 3, 2010; Friday, January 14, 2011; and Saturday, January 22, 2011.

The Nyingma Institute and the Center for Creative Inquiry are also offering a weekend retreat at Ratna Ling Retreat Center from Friday, October 29 through Sunday, October 31, 2010: "Lawyering: The Human Dimension." This 13-unit MCLE program also includes activities for a spouse or partner at our beautiful coastal center. To register, please visit www.creativeinquiry.org/events. Please see the bottom of this page for more details.

The following schedule will apply on each date (except during the weekend retreat dates):

8:30 - 9:30 AM               Substance Abuse: Prevention and Change

9:45 - 10:45 AM             Bias in the Legal Profession

11 AM - 1PM                 Exploring Legal Ethics, part 1

1:15 - 2:00 PM               Lunch

2:00 - 4:00 PM               Exploring Legal Ethics, part 2

NEW LOWER PRICES, $55 PER CREDIT!

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

SUBSTANCE ABUSE: PREVENTION AND CHANGE

In this class, you will learn to recognize mechanisms that fuel substance abuse and be introduced to simple breath and movement practices that can change patterns of stress and addiction. These are practical, every-day alternatives to negative behaviors that will also help you to become more balanced at work.

1.0 MCLE credit in Substance Abuse.

Cost: $55.

See schedule for times.

BIAS IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION

This one-hour course explores the roots of bias and offers communication practices that will assist in recognizing and preventing bias in the legal profession.

1.0 MCLE credit in Bias.

Cost: $55.

See schedule for times.

EXPLORING LEGAL ETHICS, Part 1

To be an ethical attorney, is it enough to comply with the Rules of Professional Conduct, or is there more to it? What are the reasons to act ethically in our profession, and what are the consequences of not doing so? Through lecture, discussion, and analysis, we’ll explore these and other significant questions of legal ethics, becoming aware of when professional restraints require certain behavior, and when we are free to make ethical choices for ourselves.

2.0 MCLE credits in Legal Ethics.

Cost: $110.

See schedule for times.

EXPLORING LEGAL ETHICS, Part 2

In this course, the emphasis is on developing awareness of ethical issues that fall between the cracks--the day-to-day situations that may not be specifically addressed by the Rules. In our scramble to win, do we sometimes carry ‘zealous advocacy’ too far? Through lively discussion and interactive exercises we’ll analyse real-life situations and develop practical responses. The goal is to understand the ethical choices we have, and to learn to exercise them wisely. Note: Part 2 of Legal Ethics may not be taken unless you also take Part 1.

2.0 MCLE credits in Legal Ethics

Cost: $110.  

See schedule for times.

Comments from participants in our 2009-2010 programs:

"Intelligence and Inspiration here!"

"Broadened my thinking."

"Nice location. Very friendly personnel on staff. Very comfortable."

"I'm always struck by the effectiveness and benefits of Nyingma programs."

"Pleasant approach to potentially dry material."

MCLE COURSE SCHEDULE

In 2010 - 2011, MCLE courses will be given on Friday, November 12, 2010; Friday, December 3, 2010; Friday, January 14, 2011; and Saturday, January 22, 2011.

The following schedule will apply on each date:

8:30 - 9:30 AM              Substance Abuse: Prevention and Change

9:45 - 11:00 AM            Bias in the Legal Profession

11:15 AM - 1:15 PM     Exploring Legal Ethics, part 1

1:15 - 2:00 PM              Lunch

2:00 - 4:00 PM              Exploring Legal Ethics, part 2

STATE BAR APPROVAL

Nyingma Institute has been approved as a continuing legal education provider of Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of California.

To register, call (510) 809-1000, or send a check for full payment, payable to the Nyingma Institute. Please indicate the following: 1) title and date(s) of the course(s) you wish to take; and 2) your name, address, fax, firm, telephone number, and email. We will fax you confirmation, directions, and parking instructions. Note: Tuition is non-refundable but can be applied to other MCLE programs. VISA and MasterCard accepted.

Lawyering: The Human Dimension

Friday afternoon, October 29 through Sunday midday, October 31, 2010

For the second year running, the Nyingma Institute in cooperation with the Center for Creative Inquiry offers a 13-unit MCLE program at beautiful Ratna Ling Retreat Center. Held from Friday afternoon through Sunday after lunch, the program fulfills all requirements for Ethics, Bias in Communication, and Substance Abuse. Classes are taught by Jack Petranker, J.D. Yale ‘70, and Erika Rosenberg, Ph.D., experienced instructors who consistently earn the highest ratings. The weekend includes activities for a spouse or partner, and the setting makes it a great couples retreat.

Preventing Substance Abuse

(4 MCLE credits)

Expanded by an extra hour this year at the request of participants, this program covers important information you need to know about the relation between stress and substance abuse. We will examine stressors that contribute to the rise of substance abuse, and identify those that affect you personally. Simple, effective practices drawn from meditative traditions and Tibetan Yoga will give you tools for relaxing and finding balance in the midst of work challenges. The spouse or partner is invited to attend this session, as the information is also useful for him or her.

Bias in the Legal Profession

(1 MCLE credit)

We explore the roots of bias and offer communication practices and ways of tracking your own mind that will help you and your associates counter unconscious bias.

The Human Side of Legal Ethics

(8 MCLE credits)

Every day lawyers make ethical decisions that have little to do with the Rules of Professional Conduct. How do we choose to act as lawyers? How do we balance personal values with professional responsibility? When we connect with what we know to be true for ourselves, we have a solid foundation for coming to answers we can feel good about.

Here legal training offers unexpected benefits, teaching us to ask the right questions and make sound judgments. The practice of law becomes a path of personal inquiry, supporting mindfulness and insight.

This program aims to heighten awareness of the deeper values that guide our decisions in relation to the realities of law practice. Through interactive exercises, a thought-provoking video, and group discussion, it will broaden your understanding of how to act with integrity and concern for others, consistent with the Code of Professional Responsibility.

About the Instructors

Jack Petranker, MA, JD., (Yale 1970) is admitted to practice in California and in federal courts. He is former Dean of the Tibetan Nyingma Institute and has taught at Boalt Hall School of Law and for the UCB Continuing Education Program. He is founding director of the Center for Creative Inquiry, a non-profit corporation dedicated to finding new ways of knowing. He has been teaching MCLE programs since 1999.

Erika Rosenberg, Ph.D., (UCSF 1994) researches how facial expressions reveal emotions, how social factors can influence our emotional signals, and the effects of meditation. She teaches at the University of California, Davis and the Nyingma Institute and has a global consulting practice.

Ratna Ling Retreat Center

Located in the Sonoma coastal range of Northern California, Ratna Ling is a wonderful setting for learning and relaxing. The accommodations are elegant and spacious, offering comfort amidst unspoiled natural beauty. Meals are gourmet vegetarian. The staff go to great lengths to make everyone feel welcome. Activities possible include morning sessions of Tibetan yoga and meditation, relaxing in nature, hiking to a nearby state park, visiting resort towns, bicycle touring, and doing volunteer work in a sacred text project. Learn more about this exquisite facility at www.ratnaling.com.

Registration Information

To register, go to www.creativeinquiry.org/events. The cost is $850 for the attorney and $295 for a friend or spouse. This price includes lodging for two nights stay and all meals. You can pay online using Paypal or by check made payable to Center for Creative Inquiry. After October 1, tuition is non-refundable but can be applied to other MCLE or Nyingma Institute programs (www.nyingma-institute.org).

For questions or more information, please call Tracy at CCI (510-809-2018), or email nyingma-mcle@creativeinquiry.org.