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Roundtables

#38 Generational Differences in the Practice of Law: The Past, Present and Future of the Practice of Law

August 19, 2020
4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

The practice of law remains the same in some ways and changes rapidly in others.  As the sun begins to set on the lions of the bar, new stars rise. On the horizon for the practice of law are the high school and college social activists and tech natives. Will the old guard accept them and work together to understand their new ideas, or grumble and push them to follow old traditions that were once necessity but may have little relevance today?

This multi-generational reality invites members of the bar to question the extent that lawyers’ worldviews, principles and practices, often portrayed as “fixed truths” about the profession and practice of law, are more influenced by the generation to which they belong than we realize.  What philosophies, values and practices transcend the preferences of any given generation?  How do late, mid and early career lawyers best interact and work cooperatively and efficiently in the office, in the mediation room, and in court?  

The modern practice of law can be fast-paced and ever changing. The influence of, and our ever-growing reliance on, technology and remote court proceedings and the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic have all further highlighted this reality.  In a time where it is more important than ever for lawyers to work together cooperatively, join us for a discussion of the implications of the multi-generational practice of law.  In this discussion we aspire to go beyond the stereotypes associated with various generations – the Greatest Generation; Baby Boomer; Gen X; Millennial, and Gen Z.  We will ask ourselves how our approach to practice is shaped by our generation and what that means for how we approach the practice of law and the art of lawyering. We hope that the group will begin to identify a set of norms and values upon which we can all agree, as a new foundation for the future of legal practice.

Facilitators will span the generations, and include:

Christopher P. Kriesen, Esq.
The Kalon Law Firm LLC

Leslie C. Levin
Associate Dean for Research & Faculty Development
University of Connecticut School of Law

Ndidi Moses, Esq.
Assistant United States Attorney

Louis R. Pepe, Esq.
McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP

Erick A. Russell
Pullman & Comley, LLC

Co-Hosts:
Carolyn Wilkes Kaas
Associate Dean of Experiential Education
Quinnipiac University School of Law

Beck S. Finemen, Esq.
Ryan Ryan Deluca LLP

Cody N. Guarnieri, Esq.
Brown, Paindiris & Scott, LLP

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