J Kim Wright is a genuine legal trailblazer. For over 2 decades, she has been an advocate for systems change in the law. She particularly focuses on a set of values and models called Integrative Law.
From the early 2000s, she has attended dozens of events and conferences and studied a number of innovative legal practices: holistic law, therapeutic jurisprudence, law and creative problem-solving, sacred activism, humanising legal education, plain language, PISLAP, ADR , mediation, collaborative law, restorative justice, non-violent communication, and more. In her work, she decided to pull those silo-ed common themes together.
Thirteen years ago, to focus on her mission she gave up her house and law practice and went on the road. She has built relationships and communities on 6 continents.
Kim has been named by the American Bar Association as a Legal Rebel and has written two bestselling books published by the ABA: Lawyers as Peacemakers: Practicing Holistic, Problem-Solving Law and Lawyers as Changemakers: The Global Integrative Law Movement.
She is a coach & consultant, a leader in Conscious Contracts, a speaker & trainer, a lawyer & mediator, and a specialist in systems change. As an author she has another 2 books due to be published soon: Trauma-Informed Law: A Primer for Lawyers and Lawyers as Designers. She is an educator and adjunct professor and a connector for lawyers all over the world who are changing the paradigm of legal practice.
Show Notes:
[03:56] Kim shares her lightbulb moment when after graduating from law school and discovering that most lawyers were 'jerks', she realised there was another way.
[08:32] Kim explains 'conscious contracts' and their potential to change lawyering across the board.
[16:13] We discuss how the movement of Integrative Law has changed since Kim became part of it.
[23:27] Kim expands on her systems change work and her conclusion that the old legal system is dying and a new system is emerging.
[24:03] As an old system dies, there is a need for 'hospicing' it. One of Kim's new books is on trauma-informed law, - an example of exposing the failings of the old system. We can all be better lawyers by recognising and appreciating trauma in our clients and ourselves.
[26:50] Kim's other new book is about designing the new legal system, finding new ways of interacting and being cross-disciplinary.
[29:25] Lawyers have the gift of analytical skills and training and by adding our humanity to that, we can develop the 'law plus' model.
[30:22] We share about the concept of 'starting where you are', for lawyers who want to change.
[33:39] For lawyers embarking on a transformational journey, finding a coach is valuable, as is a buddy, therapist, mentor or support group. The key is to find someone to help you figure out the path and provide structure.
[36:18] Internal work is how lawyers can get onto the path of change. Lawyers can take a long time to recognise and address internal chaos.
[38:28] Kim considers what about her personality made her a changemaker - being a mother at heart and expressing the mother archetype and wanting to make the world a better place; being not afraid to dream big!
[40:11] Spirituality ('integrity, purpose and joy in action') guides Kim. She is 'on purpose', always realigning and addicted to her joy.
[41:38] Kim reveals why lawyers are really magicians!
[44:32] Kim talks about her next project - teaming up with multi-disciplinary groups to effect systems change.
For resources and links and more on this episode, check out the episode page on the New Earth lawyer website:
