Campbell Law brings back ‘Professional Identity Lecture Series’ for students

RALEIGH - Throughout its 45-year history, Campbell Law School has been committed to a genuinely professional education that combines legal theory with practical skills.

Campbell Law's faculty recently approved a "Professional Identity Lecture Series" to introduce first-year students to general professional practices as they relate to clients and to members of the legal profession.

This program, however, is not new to longtime Campbell Law professors and many alumni.

"The 'Professional Identity Lecture Series' is based, at least in part, on the successful 'Professionalism Lecture Series' from earlier in the law school's history," explained Professor Johnny Chriscoe '90, who heads up the program's steering committee that includes Professor Richard Bowser, Professor Bobbi Jo Boyd, Assistant Professor Marcus Gadson and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs John DeStefano.

Since the required lectures are an important educational component, they are held in a classroom setting within the law school. Practicing attorneys, including Campbell Law graduates, are invited to present on various topics, with faculty members providing support as needed. While no course credit is earned, current first-year students must complete the "Professional Identity Lecture Series" to graduate.

"Students, including those in the FLEX JD program, who miss a session are required to view a recording of the session and then write a reflection paper on the content of the session," Chriscoe added.

The series includes an introduction session during Orientation, which provided an overview of the program, topics and requirements. It also included a discussion of how the study of law in the classroom relates to the practice of law and more broadly to the profession as well as the topic of "Professional Identity: Bias, Cross-Cultural Competency and Racism," which meets the ABA Standard 303's requirement of training on these specific topics at the beginning of a student's legal education.

At 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 23, a panel of attorneys will address the topic of "Being a Professional - A Lawyer's Duty to Other Lawyers," which will focus on the ethical and professional relationships between lawyers. Subjects include civil discourse and debate in practice and the development of professional relationships, among others.

The panel, which will be held in Room 105, includes Kirk Warner of Smith Anderson, Ranchor Harris of Ranchor Harris Law, Carrie Meigs of Michael Best, Eliot Smith '93 of Farris and Thomas and Ted Smyth of Cranfill Sumner, Chriscoe said.

In October, the topic will focus on "Being a Role Model - A Lawyer's Duty to the Community," which will encourage students, as lawyers, to be generous with their skills and with their time and will address the lawyer's role in and obligation to the broader community. Subjects will include engagement in pro-bono legal services and community leadership.

In November, the topic "Being Well Part I - A Lawyer's Duty to Self and to Family," will turn inward and focus on a lawyer's duty "to self and to family." Subjects will include balancing the demands of the profession with the well-being of the lawyer as a person and as a family member and identifying professional resources for support and assistance to lawyers.

In the new year and to kick off the new semester, the lecture topic will return to "Bias, Cross-cultural Competency and Racism Part II."

"This class addresses ABA Standard 303's requirement of a second training session on the topic during a student's legal education," Chriscoe explained. "Topics will reflect timely issues in practice as they relate to the standard."

In February, the lecture will focus on "Professional Identity: Being Well Part II - A Lawyer's Duty to Career," which features the second installment of "being well" and discusses the ongoing need to reflect, to self-assess and to plan for professional growth. Subjects will include maturing as a professional and developing an exit plan (if needed) from the profession.

In March, the topic will focus on "Being an Associate - A Lawyer's Duty to the Firm," which will look at the role of an associate in a firm that is both a business entity that must ultimately profit and a professional service. Subjects will include law firm economics, financial responsibility and law firm expectations and the role of mentee and making the most of professional criticism.

Finally, in April, the topic of "Being Client Focused - A Lawyer's Duty to the Client," will conclude the series.

"This class, perhaps the most meaningful in terms of understanding the commitment to service, addresses the professional obligation to place the client's interests above the personal interests of the lawyer," Chriscoe said.

Subjects include the obligation of placing the client's interests above those of the attorney and client confidentiality.

Chriscoe added the committee hopes to add similar lecture series for second-year and third-year law students as well.

ABOUT CAMPBELL LAW SCHOOL

Since its founding in 1976, Campbell Law has developed lawyers who possess moral conviction, social compassion, and professional competence and who view the law as a calling to serve others. Among its accolades, the school has been recognized by the American Bar Association (ABA) as having the nation's top Professionalism Program and by the American Academy of Trial Lawyers for having the nation's best Trial Advocacy Program. Campbell Law boasts nearly 5,000 alumni, who make their home in nearly all 50 states and beyond. In 2024, Campbell Law is celebrating 45 years of graduating legal leaders and 15 years of being located in a state-of-the-art facility in the heart of North Carolina's Capital City.

Lisa SnedekerWriter