To bridge polarization, the legal field must lead toward civility

Professionalism on Point

By Jayne Reardon

Jayne Reardon is the executive director of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism. You can contact her at jayne.reardon@2civility.org.

Posted March 4, 2021 11:40 AM

The recent political cycle seemed to separate people to opposite corners of a boxing ring, interacting only to hurl punches at those with differing viewpoints. While many may agree that this polarization isn’t healthy for our democracy, our relationships, or our well-being, we are unsure how to bridge the gap.How can we as lawyers help reduce the divisiveness that characterizes our lives at work and in the “town square?” Former Illinois Supreme Court Justice Robert Thomas and Cook County Circuit Judge Debra Walker recently …

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