What does
Lawyers for Change stand for?
Our overarching purpose is to “inspire lawyers to be a force
for good”. We engage and encourage selected stakeholders to
practice and formulate the law for the benefit of society as
a whole, whilst respecting cultural differences.
We believe in and commit to the following principles:
• we put principles first
• we practice law beyond ego
• we strive for balance
• we deliver value
• we make a difference to our communities.
What does Lawyers for Change do?
We support lawyers and others with an interest in having
effective lawyers and laws create laws and practice law in a
way that contributes to a healthy society. To achieve this
we:
• organise conferences to discuss key challenges facing
lawyers
• link lawyers striving to practice in alignment with the
purpose and principles of the movement
• promote enlightened practices including:
* Training lawyers to act in alignment with the objectives
of the movement
* Training clients to empower them to use lawyers
effectively and demand that their lawyers act in alignment
with the objectives of the movement
* Promotion of consensual agreements – in other words,
documents that are balanced between the parties
* Promotion of “deal friendly” template documents
* Consensual negotiations – open and clear discussions with
a view to creating consensual agreements
* Dispute mediation and other alternate methods of dispute
resolution
* Campaign for laws that work and practice rules consistent
with the purpose and principles of the movement – i.e.
enhancing the process whereby lawyers influence how laws are
made and structured in alignment with the main objectives of
the movement, including having them culturally sensitive and
also pre-considered more effectively for likely impact
* Empowering and training lawyers in being effective
"man/woman of affairs" with commercial clients
* Creating more progressive fee structures aligned with
client interests
* Creation of a tax efficient fund for good causes as an
alternative to pro bono work & the promotion of alternative
socially supportive initiatives
* Proactively promoting values-driven business and ethical
business practices for law firms and clients alike
* Promoting equal opportunities and work/life balance
* Promoting setting up law firms as values-driven businesses
including publishing law firm survey results assessing
alignment with the objectives of the movement
* Creating and maintaining a directory of lawyers committed
to values of the movement
* Development of a code of practice and possible development
and management of a kite mark
* General research and development of a variety of legal
systems to assess the strengths and weaknesses of systems
around the world
* Pan-legal-professional body - we have a unique opportunity
to unite the legal profession in search of a higher goal
* Supporting refugee professionals
* Supporting effective enlargement of the EU by appropriate
harmonization of legal systems, sensitive to local cultural
strengths and needs.
How is Lawyers for Change structured and who can get
involved?
Lawyers for Change is a not-for-profit organization
currently consisting of individual supporters pending
incorporation as a “company limited by guarantee”, a vehicle
often employed by not-for-profit and charitable
organizations.
The supporters are a rich mixture of lawyers of all
disciplines (solicitors, barristers, attorneys-at-law, legal
executives, paralegals, trade mark attorneys, trainees, law
students, etc) and other people interested in having
effective lawyers and laws (such as management consultants,
accountants, legal recruitment specialists, training
specialists, life coaches, business people, etc).
Who will benefit from Lawyers for Change?
Whoever is affected by laws and the behaviour of lawyers:
stakeholders in (or beneficiaries of) the movement include
society as a whole but also those who wish to participate in
committing to making the objectives of the moment a reality.
It is an opportunity to make a difference, no matter what
level of experience, an opportunity to influence and create
the legal profession of the future.
How can I support Lawyers for Change?
There are many ways you can support us. Simply being on our
emailing list ensures that as the numbers increase we are
taken seriously as a movement. For those who want to take a
more proactive role, whether regularly or periodically, the
opportunities are boundless and the best way to contribute
if to take part in meetings (where possible) and see what
calls to you. Also, please generate and encourage others to
join in debates currently online at:
How do I join Lawyers for Change and how much does it cost?
At this stage, it costs nothing to be a supporter of the
movement and whilst we may introduce fee-paying membership
in due course, we are likely to retain free supporter
status.
To join, please email
mk@kaltons.co.uk.