California Judge Ron Greenberg Discusses Meditation For Lawyers

The Center for Excellence in Advocacy hosts Judge Ron Greenberg from Thursday, October 12, through Monday, October 16, 2006 for presentations and discussions, including the benefits of meditation and how it can play an role in students' success in law school and beyond; the effect of law school on lawyers; how meditation can improve health, professional performance and satisfaction with work; and how the meditative perspective can be transformative in the working lives of lawyers.

Judge Greenberg's schedule includes:

Thursday, October 12:
- 12:00-1:30 p.m. - Children and Family Law Center Small Group Lunch with Judge Greenberg (RSVP via CFLC TWEN page)
- 4:30 p.m. - Presentation: Advocacy and Meditation (Robinson Courtroom)
Friday, October 13:
- 8:00 a.m. - Small Group Breakfast with Judge Greenberg (RSVP required)
- 12:00 p.m. - "How Meditation Can Transform Lawyers' and Mediators’ Professional Lives" (brown bag lunch event at Manhattan Public Library Auditorium, 629 Poyntz in Manhattan, Kansas; see the poster for this event (203 KB PDF))
Monday, October 16:
- 8:00 a.m. - Small Group Breakfast with Judge Greenberg (RSVP required)
- 10:00–11:00 a.m. - Small Meditation and Reflection Group (RSVP required)
- 12:00–1:00 p.m. - Presentation: How to Succeed in Law School (RSVP for pizza)
- 1:30–2:30 p.m. - Small Meditation and Reflection Group (RSVP required)
- 2:30–3:30 p.m. - Small Meditation and Reflection Group (RSVP required)
- 3:30–5:00 p.m. - Thank You reception (2nd Floor Lobby)

Questions about Judge Greenberg's visit, and RSVPs, should be directed to Jennifer Krygiel Tabuas (jennifer.krygiel [at] washburn.edu).

It is commonly acknowledged and supported by scientific studies that meditation is beneficial for health and wellbeing. Less commonly known is meditation’s potential to transform the way one views self, world, and activity. In the legal profession, whose culture emphasizes speed, stress, and oppositional energy, meditation’s capacity to radically alter one’s view and style of work provides an especially attractive possibility.

What exactly is meditation practice, or, as it is often called, contemplative practice? Broadly defined, a contemplative practice is any activity that quiets the mind in order to cultivate the capacity for insight. Mindfulness meditation is a powerful contemplative practice that is simple to learn and incorporate into one’s daily routine.

Judge Greenberg's presentation will cover a number of areas where meditation plays an important role in a lawyer's career - from law student to senior practitioner. He will also discuss the connection between meditation and mediation, and how each influences the other.

Judge Greenberg has authored numerous articles on issues of law and social justice for the San Francisco Examiner and New York Times. In 1995 and 1998, he taught judicial education in Cambodia and Vietnam with The Center on Global Justice, University of San Francisco Law School. He was the co-producer of the Academy Award nominated film, Regret to Inform.
With more than 200 hours of mediation training including intensive courses taught by Stanford and Harvard faculty, Judge Greenberg has developed listening and other skills that help him understand the many facets of every dispute.
Judge Greenberg received his juris doctor from Chicago's DePaul University in 1968.
From 1968 through 1970, he served as a legal assistant to the Chairperson of the National Labor Relations Board and appellate litigator for the agency. He then worked as a Deputy Public Defender in Contra Costa County.
Judge Greenberg served as Chief Administrative Law Judge of the State Agricultural Labor Relations Board from 1976 through 1982, at which time he was appointed Municipal Court Judge in the Berkeley-Albany Judicial District by Governor Jerry Brown on January 12, 1982.
He succeeded to the Superior Court in 1998 pursuant to Proposition 220.

For further information, contact: Michael Kaye at (785) 670-1370 or michael.kaye [at] washburn.edu