1 Professional Skills

Representing Culturally Diverse Clients

LawCPD author: Selene Mize
Selene Mize
Associate Professor University of Otago
Rating:
4.8/5
$129
1 CPD Point

Features

Interactive Content
Self-Paced Completion
On-demand and on Any Device
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Overview

This course aims to make lawyers aware of the ways in which cultural differences can affect the lawyer-client relationship, and to provide practical techniques for lawyers to appropriately manage culturally diverse clients.

Where a lawyer and their client come from different cultures or subcultures that differ significantly from each other, misunderstandings and conflict may result – also known as “culture clash”.  If the lawyer fails to recognise and adapt to this situation, it can have serious consequences for both the lawyer and the client.

This course focuses on practical strategies for lawyers to use when interacting with clients from cultural backgrounds which are different to their own.  These strategies include recognising and responding to cultural differences, using good communication techniques, and developing self-awareness of the influence of the lawyer’s own culture on their interactions.  The course also discusses culture more broadly, and common problems caused by culture clash.

 

Last Reviewed: February 2024

Meet the expert

LawCPD author: Selene Mize
Selene Mize
Associate Professor University of Otago

Selene Mize practised law in the United States before taking up a teaching position at the Law Faculty at the University of Otago in Dunedin, New Zealand.

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Reviews

  1. 5.0/5
    Really informative and interesting
    Great course for all lawyers to take as provides many useful tips on how to become more culturally aware.
  2. 4.0/5
    Technical and ineresting
    Required more concentration than expected.
  3. 5.0/5
    Culture in legal practise
    Very informative and lots of tips for valuing cultural difference when looking after clients.
  4. 5.0/5
    Very Helpful
    I found this part of the course to be very helpful
  5. 5.0/5
    Very informative
    Thank you. This is a difficult subject well explained.