Bias isn’t just a personal flaw—it’s a cognitive shortcut, baked into the way all humans think. In the legal profession, however, these shortcuts can have far-reaching consequences. This CLE program takes a closer look at how mental habits like anchoring bias, the availability heuristic, and attribution errors affect legal decision-making and contribute to unequal outcomes. Whether in client counseling, courtroom advocacy, or firm leadership, these patterns can quietly shape how attorneys assign credit, assess risk, or interpret behavior.

But bias doesn’t operate in a vacuum. The course also examines how identity—particularly race and gender—interacts with these cognitive patterns, reinforcing inequities within the justice system and legal institutions. Through current research, case studies, and practical scenarios, participants will explore the relationship between unconscious bias and systemic barriers.

Designed for attorneys seeking both personal growth and institutional change, the session offers tools to improve fairness in legal practice. Participants will reflect on their own decision-making, learn how to spot bias in legal processes, and develop strategies to reduce its impact at both the individual and organizational level.

Key takeaways include:

• Spotting and understanding common cognitive biases in law
• Analyzing how bias and identity shape legal outcomes
• Identifying bias in negotiations, litigation, client relations, and firm dynamics
• Adopting methods to interrupt bias in professional environments
• Engaging in self-reflection to support ethical, equitable legal practice