Resources
Balance: Lessons for Law and Life
by Judicial Conference of Indiana

IN THE MARCH ISSUE:

The Judge's Gauntlet
You wear a black robe. You sit elevated from the rest of us. And you probably have seen it all. So how do you balance appropriate objectivity and distance with compassion for those before you? Can you do your job and maintain your humanity?

Balance on the Back Burner?
What does the economic downturn mean for work-life balance? Some say it’s on the back burner; others say this is prime time for flexible scheduling and telecommuting. As a judge, it’s worth contemplating how shifting priorities might affect the climate in your courtroom.

How Judges Work
How do you do your job? How Judges Think, by Judge Richard A. Posner, examines how judges evaluate and decide cases. Posner suggests that most judges apply intuition – based on experience and judgment – and constraint from the rules of the judicial “game.”

Character
The American Heritage Dictionary defines character as “moral or ethical strength.” No where is quality of character more important than in the legal profession – the lives of many are determined by your actions. Demand excellent character of yourself and those appearing before you.

Think Better
People become really quite remarkable when they start thinking they can do things. – Norman Vincent Peale. The power of thought is inestimable. Our way of thinking can direct our mood, our accomplishments, our quality of life. Think differently – better – this year.

"The Best is Yet to Come"
This book contains 64 of Michael Josephson’s commentaries on character and ethics, each perfect for a daily read. Josephson addresses issues that affect our daily lives, with particular emphasis on family and relationships.

IN THE MAY ISSUE:

Law As Therapy
Judges in problem-solving courts enjoy the highest levels of job satisfaction on the bench. They work therapeutically – they believe in one’s capacity for change and are privy to the transformation. But you don’t have to be in a problem-solving court to use its techniques.

Count Your Blessings
Gratitude and happiness are inextricably related. Research shows that gratefulness correlates with a higher level of well being, greater creativity, and a sharper intellect. It is a sense of wonder for what we have. So how do we cultivate gratitude in a profession such as ours?

The Ultimate Role Model
This year marks the bicentennial of the birth of Abraham Lincoln – arguably the greatest American president. Perhaps the ultimate role model for our profession, Lincoln’s brilliance, self-control, emotional intelligence, and sense of purpose are an inspiration.

Character Counts
Your character is the common denominator between work and personal life. It is a reflection of who you are. In this diverse collection of essays, 41 accomplished Americans discuss the role of character in community, work, and family life, and lend insight for its preservation.

Stress Free?
Not all stress should be avoided. Let’s face it, you wouldn’t be where you are if you were stress-averse. Yet, stress can be harmful. Learn how to distinguish between negative and positive stress, and how to manage the two to your benefit.

Time Off
Taking significant time off doesn’t have to mean career suicide. Four legal professionals share how getting off the treadmill injected new meaning into their personal and professional lives, and gave them a new perspective. And all of them were happy to get back to work.

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