1. Improv & Internships
Personal Introductions
Alison Lintal, Director of Career Services & Internship Programs
Leah YOung, Director of Admissions & Financial Aid

2. “So often lawyers are tempted to read some theoretically perfect ‘script’ they have written in advance, but they cannot possibly read something they wrote earlier because events in a courtroom unfold unpredictably in real time — the entire trial is a giant improv around their client’s unfortunate theme.” -Marsha Hunter, co-author of “The Articulate Advocate”

3. The Research: Fundamental Lawyering Skills
MacCrate Report (1992) Skill 1 – Problem-Solving (identify and diagnose, generate alternative solutions and strategies, keep the planning process open to new information and ideas) Skill 5 – Communication (assess the perspective of the recipient, and use effective methods of communication – oral and written)

4. The Research: Fundamental Lawyering Skills
Foundations for Practice/IAALS (2016)
Top 10 Foundations Categorized as Necessary in the Short Term
Emotional and Interpersonal Intelligence (91.9%) - Treat others with courtesy and respect
Communications (91.5%) - Listen attentively and respectfully
Communications (91.0%) - Promptly respond to inquiries and requests
We also know that only 14% of malpractice claims are for failure to know or apply the law. The majority of malpractice as well as state bar disciplinary claims are for communication failure, failure to follow-through, failure to follow client instructions (active listening), etc.

5. The Research: Fundamental Lawyering Skills
Foundations for Practice/IAALS (2016)
Skills necessary in the short term
Professional Development
Adapt work habits to meet demands and expectations (70.8%)
Qualities and Talents
Integrity and Trustworthiness (92%)
Stress and Crisis Management
Exhibit flexibility and adaptability regarding unforeseen, ambiguous, or changing circumstances (58%)
Exhibit resilience after a set-back (56%)
Working with Others
Work cooperatively and collaboratively as part of a team (73%)
We also know that only 14% of malpractice claims are for failure to know or apply the law. The majority of malpractice as well as state bar disciplinary claims are for communication failure, failure to follow-through, failure to follow client instructions (active listening), etc.

6. The Research: Fundamental Lawyering Skills
Neil Hamilton – Roadmap – Professional Competencies Important to Employers (2015)
Very Important to Critically Important
Integrity/Honesty/Trustworthiness
Good Judgment/Common Sense/Problem-Solving
Effective Written/Oral Communication Skills
Dedication to Client/Responsiveness to Client
Commitment to Firm/Department/Office, and its Values
Initiates and Maintains Strong Work and Team Relationships
We also know that only 14% of malpractice claims are for failure to know or apply the law. The majority of malpractice as well as state bar disciplinary claims are for communication failure, failure to follow-through, failure to follow client instructions (active listening), etc.

7. The Research: Fundamental Lawyering Skills
Marjorie Shultz & Sheldon Zedeck 26 Effectiveness Factors
Creativity/Innovation
Listening
Ability to See the World Through the Eyes of Others
We also know that only 14% of malpractice claims are for failure to know or apply the law. The majority of malpractice as well as state bar disciplinary claims are for communication failure, failure to follow-through, failure to follow client instructions (active listening), etc.

8. The Foundations of Improvisation

9. Communication

10. Collaboration

11. Active Listening

12. Resilience

14. Present Moment Awareness

15. Exercises

16. Exercise: Idea Generators

17. Debrief

18. The concept of “Yes, And...”
Basic Tenet of Improv. Promotes agreement and building on the idea. True collaboration is not just agreeing, but adding to the conversation as well

19. Exercise: Character Walk

20. Debrief
"It is said that of the messages we receive we understand 55 percent of a message from body language, 38 percent from tone of voice, and 7 percent from the actual content of words – Albert Mehrabian – Silent Messages

22. Exercise: The Last Word

23. Debrief

24. Exercise: Pointing Circle

25. Debrief

26. Exercise: Panel of Experts

27. Debrief

28. Student feedback
"Talking in front of people is not my favorite thing so learning better communication through improv was a big confidence booster."
"In class I am pleased to have learned the value of improvisation and communication. I struggle with the inherent contradiction of tone versus content."
"After than class I saw how beneficial improv can be for a litigator."
"Lawyers should be able to think on their feet, adapt quickly, and be creative to solve problems their clients face. Additionally, it is important to not take yourselves or life too seriously. As lawyers, we often get wrapped up in our work and forget to enjoy life; it is important to remember [to] laugh often and sometimes at yourself."

29. Putting it all together
Because improv provides a communications-based set of tools and techniques that forces you to be present and in the moment, listen intensively, respond candidly, consider the thoughts and needs of others, and adapt to unexpected challenges and opportunities...The tenets of improvisation are techniques to develop mindfulness and self- auditing...Improv also strengthens the skill sets necessary for teamwork, creativity and innovation, collaboration and ideation, situation assessment, crisis management, adaptive problem-solving, conflict management, engagement, and influence. In fact, improvisation strengthens all of a leader's soft skills, which often turn out to be hard skills after all."
Bob Kulhan, author of Getting to Yes And: The Art of Business Improv

30. Questions? Alison Lintal Leah young Afl2@psu.edu Leah@psu.edu
(717)                          (717)