Multicultural Awareness Project Part 2

.docx

School

Bryant and Stratton College, Buffalo *

*We aren’t endorsed by this school

Course

265

Subject

Communications

Date

Feb 20, 2024

Type

docx

Pages

Uploaded by BaronCaterpillarMaster621

Multicultural Awareness Project Part 2 Kristine Hubbert Bryant & Stratton College Career Development III Caps265 Dr. Irem Cuellar 02/14/2024

Kristine Hubbert My name is Kristine, and I am graduating this April with my associate degree in paralegal studies. My goal after graduation is to pass the Certified Paralegal Exam and pursue a career as a certified paralegal at a criminal defense law firm. According to the National Center for Cultural Competence (NCCC), cultural competence can be achieved by identifying and understanding the needs and behaviors of individuals seeking help. To effectively serve clients, it is important to understand and respect their cultural differences and similarities. This involves being aware of the defining characteristics of diverse cultures. Culture encompasses more than just a person's physical features, and includes their identity, language, thoughts, communication style, behavior, customs, beliefs, values, and institutions that are unique to certain ethnic, racial, religious, geographic, or social groups. The legal industry is primarily a service-based industry centered around meeting the needs of clients. Effective communication is a key element in this field. By understanding the cultural differences that may arise during client communications, legal professionals can provide more effective legal services. (Madaan) The American Bar Association is committed to improving access to legal services for people with moderate incomes. Cultural competency will remain a key factor in the legal profession's future, both for lawyers and clients. Lawyers must be able to understand and effectively communicate with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. Lawyers need to learn and implement certain practices and policies. For example, they should strive to understand the cultural norms and values of their clients and be aware of any potential biases they may hold. Lawyers should also try to use language that is clear and easy to understand and avoid using legal jargon that may be confusing to clients. 1

Kristine Hubbert Developing a strong rapport with clients is an important aspect of cultural competency. This means taking the time to build trust and establish a positive relationship, which can help clients feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns. Lawyers can also seek out training and education opportunities that focus on cultural competency. This may include attending workshops or seminars, or engaging in online courses or reading materials that provide insights into how to collaborate effectively with clients from different backgrounds. (Adams) For this project I interviewed Jenny Allen, a Certified Paralegal with over 15 years of experience in the field. Ms. Allen currently works for one of the best criminal defense attorneys in Birmingham, Alabama. She obtained her bachelor's degree from Samford University and is a 45-year-old white female who has dedicated her career to paralegal studies. She has experience with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. Through our interview, she shared valuable perspectives on the influence of culture within the workplace and its impact on clients. In the legal industry, workplace dynamics and client interactions are influenced by culture. According to Ms. Allen must create a diverse and inclusive environment within the law firm to utilize the strengths of cultural diversity. She pointed out that having a team with diverse backgrounds enriches the legal profession by promoting innovation, creativity, and a broader understanding of legal issues. For instance, Ms. Allen stated that her team's diverse backgrounds enabled them to effectively deal with cultural differences while communicating with clients, which led to improved client satisfaction and legal outcomes. When it comes to working with clients in the legal field, cultural differences can have a significant impact on the attorney-client relationship and legal proceedings. According to Ms. Allen, having cultural competency is crucial in providing effective legal representation. She gave examples of how language barriers, communication styles, and cultural norms can affect clients' 2

Your preview ends here

Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version

Access to all documents
Unlimited textbook solutions
24/7 expert homework help