The media portrays lawyers as fighters. Although this role is sometimes appropriate, clients and society are increasingly asking lawyers to approach problems more creatively. In fact, several U.S. law schools now offer courses specifically addressing creative problem solving modalities. Drawing from other disciplines such as cultural anthropology, cognitive psychology and business and communications theory new creative problem solving techniques are being applied to the practice of law daily. In addition to facilitating a less adversarial approach to legal education and lawyering, these techniques provide students, lawyers, judges, and society at large with collaborative and innovative approaches to communication, conflict resolution and problem solving.

In recognition of the transitioning legal climate, the ABA established the "Lawyer as a Problem Solver Award" in 2002. Recipients have included Stu Webb and Pauline Tessler, Barry Scheck, the Red Hook Community Justice Center, and the United States Air Force, to name a few. Professional associations across the country are addressing new methodologies of conflict resolution through creative problem solving in their continuing legal education agendas, conventions and seminars, helping lawyers to recognize alternative understandings of what might constitute success in resolving specific client matters.

Other areas of the Legal Trends Network that addresses creative solutions to problems include our resources on:

• Appreciative Inquiry
• Restorative Justice
• Community Lawyering
• Collaborative and Cooperative Law
• Therapeutic Jurisprudence, and
• Peacemaking