CLE-The 2022 Beecroft Jr. Lecture-Civil Public Discourse: Some Lessons from Psychology

The UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law 
&
The Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution

2022 Memorial Beecroft Lecture:
Civil Public Discourse: Some Lessons from Psychology

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required.
Registration will be closing on Monday, April 25 at 10 a.m.

Description
Deep disagreement can characterize public and private discussions of controversial policy issues. Partisan differences in approach, understanding of the facts, and perceptions of each other can lead to contentious and unproductive debate, entrenched animosity, and the escalation of conflict. Professor Robbennolt will discuss some of the psychological roots of these patterns and some of the lessons that psychology has to offer about how we might foster more constructive engagement across difference.

Presenter Bio.
Professor Jennifer Robbennolt, J.D., Ph.D, is the Associate Dean for Research, the Alice Curtis Campbell Professor of Law, Professor of Psychology, and Co-Director of the Illinois Program on Law, Behavior and Social Science at the University of Illinois College of Law. Professor Robbennolt is an expert in the areas of psychology and law, torts, and dispute resolution.  Her research integrates psychological theory and methods into the study of law, legal institutions, and legal practice, focusing primarily on legal decision making and the use of empirical research methodology in law.  She is co-author of several books, including The Psychology of Tort Law; Psychology for Lawyers: Understanding the Human Factors in Negotiation, Litigation, and Decision Making; Dispute Resolution and Lawyers; and Empirical Methods in Law.

Parking and Directions

Agenda
5:00 – 5:15        Welcome and introductions
5:15 –  6:15        Program
6:15 – 6:30        Questions and Answers
6:30 – 7:00        Reception hosted by the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the 
                              State Bar of Nevada

About the Beecroft Lecture Series 

The Beecroft Lecture Series was established in honor of the late Chris Beecroft Jr., a 1971 UNLV graduate and commissioner of Alternative Dispute Resolution for the Clark County District Court. Following Beecroft’s passing in December 2016, the ADR section of the State Bar of Nevada worked quickly to launch the Chris Beecroft Jr. Fund, which helps to sponsor the lecture series at the Saltman Center.

Past Beecroft Lectures include:
2021: “Restorative Justice and Anti-Racism,” Professor Martha Minow, 300th Anniversary University Professor and former Dean of the Law School Harvard University
2020: “Hiding Harassment,” Professor Pat Chew, Judge J. Quint Salmon & Anne Salmon Chaired Professor, University of Pittsburgh School of Law
2019: “Behavioral Ethics and Legal Negotiation,” Professor Russell Korobkin, Vice Dean for Graduate and Professional Education and Richard C. Maxwell Professor of Law at UCLA
2018: “Gender and Negotiation:  What About the Guys,” Professor Andrea Schneider, Marquette University Law School

In Memory of Chris Beecroft, Jr.
Chris Beecroft, Jr. was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. He moved to Nevada and received his undergraduate degree from UNLV in 1971, the first recipient of the Nevada Centennial Scholarship Award, which is given to the graduating senior holding the highest four-year scholastic record. He then earned his law degree from McGeorge School of Law in 1974. Chris became a member of the State Bar of Nevada and worked in private law practice for over twenty-five years. Chris also was a president of the UNLV Alumni Association and served on the Alumni Board of Directors.

In 2000, Chris joined the Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution and became its ADR Commissioner in 2001. He was tasked with developing and monitoring a collection of court- connected, alternative dispute resolution programs. These programs provided litigants an opportunity to resolve their disputes without having to go to a full trial. Shortly after becoming the ADR Commissioner, he began the Eighth Judicial District Court's Short Trial Program. This unique program went on to win an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties in 2004 and a better government award from the Pioneer Institute for Public Policy Research in 2008. In 2008, he was appointed Family Court Discovery Commissioner and in 2012 he became the Discovery Commissioner for additional departments within the Eighth Judicial District Court.

Chris passed away on December 26, 2016 at the age of 67. He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Christine, their children Melissa and Jonathan, along with other members of his extended family. His family lovingly remembers his passion for cooking, traveling, and spending time on his boat ("On The C's"). He was known to say, "Don't just watch the boats floating by, be on your boat floating by."

Thank you for your interest in the Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution and the Memorial Beecroft Lecture.  You can help us continue our work by making a donation here.