Steve Keeva

Steven Keeva has been a beloved member of the legal transformation community for many years. His columns in the ABA Journal highlighted and opened up new opportunities for lawyers. As author of Transforming Practices: Finding Joy and Satisfaction in the Legal Life (an ABA Journal Book published by Contemporary Books, 1999), he opened up possibilities in law that few had ever conceived. He told many stories that connected with the heart and soul of law and comforted and inspired many.

In the past few years, Steve has been ill. Various diagnoses attempt to name the neurological condition that has interfered with his ability to communicate. "Early Alzheimers" is the label that helps many of us understand it but we pray for a diagnosis which is treatable and returns the Steve we know and love to wellness. For now, his body is healthy but he is unable to remember simple details like phone numbers. He cannot read or write and email has been impossible for a long time. Dialing the telephone is difficult but he enjoys talking when people call him. His long-term memory for names and voices seems in tact.

This year, the tenth anniversary of Transforming Practices, the IAHL is honoring Steve at a dinner on Saturday night, June 13, 2009, as part of its 17th Annual Holistic Law Conference, “Voices of the New Lawyer,” in Chicago. IAHL will be presenting him the First Annual Transforming Practices Award. Barring unforeseen circumstances, Steve will be in attendance.

“What would your mother say?”

A Mediator/Educator’s Perspective

Which values and skill sets will best serve us as mediators and perhaps more generally as lawyers? Where do we learn them?

I suspect there are a lot of us out there who were either initiated or supported by Steven Keeva's groundbreaking, "Transforming Practices," an ABA Journal Publication. This is the 10th anniversary of the book, which has gone out of print.

The International Alliance of Holistic Lawyers is honoring Steve at its upcoming conference, June 11-14 in Chicago. We would encourage everyone who was influenced by Keeva's work to come to Chicago to be part of this recognition and appreciation event.

A Call for “Voices” for the Conference of the International Alliance of Holistic Lawyers

“Voices of the New Lawyer.
Finding and expressing your true voice in your practice.”

Chicago June 11-14, 2009

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE EXTREME EARLYBIRD SPECIAL IS SCHEDULED TO EXPIRE MARCH 7TH !!!

From the RFP:

We are extremely excited to bring high-level transformative legal professionals together for this year’s conference, the 17th annual. Successful holistic practitioners will explore how each has contributed to the transformation of the profession in the last ten years since the publication of Steven Keeva’s Transforming Practices (1999). We will all gather on Saturday night to honor Steve, bestowing the First Annual “Transforming Practices” Award to recognize his groundbreaking work to humanize the practice of law. There will be presentations intended to show how practicing holistically can be done with success AND satisfaction. We will also offer multiple workshops designed to allow for exploration and development of our own 'voice' in these new models of law practice.