Values
Carefully watch your thoughts, for they become your words. Manage and watch your words, for they will become your actions. Consider and judge your actions, for they have become your habits. Acknowledge and watch your habits, for they shall become your values. Understand and embrace your values, for they become your destiny.”
Mahatma Ghandi
Values represent what is important to you in your way of living which, of course, includes the way that you work. It is almost impossible to separate your personal values from your professional values because you bring 'you' to your work! Also, work is usually something we invest in for most of our waking hours. Trying to 'edit out' who you are at your core or changing your internal value system at work, could result in a great deal of career dissatisfaction, stress and anxiety as your inner compass tells you that you are out of integrity.
At Amber Law, our core values are Balance and Integrity as well as three of the ‘Yamas’, (Book 2, Sutra 30 of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali), also known as ‘the observances’, ‘right living’, or ‘ethical standards’, which are Truthfulness, Non-violence and Non-stealing.
Balance
Harmony is a beautiful balance between mind, body and soul measured in tender peaceful moments.”
Melanie Koulouris
At Amber Law, we strive to resolve legal problems and disputes with ‘inner’ balance for our clients’ mind, body and soul in the knowledge that we are all the sum total of our parts (mind, body and soul) and that legal problems or disputes cannot be treated as separate from these parts. Any conflict will impact peace of mind through stress and anxiety and we know that when peace of mind is disturbed, so too is the body’s nervous system which includes the digestive system. For example, some of our clients have suffered from headaches, stomach pain, ulcers, insomnia and children have been affected with nightmares, bedwetting and tummy aches.
In resolving conflict Amber Law also strives for ‘outer’ balance. This means striving for harmony, with all involved in the conflict, where possible. If anyone involved in the conflict perceives or believes themselves treated unfairly in any settlement, they will harbour resentment and ill will. Whilst those feelings and emotions remain, the conflict remains, even if it is legally resolved. If there is no closure or finality people are still trapped or imprisoned in mind, body and spirit. This is why justice must be done and be seen to be done, not only for our clients but for all involved.
Integrity
When you are able to maintain your own highest standards of integrity - regardless of what others may do - you are destined for greatness.”
Napoleon Hill
To be integral means to be whole or complete. Integrity is the practice of truth, honesty and a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles and values. Clients must feel able to trust and rely on you as their lawyer, as they are revealing their vulnerability and pain, disclosing family secrets or events they may feel guilty and ashamed of. It is absolutely necessary for lawyers to act with integrity at all times when holding space for our clients.
At Amber Law, we believe that justice cannot be attained without lawyers and court users living in personal and professional integrity, in authenticity - no matter who is watching.
Non-violence, not causing pain (Ahimsa)
In the presence of one firmly established in non-violence, all hostilities cease.”
Sri Patanjali Book 2, Yoga Sutra 35.
Amber’s Holistic Law Model’s foundations are influenced in part by the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, mediation skills and Marshall Rosenberg’s Non-Violent Communication skills. Amber Law promotes loving kindness to all we come into contact with. This includes our clients, those with whom they are in conflict with, their respective lawyers and all court users. To achieve this, we must be aware and mindful of our thoughts, words and actions. We must learn that, when triggered, we respond positively towards peaceful resolution rather than with a 'winning at all costs' or 'knee-jerk’ reaction. 'Winning at all costs' can actually cause more pain or add negative energy to the conflict. As Nalanie Harilela Chelleram wisely teaches, “Goodness does not equal weakness”. Settlements and compromises can be reached from a place of goodness and be strong, just and equitable.
In practising law with consciousness and awareness we create a space for gentle love and kindness. At Amber Law, evidence of this is seen in the positive outcomes to our clients’ cases when not only is conflict resolved, but our clients also enter a peaceful path moving forward with the tools, support and guidance from our Client Well-being Network.
Truthfulness (Satya)
With establishment in honesty, the state of fearlessness comes. One need not be afraid of anybody and can live an open life.”
Sri Patanjali Book 2, Yoga Sutra 36.
Before you speak, ask yourself “Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary?” Satya includes right speech and truthful communication as well as skilful listening. These are skills all lawyers ought to harness. When truly practicing Satya one’s thoughts, words and actions are all in alignment with one another. Being truthful does not necessarily mean being so honest that you cause harm. Consider ahimsa (non-violence) by telling the truth in the gentlest, most thoughtful, insightful and constructive way possible.
At Amber Law, we work in alignment with our personal truth which is to practice Holistic Law and mediation in service to our own and to our clients’ mental, emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing and healing. We seek to discover and unravel the truth about any given conflict, legal problem or dispute. By bringing light to conflicts, legal problems and disputes, solutions become clearer to see and easier to achieve. We hold truth as our highest value towards creating a more just world.
Non-Stealing (Asteya)
To one established in non-stealing, all wealth comes.”
Sri Patanjali Book 2, Yoga Sutra 37
Amber’s Holistic Law Model puts our clients’ and their families’ best interests first. This means practising Holistic Law and mediation in a manner which does not steal our clients’ mental (peace of mind), emotional or physical health but instead safeguards our and our clients’ overall wellbeing and healing.
Non-stealing also means securing fair and reasonable early settlements and peaceful resolution over and above lengthy and costly litigation whenever this is possible; not stealing from but safeguarding our clients’ and their families’ finances, life savings and property.
It also means not running cases which are unmeritorious with little prospect of success at trial!
Many of us steal unknowingly. By being late for an appointment or meeting we are stealing another’s time and energy. By being lazy at work and taking our full pay cheque at the end of the month we steal from our employer. If you take credit for someone else’s idea or hard work you are also stealing. Do not take what does not belong to you. Do not take that which you have not earned.
Fear, pride, ego and competition can drive people to greed and to steal which can also mean not letting others use knowledge or resources. Sadly, in the legal world we can at times see competition over collaboration. At Amber Law, we connect with like-minded lawyers and organisations across the globe who strive to make a shift in legal culture towards collaboration, personal and professional growth.