Abstract:
The purpose of this qualitative research was to study the learning preferences and
styles of management lawyers who work in Ontario's legal aid clinics. Data were
gathered from two sources and analyzed using the constant comparison method. A preand
postconference survey provided the principal data on clinic lawyers' learning
preferences. Follow-up interviews were then conducted with 3 purposefully selected
survey participants to explore their personal learning styles. Kolb's experiential learning
theory provided the theoretical framework for discussing personal learning styles. The
findings showed a general consistency among the lawyers to learn by listening to lectures
and experts. This preference may suggest a lingering influence from law school training.
The lawyers' more informal learning associated with daily practice, however, appeared to
be guided by various learning styles. The learning style discussions provided some
support for Kolb's model but also confirmed some shortcomings noted by other authors.
Educators who design continuing education programs for lawyers may benefit from some
insights gained from this exploratory research. This study adds to a limited but growing
body of work on the learning preferences and styles of lawyers and suggests new
questions for future research.
