As attorneys, we strive to master the facts and be creative with the law in order to help our clients prevail in their cases. But when our client comes from a different country or speaks only a language that we do not, then another vital aspect of our representation will be understanding how the client's culture impacts their perception and understanding of our legal system. This was the theme of a recent cultural competency training that focused on immigrants from non-Western regions of the world such as Southeast Asia, central Africa, and various Muslim countries.

Cultural Uniqueness

The program speakers began by offering distinct portraits of diverse cultures. The complex connection between culture and law was probed by Prof. David Engel, Professor of Law Emeritus at the University at Buffalo Law School, who has studied law and society in Thailand, where he lived for many years while conducting research on how the Thai resolve legal conflicts involving personal injury incidents.

Buddhism impacts every aspect of life in Southeast Asia, and a belief in Karma is central to the religion. Karma is the cosmic balance that ensures that every evil action brings an increase in suffering, and every good action brings a decrease in suffering. It operates across the