Learn about the early warning signs of impairment, with special emphasis on stress, burnout, trauma, and compassion fatigue.
Many of us were attracted to the legal profession because we care about people and want to help them.
Attorneys hopefully recognize that, unlike many other professionals, their lives are already filled to the brim with anxiety and stress. The consequences of shrugging it off can be catastrophic. One of those consequences that we often hear about is burnout.
And then there’s a special type of burnout called secondary traumatic stress or compassion fatigue. The ramifications of trauma and compassion fatigue aren’t discussed as frequently as those of stress and burnout thus, for many attorneys, they are topics in need of attention.
Secondary or vicarious trauma can be the cumulative effect of listening to a client or witness relay stressful, often graphic, stories and experiences. When we examine it more closely, we realize it is a part of many practice areas. Those who experience compassion fatigue tend to take on the pain, suffering and burdens of the people they are helping. It is an exhaustion that is felt physically, emotionally, or mentally and can affect numerous areas of your life, often leaving you feeling numb.
Recent studies have shown that there has been a dramatic increase in impairment due to alcoholism, addiction, and mental health disorders among members of the legal profession. The statistics are compelling and clearly indicate that 1 out of 3 attorneys will likely have a need for substance use or mental health services at some point in their careers.
Agenda
- The Early Warning Signs of Impairment, With Special Emphasis on Stress, Burnout, Trauma, and Compassion Fatigue
- The Free Services That Lawyers Assistance Programs Provide to Lawyers, Judges, Their Family Members, and Law Students
- A Close Look at What Barriers Exist That Prevent Lawyers and Judges From Seeking the Help They Need Will Be Provided
- The Role That Education Plays in Breaking the Stigma and Fear Associated With Addiction and Mental Illness in the Legal Profession
- How Best to Approach the Impaired Individual
Speakers
Brian S. Quinn,
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers- Licensed attorney in Pennsylvania
- Currently serves as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, Inc., a Lawyers Assistance Program established for the purpose of helping lawyers, judges and law students recover from alcoholism, drug addiction and mental health disorders
- Member of the Pennsylvania and American Bar Associations
- Been a private practitioner for over 40 years, having litigated both civil and criminal matters during his career
- Worked in the field of Alcohol and Drug Counseling in suburban Philadelphia, allowing him to gain both practical and clinical experience with individuals suffering from alcohol, substance use and mental health disorders
- Has written articles and made presentations on many lawyer wellness topics to law firms, Bar Associations, professional organizations and legal education providers on a state, national and international level
- J.D. degree and a certificate in drug and alcohol counselling, Villanova University
Who Should Attend
This live webinar is designed for attorneys. Other legal professionals may also benefit from attending.
