Attorney Well-Being: Regulation, Risk and Resilience

Mental health issues and substance use disorders can affect attorneys in any setting at any time, potentially devastating careers and lives if left untreated. This program addresses the significant challenges posed by these issues within the legal profession and examines their intersection with ethical competence as outlined in the Model Rules of Professional Conduct.

Attendees will learn how to identify signs of impairment in colleagues, initiate conversations with them, and explore impaired conduct's disciplinary and professional liability implications. The program will also cover best practices, effective risk management strategies, preventive measures, and proposed policies to enhance well-being and protect clients, attorneys, and firm members.

This course is essential for attorneys of all levels and backgrounds. It provides valuable insights and actionable strategies to safeguard careers and promote a healthier professional environment. 

Learning Objectives:

• Identify signs of impairment in themselves and others
• Implement and use strategies for speaking with a colleague who may be impaired
• Identify and evaluate the possible attorney disciplinary implications of an impaired colleague’s conduct, including possible reporting obligations
• Examine the nexus between ethical competence and attorney well-being and learn some state-specific, well-being jurisdictional updates to the Model Rules of Professional Conduct
• Analyze best practices for minimizing risk around attorney well-being issues