Ethical Wellness for Attorneys: Suicide Prevention, Mental Health, and Professional Responsibility in the Legal Profession

Attorneys face extraordinary stress, resulting in significantly higher rates of burnout, depression, substance use challenges, and suicide compared to the general population. This program explores the critical ethical responsibilities lawyers have, both to themselves and to their colleagues, regarding mental health and wellness. Wellness is not simply a personal concern; it is an essential aspect of professional competence and ethical legal practice.

Presented by attorney Danielle Graziano and mental health expert Beatriz Martinez Peñalver, this course examines how the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct intersect with mental health, framing attorney wellness as a foundational ethical obligation. Attendees will engage with rule-based analysis, real-world disciplinary cases, and practical wellness strategies that support attorneys in maintaining their professional responsibilities while managing the inherent pressures of legal practice.

Timed to coincide with Suicide Prevention Month and World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10th, this program emphasizes urgent awareness and ethical accountability. It is designed for attorneys at all career stages, including solo practitioners, firm leaders, in-house counsel, government lawyers, and supervisors, who seek to foster a healthier, more supportive, and ethically sound legal culture. Tools and awareness to identify signs of distress, intervene ethically, and promote well-being. Attendees will learn practical wellness approaches grounded in legal ethics, enabling them to support themselves and colleagues while upholding professional standards.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the ethical rules applicable to attorney impairment and mental health risks, including ABA Model Rules 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 5.1, 5.2, 8.3, and 8.4
2. Recognize early warning signs of burnout, depression, suicidal ideation, and other mental health issues in oneself and others
3. Evaluate the ethical implications of impaired practice on client service and professional responsibility
4. Apply practical, evidence-based wellness strategies that improve clarity, resilience, and productivity
5. Navigate ethical dilemmas when concerned about a colleague’s fitness to practice and understand reporting obligations
6. Explore stigma around mental health in the legal profession and lead by example to create a culture of wellness
7. Utilize professional resources such as Lawyer Assistance Programs (LAPs), Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), peer supports, and mental health services