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On Demand

The Mindful Approach to Addressing Mental Health Issues in the Legal Field


Total Credits: 1 including 1 Ethics

Average Rating:
   4
Categories:
Legal Ethics
Faculty:
Becky Howlett, Esq |  Cynthia Sharp, Esq.
Course Levels:
Intermediate
Duration:
1 Hour 03 Minutes
Format:
Audio and Video
License:
Access for 60 day(s) after purchase.



Description

Join attorneys Becky Howlett and Cindy Sharp for this timely webinar as they explore the prevalence of burnout, stress, depression, and anxiety in the legal profession.

The landmark 2016 study on lawyer impairment, Patrick R. Krill, JD, LLM, et al, The Prevalence of Substance Use and Other Mental Health Concerns Among American Attorneys, 10 Journal of Addiction Medicine 46 (January/February 2016), available at http://linkon.in/lawyerimpair, found that attorneys have disproportionately high rates of mental health concerns compared with the general population. For example, 45.7% of lawyers self-reported experiencing symptoms of depression and 61% for anxiety. Tragically, 63% of them did not seek help for their mental health concerns. One of the main reasons cited is the fear that they would be stigmatized if others discovered their “problem.”

The objective of this program is to raise awareness about the nature of mental health distress in the legal setting, to challenge the biases and stigma that surround those concerns, and to motivate those who are suffering to take advantage of available resources. Certified Meditation Instructor Becky Howlett will teach and lead mindfulness practices throughout this session designed to help lawyers learn how to cope with stress, depression, and anxiety.

Topics include:

  • High prevalence of mental health issues among lawyers
  • Barriers to seeking treatment
  • Ways to support colleagues who may be in distress
  • Ethical implications of poorly managed stress
  • Overcoming stigma in the legal community
  • Mindfulness practices to help lawyers learn how to cope with stress, depression, and anxiety 

Handouts

Faculty

Becky Howlett, Esq Related Seminars and Products

Legal Burnout Solution


Becky Howlett is an attorney, consultant, and educator dedicated to facilitating positive relationships with others and ourselves.  After graduating from KU Law cum laude with a Tribal Lawyers Certificate in 2014, Becky focused her career on Indian Country advocacy, developing an expertise in federal Indian law and policy and tribal law. After experiencing burnout early on in her legal career, Becky felt compelled to do an in-depth study of meditation techniques and share these practices with others. In spring 2020, she co-founded legalburnout.com with the mission of empowering others to effectively manage their stress by promoting mindfulness practices in the legal field.


Cynthia Sharp, Esq. Related Seminars and Products

Director of Attorney Development

The Sharper Lawyer


Veteran Attorney Cynthia Sharp works with motivated lawyers seeking to build sustainable law practices. After building and selling her boutique firm which she ran for over a quarter of a century, she embarked on a professional speaking and consulting career.  For the past 10 years, she has dedicated herself to sharing practice building strategies and processes with solo and small firm attorneys throughout North America. In recognition of her contributions to the profession, the ABA GPSolo Division named her Trainer of the Year.  

As Director of Attorney Development, Cindy has established an international presence as an author and speaker on the topics of law firm branding and marketing strategies. She also shares practice management techniques with an emphasis on ethical implications - lecturing extensively to law firms, bar associations and other legal organizations.

She can be reached via email at cindy@thesharperlawyer.com.


Reviews

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4
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1

Overall:      4.5

Total Reviews: 4

Comments

Pamela M

"Knew most of the strategies already. Great reminder though."

Craig F - Falmouth, Maine

"mindfulness meditation "

Paul V - Bayside, Wisconsin

"Mindfulness and the value of meditation "

James H - Coldwater, Kansas

"meditation"