The ABA and Betty Ford Center’s groundbreaking 2016 study confirmed devastatingly high rates of both mental health concerns and substance abuse amongst lawyers. For example, between 21-36% of attorneys qualify as problem drinkers—3-5x higher than the general population. Moreover, 25-30% of attorney disciplinary matters, 60% of all malpractice claims, and 85% of all trust-fund violation cases involve substance-use disorder issues.
Even though the problem is pervasive in the legal community, most aren’t equipped to seek help if in distress or to have sensitive conversations with those who need help. Tragically, according to this landmark study, 93% of attorneys did not receive help for alcohol or other drug abuse.
In this eye-opening program, veteran attorney Cindy Sharp will share her struggles with alcohol and reveal how she got sober and has remained alcohol free for over 11 years. Attorney and certified meditation instructor Becky Howlett will share her perspectives and provide practical tips for reducing stress and anxiety in your professional practice and personal life.
In this timely program, you will learn:
• What is a Highly Functioning Alcoholic Attorney (HFAA)
• Why we must eliminate the stigma surrounding substance use disorder
• How to detect the warning signs of impairment
• Ethical rules to consider: MRPC 1.1 - Competence, MRPC 1.3 – Diligence
• Ethical duties of partner of an impaired attorney
• Treatment options and other resources to consider
• Mindfulness as a tool for resilience, stress release and relapse prevention
Cynthia Sharp (CEO of The Sharper Lawyer) works with motivated lawyers seeking to improve the efficiency, profitability and overall well-being of their law firms. She practiced law from 1982 - 2009 and then embarked on a professional speaking and writing career. Ever since, she has served attorneys throughout North America.
Becky Howlett lives in Philadelphia with her husband, Mark H. Gallant and their dog, Rocky, and cat, Jackson.
Rebecca Howlett (she/they) is an attorney, legal educator, and certified Contemplative Practices Teacher committed to promoting well-being in the legal field and beyond. 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. Becky’s experience emphasizes relationship building, inter-disciplinary collaboration, and program development, including delivering educational seminars and trainings re: cultural competency, implicit bias, and attorney well-being.
If you intend to take a course for CLE credit, please make sure your state is listed in the "Accreditation" section to the upper right of the program description. Accreditation displayed is unique to the purchased program format (live conference, live webcast, on demand, podcast). Credit totals listed for live conferences are the maximum credits available. Credits issued will be based upon actual time in attendance. Credit totals for other formats are for complete programs. Partial credit is not available for any online or downloadable format.
West LegalEdcenter will not provide accreditation for states not listed.
This product is intended for individual use by the named purchaser. Group viewings for online programs may be arranged for five or more attorneys within the same organization prior to viewing by emailing west.wlec-sales@thomson.com.
