Emotional Well-Being in the Legal Profession

About the Seminar 

One of the first programs to address substance use disorder and mental health in the legal profession, this event is a must-attend for law firms, general, and in-house counsel. Join us as we examine how safeguarding attorneys, improving law firm culture, and ensuring the highest level of service are inextricably linked. Walk away with a better understanding of preventative measures and protocols for assisting those suffering from substance use disorder, anxiety, depression, and mental diagnosis.

The Benefits to You 

By attending this seminar, you will 

• Learn best practices for preventing root causes, and supporting lawyers with substance abuse and mental health challenges. 
• Examine ways to create a safe work environment for people with an addiction and/or mental health diagnosis.
• Find out how to identify and aid attorneys who are at high-risk for suicide.
• Discover techniques for managing the business while helping lawyers be their best.
• Explore ways to protect your clients and ensure that excellent service is consistently provided.
• Strengthen your strategy to ensure the overall health of your firm and its future.
• Share ideas, collaborate, and network with your legal peers. 

Who Should Attend 

This seminar is designed especially for the following roles within the legal profession: 

• Law firm leaders, including:
  • Managing Partners
  • Chairmen
  • Executive Committee Members
  • Practice Group Leaders
  • CHROs
  • COO/EDs
  • Chief Talent Officers/Heads of Talent Development
• General Counsel
• Senior In-House Counsel
• Insurance Underwriters
• Insurance Brokers

Suggested Reading

Here are some recent insights that have inspired this event:  

• ABA 'Furiously Working' to Craft Proposal on Lawyers' Mental Health
• ALM Survey on Mental Health and Substance Abuse: Big Law’s Pervasive Problem
• The Professional Cost of Untreated Addiction and Mental Illness in Practicing Lawyers 

Earn Recertification Credits

This seminar is pending approval for 6.75 CA MCLE Credits in Competency Issues

Three Things to Do Now  

1. Download the Agenda 

To learn more about sessions and speakers we have planned, download the latest agenda.  

2. Register Your Team to Save 

Register now to join us on January 21, 2020 at Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati in San Francisco. Groups of three or more from the same company save $150 per person.Multiple discounts may not be combined.  

3. Get Involved

If you would like to get involved in this seminar, please contact us.

• Speaking Opportunities: kimberly.fine@conferenceboard.org 
• Sponsorship Opportunities: michael.felden@conferenceboard.org
• Marketing Partnerships: allison.nilsen@conferenceboard.org

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Co – Chairs

Russell C. Deyo, Formerly General Counsel, Johnson & Johnson and Acting Deputy Secretary, US Department of Homeland Security

Patrick R. Krill, JD, LL.M, MA, Founder, Krill Strategies

9:00 – 9:15 am

Welcome and Opening

Douglas Clark, Managing Partner, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

9:15 - 10:00 am

Out of the Darkness and into the Light: Real Professions, Real Disease Real Pathways to Recovery

Mental health conditions and substance use disorders affect an enormous proportion of our world population.  The ABA Attorney Wellness Study found that lawyers are affected to a considerably greater extent than those in the general population.  The of depression among lawyers is four times that of the general population.

• Breaking the stigma of mental health and substance use disorders
• Mental health conditions are health conditions
• We are all in this together!
• Creating a safe space: Seeking help is crucial and will not lead to prejudice in the workplace
• Demands from the next generation of lawyers: A healthy workplace is a must for recruiting and retaining the best and the brightest
• Demonstrating concrete wellness efforts
• The Stability Network: Real professionals, real stories
• Prior to practicing: helping law schools students learn to cope with the pressures of our profession

Andrea Colby, former IP Counsel, Johnson & Johnson and Trustee, Albany Law School

Lisa F. Smith, Author, Girl Walks Out of Bar

10:00 – 11:00 am

Tackling Substance Use Disorder, Anxiety, Depression and Mental Health Diagnosis Head On

Over 250,000 or 20.6% of Attorney in the US suffer from a problematic relationship with substances. This according to a recent survey on Mental Health and Substance Abuse. The same study indicated more than 86 percent of law firm leaders said that depression occurred in their firms. Over 93 percent said the same for anxiety.

Patrick R. Krill, JD, LL.M, MA, Founder, Krill Strategies

Ross Todd, Bureau Chief, The Recorder and Law.com’s Minds Over Matters

11:10 – 11:15 am
Mid - Morning Break

11:15 am – 12:00 pm

American Bar Association Update and Anti Stigma Campaign

The American Bar Association is committed to improving mental health for all members of the legal profession, including lawyers, judges and law students. Terri Gronkiewicz of the ABA will provide an update on the ABA Working Group to Advance Well-Being the Legal Profession and will discuss the various initiatives and resources of the ABA to enhance well-being in the legal community, including:

• The ABA Pledge
• The work of the ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs (CoLAP).
• The ABA’s Profession-Wide Anti-Stigma Campaign.
• De-stigmatizing mental health and substance use disorders in the legal profession. 
• The vital importance of asking for help.
• Educating partners and management about the issue in the profession
• Recognizing early warning signs of substance abuse and mental health issues
• Identifying and creating resources.

Moderator:

Kristin Calve, Publisher, Corporate Counsel Business Journal

Panel

Theresa (“Terri”) Gronkiewicz, Acting Director, Center for Professional Responsibility, Staff Counsel, Commission on  Lawyer Assistance Programs and Standing Committee on Professionalism, American Bar Association

Mark S. Goldstein, Counsel, Reed Smith

12:00 - 1:00 pm
Networking Luncheon

1:00 - 1:45 pm

Addressing Recovery: Established Mitigation Standards

There is nowhere to hide if you seek mitigation. Owning the difficulties and the misconduct is only part of what is necessary. Above all, parties must demonstrate they have committed to recovering. This session will explore:

• Aggravation and Mitigation
• Understanding the causes of misconduct
• Existence of emotional and physical difficulties
• Clear and convincing evidence of rehabilitation
• Proof of treatment
• Recovery
• Candor and cooperation
• Good character

Hon. Catherine D. Purcell, Presiding Judge, State Bar Court of California

1:45 – 2:45 pm

Proactive Approaches to Enhancing Well-Being in YOUR Law Firm

Educating partners and management and recognizing early warning signs of substance abuse and mental health issues is crucial. Follow-up is then the tipping point to creating enterprise wide well-being solutions.

• Talent development, retention and succession plans
• Increasing resilience, focus, and productivity
• Aspirational plans - Where to start and how to sustain impact in a well-being plan
• Providing a safe haven insuring confidentiality and privacy
• Working with your clients to manage unnecessary sources of stress
• Working with our core strengths – coaching and presentations under the positive psychology umbrella.
• Creating and presenting a resilience curriculum – including elements of positive psychology, mindfulness & meditation, yoga, and more.
• PD Partnerships – Human Resources, Pro Bono, and outside resources

Moderator

Jan Anne Dubin, CEO and Founder, Jan Anne Dubin Consulting

Speakers

Kathleen T. Pearson, Chief Human Resources Officer, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Brenda Jacobsen, CEO, LifeXT

Nancy Dolan, Administrator, Professional Development Resilience Coach, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

2:45 - 3:00 pm
Afternoon Break

3:00 – 4:00 pm

Wellness Strategies and Competency for the Legal Community

From the intense competition of law school to the mahogany of office hallways, like minded professionals are working long stress filled hours. Their morals and values at play when faced with challenges associated in defending positions that may be contrary to one’s beliefs. Resulting stress may manifest in physical and/or psychological signs of anxiety

• How substance use and mental health issues can impair an attorney’s ability to perform legal services competently
• Wellness Strategies and Other Resources for Legal Profession
• What the California Lawyer Assistance Program offers

Lita Abella, Sr. Program Analyst, Lawyer Assistance Program, The State Bar of California

4:00 – 4:45 pm

Pressure, Pace & Privacy: Client Collaboration

Culture and communication are key.  Establishing fair and reasonable boundaries between law firms and their clients is a crucial to managing the day-to-day stress. This session will delve into the inter-relationship between in-house and outside counsel.

• How technology has piled on the pressure for today’s attorneys
• Working at a breakneck pace is not sustainable
• Creating a safe haven for those seeking help
• Confidentiality and Privacy – Who do you tell, what do you tell them and when do you tell them?

Russell C. Deyo, Formerly General Counsel, Johnson & Johnson and Acting Deputy Secretary, US Department of Homeland Security

Michael Joyce, Partner, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

Elizabeth Qually, Attorney, Bloom Energy

4:45 - 5:30 pm

The Digital Behavioral Health Revolution: Immediate Support for Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere

According to Forrester, putting off behavioral health care can increase medical spend by up to 300%, yet the average wait time for mental health appointments is up to 25 days. In response to the shortage of providers, legal employers are turning to technology to bridge access gaps. This panel will bring together industry thought leaders to discuss how digital access is transforming mental health in the legal profession. Panel topics will include:

• Why access to digital care is necessary in the legal profession
• How AI and automation generate more effective results
• Partnerships that are fueling mental health improvements in the legal industry

Karan Singh, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Ginger

Kathleen T. Pearson, Chief Human Resources Officer, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

Ray Gallagher, Director, Willis Towers Watson

Kelly Greenwood, Founder and CEO, Mind Share Partners

5:30 pm
Networking Reception