Attorney #1 Colleagues
notice that lawyer comes to work smelling of alcohol. He appears tired
and is often not as prepared as he used to be. The firm fears
malpractice liability. Doesn't know how to approach this topic with him.
Alcohol Misuse
Attorney #2 Dreads email and
phone calls from clients. Is tired of hearing the terrible stories of
their lives and feels they don't listen to her advice in how to make
things better. She didn't go to law school for this.
Burn-Out/Compassion Fatigue
Attorney #3 Feels
overwhelmed and dreads going into work. The office environment is toxic
and doesn't have a mentor to confide in about his negative experience as
a lawyer. Feels trapped because of large student loan debt and other
financial obligations. Doesn't know where to turn.
Anxiety/Depression
Attorney #4 Judge notes that
this lawyer is not as sharp as she once was while before the bench. She
forgets facts easily and often appears confused in the middle of
arguments or bench conferences. Judge fears that this attorney is
missing details relevant to her legal theory and is not serving her
client well. Judge is not clear who to contact to intervene.
Cognitive Decline
What these stories all have in common is that each lawyer found help through the New Hampshire Lawyers Assistance Program.
Lawyers are often reluctant to come
forward and ask for help. Sometimes it is because they fear it will
derail their career. Sometimes it is because they fear the stigma that
may be attached to them from other members of the bar; that they will
appear weak or even incompetent. Sometimes it is because they don't even
recognize that what is happening is real depression or anxiety because
they have never experienced it before. Most often, it is a combination
of all these reasons. The best way to deal with these issues before they
become a problem that impairs legal competency, personal relationships
or barriers to professional success is to get support. NHLAP has been
helping lawyers free of charge since 2007. We identify problematic
issues and make referrals to the appropriate resources. All services
from a simple discussion on the phone, to peer volunteers, to referral
to counseling or support services are
100% completely confidential.
Asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it signals the strength.
Self- awareness and self-care are hallmarks of a successful, healthy
lawyer.
You are not alone. Recent
comprehensive studies indicate lawyers have the highest rates of alcohol
and drug misuse, depression, anxiety and suicide of any other
profession in the United States. The American Bar Association has deemed
law "a profession in crises" and has rolled out both model rules and a
specific tool book to help change the culture which fosters these
debilitating issues. Identifying these issues and treating them is both
doable and successful. Lawyers can create a healthy balance in which
personal relationships, healthy stress management and job satisfaction
is a reality.
Lawyers are particularly concerned about confidentiality. Under NH Supreme Court Rule 58 the confidentiality of all client interaction with NHLAP is guaranteed. Any information disclosed to anyone in NHLAP - the employees, the volunteers, the referrals - will never be disclosed unless there is express authority of the client to do so. Further, NH Administrative Rule 37(e) creates an attorney-client
privilege for all information disclosed to NHLAP. If help sought indicates a violation of the NH Rules of Professional Conduct, NHLAP cannot disclose that information to the discipline authority.
There is no reason to wait. If you feel that something in your life is interfering with your ability to be the best lawyer you can be, whether it be alcohol, prescription drugs, depression, anxiety, grief, aging, work- life imbalance, or burnout call NHLAP. We are here to help.
NHLAP Helpline 1-877-224-6060