Mental Health & Substance Abuse

Practical resource for helping practitioners serve the needs of persons no longer able to make decisions for themselves.

Begin with the unique stressors of long hours, soaring law school debt, a highly competitive job market, client demands and expectations, lack of work-life balance, changing legal paradigms, and the “modern law firm” technology learning curve. Add to that list the most recent changes and adaptations associated with COVID-19 where small and large firms have had to address the evolving needs of both hard and the soft skills of legal professionals. Lawyers and law firms poised for keeping a competitive edge recognize the value in and necessity of incorporating a mental health professional to meet the needs of the individual attorney, the group practice, and the client toward optimal career satisfaction, productivity, and profitability. This session will help you incorporate this professional resource... because it is no longer an option not to.

Covid 19 raised unprecedented challenges for lawyers in forming and maintaining essential relationships with clients, employees, and colleagues, on a virtual platform. These relationships are the foundation of effective practice and rely on genuine connection. Such connection can be brought about only in a “containing environment” that is safe and promotes open communication. Creating this context calls for a disciplined presence, borne of self-care, that allows the other to feel seen and heard, and a partner in a collaborative process.

Get up to date about statistics and data related to changes post-pandemic and learn “best practices” and recommendations for lawyers who are practicing during these challenging times.

The 2021 IICLE® Ethics Institute is designed to help you meet with confidence the challenges of lawyering during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This program features 6 individual sessions that will show you how to present your best self via webcam, how to use the new technological tools of the trade ethically and safely, and how to conquer a variety of challenges to your mental and physical wellbeing, and more.

Begin with the unique stressors of long hours, soaring law school debt, a highly competitive job market, client demands and expectations (and Court-Mandated treatment for mental health), lack of work-life balance, changing legal paradigms, and the "modern law firm" technology learning curve. Add to that list the most recent changes and adaptations associated with the Coronavirus where small and large firms have had to address the evolving needs of both hard and the soft skills of legal professionals. It is no wonder that the ALM survey released in March of this year, found that 31.2% of the more than 3,800 respondents feel they are depressed, 64% feel they have anxiety, 10.1 % feel they have an alcohol problem and 2.8% feel they have a drug problem. Lawyers and law firms poised for keeping a competitive edge recognize the value in and necessity of incorporating a mental health professional to meet the needs of the individual attorney, the group practice, and the client toward optimal career satisfaction, productivity and profitability. Learn how to incorporate this professional resource, because it is no longer an option not to.

This year's Workers' Compensation Institute focused on Practicing in the Post-COVID Era. Review recent cases; get an update on CompFile; and learn about Medicare Set-Asides and new procedures at arbitration and on review before the Commission. Get virtual practice tips, including how to take effective doctors' evidence depositions via Zoom. You won't want to miss our most in-depth work comp program of the year!

In this program, an attorney and an experienced clinician specializing in behavioral health issues share their perspectives on the significant challenges for individual attorneys struggling with substance abuse problems and the impact of the prevalence of substance abuse issues on the legal profession as a whole. In addition to a further understanding of an attorney's obligations under the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct, this session offers practical tips for supporting struggling colleagues and provides an overview of the treatment process and how it works.

Recognizing the demanding nature of the legal profession, this session provides proven techniques for eliminating toxic stress, balancing personal and professional priorities, and encouraging peak performance. This program educates legal professionals on the impact toxic stress has on the body and brain - resulting in detrimental consequences to health, wellness and job performance. It then provides participants with evidence-based strategies to lower stress, build resilience and thrive in their personal and professional lives.