Perfectionism in the Legal Profession – When Good Enough Isn’t Good Enough
Brian S. Quinn, Esquire is a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania who currently serves as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, Inc., a Lawyers Assistance Program established in 1988 for the purpose of helping lawyers, judges and law students recover from alcoholism, substance misuse and mental health disorders.
2 hour CLE
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Program Summary
“Everyone tells me I’m doing a great job. My clients, my colleagues, my family. Why do I feel like I don’t measure up- that my work just isn’t that good?”
“If I ask for help, everyone will know the truth about me.”
“I’m ok. I can work this out for myself.”
Sound familiar? If so, you may be struggling with the perfectionism and self- doubt that has plagued members of the legal profession for years. When the pressure placed on lawyers externally to succeed is outweighed by the pressure lawyers place upon themselves, the impact on mental health can be devastating if left untreated.
There is a misconception among lawyers that only people who have “hit bottom” need or ask for help. The statistics say otherwise as recent surveys indicate that the overwhelming majority of legal practitioners believe they have suffered negative mental health consequences as a result of their chosen profession.
Recent studies have shown that there has been a dramatic increase in impairment due to alcoholism, addiction and mental health disorders among members of the legal profession. The statistics are compelling and clearly indicate that 1 out of 3 attorneys will likely have a need for substance use or mental health services at some point in their careers.
Key topics to be discussed:
- The early warning signs of distress and impairment due to substance misuse and mental health issues
- Perfectionism as both a commonplace and manageable condition among members of the legal profession
- Why legal professionals are at higher risk to develop mental health and substance use disorders
- Challenges and barriers facing legal professionals from seeking help
- Well- being strategies to reduce or alleviate these conditions and maintain a healthy work/life balance
Closed-captioning available
Speakers
Brian S. Quinn, Esq. | Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Brian S. Quinn, Esquire is a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania who currently serves as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, Inc., a Lawyers Assistance Program established in 1988 for the purpose of helping lawyers, judges and law students recover from alcoholism, substance misuse and mental health disorders.
Mr. Quinn obtained his undergraduate degree in 1970, his law degree in 1973 and a certificate in Drug and Alcohol counselling in 2012, from Villanova University. A member of the Pennsylvania and American Bar Associations, he has been a private practitioner for over 45 years, having litigated both civil and criminal matters during his career.
Mr. Quinn also worked in the field of Alcohol and Drug Counseling in suburban Philadelphia from 2011 to 2017, allowing him to gain both practical and clinical experience with individuals suffering from alcohol, substance use and mental health disorders.
Mr. Quinn is a past member of the Board of Directors of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania and served as a peer volunteer for over six years prior to accepting his current role as the organization’s Educator in 2017. He has written articles and made presentations on many lawyer wellness topics to law firms, Bar Associations, professional organizations and legal education providers on a state, national and international level.
Agenda
I. The early warning signs of distress and impairment due to substance misuse and mental health issues | 11:00am – 11:20am
II. Perfectionism as both a commonplace and manageable condition among members of the legal profession | 11:20am – 11:40am
III. Why legal professionals are at higher risk to develop mental health and substance use disorders | 11:40am – 12:00pm
Break | 12:00pm – 12:10pm
IV. Challenges and barriers facing legal professionals from seeking help | 12:10pm – 12:40pm
V. Well- being strategies to reduce or alleviate these conditions and maintain a healthy work/life balance | 12:40pm – 1:10pm
Credits
Alaska
Approved for CLE Credits
2 Ethics
Alabama
Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics
Arkansas
Approved for CLE Credits
2 Ethics
Arizona
Approved for CLE Credits
2 Ethics
California
Approved for CLE Credits
2 Prevention and Detection Competence
Phone: (877) 406-8636
Email: registration@mylawcle.com
Colorado
Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics
Connecticut
Approved for CLE Credits
2 Ethics
District of Columbia
No MCLE Required
2 Mental Health hours
Delaware
Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics
Florida
Reciprocity
2.5 Wellness
Georgia
Approved for CLE Credits
2 Ethics
Hawaii
Approved for CLE Credits
2 Ethics
Iowa
Pending CLE Approval
2 Wellness
Idaho
Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics
Illinois
Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 Mental Health
Indiana
Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 Ethics
Kansas
Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics
Kentucky
Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics
Louisiana
Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics
Massachusetts
No MCLE Required
2 Mental Health hours
Maryland
No MCLE Required
2 Mental Health hours
Maine
Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics
Michigan
No MCLE Required
2 Mental Health hours
Minnesota
Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 General
Missouri
Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 General
Mississippi
Pending CLE Approval
1 Ethics
Montana
Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 Ethics
North Carolina
Pending CLE Approval
2 Substance Abuse
North Dakota
Approved for CLE Credits
2 Ethics
Nebraska
Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics
New Hampshire
Approved for CLE Credits
2 Ethics
New Jersey
Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 Wellness
New Mexico
Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 Ethics
Nevada
Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 Substance Abuse
New York
Approved for CLE Credits
2.4 Ethics
Ohio
Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 Professional Conduct
Oklahoma
Pending CLE Approval
2.5 Ethics
Oregon
Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics
Pennsylvania
Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 Ethics
Rhode Island
Pending CLE Approval
2.5 Ethics
South Carolina
Pending CLE Approval
2 Mental Health
South Dakota
No MCLE Required
2 Mental Health hours
Tennessee
Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 Dual
Texas
Approved for CLE Credits
2 Ethics
Utah
Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics
Virginia
Not Eligible
2 Mental Health hours Hours
Vermont
Approved for CLE Credits
2 Attorney Wellness
Washington
Approved via Attorney Submission
2 Other
Wisconsin
Approved for Self-Study Credits
2 Law Awareness and Understanding
West Virginia
Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics
Wyoming
Pending CLE Approval
2 Ethics
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- Over 1,000 Live CLE Webinars each year
- All CLE webinars broadcasted in last 12 months
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- Hot topics & changes in the law
- All formats: Live, Replay, and On-demand
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