Sustainable Success: The Ethics of Burnout, Stress, and Substance Abuse in the Legal Profession

This program, presented by Kim Nicol, J.D., outlines the key risks attorneys face that can lead to burnout, substance abuse, and malpractice. Through both cases studies and a review of the pertinent ethical rules, she explains why stress, anxiety, and burnout are so common within the legal profession, why attorneys tend to be disproportionately affected, and offers a practical approach to reduce risk to your career and health.

Learning Objectives:

1. Become aware of problems related to substance abuse and chronic stress within the legal profession

2. Identify the patterns that lead to high instances of substance abuse, and create a plan to address them

3. Recognize the health risks that disproportionately affect lawyers compared to the general population

4. Define and understand the ethical rules related to malpractice due to substance abuse issues

5. Understand the characteristics that make you a great lawyer -- and can inadvertently lead to burnout, anxiety, and substance abuse