The practice of law is a stressful profession. Lawyers face intense pressure with long hours, demanding clients, high-stakes and high-conflict deals or cases, and high professional and societal standards. As a result, the legal profession faces high rates of depression, substance use, and behavioral addictions. Chronic stress can also strain the body to the point of causing life-threatening diseases, and is known to exacerbate issues with the cardiovascular, autoimmune, and gastrointestinal systems, to name a few.
Total stress avoidance, however, is impossible in the legal profession. But there are many daily choices lawyers can make to reduce the negative impacts of stress. Sadly, the stigma around substance abuse and mental health challenges often prevents law students and lawyers from seeking the help they need, which means many lawyers are not equipped with simple tools and support needed to de-stress in this demanding, fast-paced profession.
This year, my goal through Stop the Stigma is to change the conversation and narrative around substance abuse and mental health challenges faced by law students and lawyers. When struggling, it is not uncommon to feel as if we are alone and there are no resources; however, the truth is quite the contrary. You are not alone. There are many resources available to lawyers or family members of lawyers going through difficult times. One of the many resources available to Texas lawyers is a group called Texas Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL).
LCL is a community of lawyers who, through shared experiences, support one another in recovery from alcoholism, substance abuse, other addictions, and mental health challenges. One of the most potent antidotes to feeling shame is to voice your vulnerabilities and hear another person say, “Me, too.” Recovery groups, like those offered by LCL, are a powerful way to experience the healing effects of community. While there are similarities to programs like Alcoholics Anonymous and many LCL members are working the 12 Steps, LCL has members with a range of challenges, including substance use disorder, process addictions (gambling, sex/love, porn, food, etc.), depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and others. Any attorneys who have experienced mental health challenges (or wish to support their peers who do) are welcome to attend regular meetings. LCL regularly meets in person and online, and you can find more information here.
Each year, LCL holds an annual conference. This year, the 33rd annual conference of LCL will be held June 6-8 in Dallas. The conference will feature attorneys’ personal stories of recovery, as well as discussions on busting the stigma of addictions and mental health issues in the legal profession.
Because alcoholism, substance abuse, other addictions, and mental health know no strangers, all ages and levels of attorney experience, including law students, are welcome to attend the conference. Additionally, financial assistance is offered to lawyer attendees for registration and/or hotel through partial or full scholarships.
Once registration opens, you can register here.
CLE and ethics credit will be offered. Dress is casual. No alcohol will be offered at the convention, and open AA meetings will be held during the conference. Three meals will be offered on Saturday, and breakfast will be offered on Sunday.
The Conference will be held at the Doubletree by Hilton at 8250 N. Central Expy, Dallas, TX 75206. A hotel block will be held for the convention and that information will be provided upon registration.
As a board member of Texas Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, I hope to see you there!