Wellness Wednesday Webinar: Dealing with Jerks and Bullies

Threats to Lawyer Wellbeing and Competent Practice

Many attorneys engage in aggressive behaviors and tactics that they say are part of a “duty” of zealous advocacy. We know such lawyers can violate professional rules, guidelines and norms of civility. And, clients, adversarial parties, and witnesses can also engage in aggressive and abusive conduct. Both the lawyers who are targeted by such conduct and those who see it may suffer negative physical, mental and emotional harm. It can lead lawyers to maladaptive responses that impact competent representation of clients.

In this webinar, we will learn to:

• Recognize how aggressive and abusive tactics in transactions and litigation may harm client interests or violate the rules of professional conduct
• Recognize the impact jerks and bullies can have on the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of attorneys who are targets or who witness aggressive or abusive conduct
• Identify strategies to deal with jerks and bullies including those who are disrespectful, openly aggressive, passive-aggressive, or tuned out to others
• Practices to help attorneys mitigate the health consequences of dealing with jerks and bullies (and available resources to help attorneys)