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Attorneys hopefully recognize that like many other professionals, their lives are filled to the brim with anxiety and stress. It’s important to be proactive in dealing with it. The consequences of shrugging it off can be catastrophic - not only for them but for their family, staff and friends. One of those consequences is burnout.

 And then there’s trauma. The ramifications of trauma aren’t discussed as frequently as those of stress and thus, for many attorneys, trauma is a topic in need of attention. Trauma can be secondary or vicarious. For example, it can be the cumulative effect of listening to a client or witness relay graphic stories and experiences. Trauma also results from a personal loss such as the death of a family member or a close friend or even the grief associated with lost opportunities and unmet expectations due to the cancellation of long planned events.

We are all dealing with the unexpected impact of a generational and community traumatic event – the COVID-19 Pandemic. It’s important to recognize the signs of trauma in yourself as well as in your office staff, family and clients.

Hear from our experienced speaker as he shares his personal story of trauma and anxiety and learn how you can recognize the unhealthy and potentially life threatening shadow it can cast.

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.

Mr. Quinn will discuss: 

1. The early warning signs of impairment, with special emphasis on stress, burnout and trauma, including the mental health impact of the  COVID-19 pandemic.

2. The free services that Lawyers Assistance Programs provide to lawyers, judges, their family members and law students. 

3.  A close look at what barriers exist that prevent lawyers and judges from seeking the help they need will be provided.

4. The role that education plays in breaking the stigma and fear associated with addiction and mental illness in the legal profession.

5. How best to approach the impaired individual.

6. Ethical considerations regarding the duty to report an impaired attorney and the exceptions granted to Lawyers Assistance Programs. Lastly, he will discuss the ethical challenges imposed by the imposed isolation of the pandemic and it’s possible long lasting effect on the legal profession.

Help protect our ocean, waves and beaches by volunteering with your fellow ACC-SD members (and their families) for a beach cleanup.

For more information or to sign up, email Diana Cohen at dianascohen@outlook.com

It's been a tough period so let's connect and recharge.

We invite you to our first roundtable event of 2022. Join ACCBC in a virtual roundtable discussion on "Legal Therapy: Sharing our Challenges & Solutions". Taking place Wednesday January 26 from 12:00 to 1:00PM PST. 

Agenda topics for the discussion portion are determined by the participants of the roundtable. 

The ACCBC roundtables will encompass knowledge sharing, building, skills development and a call to action. 

Come be a part of the conversation, joining others on this journey who have things to share and learn from each other. 

Register Now

This meeting is virtually hosted by the ACC BC Chapter via Zoom. Meeting connection details will be sent to registrants closer to the event date.

Sheppard Mullin's Black Attorney Group is excited to announce its Insights from the Boardroom & C-Suite: Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) from the Top industry panel, in celebration of Black History Month. Featuring prominent thought leaders, successful business people, and talented legal professionals, this panel is part of a series of events sponsored by Diversity and Inclusion at Sheppard Mullin to celebrate the unique contributions and history of Black people.

ESG matters present unique challenges and opportunities for companies and their corporate boards and executives. Increasingly activists, investors and other stakeholders are demanding greater corporate accountability for companies' environmental and social impacts on their communities, as well as enhanced transparency in the companies' governance practices. In celebration of Black History Month, this panel features Board Directors and C-Suite Executives from leading companies who are thought leaders to discuss ESG Hot Topics, including Board and C-Suite diversity, equity and inclusion and executive compensation. Moderated by prominent corporate strategist and governance guru, Kandace Watson, this esteemed panel will share their insights on navigating the evolving ESG landscape.

A virtual conference to help meet your CLE requirements! Conference will included 5 hours of CLE (including one hour of ethics). This conference is designed for the in house practice. 

Panels include: Employment Update Ethics Best Practices for Legal Opinions, Current Case Law and Scenarios for Addressing IP Assertions COVID 19 Employment Issues Privacy

Only $35!

Join Cozen O'Conner Partner, Devin Donohue and two general counsel for a discussion on the following employment issues:

Most corporate employers are facing a significant labor shortages and a hiring crunch.  This means that employee mobility has increased substantially between competitors fighting over a limited talent pool.  What, if anything, can companies do to address the increased potential that these mobile employees take company trade secrets and/or confidential with them to competitors?

What impact do advances in technology and work-from-home policies have on the protection of trade secrets and confidential information?

Have the potential speakers seen an uptick in trade secret litigation caused by caselaw limitations on the protection of patents?  What about the enactment of the DTSA?

After the challenges of the past two years we are all ready to look forward to an amazing 2022!

Please join us for this virtual webinar led by Dr. Lauren Cook who will give us tools to help us set our personal “SMART” and “SMARTER” goals while integrating concepts of self-compassion and mindfulness. You will also have the opportunity to be paired with a buddy following the event to help encourage you and keep you accountable.

It can be so easy to wish our time away and before we know it, the year has flown by and we wonder where it went. Rather than letting this year happen to you, take an intentional hour to outline the ways you would like to grow professionally and personally this year. By assessing what's going well and what areas of your life you'd like to shift, we'll use this time as an opportunity to designate measurable and manageable goals that will help you feel less stressed and more connected as you start 2022. 

A new year in California means new laws for employers to comply with, and 2021 was no exception, as employers continue to contend with the “new normal” presented by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Join us to recap the 2021 legislative changes employers need to know, the federal and state developments employers may face in 2022, and to identify the resolutions employment counsel and employers have on their list to accomplish during the new year.