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The practice of law is high-stakes, high-pressure, and often high-stress, but it doesn’t have to come at the cost of your mental health. In this engaging and eye-opening keynote, we’ll break down the realities of burnout, chronic stress, and the unique mental health challenges faced by legal professionals. We’ll explore why the qualities that make great lawyers (critical thinking, problem-solving, and relentless advocacy) can also contribute to anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and even substance use.

Through real talk, humor, and actionable strategies, you’ll learn how to recognize the warning signs of burnout, manage stress effectively, and build mental resilience without sacrificing success. Let’s redefine what it means to be a strong, successful lawyer, without running on empty.
 

Thank you to Bradley for sponsoring this webinar!

Questions: Kathleen Smits at charlotteAED@accglobal.com

All registration links are located in our weekly email.

Many of us were attracted to the legal profession because we care about people and want to help them. 

Attorneys hopefully recognize that, unlike many other professionals, their lives are already filled to the brim with anxiety and stress. The consequences of shrugging it off can be catastrophic. One of those consequences that we often hear about is burnout. 

And then there’s a special type of burnout called “secondary traumatic stress” or “compassion fatigue”. The ramifications of trauma and compassion fatigue aren’t discussed as frequently as those of stress and burnout thus, for many attorneys, they are topics in need of attention. 

Secondary or vicarious trauma can be the cumulative effect of listening to a client or witness relay stressful, often graphic, stories and experiences. Those who experience compassion fatigue tend to take on the pain, suffering and burdens of the people they are helping. It is an exhaustion that is felt physically, emotionally, or mentally and can affect numerous areas of your life, often leaving you feeling numb. 

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, trauma and compassion fatigue. 
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.

Para Ser o Melhor Advogado, Pense Menos Como Advogado
Will Fletcher

Advogados internos devem aprender disciplinas complementares como liderança, design thinking e economia comportamental para se passarem de técnicos jurídicos a influenciadores stratégicos em suas organizações.

Resource Details
Interest Area: Skills and Professional Development
Region: Brazil

ACC Houston Law & Leadership Webinar
Lawyers as Leaders: What They Don't Teach You in Law School
November 18, 2025 | 12 - 1 pm | Zoom

Legal skills open doors, but leadership skills unlock careers. This conversation will explore the gaps traditional training leaves behind — and how in-house counsel can develop the skills that make them indispensable business leaders. 1.00 Hours CLE (TX)

New to In-house or relatively new? We'd love to have you join us on Thursday, October 30, Calgary Petroleum Club, 3:00 - 5:30 pm, for this Two-part Session, with a Side of Social!

The discussion will be led by Michael Briggs and Melissa Stoesser Young, of McMillan LLP and will cover both Privilege and the always interesting, Minding Your Ethics While Managing Up.

**New to In-house sessions are intended for those with less than 4-5 years of In-house practice.

Privilege The concept of legal privilege and knowing when and how to apply it are matters that continue to challenge legal teams and department leaders. We will discuss the subtle nuances of legal privilege, the ways in which it is evolving, and the need for clear protocols and processes to ensure privilege is commonly understood and applied across organizations and within legal teams.

  • Types of privilege, when and which are triggered.
  • Litigation holds, preservation of privilege, and processes.
  • Preserving privilege of all records, including challenges presented by new technologies.
  • When does counsel need to be involved and have a seat at the table.
  • Considerations around investigations and retaining outside experts and counsel.
  • Lessons learned and cautionary tales.

Minding your Ethics While Managing Up. We’ll explore how in-house counsel can effectively support and influence senior leadership while maintaining professional independence and integrity.

  • Ethical challenges that may arise when aligning legal advice with business strategy
  • emphasizing the importance of clear communication
  • sound judgment
  • ethical boundaries in high-stakes or high-pressure situations.
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