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The Henrico County Bar Association is hosting a FREE Ethics & Wellness CLE for its members on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. I’m pleased to share that the CLE has been APPROVED for 1.0 Ethics credit and 1.0 Wellness credit--for a total of 2.0 CLE credits. The CLE will be presented by Barbara Mardigian, LPC, Virginia Judicial and Legal Assistance Program ("VJLAP") Clinical Director, and Charlene Reilly, Esq., VJLAP Education and Outreach Manager. Each of their bios can be found here. Their presentation will cover the following two topics (one hour each):
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1.Navigating Occupational Risks to Practicing Law
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The practice of law is inherently demanding and stressful. Many of these pressures arise from occupational challenges such as adversarial work environments, constant deadlines, ethical dilemmas, and a lack of diversity. When combined with certain behavioral and personality traits common among lawyers—such as perfectionism—these factors can severely impact well-being, impair work performance, and even lead to disciplinary violations or malpractice claims if not properly managed. These issues affect not only the attorney but also their colleagues, employers, and the public.
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This one-hour course explores the importance of prioritizing well-being to meet ethical standards and provide competent representation. Presenters will briefly review the historical context of well-being initiatives within the legal profession, define the dimensions of lawyer well-being, and examine specific occupational risks identified by the Virginia State Bar’s Special Committee on Lawyer Well-Being. Additionally, the course will discuss relevant Virginia Rules of Professional Conduct that emphasize the necessity of mental health prioritization and the consequences of neglecting it.
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2. Managing Stress and Building Resilience
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The legal profession is known for its high-stress environment, demanding workloads, and relentless deadlines, all of which can lead to burnout if not properly managed.
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This course offers practical strategies for managing stress, building resilience, and avoiding burnout to help lawyers maintain their well-being and provide effective representation. Participants will gain a better understanding of the dimensions of lawyer well-being, insights into the psychological and physical impacts of chronic stress, as well as the unique occupational risks faced by legal professionals.
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The course will focus on evidence-based techniques for stress management, including mindfulness, time management, and self-care practices. Additionally, it will explore how to develop resilience by fostering a growth mindset, cultivating healthy habits, and establishing boundaries. By the end of the course, attendees will have actionable strategies to reduce stress, enhance resilience, and create a sustainable work-life balance, ultimately improving their professional performance and personal well-being. This course is approved by the Virginia MCLE Board for one hour of CLE credit/one hour of well-being credit.
