Substance Use Disorders: What attorneys need to know

Session I – The Culture of Consumption: Navigating substance use disorders in the legal workplace – William Kenneth C. Dippel

This session will explore the practical implications of substance use disorders within law firms, addressing key ethical considerations when you suspect a client, employee, or partner may be struggling with addiction. We will also delve into the personal impact of substance disorders on lawyers themselves and provide answers and treatment options tailored specifically for legal professionals. Additionally, we will examine the potential liability law firms face when substance use disorders lead to professional errors. Equip yourself with the knowledge to handle these complex issues responsibly and ethically in your practice.

Key topics to be discussed:

• Ethical considerations if you believe a client may suffer from a substance disorder
• Ethical considerations if you believe an employee or partner suffers from a substance disorder
• What if it is you?
• Answers and treatment options for lawyers
• Potential liability if a law firm substance disorder results in errors

Session II - Assessing and Treating Addiction: Shedding blinders and utilizing practical approaches – Dr. Anish John

As our understanding matures regarding the dysfunctional neural circuitry that drives addiction, evidence-based approaches exist that further legitimize the concept of addiction being a medical disorder of the brain. Attorneys face unique challenges and vulnerabilities from an overall mental health perspective, which leads to higher risks and underscores the need for increased awareness and access to resources. In direct opposition to the hedonic, selfish choice that addiction may resemble when looking in from the outside, the goals for effective assessment and treatment are to provide clarity and appropriate interventions for individuals to make informed decisions that would support their ongoing long-term recovery.

The purpose of this presentation will be twofold, initially to review the components of a multidisciplinary comprehensive evaluation for professionals in higher accountability roles, ultimately with the goal of rendering an unbiased opinion with clinical recommendations. The nuances of providing intensive treatment for this population will then be explored, highlighting the importance of a robust continuing care plan post-treatment. This includes the challenges of navigating through interactions with regulatory entities that may be involved and building a safe return-to-work plan.

Key topics to be discussed:

• Addiction as a medical disorder of the brain
• Mental health challenges for attorneys
• Effective assessment and treatment goals
• Multidisciplinary comprehensive evaluation and continuing care

This course is co-sponsored with myLawCLE.

Closed-captioning available