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Resilient Lawyering
Building a Sustainable Legal Practice
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Agenda
• The current state of well-being in the legal profession– 10 minutes
• Warning signs that can help lawyers monitor their risk levels– 15 minutes
• Strategies for handling the stress inherent in the practice of law– 15 minutes
• Tools and resources available to lawyers to help with stress reduction– 15 minutes
• Questions– 5 minutes
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Instructors
Joshua Lenon
• Attorney, admitted in New York• Lawyer in Residence at Clio• @JoshuaLenon
Jeena Cho
• Attorney, admitted in California• Author, The Anxious Lawyer• Podcast, The Resilient Lawyer
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I am Jeena ChoI am here because I love to help lawyers find a more joyful and satisfying law practice.
You can email me at [email protected]
Hello!
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Be Here
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Rule 3-110 Failing to Act Competently
�(B) For purposes of this rule, "competence" in any legal service shall mean to apply the �1) diligence, �2) learning and skill, and �3) mental, emotional, and physical ability reasonably necessary for the performance of such service.
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The Prevalence of Substance Use and Other Mental Health Concerns
�Substantial rates of behavioral health problems were found, with 20.6% screening positive for hazardous, harmful, and potentially alcohol-dependent drinking.
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and the American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs
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The Prevalence of Substance Use and Other Mental Health Concerns
�Men had a higher proportion of positive screens, and also younger participants and those working in the field for a shorter duration.�30 years of age or younger lawyers were more likely to have to engage in hazardous, harmful, and potentially alcohol-dependent drinking.
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The Prevalence of Substance Use and Other Mental Health Concerns
�28% experienced symptoms of depression�19% experienced symptoms of anxiety�23% experienced stress
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What is Resiliency?1
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Surviving: Ability to bounce back from adversities
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Thriving: Engaging in intentional practices, routines and habits that optimize how you feel.
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Impact of Stress on Resiliency
� Humans perform best under moderate but manageable levels of stress.�What we want to avoid is too much stress or
prolonged “chronic stress.”
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Yerkes-Dodson curve
By Yerkes and Dodson, Hebbian [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
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“
How we handle stressand what we do with it
determines our resilienceand overall well-being.
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Resilience: Two continuum
�What am I doing to manage stress?
�What am I doing to optimize my quality of lifeand well being?
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“
�Tip #1: Understanding Stress Response
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Let’s talk about the stress response...
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Tip #2: Diffusing the Stress Response
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“
StopTake a breath
ObserveProceed mindfully
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Tip #3: Practice Mindfulness
Present moment?
What does that mean?
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Do you meditate?
�A. Never�B. Occasionally�C. Frequently
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How stressed are you?
�A. High stress�B. Moderate amount of stress�C. Low level of stress
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Let’s Practice
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How stressed are you?
�A. High stress�B. Moderate amount of stress�C. Low level of stress
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Tip #4: Increasing Self-awareness
‘Bull’s Eye’ values-clarification exercise designed by a Swedish ACT therapist Tobias Lundgren
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Tip 5: Recognizing Thinking Errors
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� All-or-Nothing Thinking� Fortune Telling� Catastrophizing� Disqualifying the Positive� Emotional Reasoning
Thinking Errors
� Labeling� Mind Reading� “Should” Statements� Unproductive and
Unhelpful Thoughts
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Tip 6: STAY WELL
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STAY WELL
� Sleep: 6-8 hours p/night� Take breaks: give your mind and body a rest!� Allies: spend time w/ people who love you� Yoga: Yoga, mindfulness, deep breathing
� Well-balanced meals� Exercise: 20~30 minutes p/day� Let go� Laugh
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Tip 7: Cultivate Meaningful Relationships
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Tip 8: Managing Difficult Conversations — Support & Understanding
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The process for Authentic Communication
1. Observation: When you_____ (state your observation)2. Feeling: are you feeling_____ (guess the emotion)3. Need: because you need_____ (guess the need)?4. Request: Would you like (me, him, her, them) to (specific action)_____?
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Tip 9: Defining Common Missions, Values and Goals
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Tip 10: Increase Diversity
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Get a sample chapter of The Anxious Lawyer book!theanxiouslawyer.com/download/
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RESOURCES FOR RESILIENCY
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A Little Help From Friends
1. Lawyer Assistance Programs2. Co-Counsel Options3. Extra Autonomous Hands4. On Demand Help
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Lawyer Assistance Programs
http://www.americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/resources/lap_programs_by_state.html
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Co-Counsel Options
Clio’s Co-Counsel feature let’s you share a case file with a colleague for free.
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Clio’s Co-Counsel
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Clio’s Co-Counsel
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Extra Autonomous Hands
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Standin.is
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InvoiceSherpa
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On Demand Help
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Credits
Special thanks to all the people who made and released these awesome resources for free:� Presentation template by SlidesCarnival� Photographs by Unsplash
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