Lawyers and judges suffer from mental health and substance abuse issues at rates well above the U.S. population average, according to a widely published national study the American Bar Association conducted in partnership with the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in 2016.
Change is something that we all navigate, and over the past two years we have all certainly been navigating lots of rapid change collectively. In addition, maybe you, like me, have decided to make some changes in your legal practice. How is your heart feeling as you make these changes?
Depending on whose research you use, between 80% to 92% of New Year’s resolutions fail, and U.S. News & World Report says most lose their resolve by mid-February. JLAP Deputy Director Loretta Oleksy says she doesn’t pretend to have the solution, but if you’re interested in exploring alternatives, she’d love some company along the way.
Now more than ever, it is easy to participate in Dry January without feeling like you are being deprived.
During a Thursday conversation with Chief Justice Loretta Rush, the state’s highest judicial officer reflected on the 2020-2021 Annual Report of the Indiana Supreme Court and discussed what’s to come in the new year.
For one young Indiana attorney, this holiday season is met with more gratitude and thanksgiving than in years past. It will mark year two of victory over a hard-fought battle with addiction.
Monroe Circuit Judge Mary Ellen Diekhoff and attorney Katherine Tapp of Kightlinger & Gray are the newest appointments to the Indiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program committee. They will begin their terms Jan. 1, 2022.
A Carmel lawyer who recently pleaded guilty to multiple drunken driving offenses has been suspended from the practice of law in Indiana and ordered to monitoring under the Indiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program.
Since the summer of 2020, the Indiana Supreme Court’s Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program has had many deep discussions about the issues that are affecting people of color and what the program can do to support law students, attorneys and judges of color, as well as others who care about these issues and want to be meaningful and proactive allies.
Retired Marion County Judge David Shaheed co-authored a groundbreaking national report on the effects of job stress on the judiciary. The report identifies both the sources of stress and strategies for managing it.
According to Bloomberg Law’s Attorney Workload and Hours report from Q1 of 2021, well-being declined among attorneys, particularly those who have practiced for less than seven years. The study was the second iteration of the Attorney Workload and Hours Survey, which focused on lawyers’ experiences with job satisfaction and well-being in 2020.
Loretta Oleksy, deputy director of the Indiana Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program, shares the lessons she learned in 2020.
I am a farmer’s daughter. I grew up never too far from the nearest barn cat, hound dog, racehorse or cattle herd. I adopted them all and gave them each a name.
An Indianapolis attorney will serve a 30-day suspension for sending sexually explicit text messages to a client, the Indiana Supreme Court ordered.
A longtime Evansville lawyer is on probation following his guilty plea several months ago to a charge of operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
When speaking to students at law schools, we repeatedly emphasize that they should never avoid counseling or treatment because they fear it would prevent their admission to the bar. To the contrary, the willingness to seek mental treatment demonstrates that an applicant has the maturity to do the right thing when confronting life’s daily challenges.
A Hamilton County magistrate judge who was removed from the bench after he was convicted of meth possession resulting from a law enforcement sting operation faces additional discipline for an alleged violation of his professional probation.
An attorney from Carmel and one from Connersville have been suspended from the practice of law as a result of convictions for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The lawyers in both cases had prior convictions.
Talking about what motivates him to be a JLAP volunteer, Justice Steven David pointed out parallels in his legal and military career paths. In both, ordinary people are called upon to do extraordinary things: solving problems, working in the midst of conflict and making decisions that affect lives. We set high expectations for ourselves. Failure is not an option.
Lawyer Jill Carnell invites you to try the practice of self-compassion because it can make you a better lawyer by helping you to more easily “reset” when you find yourself in an emotionally or physically painful situation.