Disorder in The Court: The Crossroads of Incivility and Wellness in the Legal Profession (Hybrid)
SCHEDULE
Lunch: 11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
CLE: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
This CLE will be available in a live, hybrid format (in-person and virtual). Please select the corresponding ticket (in-person or virtual) when registering below. Thank you.
ONLINE REGISTRATION INCLUDED BELOW.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A REGISTRATION FORM
Event Description:
Abrasive or burned out? Overworked or uncivil? Zealous advocate or bully?
The legal profession is navigating a critical crossroads where the traditional, often adversarial culture of lawyering meets an urgent need for practitioner well-being. Civility in the profession is under increasing strain from rising polarization, digital communication, and a “win-at-all-costs” mentality. Incivility-ranging from bullying and excessive or unreasonable demands to routine discourtesy-can contribute to stress and burnout and is associated with substance misuse, anxiety, and depression among legal professionals.
In this program, Mr. Quinn and Mr. Mitsch will examine the connection between incivility and attorney well-being, including how uncivil conduct may be confused with zealous representation and the ethical issues that can arise under Rules 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5 of the Rules of Professional Conduct. The course will also explore strategies attorneys, law firms, and the broader legal profession can use to address mental health challenges, support well-being, and reduce uncivil conduct, as well as the free and confidential resources available through Lawyer Assistance Programs.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the relationship between incivility, stress, burnout, substance misuse, anxiety, and other well-being concerns affecting legal professionals
- Distinguish zealous advocacy from bullying, discourtesy, and other forms of uncivil professional conduct
- Identify ethical concerns arising from attorney incivility, including conduct implicating Rules 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5 of the Rules of Professional Conduct
- Apply individual, firm-level, and profession-wide strategies to support attorney well-being, address mental health challenges, and reduce uncivil conduct
- Identify and access the free and confidential resources available through Lawyer Assistance Programs (LAPs) to support attorneys experiencing mental health, substance use, or other well-being concerns
Credit:
1.0 ETHICS CREDIT
Speakers:
Brian S. Quinn, Esquire
Education and Outreach Coordinator for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Brian S. Quinn, Esquire is a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania who currently serves as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for Lawyers concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, Inc., a Lawyers Assistance program established in 1988 for the purpose of helping lawyers, judges and law students recover from alcoholism, drug addiction and mental health disorders.
Mr. Quinn obtained his undergraduate degree in 1970, his law degree in 1973 and a certificate in Drug and Alcohol counselling in 2012, all from Villanova University. In addition to his position with Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers in 2017, Mr. Quinn has been engaged in private practice for nearly 50 years as well. His practice is now limited to estate planning and administration.
Mr. Quinn has also worked in the field of Alcohol and Drug Counselling in suburban Philadelphia. Mr. Quinn is a past member of the Board of Directors of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania and served as a peer volunteer prior to accepting his current role as the organization’s Educator.
Mr. Quinn has conducted CLE presentations for Bar Associations, private law firms and professional organizations, as well as for CLE providers, on a variety of topics in the fields of Lawyer wellness and impairment in the legal profession. He is a nationally recognized educator and wellness advocate.
Gregory F. Mitsch, Esquire
Education and Outreach Coordinator for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, Inc.
Gregory F. Mitsch, Esq., has been a criminal defense attorney for 30 years and was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1996. He currently serves as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, a Lawyers Assistance Program established in 1988 for the purpose of helping lawyers, judges and law students recover from alcoholism, drug addiction and mental health disorders. He provides Continuing Legal Education presentations to lawyers, judges, and law students. His professional and academic background underscores a longstanding dedication to zealous client representation, legal scholarship, and service to the profession. Prior to his current position, he was a peer volunteer for Lawyers concerned for Lawyers for nine years and was actively involved in the annual volunteer conference. He received his undergraduate degree from The Pennsylvania State University in 1993 and earned his Juris Doctor from the Dickinson School of Law in 1996.
QUESTIONS?
Email Lexi Driendl (lexi@lancasterbar.org), Education & Member Engagement Coordinator
Virtual CLE Attendance Information:
For programs offering a virtual attendance option, Zoom login information will be sent to registered attendees either the day before the program or the morning of the event.
If you need to change your registration format from in person to virtual attendance, or from virtual to in person attendance, requests must be submitted at least 24 hours prior to the start of the CLE. Requests received less than 24 hours before the program may not be accommodated. Virtual attendees will receive additional instructions in advance of the program regarding attendance verification, passwords, and submission of CLE credit forms. Unless otherwise noted, CLE programs hosted by the Lancaster Bar Association are not recorded.