What Should I Do? Ethical Dilemmas and the Impaired Colleague (Virtual)
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Event Description
“I think he drinks too much – but he’s my boss!”
“She’s the firm’s rainmaker, but something isn’t right.”
“What will happen to our reputation if our clients find out he’s in a mental health facility?”
These issues are becoming more common as the prevalence rates for impairment due to substance and alcohol misuse, stress, anxiety and depression continue to rise. One out of three lawyers will require some form of treatment for these issues in their careers. Despite these startling statistics, the fear of asking for help remains. Many believe it is the very culture which has been created in the legal profession that has lent itself to the notion that overwork remains the norm and seeking assistance is a sign of weakness.
Do I say something or remain silent? What will happen under either scenario? Have we become enablers who simply sweep problems “under the rug” and hope for the best or are we going to be proactive members of a profession that impacts society every day?
This program will explore:
- The ethical dilemmas that can occur when a colleague, a supervisor or a subordinate exhibits signs of distress or impairment;
- The duty to report misconduct as set forth in the Rules of Professional Conduct.
- The responsibilities imposed by the Rules upon both supervisory and subordinate attorneys for the misconduct of attorneys and staff members.
- The harm that can occur to all parties by “looking the other way” or ignoring new bad behaviors because it’s “none of my business.”
- The stigma that surrounds substance misuse and mental health issues in the legal profession.
- The free resources that Lawyers Assistance programs provide to help lawyers, judges, their families and law students.
CREDIT(S):
1.0 ETHICS CREDIT
SPEAKER:
Brian S. Quinn, Esquire
Education and Outreach Coordinator, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania
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.
QUESTIONS?
Email Lexi Driendl (lexi@lancasterbar.org), Continuing Legal Education & Marketing Coordinator