Alabama CLE Course Catalog

Anxiety and Substance Abuse in the Legal Profession - Live Webcast

Price: $24.99

The course explores the significant issue of anxiety-driven substance abuse among legal professionals, highlighting factors such as chronic workplace stress, demanding billable-hour systems, cultural stigma surrounding mental health, and competitive legal environments. It examines commonly abused substances, including alcohol, prescription medications, and illegal drugs, as coping mechanisms for unmanaged anxiety. Additionally, the course delves into the severe consequences of substance abuse, including ethical violations, disciplinary actions, compromised client outcomes, and impaired decision-making. It emphasizes the critical role of supportive workplace policies, specialized treatment programs, lawyer assistance programs, mindfulness and resilience strategies, and proactive advocacy and education to address these challenges and promote healthier practices within the legal community​

Credits:

Course Agenda:

• Prevalence of Anxiety Disorders among Attorneys
• Types of Substances Commonly Abused by Lawyers
• Legal and Disciplinary Consequences for Substance-Abusing Lawyers
• Link Between High-Stress Legal Environments and Substance Abuse
• Impact of Billable Hours and Productivity Pressure on Anxiety
• Mental Health Stigma in the Legal Field
• Role of Burnout and Compassion Fatigue in Substance Abuse
• How Anxiety Influences Lawyers' Decision-Making and Performance
• Law School Environment and Early Onset of Anxiety Disorders
• Anxiety Disorders and Substance Abuse among Judges
• Gender Differences in Anxiety-driven Substance Abuse among Attorneys
• The Role of Peer Pressure and Social Norms within Legal Circles
• Treatment and Recovery Options for Lawyers with Substance Abuse Issues
• Workplace Policies and Their Impact on Mental Health and Addiction
• Ethical Implications of Anxiety-Related Substance Abuse in the Legal Profession
• Bar Associations' Role in Addressing Anxiety and Substance Abuse
• Impact of Lawyer Anxiety and Substance Abuse on Client Outcomes
• Self-medication Practices among Attorneys Experiencing Anxiety
• Role of Isolation and Lack of Support Systems in Anxiety-driven Substance Abuse
• Impact of Anxiety and Substance Abuse on Career Progression in Law
• Coping Mechanisms and Preventative Strategies for Attorneys
• Relationship between Anxiety Disorders, Substance Abuse, and Professional Malpractice
• The Intersection of Anxiety Disorders, Substance Abuse, and Depression among Lawyers
• The Influence of Firm Culture on Attorney Mental Health
• High-profile Case Anxiety and its Relation to Substance Abuse
• Role of Lawyer Assistance Programs (LAPs) in Intervention and Recovery
• Influence of Competitive and Adversarial Legal Environments on Anxiety
• Mindfulness, Resilience Training, and Anxiety Reduction Strategies
• Economic Costs and Consequences of Substance Abuse in Legal Firms
• Connection between Attorney Anxiety, Substance Abuse, and Suicide Risk
• Improving Awareness, Education, and Advocacy for Mental Health in the Legal Community

Course Presenter(s):

• Berry Crawford

Ethical Considerations for the In-house Counsel

Price: $19.99

In this course we will look at the ethical issues that are particularly relevant to an organization?s in-house counsel. After a brief overview of what makes the situation of an in-house counsel unique, we will explore specific ABA rules of professional responsibility and look at example cases that illuminate the issues in-house counsels may face. Areas covered are: Confidentiality of Information, Conflict of Interest: Current Clients, Current Clients: Specific Rules, Organization as Client and Unauthorized Practice of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law.

Credits:

Course Agenda:

• ABA Rules of Professional Responsibility
• Confidentiality of Information
• Conflict of Interest: Current Clients
• Current Clients: Specific Rules
• Organization as Client
• Unauthorized Practice of Law; Multijurisdictional Practice of Law

Course Presenter(s):

• Joe Schofield

Storytelling in the Courtroom

Price: $29.99

As a trial lawyer, what do you really need in order to win your case? Attention ? the jury's attention. I don't mean that in the narcissistic "everyone look at me" sense. When I say every trial lawyer wants more attention, what I mean is that before you can build a rapport with the jury and earn their trust, you have to fight a war ? the war for the jury's attention. "Attention" and "connection" are the key elements needed to win the minds and hearts of the jury.

Credits:

Course Agenda:

• My Story
• Left Brain/Right Brain? What's the difference?
• The Case for Storytelling
• Tips for Building Credibility with the Jury
• Lesson Learned from "8 Mile"
• Purpose of Opening
• Storytelling as the Device for Opening Statement

Course Presenter(s):

• Michael J. DeBlis III, Esq.

Storytelling in the Courtroom: Volume 1 - Part II

Price: $29.99

Like it or not, we are in the midst of an attention war. We need to confront the reality that the jury's attention can no longer be taken for granted. We have to change our way of thinking to focus on gaining attention before we can leave lasting impressions. The jury's attention must be the currency that every trial lawyer trades in. In this presentation, I will talk about how storytelling can help lawyers to cut through all of the noise and distractions of everyday life in order to connect to the jury on a human level.

Credits:

Course Agenda:

• Reducing Trial to Its Bare Bones
• Shifting Sands - How I View "My" Jury
• Opening Statement as Story
• Theory & Theme
• Organization for Opening
• Cast of Characters
• Perspective
• Two Basic Modes

Course Presenter(s):

• Michael J. DeBlis III, Esq.

Storytelling in the Courtroom: Volume 1 - Part III

Price: $29.99

Stories are told in two basic modes: (1) narrative summary and (2) scenes. Narrative summary is an overview. It?s an expository way of moving the audience along in the story. It?s very much ?telling.? Most Nineteenth Century novels begin with narrative summary. For example, ?It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.? It?s more conceptual than cinematic.

Credits:

Course Agenda:

Course Presenter(s):

• Michael J. DeBlis III, Esq.