Rehab for lawyers

January 20, 2011
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Working in the legal profession can be quite stressful and demanding. There’s a lot of pressure to solve your clients’ problems, often coupled with long work hours. Given that attorneys are sometimes the ones fixing the problems, it can make them reluctant to let others know when they need help. Some turn to drugs or alcohol to cope. Studies have shown that those working in this profession tend to have more issues with addiction than the general population. But instead of going just anywhere for help, a Minnesota treatment center has started a new program specifically for legal professionals.

Hazelden has created the generically titled “Legal Professionals Program” for lawyers, judges, legal assistants, and legal professionals with addictions. These addictions may be considered an “occupational hazard,” according to its website.

The program involves 12-step-based and gender-specific treatment, intensive group therapy, individual counseling, and pyschoeducational services. It also will include weekly meetings among other legal professionals led by an attorney/clinician, which will provide patients with insight from peers in similar situations; and ongoing one-on-one sessions with an attorney/clinician where participants will have the opportunity to address issues related to career restoration, professional practice, reputation, licensing or disciplinary matters and continuing care.

The center claims treatment will prepare attorneys to handle the future, know what do to do take care of themselves, where to find support, and how to be aware of what could trigger relapses.

You can learn more on Hazelden’s website.

What are your thoughts on a treatment program specifically tailored for lawyers? Would it be any more helpful than a traditional rehab program?

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  1. Interesting that the new laws in criminal code all involve voter fraud

  2. I'm getting divorced and we have prenuptial and judge said it stands even though he made me sign it 2 days before wedding then I be c ame ill and left with nothing butbills

  3. No irony here, John. Conour’s clients are wise to him. Evidently you’ve missed discovery that disclosed Conour was aware he was caught with his hand in the cookie jar, actually many cookie jars, but continued to spend any monies he secured on himself and his lifestyle. Your theory is idealistic and assumes Conour has the soul of a good attorney and therefore he would take care of his clients. Conour has no soul. He greedily took awarded settlements from his disabled clients and spent it on his own edacious desires. You are naïve to think if he kept working he would put his fees into a restitution fund. He is who he is and has proven he will use any means to cheat and manipulate those who trust him and the judicial system that is supposed to protect them. Sorry John, you don’t send the fox back into the hen house after he’s caught devouring the hens. Conour can’t be trusted. He has no more honor than that fox.

  4. The court of appeals not only tries to rewrite or interpret the law to suit their fancy, now they choose play stupid as well. Every consideration must be given to pro se litigants, who are not held to the same standards as attorneys, as stated by,SCOTUS. I assume they didn't have a lawyer, since one wasn't mentioned and I strongly suggest thatb the rest of the, origional petitioners get back in there and fight for their rights.

  5. the irony of situations like this is that the clients whom conour cheated are the ones who should be pulling hardest for him to remain free and keep his law license, so they have some hopes of him paying back. really bury the guy deep and then there will be little hope of restitution

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