Mental Health in Law Firms: Best Practices White Paper Released

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

The Mental Health Awareness Committee is tasked with the mission of raising awareness of mental health issues within our profession and proposing urgently needed reforms. One key focus of the committee’s work has been to examine what law firms are doing to address mental health and substance abuse issues faced by their lawyers and to propose best practices on these critical issues.

Following substantial research and study, including interviews of and other input from law firm representatives, consultants, and many other valuable information sources, the Committee has composed, and the College’s Board of Regents has approved for publication, a White Paper on Law Firm Mental Health Best Practices. The White Paper can be accessed by clicking here. The White Paper includes a set of recommendations for institutional culture changes to enable firms to effectively address the mental health and substance abuse challenges of their lawyers and to help them find needed resources.

We ask that you share this White Paper with your firm’s Managing Partner, General Counsel, Board and other leadership and that you consider implementing these recommendations within your firm or organization. And please do not hesitate to contact Committee Chair James Brown at jabrown@liskow.com with your thoughts, input and suggestions.