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Professionals at Risk: Detection, Prevention, and the Conspiracy of Silence

'I’m ok. I can work this out for myself.' 'I’m not like a 'real' alcoholic anyway.' 'I want help but I don’t want anyone to know.' 'Will I be reported to Discipline?'

Sound familiar? Recent studies have shown that there has been a dramatic increase in impairment due to alcoholism, addiction, and mental health disorders among members of the legal profession. The statistics are compelling and clearly indicate that 1 out of 3 attorneys will likely have a need for substance use or mental health services at some point in their careers.

There is a misconception among lawyers that only people who have 'hit bottom' need or ask for help. The statistics say otherwise, as recent surveys indicate that the overwhelming majority of legal practitioners believe they have suffered negative mental health consequences as a result of their chosen profession.

Add to that the 'we have to stick together and keep this quiet' attitude of many members of the profession, and we have a perfect storm for creating distressed, impaired lawyers.

Duration of this webinar: 60 minutes

Originally broadcast: October 27, 2025 11:00 AM PT

Webinar Highlights

This webinar is divided into section summaries, which you can scan for key points and then dive into the sections that interest you the most.

00:00 Introduction

Brian S. Quinn, the speaker, is introduced as an attorney and Education and Outreach Coordinator for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, Inc. Brian plans to discuss issues in the legal profession that put professionals at risk, focusing on detection, prevention, and the 'conspiracy of silence.' He emphasizes the importance of lawyer assistance programs and mentions a study by Patrick Krill on substance misuse among lawyers. Brian highlights the correlation between legal work and professional conduct rules, encouraging attendees to utilize the American Bar Association's Directory of Lawyer Assistance Programs.

05:03 Substance Use and Mental Health in the Legal Profession

Brian discusses a study by Patrick Krill, revealing that 21% of licensed lawyers are problem drinkers, compared to 6.4% of the general population. The study also shows that a third of lawyers under 30 are problem drinkers, and 28% of respondents qualify for a depression disorder diagnosis. Brian highlights the mental health challenges in the legal profession, noting that 73% of calls to lawyer assistance programs in Pennsylvania are related to mental health issues. He mentions a survey by ALM Intelligence and Law.com, indicating that 74% of legal professionals feel their career negatively affects their mental well-being. Brian stresses the importance of addressing mental health and substance use issues, noting the high rates of depression and suicidal ideation among lawyers.

17:00 Stress, Isolation, and Coping Mechanisms

Brian explains the impact of stress, isolation, and loneliness on mental health, emphasizing the need for social connection and awareness of depression symptoms. He describes the psychological elements of stress and the importance of controlling emotional responses to stressful situations. Brian encourages lawyers to ask themselves questions about their stress levels and to seek help when needed. He highlights the challenges faced by solo practitioners and the importance of managing stress effectively. Brian warns against becoming problem collectors and emphasizes the need to prioritize self-care and address personal issues.

39:00 Burnout and Secondary Traumatic Stress

Brian discusses the concept of burnout, describing it as a chronic process of disengagement from work, family, and health. He explains the elements of occupational burnout, including exhaustion, cynicism, and loss of personal identity. Brian highlights the risk of secondary traumatic stress, which can arise from exposure to accounts of stressful events experienced by clients. He emphasizes the importance of addressing trauma and seeking help to prevent long-term harm.

47:01 Personal Story and Overcoming Challenges

Brian shares his personal story of overcoming challenges, including the sudden death of his mentor and the resulting anxiety and stress. He describes how he coped with these challenges through alcohol and drugs, leading to a downward spiral in his personal and professional life. Brian emphasizes the importance of seeking help and the role of lawyer assistance programs in providing support. He discusses the impact of countertransference and secondary traumatic stress on lawyers, leading to compassion fatigue. Brian highlights the need for lawyers to address their mental health issues and seek support to prevent further harm.

Please note this AI-generated summary provides a general overview of the webinar but may not capture all details, nuances, or the exact words of the speaker. For complete accuracy, please refer to the original webinar recording.

Speaker

Brian S. Quinn 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. Read More ›

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits

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California CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Prevention and Detection Competence

Earn Credit Until: June 30, 2026

New Jersey CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.20 Ethics/Professionalism

Earn Credit Until: October 26, 2026

North Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Professional Well-Being

Earn Credit Until: February 28, 2026

South Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Substance Abuse/Mental Health

Difficulty: All Levels

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2025

Texas CLE

Status: Pending

Credits: TBD

Earn Credit Until: TBD

This presentation is approved for one hour of Prevention and Detection Competence CLE credit in California, one hour of Professional Well-Being CLE credit in North Carolina, and one hour of Substance Abuse/Mental Health CLE credit in South Carolina (all levels). This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 1.20 hours of total CLE credit. Of these, 1.20 qualify as total hours of credit for Ethics/Professionalism. An application for accreditation of this activity has been submitted to the MCLE Committee of the State Bar of Texas and is pending.

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