Lawyers Living Well

Chief Justice Nahmias, formerly a prosecutor and US Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, serves as a role model for wellness by stepping down in part to spend more time with his fiancée and family. To listen to this and other wellness podcasts, please go to the link: https://www.gabar.org/wellness/media.cfm #lawyerslivingwell #useyour6 The Lawyers Living Well podcast seeks to provide a forum for the discussion of subjects pertaining to the mental, emotional, physical and social health of others and their personal experiences. The statements, views and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors/spokespersons and do not necessarily reflect those of State Bar of Georgia, its officers, Board of Governors, Sections, Committees or staff. Additionally, the information provided is not intended to serve as medical advice unless otherwise indicated. If you are seeking specific treatment plans and guidance, be sure to connect with licensed medical professional.

Ms. Stacey Dougan, high-powered partner at Greenberg Traurig turned therapist and mental health advocate, talks about the biology of burnout and what we can do if we are feeling burned out. To listen to this and other wellness podcasts, please go to the link: https://www.gabar.org/wellness/media.cfm #lawyerslivingwell #useyour6 The Lawyers Living Well podcast seeks to provide a forum for the discussion of subjects pertaining to the mental, emotional, physical and social health of others and their personal experiences. The statements, views and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors/spokespersons and do not necessarily reflect those of State Bar of Georgia, its officers, Board of Governors, Sections, Committees or staff. Additionally, the information provided is not intended to serve as medical advice unless otherwise indicated. If you are seeking specific treatment plans and guidance, be sure to connect with licensed medical professional.

A frank conversation about wellness and "doing the work" from the Executive Director of the State Bar of Georgia and past president of the Bar's Young Lawyers Division and former member of the Bar's Board of Governors and Executive Committee. To listen to this and other wellness podcasts, please go to the link: https://www.gabar.org/wellness/media.cfm #lawyerslivingwell #useyour6 The Lawyers Living Well podcast seeks to provide a forum for the discussion of subjects pertaining to the mental, emotional, physical and social health of others and their personal experiences. The statements, views and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors/spokespersons and do not necessarily reflect those of State Bar of Georgia, its officers, Board of Governors, Sections, Committees or staff. Additionally, the information provided is not intended to serve as medical advice unless otherwise indicated. If you are seeking specific treatment plans and guidance, be sure to connect with licensed medical professional.

Listen in as Judge Wendy Shoob reflects on encounters with impaired attorneys in her court and how she balanced her duty to properly preside over the proceedings and maintain order with her desire to encourage struggling attorneys to get help. The bottom line is, “You have to address it.” To listen to this and other wellness podcasts, please go to the link: https://www.gabar.org/wellness/media.cfm #lawyerslivingwell #useyour6 The Lawyers Living Well podcast seeks to provide a forum for the discussion of subjects pertaining to the mental, emotional, physical and social health of others and their personal experiences. The statements, views and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors/spokespersons and do not necessarily reflect those of State Bar of Georgia, its officers, Board of Governors, Sections, Committees or staff. Additionally, the information provided is not intended to serve as medical advice unless otherwise indicated. If you are seeking specific treatment plans and guidance, be sure to connect with licensed medical professional.

“I'm very committed to my own mental health. I see my own personal therapist I have for years… She's been such a godsend for me. I am thankful that I had that before the pandemic but goodness knows, I would've gone out and found somebody if I hadn't.” – President Elizabeth Fite On this week's podcast, Lynn Garson, chair of the Lawyer Assistance Program Committee, interviews State Bar of Georgia President Elizabeth L. Fite via Zoom, on her mental, social, physical health and how she managed it before and during the COVID 19 pandemic. Fite shares her experience with self-awareness and motivation when it comes to her self-care. Additionally, they discuss what the Bar could do better to support lawyers in pursuing wellness; the availability of the #UseYour6 program's counseling sessions. For more information on these topics please check out these programs at www.lawyerslivingwell.org. The Lawyers Living Well podcast seeks to provide a forum for the discussion of subjects pertaining to the mental, emotional, physical and social health of others and their personal experiences. The statements, views and opinions expressed herein are those of the authors/ spokesperson do not necessarily reflect those of State Bar of Georgia, its officers, Board of Governors, Sections, Committees or staff. Additionally, The information provided is not intended to serve as medical advice unless otherwise indicated. If you are seeking specific treatment plans and guidance, be sure to connect with licensed medical professional.

Lynn Garson, chair of the Lawyer Assistance Program Committee, has a discussion with Plamen Russev, a Georgia attorney who is passionate about integrating health and well-being into legal practice, serving as the chair of the Mental Well-Being Subcommittee and a member of the Wellness and LAP Committees. Russev shares about his personal motivation for supporting well-being in law, coupled with the importance of emotional intelligence and awareness about one's health. He addresses the culture in the legal profession against emotions and how he would like to see that perspective shift, amongst many other topics. You can find the resources and program mentioned in this episode here: “Joining Our Wildernesses” by Liz Techenor (https://www.dailygood.org/story/2703/joining-our-wildernesses-liz-tichenor/); the Georgia Lawyer Assistance Program/#UseYour6 (www.gabar.org/lap); Lawyers Living Well (www.lawyerslivingwell.org); and the Peer Program, or Georgia Lawyers Helping Lawyers (www.georgialhl.org). Other articles of note are “Help Is Out There” by Lynn Garson (http://bit.ly/Help-Is-Out-There) and “Why Work-Life Balance is Impossible to Achieve and What We Can Do Instead” by Plamen Russev (http://bit.ly/Impossible-Work-Life-Balance).

Lynn Garson, chair of the Lawyer Assistance Program Committee, sits down with Javoyne Hicks, Attorney Wellness Committee Chair, whose voice you hear in the intro to each Lawyers Living Well podcast episode! Hicks serves as the clerk of court for the state and magistrate courts of DeKalb County, and is a devoted advocate for mental health in the legal community. From the widespread effects of COVID-19 this past year, to the tension surrounding the racial justice movement, Hicks discusses the challenges facing attorney wellness, what the State Bar of Georgia is doing to address those challenges, and what she has done personally to combat stress and the stigma against getting help. You can find the resources and programs mentioned in this episode here: Georgia Lawyer Assistance Program/#UseYour6 (www.gabar.org/lap); Lawyers Living Well (www.lawyerslivingwell.org); Suicide Awareness Program on April 30, 2021 (www.cjcpga.org/suicide-awareness-program/); “Setting the Bar: A Vision Board Party for Lawyers” wellness event (www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLoW9JVJQIU); and the Peer Program, or Georgia Lawyers Helping Lawyers (www.georgialhl.org).

Lynn Garson, chair of the Lawyer Assistance Program Committee, has a conversation with Kristy Weathers, the Professional Development Partner at Eversheds Sutherland since 2006. Eversheds Sutherland scored the highest of the 11 Atlanta firms ranked by associates in the national Am Law survey published in August 2020, and was ranked No. 12 of all 200 firms surveyed; additionally, it was ranked No. 1 in associate satisfaction locally for the second year in a row. Much of the commentary in the survey was on mental health, and Weathers discusses what Eversheds Sutherland is doing to earn that ranking. She also talks about setting boundaries in law practice, what she has done to stay steady and sane during the COVID-19 pandemic and the high importance of talking openly and often about wellness resources. You can find the programs mentioned in this episode here: the ABA's Well-Being Pledge (https://bit.ly/3jqRmrU); Lawyers Living Well (www.lawyerslivingwell.org); Georgia Lawyer Assistance Program (www.gabar.org/lap); and the Peer Program, or Georgia Lawyers Helping Lawyers (www.georgialhl.org).

Lynn Garson, chair of the Lawyer Assistance Program Committee, chats with new 2020-21 Bar President Dawn M. Jones over Zoom, covering a range of topics relating to attorney well-being. President Jones shares about her goals and desires for the newly-created State Bar committee, the Seeking Equal Justice and Addressing Racism & Racial Bias Committee. As a former critical care nurse, Ms. Jones also gives her personal view on the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has affected members of the Bar and the legal profession. Lastly, Ms. Jones shares her “wellness wish list” for the future and some words of encouragement for all who are struggling. You can find the programs mentioned in this episode here: Lawyers Living Well (www.lawyerslivingwell.org); Georgia Lawyer Assistance Program (www.gabar.org/lap); the Peer Program, or Georgia Lawyers Helping Lawyers (www.georgialhl.org); the Georgia Diversity Program (https://www.gabar.org/committeesprogramssections/programs/diversity/); SOLACE (https://www.gabar.org/wellness/mental/SOLACE.cfm).

Lynn Garson, chair of the Lawyer Assistance Program Committee, sits down with attorney Marcus Sandifer over Zoom to discuss how the aftermath of George Floyd's death and ensuing protests against systemic racism are impacting attorneys' mental health, on top of the continuing concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Sandifer is in his fourth year of practice at DLA Piper. A graduate of the Emory University School of Law, he served as director of Community Service for the National Black Law Students Association, vice chair of the Law Student Division for the American Bar Association and vice president of the Emory Law Student Bar Association. At Emory, he was a Sutherland Scholar and Deans Fellow, received the Deans Award for service and was recognized as the Most Outstanding 3L at Commencement. He can be reached at marcus.sandifer@us.dlapiper.com. Learn more about the Lawyer Assistance Program (available to members of the State Bar of Georgia only) at www.gabar.org/lap and Lawyers Living Well at www.lawyerslivingwell.org.

Lynn Garson, chair of the Lawyer Assistance Program Committee, interviews State Bar of Georgia President Darrell Sutton via Zoom. He shares about the Bar's response to COVID-19, his personal wellness practices during this time and what the days ahead might look like. Additionally, they discuss what the Bar could do better to support lawyers in pursuing wellness; the availability of the #UseYour6 program's counseling sessions; and the absolute confidentiality of the Lawyer Assistance Program and the Georgia Lawyers Helping Lawyers peer-to-peer program. Check out these programs at www.gabar.org/lap, www.georgialhl.org and www.lawyerslivingwell.org.

Lynn Garson, chair of the Lawyer Assistance Program Committee, interviews Supreme Court of Georgia Chief Justice Harold Melton via Zoom. He shares about the Supreme Court of Georgia's decision to enact a statewide judicial emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, along with what plans are being made for the future, amidst uncertainty and a desire to keep all parties safe. Garson mentions the State Bar of Georgia's SOLACE program, which seeks to aid lawyers who have experienced a traumatic event or loss. If you are interested in learning more about SOLACE, visit www.gabar.org/solace.

George Martin is president of CorpCare Associates, the company that administers the State Bar of Georgia's Lawyer Assistance Program, that provides professional, confidential counseling to Bar members. He explains the confidentiality of the six prepaid sessions available per year to all Bar members through LAP, administered by professionals in your area or nearby, via in-person meetings or via telehealth means. He highlights the issues and needs that might arise during the COVID-19 pandemic and encourages Bar members to reach out through the LAP Hotline (1-800-327-9631) or to the Georgia Lawyers Helping Lawyers program (www.georgialhl.org). He shares his own experience with the pandemic's fallout, like a long episode of “The Twilight Zone,” and talks about how each of us cope differently. He engages in a discussion about resiliency, focusing on Al Siebert's 30 years of research into human resiliency and how it develops (see www.resiliencycenter.com), which Martin believes is particularly relevant in the midst of a global health crisis.

Hon. Kenneth “Ken” B. Hodges, a Court of Appeals of Georgia and former State Bar of Georgia president (2018-19), gives his view from the bench, regarding the “Shelter in Place” Order and what that means for Georgia'se courts, and his view from home, acting as an unofficial P.E. coach for his two elementary-aged children, who are now schooling from home. As one who has operated his own small law firm, he advocates the resources available on the State Bar of Georgia's website (www.gabar.org), including small business resources and law practice management resources. He also reminds State Bar of Georgia members of the mental health resources available to them through the Lawyer Assistance Program and the LAP Hotline (1-800-327-9631). He highlights the #UseYour6 initiative, which provides six prepaid counseling sessions to all Bar members in Georgia that are completely confidential. He also spotlights the State Bar's Suicide Awareness Program and encourages us all to be aware, check on one another regularly and recommend professional counsel as needed. Regarding physical health, Hodges shares his own routine of taking walks; for social health, he shares how he had lunch with a friend using the Zoom.us platform, practicing social distancing; and to keep up spirits at home, he shares fun activities with his children.

Lynn Garson, chair of the Lawyer Assistance Program of the State Bar of Georgia, talks about what it's like to struggle during these uncertain COVID-19 times and shares some personal thoughts on taking care of ourselves. Having achieved 10 years of stability after being voluntarily hospitalized in 2008 and 2010 for depression and anxiety, Garson is keenly aware of the challenges to mental and emotional health presented by the combination of enforced isolation and increased family demands, as well as other fallout, from the COVID-19 pandemic. She urges anyone who is struggling to reach out for the help that can be found in community, in knowing that you are not alone. She reminds us that the Bar offers two excellent resources through the Lawyer Assistance Program consisting of six confidential prepaid sessions with a licensed professional counselor (https://www.gabar.org/committeesprogramssections/programs/lap/) and peer support from colleagues (www.georgialhl.org).