Webinar: Contending with Depression as a Lawyer

This webinar will feature a panel of speakers discussing lawyers’ experiences of depression.  In particular, the panel will address issues such as:

• The state of mental health and depression in the legal field, to raise awareness and destigmatize
• Tools for self-care, how to find peer-support/connection, stress management (in addition to traditional tools like counseling and medication)
• How to disclose depression to colleagues/supervisors/opposing counsel/courts and seek/consider accommodation
• Building perspectives on practicing law and build on rather than suffer from errors/mistakes

Organized by the Professional Development Task Force

About the Presenters

Julia A. Clayton, Co-Founder & Vice President, Lawyers Depression Project

Julia has worked in the public sector for over 16 years, with her most recent work representing state health and welfare agencies in federal and state litigation.  As a co-founder of the Lawyers Depression Project (LDP), Julia works to provide peer-support to others in the legal profession who, like herself, are dealing with mental health conditions. Julia facilitates video conference support meetings, interacts with members through LDP’s online platform, and develops content encouraging recognition, normalization, and acceptance of mental health concerns.

David Evan Markus, Co-Founder, Executive Officer & Training Director, Lawyers Depression Project

David is North America’s only full-time judicial official simultaneously serving as pulpit clergy. David presides as judicial referee in New York Supreme Court, 9th Judicial District. His past public service roles include special counsel to the Chief Judge of New York, special counsel to the New York Senate Majority, deputy director of voter protection for Pres. Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, justice policy counsel to New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s transition, and senior law secretary to the New York Court of Appeals. David served as faculty in graduate public administration at Pace University, and political science at Fordham University. David is co-founder, executive officer, training director and peer counselor for the nonprofit Lawyers Depression Project, a national platform for legal professional wellness, support and advocacy. He teaches nationally on practice management, ethics and systemic dynamics of attorney wellness for both bar and bench. On the “clergy side,” David is senior rabbi of Temple Beth El (City Island, NY), Board chair and senior builder for Bayit: Building Jewish (innovation incubator), and trustee of the Center of Theological Inquiry at Princeton (leveraging theology to address global concerns). He is seminary faculty for the Academy for Jewish Religion, and maintains an active private counseling practice. David earned a Juris Doctor magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, a Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government (which awarded him the global “Innovator in Public Service” designation), and a Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude from Williams College.  He also earned double ordination as rabbi and spiritual director from ALEPH, and a certificate in spiritual entrepreneurship from Columbia Business School.

Joseph Milowic III, Partner & Director of Well-Being at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP; Founder, Lawyers Depression Project

Joe is a leader in the attorney mental health and well-being movement. He co-founded a non-profit called the Lawyers Depression Project (LDP) which provides online peer support to legal professionals around the world. Joe also serves by judicial appointment to the New York Court’s Advisory Committee on Access for People with Disabilities. He enjoys sharing his personal story of his experience with stress and bouts of major depression while managing the demands of working as a trial lawyer at a top disputes resolution firm. He is often joined by licensed mental health professionals who speak about stress management and the symptoms of depression, how to help yourself or someone you are concerned about, and the free confidential services available through the Lawyers Assistance Programs (available in each state).

Registration

Registration for this webinar is now closed.

Registration Fees

• FBA Member: $0
• Nonmember: $75

Live Captioning: Closed captioning is available for all virtual webcasts.

Cancellation Policy: No refunds will be made for cancellations received after the close of business on January 4, 2022. No-shows will be billed. Substitutions may be made at any time upon notification. Please contact meetings@fedbar.org with cancellation and/or substitution requests.

Internet Requirements: Virtual programs require suitable internet strength to stream online panels. A minimum internet connection of 800 Kbps is recommended for an optimal attendee experience. Test your connection here. 

CLE

This webinar does not offer CLE credit.

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If you have any questions regarding this program, please contact Caitlin Rider, Sr. Conference Manager at crider@fedbar.org.