Can’t wait for the July issue of the Texas Bar Journal to arrive? Check out our editorial staff’s must-reads for stories on wellness, remarks from February’s bar exam high scorer, and a commencement speech from a past president. And don’t forget to catch up on Movers and Shakers, Memorials, and Disciplinary Actions.… Continue Reading
Bree Buchanan, director of the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program, was honored for her research and outreach on mental health and substance abuse disorders within the legal profession. Buchanan, who is co-chair of the National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being and co-authored the task force’s report, “The Path to Lawyer Well-Being: Practical Recommendations for Positive Change,” … Continue Reading
The American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division will host a Twitter Chat focused on mental health and addiction during the holidays. Brian Cuban, author of The Addicted Lawyer, and Bree Buchanan, director of the Texas Lawyers Assistance Program, will be joined by members of the Michigan Bar and Florida Bar as they respond to questions … Continue Reading
The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program receives calls almost weekly about a lawyer loss by suicide. In fact, 11 percent of lawyers have had suicidal thoughts at some point in their career. Will you make a commitment to help another lawyer and to help yourself? If you are experiencing substance abuse or depression and anxiety, call … Continue Reading
A groundbreaking 2016 study on substance abuse and mental health problems among licensed attorneys is a call to action and a reminder that more must be done to remove the stigma that keeps people from seeking help. That was the message from panelists August 5 at a session during the National Conference of Bar Presidents … Continue Reading
The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program of the State Bar of Texas received the Texas Suicide Prevention Council’s Leadership Award yesterday at the Texas Suicide Prevention Symposium in San Marcos. The honor was bestowed on TLAP staff attorney Chris Ritter by the TSPC, a coalition of various community-based organizations, state and local agencies, and academic institutions, … Continue Reading
The Washington Post recently published this column by New York writer and lawyer Lisa F. Smith on the stigma of drug addiction in the legal profession and the latest research on just how many attorneys suffer from substance abuse. The whole column is worth reading, but here’s an excerpt: A newly released study conducted by the … Continue Reading
A panel titled “Substance Abuse and Dealing with Addiction” at one of the biggest parties of the year? The dichotomy was not lost on the attorneys and handful of musicians attending this Saturday morning South by Southwest event—part of the continuing legal education track—and they moved in closer to the speakers for what was described … Continue Reading
This beautiful March weather is perfect for walks, cycling, golf, and picnics. And, because the days are not yet horribly humid and hot—which is surely just around the corner—it is also prime time for reading the Texas Bar Journal outdoors while soaking up some vitamin D. Here are our top four must-reads for this month’s … Continue Reading
Texas attorneys can earn continuing legal education ethics credit by watching the inspirational video Courage, Hope, Help—TLAP Is There through TexasBarCLE starting now through the end of the year. TexasBarCLE is featuring the video as part of its free online CLE offering titled “Not Alone—Help and Hope for the Impaired Lawyer,” which is available at … Continue Reading
The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program, or TLAP, is reminding Texas attorneys struggling with substance abuse and mental health issues that recovery is possible. In a new video, “Courage, Hope, Help—TLAP is There,” Texas attorneys share their personal journeys from despair to productive and fulfilling lives as they sought help for substance abuse. The video is … Continue Reading
The latest episode of the Voices of Recovery podcast is now available. In Episode 4, “No More Secrets,” a Texas lawyer tells of her struggles to achieve and maintain sobriety in spite of life’s worst challenges. The Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program, part of the State Bar of Texas, created the podcast to let bar members … Continue Reading
A new multimedia project from the Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA) will educate young people about the dangers and real-life consequences of substance abuse.… Continue Reading
A new monthly podcast will feature Texas attorneys' personal stories of fighting and overcoming problems with substance abuse and mental health issues. The Texas Lawyers' Assistance Program, part of the State Bar of Texas, created the Voices of Recovery podcast as a way to let bar members know that help is available and recovery is possible, said Bree Buchanan, TLAP director.… Continue Reading
