The stigma attached to substance abuse, addiction and mental health problems is pervasive in the legal professions. Law firms, legal regulators and individual attorneys in South Florida are advocating for lasting solutions.

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ALM Survey on Mental Health and Substance Abuse: Big Law's Pervasive Problem

ALM Intelligence's survey of Am Law 200 firm leaders about their attitudes and actions regarding addiction and mental health challenges reveals much work remains to be done to deal with the problem.

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ABA Sounds New Alarm on Substance Abuse, Firms Pledge Action

A dozen major law firms have already signed on to a seven-point pledge that the ABA hopes the whole industry will embrace.

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That Snarky Email May Show Up in Discovery: Attorney Harley Tropin on Stress

Coral Gables attorney Harley Tropin has carved a niche in high-caliber complex and class action litigation with a national profile, and many of his…

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Attorneys and Mental Health First Aid—an Introduction

As a legal recruiter for over 25 years in South Florida, I have worked with thousands of attorneys and have noticed a steadily increasing need for basic mental health education.

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Stress in the Legal Profession, and Personal Takes on What to Do About It

We asked readers to share the stress they see in the legal profession and how they deal with it. Coping options came from the Florida Bar president on down. Suggestions for taming the stress range from working directly on the stressor at hand to visualization and exercise.

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'It Wasn't Pleasant': Retired Miami Judge Criticizes Social Security Judicial System After Former Colleague's Suicide

“If I had known about it, I would have driven down, gotten on a megaphone and said, 'Tim, do you really want your son to grow up without a father?' because he was very caring about the child,” said retired judge Thomas Snook, former colleague of Social Security Judge Timothy Maher, who committed suicide after a 10-hour standoff with police.

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'My Heart Breaks': Lawyers React to Miami-Dade Judge's Suicide

Past and present Florida Bar presidents Michael J. Higer and Michelle Suskauer, and litigation director of the Disability Independence Group in Miami, Matthew Dietz, discuss mental health in the wake of Judge Timothy Maher's suicide.

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Lawyers as Emergency Responders After the Parkland High School Shooting

In the case of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (MSD), many attorneys from Legal Aid Service of Broward County acted as emergency responders for the students, families and teachers who were affected by the violence that ripped through the city of Parkland.

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He Got Help for Mental Illness. Now He Says Florida Bar Examiners Are Using That Against Him

Law student Capt. Julius Hobbs got the green light from a federal judge to proceed with a suit against the Florida Board of Bar Examiners, which handles bar admissions.

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Points to Consider Before 'Take Your Dog to Work Day'

On June 22, it will be the 20th year of Pet Sitters International's “Take Your Dog to Work Day®,” which encourages employers to allow pets to accompany employees to the office.

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Ruff Day: Attorneys Rely on Pets at Law Firms to Bring Cheer to High-Stress Profession

“My dog gives me balance,” said attorney Matthew Dietz. “It makes me into a better lawyer, it makes me into a better person.”

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What Legal Professionals Want in 2018: Less Stress, More Appreciation

Happy employees are good for business, according to a Robert Half study on workplace happiness, It's Time We All Work Happy™. They're more loyal, productive, healthier and motivated to contribute to their company's bottom line.

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National Class Action Litigator Opens Up About Stress, Quitting Drinking

Coral Gables litigator Adam Moskowitz said he wants to help stoke honest conversations about stress and mental health in the legal profession.