The following is an editorial column by Hank Grezlak, ALM’s editor-in-chief, regional brands & legal themes.

The news that noted Philadelphia trial lawyer Slade McLaughlin died by suicide over the weekend was a punch to the gut. My immediate reaction was: “Not Slade. He’s not that type of guy.” Even though I know that suicide and mental health problems afflict every demographic and personality type. But given my interactions with him over the years, I just never would have imagined it.