State Bar Association task force focuses on attorney well-being, substance abuse

June 24, 2020 Rob Abruzzese

NYS Bar Association President Scott Karson wants to focus on attorney well-being and announced on Tuesday that he is creating a task force that will focus on the issue. Photo courtesy of the NYSBA

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For years, studies have shown that lawyers experience higher levels of stress and substance abuse compared to other professions, and the New York State Bar Association is attempting to take an active role in helping solve the issue by creating an Attorney Well-Being Task Force.

The task force, which will be made up of nine working groups, will attempt to advance an innovative and comprehensive culture of wellness in the legal community.

“Studies have shown rates of mental illness, fatigue, physical health problems, and substance use for attorneys that far exceed the national averages for other professions,” said NYSBA President Scott Karson. “We need to eliminate the stigma associated with mental health treatment and make it easier for all lawyers to seek out the help that they need.

“We all must recognize that the mental and physical well-being of attorneys is critical to the effective practice of law, protection of the public trust and the vibrancy of our profession.”

Hon. Sallie Krauss, former judge of the New York City Family Court, will head one of the nine working groups within the task force. Photo: Rob Abruzzese/Brooklyn Eagle

Karson said that he wants to make attorney well-being a significant focus of his presidency, and that it comes at a good time as the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said that the COVID-19 pandemic is causing high levels of stress, fear and anxiety.

Karson has tapped Justice Karen Peters, retired justice of the Appellate Division, Third Department, and attorney Libby Coreno as the co-chairs of the task force.

“The task force will examine factors that negatively impact the health and well-being of the legal community and develop a report detailing attainable, measurable recommendations for mitigation efforts, which can be implemented across New York’s legal landscape,” Justice Peters said. “The task force’s final report will serve as a practical, evidence-based resource to educate, support and empower all members of the legal community – from law students through retirees.”

The nine working groups include law education, law culture and employment, physical well-being, emotional well-being, substance use and addiction, judiciary and the courts, public trust and ethics, and continuing legal education.

Each working group has a chair, including Hon. Sallie Krauss, who will chair the substance use and addiction working group, and Hon. Stan Pritzker, associate justice of the Appellate Division, Third Department.

Anyone interested in finding out more about the weekly meeting may visit nysba.org/attorney-well-being/.