Don't Give Up Five Minutes Before the Miracle (2025 Update)

In this riveting update to her original program, Executive Director of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of PA Laurie Besden, Esq., shares her compelling personal story of an insatiable drug addiction that nearly killed her but settled for her freedom. In addition, she will share trends LCL-PA witnessed in 2024 and address the shocking statistics regarding the prevalence of substance use and mental health disorders in the legal profession. We all have the ability to help others as we are all simply walking each other home. She will also provide information on how to identify and help attorneys/others in distress due to substance use and mental health disorders. She will also identify the resources that are available, including an overview of LCL (and national lawyer assistance program) services.

Join Ms. Besden for this in-depth telling of her recovery journey, including her eventual reinstatement to the practice of law, her reception of a Gubernatorial Pardon and then going on to serve as a volunteer first responder (interior firefighter). 

Learning Objectives:

1. Acknowledge the reality of the disease and recovery of substance use disorder

2. Recognize the direct and indirect impact of substance use or mental health disorders 

3. Appreciate the prevalence of substance use and mental health disorders in the US legal industry

4. Identify resources that are available to lawyers and understand that there is always hope