On Demand
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Your Time to Thrive: A Journey to Wellness in the Legal Profession
Produced on May 05, 2020
Course Information
Course Description
Since the publication of the 2016 landmark survey on lawyer impairment by the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation and the ABA’s Commission on Lawyers Assistance Programs and the Law Student Well-Being Survey by Organ, Bender, and Jaffe, we have engaged in a nationwide conversation about the importance of health and well-being as a vital component of the sustainability of the legal profession. Now that we know the prevalence of substance abuse and mental health disorders in the profession and the critical need to take care of ourselves, how do we actually go about implementing wellness in our daily lives? In practice, what are some of the best ways for attorneys to regularly engage in self-care while also juggling a million other things on their plates?
Join Laurie Besden, Esquire, Executive Director of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, during the first annual National Lawyer Wellbeing Week, for an in-depth discussion about simple and non-intrusive ways to take care of yourself as a legal professional in order to be the best version of yourself for you, your families, and your clients.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the alarming prevalence rates of substance use and mental health disorders in the legal profession which is directly impacting one in three legal professionals
- Acquire simple techniques of self-care that will strengthen your overall wellness
- Become familiar with the confidential, free, safe, and supportive resources available to you through each state lawyer’s assistance programs
Credit Information
Faculty
Laurie J. Besden
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL)
Laurie Besden is the Executive Director of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, Inc. (“LCL”). Since 2011, she has served as LCL’s Deputy Executive Director overseeing LCL’s Helpline operations and serving as the primary contact for intervention requests, expanding LCL’s law school outreach, and increasing LCL’s presence within the organized Bench and Bar. As the newly appointed Executive Director, Ms. Besden is now responsible for LCL’s administrative and financial operations as well as Judges Concerned for Judges (judges’ assistance program).
Ms. Besden is a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania (1999) and New Jersey (1999). She practiced law from 1999 through 2001 and 2009-2011 in several capacities including:
- Attorney-at-law (general civil and criminal practice), East Norriton, PA
- Law Clerk (Pennsylvania Superior Court), Philadelphia, PA
- Law Clerk (Philadelphia Municipal Court), Philadelphia, PA
She received her B.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland, College Park, MD (1995) and her J.D. from The Dickinson School of Law of the Pennsylvania State University (1999).
Ms. Besden was the 2015 recipient of the Montgomery Bar Association’s Henry Stuckert Miller Award for her dedication to public service in the legal profession.
Reviews
This was a great course.
A good reminder of what's important in life and how to take care of ourselves.
The instructor seemed to genuinely care. I appreciate having watched this helpful course.
Thank you!
Bless you for doing this program, so important, especially now!!
Wonderful CLE content with very timely and practical application. Nice and different from other CLE's. LOVED it. This should be required watching every year. Thank you.
This was amazingly interesting and inspiring, even if you don't have a substance abuse problem...maybe just a time problem!
Excellent presentation.
Excellent course
Instructor was engaging.
Excellent informative program.
loved this course and speaker-very refreshing
Very inspiring presentation
Thank you for this course - I was not sure I was going to like it but I did learn good information and where to find additional information; I did buy a Gratefulness Journal at Amazon based on this (and may buy a Peleton exercise bike...).
She could not have been better. A gift to those willing to listen
Most informative and engaging!
Very enlightening and important presentation.
Many good ideas and insights.
Thank you for this and the all the work you do for us!
I loved this presentation
Presenter brings a very positive message.
The speaker was very engaging and the program was filled with helpful tips and resources. I'm so glad I took it.
Thank you
Laurie Besden is a gem and an inspiration.
appreciated the experiences the instructor related and the helpful suggestions and reminders
Wonderful. Always a delight hearing this truly excellent presenter. A perfect program for everyone to watch or listen to during this Covid pandemic. Applies to so many aspects of our lives. Well done.
Excellent presentation. Thank you.
Excellent Presenter on the subject at hand and on gratitude for happiness. Mr. Rodgers's taught him to look for the helpers in the community. They are blessed in what they do for others and reap an abundance of happiness. whatever their personal circumstances
Very well done
Thanks for turning your struggles into something positive for so many people.
Thank you.
Great information for the current situation.
Awesome!!! Thank u sooo much
Thank You for all your service!
THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH!
Very very good presentation. Thank you.
Presenter is great.
excellent advice!
just excellent presentation
Really fantastic presentation!
Excellent presentation! Practical and personal, not academic. Something to benefit everyone. I would take a whole workshop with this presenter.
Thank you again, Laurie, for some great resources and encouragement.
Excellent presenter
Excellent presentation and what a remarkable woman Laurie Besden is! Thank you!
Excellent and well done.
The presentation was an inspiration. Thank you.
Best Course I've ever taken!
Best course I have watched yet on lawline. Thanks.
She is AMAZING!!!
Great topic anytime, but especially during a pandemic.
Really great speaker 
She was great!
Very good presentation
This was a good course.
Good information!
Excellent
The absolute best presenter I have come across in years. Please consider bringing Laurie for more courses.
Perfect timing for this presentation!
I really enjoyed and appreciated this course, especially at this time. Thank you!
Fantastic speaker! Excellent information!
Powerful presentation and speaker!
Great Lecture