The billable hour, adrenaline-driven work environments, empathy fatigue, and a “badge of honor” culture pervasive in law firms and among the judiciary have contributed to increasing rates of burnout and unhealthy coping behaviors within the legal profession. Research published by the American Bar Association demonstrates that elevated levels of stress, anxiety, depression, substance use, and isolation continue to impact attorneys and judges nationwide.
This seminar examines true wellness and explores the science behind well-being. It invites participants to consider the shift needed—from a culture that rewards overwork and constant urgency to one that supports sustainable wellness, resilience, and healthy professional habits. Drawing on the experience and perspectives of Melissa Byers, Executive Director of the St. Petersburg Bar Association, and Sy Sommer of LEAP Legal Software, attendees will learn how to navigate this cultural and behavioral shift while managing the daily challenges of their legal careers.
Credits
Mental Health & Substance Use Disorders
This program is eligible for 1 hour(s) of CLE credit in 60-minute states, and 1.2 hour(s) of CLE credit in 50-minute states. Credit hours are estimated and are subject to each state’s approval and credit rounding rules.
LEAP will seek MCLE accreditation in CA, CT, FL, IL, NJ, NY, PA, and RI. Additional states may be requested upon completion of the course.
If you have met the participation requirements for this course, you will receive a personalized CLE affidavit from mcle-leap@americanbar.org. Please check your spam folder as these e-mails may end up there. Once you complete the affidavit, you will be able to download your certificate(s) of attendance and they will also be emailed to you from mcle-leap@americanbar.org.
Melissa Byers was recruited to serve as the Executive Director of the St. Petersburg Bar Association (SPBA), a voluntary bar association of 1,200 members, in 2013. During her 12-year tenure she introduced the wellness theme “Healthy, Happy, Holistic Attorneys” to combat the staggering statics associated with the high rates of suicide, depression, and substance abuse in the legal profession. She encouraged members to embrace a cultural shift within the profession. As a result, The Florida Bar presented the first Health & Wellness Award to the SPBA in 2018. The Florida Bar also awarded the Marshall R. Cassedy, Sr. Executive Director of the Year Leadership award to Melissa in 2020 and Splash Maker Award in 2022.
Sy Justin Sommer is the Director of Product Enablement at LEAP Legal Software. Sy is a 2010 graduate of Fordham Law School and is an attorney admitted to practice in the State of New York. Sy began his career in the Family Law Department of Manhattan law firm Davidoff Hutcher & Citron LLP. After three years with DHC, Sy took a role with JPMorgan Chase Bank in Brooklyn, NY where he served as an Associate Vice President Senior Counsel in the bank’s Mortgage Banking Litigation group. In 2018, Sy sought to apply his legal education and experience in the legal technology space and joined LEAP with excitement to further the company’s mission of helping attorneys to be more productive with cloud technology. Despite being a born and raised New Yorker, Sy currently resides in Jersey City, New Jersey.
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