Attorneys and Depression

The Wall Street Journal has an excellent article called “Why Do Lawyers Get Depressed?” You can find it here.

The study of lawyers and depression is an important endeavor because lawyers have traditionally suffered higher rates of alcohol abuse and alcoholism than the general public. In 1991, studies showed that lawyers had twice the rate of addiction to alcohol than the general population. In 2000, it was estimated that 15 to 17 percent of California attorneys were alcoholics, or about one out of every six attorneys. In comparison, nearly 14 million Americans, or one in every 13 adults, abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. These statistics are concerning, because alcohol abuse can interfere with an attorney’s professional duties.

The Wall Street Journal article reveals that lawyers suffer depression at rates that are 3.6 times higher than other professions.

One cause may surprise you. Lawyers are trained to be analytical and critical thinkers, which makes us pessimists. Pessimism leads to unhappiness. To combat this, psychologist Martin E. P. Seligman recommends that firms reward attorneys with a change of pace from “drudgery” and offer exciting work assignments when possible.

Here is a short video about depression in the legal profession.

Here is a site devoted to attorneys with depression.

Public Service Announcement on Depression


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California Attorney Arrested On Suspicion Of Smuggling Drugs Into Prison

Illegal drugs can be the downfall of many, and in many different ways. Take attorney Kenneth Markman of Los Angeles for instance. Last month Markman was arrested after a police dog caught the scent of a bundle of illegal drugs in his possession inside the Criminal Courts Building.

Apparently, the dog alerted on Markman as he was waiting to speak his client inside the court jail. The canine caught the scent of heroin, methamphetamines and marijuana, valued at around $30,000. The story is here.



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Iowa Lawyer Charged With Possession of Crack

An attorney from Cedar Rapids has been charged with possession of a controlled substance after he allegedly obtained crack cocaine from a police informant. The attorney, Stanley Roush, is 52 years old. The story is here.

The legal profession provides one with a fulfilling career, to be sure. But it also includes a fair amount of stress, which can lead to substance abuse and even addiction.

The Iowa Lawyers Assistance Program reports the following “sobering” facts:

• Lawyers abuse alcohol at a 50- 80% higher rate than the general population.

• The incidence of depression among lawyers is twice as high as in the general population.

• According to a recent report of the ABA, studies indicate that more than 50 percent of all disciplinary cases involve impaired lawyers.

• The incidence of malpractice insurance claims are significantly higher among impaired attorneys.

• Lawyers suffering from alcoholism, drug addiction or depression often deny that they have problem.

Attorneys in Iowa who wish to speak to someone in confidence about substance abuse issues may contact the Iowa Lawyers Assistance Program.



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Lawyers and Substance Abuse an International Concern

Twenty-four percent of attorneys will suffer from alcohol abuse problems during their careers. That was one of the statistics discussed recently at an international conference of behavioral health professionals in Ireland. The story is here.

It is thought by many that stress is the number one contributing factor to this high figure. In fact, many studies have found significant but relatively small associations between stress in the workplace and elevated levels of alcohol consumption. For example, one early study data reported that employees’ reasons for drinking were found to be associated with stress-inducing job characteristics, but the correlations were weak. A national survey of employed persons found that lower job satisfaction and higher job stress both were risks for increased drinking. Another study found significant associations between employee alcohol use and lower job satisfaction, less faith in management, and lower involvement with and commitment to the job. There are significant associations between drinking and job burnout, and negative associations between employee drinking behavior and job autonomy and job satisfaction.

Attorneys are not the only professionals who suffer from higher rates of substance abuse. According to statistics revealed at the international conference, doctors are also three times more likely to develop liver cirrhosis than the general population.

Attorneys who are seeking help for their substance abuse problems can usually turn to their respective state bar associations. For instance, the mission of the State Bar of California’s Lawyer Assistance Program is to support recovering attorneys in their rehabilitation and competent practice of the law, enhance public protection, and maintain the integrity of the legal profession.

Many states also require attorneys to complete continuing legal education requirements in the prevention of substance abuse.

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California Attorney Arrested for DUI

A California attorney has been arrested for DUI after he ran into a parked car.

The attorney is the former city attorney for Newport Beach. The story is here. Fortunately no one was hurt. This is the second time arrest for the 53 year-old lawyer. Two years ago he was arrested for domestic violence, but no charges were filed.

California attorneys seeking help for addiction problems can find assistance through the Lawyer Assistance Program.


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Attorney Caught Trying to Smuggle Marijuana to Inmate

Well, we don’t know if this attorney uses illegal substances, but he apparently knows where to get them.

A veteran attorney from Georgia was arrested for trying to smuggle marijuana to an inmate at the Richmond County Jail. The story is here. He is also being charged with influencing a witness.

Credit: Richmond County Sheriff's Office

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Texas Attorney Pleads No Contest to Crack Cocaine Charge

It took five years for this case to get to trial, but when it did a former prosecutor from Bexar County, Texas decided to plead no contest to a felony drug charge rather than face a jury.

Gammon Guinn was arrested in 2006 after police allegedly found 3.5 grams of cocaine and a crack pipe in his vehicle. See the story here. Since his arrest, Guinn completed treatment for substance abuse addiction, which must have a been a factor when the judge awarded him deferred adjudication probation. Guinn is still a practicing attorney.

Crack cocaine is a highly addictive and powerful stimulant that is derived from powdered cocaine using a simple conversion process. Crack emerged as a drug of abuse in the mid-1980s. It produces an immediate high and is easy and inexpensive to produce. See more here.

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