Attorney Buoyancy

Victoria Sweeney joins us to discuss the issue of suicide, and the resources and advocacy of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Topics include making mental health a priority in our society, demystifying mental health concerns, and opportunities to help others.

Laurie Besden shares her powerful true story of a lawyer’s addiction recovery. A journey from a privileged upbringing, with honors in college and law school, to the depths and despair of opioid addiction resulting in a loss of law license and a loss of hope. Through years of extremely difficult work she has taken back […]

Laura Najemy and Megan O’Hara join us to explore the continuum of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs), commonly referred to as postpartum depression. We discuss causes, symptoms, lack of support, treatment, coping skills and resources that are available.

Jeff Wasserman joins us to discuss problem gambling and its effect on personal and professional life. This includes lawyers, judges and law students impacted by this disease, statistics of its prevalence, recovery, and the resources and advocacy of the Delaware Council on Gambling Problems.

Dean & Professor of Law at the Delaware Law School, Rod Smolla discusses things he and the law school are doing to promote wellbeing of students, the responsibility of law firms and other legal employers regarding wellbeing of its new attorneys, and how the law school partners with the Delaware Lawyers Assistance Program (DE-LAP).

Chip Slanina joins us this week to discuss Delaware’s lawyer disciplinary process both historically and presently from the perspective of a lawyer who represents other lawyers facing disciplinary proceedings. Themes of diversion, mitigating factors, disability, and punitive vs. recovery (mental health, addiction and other issues).

Maryland’s disciplinary process, both historically and presently are discussed from the perspective of our guest, Irwin Kramer, a lawyer who represents other lawyers facing disciplinary proceedings. Themes of diversion, mitigating factors, disability, punitive vs. recovery (mental health, addiction and other issues) actions, and ideas on how to implement an effective diversionary program.

Richard K. Herrmann, Esq. discusses law and technology, including how legal ethics relates to technology, how active has the Delaware bench and bar been in staying current with these issues, new trends in the development of law and technology, and areas where technology intersects with the law.

Delve into the Delaware State Bar Association’s mentoring program for new and seasoned lawyers. Our guest, David J. Ferry, Jr., Esquire of Ferry Joseph P.A. discusses building legal skills and professionalism, how to work with judges and opposing counsel, work life balance, managing the administration of a law practice, and the benefits to being a mentor.

Chris Amalfitano discusses his personal story of alcohol addiction & recovery and how it affected his legal career (including the disciplinary process) and personal life. He also talks about the support and resources he received from the Delaware Lawyers Assistance Program (DE-LAP), including counseling and group counseling with a licensed therapist, with an emphasis on […]