Institute For Well-Being In Law
NEW JERSEY
Lori Buza is teaching the first Lawyer Well-Being course at Rutgers Law School-Camden this Spring and Martiza Rodriguez at Rutgers Law School-Newark. There’s a Lawyer Well-Being Task Force that has just put out a survey to the entire NJSBA members.
Contact:
Lori Buza lori@ksbraniganlaw.com and Martiza Rodriguez maritza@rodriguezlawllc.com are co-chairing the Lawyer Well-Being Committee for the New Jersey State Bar Association
MAINE
Established in 2022, the task force in Maine is a collaboration with Maine Assistance Program for Lawyers and Judges, Maine State Bar Association, Maine Board of Bar Overseers, Maine Board of Bar Examiners, both State and Federal Judiciary, Maine Law School and members of the bar in Maine.
Contact: Kristin Murray-James, Esq. 207-266-5951, maineassistanceprogram@gmail.com
ARIZONA
The State Bar of Arizona has a long-standing Member Assistance Council. Pre-COVID (not sure the exact year) the charter for that advisory group was updated to include a focus on lawyer wellness and wellbeing. Wellbeing programming has been offered by the State Bar for many years, both through CLE and informational programming. The Member Assistance Program focuses on wellbeing/wellness as well as substance use and mental health disorders.
Contact:
Robert Tepper, Chief Member Services Officer roberta.tepper@staff.azbar.org
PUERTO RICO
Proposal submitted to PR Bar President in July 2019 to determine willingness to implement a Well-Being Task Force. First initiative is advocating for the adoption of the Model Rules on Continuing Legal Education’s request for one credit every three years on wellness (mental health and substance abuse in particular).
Contact:
Manuel Quilichini; manuelq@prlex.com
ALABAMA
Quality of Life, Health and Wellness Task Force
Created by the Alabama State Bar President Irby in August 2018 and made into a permanent standing committee in 2021. Well-Being programming and education offered as of 2020.
https://www.alabar.org/about/committees/ql/
Contact:
Task Force co-chair: Emily Hornsby ehornsby@mhhlaw.net; 205-410-5192