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June 2002The LAP/LaSD 5th Annual Statewide Conference: Putting Knowledge to Workby Erika Wilson, Lawyer Services Coordinator It was during Jerry J's dinner speech that the realization really struck me: This man has been in recovery from alcohol since before I was born. (Only by a couple of months, but hang onto your slide rules, folks — 1977 was 25 years ago.) Jerry and many of his colleagues at the Lawyers' Assistance Program/Lawyer Services Department 5th Annual Statewide Conference (held April 5-7 in Chelan) have served their clients, the WSBA, and the legal profession even longer than that. By and large, the lawyers who attend the LAP/LaSD conference are truly an experienced group. By my calculation, their average number of years in practice is 25. Multiply that by about 60 attendees, and you've got 1,500 years of experience and service in the law, all in one classroom at Campbell's Resort. Why do these lawyers get together for an annual conference in Chelan when they've already attended so many CLE events over the years? Some of them are retired and don't even need the credits. (One attendee explained to me with a smile that he had "CLEs to burn.") What could a group who has seen it all possibly learn from yet another conference? One way to answer that question is to note that a majority of the conference-goers are peer counselors with the WSBA Lawyers' Assistance Program, which means they volunteer their time and experience toward the goal of assisting their colleagues through the difficulties of addiction and recovery, depression, and other challenges. The network of peer counselors covers most of Washington, and helps to bring counseling and treatment referral to members living outside Seattle. These counselors and other interested lawyers come to the conference to learn more about themselves and to gain insight into helping others. Presentations at the conference, orchestrated by the Lawyer Services Department, are aimed at addressing mental health and law-practice issues. Department staff include Director Barbara Harper, Erika Wilson (LaSD coordinator), Ellen Begley (LAP addictions counselor), Jean Johnson and Rebecca Nerison (LAP psychotherapists), Chris Sutton (professional responsibility counsel), Talia Clever (ADR coordinator), Peter Roberts (LOMAP advisor) and Allison Durazzi (LOMAP coordinator). The conference began with an evening dessert reception on Friday, April 5, lasted a full day on Saturday, and featured a brunch presentation on Sunday. Carol Vecchio, director of the Centerpoint Institute for Life and Career Renewal in Seattle, started the Saturday sessions with an engaging talk about the seasonal cycles of change. Challenging the notion that our lives are fixed on an inflexible linear path, Ms. Vecchio explained that rather than moving from youth to age in a straight trajectory, we instead experience seasonal cycles in many aspects of our lives — career, relationships, self-development, family. Not only are such major life changes necessary, they are opportunities for self-knowledge and growth. Dr. Adrian Hill, executive director of Canada's Legal Profession Assistance Committee, brought to light the issue of gambling addiction, which is quickly becoming a major concern in the legal community. The ubiquity of gambling in our culture, from seemingly "harmless" lottery tickets available in any convenience store, to online casino betting, has contributed to ever-higher rates of addiction. Gambling is especially insidious because debts can be hidden until the gambler has lost all of his assets — from a home and car to children's college funds. Lending his perspective from the field of medicine, Dr. Ray Baker discussed the dangers of "hidden" disabilities such as depression and burnout, which often result from overwork, and are endemic in professional fields such as law and medicine. He emphasized that maintaining balance in life is a challenge for those whose careers depend on consistently high demands and workloads, but also offered strategies to relieve stress and keep priorities such as family in perspective. From the WSBA Lawyer Services Department, Professional Responsibility Counsel Chris Sutton and Law Office Management Assistance Program Advisor Peter Roberts discussed hands-on practice strategies. Mr. Sutton explained that the billable hour is by no means the only way to secure fees. He discussed how other methods, such as flat fees, contingency fees and value billing, can better serve the needs of lawyers and clients, as well as meet the ethical standards for billing set out in the Rules of Professional Conduct. Mr. Roberts wound up the afternoon with a presentation on "e-lawyering," a quickly growing aspect of practice involving the integration of case-management software and a Web presence in law-office management. Using examples of software and successful firm Web sites, he demonstrated that technology is not at odds with the humanist tradition of the law, but is rather an excellent tool for conducting daily business and marketing a firm to the wider world. Daniel Caine, of Ryan Swanson & Cleveland in Seattle, brought the conference to a close with his view of civility in the legal profession. Noting that the profession has changed dramatically, he offered personal observations and anecdotes about the growing number of lawyers in Washington, about the public's perception of the legal system, and about the difficulties facing all attorneys today, from young associates to veteran practitioners. Along with the other speakers, Mr. Caine left his audience with a great deal to think about — a fine goal for any conference. LOMAP's Spring Roadshow a Success! The LOMAP Spring Traveling Seminar (roadshow) recently returned from visiting Bellingham, Bremerton, Colville, Oak Harbor, Port Angeles and Spokane, April 22 to May 8. The four-credit (one ethics) presentations included material about law-office management, administration and ethics. Members appreciated the opportunity for CLE credit nearer their hometowns, and learning about benchmark income norms for solo and small firms. The Law Office Management Assistance Program (LOMAP) offers a wide range of materials, software, consulting and book services to members. See www.wsba.org/lawyers/help/lomap.htm or contact Peter Roberts (206-727-8237 or peter@wsba.org), or Allison Durazzi (206-733-5914 or allisond@wsba.org). We look forward to assisting you. The WSBA Lawyer Services Department offers:
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