Balancing Justice and Wellness: Navigating Mental Health and Ethical Challenges in the Legal Field
This course provides an in-depth examination of the intersection between mental health considerations and ethical responsibilities in the legal profession. Through a comprehensive exploration of relevant statutes, ethical rules, and case studies, students will gain a nuanced understanding of the definitions of mental health and illness, ethical obligations towards mentally impaired attorneys and clients, as well as strategies for supporting oneself and others in maintaining personal well-being within the demanding environment of legal practice. Topics covered include competence and withdrawal rules, obligations towards impaired colleagues, reporting requirements for rule violations, ethical considerations when representing mentally impaired clients, and practical approaches to identifying and addressing mental health concerns both within oneself and in others. By the end of the course, students will develop essential skills for navigating professional challenges while prioritizing mental health and ethical integrity.
List of Topics:
Trial Attorney and Legal Strategist; Leading Speaker on Attorney Mental Health
Eric C. Lang began practicing law in Atlanta, Georgia 1990. His practice has been a mix of litigation and general business counseling. Mr. Lang’s career has spanned 25 states and 4 countries with great breadth: his largest court appearances have included federal securities and breach of contract cases with hundreds of millions of dollars at stake, yet, he is just as comfortable representing individuals in matters with less than $100,000 at issue. He has appeared in court on legal issues such as banking law, business dissolution, breach of contract, commercial law, copyright infringement, corporate governance, fraud, insurance coverage, noncompetition/ nonsolicitation, securities, and trademark infringement. Mr. Lang has recently expanded his practice beyond direct representation of clients in litigation to supporting other lawyers and law firms in their practices. As a business consultant, Mr. Lang has helped negotiate contracts and structure a wide variety of transactions. He has negotiated employment agreements and employment termination agreements for management and executive-level employees as well as their employers. His business counseling skills arise directly from his experience as a litigator. Mr. Lang's peers consistently ask him to speak at continuing legal education seminars, and he has spoken on a wide range of topics in the areas of contract and real estate law and litigation. He is perhaps the most-heard speaker in Georgia on mental health and the practice of law. Mr. Lang has been honored by Super Lawyers Magazine as a “Rising Star” in the legal profession for the year 2005 and a “Super Lawyer” from 2008 to 2010.
