Bullying exists in many forms within the legal profession, and as attorneys,
we both create conflict and avoid conflict, a dichotomy that is important to
understand. We do this in multiple dynamics: lawyer to lawyer, client to lawyer,
lawyer to client, partner to associate, and within the courtroom. Bullying
impacts attorneys’ mental health and contributes to burnout, practice
dissatisfaction and attorneys exiting the profession.
What is it about the system and those who practice within it that allows, and
perhaps even promotes, bullying? Attorney Heidi Webb will moderate a discussion
on the impacts of bullying within the practice of law. Panelists will include
Colorado District Judge Julie Field (ret.), who created an award-winning mental
health and problem-solving court in Colorado; and attorney panelists Kristy
Lavigne, assistant bar counsel for the Massachusetts Board Bar Overseers;
Michael Dickman, chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association Young Lawyers
Division; and Heidi Alexander, executive director of the Massachusetts Supreme
Judicial Court (SJC) Standing Committee on Lawyer Well-Being.
Some of the questions we will explore include:
- Where is the line between zealous advocacy, tough
judging and bullying?
- How do power dynamics and bias influence bullying in
legal workplaces and courtrooms?
- When does conduct cross into unethical or reportable
territory under professional responsibility rules?
- What tools can lawyers use in the moment to respond to
bullying while maintaining professionalism?
- What self-care practices help lawyers protect their well-being and avoid
internalizing harmful behavior?
This webinar is sponsored by the Family Law Section, the Young Lawyers
Division and the SJC Standing Committee on Lawyer Well-Being.
This program is being held by Zoom. Registration is required by 4
p.m. on Monday, April 27, in order to participate in this program. An
email from MassBar Education will be sent before the
program.