| THE ONTARIO LAWYERS’ ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Planning for Career Adjustments By Leota Embleton "Modern neuroscience demonstrates that it is never too late to use the brain to prevent losing it." Gene D. Cohen There are expected and unexpected career adjustments during a lawyer's lifetime. The adjustment to retirement or semi-retirement can be a controlled and planned adjustment with a specific time frame. The timing of a sudden illness or accident is less predictable and therefore even more important to plan for. These changes have a major impact on personal lifestyle, professional responsibilities, family roles, and relationships. Many lawyers do not plan even for the expected and predictable change of retirement let alone the unexpected event of illness or accident. What do we know for sure? Lawyers won't practise law forever- although some expect to practise as long as they live! The risk factor Who is most at risk as a result of not planning for adjustments? Lawyers in sole practice or lawyers in small firms are least likely to have health insurance or disability insurance plans. Of the approximately 20,600 lawyers in private practice in Ontario, about one-third are sole practitioners. This group of lawyers is most likely to have difficulties with the adjustment to illness or retirement. They are vulnerable because they have not planned, and this puts the individual and his family members at risk. Not having a plan affects financial stability, mental health and relationships. We see many lawyers who have devoted their lives to law practice and have few outside interests. These individuals are lost when health concerns or retirement preclude them from practising law. They can be at risk of depression, frustration, and loss of meaning in their lives. The procrastination factor About 80 percent of the sole practitioners in a recent survey in Oregon had not made any arrangements to cover the practice should they be temporarily unable to practise due to disability or extended absence. Why is it so easy to procrastinate on these matters? The obvious and most common answer is lack of both time and money. Time is in high demand for lawyers, especially lawyers who practise on their own and also cope with the additional demands of managing a business. The additional money is just isn't there, and competing demands mean that it is easy to put off setting aside money for a later time. Less acknowledged -but as real- are fear and denial: Lawyers fear change and can be in denial about illness. For many lawyers, the practice of law is what they are most comfortable with and what they know best. Retirement as a career change Retirement or semi-retirement is a major career change. Some lawyers eagerly look forward to retirement while some cannot imagine it. The Oregon Attorney Assistance Program recently conducted a major survey of lawyers and retirement issues. Its findings, soon to be published in a book Assisting Lawyers Plan for Retirement, are discussed below. Lawyers envisioning retirement The findings of the Oregon Study indicate:
Financial concerns Not surprisingly financial concerns are a major concern when considering career adjustments. It is a challenge to project long-term financial needs. There are decisions to be made about health insurance and long-term care insurance products. Increased anxiety about the availability of pension plans and government support in future years is a stated concern of mid-career lawyers. Younger lawyers start out with a large student loan debt, leaving fewer years to accumulate savings and plan for career change or retirement. Personal concerns Younger lawyers express concerns about maintaining health and independence. It seems that younger lawyers are aware of the importance of health and wellness issues. They are more likely to be members of a gym, exercise regularly, join yoga classes, and try to eat properly. We don't know yet if this translates into better planning for adjustments in their careers. Personal and professional relationships change with career adjustments. It important to acknowledge these changes and plan to manage different roles and responsibilities. There is stress associated with change. Awareness of potential anxiety, depression, and frustration and support to deal with interpersonal changes will help. Career adjustment and retirement Findings in the study Purpose, Potential, and Productivity in Later Life found that most people approaching retirement have received no formal preparation. Less than ten percent had any information other than financial planning. Although they know that financial planning is important, they often overlook the other changes associated with career adjustment. This study found that developing a social portfolio is as important as developing a financial portfolio. The financial portfolio
The social portfolio
Two important considerations for inclusion in a social portfolio for lawyers:
A staged approach to planning The following stages can help you focus your plans and realize the positive potential rather than the negative aspects of change. Mid-life re-evaluation Liberation Empowered perspective Encore Time for a check up The message is clear that if you prepare and plan to make adjustments for unexpected changes in health status and retirement, the results will be more positive. Planning relieves the stress associated with change. The check-up questions are:
If you have not thought about the adjustment of retirement take the Retirement Readiness Questionnaire in the career section of the OLAP website at www.olap.ca You might be surprised by the results. References
If you believe that you or someone you know could benefit from peer counseling and support, contact OLAP. You can reach Clinical Director Leota Embleton at 1-877-576-6227 or volunteer executive director John Starzynski at 1-877-584-6227. From the same article: New OLAP offers support to Ontario Bar The Ontario Lawyers; Assistance Program (OLAP)- www.olap.ca- is a new organization that has been built on the foundation of the former Ontario Bar Assistance Program (OBAP) and the Lawyers' Assistance Program (LINK). The merger of the two organizations is now complete. OLAP continues the work of OBAP and LINK on behalf of Ontario lawyers and their families and helping them deal with issues such as addictions, stress, work / family pressures, and mental or physical wellness. Founded in 1978, OBAP provided confidential assistance to members of the legal profession and their families through one-on-one peer support, assessment, referrals, and education. LINK was a confidential professional counselling service delivered through Shepell fgi (formerly Shepell.fgi Consultants). According to John Starzynski, volunteer executive director of OLAP, merging LINK and OBAP will eliminate any confusion created by having two services with overlapping mandates. "A single call to one central intake number will give lawyers access to assessment and referrals to peer support assistance or counseling or both," said Starzynski. "We can also provide a more stream-lined, cost-effective organization that eliminates current duplication in processes, tracking and administration. That means we can put more of our financial resources to work for lawyers in need." A new OLAP Board of Directors has been constituted, with Roderick M. McLeod, Q.C., as chairman. "We are excited about this opportunity to create a broader safety net that can respond seamlessly and effectively to the needs of Ontario lawyers." The new organization will continue to be a confidential assistance program, and has expanded to meet the anticipated increased demand by hiring additional case managers. Joining the OLAP team are Doron Gold, B.A., LL.B., and Terri Wilkinson, R.N., B.A., LL.B. Doron and Terri will be working alongside Leota Embleton to confidentially meet with members of the legal community in need- either in the OLAP office or offsite. Lawyers, judges, and members of their immediate family can contact OLAP 24 hours a day, seven days a week to access services such as assessment, peer support, professional counselling, referrals, and resources. For confidential assistance, please call: Toll Free: 1-877-576-6227 CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A PRINTABLE VERSION OF THIS ARTICLE
Legal Profession Assistance Conference (LPAC) |Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs (CoLAP) | Lawyers Assistance Program of British Columbia (BCLAP) | Nova Scotia Lawyers Assistance Program (NSLAP) | Law Society of Upper Canada (LSUC) | The Lawyers Assistance Program (LINK) | The Alberta Lawyers Assistance Program | Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (Saskatchewan) | The Lawyers Professional Indemnity Company (LawPRO) | Law Practice Consulting |
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