THE ONTARIO LAWYERS’ ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Find a Balance Between Your Personal and Professional Life

by John Starzynski

“For all of us, practicing law requires us to balance our time among family, relationships, the law practice and personal interests. Sometimes, we don't deal well with these demands,” says John Starzynski, Volunteer Executive Director for the Ontario Lawyers' Assistance Program (OLAP).

Through a network of volunteer lawyers, OLAP provides those who are facing challenges with confidential contact with peers who have faced similar situations and can offer support, encouragement, suggestions and perspective.

“In 1999, OLAP received 450 calls from different lawyers or their families for help. In 2000, there were about 1,000 calls, and in 2001 we expect to have received 1,200 to 1,300,” says Starzynski. He attributes the large increases in calls to greater exposure of the program over the past few years through advertising, referrals, as well ass the many presentations volunteers make.

Each year OLAP volunteers make numerous presentations at industry events for organizations such as the Law Society (at Practice Workshops), the Ontario Bar Association Institute and local law associations. Requests have come from organizations such as the Institute of Law Clerks of Ontario, and many non-legal groups including mental health associations and suicide prevention conferences. “By the end of this year, OLAP will have made between 25 and 30 presentations across the province. Already for next year, there are 10 speaking engagements booked,” he says.

Confidence in the confidentiality of calls is also another reason members are making contact with OLAP. “Fear of having one's problems exposed is something that keeps many people, not only lawyers, from seeking help.” He says because OLAP is a confidential program, with protection under the Rules of Professional Conduct (Rule 6.01 (3)), OLAP gives lawyers a safe place to call without fear of reporting, unless there is a disclosure that the lawyer being assisted is engaging in, or may in the future engage in, serious misconduct or criminal activity related to the lawyer's practice. He explains that OBAP peer support volunteers will not be called by the Law Society or by any investigative committee to testify at any conduct, capacity or competency hearing without the consent of the lawyer from whom the information was received.

“In the six years I have volunteered for OLAP, I have only reported one contact and that was a compulsive gambler who stole the remnants of a trust account,” explains Starzynski.

He explains that the highest number of calls come from lawyers who are stressed and burned out. “Most people take it for granted, that they can handle the stress they're carrying. But, stress can lead to problems that may not be so manageable.”

Starzynski says it's crucial that lawyers learn to strike a balance between their personal and professional lives if they want to be and remain successful and sane. “Some of the things we see when that balance is lost includes everything from burnout to breakdown, depression and mental collapse. To the extreme, we hear of suicidal thoughts or actions, and substance abuse and addiction. It's not uncommon to see the build-up of stress and anxiety causing physical and emotional illnesses.”

But, he says, lawyers can help avoid the burnout that can arise from such imbalance. Starzynski offers a checklist of ways lawyers can help reduce their stress levels each day, and keep them practicing at optimum levels.

Physically

• When you're under stress, before speaking, take three deep breaths and then exhale.
• Eat three balanced meals a day, get eight hours of sleep a night, and exercise at least three times per week for at least one-half hour at a time.
• Try to quit or reduce smoking, and the consumption of alcohol.
• Drink lots of water – keeping hydrated reduces fatigue and headaches.
• Laugh as often as possible.

Emotionally

• Have a good, trusted friend to talk to, confide in, and laugh with often.
• Get a pet.
• Read non-law fluff when away from the office.
• Spend time with your family.
• Learn to say “NO!” to demands that are too much.
• Do things you are passionate about.

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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