Ogletree Deakins Commits to ABA Well-Being Campaign Pledge

ATLANTA – October 10, 2018 – In observance of World Mental Health Day 2018, Ogletree Deakins is proud to announce that the firm has committed to the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Well-Being Campaign Pledge, which calls upon legal employers to recognize that substance use and mental health problems represent a significant challenge for the legal profession and acknowledge that more can and should be done to improve the health and well-being of lawyers.

A recent ABA study, conducted in collaboration with the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, found that lawyers struggle with alcohol, substance abuse, and mental health issues at levels substantially above both the general population and other highly educated professionals. By committing to the ABA Well-Being Campaign Pledge, Ogletree Deakins vows to:

• Provide enhanced and robust educational opportunities to attorneys and staff on topics related to well-being, mental health, and substance abuse;
• Disrupt the status quo of drinking-based events;
• Develop visible partnerships with outside resources committed to reducing substance use disorders and mental health distress in the profession;
• Provide confidential access to addiction and mental health experts and resources;
• Develop proactive policies and protocols to support assessment and treatment of substance use and mental health problems;
• Actively and consistently demonstrate that help-seeking and self-care are core cultural values; and
• Highlight the adoption of this well-being framework to attract and retain the best lawyers and staff.

“Multiple studies have shown that the legal industry grapples with issues related to substance abuse and mental health,” said Ogletree Deakins’ managing shareholder Matt Keen. “I am proud of the initiatives our firm has implemented to support our attorneys and staff in these areas. By committing to this pledge and embracing its seven tenets, we hope to help shine a light on these important issues, fight the stigma surrounding mental health and substance abuse, and continue developing new and better outlets for our attorneys and staff.”

The ABA Well-Being Campaign is organized by the ABA Working Group to Advance Well-Being in the Legal Profession, For more information, view the ABA press release here.

About Ogletree Deakins
Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. Premier client service, as outlined in the firm’s Client Pledge, is one of the firm’s top priorities and a cornerstone of its core values. U.S. News – Best Lawyers^® “Best Law Firms” has named Ogletree Deakins a “Law Firm of the Year” for seven consecutive years. In 2018, the publication named Ogletree Deakins its “Law Firm of the Year” in the Litigation – Labor & Employment category. Ogletree Deakins has more than 850 attorneys located in 53 offices across the United States and in Europe, Canada, and Mexico. The firm represents a diverse range of clients, from small businesses to Fortune 50 companies. www.ogletree.com