Live Webinar CLE – The Crossroads of Incivility and Wellness in the Legal Profession

Abrasive or burned out? Overworked or uncivil? Zealous advocate or bully?

The legal profession is currently navigating a critical crossroads where the traditional, often adversarial culture of lawyering meets an urgent need for practitioner well-being. Based on recent reports, it is widely believed that civility in the legal profession is under severe strain, with many arguing it is in critical condition. While not entirely dead, the standard of courteous, professional behavior is facing unprecedented challenges from rising polarization, digital communication, and a “win-at-all-costs” mentality.

Evidence shows that incivility — ranging from bullying and excessive, unreasonable demands to routine discourtesy — is directly linked to substance misuse, burnout, anxiety and depression, issues which lawyers are already experiencing at significantly higher rates than the general population.

This program will explore:

• The link between incivility and poor wellness, with emphasis on stress and burnout in the legal profession.
• How uncivil conduct can be confused with “zealous” representation.
• Ethical issues created by incivility.
• A “master plan” for addressing mental health challenges facing lawyers.
• Initiatives that can be developed on an individual, firm and cultural level to support wellness and reduce uncivil conduct.
• How to access the free, confidential resources offered by Lawyer Assistance Programs.

Speakers:

• Brian S. Quinn
  Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of PA, Inc.

*This will be a Distance Learning CLE.

Please note: This is a live interactive Zoom webinar that can be viewed by participants on their own computers remotely. Participants will receive 1 hour of Live CLE credit for the webinar. You will receive the link to join and the materials 24 hours in advance of the program.

*This program has been approved for 1 hour of Ethics CLE credit in Pennsylvania and also qualifies for 1.2 hours of credit under the West Virginia Rules for Mandatory Continuing Legal Education.

Last day to Pre-register: Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, 11:59 p.m.

Register by mail: Print and return the hard copy registration form available here.

*Please note: The Pa. CLE Board can take up to 45 days to post credits.

CLE and Events Registration Policy: Members and Non-members can register for ACBA programs online or by paper mail-in registration, up to two days prior to a program start date. Some programs are restricted to ACBA or Section members only.

Interested in this program but have a conflict and can’t attend? The vast majority of our webinar CLEs programs are recorded and available for CLE credit online within 72 hours. Click here to see all available ACBA online CLEs.