What Lawyers Need to Know About Suicide During a Recession: Prevention, Identity and Law Firm Responsibility

This is a free download from the American Bar Association.

Suicide is our most preventable form of death. Many attorneys are in frequent contact with populations at elevated risk for suicide. In their professional roles, attorneys occupy a strategic position to intercept suicidal communications and identify and refer potentially suicidal clients, as well as employees and colleagues, for professional assessment and possible life-saving treatment. In addition Model Rule 1.14 gives the attorney broad power and responsibility when representing clients with diminished capacity.

Attorneys also have the highest rates of depression and suicide of any profession. Statistics suggest that the rate of suicide attempts among attorneys and their clients is increasing as the effects of the recession widen.

This program addresses the ethical responsibility employers have to assist attorneys in their employ that may be suicidal.