On May 3, the first CBA Well-Being Summit was held at the University of Connecticut School of Law. The summit was focused on physical and mental wellness practices and featured a diverse assortment of presentations and activities led by professionals in their areas.
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(From Left to Right) CBA President Daniel J. Horgan, CBA Well-Being Committee Co-Chairs Sara Bonaiuto and Tanyee Cheung, CBA President-Elect Maggie I. Castinado
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The summit began with a welcome by CBA President Daniel J. Horgan. “Let’s face it. Life and careers are stressful, but being attorneys adds unique stresses not shared by many or any professions,” stated President Horgan. “How can we be on top of our game for our clients if we don’t take care of ourselves? Today’s featured speakers will help us understand how we have to start today to take care of ourselves.”
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CBA President Daniel J. Horgan addresses the attendees.
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CBA Lawyer Well-Being Committee Co-Chair Tanyee Cheung began the day’s activities by leading attendees in a guided ten-minute meditation. The opening meditation was followed by the summit’s keynote presentation, provided by Heidi Alexander, director of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Lawyer Well-Being. She spoke about the statistics showing high rates of burnout, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts in the legal profession; the current state of well-being in law; and the movement underway to make changes in the profession. “The work that we are doing here today is part of the solution,” stated Alexander. “We have to create more awareness of the issues in our profession, the problems, and the barriers to well-being and how we’re going to make those changes. One of the reasons why is because stigma continues to be the number one reason why people don’t get help.”
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Director of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Standing Committee on Lawyer Well-Being Heidi Alexander provided the summit's keynote presentation.
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Aaron Zanchi, founder and coach of Freedom Foodies & Fitness and owner and coach of Wingman Fitness, presented on the importance of nutrition and stress management as components of well-being. He identified the importance of a lifestyle prioritizing a diet focused on proteins and plants, proper periods of sleep, and regular daily activity. “If we can maintain those things, it doesn’t matter what stressor you come up against,” Zanchi remarked. “You will be able to meet it and respond to it and meeting it and responding to it is going to be the most important and valuable thing for your well-being on a consistent basis.”
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Presenter Aaron Zanchi provided information on how to assist well-being through proper nutrition and a balanced lifestyle.
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Tamar Draughn, president and director of integrative medicine at Phoenix Professional Services LLC, provided attendees with a sound healing session. During the session, she encouraged everyone present to write positive affirmations and the names of loved ones on clay pots placed on the tables in the room. She continued by asking everyone to add soil to their pot and plant provided leaf cuttings, emphasizing the connection between people and nature.
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Presenter Tamar Draughn led attendees in a sound healing activity.
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CBA Lawyer Well-Being Committee member, Traci Cipriano, led the presentation “Promoting Well-Being and Creating Change: Understanding the Big Picture and Finding Focus.” Dr. Cipriano shared her new model of lawyer well-being, which is the basis of her forthcoming book. She identified resistance from law firms’ leaders as one of the most significant impediments to increased well-being in law, stating, “I can give you all the tools in the world in your toolbox, but if you’re not being supported and you’re in an unhealthy workplace, you’re going to burnout.”
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CBA Lawyer Well-Being Committee member Traci Cipriano presents “Promoting Well-Being and Creating Change: Understanding the Big Picture and Finding Focus” to the attendees.
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Director of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers Connecticut (LCL-CT) and CBA Lawyer Well-Being Committee member, David Williams, provided the final portion of the summit, where he introduced attendees to LCL-CT’s newly redesigned website and the various services the organization offers to attorneys struggling with issues such as alcohol and drug use, depression, stress, and anxiety.
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Director of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers Connecticut (LCL-CT) and CBA Lawyer Well-Being Committee member David Williams introduced attendees to LCL-CT's newly redesigned website.
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CBA Lawyer Well-Being Committee Co-Chairs Sara Bonaiuto and Tanyee Cheung closed the summit, thanking everyone who attended and encouraging them all to advocate for an increased focus on well-being in the legal profession.