Agenda

Intro/Welcome: 2:15 – 2:25pm BST / 9:15 – 9:25am EDT / 6:15 – 6:25am PDT

• Casey Ryan, Global Managing Partner, Reed Smith
• Mark Goldstein, Partner Chair, Mental Health Task, Reed Smith

Foundations for flourishing: Leveraging the science of positive psychology to maximize well-being, resilience and performance: 2:30 – 3:30pm BST / 9:30 – 10:30am EDT / 6:30 – 7:30am PDT

Lawyers and law students tend to be strivers by both nature and nurture. We set lofty goals and work fastidiously to meet them, certain that achieving “success” will bring us satisfaction. But science shows that this logic is backward. Although we believe success will lead to happiness, the reality is that well-being fuels success and the key building blocks for well-being are not necessarily what you might think.

In this session, you will:

• Learn to apply evidence-backed insights and techniques from positive psychology (the science of human flourishing) to effectively manage stress and enhance your personal and professional satisfaction.
• Explore the six elements of the PERMA-V model of well-being (Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Beaning, Achievement and Vitality) and learn strategies for increasing your experience of each element.
• Walk away with a toolkit of exercises and an action plan for pursuing your own authentic vision of success

Presenter:

• Jordana Confino, Attorney, Educator, Professional coach and champion of lawyer and law student well-being

Through the haze: Impacts of alcohol and substance use on the law student mind: 3:35 – 4:35pm BST / 10:35 – 11:35am EDT / 7:35 – 8:35am PDT

While partaking might bring temporary relief from the stress of law school, or just seem “fun,” the effects of excessive alcohol and substance consumption can temporarily or permanently affect your brain just when you need it most. From cognitive function to the ability to take in and retain new information and overall brain health, the reality is that alcohol and substance use have an impact on your brain’s ability to work at full capacity. After the euphoria and through the haze of the day after, there are changes within the brain that you should know about as they can affect you during law school, in your future career and throughout your life.

Presenters:

• Dr. Deborah Austin, Well-being Consultant and Professor, University of Denver
• David Jaffe, Associate Dean of Student Affairs, American University Washington College of Law (moderator)

What I know now: Survival stories on the path from law school to practice: 4:35 – 5:35pm BST / 11:35 – 12:35pm EDT / 8:35 – 9:35am PDT

Law school is a high-stress environment that can take its toll on your mental health. It’s important to be honest with yourself and people in your life about how you are feeling. In this panel discussion, hear from current associates about how they maintained their mental health and bravely asked others for support. Our panel will address the following key questions: How and when do we ask prospective employers about support for mental health and wellness in the process of applying and interviewing for jobs? How will firms respond to these types of concerns in our current era? How will bar examiners consider mental health concerns in evaluating character and fitness to practice law

Panelists:

• Janet Stearns, Dean of Students and Lecturer in Law, Miami Law School
• Taylor Davis, Associate, Reed Smith (moderator)

Future-proofing your mental health starts now: 5:45 – 6:45pm BST / 12:45 – 1:45pm EDT / 9:45 – 10:45am PDT

This session is presented in partnership with the The Institute for Well-Being in Law (IWIL).

In this session, we will discuss the dimensions of well-being that make us whole, happy and well-rounded. Attending to each dimension is essential to withstanding the challenges of law school and lawyering. Recognizing that being one-dimensional isn’t a good long-term strategy, we’ll discuss how to make small changes that can become self-sustaining, healthy habits to help future proof your mental health.

Panelists:

• Shailini Jandial George, Author and Professor, Suffolk University Law School
• Kim Craver, Chief HR Officer, Reed Smith (moderator)

Mental health crisis warning signs: 6:45 – 7:45pm BST / 1:45 – 2:45pm EDT / 10:45 – 11:45am PDT

In our intense environments, understanding and addressing mental health concerns are paramount. This interactive session aims to equip students with the essential skills to identify warning signs of mental health crises, initiate constructive conversations and provide crucial support to peers, friends and colleagues.

Presenters:

• Joe Ankus, Attorney and President, Ankus Consulting, Inc.
• Mark Goldstein, Partner, Chair, Mental Health Task Force, Reed Smith (moderator)

Supporting diverse law students: What law school faculty and administrators should know: 7:50 – 8:50pm BST / 2:50 – 3:50pm EDT / 11:50 – 12:50pm PDT

This training program addresses the unique mental health needs of students from BIPOC and LGBTQ+ communities, as well as individuals with disabilities. The goal is to create awareness and understanding among participants of the detrimental effects of discrimination on the mental well-being of these student populations. By exploring the intersections of mental health and diversity in the law school context, faculty members and administrators will gain valuable insights and practical strategies to better support and advocate for their students.

Panelists:

• Sande Buhai,  Professor of Law and Director of Public Interest / Pro Bono programs, Loyola Law School
• Madeline Maldonado, Consultant and Adjunct Professor, Fordham University
• Chalak Richards, Dean of Students, Diversity and Belonging, Pepperdine University School of Law
• Reggie McGahee, Global Head of Diversity Recruiting, Reed Smith (moderator)

Closing: 8:50 – 8:55pm BST / 3:50 – 3:55pm EDT / 12:50  – 12:55pm PDT

• Mark Goldstein, Partner Chair, Mental Health Task Force, Reed Smith

Networking: 8:55 – 9:30pm BST / 3:55 – 4:30pm EDT / 12:55 – 1:30pm PDT