NORTH CAROLINA STATE BAR APPROVED
SPONSOR #5495
A SELF EVALUATION
(ETHICS, PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY)
&
THE DARKEST HOUR IS JUST BEFORE DAWN
(MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE)
Courses approved by North Carolina State Bar
Board of Continuing Legal Education
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
I will challenge the participants to reflect on the profession, the reasons they chose the profession and losing it is too big of a price to pay. I will talk about the pitfalls of overloading oneself and the need to maintain a standard higher than what's required. I will share the need to be honest, trustworthy and fair.
Some excerpts from course:
"A MOMENT OF REFLECTION - IT'S NEVER TOO LATE"
Since July 21, 1981, the date of my crime, I began reflecting on my life. How did I allow myself to get so messed up? What were the signs that I so conveniently ignored? Along the way, I had a supportive family, supportive friends and lawyers who aided and assisted in my successful return to society. I now realize what it means to have folks who believe in you. But most of all I learned what was really important in life. I really learned some important lessons.
"THE DARKEST HOUR IS JUST BEFORE DAWN"
The word "Mental Hospital" or "Psychiatrist" were dreaded words to me. Frankly, the word "prison" even sounded better. So you must know how I felt on the day following my crime. This day, I was before Judge Robert Hobgood, on a motion to have me sent to Dorothea Dix Hospital for observation for the purpose of determining if I was mentally capable of standing trial.
It was a day of mixed emotions. On the one hand, I felt something had to be wrong with me to have done such horrible and stupid thing. However, on the other hand, I didn't want the stigma of having a mental illness. I think many people have the same feelings and thoughts.
"HONESTY IS ALWAYS THE BEST POLICY"
I have been fortunate to assist in a couple of law offices since being released from prison. I have noticed as I also observed when I was practicing law that fairness, truthfulness and honesty are not confined just to lawyer and client but also from lawyer to lawyer. Your fellow comrade ought to be able to trust you.
