Annual Wellness Summit

The D.C. Bar Annual Wellness Summit was held on Wednesday, June 14, 2023. This was a day dedicated to helping legal professionals find a healthy balance between the demands of the legal profession and personal well-being. This year’s program includes five expert-led seminars featuring practical tips and strategies to manage stress, cultivate healthy habits, refresh your mindset, and regain a sense of calm.

While created for those in the legal profession, this event is open to anyone interested in improving their health and well-being.

Brought to you by the D.C. Bar Lawyer Assistance Program and D.C. Bar Communities.

FREE RECORDING

Agenda

9:45 – 10:00 a.m.
Welcome from D.C. Bar President, Ellen Jakovic

10:00 – 10:50 a.m.
Daily Wins for the Practicing Attorney: Building Calm and Wellness into Your Day
Daily Wins for the Practicing Attorney: Building Calm and Wellness into Your Day In this session, we will explore strategies that attorneys can easily integrate into their daily lives to cultivate healthy habits and minimize daily energy slumps. Our focus will be on quick morning and evening routines, and how to incorporate exercise, meditation, and healthy eating into a busy schedule.

Speaker: AmiCietta Duche Clarke, Esq., Certified Holistic Health Coach

11:00 – 11:50 a.m.
Moving From Surviving to Thriving
This panel presentation will examine the connection between our mindset and our behavior, and how shifting to a growth mindset can help us implement healthy practices, regain a sense of control, and ultimately move from surviving to thriving.

Moderator: Niki Irish, Outreach & Education Coordinator, D.C. Bar Lawyer Assistance Program
Speakers:

• Lisa Caplan, LICSW-C, Director, Maryland Lawyer Assistance Program
• Sarah Endres, J.D., Northern Virginia Region Manager, Virginia Judges and Lawyers Assistance Program
• Denise Perme, LICSW, Associate Director, D.C. Bar Lawyer Assistance Program

12:00 – 12:50 p.m.
No Sandwich for Me, Thanks: Managing the Stressors of Caregiving
The presentation will cover common stressors associated with taking care of children and/or family members while also managing a legal career. Participants will learn ways to effectively balance their self-care with the demands of taking care of others.

Speakers:

• Lori Mihalich-Levin, JD, CEO & Founder, Mindful Return
• Leslie Forde, CEO & Founder, Mom's Hierarchy of Needs LLC

1:00 – 1:50 p.m.
Are You Mindful or Mind-Full? How to Identify Life Stressors and Practice Healthy Coping Techniques
Learn how to identify stress influencers, perceive when the shift to unhealthiness is imminent (before it is too late), and adopt practical, healthy coping techniques. The presenter will demonstrate mindfulness activities everyone can use to reduce stress and lead healthier lifestyles.

Speaker: Brendan M. Cournane, J.D., CPC, ELI-MP

2:00 – 2:50 p.m.
Remove Subconscious Blocks and Stress that Prevent Professional Success: An Emotional Freedom Techniques Experience
In this workshop, we will use emotional freedom techniques (EFT)/tapping to bring clarity and calm to ourselves. We will also learn why EFT/tapping is such an effective tool for professional and personal well-being.

Speaker: Michelle Thompson, J.D., Ph.D., CEO of Resistant Vision Coaching