Transcript tyuirtyurt - Colorado Bar Association

The Confidence of Trusted Counsel
CBA Presentation
March 20, 2013
Linda Siderius
Identifying and Assisting our Clients and
Colleagues with Major Medical Issues
 Case Studies
 High Risk Clients
 Warning Signs
 Rules of Professional Conduct
 Resources
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Case Study
 Recovery
 Reinstatement of licensure
 Hard work and accomplishments
 Were there warning signs?
 Suicide
 What happened?
 Surviving a suicide
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Case Study
 Dr. A
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Long time client
Physical injury left doctor in chronic physical
pain
Inability to care for self or to create an
environment to heal
Financial pressure
Lost license
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Warning signs
American Association of Suicidology
 Someone threatening to hurt or kill
themselves
 Someone looking for ways to kill themselves:
seeking access to pills, weapons, or other
means
 Someone talking or writing about death, dying
or suicide
 Call 911
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Warning Signs
American Association of Suicidology
 Hopelessness
 Rage, anger, seeking revenge
 Acting reckless or engaging in risky activities,
seemingly without thinking
 Feeling trapped
 Increasing alcohol or drug use
 Withdrawing from friends, family, or society
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Warning Signs
 Anxiety, agitation, unable to sleep, or
sleeping all the time
 Dramatic changes in mood
 No reason for living; no sense of purpose
 Referral
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Confidentiality of Information
CPC Rule 1.6
 (b) A lawyer may reveal information relating
to the representation of a client to the extent
the lawyer reasonably believe necessary:

(1) to prevent reasonably certain death or
substantial bodily harm;
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Client with Diminished Capacity
CPC Rule 1.14
 When a client’s capacity to make adequately
considered decisions in connection with a
representation is diminished, whether
because of minority, mental impairment or for
some other reason, the lawyer shall, as far as
reasonably possible, maintain a normal clientlawyer relationship with the client.
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CPC Rule 1.14
 (b)” When the lawyer reasonably believes that
the client has diminished capacity, is at risk of
substantial, physical, financial or other harm
unless action is taken and cannot adequately
act in the client’s own interest, the lawyer may
take reasonably necessary protective action,
including consulting with individuals or entities
that have the ability to take action to protect the
client and, in appropriate case, seeing the
appointment of a guardian…”
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The Confidence of Trusted Counsel
Questions?
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