Daily Briefs

 ABA?report: Programs for lawyers with abuse problems expand scope

Lawyers suffering from alcoholism, substance abuse and mental health issues can turn to an array of support programs from state bar associations and other sources, according to a new report from the American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs. 

The study, based on a 2012 survey of lawyer assistance programs in 48 states and the District of Columbia, found that despite budget reductions in some jurisdictions, programs reported a continued commitment to maintaining the number of clients served and offering a diversity of services for a range of issues. While all programs continued to offer services related to alcoholism and drug addiction, more programs in 2012 than in 2010 provided services for other problems, such as cognitive impairment. 
 
The report noted that lawyer assistance programs referred more than 1,000 cases to treatment programs in 2012. As in previous years’ surveys, respondents reported that alcohol was by far the most commonly abused substance. However, abuse of prescription drugs has emerged as the second greatest concern, accounting for as many matters as cocaine, methamphetamines and heroin combined. 
 
 
 

Panel discussion Oct. 9 to focus on diversity in criminal prosecution


A panel discussion about cultural diversity in prosecution and its importance to the American criminal justice system will take place Wednesday, Oct. 9, at Wayne State University Law School.
 
Panelists will be attorney James L. Feinberg of James L. Feinberg & Associates; Judge Patricia Fresard of Wayne County Circuit Court; Wayne Law Professor Peter Henning; and Barbara L. McQuade, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan.

The free event will be from 12:15 to 1:15 p.m. in the Spencer M. Partrich Auditorium at the law school, 471 W. Palmer St. The discussion is open to the public, and lunch will be provided. RSVP via email to Krystal Gardner at kgardner@wayne.edu. 

Feinberg, who concentrates his practice on criminal defense, is the founder of the Hispanic Bar Association of Michigan and one of the founding members of the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan. He is a 1968 graduate of Wayne Law.

Fresard is the first Hispanic female judge on the Wayne County Circuit Court, where she has served since 1999. She began her legal career as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Macomb County and served there as chief of sex crimes.

Henning teaches White Collar Crime, Criminal Procedure and other courses. Before he joined the Wayne Law faculty in 1994, he had worked as a senior attorney in the Division of Enforcement at the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission and in the Criminal Division of the U.S. Department of Justice.

McQuade, the first woman to serve in her post, was appointed by President Barack Obama in January 2010. She was an assistant U.S. attorney in Detroit for 12 years and served as deputy chief of the National Security Unit, where she prosecuted cases involving terrorism financing, foreign agents, export violations and threats.

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