If you’ve ever known a lawyer who struggled with addiction or mental health problems, chances are they were quite reluctant to admit anything was wrong. Even in the face of compelling evidence to the contrary, like missed deadlines, sleeping in the office, excessive sick days or difficulty with tasks, they likely denied the existence of any struggle. Maybe the evidence is harder to ignore. Arrests, hospitalizations, unexplained illnesses, missing money. The list goes on and on.  Yet, those who struggle with addiction or mental health issues are often unaware of the impact of their illness, in denial about the seriousness of their condition, or are petrified of being “found out.” And few people have the ability to convince others of something more forcefully and convincingly than a well-trained lawyer!

Effective December 2, 2019, Westchester County has implemented a new initiative that applies to all cases scheduled for Preliminary and Compliance Conferences. All parties are to come to all Preliminary and Compliance Conferences with settlement demands (for plaintiffs) and with offers (for defendants) and be prepared to discuss possible settlement.