Discussions will cover burnout, neurodiversity, a sense of belonging, and work-life balance.
Washington, D.C., January 25, 2025 – The Bar Association of the District of Columbia (BADC) and its Young Lawyers Section are partnering with numerous organizations, including the Anxiety & Depression Association of America, the Yale Black Law Students Association, the DC Department of Behavioral Health, and CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, to present the 2025 Potomac River Bench & Bar Peak Performance and Mental Wellness Summit. This summit will be held on Friday, March 21, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM (ET) at K&L Gates LLP, 1601 K Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20006. Rawle Andrews Jr., Esq., and Shirley Ann Higuchi, Esq., will serve as co-chairs.
Distinguished Speakers and Panelists
Speakers and panelists will include the Hon. James E. Boasberg (Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia); Esther Lim, Esq. (Partner, Finnegan/past president, D.C. Bar); Lynn Bufka, PhD, ABPP (Head of Practice, American Psychological Association); the Hon. Donald M. Remy, Esq. (9th Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs); Jonathan Shepherd, MD (Chief Clinical Officer, D.C. Department of Behavioral Health); Brook Choulet, MD (American Psychiatric Association); Jean Accius, PhD (CEO, CHC: Creating Healthier Communities); GiShawn Mance, PhD (Asst. Prof., Psychology Dept., Howard University); and Mena Mirhom, MD, FAPA (American Psychiatric Association).
“The legal profession is demanding, with high expectations and pressure. Mental health challenges are often overlooked. Our Summit brings together experts to discuss tools and resources for peak performance, burnout reduction, and overall well-being,” said Rawle Andrews Jr., Esq., president of the BADC.
Summit Highlights and Learning Objectives
Learning objectives include: (1) defining and addressing burnout and well-being; (2) understanding anxiety, depression, and substance use; (3) representing clients with mental illness, including serious mental illnesses (SMIs); (4) addressing the family caregiver’s burden in the legal profession; (5) developing lifestyle techniques for well-being and peak performance; (6) neurodiversity, disabilities & the law; and (7) understanding microaggressions, imposter syndrome & John Henryism.
Legal and health care professionals are encouraged to register by March 7, 2025. For more information:
About Bar Association of DC
Founded on May 23, 1871, The Bar Association of the District of Columbia (@badc1871) is the first bar association in the District and the third oldest in the United States. The BADC is a voluntary association with members participating in various committees and sections, including the Young Lawyers Section (YLS), the Intellectual Property (IP) Section, the Bankruptcy & Restructuring Section, and over 20 practice area committees. Join us at www.badc.org.
Media Contact
Rawle Andrews Jr. Esq., President / Bar Association District of Columbia
Source :Bar Association of the District of Columbia
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