HGD partner, Chris Hood, was recently appointed to Alabama State Bar’s (ASB) Lawyer Assistance Program (ALAP) Committee for the 2020-2021 year. Members of the ALAP committee are volunteers who assist in the implementation of services provided by the ALAP and serve active roles in the planning and developing of policies and procedures to assist in carrying out its mission. The recognized concepts of intervention, peer support and accountability have proven effective in helping lawyers in need take the necessary steps toward recovery. The value and effectiveness of these techniques, carried out by other lawyers who are themselves in recovery or who have had personal experiences in dealing with these illnesses, is invaluable. Committee members also assist ALAP in providing educational programs to promote awareness about these issues.
During this year, the ALAP will focus primarily on the following areas by preparing and offering educational programs, articles, CLE training, and other presentations as appropriate or needed:
(1) Addiction, depression and discipline among Alabama attorneys;
(2) Stress and how it particularly affects lawyers;
(3) Aging of the lawyer population and the inevitable increase in cognitive decline due
to diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia; and,
(4) The recommendations of The Path to Lawyer Well-Being, a report published by theABA’s National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being, to promote health and wellness.
Chris focuses his practice on consumer and environmental class actions, fraud and business torts, and personal injury or death caused by dangerous prescription medicines and medical devices. He also handles appeals in many of our firm’s major cases.
HGD congratulates Chris on this important appointment!
