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Case Histories
All identifying details have been changed, but these are genuine case histories from LawCare's files.
Mark
Mark was a Barrister practising in Manchester who had a severe alcohol problem. He was not getting any work and had considerable financial difficulties. His wife had asked him to leave a year before but he had just spent the last of his money, which was set aside for rent, on whisky, and had been threatened with eviction.
LawCare initially put Mark in touch with a local volunteer, but the volunteer reported that having spoken to Mark he felt that inpatient treatment was required. Mark himself asked whether he might go to The Priory. With limited funds available the Priory, at about Ł3,000 per week, was not an option, but LawCare contacted another treatment centre where costs were below Ł500 per week. We were also able to arrange funding through the Barristers’ Benevolent Association, and even sorted out kennelling for Mark’s dog. The volunteer drove Mark to the station and put him on the train, and he was met at the other end by staff of the treatment centre. At the close of the year Mark was still in treatment, had been sober for ten weeks, and was feeling much more positive and confident that he would be able to rebuild his life.
Alison
Alison was a newly qualified solicitor who was struggling to cope with her workload and concerned that the stress was bringing about a recurrence of an eating disorder she had suffered as a teenager. The LawCare staff member who spoke to Alison began by discussing methods of coping with the stress, but during the conversation it became apparent that Alison was wondering whether she was suited to the practice of law at all. However, when it was suggested that she consider a change of career Alison expressed the opinion that it would be a waste of her efforts in qualifying if she were to do so.
The helpline operator sent Alison LawCare’s Alternative Careers pack and arranged for Alison to speak to LawCare’s specialist consultant on the subject of eating disorders. LawCare also arranged a professional counsellor for Alison. Working through her issues with the counsellor Alison concluded that it would be worse to waste her life in a profession she didn’t enjoy than waste the time she had put into qualifying. She is now fully recovered and working in a Law Centre, a job which she enjoys very much, and which draws on the knowledge and experience she has.
Peter
Peter was a sole practitioner who had been battling
with depression on and off for several years. He was now suffering with
another bout and had decided that the time had come to give up his
practice. He was not achieving anything in the office, and was frustrated
at his own inability to cope. At the age of 55 he felt his career as a
solicitor was over.
Hannah was a legal executive in the West Country who
called initially to say that she was suffering from depression and her
husband was unsympathetic. She didn’t want to take any anti-depressants,
but when given assurances from the LawCare staff member that they were
safe and non-addictive she asked whether there were any which would not
require her to “avoid alcohol”. Kevin
Kevin, the managing partner of a medium sized firm, telephoned us with concerns about their assistant, Brian. He was arriving at work in the morning smelling of alcohol, the quantity and quality of his work was deteriorating and he was becoming argumentative with other members of the staff. We sent Kevin a copy of our publication “An Alcoholic in the Firm?” He approached Brian in a supportive manner, indicating that the firm were anxious to keep his services and to ensure his recovery. However it was also made clear that if he was unable to deal with the problem then his future with the firm was likely to be a short one. It was suggested that Brian should contact LawCare.
After some persuasion he did so. Initially he was in strong denial both of the nature and the extent of the problem. However we put him in touch with one of our local volunteers and were able to persuade him that a sensible first step would be to go to a meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. The volunteer took him to his first meeting. Within two weeks Brian had stopped drinking altogether and after two months he returned to work on a structured part-time basis, the amount of time that he put in at the office increasing over the next few weeks. He is now working full time in a fully effective professional manner and the firm is delighted with his progress.
Margaret
Margaret was a newly qualified solicitor in distress. She had found a position with a firm with the intention of dealing with a wide range of magistrates court work. She had been promised full support from the partner who had previously undertaken this work but this support had not been forthcoming. Three weeks previously she had been told that “We want you to deal with all the private client litigation.” Margaret pointed out that her experience in this area was limited. The response indicated that she had little choice in the matter if she wanted to keep her job. When she asked about appropriate training she was told that if she wanted it she would have to pay for it herself.
We suggested that the first step for her to take would be to make it clear to the firm that she was not prepared to venture into new areas of expertise without proper training and adequate backup. To help her with this we supplied her with a list of ways to say No gracefully. We also sent her some of our stress management and relaxation leaflets. Margaret felt that the experience had badly affected her self confidence. We therefore arranged for her to have a short course of counselling with a professional counsellor, who had experience of the legal profession. With this support, Margaret was able to convince the firm of the short-sightedness of their previous approach. They provided her with the necessary training and support and she is now fully enjoying the new role which she has within the firm.
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