Washington Lawyer - June 2020 - 5

YOUR VOICE

A NEW NORMAL

COMMUNITY * CAREER * PROFESSION * PRACTICE MANAGEMENT * SERVICE

The legal community has not been
immune to the ravages of the
coronavirus pandemic. Washington
Lawyer checked in with D.C. Bar
members to find out how they have
been coping with the crisis both in
their personal and professional lives.

THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA BAR MAGAZINE

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2020

OPIOID

LITIGATION
WARS
HEALTH CARE

Patrice Gilbert Photography

THE ART
OF WELLNESS

REFORM

Debating the Path Forward

Law Firms Get Creative

Jared Andrew Miller
Jared Miller Ventures

I read with interest the articles in the January/
February issue of Washington Lawyer about
lawyer wellness (or impairment) and what law
firms and individuals are doing about it. While I
am retired from active law practice, I am aware
through my nonprofit activities and adjunct
teaching that colleges, universities, and law
schools in the United States are facing quickly
escalating demands for counseling and other
forms of "wellness" treatment. This suggests
that law firms and other organizations
employing lawyers start early with new
employees to introduce them to practices for
keeping themselves mentally healthy.

Rachel Rintelmann
Legal Aid Society of the District of Columbia

David P. Yaffe
Arlington, Virginia

I'm worried about the health crisis now, but
I'm also worried, as a housing attorney, about
what's next. When we return to normal, we'll
be facing a massive housing crisis. Personally,
I'm not a remote-type worker. The hardest thing
is learning how to keep in touch with everyone
else, stay informed, and not end up siloed
or lose relationships as we are so spread out.
It's been a challenge because so much of the
practice is being present in the courthouse. On
a typical day I meet the client, and within an
hour I'm in the courthouse. Not happening
now. I'm on the computer or on Zoom to try
to stay in touch with clients, coworkers, etc.

Illustration: Amalia Restrepo

It is surreal enough to look at the news and
see thousands of people dead from a virus, but
having [more than 80,000] of those deceased
be American is jaw-dropping. The majority of us
understand that all human beings on earth are
equal, and no death is sadder or more important than the next. Nevertheless, this pandemic
has been unique as it has forced me to take an
introspective look at myself and realize that
I subconsciously do not associate America with
defeat. I genuinely understand that we have a
long way to go in this battle, but irrespective of
the might, money, technological advancement,
and brilliance of America, to the core we are just
a vulnerable collective made up of vulnerable
creatures. . . . I am sure that people who have
had similar introspections during this crisis take
away different learnings to hold onto. For me,
waking up to our vulnerability has actually
strengthened my faith.

INVESTING IN WELLNESS

By nature, I'm a long-term planner. It's a
struggle to not know when this will end. I take
it day by day, but I'm enjoying this time with
my family. I never have to look very far to
know how lucky I am. Many clients are facing
economic and housing insecurity. I feel very
fortunate that I'm employed to help them,
and that my employer is flexible. Work can be
emotionally exhausting. The constant reminder
is that it's hard, but I can see the end of this.
This will not be a long-lasting crisis in my life.
My youngest just took his first step. We were
actually home to see that! There are silver
linings. It's terribly scary, but it is important
to stop and appreciate the moments.

Brian Rohal
D.C. Bar Pro Bono Center

JUNE 2020

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WASHINGTON LAWYER

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Washington Lawyer - June 2020

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