Available Online CLE Courses

SEMINAR

The seminar will review the new Erie County Prothonotary eFiling system. Attendees will learn how to register/consent and what that means in terms of receiving electronic notifications. Initial and Subsequent filings, checking out, Messages, and FAQs will be addressed during the seminar.

SPEAKER

Lisa Borkowski is a consultant for Paperless Solutions Inc., that specializes in Civil, Register of Wills, and Orphans' Court document management processes and procedures. She holds a Paralegal Certificate from Villanova and has 10+ years of experience working in the Montgomery County Prothonotary office as a Deputy.

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As an esteemed and enthusiastic educator for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, Attorney Brian S. Quinn will discuss the various types of impairment resulting from substance use - both alcohol and drugs - as well as mental health issues such as depression, stress, and anxiety.

Very importantly, this seminar will concentrate on what members of the legal profession can and should be doing about impairment among fellow attorneys, rather than a continuation of the enabling behavior that is often the norm.

Intervention techniques will be discussed and Attorney Quinn will provide examples of what some typical calls to the Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers Helpline "look" like. He hopes to alleviate some of the fear and misunderstanding that surrounds picking up the phone to ask LCL for advice or help.

Ethical considerations and issues that may result from failure to seek help for oneself or a fellow attorney will be discussed also.

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Many of us were attracted to the legal profession because we care about people and want to help them. Attorneys hopefully recognize that, unlike many other professionals, their lives are already filled to the brim with anxiety and stress. The consequences of shrugging it off can be catastrophic. One of those consequences that we often hear about is burnout. And then there's a special type of burnout called "secondary traumatic stress" or "compassion fatigue". The ramifications of trauma and compassion fatigue aren't discussed as frequently as those of stress and burnout thus, for many attorneys, they are topics in need of attention. Secondary or vicarious trauma can be the cumulative effect of listening to a client or witness relay graphic stories and experiences. When we examine it more closely, we realize it is a part of many practice areas. Those who experience compassion fatigue tend to take on the pain, suffering and burdens of the people they are helping. It is an exhaustion that is felt physically, emotionally, or mentally and can affect numerous areas of your life, often leaving you feeling numb. Recent studies have shown that there has been a dramatic increase in impairment due to alcoholism, addiction, and mental health disorders among members of the legal profession. The statistics are compelling and clearly indicate that 1 out of 3 attorneys will likely have a need for substance use or mental health services at some point in their careers.

Attorney Quinn will discuss:

The early warning signs of impairment, with special emphasis on stress, burnout, trauma and compassion fatigue.
The free services that Lawyers Assistance Programs provide to lawyers, judges, their family members and law students.
A close look at what barriers exist that prevent lawyers and judges from seeking the help they need will be provided.
The role that education plays in breaking the stigma and fear associated with addiction and mental illness in the legal profession.
How best to approach the impaired individual.

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2025 policy changes of the new administration and how they affect refugees and immigrants locally in Erie, PA. Presented by Alexandria Iwanenko, Esq., Jo Theisen, Esq., and Andrea Amicangelo, Esq. of Amicangelo & Theisen.

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Participants will gain insights into mental illness, including its symptoms and key indicators to observe, as well as available support and resources. Additionally, they will explore suicide prevention, focusing on statistics, warning signs, and available support and resources.

About the Presenter: Sharon Sandberg, LCSW, serves as the Program Manager for Crisis Services and the Crisis Residential Unit. She is a seasoned mental health professional and licensed clinical social worker, specializing in crisis intervention, suicide prevention and intervention, clinical coordination, therapy, psychiatric rehabilitation, and both clinical and administrative supervision. Additionally, she is adept at connecting individuals with community supports and resources. Sharon holds a Master's Degree in Social Work and a Bachelor's Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. She is an active member of the Erie County Suicide Prevention Advisory Board and chairs the annual Suicide Prevention Conference for Erie County. Furthermore, she is a master trainer in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) and a certified supervisor for Peer Support Specialists. She is also trained as a member of a critical incident stress management team and is a certified trainer in Comprehensive Crisis Management (CCM) and Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR). She is a trained member of the crisis negotiation team in Erie.

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In 2018, the United States Supreme Court, in Murphy vs. NCAA, held that sports gambling was legal in all of the United States. By 2019, Pennsylvania had added on-line gambling accessible by cell phone, computer and tablets, thus becoming one of the country's largest gambling revenue producing states. With it came the compulsive gambler. Then the whole world seemed to stop with the onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic. But the world of the compulsive gambler simply moved on to other forms of seeking "action" — via the internet. By the time sports resumed, a new breed of addicted gamblers was anxiously waiting, now ready, willing and extremely more able to utilize electronic devices as their preferred gambling format. And sports books and their advertisers welcomed them with open arms. This program will explore not only Gambling Disorder, but also the connection between gambling and the more well -known forms of impairment and why lawyers are at higher risk to develop problems. This problem has only been exacerbated by the stress, anxiety and isolation caused by COVID-19. The results are startling.

Atty. Quinn will discuss:

The early warning signs of impairment and how they relate to gambling disorders. Special attention will be given to the connection between COVID-19 and it's impact on social isolation, stress, anxiety, depression and gambling disorders.
The impact of the internet and sports betting on the problem gambler.
The free services that Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers provides to lawyers, judges, their family members and law students.
A close look at existing barriers that prevent lawyers and judges from seeking the help they need will be provided and the role that education plays in breaking the stigma and fear associated with addiction and mental illness in the legal profession.
Ethical considerations unique to the lawyer who suffers from a Gambling Disorder.


Brian S. Quinn, Esquire, is a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania who currently serves as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, Inc., a Lawyers Assistance Program established in 1988 for the purpose of helping lawyers, judges and law students recover from alcoholism, drug addiction and mental health disorders. Atty. Quinn obtained his undergraduate degree in 1970, his law degree in 1973 and a certificate in Drug and Alcohol counseling in 2012, from Villanova University. A member of the Pennsylvania and American Bar Associations, he has been a private practitioner for over 40 years, having litigated both civil and criminal matters during his career. Atty. Quinn also worked in the field of alcohol and drug counseling in suburban Philadelphia from 2011 to 2017, allowing him to gain both practical and clinical experience with individuals suffering from alcohol, substance use and mental health disorders. Atty. Quinn is a past member of the Board of Directors of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania and served as a peer volunteer for over six years prior to accepting his current role as the organization's Educator in 2017. He has written articles and made presentations on many lawyer wellness topics to law firms, Bar Associations, professional organizations and legal education providers on a state, national and international level.

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In 2018, the United States Supreme Court, in Murphy vs. NCAA, held that sports gambling was legal in all of the United States. By 2019, Pennsylvania had added on-line gambling accessible by cell phone, computer and tablets, thus becoming one of the country's largest gambling revenue producing states. With it came the compulsive gambler. Then the whole world seemed to stop with the onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic. But the world of the compulsive gambler simply moved on to other forms of seeking "action" — via the internet. By the time sports resumed, a new breed of addicted gamblers was anxiously waiting, now ready, willing and extremely more able to utilize electronic devices as their preferred gambling format. And sports books and their advertisers welcomed them with open arms. This program will explore not only Gambling Disorder, but also the connection between gambling and the more well -known forms of impairment and why lawyers are at higher risk to develop problems. This problem has only been exacerbated by the stress, anxiety and isolation caused by COVID-19. The results are startling.

Atty. Quinn will discuss:

The early warning signs of impairment and how they relate to gambling disorders. Special attention will be given to the connection between COVID-19 and it's impact on social isolation, stress, anxiety, depression and gambling disorders.
The impact of the internet and sports betting on the problem gambler.
The free services that Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers provides to lawyers, judges, their family members and law students.
A close look at existing barriers that prevent lawyers and judges from seeking the help they need will be provided and the role that education plays in breaking the stigma and fear associated with addiction and mental illness in the legal profession.
Ethical considerations unique to the lawyer who suffers from a Gambling Disorder.


Brian S. Quinn, Esquire, is a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania who currently serves as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, Inc., a Lawyers Assistance Program established in 1988 for the purpose of helping lawyers, judges and law students recover from alcoholism, drug addiction and mental health disorders. Atty. Quinn obtained his undergraduate degree in 1970, his law degree in 1973 and a certificate in Drug and Alcohol counseling in 2012, from Villanova University. A member of the Pennsylvania and American Bar Associations, he has been a private practitioner for over 40 years, having litigated both civil and criminal matters during his career. Atty. Quinn also worked in the field of alcohol and drug counseling in suburban Philadelphia from 2011 to 2017, allowing him to gain both practical and clinical experience with individuals suffering from alcohol, substance use and mental health disorders. Atty. Quinn is a past member of the Board of Directors of Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania and served as a peer volunteer for over six years prior to accepting his current role as the organization's Educator in 2017. He has written articles and made presentations on many lawyer wellness topics to law firms, Bar Associations, professional organizations and legal education providers on a state, national and international level.

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Presented by Jeffrey E. Hanson, Ph.D. of Jeffrey Hanson Education Services, Financial Literacy and Borrower Education

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This seminar will cover several matters of interest to attorneys including:
• The PLCB Application Process
• PLCB licensing for individuals and business
• The PLCB Investigation Process• Recent legislative changes to the Pennsylvania liquor code
• Q & A session

The Speaker, Michael A. Crochunis, is a licensing analyst supervisor for the western regional offices of the PA Liquor Control Board's Bureau of Licensing Investigations. Mr. Crochunis received his B.S. in Business Administration from Westminster College in 2003 and his M.S. in Organizational Leadership from Geneva College in 2005. Mr. Crochunis worked for a short time in the mortgage industry before accepting a position as a licensing analyst with the Board. Mr. Crochunis has been employed with the Board for 14 years amassing extensive experience with the licensing process along the way.

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Our speaker, John Johnston, is a respected resource in Erie's Social Security Office. At this program, he will discuss the differences between SS and SSI benefits including how to apply for each, best practices, what resources are available to you when representing clients or for your own personal information… and more.

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