KALAP Annual Spring Seminar 2022
Hello Spring, Good Bye Stigma
When: Friday, April 8, 2022
Where: The Foundry Event Center
400 SW 33rd Street, Topeka, Kansas 66611
Livestream Webinar Option Available
Cost: Free!
CLE Credit: This program has approved for 4 hours of Ethics credit in Kansas, and 3 hours of Ethics and 1 hour of Elimination of Bias credit in Missouri.
Seminar Agenda
8:30 – 8:45 a.m. Check-in
8:45 – 9:00 a.m. Welcome
9:00 – 9:50 a.m. The Path to Lawyer Well-Being: Breaking the Stigma
Facilitators:
Danielle M. Hall, Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program, Topeka
Brynn Mroz, Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program, Topeka
Panelist:
Hon. Penny Moylan, Shawnee County District Court, Topeka
David Heinemann, Shank & Heinemann, Kansas City
Jay Hall, Kansas Association of Counties, Topeka
Cleotha Daniels, Midwest Health, Inc., Topeka
Brooke Wesley, LSCW, CEDS, MS, Bellatore Eating Disorder Recovery, Lenexa
During this session, the panel will discuss the reasons why stigma is so pervasive in the legal profession and why it is important we address stigma to improve well-being. This program will also examine the role of stigma and bias in preventing law students, lawyers, and judges from asking for and accessing help. The panel will explore the different stages of a lawyer’s life and the challenges faced, as well as how identity plays a unique role.
9:50 – 9:55 a.m. Break
9:55 – 10:45 a.m. Prejudice, Stigma, and Shame: An Inside Out Perspective
Speaker: Dr. John Whipple, Medical Director, Acumen Institute, LLC, Lawrence
Stereotypes and stigmatization is inherently a two party dynamic that hurts everyone involved. In this presentation, the neurobiological and neuropsychological mechanisms of prejudice and stigma will be described. The subsequent interpersonal dynamic will be outlined as it leads to conditioned responses in the perpetrator and shame in the recipient. Behavioral and mental health consequences for lawyers will also be discussed as stigma is internalized, inhibits access to assistance, and makes recovery difficult. The desire to be “normal” as defined by a majority undermines each individual’s ability to embrace their differences and find their genuine self.
10:45 – 10:50 a.m. Break
10:50 – 11:40 a.m. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging
Speaker: Dr. Jacqueline Villafañe, Topeka
In this interactive session, you will reflect on your own experiences, and identify strategies for addressing microaggressions and take notice how your biases impact your interactions with others within your legal practice.
11:40 – 12:30 p.m. Lunch Provided for In-Person Attendees
12:30 – 1:20 p.m. Ending the Stigma: Roundtable Discussions
Facilitator: Danielle M. Hall, Kansas Lawyers Assistance Program
During this session, attendees will reflect on what they learned throughout the day and participate in guided roundtable discussions about overcoming obstacles in seeking help for mental health and substance abuse and ending stigma in the legal profession.
1:20 p.m. Adjourn
Event Registration
Registration for this event has closed.
For more information or questions, please email Ellen Bayless at baylesse@kscourts.org