Let’s talk about addiction
Webinar
Thursday 13 February 2025
12.30 to 1.30pm
Join us for a webinar on addiction in the legal sector, where we’ll talk about how addiction affects people and share ideas on how to better support those dealing with it.
People in the legal sector may struggle with addiction due to high stress, long hours, and constant pressure to perform perfectly, which can lead to unhealthy ways of coping. The culture in law, which sometimes includes social drinking and stigma around asking for help, adds to the risk.
During this webinar, you will learn how to be a stronger ally for colleagues dealing with addiction and help create a more supportive and open workplace. Our panel will share their experiences and perspectives on addiction within the legal sector. They will offer insights on how addiction manifests, how it can affect mental health and wellbeing, and practical ways you and your workplace can help.
Let’s work together to create a workplace where everyone feels safe asking for help and sharing their challenges.
Meet the panel below.
Panellist: Steve McCann
Steven McCann is the Founder & Director of MCG Consulting, a consultancy dedicated to fostering healthier, more resilient workplaces through bespoke mentoring for managers and team members, addiction support, and mental health initiatives. With 18 years in the legal sector, Steven’s work aims to reduce stigma and empower individuals and organisations to thrive. He also serves as Deputy Chair at ReachOut, a mentoring charity supporting young people in under-resourced areas, and is Co-Founder of a national rare disease charity. Steven’s story and expertise have been featured in LawCare and other national media, and Steven is featured regularly on industry panels.
Panellist: Sarika Lynch
Sarika Lynch has worked in Big Law firms, mainly US, for over thirty years and is currently International Director of Office Administration for Baker Botts LLP where she has been for 13 years. Highly skilled in international strategy, project management and employee relations, people development with strong leadership skills. Her strengths are in understanding people at all levels and achieving the best through collaboration and staff development. Strong cultural understanding in each jurisdiction with the ability to influence at all levels. Areas of specific interest include wellbeing, lawyer and staff welfare, coaching, diversity and inclusion. Working with people to achieve optimum results for all in a transparent, humanistic and compassionate approach and dedicated to creating a fairer, kinder, more productive healthy environment. Demonstrated success and high retention rates within all law firms she has been in charge of HR.
Sarika has been in recovery for over 27 years and is actively involved with LawCare volunteering for over twenty years. A firm believer in service and giving back to others to enrich life and spirit. A sense of humour is essential
Panellist: Mark Hepburn
Mark is an accredited counsellor and psychotherapist with wide ranging experience across the mental health spectrum. Having also worked within the fields of addiction treatment and occupational health he is now in private practice. He has a longstanding relationship with LawCare dating back to 2002 and currently provides clinical supervision to staff and volunteers.
Panel chair: Nick O’Neill
After a successful career as a litigation solicitor, Nick recognised that his real passion lay in people / operational management. Following the completion of his MBA at Nottingham Trent University, Nick moved into full time practice management in 2010. Nick has managed at three private sector law firms and spent five years as the Legal Governance and Practice Manager at Wirral Borough Council.
In January 2021, Nick moved to take on the role of Chambers’ Director at Oriel Barristers Chambers in Liverpool.
Nick is a Lawcare Champion and regularly speaks on the legal circuit on behalf of Lawcare, promoting the services that this amazing charity provides.
Nick is a qualified ILM coach and regularly coaches young lawyers to help them achieve their goals.
Please make a donation to LawCare when you book your place
We're thrilled that these webinars are so popular, with hundreds of sign-ups each time we run one.
When you sign up please boost your impact with a donation to LawCare. Every contribution plays a crucial role in helping us break down the stigma that still exists around seeking support for mental health concerns in the legal sector. Your contributions help us meet the increasing demand for our helpline, which provides emotional support from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday.
It is easy to donate when you book your place, or you can donate to LawCare here.
Please get in touch with us on [email protected] if you would like to talk to us about you can support our work, or you have any questions about the webinar.
