Summary
Adam Moskowitz, Managing Partner of The Moskowitz Law Firm, has been working with the Bolch Judicial Institute of Duke Law School, the University of Miami, and the Dade County Bar Association to organize an important National Town Hall on Anxiety, Addiction and Suicide that will save lives.
Many lawyers and legal professionals nationwide recognize the education, innovation, and reform efforts of the Bolch Institute at Duke Law School, where Adam serves as Topics Coordinator alongside John Rabiej as Deputy Director. The Institute’s leadership organizes extremely productive and substantive seminars about 3 times a year that have been attended by top federal judges and hundreds of attorneys from across the country. John and Dean David Levi (the Director) have created an incredible organization that serves as a vital resource to professionals in the legal field and beyond. The Bolch Institute’s distinguished Advisory Board includes some of the top plaintiff and defense lawyers in the country along with some very accomplished corporate counsel.
A few years ago, Adam decided to publicly share his personal story of addiction and anxiety, as well as his decision to give up alcohol. Below, he recounts that pivotal time and explains how and why these private struggles need a public forum to help and outreach to those that suffer from alcohol, drug, and mental health related issues.
"I made the decision in order to focus on my health for me, my wife and my three young children. It helped me not only survive, but thrive—starting my own law firm after 25 years of practice. Unfortunately, many people (a great percentage of lawyers and even friends and colleagues outside and inside of law) do not address their personal health issues for many reasons. Some simply think they have no issues, some do not know how to address them, some are too embarrassed in part due to the stigma, and others simply do not want to—especially the judiciary. This past year, two of my friends—that have children—committed suicide because they thought it was their only recourse. We need to do more than just talk about it or write a nice obituary after someone commits suicide. We decided to dedicate the great team and resources at the Bloch Institute at Duke Law School to organize an important National Town Hall that directly addresses all aspects of these issues. To bring it out from the darkness, and bring together the best experts in the country to offer real solutions and actions that will directly save lives."
— FIRM FOUNDER, ADAM M. MOSKOWITZ
Details & Registration
A graduate of the University of Miami School of Law and a professor there since he attended, Adam sought the support of UM (both the law and medical schools) to be very involved in the event and they gratuitously and quickly agreed. Many members of the UM Board of Trustees, such as Barbara Havenick and Hilarie Bass (former President of the ABA), have personally been of great help in organizing this very crucial and groundbreaking event as has Michael Higer (former President of the Florida Bar Association). A very special lunch will be held on Thursday afternoon in dedication to our friend and colleague Ervin Gonzalez.
The Town Hall will take place at the end of next month, February 28-March 1 at the Newman Center at the University of Miami.
Over 200 attendees are expected from across the country.
While $150,000 has already been raised from corporate and individual sponsors, the leadership is seeking more support. Several sponsorship levels and openings are still available, offering potential sponsors the opportunity to aid this National Town Hall for a worthy cause.
Sponsorship funds will be utilized to secure attendance by the country’s leading experts in their respective fields, but just as importantly, to reduce the initial tuition price of $895. Objectives are to secure a reduced rate with a full year of CLE credits, an even further discounted tuition reate for students and medical professionals, and/or make it it available for free to anyone who would like to attend, but cannot afford the cost.
The National Town Hall will include a detailed discussion of all the great recommendations and work by the ABA, Judicial and Law School Wellness Task Forces during the past three years.
Attending:
32 National Experts
10 Federal Judges, including 3 Chief Judges of their Circuits
Various State Judges and State Bar Presidents
Directors of many Rehabilitation Facilities such as the Betty Ford Hazeleden Center
Patrick Kennedy, Former Congressman
Dr. George Koob, Director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism
Bob Carlson, President of the American Bar Association.
Actress Gabriel Anwar, and other individuals that will tell their personal stories
Many professors in University of Miami’s medical and law schools.
AND MANY MORE…