Oct. 7, 2024

NJ Lawyers Assistance Program with Evan Levow and Defne Ekin

The Mighty MERP Podcast - ⚖️ In this episode, Melissa Rosenblum welcomes Dr. Defne Ekin and attorney Evan Levow to discuss the importance of lawyer wellness, the New Jersey Lawyers Assistance Program, and the personal journeys of both guests.

They explore the stigma surrounding addiction in the legal profession, the significance of specialization in law, and the evolving landscape of mental health support for lawyers.

Evan shares his personal story of struggle and recovery, emphasizing the importance of seeking help and the confidentiality offered by NJ Lawyers Assistance Program.

The conversation highlights the need for open discussions about mental health and addiction within the legal community, encouraging lawyers to prioritize their well-being.

takeaways

• Specialization in law can lead to greater expertise.

• The New Jersey Lawyers Assistance Program offers vital support for lawyers.

• Addiction is often misunderstood as a moral failing.

• Confidentiality is crucial for those seeking help.

• Ambivalence is a common experience in addiction recovery.

• Lawyers face unique stressors that can impact their mental health.

• It's important to have open conversations about wellness in the legal profession.

• Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

• The stigma around addiction can prevent professionals from seeking help.

• Law school can be a challenging environment for mental health.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to DWI Law and Specialization

01:19 Exploring Lawyer Wellness and Support Systems

02:12 Origin Stories: Defne Ekin's Journey

13:29 Evan Levow's Path to DWI Law

20:43 The Importance of Specialization in Law

23:09 Understanding the New Jersey Lawyers Assistance Program

30:05 The Stigma of Addiction in the Legal Profession

34:27 Evan's Personal Story of Struggle and Recovery

45:27 Confidentiality and Support in NJ LAP

53:15 The Evolving Landscape of Lawyer Wellness

01:07:02 Final Thoughts on Law School and Career Satisfaction

Defne Ekin

Psychologist l, team clinician for New Jersey lawyers assistance program

Dr. Defne Ekin is the team clinician for New Jersey Lawyers Assistance Program. Defne is a versatile
clinician who has helped many individuals, families and groups navigate crises and transitions. She
earned a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from New York University and has an M. A. in Organizational
Psychology from Columbia University. She was trained at the Ackerman Institute for the Family for her
post-graduate work.
Before joining NJLAP, she served as a faculty member at Columbia University, Adelphi University, New
York University and Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. For much of her years in academia, she
held key administrative and supervisory positions in addition to teaching. She remains actively involved
in clinical treatment research and maintains a private practice in New York City since 2009. Her research
on mindfulness-based interventions and resiliency informs her counseling approach. She believes in the
power of listening closely, earning trust, and building collaborative relationships. Clients value her
strengths-based perspective and straightforward style. In her personal life, she enjoys exploring the
world and tries to step out of her comfort zone by trying new activities.