MENTAL HEALTH
Jesse Vaughn addresses the stigma around mental health in the legal profession
GETTING TO ADOPTION
Marie Priebe explains how to navigate the adoption applicant review process
NEW LEADERSHIP
Your 2025-2026 Executive Council
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OUR PROMISE AS LEADERS
Outlining the outcomes you can expect from your 2025-2026 Executive Council
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BREAKING DOWN THE HOUSE
Thursday, August 21, 2025, 11�30am–1pm at Marriott Orlando Downtown 400 W. Livingston St., Orlando, FL 32801
Navigating Compensation, Collectives, and Chaos in College Athletics. Joe Briggs is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience spanning public policy, education, advocacy and law. A sports lawyer, tech expert, and professor, he is currently Amazon’s Global Head of Executive Engagement and Initiatives.
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TITLE SPONSOR
Keshara D. Cowans, Esq., serves as a Staff Attorney, EEO and Equity Officer, and District Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Legal Services for Orange County Public Schools (“OCPS”), the fourth-largest school district in Florida and the eighth-largest in the nation. Ms. Cowans has practiced law for over 17 years. Her primary practice areas include labor and employment, employment discrimination, and Title IX compliance. She also serves as the legal advisor for the OCPS District Police Department.
OUR PROMISE AS LEADERS
Every new bar year begins with a familiar rhythm: renewed energy, bold ideas, and packed calendars. We dive into planning CLEs, activating committees, and outlining our goals. However, this year, our focus is sharper. We are committed to intentional growth. Growth that centers on service, inclusion, and connection. Growth that will leave the OCBA stronger, more welcoming, and more impactful.
Our profession exists to serve both our clients and our communities. This year, we will expand our pro bono reach and deepen partnerships with organizations serving our most vulnerable neighbors. Whether it involves taking another pro bono case, volunteering with our Community Service Committee, or participating in a Teach-In or Big Bad Wolf Mock Trial with the Civic Engagement & Law Week Committee, each one of our members, regardless of practice area, has something valuable to contribute to this mission.
A thriving bar must reflect the fullness of our legal community. This means intentional collaboration with other voluntary bar associations to ensure every member sees their future in our leadership. True strength comes from elevating voices that are often unheard.
Beyond organizing CLEs and networking events, we are cultivating a sense of belonging. We want our members to build real relationships across generations, across backgrounds, and across practice areas. Our events will be designed not only to inform, but to connect, because friendship and support are essential to professional growth.
Growth often requires courage. The courage to ask tough questions and to speak up. True growth begins with a willingness to be transparent, accountable, and open to change. This year, we will not shy away from
tough conversations. Whether it involves attorney wellness, mental health, or access to justice. Growth requires honest reflection, even when it’s uncomfortable.
I hope this bar year won’t be remembered simply for events hosted or initiatives completed. I hope it will be remembered for how we showed up for each other. How we made space for growth—not just in ourselves, but in those around us.
As we begin this new bar year, I am asking you to think beyond your individual practice and personal goals. Think about the lawyer you can mentor or encourage. Think about the community issue you can volunteer to help solve. At the end of the day, our profession’s legacy won’t be measured by how high any of us rose individually; it will be measured by how well we lifted each other along the way.
This year, we will not shy away from tough conversations. Whether it involves attorney wellness, mental health, or access to justice.
FUND THE WHOLE COURTROOM
A Collaborative Call for Comprehensive Judicial Funding
As Florida’s population surpasses 23 million, the demands on our judicial system continue to grow. When the Florida Legislature considers adding new judgeships across the state, it is imperative that the necessary resources are allocated not just for judges but for those who build out the entire courtroom — state attorneys, public defenders, county governments, and, critically, Clerks of Court.
At the core of this collaborative system are the Clerks of Court — the unsung infrastructure of Florida’s justice system. Clerks ensure the timely processing of filings, maintain court records, support courtroom operations, manage evidence, and provide the technological backbone that keeps our courts running. Yet, as judicial capacity expands, Clerks’ offices are often left without the concurrent resources needed to match this growth.
Each new judgeship brings with it a significant increase in workload for our office. Case maintenance, staffing hearings, managing evidence, and supporting digital court operations all fall within the Clerk’s purview. Without additional staff, our ability to support courtroom operations in a timely and efficient manner is severely constrained.
The Florida Clerks of Court Operations Corporation (CCOC) identified a critical need of more than $8 million in funding last session to support additional Clerk staff across the state in response to potential new judgeships. This investment in Clerks is essential to keep pace with the expected rise in caseloads and to maintain the level of service our communities depend on. Without these critical resources, Clerks’ offices face severe staffing shortages, excessive overtime demands, and an inability to provide neces-
sary courtroom support. Whether it is this year’s session or any session in the future, funding the entire court system is a priority. Plus, this is not a stand-alone issue. Our State Attorney’s Office and the Public Defender’s Office — key partners in the courtroom — rely on the Clerk’s office to process filings, manage evidence, and move cases forward. Delays in any one part of the courtroom ecosystem create bottlenecks that affect everyone. When Clerks are understaffed, it becomes harder for prosecutors and defenders to do their jobs effectively, and ultimately, justice is delayed for our citizens.
Moreover, our county governments — who are responsible for creating the physical space and infrastructure for these new judicial roles — are affected when operational funding doesn’t keep pace. The courtroom must be seen as a full system, not just a bench and gavel.
Consider the human impact: A domestic violence victim waiting on a restraining order who faces delays because the paperwork can’t be processed in time. A small business owner relying on a timely court resolution to keep their doors open. A wrongly accused individual spending extra days in custody due to backlogged filings. These are not hypotheticals — they are real-life consequences of underfunding critical courtroom operations.
As Clerk of Courts, I see firsthand how closely our office works with our judges in the Ninth Judicial Circuit, the State Attorney’s Office, the Public Defender, and Court Administration to serve the public with integrity and efficiency. But to continue doing so, we must be resourced accordingly. Justice doesn’t begin and end with the judge; it takes
The Honorable Tiffany Moore Russell, Esq., Orange County Clerk of Courts, has been a member of the OCBA since 2004.
a fully funded courtroom to deliver timely, fair outcomes for the people we serve.
The Florida Legislature has a choice: fund the whole courtroom, or risk undermining the very justice they seek to expand. Adding judges is a necessary step, but it’s only part of the solution.
Going forward, I urge lawmakers to provide full, concurrent funding for Clerks of Court, public defenders, state attorneys, and county governments to ensure Florida’s justice system remains equitable, efficient, and effective.
Warm regards,
Tiffany Moore
Russell Orange County Clerk of Courts
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Find a complete list of vendors at orangecountybar.org/for-attorneys/ member-benefits/featured-benefits/
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The businesses listed herein (the“Vendors”) are not affiliated with the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA) and shall not under any circumstances be deemed to have any authority to act on behalf of the OCBA. The OCBA does not make, and expressly disclaims, any warranty, representation, responsibility, or guarantee as to (a) the quality or suitability of the Vendors, their products, or services, and (b) the duration or validity of any discount or other promotion offered by any of the Vendors.
SPEAKING OUT TO END STIGMA
The value of starting conversations about mental health in the legal profession.
Long hours, difficult matters, workload, high stakes, law school debt, and client-facing are just a few of the many stressful situations professionals in the legal industry face daily.
Let’s face it, there is a stigma around mental health. Especially in the legal profession. According to the American Bar Association “Many lawyers are afraid to disclose their mental health challenges because they do not want to be seen as weak or incompetent, according to Charline Yim. The stigma may also impact their admission to the bar, drive fear of isolation or prompt them toward overwork or substance abuse as a coping mechanism”
It’s no secret that the legal profession is a high stress field to work in, so why keep mental health challenges a secret?
As revealed by the ES Law article, Mental Health and Well-Being in the Legal Profession, “ A Johns Hopkins study found that among over 100 occupations, lawyers have the highest rate of depression.”
Legal professionals are afraid to admit they deal with mental health challenges because they are afraid to look weak, incompetent, or if and how it will impact their admission to the bar. This could lead to depression, anxiety, and more.
Let’s take a closer look at some statistics regarding mental health in the legal industry. According to Thomson Reuters, “In a 2023 study on the link between lawyers’ stress and suicidal thoughts, 66% of respondents said that their time in the legal professional had been detrimental to their mental health, and 46% of them said they were considering leaving the profession due to stress or burnout.” Mental health can interfere with one’s ability to make sound decisions, so it is of the utmost importance to take care of your mental health.
Furthermore, according to Later Link a test was
done to compare the statistics on the Mental Health Crisis in the Legal Profession. The statistic between 2019-2023 discuss Depression and Anxiety, Substance Abuse and Rising Suicide Rates, and WorkLife Balance. “Recorded depression cases have escalated from 31�17% in 2019 to 38�27% in 2023, while anxiety rates have shot up from 63�95% in 2019 to a peak of 71�10% in 2023,” according to Later Link. While this comparison is now 2 years old, it is still important to be aware of the rise in depression and anxiety in legal professionals. Later Link stated “As of 2023, 14�83% of legal professionals reported knowing a colleague who committed suicide in the past two years, and 15�73% admitted to contemplating suicide during their legal careers.” On the plus side, there has been a rise in lawyers taking some or all of their vacation time. “However, achieving a genuine work-life balance and disconnecting from work stress remains elusive for over 68% of lawyers,” as stated by Later Link.
The statistics provided by Later link represent the most recent data on mental health in the legal professions.
Reuters article “Stress and overwork linked to lawyers’ suicidal thoughts,
Jesse Vaughn Student Paralegal with Hagood & Hagood, PLLC. Jesse is a member of the OCBA Paralegal Section.
study says” states “Male lawyers were twice as likely to report suicidal thoughts than women lawyers - an unexpected finding given that women in general experience higher rates of suicide thoughts but lower rates of death by suicide, according to the study.”
To help speak out to raise awareness of addiction and mental health stigma in the legal profession, the American Bar Association has published a video series named “Speaking Out to End Stigma”. The fi rst video, entitled “FEAR NOT: SPEAKING OUT TO END STIGMA” features a diverse group of lawyers, a judge, and two law students who openly talk about the challenges with behavioral health issues, including depression, anxiety, alcoholism and drug addiction, their recovery and the vital importance of asking for help.
The American Bar Association emphasizes “To thrive in this challenging field, it’s crucial for lawyers to prioritize their well-being.”
Growing and maintaining your mental health is the best way to prevent feeling overwhelmed that can lead to stress, anxiety, and even burnout that legal professionals often feel. According to New York Medical College, “10
Things You Can Do for Your Mental Health:
1. Value Yourself.
2. Take care of your body.
3. Surround yourself with good people.
4. Give and receive to yourself and others, unapologetically.
5. Set realistic goals.
6. Learn new ways to manage stress.
7. Do something different.
8. Avoid Substances.
9. Quiet your Mind.
10. Get help when you need it.”
New York Medical Colleges recommend these 10 steps to help you grow your mental health. “Value Yourself” can be whatever it means to you, such as replacing self-criticism with self-encouragement, taking care of your body by eating well, exercising 30 minutes a day has a positive impact on your mood, and prioritizing sleep. Surrounding yourself with good people is critical. Don’t be afraid to make a change for your own well-being. Give and receive to yourself and others, unapologetically. Helping others in need can bring a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction. Setting realistic goals is an effective way to keep looking forward. This may include writing down goals for today, this week, this month, etc. Utilize development tools to effective-
ly manage stress by doing something different. Walking a different path or calling someone you usually text can add a refreshing change of pace to your day. Avoiding the use of alcohol or other substances is best practice for maintaining your mental health. Meditation, mindfulness, and prayer are powerful practices that can have a positive impact on your mental and emotional well-being. It is important to reach out to a family member, friend, or close colleague when you feel like you need help. Neglecting your mental health can lead to challenges for your emotional and physical health. Picture it like building blocks that all stack together with mental health being at the top. With that being said, prioritize yourself - whether it’s a walk, a long shower, or simply slowing down. However you recharge, your mental health matters. It’s essential to thrive in the legal profession.
REFERENCES
• Anti-stigma campaign. (n.d.-a). https://www.americanbar.org/ groups/lawyer_assistance/ profession_wide_anti_stigma_ campaign/
• Lateral Link. (2023, June 7). Lawyer Mental Health Crisis: Unveiling 2023 data, trends, and essential resources for building Healthier Legal Careers. https:// laterallink.com/lawyer-mentalhealth-crisis-unveiling-2023-datatrends-and-essential-resources-forbuilding-healthier-legal-careers/
• Panelists: Combating mental health stigma benefits all. (n.d.-b). https://www.americanbar. org/news/abanews/aba-newsarchives/2025/03/combatingmental-health-stigma-benefitsall/#:~:text=Many%20lawyers%20 are%20afraid%20to,abuse%20 as%20a%20coping%20 mechanism.
• Sarahstrumberger. (2024, August 21). Today’s lawyers and Mental Health: Mental Health Awareness Month: Legal blog. Thomson Reuters Law Blog. https://legal. thomsonreuters.com/blog/todayslawyers-and-mental-health/
• Stress and overwork linked to lawyers’ suicidal thoughts, study says | Reuters. (n.d.-c). https://www.reuters.com/legal/ litigation/stress-overwork-linkedlawyers-suicidal-thoughts-studysays-2023-02-13/
• Todd, E. (2024, July 29). Mental health and well-being in the legal profession. Erickson & Sederstrom. https://eslaw.com/ news-blog/2024/7/29/mentalhealth-and-well-being-in-the-legalprofession#:~:text=Common%20 Mental%20Health%20Issues%20 in%20the%20Legal%20 Profession&text=A%20John%20Hopkins%20study%20found,the%20 highest%20rate%20of%20 depression.
• Touro College. (2024, October 2). 10 things you can do for your mental health. New York Medical College a Member of Touro University. https://www.nymc.edu/ newsroom/stories/world-mentalhealth-day.php
Marie Priebe is the Director of Special Projects for the GAL Program of the Legal Aid Society of the O.C.B.A., Inc. She practices dependency law as a Guardian ad Litem attorney.
For more information on how to become a financial donor, please contact Donna Haynes at dhaynes@legalaidocba.org or 407-515-1850.
GETTING TO ADOPTION
The Adoption Applicant Review Committee
In dependency law, when the parental rights to a child are severed, the child becomes free for adoption. The child is then committed to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) for the purposes of adoption, giving DCF the discretion to determine the most appropriate adoptive home for the child.1
It is comprised of at least five members who have received specialized adoption training to fulfill this unique role.2
The AARC is required to review the following types of adoption cases:
1. Fla. Stat. §39.812(1)(2024).
2. Fla. Admin. Code R. 65C16.005(9)(a)(2023).
3. Fla. Admin. Code R. 65C16.005(9)(b)(2023).
4. Fla. Admin. Code R. 65C16.002(2)(2023).
5. Fla. Admin. Code R. 65C16.002(5)(2023).
6. Fla. Stat. §39.812(4)(2024).
Most of the time, the adoption process is a smooth ride: the child already resides in a safe home with caregivers who are willing to adopt, the adoption home study is positive, and the Guardian ad Litem (GAL) is in full support of the adoption.
Other times, the process may be a bit bumpy. This is where the Adoption Applicant Review Committee (AARC) comes into play. The AARC is a function of the community-based care organization responsible for providing services for children in DCF’s care.
1. When multiple applicants with approved home studies apply to adopt the same child.
2. When the health of the applicant may impact their ability to care for the child.
3. When the applicant has negative DCF history such as prior findings of
abuse, abandonment or neglect.
4. When the applicant or another household member of the applicant has problematic criminal history.
5. When there have been concerns for the care and supervision provided by a current or former foster parent who has applied to adopt a child.3
Prior to the AARC convening, its members will review a host of information related to the case, including the applicant’s home study, documentation related to the reason for the AARC, and a child study
which includes comprehensive information about the child and their needs. They will then meet to discuss the issues with the applicant(s) and get recommendations from those intimately involved with the case like the child’s case manager, adoption worker, and GAL.
The AARC’s decision must be made consistent with the best interests of the child.4 The analysis made will depend on the reason for the AARC. For instance, if the reason is because multiple applicants have applied to adopt the same child, the
AARC panel must consider the following:
1. The quality and length of the attachment to the current and potential caregiver.
2. What impact, if any, each placement will have on sibling relationships.
3. The capacity and willingness of the prospective adoptive parent to access needed services for the child and whether they understand the needs of the child.
4. The willingness of the prospective adoptive parent to establish or continue significant relationships of the child when appropriate.5
Andy Hament
Bob Henry
Deborah Moskowitz
Don Fann
Michelle Roth
Richard Lord
Scott Baughan
Skip Jewett
Tara Zimmerman
William Zei Mediators & Arbitrators adrsource.com
with others, and their home environment.
In preparation for the AARC meeting, the GAL should request and be provided with much of the same information that is provided to the AARC panel. This includes the home study on each applicant, the reason for the AARC, and the child study. The GAL will have an opportunity to ask questions during the meeting and should be prepared to provide a recommendation to the AARC panel. A written recommendation may also be requested by the AARC panel at the conclusion of the meeting.
In formulating a recommendation for the AARC, a review of Florida Statute 39�01375 may be helpful as it outlines several factors to consider when determining the placement of a child in DCF’s care. Ultimately, the safety and overall well-being of the child should be at the forefront of any recommendation made.
This is a very brief overview of what can be a confusing process, but the GAL’s role cannot be understated. If your GAL case is subject to an AARC review and you would like some further guidance, please feel free to reach out to our GAL staff attorneys at the Legal Aid Society of the O.C.B.A., Inc. for assistance.
SIDEBAR
YLS on the Move
Summer Jump
Summer is in full swing, and the Young Lawyers Section (YLS) of the Orange County Bar Association is ready to help you make the most of these long, sun-drenched (or rainy) days. I’m Michael Stone, the new Communications Coordinator for YLS, and like many of you, I’m always looking for ways to grow in my professional career. I’m excited to help spotlight the achievements of our members and keep you connected with everything YLS has planned to make this season rewarding, informative, and an opportunity for our legal community to recognize the great work we’re doing.
Michael B. Stone, Esq., Partner at Jordan Dougherty Stone LLP, specializes in commercial litigation, first-party property, general liability, and personal injury claims. OCBA Member Since 2020.
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SPECIAL MASTERS
Brevard County Tom D. Waldron, Esq. 321-508-3526
Hillsborough County
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100 Club
Firms with two or more attorneys who are all members can belong! If your firm is eligible, call the Membership Department (407-422-4551 x225)
20+ MEMBERS
Rumberger, Kirk & Caldwell
Shutts & Bowen
Wicker, Smith, O’Hara, et al.
Winderweedle, Haines, et al.
10-19 MEMBERS
Colling Gilbert Wright
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2-9 MEMBERS
The Aikin Family Law Group
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Green Family Law
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Law Office of Michael L. Dear Lebron Law
The Llabona Law Group
Marcus & Myers
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McMichen, Cinami & Demps
McShane & McShane
Men’s Divorce Law Firm
Morgan, White-Davis & Martinez
Murphy & Berglund
N. Diane Holmes
O’Mara Law Group
Page & Eichenblatt
Perez LaSure
Rebecca L. Palmer Law Group
Sawyer & Sawyer
Schwam-Wilcox & Assoc.
SeifertMiller
Shannin Law Firm
The Skambis Law Firm
Stovash, Case & Tingley
Tangel-Rodriguez & Assoc.
Warner & Warner
West Family Law Group
Wieland & DeLattre
Wilson McCoy
Wooten Kimbrough
Yergey & Yergey
3
June Luncheon
SETTING THE STAGE FOR SUCCESS / We welcomed Amanda Koplos, Immediate Past President of the Association of Legal Administrators, law firm COO, and co-host of “The Mostly Legal Podcast”, for our June Luncheon. In her presentation, “Beyond the Bar: The Real-World Playbook for First-Year Success (and Beyond),” Amanda shared firsthand insights into the challenges new attorneys face and offered practical strategies for thriving in your early years of practice. Amanda discussed the importance of adaptability, professionalism and versatility in your first years of practice.
OTHER YLS EVENTS
LAW CLERKS RECEPTION, JULY 16, 2025 / Join us in an evening of connection and conversation with law students, young attorneys, seasoned practitioners, judges, and community leaders.
BOOK FAIR AT WASHINGTON SHORES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, JULY 23, 2025 / YLS will be working with Washington Shores Elementary to provide students with free books to help spread the joy of reading.
MORNING AT THE STATE COURTHOUSE, JULY 25, 2025 / A unique opportunity for law students and young attorneys to gain practical knowledge about practicing in state court.
BACKPACK PROJECT, JULY 31, 2025 / We proudly partnered with the Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers (CFAWL) to host a charitable happy hour with proceeds being used to purchase backpacks filled with school supplies for students in Orange County.
STAY INFORMED: Make sure your schedules remain flexible as YLS has many more social events to be on the lookout for! To ensure you’re always up-to-date with YLS activities, please sign up for our weekly email blasts. Visit our website and click “Sign Up for YLS Emails.”
