The email from the ABA:

Hello Everyone:

I wanted to let you know that your request to make the program  entitled “What Lawyers Need to Know About Suicide During a Recession: Prevention, Identity and Law Firm Responsibility” available free of charge did not go unheeded.

The program’s sponsors have agreed to make the program free as a download, including audio and program materials.  Within 24 hours, the program should be available through the ABA Web Store, the ABA-CLE web pages, and the ABA’s Economic Recession Recovery pages.

Mark Levy was a high school classmate of mine.  I hope that your efforts result in saving more lives in the future.

Sincerely,

Rick Vittenson, Director, ABA Center for CLE, American Bar Association

Last Thursday, Mark Levy, a Kilpatrick Stockton attorney who had been laid off, tragically committed suicide at the firm’s office. Sadly, we have more disturbing news to report today.  Above the Law has reported tonight that a Simpson Thacher associate died two weekends ago in an apparent suicide. We understand that the female associate was recently let go from the firm.

The full story from Above the Law can be accessed here.    Yesterday’s National Law Journal had a lead article “Depression stalks the legal profession” (click here).

Last week we mentioned an ABA CLE program being offered tomorrow (May 6th) titled “What Lawyers Need to Know About Suicide During a Recession: Prevention, Identity and Law Firm Responsibility” (click here).

The increased stresses brought on by layoffs, resizing and other factors, and the devastating life experience effect on all of us makes this issue terribly important.

But if the ABA is concerned about the legal community and its membership we implore it to waive all fees and make this program free for all, and to make it available for free thereafter.   We have written to our ABA contacts. We ask any Posse List member who has a connection or influence with the ABA to impress this message upon the ABA.