Tragic News From Simpson Thacher

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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 learned 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 firm issued this brief statement to Above the Law:

A Simpson Thacher associate has passed away and the family requests privacy.

Associates were informed in one-on-one meetings by partners at the firm last week.
The death took place more than a week before Mark Levy took his own life, so this is clearly not a copy-cat situation. Instead, the news underscores the need for people to seek professional help during these difficult times. If you are feeling depressed, we implore you to avail yourselves of the counseling services offered by your firm, state bar association, or your law school.
After the jump, the National Law Journal reports that more attorneys are doing just that.


This morning, the NLJ reported on the depression that is settling on the legal community:

Administrators from a sampling of lawyer assistance programs report that laid-off attorneys, struggling solo practitioners, third-year law students without jobs lined up and others have been reaching out for help more than ever before. Lawyers who already had emotional problems or addictions are being pushed over the edge by the added stress of the slow economy and its ramifications, they said.

Professionals believe that the economy is exacerbating existing mental health issues:

Richard Carlton, the manager of education, research and program development for the Lawyer Assistance Program of the State Bar of California, said that the poor economy isn’t necessarily the primary reason that more lawyers are seeking help. Rather, the economy in many cases is exacerbating pre-existing problems, and it has taken several months for all those issues to compound and spur attorneys to seek help. The California program had its largest number of cases ever in March and April — double the number it saw in January and February, Carlton said.
“We’re just now starting to see a fairly significant uptick,” he said. “This is a fluctuation I’ve never seen before.”

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We know that most firms have help that is available to attorneys on a confidential basis. We hope that people utilize these programs.
Hopefully, law firms are aware that losing a job can be perceived as a devastating life experience and are emphasizing the help that is available for people who are struggling to cope with the sudden reality of unemployment.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends, and colleagues affected by this tragedy.
Depression stalks the legal profession [National Law Journal]
Earlier: Breaking: Sad Day at Kilpatrick Stockton

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