How To Cope With A Biglaw Partner Who's An Alcoholic

The stressful, high-pressure environment of Biglaw is the dank puddle of water in which all sorts of nasty stuff is able to grow.

sad drinkingWe spend quite a bit of time on this website documenting the problems that seem to plague the legal industry: alcoholism, addiction issues, depression… it doesn’t look good. The stats certainly bear that out, but so do the actual experiences of our readers. So the following question comes to us from a Biglaw associate schlepping in the service of a partner with a problem:

You should write about how to deal when the partner you work for is an alcoholic. I’m put in the position of constantly covering for this partner, and dealing with erratic behavior. My position at the firm is tenuous since it is in the hands of a man in a downward spiral.

That’s an excellent question. When dealing with issue of addiction, the majority of the coverage tends to focus on how to recognize that you need help or how to deal with a loved one with an issue. But the dynamic is different when it is your boss. You can’t just slip in a casual question about their consumption of alcohol no matter how sloppy they are when they come back from lunch.

It is important to recognize that there is nothing about the title of lawyer — or even partner — that somehow insulates them from the problems of addiction. And the stressful, high-pressure environment of Biglaw is the dank puddle of water in which all sorts of nasty stuff is able to grow.

While it is true that WebMD is mostly used for diagnosing yourself with the cancer you almost certainly do not have, it can also provide some useful information:

A functional alcoholic might not act the way you would expect, [Sarah Allen Benton, a licensed mental health counselor and author of Understanding the High-Functioning Alcoholic (affiliate link),] says. You might think he’s responsible and productive because he works every day. He could even be high achieving or powerful. In fact, his success might lead people to overlook his drinking.

He could also be in denial about drinking. He might think, “‘I have a great job, pay my bills, and have lots of friends; therefore I am not an alcoholic,’” Benton says. Or he might make excuses like, “I only drink expensive wine” or “I haven’t lost everything or suffered setbacks because of drinking.”

An alcoholic lawyer’s office doesn’t have to smell like regret and bad decisions; the degrees on the wall, the deals closed, and the formidable book of business can all mask a real problem.

Sponsored

So what do you do if you find yourself on a case with someone you suspect has a problem? The advice that’s out there seems… out of touch within the context of a law firm. Take, for example, this nugget:

It is often necessary to confront the co-worker with concerns about their behavior. This should occur in a non-judgmental and non-accusatory manner where only facts are presented. As well as mentioning the causes of concern, it is also helpful to offer possible solutions. This can be a good opportunity for co-workers to mention how people they know have dealt with alcohol problems by seeking help.

LOL. That would go over well at a law firm. Even if you were talking to a fellow associate rather than a dealing with the power dynamics of trying to confront a partner, the competitive and cutthroat environment of Biglaw means “a non-judgmental and non-accusatory manner” would be nearly impossible to achieve.

Even the advice geared toward having the awkward conversation with your boss, in this case written by Dr. Nicholas Kardaras, a professor at Stony Brook University’s Health Sciences Center, doesn’t read as particularly useful:

What can you do if your boss is indeed a closet drug addict? Depending on what kind of relationship you have with them, you can suggest that they get help. If they seem receptive, you can even help them find a good clinician or treatment program.

Sponsored

Nope. Still not happening.

If you don’t have that kind of relationship with your boss, you can alert Human Resources—while you may feel uncomfortable reporting your bosses problematic behavior, understand that addiction is a life and death issue and getting the addict help is of utmost importance.

This is still a difficult road. The relationship between HR and the partnership can be convoluted and the big players have been around a lot longer than you, a lowly associate; they have relationships with all the key players, and this may well be a known issue that the powers that be have decided to ignore. Think about this: Biglaw shops are frequently places that tolerate, or even lionize the “screamers” — people who are well-known in the firm for taking frustrations large and small out on their juniors — and all the attendant HR issues. If you have concerns or suspicions about a rainmaker’s ability to hold their liquor, how seriously will that really be taken?

So that leaves our reader in quite the quandary. I’d try to avoid working with that partner, perhaps seeking work from another partner in your group or developing a sudden interest in a different practice area. While this may not be a guarantee — and may have lasting repercussions on your career — it should be a band-aid on the problem.

And if your addicted boss is unwilling to get help? It may not be a bad idea to start sending out your resume, because there are few things worse than working for a boss with an untreated drug problem as it will eventually adversely affect your emotional and even physical well-being as well.

BOOM. Great advice. That’s the real deal, treat it like any other “bad boss” scenario. Even if there are moments when working for the addicted partner are a delight, it is a real risk that you’ll be collateral damage when the partner nears rock bottom. And while it might be nice to get a favor when the partner finally circles around to Step 9, the havoc it wreaks on your career isn’t worth it.

Are You a High-Functioning Alcoholic? [WebMD]
Is your boss an alcoholic or an addict? [Fox News]

Earlier: Stat Of The Week: Lawyers More Hungover Than Surgeons
Can We Finally Talk About The Elephant In the Room? Mental Health Of Lawyers
Law Firm Life Is Terrible For Your Health