We

are a group of legal professionals (attorneys, paralegals, law students, and admin) who have experienced depression, anxiety, bipolar, OCD, eating disorders, trauma, sexual abuse, addiction and other mental health conditions, or who just don’t feel quite right.

We launched this grassroots project to help break the stigma around discussing our mental health and to provide peer support to each other.

We host a confidential forum and bi-monthly online peer-to-peer support group meetings and offer members the option of anonymity.

Meetings Topic

Candid explorations of health and mental health experiences

Impacts on legal practice in various contexts and seniority levels

Tools for effective management and work-life balance

Personal dynamics of self-care, life design, family, roles and more

Requirements

To participate, members need only share emergency contact information with the LDP Executive Committee.

After that, members will receive an anonymous email address for use with group meetings and to participate in the group’s web forum and chat room.

Your information is confidential with us.

We will not share it with anyone else in the group without your permission.

New

beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.

– Lao Tzu

Guidelines

Peer support - not therapy

This is a peer support group – not group therapy. We are not doctors or mental health professionals.

Emergency resources

If you have thoughts of harming yourself or others, please see a doctor immediately.

Dial 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

Confidential

Members agree to maintain in confidence the identities of all members and the content of all discussions in the forum and support group meetings.

Be kind

Members agree to treat each other with respect and kindness. Everyone should have a chance to share, and no one person should monopolize group time or resources.

Mute when not speaking

To ensure the best group experience, please mute your line when not speaking.

Non-profit status

We are a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit.  By participating in the site, forum or meetings, members are agreeing to waive all claims against the officers, board, and facilitators of the group.

Website guidelines

Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of use and privacy policy, do not use the site.

Founders & Facilitators

Joseph Milowic III

I am the Director of Well-Being and Of Counsel at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP.  For a long time, I did not feel comfortable admitting that I had experienced depression to my colleagues for fear of being perceived as incapable or unproductive.  This was especially so as a young associate because I was worried people would be less likely to entrust me with important matters if they knew that I sometimes go through periods where I lose motivation and focus.

I decided that speaking out from my then-position as a partner at Quinn Emanuel would enable me to be more impactful in speaking out about mental health.  And the fact is we should be talking about this, because you can succeed in BigLaw, and at a top law firm, even if you have experienced depression. I’m committed to these matters so that we can heal together.

Reid Murtaugh

I am an attorney in Lafayette, Indiana. I grew up in a world where I felt I had to keep my diagnosis private. I kept it private through law school and the first seven years of my law career. In January 2017, I disclosed my bipolar II diagnosis in an article published in the Indiana Lawyer newspaper. My disclosure allowed me to reach out and connect. A colleague shared Joe’s article with me. I shared my story with Joe and he invited me to participate. LDP is the peer community that I hoped to discover when I started this journey.

David Evan Markus

David Evan Markus, Esq., serves as judicial referee in the civil parts of New York Supreme Court, Ninth Judicial District, and has served in multiple senior legal and policy roles throughout New York State government, including under New York Chief Judges Jonathan Lippman and Judith S. Kaye, and the New York State Senate. Also an ordained rabbi, Markus serves as pulpit clergy at Temple Beth El of City Island (New York City, NY), as North America’s only pulpit rabbi also to serve full-time in government. Markus brings to his LDP facilitation his additional certification as a multi-faith spiritual counselor. He serves as rabbinic faculty at the Academy for Jewish Religion in New York, faculty in spiritual direction for ALEPH (the seminary of Jewish Renewal), and founding builder for Bayit: Building Jewish.

Markus previously has taught political science and judicial administration for Fordham University, and administrative law for Pace University’s graduate program in public administration. Markus earned his rabbinical ordination and spiritual director ordination from ALEPH, his Juris Doctor magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, his Masters in Public Policy from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, and his Bachelor of Arts summa cum laude from Williams College. He lives in New York.

Meredith Siller Rimalower
Clinical Counseling Trainee and former BigLaw associate

LDP is an easily accessible, pressure-free environment where lawyers can share and truly be heard.

Through meetings and online forums, LDP is an easily accessible, pressure-free environment where lawyers can share and truly be heard, without judgment, among thoughtful, intelligent, and compassionate members.

Lisa Smith
Deputy Executive Director and Director of Client Relations at Patterson Belknap in New York City

I’m thrilled that lawyers now have this incredible community of support — no one needs to work through these issues alone.

I was terrified of anyone in my firm learning of my substance use, so I had resisted seeking the help I needed. I’m committed to smashing the stigma around these issues so that we can all understand the resources available to us and feel comfortable reaching out for help. We all deserve to be healthy and happy. I’m thrilled that lawyers now have this incredible community of support — no one needs to work through these issues alone.

Reid Murtaugh
Attorney in Lafayette, Indiana

LDP is the peer community that I hoped to discover when I started this journey.

I attend individual therapy bi-weekly.  However, I have only attended a traditional mental health support group two times in my life.  I found them helpful but never returned.  LDP is different than a traditional support group.  I have regularly attended LDP calls over the past year.  The calls provide me with a sense of belonging that I can’t find anywhere else.  Knowing that I have instant access to peer support provides a greater feeling of stability.  If you are looking to connect with others that experience similar struggles as you, this community is for you.

Erik

For the first time in my life I feel like I can reach out to a group who truly understands what it's like to have depression and anxiety on the inside while functioning as a "high performer" on the outside.

It’s incredibly helpful having a network of individuals with highly relatable feelings, experiences and circumstances. For the first time in my life I feel like I can reach out to a group who truly understands what it’s like to have depression and anxiety on the inside while functioning as a “high performer” on the outside. Thank you Joe and the LDP community!