# 012527

Preventing Substance Abuse and Eliminating Bias

This two-hour program will provide an opportunity to learn about two important areas of concern in the legal profession, prevention of substance abuse and elimination of bias. The two presentations will give you a head start on fulfilling your New Year’s resolutions to improve the legal profession, and they’re presented just in time to fulfill one hour of hard-to-get MCLE credit for Prevention of Substance Abuse and Elimination of Bias.

Presentation 1: Why are Lawyers so Unhappy? Speaker: Dr. Alex Y. Yufik

This presentation will focus on substance abuse and mental illness in the legal profession, as well as conditions which may result in an attorney's reduced ability to function psychologically, socially, occupationally or interpersonally. In addition, coping strategies and treatment solutions will also be discussed.

Dr. Alex Yufik is a Board Certified Forensic Psychologist and a licensed attorney. He obtained his law degree from Villanova University School of Law and his doctorate in clinical psychology from George Washington University in D.C. Dr. Yufik is employed by the State Bar of California as a Case Management Supervisor at the Lawyers Assistance Program, where he supervises other clinicians in the program and conducts evaluations of attorneys who require monitored recovery and treatment for substance abuse and/or mental illness. He also assists the State Bar Court and Office of Chief Trial Counsel regarding attorneys who face disciplinary proceedings and have mental health problems.

In his private practice, Dr. Yufik sees patients and conducts forensic evaluations of competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, sex offender evaluations, post-traumatic stress disorder and psychological injury in both criminal and civil cases.

Presentation 2: Discrimination Based on Sexual and Gender Identity Speaker: Mia Frances Yamamoto

This presentation will focus on State and Federal Anti-Discrimination Statutes; Human Relations: Hiring, firing, advancement and restroom accommodations for transgender persons; Transgender students and schools; Transgender persons and police courts and prisons; Transgender records, status and identity.

Mia Frances Yamamoto (formerly Michael F. Yamamoto) was named Criminal Defense Attorney of the Year by the Los Angeles County Bar Association and one of the 100 Most Influential Lawyers in California by the California Daily Journal. This well-known UCLA School of Law alum has tried over 150 jury trials, including 2 death penalty trials. In addition to being a noted criminal defender, she is also an influential community advocate, a Court TV commentator, winner of various lifetime achievement awards, including the 2008 ABA Spirit of Excellence Award, and a mentor to many in the legal profession who have made local and global impacts in criminal defense, human rights, and diversity.