Professionalism Page
| Publication year | 2018 |
| Pages | 0078 |
| Citation | Vol. 23 No. 7 Pg. 0078 |
The Importance of Lawyers Abandoning the Shame and Stigma of Mental Illness
One tenet of the Chief Justice's Commission on Professionalism's "A Lawyer's Creed" is "To my colleagues in the practice of law, I offer concern for your welfare." If you are aware of a colleague that may be experiencing difficulties, ask questions and offer to help them contact the Lawyer Assistance Program for help.
BY MICHELLE BARCLAY
January is the month when Robin Nash, my dear friend and lawyer colleague, godfather to my child, officiate for my brother's marriage and former director of the Barton Center at Emory University, left the world. Positive reminders of him are all around, including a child law and policy fellowship in his name, but January is a tough month.
Robin's suicide, 12 years ago, was a shock to me. As time passed and I heard stories about Robin from others who knew him and I learned more about suicide, I can see in hindsight the risk looming for him. Today, I think his death was possibly preventable.
In 2006, Robin wrote this essay about himself for Emory's website
"Robin Nash, age 53, drew his first breath, attended college and law school and now works at Emory University. He loves to travel to places like Southeast Asia and the Middle East but he always returns home to Emory and his hometown of Decatur. Robin majored in Economics and Mathematics. He began his law practice in 1980 in Decatur surviving mostly on court appointed cases for mentally ill patients in commitment hearings.
His practice expanded to working with institutionalized developmentally delayed clients, special education cases, wills and estate litigation and representing banks in the hugely interesting area of commercial real estate closings.
In 1995, he was appointed as a juvenile court judge in DeKalb County. He resigned from the bench effective December 2005. He sold most of his personal belongings, paid off his remaining debts and moved overseas to think and travel. After thinking and traveling for three months, he returned to the active world of Decatur. He was appointed director of the Barton Clinic effective April 15, 2006."
When Robin came back from traveling, he told his friends—"I can be more impactful here."—which was and is true. Robin's impact continues today through the work of young lawyers serving as Robin Nash Fellows and through the lives of the thousands...
To continue reading
Request your trial