The Berger Law Firm, P.C.

Jeffrey Berger represents high tech and professional services companies, federal contractors, and executives in employment and labor law, business disputes, and litigation.

On October 13, the ALA Capital Chapter and DC Bar Law Practice Management (LPM) Section presented “Help Me, Help You,” a program on dealing with substance abuse among attorneys.  Speakers Jeffrey Berger, management-side employment lawyer and LPM Section Chair, and Denise Perme, Manager of the DC Bar Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP), advised law firm managers on techniques, warning signs, and legal issues related to attorney substance abuse.  Mr. Berger discussed legal pit falls under the Americans with Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Rules of Professional Liability, and offered suggestions on how to manage these issues.  Ms. Perme advised law firm managers on how to identify employees with substance issues and work with the LAP, which offers confidential services free of charge.  The speakers discussed their success in working with laws firms on substance issues and emphasized the legal and operational importance for law firms of having personnel policies prohibiting drug and alcohol use.  They also provided an outline for “last chance agreements,” which provide a detailed road map to use for taking an attorney from being a substance abuser to a substance-free and productive member of the law firm, while reducing potential liability.  For a program outline or information, contact Mr. Berger, bergerlaw@yahoo.com, or Ms. Perme dperme@dcbar.org.