Watching recent local news stories of lawyers under ethical scrutiny often reveals a common thread: These individuals are often trying to manage a law practice alongside a substance or behavioral problem. The library recently acquired Michael J. Burke’s Never Enough: One Lawyer’s True Story of How He Gambled His Career Away. Burke tells in brief, to-the-point language how he managed to drink his way through law school and finally get a grip on his alcohol problem, only to take up compulsive gambling as a new outlet for his addictions. Burke describes losing millions of dollars of client trust account funds, including $600,000 in his last two months of gambling before ultimately being convicted and disbarred. The book provides an interesting look of what exactly happened to him following his conviction, all the way to the correctional facility, and his orientation therein and thereafter. It is a fast read, since Burke knows firsthand how precious time is in your busy professional schedule.
Burke provides contact information for lawyer assistance programs in all fifty states, including Minnesota’s Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers. This organization offers help to lawyers, judges, and law students affected by addictions, mental illness, stress problems, or “any condition which negatively affects the quality of one’s life at work or at home.” Eligible participants may receive up to 4 counseling sessions at no charge through their counseling affiliate.
