When to Call an Attorney

In this program, psychologist Jeff Zimmerman, PhD, ABPP, will be joined by two attorney consultants who will discuss common pitfalls made by mental health professionals, how attorney consultants can help in a preventative manner, and important, but often overlooked, reasons for seeking consultation. Ways to find and engage attorney consultants will also be addressed.

More specifically, the program will address the following:

• Ways to make best use of an attorney consultant.
• How to deal with concerns about legal fees.
• In what situations are attorneys often not consulted but should be (e.g., hiring, disciplining, and firing staff; renting office space; developing forms).
• The pros and cons of engaging a generalist vs. a specialist as an attorney, as well as the pros and cons of hiring an attorney who specializes in working with mental health practices.
• How to best find an attorney who specializes in mental health practices if one is not available in your area.
• The importance of finding an attorney who is an expert on your state’s mental health laws.
• How to engage an attorney when you have a malpractice issue emerging or fear a licensing board complaint might be made.
• How one knows when it is time to terminate a relationship with their attorney.

This program is part of the series Building and Sustaining a Thriving Private Practice: When to Call in Outside Help.

For NY psychologists: This program does not meet NYSED CE requirements.

• Identify the ways that an attorney may enhance regulatory compliance or adherence to ethical standards.
• List situations in which it is appropriate to consider seeking consultation with an attorney.
• Describe key considerations when engaging an attorney.

• Host: Jeffrey Zimmerman, PhD, ABPP
• Presenters: Connie Galietti, JD, and Alan Nessman, JD