Ancient Philosophies For Modern Day Stress
Have you been feeling like I have lately—like the world and your legal practice are unraveling? You're not alone. Throughout history, chaos and stress have been constants, but so has human resilience.
From yoga philosophers dating back thousands of years to the Roman Stoics, humans, including lawyers, have always innovated ways to increase resilience, decrease stress, and manage hardships. Ranging from yoga to meditation to humor to community, learn how you can apply age-old ways to stay well.
Train your mind to respond thoughtfully to modern day stress using tools that help increase emotional regulation, stimulate calmness and focus, and regulate the nervous system at our half-day CLE: Ancient Philosophies for Modern Day Stress, designed specifically to help legal professionals. Bring your inner nerd as we discuss ancient history, philosophy, and science.
Agenda | Tickets | Parking Information | About the Speakers | Sponsors | Testimonials
Agenda
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Practicing attorney Ed Snow discusses evidence of wit and humor among ancient works from lawyer scribes of the Ancient Near East. Whether it is art, stories, or plays, Ed examines scripts from Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Israel to argue that lawyers should promote good humor in order to make our profession better and show concern for the mental health and wellbeing of our colleagues.
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Why should we be just? Plato famously raises and responds to this challenge in his dialogues. His answer, which is developed in different ways by other ancient philosophers, is that when we properly understand things, we will see that being just is in our own self-interest. It is necessary for our happiness and mental health. Ancient philosophers also explore the rejection of this view as admirable and high-minded, but naïve if not foolish. Do we need to be good people to be happy and acquire mental health? We will discuss some ancient philosophical positions in support of this connection along with some reasons for rejecting it. We will also present some exercises that ancient philosophers designed to help us develop and exercise the virtues that are supposed to be necessary for our flourishing. These exercises provide useful techniques for navigating the complexities of life, even today, but they also help to clarify what the ancient philosophers mean by happiness and mental health.
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This immersive program with lawyer and yoga teacher Lisa Wolff explores the profound connection between breath, meditation, and ancient wisdom traditions. We will embark on a journey to harness the power of breath for deep relaxation, clarity, and inner transformation.
The session will begin with a grounding introduction to the historical and cultural roots of breathwork, highlighting its role in ancient healing and spiritual traditions. Through guided exercises, participants will learn breath control techniques to regulate the nervous system, enhance energy flow, and cultivate mental stillness. The session will culminate in a meditative practice designed to integrate breath awareness with present-moment mindfulness, allowing for a deeper connection to self and the wisdom of the ancients.
Whether you are new to breathwork or seeking to deepen your practice, this program offers a sacred space to reconnect with the power of your breath and the timeless teachings of the past.
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It looks like ancient wisdom is true because I started looking into whether laughter is really the best medicine and found that laughter can increase oxygen to the heart, lungs, and muscles, release endorphins to your brain, and help improve mood. Get ready to laugh with actress and stand up comedian, Molly Dakota.
Molly serves up observational humor with a side of delightfully awkward honesty, leaving audiences both thinking and clutching their sides. With a background that could generously be described as "eclectic". Molly mines her unique experiences for comedic gold. Her relatable tales of modern life, daring disasters, and the general absurdity of being human resonate with crowds of all humors. If you're looking for a comedian who isn't afraid to get animated, real, and maybe even get you up out of your set to be a part of the act, Molly Dakota is your gal.
Just be prepared to laugh and maybe question a few of your life choices along the way.
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A healthy lunch will be served as we enjoy the comedy show.
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Stick around after the program to engage with like-minded lawyers and share strategies for building resiliency when practicing law.
Bring your problems and share your solutions as we brainstorm ways to make the practice of law a little easier for all of us.
Tickets
Get your tickets now! Limited number of seats available.
Parking
Important: Parking for this venue is at 667 Irwin Street, Atlanta, Georgia 30312 in the parking deck.
We will send out more information to all registered attendees as the date nears.
About the Speakers
Ed Snow, J.D. practices in the Atlanta office of the firm and practices in the firm's Lending Practice Group.
Ed has practiced law since 1988 and is admitted to practice in Georgia and Tennessee. He represents banks, finance companies, funds and borrowers in the middle and large corporate markets and his clients include: Wells Fargo Bank, JPMorgan Chase Bank, BB&T, Regions Bank, Atlantic Capital Bank, Synovus Bank, First Citizens Bank, Chatham Capital and MidCap Financial Services, among others.
Ed has extensive experience with the following kinds of lending/borrowing transactions: accounts receivable and inventory finance; cash flow finance; mezzanine finance; health care finance; equipment finance; joint venture finance; leveraged acquisition finance; unsecured finance; letters of credit finance; asset securitizations; media, high tech and telecommunications finance; real estate finance; loan syndications and participations; workouts, restructurings and forbearance arrangements; secured party sales; debtor-in-possession finance; and loan purchases and sales.
Ed Snow is also a member of the firm’s Blockchain, Cryptocurrency and Electronic Transactions Group and advises banks, financial institutions and other businesses in these areas, including regarding blockchain financial transaction applications, electronic and digital signatures, electronic loan documents and other contracts (aka, electronic records) and collateral consisting of electronic chattel paper, transferable records and other electronic assets. Ed is a frequent speaker and author on these topics and is a member of The Electronic Signatures and Records Association.
Ed Snow is a former adjunct professor of contracts and contract drafting at Emory Law School. He frequently writes and speaks on lending and other legal topics and has lectured for the National Business Institute, Lorman Education Services, and the Institute of Continuing Legal Education in Georgia, as well as the Emory University Law and Religion Program and other organizations.
Dr. Harald Thorsrud is Professor and Co-chair of the Department of Neuroscience and Philosophy at Agnes Scott College. His research focuses on ancient Greek and Roman views of the mind and accounts of human flourishing. He has published a book, Ancient Scepticism (University of California Press/Routledge 2009), and articles on various aspects of Academic and Pyrrhonian skepticism, as well as Aristotle’s ethics, and Cicero’s presentation of Stoic ethics. In recent years his interests have shifted to bringing ancient approaches to the study of the mind and mental health into conversation with contemporary research in artificial intelligence and neuroscience.
Dr. Tim O’Keefe is Professor and Director of Graduate Studies in Philosophy at Georgia State University. He specializes in ancient philosophy, particularly Hellenistic philosophy (philosophy following the deaths of Aristotle and Alexander the Great). He has published extensively on Epicureanism, including two books (Epicurus on Freedom, Cambridge University Press 2005, and Epicureanism, University of California Press/Routledge 2009) and articles on topics such as the Epicureans on the mind-body relation, freedom of action, the ontological status of sensible qualities, friendship, justice, and death. Currently, he is researching the ethics of the ancient hedonists, skeptics, and sophists, which he thinks form a distinctive and cohesive sub-tradition within ancient ethics that is opposed in many ways to the sub-tradition formed by the Platonists, Aristotelians, and Stoics.
Lisa Wolff, J.D., is a creator, advocate, and dedicated learner. In addition to being a yoga teacher, Lisa is a practicing attorney at Huff Powell Bailey.
Two beloved friends separately introduced Lisa to yoga at a time when Lisa was a very stressed public defender representing individuals facing the death penalty throughout Georgia. Yoga proved to be a profoundly healing and transformative practice that has helped Lisa live with more integrity, mutuality, and reverence for our interconnectedness. Lisa’s mission in life, and as a teacher, is to move the needle toward collective liberation. Part of this mission is a strongly held belief that there is no “right” way to do just about anything, including meditation and yoga. Lisa aspires to create environments in which participants feel safe to explore and honor whatever their bodies/minds/spirits need each time they show up for practice. Lisa has over 1,000 hours of advanced training in Jivamukti, Hatha, Vinyasa, breath-work, and meditation
Outside of practicing law and teaching yoga, Lisa loves to dance, paint, knit/crochet, read, play board games, race time with her rubik’s cube, and bike around town. Above all, Lisa loves to spend time with family, especially her wife and their two dogs: Rico and Professor Fernando.
Learn more about Lisa’s retreats and other offerings here.
Molly Dakota, is an actress, model, and comedian. Molly has toured with her comedy across multiple states. Molly has worked for Peacock in New York City for “The John Wick Experience” and is best known for her roles in Amazon movies “KoKo and “Organic.” Molly recently took the stage as “Stacy” in “ReUnion” the play, which won a Social Justice Award for its performances at International Fringe Festival. Molly constantly hosts comedy shows across ATL including The Punchline and Dynamic El Dorado. Her determination is connecting and educating audiences in the most entertaining way possible.
Learn more about Molly’s work here.
Testimonials
Read testimonials from last year’s attendees:
“This event provided the tools, resources, and community to reframe the way that we work — and in turn, our lives. It helped reinstate the passion I have for the law, while implementing boundaries to be the best lawyer, friend, sister, daughter, and partner I can be. I couldn’t be more grateful to Betty for putting on this phenomenal event and I am so excited to see all of the transformation that occurs for those in attendance in 2024!”
— Morgyn G.
“I was lucky enough to attend the Women Lawyers Wellness Summit in 2023 and it was a refreshing, relaxing, and informative experience. We were able to bond over our shared experiences, discuss how we manage our stress, and learn how to do so much more effectively. The support and camaraderie were exactly what I needed! I recommend this event to all women!”
— Winter W.
“Being surrounded by like-minded women lawyers at the wellness program was empowering, enlightening, and therapeutic. I felt comfortable in the space and shared some of my story as well because I felt seen, heard, and appreciated. I highly recommend this program, and I look forward to being a part of many more!”
— Nicole S.
“Wellness Jurist is more than a mission, it’s a mindset. I attended my first event on a cold rainy day in 2024, but didn’t leave with a dampened spirit. I left feeling rejuvenated and hopeful. Not only do you get to hear from great speakers on various ways to be more mindful in your personal and professional life, but you also form a community with other lawyers who are facing similar life challenges of balancing work, family, and mental and physical health. I would highly recommend to anyone who is looking to find a healthier way to approach life’s journey, and if you don’t think yo have the time, make the time. You will be glad that you did.”
— Ashley G.