PRACTICE AREA
Mental Health Advocacy
Compassionate Mental Health Advocate in East Brunswick, New Jersey
Although few law firms recognize it, there can be a deep connection between legal problems and mental health issues. Ramp, Renaud & Hlavenka, in contrast, both recognizes the problem and tries to address it via mental health advocacy.
Mental health advocacy simultaneously deals with a client’s mental health problems and his or her legal troubles. Doing so demands a truly compassionate attorney with impeccable legal skills.
Ann Renaud, an attorney with over 30 years experience, is the mental health advocate for the firm. Although her clients face nearly overwhelming challenges, including alcoholism, autism, bipolar disorder, depression, drug addiction, and schizophrenia, Ann works hard to resolve their legal issues and help deal with what is going on in their lives.
Ann’s work also brings her in contact with her clients’ families. They are often frightened and confused, worrying about what will happen to their loved ones. Ann helps them identify legal problems and potential solutions. Sometimes she can assist in getting appropriate treatment for their troubled family member. Her experience also helps her recognize when a client may benefit from a guardianship to protect his or her assets.
Mental Health Advocacy in Court
Mental health advocacy also pushes to have the court recognize and take into account a client’s mental illness. Someone with a bipolar disorder experiencing a manic high, for instance, is not just another person arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. An alcoholic picked up for DWI may need to be enrolled in a counseling program rather than just sentenced to jail.
Representing the Mentally Ill
People with mental health issues often need more than legal representation when they are in trouble. Because of their problems, mentally ill individuals can be ignored by schools, businesses and government agencies. Ann frequently acts as an intermediary between school, court, or an insurance company and her mentally ill client. She helps the mentally ill and their families work through a range of difficulties, including:
- Guardianships for incapacitated individuals in probate proceedings
- Defense of DUI arrests due to alcoholism
- Unfair treatment by credit companies and businesses
- Rejection of coverage by insurance companies
- Parents with chemical dependencies experiencing problems with DYFS (Division of Youth and Family Services)
- Defense of drug crimes for clients with chemical dependency/addiction
- Suspension or expulsion from schools for mental health issues
- Expungement of records of voluntary and/or involuntary commitment
