Creating Work-Life Harmony for a Lawyer's Well-Being

• Pages: 33-34
• Date: 01 October 2024
• Author: Erin E. Clifford
• Subject Matter: Civil Law

MENTAL HEALTH & WELLNESS

By Erin E. Cl ifford, Litigation News Contribut ing Editor

Creating Work-Life Harmony for a

Lawyer’s Well-Being

s lawyers, we have chosen a profession that revolves

around success. We strive for the next big verdict in

court, along with the accolades and honors, and

we appreciate the nancial benets that come

with a thriving career. However, over-priori-

tizing work can often lead to imbalances in other aspects of

life causing stress, illness, and mental and emotional fatigue.

Lawyers can embrace wellness and still be successful in their

careers—it all begins with awareness.

Prevalent Heal th Challenge s in the Legal Pr ofession

A study published by the American Bar Association on Lawyer

Assistance Programs and the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

of nearly 13,000 currently-practicing lawyers found that

between 21–36 percent qualify as “problem drinkers,” and

many struggle from some level of mental health disorders:

depression (28 percent), anxiety (19 percent), and stress (23

percent). The difculties that lawyers are experiencing do

not stop there. The study also found that feelings of “suicide,

social alienation, work addiction, sleep deprivation, job dis-

satisfaction, a diversity crisis…work-life conict, incivility, a

narrowing of values so that prot predominates, and negative

public perception” were also prevalent. These feelings are not

just applicable to seasoned lawyers but impact individuals in

their rst years of practice.

The legal profession is well known for its demanding and

high-pressure nature. Long hours, tight deadlines, difcult

decisions, and maintaining positive client relationships all

contribute to surmounting stress of a career in law. For many

young associates, the pinnacle of success in law is making

partner at their rm. But the path to that achievement entails

dedicating years and countless hours of their time to the pro-

fession. Naturally, this edges out other personal priorities in a

lawyer’s life including, but not limited to, their family and/or

friends, relationships, self-care, health, spirituality, and more.

A 2023 study by researchers at the University of Minnesota

revealed alarming rates of suicide and suicidal thoughts among

lawyers, particularly young lawyers, who buy into a profes-

sion that leaves them “stressed, lonely, and overcommitted.”

Of the lawyers surveyed, 16.9 percent shared suicidal ideation

with the two youngest age groups (30 or younger and 31–40)

accounting for the majority of the respondents.

A Career Can ’t Hug You Back

The heavy emphasis lawyers place on work blurs the line

between their professional and personal identities. Many

lawyers think that reaching a certain level of success, such as

becoming a partner or obtaining a record-setting settlement,

will lead to emotional fulllment. However, they soon discover

that these feelings are eeting and are left wondering why.

As a corporate wellness coach and consultant for law rms

and businesses, I hear this scenario all the time. I like to tell

my clients that money and success cannot hug you back. It is

important to nd time to feed what nourishes us as humans

and brings us the most life satisfaction. Failing to prioritize life

domains such as family, self-care, and physical health can lead

to burnout, anxiety, and feelings of low self-worth. While there

is no such thing as perfect balance, lawyers can create har-

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