What is lawyer well-being? As discussed in the recommendations released in August by the National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being, it isn’t merely about an absence of illness. Well-being is multifaceted. The task force defined lawyer well-being as a “continuous process whereby lawyers seek to thrive in each of the following areas: emotional health, occupational pursuits, creative or intellectual endeavors, sense of spirituality or greater purpose in life, physical health and social connections with others.” As lawyers we can spend an inordinate amount of time ruminating, anticipating and planning for the worst-case scenario. Mindfulness is useful for recognizing when our thoughts are helpful or destructive. This includes when we’re engaged in problem-solving or simply replaying thought loops. We know from a February 2016 ABA study that the levels of depression, anxiety and stress among attorneys are significant, with 28 percent, 19 percent and 23 percent experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, respectively. The reason why lawyers must care for their own well-being is that it is the cornerstone of being a competent lawyer.Read More
