Well-Being In Law
How Balanced Are Your Scales?
As a legal professional, I have strived to be the best at what I do while taking pride in being the best multitasker I know. In my 13 years of legal experience, getting it all done is necessary. But how far do my scales tilt to reach personal imbalance?
Legal professionals are known to put aside their needs for the best outcome for the client, deadlines, court, billable hours, and team morale. If you work in the legal field you know to be good at your job, heck to survive in the legal field, you need to be able to dig deep to ensure all aspects of the case are top priority. Unfortunately, this approach tilts the balance of your scales and perpetuates high levels of chronic stress. It is known that personal needs do not co-exist with the needs of the client or the outcome of the case. But times are changing!
Balance Should Come From The Top
It is encouraging to see the ABA, LAPA, NALA, and other legal organizations recognizing the importance of well-being in law.
Heck, the legal world now recognizes well-being week in law. May 5-9 2025 to be exact!
Now, I'm not one to criticize the efforts of these organizations. I applaud them for starting the conversation about health in law. It is refreshing to see inclusivity amongst all legal professionals and not just lawyers. After all, lawyers are not the only ones who should be prioritizing their well-being. Legal professionals should not be bombarded with additional tasks, catchy acronyms, graphs, pie charts, and webinars. In other words, the approach to well-being should not be another complicated task. Legal professionals should not have to pay for another redundant webinar about “wellness”.
The balance should come from leadership within firms. Attorneys, human resources, and office managers need to implement a balanced approach to day-to-day operations. They should encourage an open dialogue and office culture that supports well-being without judgment or shame.
Legal professionals should be encouraged to discover what works best for their well-being. “How do they do that?” Simply, implement a well-being hour at the end of each work week because we all know there is never a perfect time of day to block out time for personal needs.
For example, one day a week employees are encouraged to set a block of time aside to address their own needs. Contract with massage professionals, acupuncturists, and mental health services. Inquire, invest, and provide options for employees to choose what will best meet their needs. A legal professional who feels seen and prioritized will not only perform better but will be willing to go that extra mile when deadlines are near.
“But those services cost money.” The logistics have to make sense for the finances of the firm of course. But at the end of the day, well-being and balance should not be another complicated task the employee has to add to their “To-Do’s.” Again, creating an open culture dialogue within your firm is a great start.
Balance Your Scales
Perhaps, you are a legal professional who works for a law firm that you sense would not be open to implementing work-life balance services. That’s okay. Advocate for yourself because no one else will. It’s on you to take advantage of resources that meet your needs. Know your limits and don’t be afraid to say no when it’s necessary. Create your work boundaries.
I have listed a few resources to get the ball rolling. You do not have to be a lawyer to take advantage of these resources.
https://www.americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/well-being-in-the-legal-profession/
https://lawyerwellbeing.net/well-being-week-in-law/well-being-guides-resources/
