A crisis of well-being in the profession
The legal profession is in the throes of a mental health crisis, with lawyers experiencing depression and substance abuse at unusually high rates and their struggles too often resulting in suicide or overdose. Lack of well-being in the profession not only has negative consequences for practitioners, their clients, and their employers, but also points to deep-seated problems within the legal profession. The distress of the legal professional, in other words, can be re-envisioned as a crisis of the profession itself, exposing a widening gulf between the ideals of the legal profession and its actual practice.A number of reforms are critical to bridging that divide—a renewed focus on civility central among them. The breakdown of professional decorum and the deterioration of lawyers’ mental and physical health have been traced to common sources of stress and pressure. And, as a practical matter, their relationship is symbiotic: an uncivil work environment can harm lawyers’ well-being, and conversely, poor mental health may negatively affect lawyers’ conduct in a way that contributes to an uncivil environment.
But more fundamentally, the breakdown in professional civility, with its repercussions for the health of the individual lawyer, reflects a dissonance between the experience of being a lawyer in modern times and the profession’s conception of itself as rooted in values, grown through mentorship, and sustained through skills-based competence and confidence.
This course offers new perspectives on:
- Commonly accepted challenges in modern practice;
- Connections between civility in the profession and lawyer well-being;
- Culture shifts that value client satisfaction and outcomes more highly than billable hours; and
- Celebration of the ability to develop relationships in court over winning at all costs.
CLE Eligibility
If you are unsure if this program has been approved in your state or have any questions about self-reporting, please click on the CLE icon to find out more or
contact us before taking the time to purchase and complete this program!PRICING
- Members and Alumni: $30
- Non-Members: $45