Navigating Lawyer Burnout: Is Stress an Occupational Hazard?

If there is one phrase we continue to hear more than any other term as we navigate through our 'new normal' world, it is 'stressed out.'

But what is stress? What does it look like and feel like? More importantly, what can we do to prevent the normal stress and 'lawyer anxiety' so common in our profession from developing into the physically and emotionally draining state known as Burnout? Has it really become an occupational hazard?

Recent studies have shown that there has been a dramatic increase in impairment due to alcohol and substance misuse, gambling addiction, and mental health disorders among members of the legal profession. The statistics are compelling and clearly indicate that 1 out of 3 attorneys will likely have a need for substance use or mental health services at some point in their careers.

Topics covered include:

Attorney Wellness Law Practice Legal Ethics

Agenda:

The Early Warning Signs of Impairment
- Symptoms of stress and burnout that are particularly prevalent among members of the legal profession and how our professional culture may be contributing to the problems we face
- The discussion will include the basic stress reactions, both physical and psychological; the difference between healthy stress and distress
Realistic Prevention Strategies
- Guidelines for a “master plan,” including realistic prevention strategies that work
Why Lawyers?
- Why lawyers and judges are at especially high risk to develop mental health and addiction disorders
Ethical Considerations
- The relationship between impairment and unethical conduct
Barriers
- The barriers that prevent members of the legal profession from seeking the help they need
Questions & Answers (as time permits)

Duration of this webinar: 60 minutes

Originally broadcast: February 26, 2025 11:00 AM PT

Webinar Highlights

This webinar is divided into section summaries, which you can scan for key points and then dive into the sections that interest you the most.

00:00 Lawyer Assistance Programs

Brian discusses the prevalence of stress and burnout in the legal profession, urging lawyers to familiarize themselves with Lawyer Assistance Programs. He discusses confidentiality concerns involving these programs and the importance of understanding exceptions to the duty to report misconduct. Brian highlights the chronic nature of issues like substance misuse and mental health disorders, encouraging early intervention. Brian stresses the importance of these programs in preventing harm to lawyers, clients, and the public. He encourages lawyers to check if their state's program offers support to family members, since family issues are often intertwined with professional stress.

11:12 Mental Health Challenges in the Legal Profession

Patrick Krill's study for the ABA reveals alarming statistics about mental health and substance use in the legal profession. 21% of lawyers are problem drinkers, and 28% suffer from depression, significantly higher than the general population. The study highlights the negative impact of the legal profession on mental health, with 74% of lawyers reporting worsened well-being. A concerning 19% of lawyers have contemplated suicide, compared to 4.3% of the general population. Factors contributing to stress include billable hour pressures, lack of sleep, and client demands. Many lawyers feel unable to take time off for mental health due to fear of career repercussions.

17:07 Stress and Burnout

Isolation is a significant issue for lawyers, exacerbated by the pandemic and the nature of legal work. Lawyers often neglect their own well-being, prioritizing client needs over personal health. The concept of 'techno-lonely' describes the isolation felt despite constant connectivity through technology. Stress is identified as the primary issue in lawyer assistance programs, with a focus on managing thoughts and emotions. Brian discusses the importance of conscious control over stress responses to prevent impulsive behaviors. He highlights the need for lawyers to recognize and address their stress levels to avoid burnout.

28:00 Self-Care and Wellness Strategies

Jeffrey introduces practical self-care and wellness strategies to manage stress. He encourages participants to assess their stress levels and engage in mindfulness exercises. Jeffrey emphasizes the availability of research-based wellness resources and the importance of work-life balance. He introduces simple techniques like breathwork and meditation to improve mental health. Jeffrey discusses the significance of a personalized self-care plan that addresses various aspects of life. He highlights the role of gratitude, social connections, and technology management in maintaining well-being.

43:08 Practical Techniques for Stress Management

Jeffrey provides practical techniques for stress management, emphasizing the importance of small, incremental changes. He introduces breathwork exercises like the physiological sigh and box breathing to balance the nervous system. Jeffrey discusses the role of sunlight exposure in regulating sleep and circadian rhythms. He highlights the benefits of physical activity and positive psychology in improving mental health. Jeffrey introduces the STOP technique for managing stressful interactions and the importance of gratitude practices. He concludes with the significance of meditation.

01:00:16 Conclusion and Call to Action

Brian shares personal experiences with meditation and gratitude practices to improve mental well-being. Brian highlights the importance of addressing mental health issues in the legal profession and removing the stigma of seeking help. He encourages lawyers to prioritize self-care and set realistic goals to manage stress effectively.

Please note this AI-generated summary provides a general overview of the webinar but may not capture all details, nuances, or the exact words of the speaker. For complete accuracy, please refer to the original webinar recording.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits

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California CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Wellness Competence

Earn Credit Until: June 30, 2026

South Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Substance Abuse/Mental Health

Difficulty: All Levels

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2025

North Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Professional Well-Being

Earn Credit Until: February 28, 2026

Texas CLE

Status: Approved

Credits: 1.00 Legal Ethics/Professional Responsibility

Earn Credit Until: January 31, 2026

This presentation is approved for one hour of Wellness Competence CLE credit in California, one hour of Substance Abuse/Mental Health CLE credit in South Carolina (all levels), and one hour of Professional Well-Being CLE credit in North Carolina. This course has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of Texas Committee on MCLE in the amount of 1.00 credit hours, of which 1.00 credit hours will apply to Legal Ethics/Professional Responsibility credit.

Justia only reports attendance in jurisdictions in which a particular Justia CLE Webinar is officially accredited. Lawyers may need to self-submit their certificates for CLE credit in jurisdictions not listed above.

Note that CLE credit, including partial credit, cannot be earned outside of the relevant accreditation period. To earn credit for a course, a lawyer must watch the entire course within the relevant accreditation period. Lawyers who have viewed a presentation multiple times may not be able to claim credit in their jurisdiction more than once. Justia reserves the right, at its discretion, to grant an attendee partial or no credit, in accordance with viewing duration and other methods of verifying course completion.

At this time, Justia only offers CLE courses officially accredited in certain states. Lawyers may generate a generic attendance certificate to self-submit credit in their own jurisdiction, but Justia does not guarantee that lawyers will receive their desired CLE credit through the self-submission or reciprocity process.

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Speakers

Brian S. Quinn Education and Outreach Coordinator
Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania

Brian S. Quinn, Esquire is a licensed attorney in Pennsylvania who currently serves as the Education and Outreach Coordinator for Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers of Pennsylvania, Inc., a Lawyers Assistance Program established in 1988 for the purpose of helping lawyers, judges and law students recover from alcoholism, drug addiction and mental health disorders. Read More ›

Jeffrey S. Meyers MD., L.Ac

Jeffrey S. “KD” Meyers, M.D., L.Ac., F.A.A.P.M.R. is a board-certified physician, integrative wellness consultant, and educator with an extensive background in rehabilitation medicine, and holistic approaches to medicine, the arts, and spirituality. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and his Doctorate in Medicine (M.D.) from the University of Colorado School of Medicine. He received his post-graduate specialty training in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, a Fellow of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, a Fellow of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, and a member of the Waring-Eiseman Society for Humanities in Medicine. He received a Certificate in Psychedelic Therapies and Research from the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) where he is a mentor and part of the program staff. He completed ketamine-assisted psychotherapy training through multiple programs. Read More ›

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