Introduction to Wellness in the Legal Profession

In this first of a series of posts on Wellness in the Legal Profession, you will be introduced to the concept of wellness as it applies specifically to pre-law students, law students, and attorneys. You'll also get tips to help support your well-being, now and how to develop a foundation to support your well-being in the future. 

I graduated from law school in 2007 and began my career as a practicing attorney at a large law firm. I was eager, motivated, and ready to do whatever it took to be the best lawyer I could be. I had three years of legal education and an attorney license to prove I was ready. Yet as time went on, I began to feel worn down, consistently anxious, and fueled by caffeine, sugar, and little sleep. I struggled to understand what I could do differently or to put words to how I was feeling. I was a licensed attorney, so I should know how to handle the work I had spent years preparing to do. I also struggled to see that I needed support, let alone how to ask for it. I thought that changing my environment (i.e., looking for a different attorney job) would relieve my symptoms, but it did not.

Fast-forward to today, a much wiser version of me has a different understanding of what was happening to this young, eager associate. And, as good fortune would have it, the legal profession does, too. The idea that wellness equals professionalism has received much-needed attention over the last several years. Today, there is a strong focus at many levels on ensuring that those who choose to pursue a legal career have the tools, resources, and support they need to excel in the profession. From updates to the American Bar Association (ABA) Standards related to legal education to the inclusion of mental health and wellness continuing legal education credits, the profession is taking great measures to support the well-being of its professionals.

ABA Standard 303

The ABA is charged with overseeing legal education. As such, it has created Standards that law schools must adhere to to remain compliant (see ABA Standards and Rules of Procedure for Approval of Law Schools, Chapter Three). These standards have traditionally outlined minimum competency standards related to the development of professional skills, ethics, curriculums, and more. However, it wasn’t until 2022-2023 that a specific update was made to Interpretation 303-5 that cemented the ABA’s commitment to wellness in the legal profession:

“Interpretation 303-5 Professional identity focuses on what it means to be a lawyer and the special obligations lawyers have to their clients and society. The development of professional identity should involve an intentional exploration of the values, guiding principles, and well-being practices considered foundational to successful legal practice. Because developing a professional identity requires reflection and growth over time, students should have frequent opportunities for such development during each year of law school and in a variety of courses and co-curricular and professional development activities.” (emphasis added).

The additions in bold are quite meaningful. By specifically including well-being the ABA is demonstrating its commitment to the overall development of lawyers and legal professionals. Well-being is now an acknowledged part of the student’s overall professional identity and one that should be revisited and reflected upon over time to promote growth within the profession.

Why does this matter to you?

Lawyers have a unique place in society and special obligations to their clients that demand a lot from the individual. The law is a high-pressure, high-stakes, high-obligation profession. Additionally, the demands are constant. Lawyers juggle complex issues, multiple deadlines, and many clients, seemingly all at once. As soon as one task is complete, a lawyer has twenty more waiting. This type of work requires physical and intellectual stamina. It requires a clear head and the ability to work under pressure. In short, the law requires a lawyer to do good work all the time. The focus on well-being emphasizes that when a lawyer feels good, they do good … work, that is. And, it is never too early to learn more about how and when you feel good so that you can use this knowledge to support you now and in the future. 

So what can you do to support your well-being?

Many of the issues that lawyers face concerning well-being are not unique to lawyers. These issues can be seen in pre-law and law students, as well as in colleagues from many other professions. Stress, overwhelm, anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, inability to cope, and more are very common among legal professionals. While the tips below can help anyone feeling overwhelmed or stressed, please note that more serious conditions may require the help of a licensed professional.

One of the first steps toward supporting your well-being is to develop a sense of awareness about what you need. For example, when do you start to ruminate? How do you cope with multiple deadlines? What does it feel like when you are about to take a big exam or turn in an important assignment? Taking a few moments to notice what is happening in your mind and body during these moments can give you some good information on how to move forward.

Next, take some time to explore what tools help you feel better. Let’s take the example of how you feel before a big exam. As you pay attention to what is happening, take the opportunity to experiment with different mindfulness and movement techniques. What happens after you pause and take a few deep breaths? What happens if you get up and stretch? What does having some water or going for a walk do? What works for one person may not work as well for another. And keep in mind that in one instance breathing will be enough, and in another, you may need to take more of a break and disconnect before jumping back in. Remember, if these symptoms persist or start to inhibit your ability to live your daily life, seek help from a licensed professional.

By developing a sense of awareness and practicing different techniques, you are developing resilience. Resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of challenge or adversity and is a skill that can absolutely be learned. And trust me, resilience is a superpower within the legal profession. Resilience can help us cope with stress, increase our immunity, help us develop better physical health and more. In short, resilience is the ability to bounce back from challenges, and, the more we practice, the better equipped we are to navigate the inevitable ups and downs of the profession and life.

In the next post on this topic, we will explore the connections between student wellness and professional wellness through the Self-Determination Theory. Additionally, we will discuss the benefits of sleep, exercise, social connection, and productivity as a means of developing a strong wellness foundation. For now, I hope this introduction to wellness in the legal profession has you excited to learn more and hopeful that the legal profession as a whole cares about you, as a whole, too.

Gabriela Brunner holds a JD from Chicago-Kent College of Law and a MS in Higher Education Leadership from Western Illinois University. Prior to becoming a prelaw advisor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Gabriela practiced law for ten years in business litigation and immigration law. She has a passion for mindfulness and meditation, particularly as it applies to pre-professionals.