Career and intellectual well-being in the legal profession
Emily Jarrett is the Missouri Lawyers’ Assistance Program (MOLAP) clinician and well-being coordinator.
As noted by Bloomberg reporters following a recent study, “professional impairment can take many forms—and not just the ones that comes to mind first when we think of impairment, like active alcoholism or mental illness. If a person is so stressed or burned out that they can’t sleep, it makes sense that the person’s ability to focus is negatively affected.
Data from the Office of the Chief Disciplinary Counsel's 2024 report highlights complaints in the legal field related to communication, diligence, and competence. When lawyers experience burnout, it impacts their ability to effectively serve clients, potentially leading to these concerns.
Fostering a stronger balance between work and home life can support lawyer well-being and lead to better competency. This could include setting a consistent end to workday time and sticking to it, avoiding checking your email after a certain hour, and taking a true lunch break. Creating balance through boundaries can better help lawyers manage occupational stress to in turn better serve clients.
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