On Bullies and Lawyers
When we hear bullies, we tend to think of schoolyard playgrounds and shakedowns for lunch money. However, bullying can happen at any age and in any setting. And it is particularly prevalent and problematic in the legal profession.
It typically takes the form of senior associates or partners bullying junior associates, paralegals, or law clerks. Often, it is shrugged off as “hazing” or something similar. Yet a rose by any other name is still a rose and bullying by any other name is still bullying. And the impacts can be devastating.
Just in Illinois, the numbers are noteworthy. A 2024 analysis found:
39% of lawyers 25-35 had experienced bullying (as opposed to 12% for those 66-75 years old).
38% of female lawyers were bullied (as opposed to 15 % of male lawyers).
38% of lawyers with a disability experienced bullying (as opposed to 25% without a disability).
29% of LGBTQ+ lawyers were bullied (as opposed to 3% heterosexual lawyers).
10,000 lawyers left a job due to bullying.*
As the numbers show, the bullying disproportionately impacts younger lawyers, female lawyers, LGBTQ+ lawyers, or lawyers with disabilities. Often, these demographics might already be battling other stigmas or adverse experiences, so such bullying can further harm their mental well-being.
And as you can see from the number of lawyers leaving jobs due to bullying, this has a significant impact on the profession. The legal profession should be actively working to diversify the profession, not chasing away talented lawyers due to bullying tactics.
Firms can take active steps to identify and eliminate bullying in the profession. Such work would not only reduce burnout and turnover within the firm, it would also reduce mental health challenges for those associates. It also sets an example for other firms, further reducing the stigma of bullying in the legal profession.
If you’ve been a victim of bullying in the legal profession, know that support from organizations like The LegalMind Society can help or crisis lines like 988. And if you’re a firm interested in creating an environment that supports lawyer well-being, we can also support that. Reach out to info@thelegalmindsociety.org.
*https://www.2civility.org/bullying-in-the-legal-profession/