Why The Legal Profession Needs a Culture Change

When you ask about long hours, stressful deadlines, and a lack of a work-life balance, older attorneys often tell you, “that is just how it is.” However, just because that is how it was for them, doesn’t mean that is how it has to be. Indeed, it is time for the legal profession to experience a culture change.

If you think about it, the law is essential to a healthy, functioning society. So why wouldn't we want the individuals who make up the legal profession to be as healthy as possible as well.

While some attorneys thrive the way things are now, too many struggle with anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and burnout. Many of those who struggle, don’t need to. The hyper-competitive-workaholic mentality of the profession fuel many of those struggles, and while peer support can help, the best way to address the problem is a culture shift away from those aspects that cause such negative impacts for so many of those in the profession.

Moreover, the profession is one that is suited to adapt. Lawyers adapt when new technologies come on the market. They adapt when precedents shift. They adapt when new information about a case is revealed. The legal profession and the individuals who make up that profession have proven time and time again that they are capable of changing when change is needed. And it is needed now.

One way that the culture can change is by creating an expectation that an associate is “off-duty” when they are away from the office and definitely when they are on vacation. Another way is to shift to flat rate billing to shift away from billable hours, which creates stress and feeds the hyper competitive culture at too many firms.

The LegalMind Society is here to support legal professionals with their mental health and educate those in the profession about mental health issues. As part of our mission, we will also continue to seek the kind of culture shifts talked about here. But ultimately everyone in the profession has to do their part. Whether or not the profession succeeds in shifting away from these negative aspects of its culture or not will depend on the willingness of everyone in the profession to make it a healthier one.