Pro-Trump lawyer’s challenge to bar’s mental exam order can’t be heard by federal courts, 11th Circuit says

A federal appeals court has upheld the dismissal of a pro-Trump lawyer’s lawsuit contending that the State Bar of Georgia violated his constitutional rights when it ordered him to take a mental health exam.

Jun 1, 2022 3:06 PM CDT

Lawyer tried to save client leaping from 9th-floor window by grabbing his belt—he couldn’t keep hold

A lawyer in Syracuse, New York, did his best to save the client in his ninth-floor office who threw open the window and tried to leap out.

May 12, 2022 1:11 PM CDT

Another BigLaw firm adopts a menopause policy

Linklaters is the latest BigLaw firm in the United Kingdom to adopt a policy that provides resources and education regarding menopause.

May 11, 2022 11:13 AM CDT

About one-fifth of lawyers and staffers considered suicide at some point in their careers, new survey says

A new survey of lawyers and staff members hailing mostly from BigLaw has found that anxiety, depression and isolation remain at concerning levels, despite a slight decrease in the percentages since the survey last year.

May 10, 2022 12:55 PM CDT

How judges can mitigate vicarious trauma

In January 2011, I presided over a jury trial in which a 14-year-old child was sexually assaulted and brutally killed by a neighbor who left her body in a trash bag in a field. Daily, I was completely overwhelmed by what I was seeing and hearing and by the stressors of managing the proceedings.

May 9, 2022 11:19 AM CDT

How lawyers can optimize performance under pressure

From hostage rescuing and fast roping to skydiving and stress shooting, the United States Special Operations Forces has mastered the ability to remain cool under pressure.

Apr 18, 2022 2:00 PM CDT

No Return: How I learned to find work-life balance during the COVID-19 pandemic

Apr 1, 2022 1:20 AM CDT

40 wellness tips to help lawyers cope with job pressure

No matter what type of law you practice, there are always stressors and pressure points that only get bigger as the stakes get higher. With that in mind, we asked attorneys, wellness experts and other legal industry professionals for tips on how lawyers can take care of themselves and not get overwhelmed.

Apr 1, 2022 12:00 AM CDT

Richard Posner’s lawyer says the retired judge has Alzheimer’s, didn’t have capacity to contract

Richard Posner, a retired judge on the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals at Chicago, didn’t have the capacity to enter into a contract because of Alzheimer’s disease, his lawyer said in a letter.

Mar 30, 2022 9:46 AM CDT

Surveyed lawyers report they experience burnout in their jobs more than half the time

Lawyers are experiencing more burnout and a decline in well-being, according to a Bloomberg Law survey taken in the last quarter of 2021.

Mar 9, 2022 8:43 AM CST

Former BigLaw lawyer who wrongly thought he could ‘power through’ depression gets suspension

A former Morgan, Lewis & Bockius lawyer has been suspended from law practice for failing to inform a tax client about an adverse decision, failing to file a timely appeal, failing to inform the client of a $183,620 tax lien, and signing a false affidavit about his conduct.

Mar 7, 2022 4:19 PM CST

Conventional wisdom is wrong about lawyers’ mental health, but comparative drinking rate is ‘extraordinary,’ study says

Lawyers consume alcohol “at extraordinary rates” compared to their educational peers, according to a study based on multiyear data. But lawyers don’t have significantly higher rates of mental illness than others, including doctors, veterinarians and dentists, the study found.

Feb 22, 2022 11:48 AM CST

NYC firm has taken the unusual step of hiring a psychologist to assist clients and lawyers

It is not uncommon for law firms to contract with jury consultants and other professionals knowledgeable about litigation to assess how witnesses are being perceived and how they may want to present themselves. But Harris St. Laurent & Wechsler leaders call the decision to hire a psychologist as a member of the firm’s staff a unique initiative.

Feb 1, 2022 1:50 AM CST

Some lawyers are reluctant to return to the office and leave their pets

One side effect of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is that lots of people have adopted pets. Turns out, a lot of these pet parents enjoyed spending time at home with their furry friends—some so much so that they refused to be separated from their best buddies. In fact, 75% of U.S.-based remote workers surveyed in July said they wanted to stay remote so they could take care of their pets.

Feb 1, 2022 1:40 AM CST

Can lawyers who are natural pessimists learn to channel optimism? Speaker at well-being conference says it’s time to try

When handling legal matters, lawyers often have to envision the worst possible outcomes for their clients and work to protect against them.

Jan 20, 2022 10:24 AM CST