Defining the Institute for Well-Being in Law
The Institute for Well-Being in Law was founded to build awareness and understanding of lawyer and law student well-being, and to effect change that promotes and sustains a thriving legal profession. The Institute relies on the support and collaboration of a network of partner organizations that represent core stakeholders within the legal profession, including law schools, bar associations and practicing lawyers. The Institute’s mission includes research, education and collaboration. The foundational research is focused on gathering knowledge about lawyer and law student well-being: the current status and trends. Such knowledge is essential to all future efforts to improve lawyer and law student well-being. It is the basis for evaluating progress toward achieving our goal of well-being and motivation for sustaining long-term engagement in the work. Education at all levels is part of promoting well-being in law. That includes educating judges, practitioners, law school administrators and faculty, attorneys and law students. It also includes public-facing efforts, as well as targeted outreach and training . Such efforts seek to build widespread understanding of the importance of well-being in law, increase the number of initiatives that enhance well-being, and connect key stakeholders to those initiatives and resources. Collaboration is also critical. The Institute is working with numerous stakeholders and initiatives at the local, state, regional, national and international levels. Working together will make improving lawyer and law student well-being more powerful and more effective, decreasing costs and increasing efficiencies. As the legal industry continues to undergo seismic changes, attention to attorney and law student well-being and the value it provides should become paramount. Promoting well-being positively affects individuals’ careers, plus the quality of service and business development, and by extension – the value of the legal profession. A well-functioning legal profession also means fewer lawyers who leave the profession, broadening the pool of practicing lawyers. Furthermore, all collectively better equipped to navigate and address the important issues we face in society today.
Effects on Legal Professional Mental Health
One of the issues that the Institute for Well-Being in Law tackles is that of mental health. In recent years, there have been a number of studies and surveys that demonstrate mental health problems are widespread in the legal profession and having a disproportionate impact on lawyers, law students, and law school deans.
There is evidence from multiple sources that alcohol abuse and depression are substantially higher in attorneys than in the general population. A 1995 study revealed 18.1% of attorneys and law students were problem drinkers. In a 2016 study conducted by Jennifer M. Perillo, et al. published in the Journal of Legal Education on mental health and substance use, the author observed that "faculty and staff reported concerns regarding the culture of law school, suggesting that such culture may have an impact on students’ mental health."
More recently, in 2017, The New York Times published the results of a survey of lawyers across the United States which found that "lawyers are nearly four times more likely than the general public to suffer from depression and more than three times as likely to suffer from anxiety." The survey also found that while law firms have programs to help with depression, coping strategies such as yoga, exercise and meditation are even more popular.
In response to this, the Institute for Well-Being in Law (IWIL) provides research and analysis on the wellbeing of legal professionals in the United States.
There are a number of studies that have been published on the IWIL website. For example, they published a report entitled "Law Enforcement Stress: A Systemic Approach" which has data that describes the connections between stress and performance for those in law enforcement. They also have a report titled "New Research: Q&A with Lisa Blue" where Lisa Blue discusses her research on lawyer well-being. Other research includes, "A Member’s Perspective on Law Firm Well-Being" and "Stress, Psychological Disorders, and Substance Misuse Among Professional Self-Regulating Association Members".
In addition to case studies and reports, the IWIL and its partner organizations facilitate a series of conferences. In 2019, IWIL partnered with the ABA’s Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs (CoLAP) and the Law School Deans’ Forum for a conference in which CoLAP Coordinator Susan Glather took to the podium to focus on mental health.
Their next conference, titled "Fostering a Culture of Well-Being Within the Legal Profession" will be held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in South Beach, Florida on 5-7 May 2020. More information about this conference is available on the IWIL Website.
Lawyers are being placed under increasing amounts of pressure in the workplace, and the mental health issues that have emerged as a result of these pressures have gained increased attention in recent years.
Facilitated Education and Resources
The Institute for Well-Being in Law (IWIL) has committed itself to education within the legal realm, and offers several educational programs and resources aimed at improving the well-being of those in the legal profession. For example, IWIL regularly hosts in-person and virtual workshops, seminars, and conferences focused on lawyering well. In addition to this, IWIL is at the forefront of the mental health and substance abuse education efforts across the bar. Through organizations such as the National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being, the National Organization of Bar Counsel, and the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, IWIL reaches legal industry professionals of all kinds in an effort to spread the word about the value of a thriving legal environment.
Workshops
Through keynote addresses and panel events, IWIL spreads awareness and knowledge of the available tools to empower attorneys. We have presented a seminar on Optimizing Brain Health: What We Can Learn from Neuroscience at the D.C. Bar’s second annual Mental Health and Wellness Conference. At this event, we shared research-backed knowledge on how we can optimize our brain health by positively impacting our circadian rhythms and maintaining a strong sense of wellbeing now, so there will be fewer health-related issues later in life.
Online Learning Center
IWIL has a variety of resources for lawyers on our Online Learning Center. We also have two e-learning platforms dedicated to helping lawyers in their pursuit of wellbeing. As of November 2018, the alcohol education program contains six modules with four additional modules coming soon.
Collaborative Efforts and Partnerships
Part of the Institute’s strategic vision is to advance well-being in law through collaborations that are inclusive and expansive. To develop healthy, high quality, just, and efficient legal workplaces, the Institute collaborates with several other organizations to create opportunities for awareness, training, and knowledge-sharing.
For example, the Institute co-sponsors the Annual National Well-Being in Law Conference with the Conference on Professional Responsibility. Each year, legal and mental health professionals meet to discuss and study lawyer well-being advocacy efforts throughout the country.
The Institute is a proud partner of the National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being. The group was formed as an outgrowth of the National Summit on Lawyer well-being, which brought together representatives from all of the major legal stakeholders, the profession’s bar regulators, and leading behavioral science experts to discuss the crisis of well-being in the profession. The Task Force is co-chaired by the National Organization of Bar Counsel’s Executive Director, Esq. Susan Ridlen and John A. McAlister, Esq. , Director Emeritus of the National Center for State Courts. Institute’s staff are members of the working groups on Knowledge and Data and Resources Development.
Institute Co-Founder and CEO Ramiej Kodsi is an active member of the ABA’s Attorney Wellness Committee (Model Rule 1.14) and the Task Force’s Data and Research Working Group. His energy and leadership is integral in helping attorney wellbeing efforts across the country.
Institute staff serve on various committees of the National Organization of Bar Counsel, the National Council of Bar Examiners, the Defense Research Institute, and National State Trial Lawyers Association. Staff member and board member, Jo’Jeana Huger sits on the American Association for Justice’s Professional Responsibility Committee, organized to transform the AAJ Learning Center into a hub for wellness information.
Internationally, the Institute serves on the Advisory Committee of the International Lawyers Assistance Program.
Other organizations the Institute collaborates with include the ABA Young Lawyers Division, ABA MVP, and the General Practice Solo Small Firm Section. The Institute has had conversations with The Bar Association of Puerto Rico about how programs developed by the Institute could possibly serve and support lawyers in Puerto Rico who are affected by Hurricane Maria.
Successful Outcomes and Endorsements
By engaging directly with those who have experienced the profound impact of the Institute’s programs, we gain invaluable insight into the true, transformative power that the Institute for Well-Being in Law brings to the legal community.
As one attorney recalls, "The most rewarding aspect of participating in the program is the small group format. Hearing how others are struggling with similar issues makes me feel like I’m not alone. I also appreciated the focus on how to implement lasting change after the program."
Others echo the same sentiment. "The program was a transformative experience for me," shares another legal professional. "I came in feeling lost and overwhelmed, and left with a renewed sense of purpose and direction. It gave me the tools I needed to focus on the important things: my family, my health, and my work."
The success stories of individuals who have completed the Institute for Well-Being in Law’s programs are nothing short of inspiring. Many have reported significant gains in their personal and professional lives, including an enhanced sense of control over their time and priorities. This leads to increased happiness and productivity.
"The perspective this program gives you, on your life, on your practice, on your future, it’s game-changing," reflects a program graduate. "It’s more than just a program, it’s a community of like-minded individuals who are genuinely invested in helping one another succeed. I can’t overstate how important that has been for me."
Feedback from participants consistently highlights the importance of having a support network of peers who understand the unique challenges of practicing law, whether as a solo practitioner or as part of a team. In fact, many participants extend their networks beyond the program through regular check-ins and referrals, leveraging the experience gained from the Institute’s programs.
The stories of those transformed by the IWIL highlight the value of professional development that prioritizes emotional well-being as a means of encouraging and supporting the legal community.
Directions and Innovations
As the field of well-being in law continues to grow, so too will the work of the Institute for Well-Being in Law. New projects, research initiatives, and the incorporation of technology into the IWIL’s mission are on the horizon. A multi-year objective of the IWIL is to develop a database of scholarly studies to support our understanding of best practices in the law leading to improved well-being. As part of this goal , the IWIL Board is working with the Committee on Research of the American Bar Foundation to inventory the well-being research completed by ABF researchers from 1985 to the present. The Advisory Group of Professional Associations is identifying and recommending additional IWL members who can contribute their knowledge, skills, and time to enhance our efforts. We are working with ABA Techshow and others to incorporate innovations into legal practice.
