Insider recently chronicled the stresses of Big Law life. As part of this, we spoke with lawyers who have suffered from depression and, after having taken time to address their mental health issues, have continued to lead successful careers.
They said that attrition is the No. 1 warning sign that a law firm's culture is placing a strain on the workforce. They also offered insights into how to navigate feelings of anxiety and helplessness that can come tumbling down on lawyers with outsized client responsibilities.
Law firms have offered on-call psychologists and wellness initiatives, such as free access to Peloton's workout platform, to help their staff feel better about their work-life balance.
But many lawyers said that these efforts go only so far, as a law firm's business model is built around billable hours, and lawyers are often expected to work 15 hour days or longer. Industry reviews also show the extent of cultural and structural obstacles that attorneys face in seeking help.
A 2020 survey on lawyer well-being by the New York State Bar Association, which had more than 3,000 participants, indicated that only 8 percent of them had looked to employee assistance programs when dealing with issues including mental health concerns.
Attorneys noted their concerns about whether such programs truly offered confidential services, and whether it would reflect on their abilities, according to an October report by the NY SBA's task force on attorney well-being.
But there are legal protections for employees seeking accommodations or time off for mental health issues, under both, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Many employees can use the ADA's protections, for instance, to seek accommodations for mental health issues, like trying to negotiate more time for assignments, make flexible work arrangements to seek treatment during work hours, and push for remote work options, said Mariette Clardy-Davis, a mental health attorney with her own practice, M.L. Clardy Law LLC. Beyond legal protections, companies can also work with their employees to offer arrangements that suit their needs, she said.
"Just because the right resources may not be available, it doesn't mean you can't advocate for yourself to your employer," she said.
Through the course of our reporting, several lawyers offered actionable pieces of advice that readers could find useful to think about when approaching work. Though they are all different, one theme remained consistent: It is never too late to find something else to do, or even just pick up the phone and seek counseling. Burying your problems with more work is a recipe for disaster, they said.