Workaholic and worn out: Don't let work stress lead you astray

The statistics are fairly well-known that lawyers are rated as one of the professions most vulnerable to developing alcoholism and other issues. According to an article published by the ABA in 2021, as many as one in five lawyers have an alcohol problem--twice the national average. In 2017, the ABA published the results of a task force survey taken of 13,000 practicing lawyers regarding mental health. Twenty-eight percent of those lawyers reported depression, 19% reported severe anxiety, and 11.4% had suicidal thoughts in the previous year.

The statistics are alarming. Yet, the truth is that the legal profession does indeed place a great amount of stress and pressure on its attorneys. Attorneys are expected to produce results for their clients' day in and day out, manage finances and be profitable, comport fully with their ethical obligations, and tend to the care and demands of their colleagues, friends, and family. Burning the midnight oil can make attorneys even more prone to burnout from chronic stress.

Sometimes, the issue is that this kind of pressure can lead lawyers to make risky decisions, both in their personal lives and in their client matters. Mistakes are more likely to occur when a lawyer is under stress. Lawyers may also face financial and other pressures, particularly if their clients are slow to pay fees.

However, by being aware of the adverse effects of stress, lawyers can take steps to manage it to reduce the likelihood of it spiraling and creating a negative impact on the lawyer's professional and personal life.

Manage stress early on

Lawyers dealing with personal or financial stress may be more likely to take improper risks in their practice given the pressure they are experiencing. A lawyer who is stressed because of financial pressures in their personal life may be more likely to abuse a client's trust when it comes to managing their fees or handling a retainer. But these reactions to stressful situations can create far more risk in the long run. Taking steps that are prohibited by the Rules of Professional Conduct can lead to censure from the bar, being fired, or even criminal liability.

One tip to help manage stress before it gets out of hand is to re-assess how attorneys approach their work. Greater communication, learning how and when to say no, and being realistic about workload and capacity can be crucial.

These habits can be difficult in practice for many high-performing attorneys. Lawyers often wish they could get to "one more task" each day and so they are at risk of overpromising a client or boss. Or they do that task to the detriment of their health, or to the quality of the work. In another situation, perhaps lawyers want to deliver 100% to multiple cases and deliver results in half the time than it takes, so they agree to take on more than is realistic for their caseload and struggle when the goals they set remain unmet. Lawyering is sometimes not just about managing the expectations of clients, colleagues, and the court; it can be about learning to better manage the expectations attorneys impose on themselves.

Reach out to others

A support network can help lawyers before they run into trouble. And a lawyer may be able to observe that a colleague needs additional help or support.

As many attorneys continue to work from home, even in part, it can be beneficial to maintain connections with colleagues and team members. Paying a visit to a colleague when you are both in the office that day can help provide mutual support. Many firms encourage their employees to take breaks, use their PTO, and try to balance their home lives, while also encouraging lawyers to be supportive of administrative staff who need extra support or consideration for their other obligations.

Encouraging employees to take days off is critical to mental health and can be helpful to the firm from a practical perspective. Sometimes, issues like mismanagement only come to light when others have to cover for an individual on vacation.

Take care of your health

Practicing better preventative physical and mental health is not only a measure attorneys should support in their staff, but is equally applicable to themselves. Seasoned lawyers often dedicate years to their careers, sometimes neglecting their health until it's too late.

It is wise to make smaller efforts that are easier to commit to, to help prevent long-term stress from taking its toll. For example, committing to attending regular doctor's appointments or taking a walk outside daily to pick up lunch can, over time, have a very positive effect not only on health but also on greater work productivity. Efforts to lower stress and maintain health can help level set daily pressures before they compound and set in permanently, which could be the point at which attorneys are more likely to make risky or unethical decisions.

Seek assistance from the Bar

Most state bars have dedicated resources for lawyers who are struggling with stress, substance abuse, or financial pressure. Some of these programs even provide financial counseling for lawyers or programs specifically focused on solo practitioners or smaller-sized practices.

The legal profession, at its core, is a collegial and supportive industry. If you are struggling, seek help. Often, lawyers find that they are not alone in their struggles, as many others are learning how to manage similar difficulties. Doing so may mean the difference between burnout from the profession entirely and maintaining a career that is sustainable for the long term.

The State Bar of California Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) is available to attorneys, State Bar applicants, and law students. The California LAP can be reached at (877) 527-4435 or LAP@calbar.ca.gov.

Being mindful of the mental pressures of the profession can go a long way toward better health and the avoidance of risk.