A letter to young women lawyers about ‘SADNESS’ in the law

My dear sister (in law), welcome to our profession of stress, anxiety, depression, negativity, endangerment, sickness and suicide (also known as "SADNESS"). In addition to the SADNESS, many of us carry secrets, scars and an insatiable longing for change. They all dishearten, discourage and divide us in devastating ways. Yet you can prepare for and overcome them.

May 8, 2024 2:15 PM CDT

BigLaw firm introduces coaching and support for lawyers who have ADHD

There are law firms in which Carrie Garber Siegrist, a senior associate in the Washington, D.C., office of Goodwin Procter, might have had to be secretive about her diagnosis of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, also known as ADHD. But at Goodwin Procter, Garber Siegrist says, she feels embraced and supported.

May 6, 2024 8:55 AM CDT

NY law prof is calling on ‘Lawyer Nation’ to reform

Ray Brescia, a law professor at Albany Law School in New York, has taken a hard look at the country's legal system in his new book, Lawyer Nation: The Past, Present, and Future of the American Legal Profession.

Feb 28, 2024 8:44 AM CST

Federal judge refuses to order reinstatement of 96-year-old federal appeals judge, her second loss in a week

A federal judge in Washington, D.C., has refused to order reinstatement to new case assignments for a 96-year-old federal appeals judge who claims that the laws governing judicial disability are unconstitutional.

Feb 12, 2024 3:56 PM CST

Am I losing my mind? How to maintain cognitive abilities as senior lawyers age

Ever have that thought? “I must be losing my mind because I can’t remember where I parked my car or set my iPhone, your name—although I recognize your face—an address, a birthday, a password, a set of numbers, what I was looking for, etc.” Many aging lawyers have—including me.

Feb 8, 2024 2:46 PM CST

ABA Well-Being Pledge Turns 5: Progress has been made, but more is needed

Discussions have their limits, conversations their constraints, and when it comes to bettering mental health in the legal profession, the ratio of words to actions is often quite lopsided. There are, however, notable exceptions.

Feb 1, 2024 2:00 AM CST

Always on: Will generative AI alleviate burnout or make lawyers more miserable?

History is littered with examples of how hot new technologies meant to make us more productive led to unintended consequences, including stress and burnout. When it comes to generative artificial intelligence, will things play out differently?

Feb 1, 2024 12:04 AM CST

Should law firms focus more on work-life balance? Survey finds ‘wide gaps’ in opinions of associates, partners

Lawyers would like to see a greater emphasis on training and mentoring at their law firms, according to a survey released this week by recruiting firm Major, Lindsey & Africa and Law360 Pulse.

Jan 24, 2024 2:26 PM CST

UK law firm’s ‘Switch On/Switch Off’ program allows ‘chunk of time off’ for reduced pay

U.K. law firm Slaughter and May's "Switch On/Switch Off” program for associates is different than reduced-hours programs offered by U.S. firms.

Jan 23, 2024 3:49 PM CST

Lawyer who argued cocaine can be beneficial now says he should have retained counsel in ethics case

Updated: A now-former assistant public defender who was accused of using cocaine before his client’s hearing is in drug rehab and seeking disciplinary probation, rather than a suspension of his law license.

Jan 11, 2024 3:45 PM CST

The Lawyer’s Identity: How to recognize that we are more than the job

I remember being on cloud nine as I drove home from work not too long ago—two hours late but excited to sneak up on my 1-year-old as she played in the bath. I was working as a federal prosecutor, and some agents and I had finally cracked (through equal part persistence and luck) a cross-border money laundering case that had seemed to be hopeless until that morning.

Jan 9, 2024 1:15 PM CST

Listen to our 10 favorite podcast episodes of 2023

Looking for a new listen? We've picked our favorite 2023 episodes from each of the ABA Journal's three podcasts, one of which is bidding adieu after a 13-year run. If this whets your appetite, find all our past episodes on our podcast page. You can also check out more legal podcasts from our partners at Legal Talk Network.

Dec 22, 2023 8:59 AM CST

Poll: Which ABA Journal magazine cover from 2023 was your favorite?

We covered a wide array of diverse, in-depth and hard-hitting legal topics at the ABA Journal in 2023.

Dec 18, 2023 8:40 AM CST

You’re Not Alone: No matter how dire the situation might seem, help is available

Dec 1, 2023 12:05 AM CST

Making It Back: Bruce Simpson tried to take his own life, then he started healing

I have practiced law in Kentucky for 40 years, and I write this today to warn you about reaching the point of no return should you ever determine, as I did in January 2023, that death is a better option than life. Here is why I am sharing this: People are more vulnerable to being mentally shattered, given certain life crises, than they sometimes can appreciate. I do not want anyone I can influence—lawyer or not—to descend into an unstoppable spiral to the point of no return.

Dec 1, 2023 12:00 AM CST