Leadership – Renee Branson

RESILIENCE IN THE MIDST OF THE COVID-19 CRISIS: How to Check-in On Your Team's Emotional Well-Being

Most of us are on week two of the pandemic response. For many of us, that means we are working from home. For others who are in essential services, you are continuing to leave home for work each day. Both have their unique and very real challenges and stressors. If you are leading a teamContinueContinue reading “RESILIENCE IN THE MIDST OF THE COVID-19 CRISIS: How to Check-in On Your Team's Emotional Well-Being”

RESILIENCE IN THE MIDST OF THE COVID-19 CRISIS: Easing Anxiety Through Communication

This is the second piece in an ongoing series on topics relating to how we cope personally and collectively in the midst of this health crisis. For questions, topic suggestions, resources, or other, please feel free to reach me at rb@reneebranson.blog I will also be holding a FB Live each day that I post an updateContinueContinue reading “RESILIENCE IN THE MIDST OF THE COVID-19 CRISIS: Easing Anxiety Through Communication”

One BigLaw Firm’s Response to ‘Inappropriate Personal Conduct’ Demonstrates Its Resilience

Yesterday, the law firm Mayer Brown took the swift and decisive action in terminating one of its high-profile partners, Zac Barnett, for “inappropriate personal conduct” with one of his subordinates. How an organization reacts to crisis and challenge often reveals more about the culture than the crisis or challenge itself. This is particularly true regardingContinueContinue reading “One BigLaw Firm’s Response to ‘Inappropriate Personal Conduct’ Demonstrates Its Resilience”

The Cost of Not Caring

With the pressures of the billable hour, a culture of perfectionism, law firm dynamics and political minefields, paying attention to the happiness of the individuals who make up a law firm can seem like a waste of precious resources. Years ago I spoke to one leader of a large company who candidly said he didn’tContinueContinue reading “The Cost of Not Caring”

Workplace Resilience: Where Do We Start?

Through years of working with and for various organizations and industries, I have yet to meet one person who said they did not care if their people or teams struggled with resilience, had low morale, suffered from burnout, or experienced low productivity. Of course, every leader wants successful, happy, content, engaged, and resilient people. Right?ContinueContinue reading “Workplace Resilience: Where Do We Start?”

Resilient Lawyers: The Drum That I’ll Keep Beating

“50 percent [of attorneys polled] said their career in law had adversely affected their mental health, while 79 percent said that they would not feel comfortable seeking support from their law firm if they were suffering from a mental health concern.” This came from The American Lawyer’s article We Need an Open Dialogue on MentalContinueContinue reading “Resilient Lawyers: The Drum That I’ll Keep Beating”

Akin Gump Makes Steps to Improve Attorney Well-being. What Can Your Firm Do?

In response to increasing rates of depression, anxiety, addiction and suicide among attorneys, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld has taken great strides in making the emotional and mental well-being of their lawyers a priority. Beginning in June, the Akin Gump Washington D.C. office will have on-site counselors available for appointments one day each week. This isContinueContinue reading “Akin Gump Makes Steps to Improve Attorney Well-being. What Can Your Firm Do?”

Cultivating Resilience in Lawyers from the Ground Up

I had the privilege of being a fly on the wall at Quinnipiac Law School’s Business of Law Symposium last weekend. Now, it’s not my usual way to spend a beautiful spring Saturday, particularly since I am not an attorney or a law student. I have, however, become increasingly aware of burnout, substance abuse andContinueContinue reading “Cultivating Resilience in Lawyers from the Ground Up”