It should come as no surprise that sexual harassment is another prong of the pitchfork that is the toxic culture in the legal profession. The pitchfork that leads to suicide, addictions, and burnout for lawyers and professionals. The pitchfork that leads to increased malpractice, absenteeism/attrition, and impact on profitability. In a new survey conducted byContinue reading “The Toxic Culture of Sexual Harassment in the Legal Profession”
Category Archives: Professional resiliency
R&R: Resilience Round-up #2
Well Being Pledge The ABA has created a seven point Well-Being Pledge for Legal Employers. Included in the pledge is a call to create “visible partnerships with outside resources committed to reducing substance use disorders and mental health distress in the profession: healthcare insurers, lawyer assistance programs, EAPs, and experts in the field.” Where’s theContinue reading “R&R: Resilience Round-up #2”
Living Ourselves Into A New Way of Thinking
Years ago in grad school, my counseling professor said to me, “Renee, stop thinking so much. Allow yourself the ability to react authentically in the moment. Trust your emotional response.” I had two reactions to that. First, this was graduate school; I thought I was suppose to be thinking! Secondly, I was studying to beContinue reading “Living Ourselves Into A New Way of Thinking”
The Interplay of Stress, Disruption, and Innovation
Innovation and disruption are words taking up a lot of ink right now, particularly in the legal industry where AI, NewLaw, compensation restructuring, and encroachment of the Big Four are coming fast and furious. Both have one common core: change. And change is stressful. It does not matter whether that change is positive or negative,Continue reading “The Interplay of Stress, Disruption, and Innovation”
BigLaw Isn’t Waking Up To The Alarm and It’s Killing Lawyers
Today, Baker McKenzie confirmed the death of their Global Chair, Paul Rawlinson. In October of last year, Rawlinson took a leave of absence to focus on his personal health. Today’s announcement of his untimely passing included word that his health issues were “caused by exhaustion.” The lives of the Rawlinson family is forever changed: children suddenlyContinue reading “BigLaw Isn’t Waking Up To The Alarm and It’s Killing Lawyers”
R&R: Resilience Round-up
A weekly brief round-up of articles, conversations, hot-takes, and quips in the world of corporate and legal resilience. 1. Joe Milowic’s Story of Depression Should Spur Renewed Focus on Lawyer Well-being With the backdrop of Joe Milowic’s story of depression and renewal, this letter to the editor by Joseph Bellacosa in the New York LawContinue reading “R&R: Resilience Round-up”
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 regardingContinue 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’tContinue reading “The Cost of Not Caring”
Deck the Halls with Expectations! Fa-La-La-La-La Let’s Take a Breath!
It snowed in Charlottesville all day yesterday. When it finally eased off around 10pm, we had close to 8 inches of snow. The white blanket looked festive and sparkling surrounded in the neighborhood Christmas lights. I had been slow to feel much in the holiday spirit this year, but having “real snow” in Virginia beforeContinue reading “Deck the Halls with Expectations! Fa-La-La-La-La Let’s Take a Breath!”
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?Continue reading “Workplace Resilience: Where Do We Start?”
