What I Wish I Had Known Before Becoming a Lawyer
In the last few years, we have learned that burnout is not uncommon and, in the field of law this is particularly prevalent. A study by Bloomberg Law in May 2021 found that lawyers felt burned out by 50% during the initial quarter. For those surveyed and mid-level associates were the most vulnerable, with more than two-thirds reporting a decline in their general well-being.
I believe these findings directly reflect the culture we have developed in the legal profession — one that prizes the individual and encourages competition and deters any display of vulnerability. If this is a field you’re considering, here is some advice I wish I’d given sooner.
Before accepting a job, examine the company’s culture.
Do your best to avoid working at a law firm that values billable hours over your mental health. I know this is difficult to do when you’re starting out and fighting with highly talented peers.
What you do to begin your career is important. I know this now, as a long-term expungement lawyer in Jacksonville FL. The anxiety you feel when you are attempting to get the first job might feel more significant than waiting at the perfect company which is one that values inclusion and belonging as well as the well-being of its workers. If you start with a company that doesn’t respect you beyond your talents or cares for your mental health, it’s bound to not be sustainable in the long run.
Don’t be apathetic to your physical triggers.
If you’ve already landed an employment opportunity? What can you do to manage your burnout when you’re working in a workplace that has a high burnout rate?
The most important tip I can offer is to not ignore what is your body’s signal to you. Typical symptoms of exhaustion can include – increased heart rate, headaches, fatigue, palpitations or sweating, as well as general irritability. These symptoms can come on gradually, or as they happened to me they can appear all at once. If you’re facing a stressful circumstance, your body goes into a state of high alert. It’s preparing itself to take on or escape from danger. This is the reaction we commonly call “fight” or “flight”.
Get a life that isn’t tied to your work.
The fact is, law school is very draining. If you decide to become law, you’re choosing a path that often involves long hours to study and prepare for every case. The clients can be very demanding. The assignments you are assigned can begin as low stakes or even transform into high-risk, stressful situations over the course of several factors.
If you’re involved in emotional-stressed cases, which typically occur in criminal or family law, you may also be suffering from emotional exhaustion. In these cases, it can be difficult to remove yourself from the lives that your client. To be safe, and to do your job effectively you need to establish healthy boundaries at work – and that usually means maintaining a lifestyle and support system that is separate from it.
Take a moment to show yourself some grace.
In some areas of law, an urge to achieve perfection is, from my experience typical — given that the cases you’re dealing with have significant and high stakes. You are frequently involved directly in the existence of individuals. While attempting to be at the highest level is generally good, however, the biggest risk here is creating unrealistic expectations and then over-stressing yourself when you don’t meet them. This kind of pattern of behavior can be related to depression, anxiety, and other physical as well as mental health problems.
While I understand the deep desire to be the best at every case and to do justice to your client(s) however, I have learned from experience that this pressure can do damage more than it does good. You’re not a superhero. You can’t just flick a finger and create magic. Make sure you remember that just like everyone else, it’s your responsibility to be making the best of your abilities with what you’ve got.
