Call to Action for Lawyer Well-Being

Event Agenda

The Minnesota Supreme Court hosted a Call to Action for lawyer well-being Thursday, February 28, 2019 at the University of St. Thomas School of Law.

The Call to Action was initiated by the publishing of the American Bar Association Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs and Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation study that found lawyers, particularly younger lawyers in the first ten years of their practice, are grappling with serious barriers to well-being. According to the report between 21 and 36 percent of lawyers in the study qualify as problem drinkers and 28 percent are struggling with some level of depression. Suicide, social alienation, work addiction, sleep deprivation, job dissatisfaction, a diversity crisis, work-life conflict, incivility, a narrowing of values so that profit predominates, and negative public perception were all cited as major difficulties lawyers are facing. The Call to Action for Lawyer Well-Being event attendees were asked to deepen their own plans to address attorney wellness.  

Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers: Practical Strategies for Positive Change​

What’s Next for Lawyer Well-Being? Ask LCL.

The Path to Lawyer Well-Being: Practical Recommendations for Positive Change is a report by the National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being.

Article: To be good lawyer, you have to be healthy by Robin Wolpert

Well-Being Toolkit: For Lawyers and Legal Employers

Graph: A Continuous process in which lawyers strive for thriving in each dimension of their lives

Science-Backed Strategies to Boost Resilience for Lawyers

Pledge Commitment Form

Anne Brafford: Overcoming Barriers to Action

Call to Action: In-House Counsel Breakout Presentation

Call to Action: Large Law Firm Breakout Presentation

Call to Action: Public Lawyers Breakout Presentation

Call to Action: Solo and Small Law Firm Breakout Presentation

Video: 2019 Call to Action for Lawyer Well-Being: Chief Justice Lorie S. Gildea & Patrick Krill 

Video: 2019 Call to Action for Lawyer Well-Being: Justice David L. Lillehaug & Anne Brafford