THE ONTARIO LAWYERS’ ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Do You Love Practicing Law?

By Leota Embleton, Program Manager, Ontario Bar Assistance Program

Lawyers in today’s world are lonely, painfully lonely!  
Benjamin Sells

The beginning of a new year is a good time to look at personal and professional satisfaction and lifestyle.  While there is much written about the unhappiness in the legal profession there are also many reasons to be optimistic about the opportunities that are offered by a legal career.  It doesn’t have to be a lonely, isolating career.  This article looks at some of the reasons for the dissatisfaction and offers suggestions for enjoyment of the work and control of the lifestyle.

Do you agree or disagree with the above statement?  There are those who say law is a profession in crisis.  Studies indicate that there is a high incidence of lawyers suffering from major depressive disorders (3.6 times higher than non lawyers) (1 ) and twice the rate of substance misuse .(2)   This also reflects the experience of many of those who work with lawyers and their families. Twenty two percent of the callers to the Ontario Bar Assistance Program in 2005 indicated that work and career issues were factors that caused them stress and in some instances led to other problems.

Why is law considered by some a profession in crisis?  Look at the changes.  There are changes that reflect the trends in society at large but also the specific impacts on the practice of law.  Killoughey in an article for the ABA (3 ) noted that 20-30 years ago it was predictable that a lawyer would:

• be fairly content practicing law
• have a supportive network of family, professional colleagues, clients and friends
• be acquainted with adversaries and friends of adversaries
• remain at the same place of employment for years
• make a good salary
• be respected in the community           

Despite these changes and the opinion of some that the profession is in crisis, there are many positive things about legal training and practice. There are many things that can be done to avoid the dissatisfaction or health and career issues.  If you find yourself part of the troubling trend towards dissatisfaction in the practice of law consider these steps to fulfillment.  If you are a part of the statistics for mental health and/or substance use problems these steps will help. In his book Lawyer Life ,(4) Carl Horn outlines 12 steps for lawyers to help achieve greater fulfillment personally and professionally. 

1.  Face the facts
Honestly look at what is happening in your life, what is important and your part in it all.  This is a personal review.  Ask yourself how you are doing with your own personal values, standards and priorities.

2.  Establish clear priorities
The bottom line:  to avoid later-life regrets, realize now that the time spent with children/family is more valuable than more money.  Quality time for important relationships should be a top priority.

3. Develop and practice good time management
Whatever time we spend on work should be arranged for maximum productivity.

4. Implement healthy lifestyle practices
Most people recognize the importance of health but it takes a concerted effort to change habits and incorporate exercise, nutrition and recharge batteries with a vacation.

5. Live beneath your means
Control spending can significantly reduce the financial pressures that cause stress.

6. Control technology—don’t let it control  you
Technology challenges are especially overwhelming for mid career lawyers who have not grown with technology.    Lawyers who have grown up with a comfort level face the choices and ever changing programs and tools available to assist with legal practice.  

7. Care about character and conduct yourself accordingly
Strive to conduct yourself honourably—think about what that means to you and resist pressures to do otherwise.

8. Learn to say “No” to some clients
There is additional stress in lawyer-client relations today.  Lawyers can say “No” to clients and cases that do not meet ethical their standards. 

9. Stay emotionally healthy
Seek a healthy balance between the rational, cognitive  side and the feeling, emotional side.

10. Embrace in law as a “high calling ”
Think about the history of the profession and the set of values that sees the lawyer as “not simply an accomplished technician but a person of prudence and …..wisdom about human beings” able to help.

11.  Be generous with time and money for causes you believe in.
It is an opportunity to give and to help others—sharing time, talent and    resources with others makes for a richer life.

12. Pace yourself for a marathon.      
These challenges and issues will be career-long undertakings but will help achieve the goal of balanced success and fulfillment in the practice of law.

It is possible to love the practice of law or if that is not achievable for the individual it is possible to change direction.  These steps will help.  If you are struggling with an area of practice or a personal challenge remember there is help available.  You do not have to be alone with the problem.  The Ontario Bar Assistance Program will help you work with the “12 steps for lawyer fulfillment.”  We hope that you find professional satisfaction and personal fulfillment in the coming year.

References

• D. L. Rhode et al, The Prevalence of Depression, Alcohol Abuse and Cocaine Abuse Among United States Lawyers , 13 International Journal of Law and Psychiatry (1990)
• W. Bachman, Law v. Life What Lawyers are Afraid to say about the Legal Profession 22 (1995)
• Donna M. Killoughey, Breaking Traditions:  Work Alternatives for Lawyers American Bar Association , ( 1993)
• Carl Horn III, Lawyer Life: Finding a Life and a Higher Calling in the Practice of Law, ABA publication, Chicago,(2003)

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