Attorney Burnout and Restructuring to Promote a Healthy Lifestyle.

Over the last two years, the legal profession has experienced an uptick in resignations, with attorneys leaving their jobs to either shift practice areas or completely change career paths. Mental health, depression and anxiety are at an all time high. Studies show that the pandemic played a huge role in this trend and have concluded that the long hours, high stress and low pay, caused the snap – i.e. attorney burnout.

Burnout has been described as a “disease of disengagement”

Paula Davis Laack, attorney

The 2018 Legal Trends Report surveyed lawyers nationwide and found that 75% of lawyers frequently work outside of regular business hours. The report also found that lawyers work, on average, 140 unplanned hours a year—which works out to about 3.5 weeks a year of unplanned work. These statistics alone make it clear why lawyers suffer from burnout.

Additionally, a 2015 study revealed that Lawyers are more likely to be divorced than physicians and cited long hours and constantly changing schedules, as the culprit. Long hours coupled with low or unequal pay are also common catalysts to resignation. 

While working in Pharmaceutical Litigation prior to starting my own firm, I was beginning to feel the burnout. I was frequently working 12-14 hours per day; not sleeping; gaining weight, mental health declining and completely neglecting my friends and family. It was exhausting and even though I loved my job, I quit. I packed my bags and moved home – I closed up shop, so to speak. 

“Lawyers work on average 140 unplanned hours or approximately 3.5 weeks of unplanned work, per year.”

Now, running my own firm has not eliminated the issues associated with burnout, but it has allowed me the opportunity to reflect and implement changes into my lifestyle. Here’s what I’ve learned over the last year to help avoid attorney burnout through restructuring my practice:

Develop an exercise routine (walking, gym life etc)

Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people don’t shoot their husbands. #legallyblonde

Factor in time to exercise. Lately, I’ve been sneaking in a 30 minute cardio session first thing in the morning. It’s helped with sleep, energy and overall health (I certainly gained a few of those Covid pounds). I’ve found that morning workouts are easier to work into a routine because they are done first thing in the morning. I’m less likely to skip a workout for happy hour, if they aren’t competing. Exercise is also known to boost mental health.

Set a strict work schedule (leave work at work)

This has been a huge struggle for me. I am a self-proclaimed workaholic and prior to starting my firm, was frequently working 12-14 hour days. It’s not healthy – mentally or physically. I was exhausted all the time, under-appreciated, overworked and absolutely miserable. When I decided to take my life back, I made a rule:

1) Work stays at work; and home stays at home.

For me, this meant that I don’t talk about work with my friends or family unless it’s to recap how my day went; and I don’t drag my personal life into my work. I keep them very separate (within reason) to avoid any drama associated with intermingling the two. It’s mentally exhausting to balance the two, all day every day. Keep them separate.

Dedicate time to your family and to yourself (date night/ game night/wine night)

This is huge for a number of reasons. Not only is it important to dedicate time to yourself and your hobbies, but it is equally important to dedicate time to your family or significant other. As a divorce attorney, I see it all too often. Spouses get consumed in other things and forget to date their partners. It eventually causes them to grow apart and end up divorced. 

I make it a priority to make time for my family and my significant other. I’ll be honest, it’s not always easy. There are nights I’ll go to dinner with friends and end up logging back in at 10:30 pm to get a few more hours of work done. Or more recently, I’ve been spending my free time covered in cow shit, and working cows with my boyfriend. (I do love those cows ) The same is true on his end. He makes the effort to come help me when I’m overwhelmed. It takes sacrifice, compromise and teamwork to actually find a work-life balance. 

REMEMBER why you became a lawyer

If your job sucks, quit. You made it through law school, and the bar exam and all the other bullshit until today. There’s no reason to be miserable. You likely chose this career to better yourself, to help others, to live a financially secure lifestyle. Those desires do not mean that you have to wake up everyday and be miserable. 

When I was finally ready to leave my old firm, I rage cried in my office, packed my things and drafted a resignation email.

That. Same. Day.

I finally chose to be happy. I chose my mental health and at that moment, it meant I needed to figure something else out. It’s been terrifying at times, but I am so grateful that I took the gamble on myself. I’m happy, humbled and growing. 

If there are more tips/tricks or suggestions on how to reduce attorney burnout or restructuring your practice send them to admin@xvz.bpj.mybluehost.me