In the high-stakes world of law, professionals often go to great lengths to meet the demands of their challenging careers, sometimes putting their mental health on the line. Juridical figures such as Jordana Confino, who has transitioned from a federal court law clerk to an adjunct law professor at Fordham University, have witnessed firsthand how the relentless pursuit of professional excellence can overshadow personal well-being.
Confino revealed, during a recent webinar focused on positive psychology in legal practice, that at one point her exhaustive work ethic led her to a critical juncture where everything felt apart. She emphasized that merely achieving professional milestones does not necessarily equate to personal happiness or fulfillment.
Highlighting a prevalent scenario among her peers, Confino described a cycle of working excessively to earn more and thus buy more, which could culminate in mental and emotional depletion. The risks this pattern poses include job burnout, depression, and the potential development of harmful coping mechanisms.
In response to these concerns within the legal community, Jonathan Baum, a securities lawyer, established Avenir Guild. This online platform provides various resources aimed at supporting legal professionals. Launched in conjunction with World Mental Health Day observed on October 10, the timing underscores the platform’s commitment to addressing these widespread issues.
Avenir Guild seeks to assist a broad spectrum of legal practitioners including corporate lawyers, government in-house counsel, law students, and members of bar associations. The platform offers services like career counseling, business development guidance, life coaching, and mentorship to enhance professional skills and promote well-being across different career stages.
In his observations covering over four decades in law, Baum noted a shift from collaborative work models to more competitive frameworks which he described as detrimental to both lawyers and their clients. He voiced concerns about an atmosphere riddled with anxiety and questioned whether the prevailing business models in law firms adequately serve their intended beneficiaries.
Regarding mental health strategies, Confino advocates for what she terms the “Perma+V” model, promoting concepts such as positive emotional regulation, engagement, meaningful relationships, achievement, and vitality. She highlighted the human tendency to outweigh negative outcomes over positive ones—a vestige of early survival instincts—which today serves more to stress than to assist.
Fostering open and vulnerable relationships, taking a gentler approach to self-reflection, and aligning personal values with professional life are among Confino’s suggestions to improve mental well-being in the legal profession.
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