For more, visit the Committee on Attorney Well-Being
The New York State Bar Association established an Attorney Well-Being Program in 2022, housed within the Lawyer Assistance Department. This program was in direct response to the 2021 Report and Recommendations from the Task Force on Attorney Well-Being. The mission, driven by dedicated volunteers of the Standing Committee on Attorney Well-Being. This program utilizes an Eight Pillars model intended to provide stress management techniques and burnout prevention tools to all legal professionals. These Eight Pillars take a wholistic approach, supporting the people within the profession to create more sustainable careers. The New York State Bar Association recognizes that change in the legal culture comes not from the individuals alone, but as a collective. With six subcommittees, designed to address wellness in the profession from all perspectives, this strategic planning report has thoughtfully summarized recommendations from the Task Force and turned them in to long-term, implementation.
If you have a well-being question, contact Well-Being Program Manager Jennifer Clayton, jclayton@nysba.org or 518.487.5573. All communications are confidential.
Additional resources regarding attorney well-being can be found on the Practice Resources page.
Newsletter
The Balance
The Lawyer Assistance and Attorney Well-Being Newsletter.
Previous Issues
The Eight Pillars of Attorney Well-Being
The Attorney Well-Being Program follows an Eight Pillars model to approach a balanced view of wellness from a holistic perspective. If you are unsure where to start, where you’re at, or where you’re going, this assessment may offer an opportunity for self-reflection.
Eight Pillars of Attorney Well-Being Self-Assessment: Checking-in
Emotional Wellness
Why Burnout Is So Pertinent in Lawyers…and How To Recognize It
Brandon Vogel
Lawyers Who Accept War-like Personas Carry Heavy Burden
Robert Goldman
What Makes Lawyers Happy
Libby Coreno
One Lawyer Living and Working with Depression
Daniel Lukasik
Anxiety a Slippery Slope
Diane E. O’Connell
Vicarious Trauma is Real
Brandon Vogel
How a Lunch Between Dear Friends Led to a Movement to Change the Legal Culture
Dr. Kerry O’Hara
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues: This is Us
Hon. Karen Peters
How to Help Judges in Need of Help
Paul Curtin
Physical Wellness
Let’s Get Physical: Get Moving for Attorney Well-Being
Robert Herbst
Go To Bed: The ethics of Exhausted Lawyering
John Marsella
Season’s Wellness
Robert Herbst
Attorney Wellness in a Nutshell
Robert Herbst
How the Profession I Love Took a Toll On My Health
Scott Karson
Occupational Wellness
Top 7 Tips to Better Manage a Legal Practice
Clio
Finding a Healthy Way to Transform Our Lives as We Retire
Stephen P. Gallagher
Legal Culture Must Change for Attorneys to Thrive
Kathleen Fyfe
Finding a Health Way to Transform Our Lives as We Retire
Stephen P. Gallagher
Financial Wellness
Intellectual Wellness
Spiritual Wellness
Environmental Wellness
Social Wellness
Helping Working Parents Keep Their Lives in Balance
Rebecca Melnitsky
Upcoming programs will be posted soon. For a calendar of additional NYSBA programming, click here: NYSBA Events Calendar
Emotional Wellness
Finding the Compassion Balance Mindful Lawyering & Vicarious Trauma
This program will help lawyers find the “middle” – thereby remaining present in their bodies with self-compassion, while learning the boundaries and skills necessary to withstand vicarious trauma (compassion fatigue).
Vicarious Trauma is Real
Dr. Kerry O’Hara, Psy.D. explains vicarious trauma, or compassion fatigue, that is a trauma process that occurs over time when an individual is exposed indirectly to the suffering of others for whom they feel responsible. Dr. O’Hara will help participants develop the resiliency skills to manage this in a balanced way.
Mindfulness for Lawyers in a Time of Stress
Learn how to use mindfulness to improve your immune system and calm your fears, while also maintaining social connections via electronics to prevent loneliness. You will also learn how to control stress and in turn improve productivity, creativity and the ability to uphold your ethical responsibilities as an attorney.
Attorney Wellness/Substance Abuse in the Legal Profession
Thomas C. Nicotera, Esq. | Lawyer Assistance Committee | Albany
Paul W. Van Ryn, Esq. | Maxwell & Van Ryn, LLP | Albany
Physical Wellness
Occupational Wellness
Women on the Move 2020
Practicing Law with Mindfulness- This panel explores the impact of uncertainty, stress, depression and anxiety on the mind and the body. You will learn how to maintain their physical and mental health using mindful practices
Financial Wellness
Intellectual Wellness
Spiritual Wellness
Environmental Wellness
Social Wellness
Podcast Episodes
Please click on the links below to listen to each one individually.
Who Are We Anyway? Exploring The Realities and Challenges In The Culture Of Law
The Mindful Minute: Quick Tools and Tips To Add Mindfulness Techniques To Everyday Life
Staying Connected: Meaning and Purpose For The Senior Lawyer
NYSBA’s Lawyer Assistance Program
Accessible 24/7 through our confidential hotline: (877) 772-8835
The LAP Hotline is a free confidential service provided to members who are seeking assistance with challenges such as depression, anxiety, burnout, alcohol or drug related concerns, and other mental health issues. When a caller contacts the hotline, a trained mental health professional answers the call and provides immediate support. For NYSBA members, a referral to a professional counselor will be provided. The caller can receive up to four free counseling sessions a year. All communications with the LAP Hotline staff are strictly confidential.
For questions, or to speak with someone from the Lawyer Assistance Program directly, please contact the director, Stacey Whiteley at 518.487.5688
Additional Support
ABA’s Attorney Well-Being Committee
Resources, education and leadership on well-being topics.
ABA’s Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs
Hotlines, resources, publications and events related to substance use and emotional health issues.
Hydrus
Lawyers, do you stare at screens, mark up documents, do legal research or draft pleadings for hours daily? Do you notice dry eyes, an inability to focus, stress, anxiety or brain fog? You may be dehydrated much of the day, like most professionals who work in air conditioned and heated offices with relative humidity lower than the Sahara Desert.
Hydrus has been chosen by NYSBA to help its members improve well-being by managing hydration levels. Hydrus establishes a new beverage category for daily use designed to improve hydration, mental acuity and visual clarity, and lead to greater performance, productivity and health. Sugar-free Hydrus contains nano-encapsulated electrolytes shown to improve water and electrolyte absorption 40% greater than conventional sugar-electrolyte drinks.
Try Hydrus today and you will receive a one-time 20% discount on your first order of 2 or more units of Hydrus Liquid Concentrate. Please use discount code Welcome20.
Titan Fitness
Titan Fitness allows people the freedom to achieve stronger, healthier, and more fulfilling lives. Our mission is to provide easy access to affordable, high-quality equipment for everyone seeking to challenge themselves to improve and achieve more.
NYSBA has chosen to partner with Titan Fitness because of our ability to offer you a wide variety of superior fitness equipment at affordable prices, shipped to your door for FREE. They want to help ensure that you have the opportunity to balance your demanding profession with the ability to stay physically active ¾ which is an ideal way to relieve stress, build confidence and live a healthier, happier lifestyle.
So, if you’re ready to make a commitment to yourself, we’re here to help. Shop from Titan Fitness today, and you’ll receive 5% off your first order.