Instant Insights ›

Big Law’s Mental Health Problem Hits Crisis Level

Following a ground-breaking study two years ago, we know that the mental health and substance abuse problems are higher in the legal profession than elsewhere. In this Instant Insights, we take a close look at the severity of the issue in Big Law and what firms are doing to address it.

Research

ALM Survey on Mental Health and Substance Abuse: Big Law’s Pervasive Problem

Patrick Krill | September 14, 2018

ALM Intelligence's survey of Am Law 200 firm leaders about their attitudes and actions regarding addiction and mental health challenges reveals much work remains to be done to deal with the problem.

Analysis

How Clients Contribute to Mental Health Problems at Law Firms

Scott Flaherty | October 24, 2018

What role do clients play in putting undue pressure on partners, who then pass it on to associates?
Podcast

One Big Law Attorney’s Journey with Depression, One Firm’s Response to the Profession’s Problem

Leigh Jones Vanessa Blum | October 12, 2018

A Baker Hostetler lawyer discusses her depression, and Latham & Watkins' COO talks about what her firm is doing to dispel the stigma of mental health challenges.
News

ABA Sounds New Alarm on Substance Abuse, Firms Pledge Action

Dan Packel | September 10, 2018

A dozen major law firms have already signed on to a seven-point pledge that the ABA hopes the whole industry will embrace.
When it Comes to Mental Health and Substance Abuse Support in Legal, What About the Staff?

Erin Hichman | October 11, 2018

While law firm staff are a part of the same “toxic” environment as attorneys, mental health and substance abuse support and resources available to them are not.

Research

Big Law Leaders Say Stigma Comes With Addiction and Mental Health Problems

Patrick Krill | September 24, 2018

The challenge for firm management is to increase lawyers' and support staff's comfort with seeking help.
News

Suicide Blamed in Death of DLA Piper Partner

Meghan Tribe | September 21, 2018

Bruce Wickersham, a Pennsylvania native whose body was discovered off a Massachusetts marina, was a longtime partner in DLA Piper's Boston office.
Analysis

Big Law Leaders Say Stress Is Main Cause of Addiction and Mental Health Problems

Patrick Krill | October 01, 2018

Stress is a common experience for lawyers, and if the go-to solution for coping with it is drinking or using drugs, they are setting themselves up for trouble.