A New ABA Study Examines Mental Health in Legal Industry

The legal profession is demanding due to the long hours, high-pressure cases, client expectations and the responsibility that comes with advocating for clients. A new nationwide study from the American Bar Association (ABA) and Krill Strategies analyzes lawyer mental health, alcohol abuse, and burnout.

The study, which surveyed approximately 37,000 actively licensed lawyers across 28 jurisdictions, found that 47.4% of lawyers screened positive for high burnout, with 15.6% meeting the threshold for severe burnout. It also found that 21.7% reported moderate-to-extremely severe symptoms of depression, while 20.4% reported similar levels of anxiety.

Work-life balance is another concern. More than one-third of lawyers reported high or very high conflict between their professional and personal lives. The study also found that extreme work hours are associated with significantly higher risks of stress and burnout.

Perhaps most importantly, lawyers themselves recognize the need for change. Eighty-one percent said it is important or very important for the legal profession to put greater effort into reducing mental health and substance use problems among lawyers. At the same time, only 39.1% believed their employers were doing enough to support lawyer well-being.

For law firm leaders, these numbers are a reminder that supporting the people behind the practice matters. Building a healthier firm culture can start with encouraging reasonable workloads, creating space for honest conversations, checking in with team members and making mental health resources easier to access.

At Advocate Capital, we understand that running a successful plaintiff law firm requires more than managing cases. Taking care of your team is an important part of building a firm that can continue to serve clients and pursue justice for years to come.

Read the full ABA article and study for more findings on lawyer mental health and well-being.

Photo Credit: 123RF - milkos

About Donna A. Jones

Donna Jones is the President at Advocate Capital, which became a part of Pinnacle in 2019. Ms. Jones is a member of the Board of Directors of Advocate Capital and serves as a member of the Credit Committee. Her responsibilities include education and training of Advocate Capital staff regarding civil litigation, coaching new clients on the fundamentals of Advocate’s online services, as well as its proprietary software application, AdvoTrac®, and all activities related to existing and prospective clients.