ABA Releases Report That Finds Women Lawyers Continue to Face Challenges to Mental Well-Being

A new report from the American Bar Association Commission on Women in the Profession shines a light on the persistent workplace barriers affecting the mental well-being of women lawyers.

The report, Mental Wellbeing in the Legal Profession: The Unique Challenges of Women Lawyers and a Path Forward, is based on responses from 2,915 lawyers and examines how workplace culture, systemic inequities, workload expectations and caregiving responsibilities can affect women in the profession.

Among the findings, women reported higher levels of stress related to financial strain, mental wellness, sleep disruption and family relationships than their male counterparts. The report also highlights the additional challenges faced by women of color, lawyers requiring workplace accommodations, and LGBTQIA+ lawyers.

Perhaps most importantly, the report emphasizes that these challenges cannot simply be addressed by asking individuals to develop better coping strategies. Instead, meaningful change requires law firms and other legal organizations to examine the systems and workplace expectations that contribute to stress.

The ABA Commission recommends greater leadership accountability, reviewing workload and billable-hour expectations, improving communication and confidentiality around mental health resources and creating a culture where seeking support is encouraged rather than stigmatized.

As law firms work to build stronger, more sustainable workplaces, creating an environment where attorneys can succeed without sacrificing their well-being should be part of the conversation.

We appreciate the American Bar Association and authors Paulette Brown, Suzanne Randolph Cunningham and Lauren Ramsey for bringing greater attention to this important issue and providing a roadmap for positive change in the legal profession. To read more about the report, visit the ABA website.

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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.