Mental wellbeing of junior lawyers: are we there yet?

The legal profession has come a long way in recognising the importance of mental health and to find ways in which to discuss and foster a healthier and more compassionate legal environment. However, in a recent survey conducted by LexisNexis of more than 500 associates and senior leaders, it was found that there was a reluctance among qualified solicitors to pursue promotions. Nearly half (49%) of leaders had also noticed a decline in the number of associates aspiring to make partner. At large firms, that figure was 63%.

LawCare, a charity that exists to support and promote mental wellbeing across the legal community in the UK, conducted a survey in 2020/21 about life in the law. The results were astonishing in that:

• 69% of participants said they had experienced mental ill health in the 12 months before completing the survey;
• participants between the ages of 26-35 displayed the highest ‘burnout’ scores, as well as the lowest autonomy, psychological safety and highest work intensity scores; and
• participants who identified as female, belonging to an ethnic minority group and/or having a disability reported higher levels of burnout compared to their counterparts who are male, white and/or without a disability.

Over 64% of participants agreed or strongly agreed that they have to check emails outside of regular work hours to keep up with their workload. Further, the Junior Lawyer Division’s ‘Resilience and Wellbeing Survey Report 2019’ found that one-fifth of respondents reported regularly feeling unable to cope.

So, what challenges do junior lawyers face?

• High stress levels result from demanding workloads, tight deadlines, and high-pressured cases and situations;
• Long hours are often common as a result of tight deadlines and billable hour targets. This results in the balance between work and one’s personal life inevitably becoming a constant struggle;
• Navigating a lawyer’s career path is difficult. The path to qualification is often uncertain as is promotion from associate to senior associate. This can take its toll;
• Social factors like social class, gender, race, ethnicity, sexuality, disability and health intersect with wellbeing. These aspects shape how mental health is understood at different career stages and within specific workplace contexts; and
• Digital wellbeing, as the legal profession is no exception to the ‘always on’ culture that remote technology has created, meaning it can be difficult to establish healthy digital habits and boundaries.

What progress has been made?

• Awareness among the legal community is clear. Initiatives like Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA) have gained traction. MHFA training equips legal professionals to address colleagues’ immediate mental health needs and direct them to further support;