The legal profession has long been recognized for its high-stress environment, leading to a rise in cases of mental trauma and health issues among practitioners. The persistent drive for success, coupled with long hours and demanding workloads, can cause severe psychological distress. Understanding the effects of such trauma on your mental health and how to cope with it is imperative for practitioners to survive and thrive in this challenging field.
Despite several practical resources and studies confirming the existence of trauma within the legal profession, it is often overshadowed by the industry’s cut-throat competition and high-reward nature. Recognizing the issue is the first step towards finding solutions and looking after your mental health.
Just as lawyers advise their clients to prioritize their legal health, it is high time we pay attention to our mental health and wellbeing. However, bringing this change isn’t a simple task and requires collective action from everyone involved in the industry, from individual practitioners to major corporates and law firms.
At the forefront of such change is Olga V. Mack, the VP at LexisNexis and CEO of Parley Pro, a next-generation contract management company that has pioneered online negotiation technology. Putting her extensive experience and knowledge to use, she has dedicated her career to improving and shaping the future of law and terms the inclusion of mental health considerations in the workplace as a critical aspect of legal innovation.
Mack also founded the Women Serve on Boards movement advocating for women’s participation on corporate boards of Fortune 500 companies. She views diversity in leadership and an understanding work environment as key contributors to healthy workplaces that can alleviate some of the stressors prevalent in the legal profession.
In her multiple-authored books “Get on Board: Earning Your Ticket to a Corporate Board Seat”, “Fundamentals of Smart Contract Security”, and “Blockchain Value: Transforming Business Models, Society, and Communities”, she speaks about the need for innovation, inclusivity, and mental wellness in the profession.
For more on this issue, and for insights on dealing with trauma from your legal job, visit Above The Law.