Long work hours are a known aspect of Biglaw firms, but the question has arisen whether these gruelling schedules need a ‘trigger warning’. Some professionals argue in the affirmative, especially following the death of a senior partner, Vanessa Ford, from Pinsent Masons, who was battling an acute mental health crisis at the time of her passing.
Colin Passmore, chairman of the City of London Law Society, voiced concern over the intense workload that many lawyers undertake, remarking that excessive hours should raise red flags and necessitate support for the individuals involved. He was quoted saying, “That is a massive amount of work on any basis. That is an amount of work that should send a trigger warning and that person needs to be spoken to and looked after as appropriate.”
Passmore further stated that these concerns are not likely to garner much popularity, but in order to tackle the growing problem, it is critical to acknowledge and address them.
Lawyers like Ford reportedly work beyond 3,000 hours annually, a figure deemed concerning by Passmore. This viewpoint calls for leadership within these firms to take note and react appropriately to such significant workloads within their respective teams.
This incident has sparked a wider conversation about mental health within the legal profession, particularly those in high demand roles. It poses some challenging questions: Should large law firms reassess their work expectations? And how can they promote a healthier work-life balance to protect their team members?
For more info on this developing situation, follow the Daily Mail’s coverage or read about Vanessa Ford’s story on Above the Law.