In an era where much is lobbied on environmental concerns and safeguarding human rights, global corporate legal professionals need to keep a keen eye on landmark legal rulings. The Inter-American Court of Human Rights has held Peru responsible for not protecting its citizens from mining pollution, shining a spotlight on the potential ramifications of such…
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…
Welcome to today’s legal news roundup for esteemed lawyers, robust law firms, and dynamic in-house counsels alike. A notable development is the engagement of Alex Spiro, Quinn Emanuel’s “celebrity” partner by New York City Mayor Eric Adams for representation in sexual assault allegations lodged by an NYC Transit Police Department colleague from many years ago….
Exemplifying a degree of candor often unseen in the world of corporate law, funds partner Will Normand of Travers Smith recently reflected on his personal struggles with stress and the reality of reaching his ‘breaking point’. In an interview that forms part of a series of Q&As with partners, Normand openly discussed the personal toll…
Discussing personal experiences with stress and seeking professional assistance is not a common conversation among lawyers. However, Clifford Chance’s UK head of global financial markets, Matt Fairclough, has taken to openly vocalizing his mental health struggles. In a recent article, Fairclough gives an insight into the reality of the high-stress legal field and what measures…
In a somewhat surreal turn of events, a Mississippi-based lawyer recently found himself entwined in a bizarre interaction with a client proclaiming himself to be the Messiah and making a hefty monetary claim. The incident sheds an unnerving light on the challenging and unpredictable circumstances legal professionals may sometimes find themselves in. According to accounts,…
The necessity of focusing on mental health within the legal profession, particularly in its educational sector, is seldom disputed. The sentence ‘We’re Literally Dying’, a stark reminder of the severity of the issue, highlights the tremendous strain faced by many legal practitioners and students across the globe. The problem is so pervasive that the focus…
The annual Survey on Mental Health in the Legal Industry remains open for participation. This survey is designed to elicit responses from professionals across the spectrum of the legal industry, including, but not limited to, lawyers working in law firms and legal departments. Insights and experiences shared through this survey provide crucial data, helping to…
With rising interest rates since 2022 making a significant impact on the venture capital market, digital health companies have faced a challenging environment. Consequently, funding for these organizations saw a dramatic decrease in 2023; from a high of $29.1 billion in 2021, the funding fell to only $10.7 billion, according to data from Rock Health….
In the recent third installment of a discussion series with senior lawyers, Matt Fairclough, UK head of global financial markets at Clifford Chance, detailed his personal experiences with mental health challenges. Topics included openly addressing his struggles and the benefits he derived from weekly psychotherapist treatments. The details of the dialogue can be found here….
On April 2, a collective group of over 200 stakeholders put forth a letter imploring the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to present a revised proposed legislation aimed at allowing and regulating the prescription of controlled substances via telehealth platforms. This roster of stakeholders consisted of numerous influential organizations including the Alliance for Connected Care, the…
The prevalence of depression among law students is worrisomely high, pointing to a dire need for more robust mental health support in law schools. As per the Dave Nee Foundation, although only about 10% of students start law school with depression, that figure leaps to an alarming 40% by graduation. Furthermore, lawyers rank fifth in…
The UN Human Rights Council recently took a significant step towards combating discrimination against intersex individuals, who are born with sexual characteristics that differ from conventional binary perceptions of male or female anatomy. By supporting a resolution to confront such discrimination, harm, and violence, the council is addressing an issue that affects an often-overlooked segment…
In light of the pervasive nature of drinking alcohol in media especially within the law dramas, the question arises whether it should be accompanied by a content or trigger warning. The common practice of associating substance abuse or alcohol use with “mental health” discussions in the context of wellness regularly omits the presence of alcohol…
In the recent years, the matter of mental health in the legal profession has become an increasingly urgent topic of discussion. The inherently high-stress nature of legal work, coupled with a still prevailing “tough it out” mentality, has created conditions that make practitioners in this field particularly vulnerable to mental health issues, such as depression,…
The first quarter of the year showed a rise in M&A, contributing significantly to Biglaw profits. However, this positive trend seems to be interpreted as bad economic news by some sections of the media. More on this can be found on a report from Reuters. Looking at specific firms, Kirkland & Ellis continues to expand…
Stress management and mental health continue to be critical issues at the forefront of corporate law, with counsel and partners alike grappling with the pressures of a high-stakes profession. Travers Smith’s funds partner, Will Normand, has recently shared insights into his own experiences with stress and childhood trauma. In this revealing piece published by the…
In Oklahoma, a judicial review process is currently taking place, examining the proposed increase in time between state executions from 60 to 90 days. This proposal from Republican Attorney General, Gentner Drummond, and Steven Harpe, Director of Department of Corrections, cites the necessity of ensuring the accuracy of the executions and providing time for the…
The legal profession, notorious for its high-stress environment, has an ever-increasing need for awareness and understanding of mental health issues within its ranks. This year, we are conducting a mental health survey across the industry to understand the magnitude of such issues and we urge all legal professionals, from lawyers to paralegals, to participate in…
Lawyers and legal professionals throughout the world are being encouraged to contribute to this year’s crucial ‘Mental Health in the Legal Industry’ survey. The legal sector, renowned for its intense working conditions and often stressful environments, will undoubtedly benefit from a probe into the mental health of its professionals. The wider our participation, the more…
It is not often that a gift is received with such negativity. Yet, this seems to be the case with the latest token handed out by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, one of the world’s leading law firms as associates reportedly feel insulted, instead of appreciated, by their ‘gifts’. Typically, the firm gifts its associates’ various…
Mental health and wellbeing in the context of major law firms has been gaining significant attention in recent years. In this climate, there is a growing consensus that surface-level initiatives, such as puppy yoga sessions, though enjoyable, fail to address the root of the mental health challenges faced by legal professionals. In her recent comments…
In a deeply rooted and still growing controversy, four of the largest school boards in Ontario have taken legal action against the companies behind Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and TikTok. The litigation seeks to address perceived disruptions these social media giants have caused in students’ daily education. The school boards allege these companies have played a…
Last Friday, twelve US senators have addressed a heated letter to the Department of Homeland Security, calling for a reform in its system of detaining immigrants in solitary confinement. They referred to this practice as a “clear violation of international norms,” stating that such treatment of immigrants has seen a notable increase in the recent…
Dina Segal, the Chief Legal Officer at Gusto, recently shared insights regarding her journey from Biglaw to in-house counsel, along with her experiences as a working mother, in an interview at Above the Law. Segal emphasized the importance of understanding the business you’re working in when transitioning to an in-house legal role. She also highlighted…