Employee review sites such as Glassdoor have recently been embroiled in legal disputes, as companies take umbrage at negative feedback posted on these platforms. In a recent lawsuit, CuraLinc, a mental health service provider, has sued a former employee for posting a disparaging review on Glassdoor. The story first came to light through a Law.com…
Public health institutions are grappling with substantial challenges as social media becomes an abundant source of misinformation and disinformation on critical topics, extending from Covid vaccines to climate change. A novel program at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health aims to curb this rising issue by targeting social media influencers on platforms such as…
In the wake of the tragic suicide of Pinsent Masons equity partner, Vanessa Ford, many legal professionals have begun to question mental health support in the industry. Ford, known professionally as Vanessa Heap, was known to have been working intensely, with 18-hour workdays and little break time. Her death, according to inquest findings, occurred during…
In a notable move highlighting the escalating geopolitical tensions, Russia’s Foreign Ministry has recently barred entry into its borders for as much as 227 American citizens. This is the country’s latest response as part of the ongoing cold war-esque tit-for-tat sanctions regime it has been gripped within for a while now. On its surface, this…
Recent events have refocused attention on the subjects of well-being and mental health in the legal industry. Yet, in Australia, such matters have always been of particular concern for Theo Dorizac, the General Counsel of broadcaster SBS. By integrating the concept of well-being as a formal objective within his philosophy of work, Dorizac is proactively…
Corporate Counsel has issued a call for nominations for the 2024 Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards. These prestigious awards aim to honor North American general counsel and law firm partners who have shown an unwavering commitment to advancing the empowerment of women in law. These legal professionals transcend a mere job title as…
The legal world was recently shaken by the devastating loss of Vanessa Ford, a partner at Pinsent Masons U.K., whose tragic death reignited debates in the legal community over mental health issues. Ford’s death highlights the less discussed, but unequivocally real, problem of emotional and mental strain that legal professionals face due to strenuous work…
The legal profession, known for its high stress, burnout levels, work demands and at times, quality of life issues, has seen an increasing focus on mental health. Law firms, legal professionals and clients alike are grappling with tackling mental health issues within the legal profession. In the legal industry, different constituencies wield different potential for…
In the high-pressure environment of corporate law, addressing mental health challenges is growing crucial, now more than ever. One legal professional breaking new ground in this endeavor is Joseph Milowic, director of well-being and counsel at Quinn Emanuel. His efforts emerge as an example for law firms worldwide in dealing with the often-ignored issue of…
As the legal profession becomes progressively demanding, attorneys are tackling higher levels of stress and mental health issues. This reality has given rise to talks about how business litigators, who serve a pivotal role in society, can ward off burnout and find fulfillment in their work. Notably, their role is not simply confined to the…
Stress, long hours, and intense competition have given rise to a mental health crisis in the legal industry. The tragic passing of Vanessa Ford, a partner at law firm Pinsent Masons, brings this issue under stark spotlight. It underscores the urgency for collaborations within the profession to address this vital concern. A discussion has been…
At ALM’s Women in Power and Law event this week, an important matter was addressed during a panel discussion involving prominent in-house lawyers: the structure and management of their internal legal teams. The topic, which many considered absolutely vital, was largely informed by the recent and tragic loss of Pinsent Masons partner Vanessa Ford. The…
In a recent article published on Law.com, contributor Vanessa Ford highlights the persistent issue of mental health in the legal profession and raises a crucial point – if the problem is labeled as an ‘industry-wide issue’, nobody assumes responsibility for corrective action. Ford evidently indicates the growing mental health crisis within the legal profession requires…
In an unexpected turn of events, lawyers of the plaintiffs voluntarily dismissed a Roundup case in California’s Sonoma County Superior Court on the third day of trial, allowing Monsanto to claim victory. The trial centered on the controversial herbicide under scrutiny, lately associated with possible health hazards. More details about this striking development can be…
In a recent article penned by Vanessa Ford for the International Edition of Law.com, an important conversation on the mental health crisis in law has been facilitated. The thought-provoking article, titled ‘The Dangers of Calling Law’s Most Serious Problems ‘Industry-Wide Issues”, warns against diluting responsibility behind sweeping industry-wide labels. In doing so, we may be…
In the aftermath of the inquest into the death of Vanessa Ford, a senior equity partner at the firm, law firm Pinsent Masons has begun outlining anticipated course of action. As per a recent coroner’s inquest, Ford suffered an “acute mental health crisis” preceding her death in September. Ford, aged 47 and professionally known as…
In today’s always-online work landscape, it is becoming increasingly noticeable that the fusion of work and personal life might lead to an unhealthy work-life imbalance. Professionals are expected to be consistently responsive to multiple modes of communication, both within and outside regular office hours. This culture of constant availability has the potential to turn into…
The legal community worldwide has been thrown into serious conversations on corporate culture and mental health following the inquest into the death of leading lawyer Vanessa Ford. Ford was a senior equity partner at global law firm, Pinsent Masons, and widely known in professional circles by her name, Heap. According to reports, Ford tragically lost…
The legal community is deeply engaged in discussions around mental health care and corporate culture in the UK, following the outcome of the inquest into the death of Vanessa Ford, a senior equity partner at Pinsent Masons. The inquest, announced on Monday, concluded that Ford, who died at the age of 47 in September 2023,…
As a country that historically maintains separation of church and state, it is alarming to see that public schools across thirteen states in the US, including Alabama, Florida and Georgia, are reportedly replacing student counsellors with religious chaplains. According to The Humanist, this trend is rising at a disturbing pace. Learning Con Law professors used…
In a recent article at Above The Law, Angela Mackie-Rutledge shared her experiences navigating the legal world as a Black law clerk. Working for senior judges, she describes how she has observed a plethora of microaggressions in the courtrooms. Despite her visible staff ID and professional attire, she’s often mistaken for anything but the law…
While the discourse around mental health has notably broadened over the last decade, there persist several misconceptions in the space, asserts Dr. Mimi Winsberg, Chief Medical Officer of Brightside Health. Notably, corporations and insurance companies have been increasingly offering mental health support to their employees and members, lending momentum to the development of understanding and…
The legal profession isn’t just about law and order; it’s equally about its people – the attorneys, paralegals, and significantly, the general counsels who guide every legal journey. However, the profession is facing an escalating mental health crisis. It’s time to view the concerning statistics not just as numbers, but as a silent plea for…
The legal sector is a challenging profession, particularly challenging for young lawyers who are often subjected to a demanding job environment. Long hours, stress, and overwhelming responsibilities are a common feature of a young lawyer’s life. However, it is important to remember that it’s not expected for young professionals to be able to do it…
In a rather disconcerting revelation, the death of Vanessa Ford, a partner at renowned Biglaw firm Pinsent Masons, has been linked to what has been described as an ‘acute mental health crisis’. At the age of 47, Ford was heavily involved in the major sale of Everton Football Club to a US private equity firm,…