Well-Being Week in Law: May 6 - 10, 2024
In December 2020, the Institute for Well-Being in Law was formed to carry on a grassroots movement launched by the National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being at the American Bar Association (ABA) Annual Meeting four years prior. The task force was comprised of the National Organization of Bar Counsel, the Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers (APRL) and the ABA Commission on Lawyers Assistance Programs. Two national studies that demonstrated the unacceptably high rates of depression, anxiety, and problematic drinking among U.S. lawyers and law students were the impetus that started it all.
What is Well-Being Week in Law?
The aim of Well-Being Week in Law (WWIL) is to raise awareness about mental health and encourage action and innovation across the profession all year-round to improve well-being. It occurs the first week of May to align with Mental Health Awareness Month and for this fourth annual iteration, the theme is Well-Being Reboot: A Fresh Start for Positive Change. It embodies two key ideas: (1) a clean slate to start/restart our well-being action plans and (2) behavior change toward greater well-being.
In Minnesota, Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (LCL) and area bar associations have numerous well-being week and beyond activities planned including:
“Disability and Women+ in Law: What You Should Know” CLE Webinar, Monday, May 6 Noon -1PM, presented by the HCBA & RCBA Diversity Committee and cohosted by the Minnesota Disability Bar Association and Minnesota Women Lawyers.
“Working with Human Nature Rather than Against it: From the Rules to the Next Right Thing” CLE and social (In-Person or Live Remote Options), Wednesday, May 22nd, 2:00 - 6:00PM, free of charge and presented by the MSBA Well-Being Committee.
LCL On-Demand CLE Presentations –
o “Avoiding Burnout: What Fuels Your Fire” (Standard)
o “Clients in Crisis – Helping Yourself, Helping Your Clients (Ethics)
o “Reducing Stigma to Avoid Chronic Stress and Burnout (Bias)
For ongoing support and to provide well-being resources for the civil legal aid community, the Minnesota Legal Services Coalition Partners Group, and State Support, have formed the Minnesota Legal Aid Wellness (M-LAW) Committee. By leveraging the wisdom, creativity, and resources of the Minnesota legal aid community, we can support one another in our work and play. If you are interested in joining M-LAW, or would like to suggest a topic for our virtual wellness trainings, please contact Aimee at afalbo@mnlegalservices.org.