Mindfulness for Legal Professionals: An Appeal for Positive Change

Author

Dianna MejiaFollow

Date of Award

Spring 1-15-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

MA - Master of Arts

Department

Mindfulness Studies

First Advisor

Melissa Jean

Second Advisor

Andrew Olendski

Abstract

Recent studies and reports address growing concerns about high rates of chronic stress, depression, and substance use by lawyers and law students. The National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being identified the practice of law as a profession that is struggling and urged leaders to act now to improve the state of mental health and well-being of legal professionals. Among the recommendations in the 2017 report, The Path to Lawyer Well-Being: Practical Recommendations for Positive Change, the National Task Force included mindfulness as a practice to address the psychological and psychosomatic disorders permeating the legal profession. The National Task Force urged the leaders in the legal profession to take steps to change how law is practiced and instill greater well-being in the profession. This paper provides an overview of the research studies related to the well-being of legal professionals and concludes with a proposal for a collaborative workshop to engage legal professionals in the practice of introducing mindfulness in their personal and professional lives. The format of the workshop is suitable for professional conferences, bar association seminars, continuing legal education trainings, and judges and lawyer’s assistance programs.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 License.

Language

English

Recommended Citation

Mejia, Dianna, "Mindfulness for Legal Professionals: An Appeal for Positive Change" (2021). Mindfulness Studies Theses. 44.
https://digitalcommons.lesley.edu/mindfulness_theses/44