Learn more: Ethics: Record Retention Kit – State Bar of Michigan 

Alecia Chandler is an attorney and Professional Responsibility Programs Director at the State Bar of Michigan.

Rick Barinbaum, LMSW, is a clinical social worker, educator,and practitioner.

Heidi provides clarity on the distinctions between being an introvert—someone who processes information internally and recharges with solitude—versus shyness or social anxiety, which stem from a fear of judgment or criticism. Heidi Brown, a public speaker and author who identifies as an introvert, demonstrates that it’s possible to be confident and professionally effective while embracing introversion. 

You’ll discover how introversion can be a “superpower,” bringing valuable assets such as active listening, thoughtful problem-solving, empathy, sensitivity to nuance, and strong writing skills to any professional dynamic. The conversation also covers practical steps for introverts to show up authentically and confidently, including mental and physical reflection techniques, reframing negative self-talk, and developing pre-game and game-day routines for high-pressure situations. 

Heidi offers perspectives on supporting introverted team members to foster a shared vocabulary around individual strengths. Learn how to recognize and harness your unique qualities, or those of your team, to excel in the legal profession. 

Listen to our other episodes: 

#564: The Gift in the Struggle: Leveraging Emotional Intelligence for Growth, with Sara Muender Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist 

#535: Lawyer Burnout: 5 Hidden Signs You’re About to Crash, with Natasha Evans Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist    

#506: Managing Stress & Avoiding Burnout, with Emily Nagoski  Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist    

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! 

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. 

 Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. 

Chapters/Timestamps: 

00:00 Introversion, Shyness, and Social Anxiety Defined  

05:14 Internal vs. External Processing: Understanding Different Communication Styles 15:56 Introversion as a Superpower in the Legal Profession  

18:32 Authenticity and Confidence: Mental and Physical Strategies  

25:52 Embracing the Blush: Reframing Physical Responses  

30:52 Building Confidence: The Power of Pregame and Game Day Routines  

34:29 Supporting Introverts in the Workplace  

41:36 Your Place in Law: A Message of Empowerment 

Contact TLAP:

1-800-343-8527

tlaphelps.org 

Alicia Freeman is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and a bachelor’s in political science. She is a TLAP Clinical Professional for Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program at the State Bar of Texas, the owner of Freeman Counseling and Consulting LLC, and co-host for the “My Therapist Needs a Therapist” podcast.

Host Jim Reeder is a longtime, accomplished litigator with a deep understanding of the nuances of successful mediation. And guest John Barkett is an experienced, internationally recognized, and board-certified mediator and arbitrator, overseeing settlements in complex cases involving environmental law and construction.

Mediating or arbitrating a case is a complicated and deeply rewarding field, as Barkett explains. Not only are experience and training crucial, but a successful outcome can also rely on a mediator’s temperament. For litigators, finding the right mediator is vital. If you haven’t been involved in a high-stakes arbitration or mediation, you will be someday. 

Get real insights you can use from true pros, from choosing the right mediator to preparing clients for their role and making your opening presentation. Learn what you need to do in advance and how to evaluate risks and likely outcomes before you walk into a session.

Plus, a quick tip from Elizabeth S. “Beth” Fenton, author, experienced attorney, and co-chair of the American Bar Association’s Mental Health & Wellness Committee.

Resources:

American Bar Association

American Bar Association Litigation Section

American Bar Association Litigation Section committee on Mental Health & Wellness

You’ll discover how encountering obstacles or experiencing a dip in professional momentum often reveals deeper, underlying emotional dynamics. We underscore the critical importance of emotional intelligence and the strategic prioritization of human experience over purely technical or strategic solutions. Sara shares how AI tools, while invaluable for streamlining operations like project management, also provide significant support in mitigating overwhelm and burnout, allowing you to shift focus from mere tasks to your overall well-being. 

This conversation offers a compelling perspective on navigating your unique challenges, emphasizing that genuine resilience stems from directly engaging with difficulties, not from avoiding them. We’ll discuss why comparing your professional journey to others can be unproductive and how embracing even uncomfortable emotions can become a potent catalyst for your development. If you’re seeking to cultivate a more robust understanding of your professional hurdles and harness emotional intelligence for sustained success, this episode provides invaluable guidance. 

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X! 

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you. 

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com. 

#516: Flexing Your Discipline Muscle to Stay Motivated, with Sara Muender 

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist   

#535: Lawyer Burnout: 5 Hidden Signs You’re About to Crash, with Natasha Evans 

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist   

#506: Managing Stress & Avoiding Burnout, with Emily Nagoski 

Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist   

 Chapters: 

00:00 – Introduction & AI’s Role in Work 

01:50 – AI for Project Scoping & Management 

03:47 – AI, Client Feedback & Emotional Intelligence 

04:40 – Overcoming Overwhelm with AI 

07:10 – Finding “The Gift in the Struggle” 

08:04 – Battling Burnout & Comparison Traps 

13:53 – The Power of Slowing Down 

16:11 – Embracing Failure & Building Resilience 

22:29 – Failure as Data, Not Personal Worth 

23:41 – Personal Tragedy & Finding Meaning 

29:22 – The Relativity of Pain & Self-Improvement 

34:35 – Facing Hard Truths & Growth 

Read Judy’s book to learn more! The Untold Secrets to Thrive as a Lawyer: Six Steps to Ignite Your Legal Career Even if You Didn’t Go to Harvard or Yale 

judyselby.com

Learn more:

• What’s New with Mental Health and Well-Being in the Legal Profession: Progress, But More Needs to Be Done
• Patrick Krill – Krill Strategies 

Patrick Krill is the founder of Krill Strategies, a behavioral health consulting firm exclusively for the legal profession.

Links from the episode:  

NetDocuments

NetDocuments Demo Request

Listen to our other episodes about diversifying learning strategies and the AI revolution:

• #405: The Diverse Way People Think, with Temple Grandin: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist
• #551: Becoming the AI Driven Leader, with Geoff Woods: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist
• #550: Beyond Content: How AI is Changing Law Firm Marketing, with Gyi Tsakalaki and Conrad Saam: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Lawyerist

Have thoughts about today’s episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.

Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.

Leon shares his struggles and ultimate triumph as motivation and inspiration. No matter where you are in life, you are important, you can overcome. We are all warriors.

If you’re struggling, if you’re hurting, there is help. People do care about you. There is help out there. 

Visit Mustard Seed Health Coaching to learn more about Mary and her personalized programs .

Mary Pate is a former attorney turned Certified Menopause Coaching Specialist dedicated to helping professional women manage disruptive menopause symptoms.

Guest Andrea Liebross is the founder of her own firm, Andrea Liebross Coaching. She believes setting and achieving big audacious goals are best tackled through the implementation of solid systems, real goals, and the right (and ambitious) mindset. 

Are you getting where you want to go? Too often, we set our own limits. We stay safe and we stay small. We do things the way we’ve always done them because it’s safe. Hear how setting “big” goals and stretching your thinking helps you become “future you.” Give yourself permission to find out what you really want and where you want to be. And then make a plan to get there. 

Learn about Liebross’ “Think Big Toolkit” and the five components that can help you become “future you.” Don’t wait for things to happen to you, make the things you want happen.

Learn more at: Michigan – Lawyers & Judges Assistance Program

Tom Grden is Clinical Case Manager for the State Bar of Michigan’s Lawyers & Judges Assistance Program.

From quick anxiety-relief techniques you can use in the courtroom to posture tweaks and tapping methods, these tools are helping lawyers nationwide stay calm and confident. Learn how movement and somatic regulation can transform the way you handle pressure, whether it’s tough opposing counsel or pre-trial nerves.  

Links from the episode:   

Join Lawyerist Lab Today! 

Toni and Carolyn, representing employer and employee perspectives respectively, offer nuanced insights into how this decision impacts employers, managers, and employees alike. They discuss what the “some harm” standard means in practice, the effect on performance management and employee transfers, and why this ruling could open doors for new types of workplace discrimination claims. From shifts in workplace dynamics to the potential impact on DEI initiatives, this episode explores what business leaders, HR professionals, and employees need to know to navigate these new legal waters.

Bullying is a real problem in the legal profession impacting recruitment, retention, and even driving lawyers out of the field. Guests Stephanie Scharf and Bobbi Liebenberg, through The Red Bee Group consulting firm, co-authored a report commissioned by the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism titled “Bullying in the Legal Profession: A Study of Illinois Lawyers’ Experiences and Recommendations for Change.”

We’ve heard anecdotes about bullying in the legal profession, but while anecdotes get some attention or raise eyebrows, they don’t drive change. That takes data. The study produced by Liebenberg and Scharf produced a mountain of compelling data through a survey of more than 6,000 Illinois attorneys. The shocking result: One in four lawyers surveyed reporting bullying. Numbers don’t lie, bullying in the legal profession happens. A lot.

Bullying is more than incivility and rudeness. It involves power imbalances, intimidation, humiliation, and control. Sometimes it’s even physical.

The study delivers a deep dive into a problem that has received little to no formal examination. Bullying impacts every field and lawyer in the profession, but it’s especially problematic for younger lawyers, women, people with disabilities, and people of color. It’s not “just hazing” and it can no longer be tolerated. This episode will have people talking.

In this episode of the Lawyerist Podcast, Zack chats with professional development coach Natasha Evans to uncover the 5 hidden signs you’re nearing burnout. They discuss the prevalence of high-functioning depression among lawyers, the impact of holiday stress, and why even the most successful attorneys aren’t immune. 

Natasha shares practical strategies to break free from the burnout cycle, reignite your passion for law, and improve your mental wellness. Discover simple self-care tips, mindset shifts, and the surprising link between your well-being and your firm’s success. 

Links from the episode:  

Check out TimeSolv  

Gregory Conyers is Director of Diversity at the State Bar of Michigan.

Stress and workplace trauma is real, and recognition of these injuries is developing, but there are still complicating factors. Did workplace stress cause a heart attack, or was there underlying heart damage? What constitutes post-traumatic stress, and at what point did that stress occur on the job? 

There’s a lot to unpack. Daily on-the-job stress versus something truly unusual at the workplace; cumulative versus traumatic stress; faking versus real injury; causation; and privacy (HIPAA) all factor into a decision regarding compensation.

We all know a broken arm when we see it. But understanding a damaged mind can be tricky. First responders, air traffic controllers, and factory workers all face stresses, but not all stress is the same. Hear how jurisdictions differ in their view of psychological injury Workers’ Comp claims. 

If you have thoughts on Workers’ Comp law or an idea for a topic or guest you’d like to hear, contact us at JPierce@ppnlaw.com. 

Listen in as Sam Glover and Annie Grace dive into sobriety and mindful drinking. Annie shares her insights and strategies learned in her book, “The Alcohol Experiment.”  

Discover the potential harms of the legal profession’s drinking culture and learn how to navigate social events without alcohol. This is a must-listen for any lawyer rethinking their relationship with alcohol. 

Mentioned in this Episode:

Chronicles of a Recovering Type A+ Perfectionist Blog — Jordana Confino

Jordana Confino is an attorney, professional coach, and founder of JC Coaching & Consulting.

When it comes to neurodivergence, the legal system has a particular interest. It has been estimated about 12.5% of lawyers report having ADHD, attention deficit disorders, nearly triple the rate of the general population. And that’s just the beginning.

Law is a stressful profession, and many may not know they have a neurodivergence issue – issues that may only reveal themselves under extreme stress. That’s why awareness is so important as we learn to account for our own differences and others’ and make sure we are communicating with and understanding coworkers and even opposing counsel and witnesses.

It all starts with being aware and giving thought to how the person across the desk processes information and communicates. As the great (fictional) attorney Atticus Finch taught us in “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view … until you climb into his skin and walk around in it.”

Zack also talks with Sam Youngblood of Omnizant Marketing about how lawyers should approach content writing on their website and in social media.  

Links from the episode:  

www.omnizant.com  

www.deshazo.me 

ABA Task Force for Democracy 

ABA Task Force for Democracy  

For more detailed information on Rule 21, listen to previous SBM podcast episode: Rule 21: Law Practice Succession Planning on Legal Talk Network.

April Alleman is Succession Planning Program Counsel at the State Bar of Michigan.

Burnout is real. It’s an emotionally grinding field with physically grueling time demands. If you’re feeling the stress, understand what your body is telling you. Understand that you are not alone and know that it’s OK to talk about it. 

Bridal and Hoff explain how to recognize burnout and how to put a name on what you feel. Of course, there are times when you’ll work hard, there are periods of stress in any job. But when you find that you can’t turn it off, that every stressful day leads to another stressful day, when you can’t let yourself take a break, it may be time to examine what’s going on in your life. 

Legal professionals are by nature competitive, driven people. It can be hard to turn that off or accept that you’ve simply reached your limit and don’t have another gear. But there is more to life, take care of yourself. 

When is it time, and how do you know, to step back from your busy, often hectic, law practice and move on to a new chapter. And how do you prepare? Guests Charla Stevens and David Soley have both been highly successful attorneys in New England. Stevens moved on from her work at a law firm to establish a consulting firm, Charla Stevens Consulting. Soley continues to work at the firm Berstein Shur and is the author of the American Bar Association book “Transitioning to Happiness: Type A Lawyers and Retirement.”

Soley says lawyers should start preparing now. Being a trial lawyer is a passion, but it’s important to regularly take stock and reflect on your situation. How do you feel? Are you still excited? What would you do if you were no longer a lawyer? It’s important to stay in touch with yourself and create a plan for your second act so that you’ll have an “escape hatch” when you realize it’s time to go. Don’t wait for the last minute.

Stevens’ former firm even encouraged litigators to think ahead and understand how many hours they want to work. Hear how she learned to recognize the factors that nudged her to step away and engage in something new. The loss of empathy, stress even outside the workplace, headaches, and even lack of sleep can all be warning signs.

We know good litigators are “Type A,” people. And our guests agree a rocking chair isn’t the answer for many of us. Hear how you can identify your other passions, outside the law, and pursue them. Make a list, make a plan, get excited. Consulting, writing, travel, sports, volunteering, teaching? They can offer a fulfilling way to engage and excel. There is life outside the courtroom.

Resources:

Joan Vestrand is Dean of Students and Professor of Law at Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Tim Lessing is principle at Lessing Law, PLLC, where he specializes almost exclusively in trial/litigation practice in both civil and criminal law.

Leticia first talks about the importance of setting boundaries and the misconception that self-care is selfish. Listen and learn why self-care should be a fundamental part of your law firm business plan.  

Grow your firm by understanding the balance between personal well-being and professional success.  

Become a part of the Lawyerist community to access insights and resources that will help you organize your practice and become more agile and productive.  

Take the Small Firm Scorecard to evaluate your current practices. 

Links from the episode:  

Subscribe to the Lawyerist Youtube Channel  

They also discuss balancing the roles of firm owner and working attorney. Tune in for motivation, guidance, and expert advice from a seasoned attorney business coach.  

This episode is sponsored by Timesolv. Prior to the interview, Zack and practice management guru, Joyce Brafford, talk artificial intelligence and how firms should prepare their offices to use all the new fancy tools. Hint: it involves solidifying your processes.  

Links from the episode:  

Request your free trial from TimeSolv!  

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! 

Michelle Fontenot is Director of the Texas Lawyers’ Assistance Program. 

Resources:

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
• NAMI 
• ABA  
• Institute for Wellness in Law
• National Institute of Health
• Alcoholics Anonymous 
• AlAnon Family Groups
• www.ankusconsulting.com

Joe Ankus is president of both Attorney Mental Health Education, Inc., and Ankus Consulting, Inc.

It’s no secret, the legal profession is a field filled with stress. Deadlines, precision, scheduling, marketing, and running a business. It’s a lot for anyone to handle. Gisèle helps her clients improve their well-being, increase productivity, and maintain a sustainable practice.

It’s great to set goals, even ambitious goals, at the start of every new year. But don’t forget to take a moment to make a plan for yourself and how you’ll keep going, day after day, with so much weight on your shoulders. 

Hear how Gisèle used her own experience and a lot of professional research and training to develop a coaching method that helps stressed professionals enjoy their life and stay healthy. “You can have all the success in the world,” she says, “but if you’re not going to be around to see it, how much success is that truly going to be?” Do you feel stressed? Exhausted? Isolated? Do you know the symptoms of burnout? This is a podcast for you. You are not alone. 

Links from the episode:  

Check out Rocket Matter: modern legal software for busy lawyers  

Burnout by Emily Nagoski  

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! 

Guest Erin Clifford is a partner and director of marketing and business development at Clifford Law Offices in Chicago. And she’s also a trained and nationally certified counselor and wellness coach, helping professionals create and maintain healthy lifestyles. As a lawyer, she knows all about stress. As a counselor, she knows the importance of mental and physical well-being.

Feeling stressed and overwhelmed can lead to health problems and even substance abuse. It’s easy to fall down a rabbit hole at the cost of simply living a happy, healthy life. Hear Clifford’s tips for improving your outlook, enjoying happy moments, and creating time for yourself and the things that make you happy.

Laura F. Kelley is the founder of LFK Immigration PA, a comprehensive immigration firm based in Doral, FL.

 Kevin McGoff is an author, travel writer, speaker and lawyer.

Lawyers & Judges Assistance Program – State Bar of Michigan

Bree Buchanan is co-founder of the National Task Force on Lawyer Wellbeing and co-author of its 2017 groundbreaking report that launched the Wellbeing in Law Movement.

Host Dave Scriven-Young welcomes three professionals who are actively seeking better methods for lawyers to care for themselves and for the legal system and firms to deliver assistance. Guests Shawn Healy, Ph.D., and attorneys Mala Rafik and Gavin Alexander are deeply involved in lawyer well-being programs. Their work has confirmed that there is a greater need for mental health support and care for lawyers, and also that many in the profession are either unaware of available services or are unwilling to seek help for fear of stigma. The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court has been a leading voice in the struggle to support those in the legal profession who are struggling with mental illness, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal thoughts. More support is needed.

Litigation is a difficult profession. Are you yourself—or is someone you know—struggling? You are not alone. It is OK to ask for help. Learn about available resources and services. And share this episode of Litigation Radio.

In this episode, host Craig Williams is joined by guest Michael Ulrich, Assistant Professor of Health Law, Ethics, & Human Rights at Boston University’s School of Public Health and School of Law, to discuss the recent CDC Report on U.S. life expectancy. Craig & Michael explore the possible legal implications of this report, and the political, environmental, and social influence on U.S. life expectancy.

Guest Sonya Sigler is an accomplished attorney who now devotes herself to executive coaching and consulting as well as speaking and writing. Her focus is on work/life balance, understanding your own goals and needs, and focusing on personal development and growth. Mental health and managing burnout in the legal field is crucial. 

Sigler’s story started as a busy mom and attorney and volunteer. She was juggling as many roles as she could when she wound up in an emergency room with heart attack-like symptoms. It wasn’t a heart attack, but it was a wakeup call. Sometimes you need to put yourself first and say “no.” 

During the holidays, we may feel obligated to do too much. Listen to yourself, and if we need to decline an invitation or a volunteer request, it’s OK. As Sigler says, we all deserve a life we don’t need a vacation from.

Links from the episode:  

The Naked Mind by Annie Grace  

The Alcohol Experiment by Annie Grace  

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! 

Thanks to   Posh Virtual Receptionists,  NetDocuments  & LawPay. for sponsoring this episode.  

Read the full report here: MICHIGAN TASK FORCE ON WELL-BEING IN THE LAW

And find more information on the commission at: onecourtofjustice.org

Justice Megan K. Cavanagh is an Associate Justice on the Michigan Supreme Court.

Trauma-Informed Law, published by the ABA Law Practice Division, arose as a collaborative effort between Canadian lawyers Helgi Maki and Myrna McCallum and American lawyers Marjorie Florestal and J. Kim Wright. It seeks to suggest not only how lawyers can provide better client service to traumatized people, but also how lawyers, law students and judges can deal with their own traumas.

Maki points out many people say that while the initial incident that brought them into contact with the court system was difficult—be it a divorce, an assault or a contract dispute—their experiences once inside the judicial system were harder to bear and caused more emotional damage. What other profession, she asks, would accept that as an outcome for its clients?

In this episode of the Modern Law Library, Maki and the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles discuss the impact of trauma on the legal profession, and the ways researchers have seen it impact people on a personal and systemic level. Lawyers may be reluctant to label their own experiences trauma, but Maki explains vicarious trauma, and how burnout is a “cousin” to trauma.

One element the book stresses is how important it can be for judges to become aware of how trauma can impact everyone in a courtroom, and basic measures that can be taken to decrease the risk of causing further harm during courtroom proceedings. The ABA House of Delegates recently called for more research to be done on how court workers are impacted by what they see at work and by threats to their personal security.

Maki and Rawles also discuss ways legal professionals can build support systems without endangering client confidentiality, and how law schools can prep law students for the inevitable challenges they will face in the profession.

Brian and Stephanie also explore why a compassionate community is a must for everyone in the profession and three easy questions we can ask each other when we see worrisome signs.  

Links from the episode:  

Lawyers Depression Project  

The Addicted Lawyer 

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! 

Thanks to   Posh Virtual Receptionists,  NetDocuments  & LawPay. for sponsoring this episode.  

Aliza Shatzman is the president and co-founder of the Legal Accountability Project.

Plus, an update on some big legal rulings: Andy Warhol, Prince, Fair Use, NIL rules (College athletes), and more.

Especially in a profession like law where attorneys have access to client’s money, problems can turn problematic quickly. Learn more about what is triggered in the brain during gambling, what signs to watch for, and how to know when to suggest help for a colleague or yourself. Understanding this part of addiction is part of nurturing our healthy team.  

Links from the episode:  

Caron Treatment Center  

Judge and Lawyer Assistance Program  

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! 

Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, Postali & LawPay for sponsoring this episode.  

Ward put constant stress on himself that morphed into mental wellbeing and substance abuse issues. He came to realize his drinking was taking over, not just on vacations, but also at home.

At its peak, substance abuse damaged both Ward’s family and professional relationships. When he quit drinking, he found his behavior had altered and he moved on to THC to cope. Ultimately, he was forced to take full control of his own mental health, retire from the culture of legal litigation, and seek professional help. Today, Ward is sober. His is a success story. 

This is a brutally honest discussion, but it’s one we need to have. As you devote yourself to your clients and practice, are you paying attention to your own health and habits? It’s easy to lose sight when you are focusing on your practice. The business of law can deliver its own form of PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder. Please be good to yourself. Help is available.

Rivera knows firsthand. He was a fourth-year associate in a litigation focused firm, and he said yes to everything. Any new case, any new project, he was game. It was a matter of professional pride and rapid development. Then he noticed the stress was taking a physical toll on his body resulting in itchy and yellowing skin, fatigue, and sleepless nights. He figured eventually things would slow down and these conditions would pass. Of course, neither happened. A doctor eventually found the constant stress had taken an enormous toll on his body. 

Set boundaries: a time you won’t go to the office before or stay after; take at least one day off – really off – during the week. You only have so much capacity, and when you exceed that, you damage yourself and you can harm your clients and your firm with errors due to exhaustion. If you’re not good to yourself, you’ll be no good to anyone. Take a moment to listen to this critically important episode.  

By Rich Rivera

• My Experience with Organ Transplantation

Additional Resources

• How Sleep Affects Your Health
• How Lawyers Can Manage Stress and Cortisol Levels
• How to Talk about Mental Health with Your Employer
• ABA Young Lawyers Division
• ABA Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs

Anthony Sallah is a partner at Barnes & Thornburg LLP and serves as a member of the State Bar of Michigan’s Lawyers and Judges Assistance Committee. 

Stacy Sampeck serves as Director, Assistant General Counsel at 3M and is a founding member of The Mind-Budget Connection, a volunteer group of attorneys and professionals focused on addressing burnout in the eDiscovery industry.

Molly Ranns is program director for the Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program at the State Bar of Michigan and a co-host of the State Bar of Michigan’s On Balance Podcast.

Find out more about the Michigan Bar’s program:

Lawyers & Judges Assistance Program – State Bar of Michigan

contactljap@michbar.com

Or, search for your state’s LAP program here:

ABA Directory of Lawyer Assistance Programs

Do you know how your clients experience your firm? Designing client experience isn’t something that will happen on its own, you need to be intentional.

Today, Stephanie talks with Nkoyo-Ene Effiong, Director of Law Practice Management for the State Bar of Georgia, about Healthy Clients. Learn what that means and tips for how you can do that in a healthy way.

Links from the episode: 

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free!

Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, Clio, & LawPay for sponsoring this episode.

David B. Jaffe is the Associate Dean of Student Affair at American University Washington College of Law.

Janet Stearns is Dean of Students and Lecturer in Law at the University of Miami Law School.

Links from the episode: 

Trust Bernadette

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free! 

Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, Clio, & Gavel for sponsoring this episode. 

During the Rump Roast, the trio play “Travel Etiquette”, where Jessica and Sam reveal the real truth about which airplane armrest you’re actually entitled to.

And, Jared basically took the week off, so Jessica offers up a monologue on the iconic and evolving career of Taylor Swift.

Jessica Foster Correia and Samantha Hedges are travel agents with InTouch Vacations and podcasters on Fab 5 Travel Podcast and Escape: A Travel Podcast. Find out more on Facebook at: Vacation with Jess and Travel Plans with Sam.

Since we talked about travel, let’s, uh – do some Taylor Swift deep(ish) tracks, curated by my wife, the ultimate Swiftie!

Our opening track is Two Cigarettes by Major Label Interest.

The music for the Legal Trends Report Minute is I See You by Sounds Like Sander.

Our closing track is Apollo by Transmuter.

Links from the episode: 

Your Next Decision

More Than Just a Vocal Coach

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free!

Thanks to Posh Virtual Receptionists, Clio, & Documate for sponsoring this episode.

Katie Stanley is a public service attorney and community engagement manager at Legal Services of Eastern Michigan.

Robbins began writing her memoir, The Box: An Invitation to Freedom from Anxiety, while still in the process of recovery. It began as a series of writing exercises she used to make sense of her meditation practices. But it became an investigation into the mental and emotional barriers she constructed since childhood to protect herself–and a blueprint for dismantling the barriers that no longer served her.

In this episode of the Modern Law Library, the ABA Journal’s Lee Rawles talks to Robbins about dealing with anxiety in law school and law practice; the positive reaction at her law firm when she opened up about her mental health struggles; and what Robbins finds unhelpful about self-help books. They discuss the difference between being “productive” and being mentally well, and how Robbins overcame her aversion to mindfulness as part of her healing process. They also talk about how people with anxiety respond when the dangers they perceive are real, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the months since the 2021 publication of The Box, Robbins has also dealt with a cancer diagnosis and many career changes, and she shares updates on her progress and projects.

Lori K. Mihalich-Levin is an attorney and the CEO and founder of Mindful Return, a program that guides new parents through the transition back to work after maternity and paternity leave.

But there is a science behind it, says Dr. Michael Shahnasarian, and he has written a book, The Valuation of Monetary Damages in Injury Cases: A Damages Expert’s Perspective, to explain the methodology.

Shahnasarian has a PhD in psychology, and he’s focused his practice on vocational rehabilitation and life care planning. As an expert witness, he’s participated in at least 5,000 cases, he tells Lee Rawles in this episode of the Modern Law Library podcast. The Valuation of Monetary Damages in Injury Cases walks through the forensic process he and others use to estimate what someone’s earning potential might have been without an accident, as well as the amount of money it may take to cover the person’s living and healthcare expenses in the future.

In this episode, Shahnasarian offers advice to young lawyers interested in tort cases; gives his expert-witness opinion on how best to reach jurors with information without overwhelming them; and shares with listeners his core beliefs about the value and dignity of work.

Listeners of this podcast can get a 20% discount on The Valuation of Monetary Damages in Injury Cases: A Damages Expert’s Perspective by entering the code VMDCDEP22 at checkout at the ABA store. The discount code is valid until 8/31/2023.

Episode Links:

• Untangling Fear in Lawyering: A Four-Step Journey Toward Powerful Advocacy, by Heidi K. Brown
• https://www.viacharacter.org/ 

On this week’s episode, Stephanie chats with Dr. Wendy Suzuki, author of Good Anxiety and Professor of Neural Science and Psychology at New York University. Listen and learn about the root causes of anxiety, negativity bias, joy conditioning, and how to channel anxiety into actionable steps to fuel productivity.

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free!

Thanks to Albatross Legal Workspaces, Postali, and Posh Virtual Receptionists for sponsoring this episode.

It’s no secret that being a lawyer is challenging. There are incredibly long nights, many deliverables, and for high achievers, it can become overwhelming. In fact, many lawyers struggle with their unhappiness in silence.

Joining me for this conversation is Dannie De Novo.

Dannie is a corporate attorney, an elite happiness coach, and an international speaker and bestselling author. After having battled depression and anxiety for most of her early life, Dannie set out on a course to learn what true happiness was for her and for the sake of her baby girl. Now, Dannie regularly appears on TV news and talk shows as an expert on creating happiness and purpose, combating loneliness and depression, and managing anxiety.

Dannie gives listeners actionable tips on:

• [3:30] Navigating mental health struggles from a young age and going in and out of institutions
• [14:10] Why driven, high achievers tend to be unhappier
• [17:30] Changes you can make in your life to find more fulfillment
• [20:55] Tips for lawyers to get out of that mentally tough place
• [32:10] Dannie’s book recommendation

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Courage is Calling by Ryan Holiday

Connect with Dannie here:

• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• https://www.DannieDeNovo.com

Connect with me

• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Karin on Twitter
• Karin on LinkedIn
• Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook
• https://conroycreativecounsel.com

Paralegal work is stressful and at times emotional. There are deadlines, complicated problems, and even difficult people and situations. It’s OK to feel frustrated, sad, even angry. But as Curry explains, the key is to acknowledge those feelings and work through them with the help of the positive, supportive people you surround yourself with.

Curry was a standout college player and enjoys a productive, rewarding career at the highest level of the most popular league in the country. But even a star goes through rough patches. Hear how Curry faced down a scary health issue that threatened his career by thinking positively.

The paralegal profession takes a special kind of person. Take a moment to step back and recognize your contributions, abilities, and expertise. Feel good about yourself and your work. Take a breath, get some rest, and be thankful a 300-pound lineman isn’t going to try to knock you to the ground on your next trip to the copier.

Be sure to visit Curry’s foundation,Rush2Victory, dedicated to helping economically challenged students through motivation, mentorship, and empowerment.

The State Bar of Michigan Ethics Helpline can be reached at (877) 558-4760 or ethics@michbar.org.

Find information on upcoming Trust Account Seminars at: https://www.michbar.org/trustaccounts

Robinjit K. Eagleson is ethics counsel at the State Bar of Michigan. 

Host Craig Williams is joined by program director for the Lawyers and Judges Assistance Program at the State Bar of Michigan, and co-host of the State Bar of Michigan: On Balance Podcast, Molly Ranns.

Craig and Molly discuss the well-being of an attorney, addressing a lawyer’s workload, the stress of the profession, and how a lawyer can balance their personal and professional life.

Mentioned in this episode:

The State Bar of Michigan: On Balance Podcast

Nicole DeNamur is an attorney, educator and sustainability consultant based in Seattle, Washington.

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free!

Thanks to Albatross Legal Workspaces, Postali, and Posh Virtual Receptionists for sponsoring this episode.

In this episode of the Modern Law Library, Bergman and Castro share experiences from their respective backgrounds in coaching and psychotherapy, and some of their work creating wellness programming tailored for the legal profession. They intend their book to be a jumping off point for attorneys looking to increase resilience and happiness in their personal and professional lives. Rather than ticking off 50 boxes, the authors encourage readers to look at 50 Lessons for Happy Lawyers to find the lessons that speak to them. (For host Lee Rawles, one of those was the suggestion to make a “to don’t” list to remove unnecessary tasks from her plate.)

Tune in to hear Bergman and Castro discuss the research that went into 50 Lessons for Happy Lawyers, the other books in the 50 Lessons for Lawyers series, and their advice for lawyers who are finding it difficult to cope with the stress of their professional and personal lives.

My guest this week, Julian Hayes II says yes.

Julian is an author, an executive health consultant, and the founder of The Art of Fitness & Life. His mission is to help entrepreneurs, executives, and high performers elevate their status and upgrade their energy and entire human system so they can run around with their great-great-grandchildren—not just see them. 

This mission is accomplished through leveraging their unique D.N.A., data-driven health metrics, N of 1 personalized programming, high-tech toys, and a performance team. He’s also the host of Optimal Health for Busy Entrepreneurs and has written extensively at many of the world’s largest publications such as Inc, Entrepreneur, SUCCESS & many more.

Julian gives listeners actionable tips on:

• [2:00] The current status of mental health
• [6:20] The science behind burnout
• [18:50] Data-driven health metrics
• [19:40] Biological vs. chronological age
• [26:25] How to adjust your results through nutrition 
• [34:10] Julian’s book recommendation 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Levels of Energy by Frederick Dodson

Connect with Julian here:

• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• https://theartoffitnessandlife.com 

Connect with me

• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Facebook
• Twitter
• Karin on Twitter
• Karin on LinkedIn
• Conroy Creative Counsel on Facebook
• https://conroycreativecounsel.com 

Daniel Lukasik is the Judicial Wellness Coordinator for the New York State Office of Court Administration and the founder of lawyerswithdepression.com.

Caitlin “Cat” Moon is the Director of Innovation Design for the Program in Law and Innovation at Vanderbilt Law School.

Alecia Chandler is Professional Responsibility Programs Director for the State Bar of Michigan.

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free!

Thanks to LawPay, Postali, and Posh Virtual Receptionists for sponsoring this episode.

If today’s podcast resonates with you and you haven’t read The Small Firm Roadmap yet, get the first chapter right now for free!

Thanks to LawPay, Postali, and Posh Virtual Receptionists for sponsoring this episode.