It’s not surprising that legal work is an exhausting and mentally-taxing field. There have been many cases of law department employees experiencing mental health-related issues stemming from their job’s emotionally-draining nature, and ultimately leading to them burning out or relying on alcohol or other addictive substances to help alleviate some of the stress. Employers have to play a key role in supporting employees’ mental health, and many organizations are now starting to take notice and institute programs that help their employees manage their emotional, physical and occupational wellbeing. In this session, GCs and in-house counsel weigh in on the importance of managing stress in a healthy way -- the ability to identify and manage emotions to support mental health, maintaining a proper diet and nutrition, while minimizing the use of addictive substances, and cultivating personal satisfaction, growth and enrichment in work -- and discuss the steps that their organizations are taking to promote a healthy work/life balance and positive mental health.

 

Speakers:

Tracy Kepler, Director, Center for Professional Responsibility, American Bar Association

Kim Metrick, Vice President, Employment Law, Legal Operations & Investigations, Walgreens Boots Alliance

Theresa Shea, Vice President & General Counsel, True Value

Rebecca A. Simon, Lecturer & Co-Director, USC Gould School of Law Peak Performance Program, University of California, Irvine School of Law