The impact of Covid-19 pandemic on overall well-being of practicing lawyers

Abstract

Every day lawyers provide counsel and advocacy to individuals, groups, and businesses in a multitude of settings. From court room to board room, attorneys are relied upon to guide their clients through difficult situations. In doing this, attorneys all too often internalize the stresses of those that they help. The legal system has long been considered a stressful occupation. This stressful environment was further taxed by the wider societal disruptions in 2020 as we dealt with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond the illness itself, the pandemic forced widespread court closures and made it more difficult to communicate with clients. Based upon a survey of the membership of the Kentucky Bar Association, this paper considers the impact of the pandemic on attorney wellness in a variety of categories. These results demonstrated marked negative impacts on a variety of wellness measures which may result in significant reductions in service provision and efficacy for the people who need legal services. The pandemic made the practice of law harder and more stressful. Attorneys suffered increased incidence of substance abuse, alcohol consumption, and stress during the pandemic. These results were generally worse among those practicing in the areas of criminal law. In light of these adverse psychological effects facing attorneys, the authors argue the need for increased mental health support resources for attorneys, as well as establishing clear steps to raise awareness among the legal community about the importance of mental health and personal wellness.

Variations in self-reported mental health in low-income urban areas during COVID-19: Insights from South Africa

“…Thus, although the pandemic brought about numerous hardships and mental health challenges, people may have also developed some positive experiences that may have helped them to cope. Bene t-nding promotes appreciation of simple things, resilience and adaptation, re ection and reprioritisation, personal growth, digital innovation and connectivity, and community solidarity [42][43][44] , which may improve mental health during the pandemic.…”

“…Concerning age, Westerhof and Keyes 40 (in the Netherlands) and Thomas et al 41 (in San Diego, USA) also found a linear relationship between age and improving mental health. This result may be explained by older people being more secure nancially and having survived other challenges which made them more resilient 41 ; and perhaps through bene t-nding during adversities [42][43][44] , which are all associated with better mental health. Thus, although the pandemic brought about numerous hardships and mental health challenges, people may have also developed some positive experiences that may have helped them to cope.…”

Vol. 14 No. 1 (2024)

“…Less attention has been paid to the impact of the pandemic on professionals practising outside the health sphere. Nonetheless, they, too, experienced changes to the conditions, content, and location of their work (Fore & Stevenson, 2023). Many of these pandemic-induced changes to work are temporary, but some could be more permanent, and hence they deserve more attention.…”

Professional Regulation and Change in Times of Crisis: Differing Opportunities Within and Across Ecologies

“…Less attention has been paid to the impact of the pandemic on professionals practising outside the health sphere. Nonetheless, they, too, experienced changes to the conditions, content, and location of their work (Fore & Stevenson, 2023). Many of these pandemic-induced changes to work are temporary, but some could be more permanent, and hence they deserve more attention.…”