The February issue of New Jersey Lawyer is the first edition in the history of the publication to review mental health and well-being in the legal community and how many professionals struggle with it due to the demands of the profession.
Published by the New Jersey State Bar Association, the edition features 10 articles that give a voice to many issues seldomly addressed in legal publications, including substance abuse among legal professionals, the stress associated with too much screen time and work-life balance. Attorneys who maintain healthy lifestyles are often more focused, competent and have sound judgment when confronted with challenges, according to Lori Ann Buza, the special editor to the February magazine. The featured authors for the edition include a retired Superior Court judge, two past presidents of the NJSBA, a suspended attorney who is a recovering addict and other experts on wellness.
The issue also includes practice tips on how attorneys can improve their relationships with their paralegals and take a holistic approach to well-being. NJSBA President Timothy F. McGoughran also reports on the Association’s commitment to improving well-being in the legal profession through its advocacy for expanding mental health diversion courts, a free mental health hotline for state bar members and their families and upcoming programming that spotlights attorney wellness.
Here is a full list of articles from the edition:
• Tackling the Mental Health Crisis in the Legal Profession: Breaking the Silence, Removing the
Stigma, and Providing the Resources – By Kirsten Scheurer Branigan, Beth P. Zoller and Katie Ann Insinga
• Embracing Strengths and Capitalizing on Neuroplasticity Can Unlock a Healthier Life – By Dr. Defne Ekin
• The Practice of Recovery: A Lawyer’s Substance Abuse Journey from Denial, to Chaos, to Healing – By Nicole Perskie
• Stress: A Lawyer’s Most Difficult Adversary – By The Hon. Kevin G. Callahan JSC (Ret.)
• Balance and Resilience: Maintaining Well-being in the Legal Profession – By John E. Keefe, Jr.
• A Legal Paradigm Shift: Decoding Workplace Values of Upcoming Attorneys – By Rachael Wolfram and Morgan Walsh
• Bar Associations Embrace Comprehensive Mental, Physical Health Initiatives – By Kimberly A. Yonta
• Perpetually Plugged-In Practices: How Lawyers Can Cope with Escalating Screen Time Pressures – By Anthony J. Geremonte
• The Straight Dope on Addictions: How They Manifest, What Their Characteristics Are, and How to Treat Them – By Ray Ortiz
• The Juggle is Real: How to Facilitate and Support a Strong Cadre of Attorneys at All Levels – By Nicole G. McDonough
The full issue of New Jersey Lawyer is available on njsba.com.