Lawyers have consistently ranked among the highest stress
occupations which have led to disproportionately high levels of
suicide, depression and substance abuse. Long hours and
competitive pressures have been listed as factors
effecting lawyers.
The average lawyer works 60-80 hours a week. 1
The American Bar Association has
issued the following statement regarding substance abuse within the legal
community. "Because many lawyers and judges are overachievers who
carry an enormous workload, the tendency to 'escape' from daily problems through
the use of drugs and alcohol is prevalent in the legal community."
Startling statistics regarding
lawyers:
18-20% of lawyers abuse drugs;
20% of lawyers suffer from depression as
well as 40% of law students. 1
In addition, the Michigan Bar Journal
sited the problem of "psychic battering" - the repeated exposure to
bad human behavior
as a serious issue effecting attorneys. This is a
factor that particularly effects attorneys that practice law in
the criminal and family law areas. 2
Many lawyers take on the problems of
their clients and it compounds with their own issues. This coupled
with long hours and other pressures, create an
atmosphere where an attorney can slowly sink into the danger zone
making them particularly susceptible to depression and
substance abuse issues.
Many attorney begin to despise the profession and a 2008 study by the
American Bar Association found that nearly half of attorneys are dissatisfied
with their career. Many if they had to do it over, would not
become lawyers.
The founder of Law of 4, Jay Perez, is
himself a lawyer and was troubled by the issues plaguing his
profession. Jay watched the toll this profession has taken on
many of his friends and colleagues and he was inspired
to create a program to help attorneys.
The Law of 4, offers a 3 hour workshop specifically designed for
attorneys to help motivate them to stay on the right path; balance their
life and to fall in love again with their
profession. Whether you have a small firm of 2-3
attorneys or a large firm with dozens of attorneys, we can help. We provide
on location workshops tailored to your needs.
1. Interventionstrategies.com/17-statistics-on-drug-abuse-among-lawyers/
2.
abajournal.com/new/article/perfectionism_psychic_battering_among_reasons