Stress Awareness Week serves as a powerful reminder that the legal profession, while demanding, shouldn’t be synonymous with burnout.
Understanding the common sources of stress in law
Lawyers often strive for perfection and work long hours under pressure, making them susceptible to stress. This can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed and unable to cope, particularly when work-life balance is compromised. According to LawCare, here are some stressors commonly experienced by legal professionals:
- Job insecurity and lack of status
- Impossible targets and billable hour pressure
- Unsupportive colleagues or managers
- Long, inflexible hours hindering work-life balance
- Lack of support or supervision
- Overwhelming responsibilities at home bleeding into work
But what’s the solution?
Law has not traditionally encouraged a healthy work-life balance, but things are slowly changing. Leaders are putting greater emphasis on wellbeing in law firms, and the consultancy model has exploded in recent years, offering a more flexible alternative for lawyers seeking balance.
Of course, there’s not just one solution to this industry-wide problem, but there are some measures firms can put in place to reduce stress for their lawyers.
Our Director and Head of Wellbeing, Marissa Ayres, was the first to hold this kind of role in the UK legal industry. Here are some of her top tips for law firms who want to help reduce burnout and support a healthy workplace:
- Firms could look at introducing more reasonable billing targets (or, as we do here at Setfords, have no billing targets at all).
- Encourage flexible working and a healthy work-life balance for all and listening to what this looks like for each individual lawyer.
- Providing access to wellbeing resources, such as webinars and in-person events. We run a huge programme of events like this at Setfords, designed to support our lawyers with topics covering everything from mediation to knowing your worth and setting the right fees.
- Encouraging collaboration between lawyers, particularly when working remotely. Setfords’ lawyer network is very active, with plenty of lawyers cross-referring work every day and making connections so they’ve always got someone to lean on.
- Encouraging and expecting autonomy, so lawyers don’t feel that they’re being micromanaged.
- Overall, supporting each lawyer as an individual, encouraging them to be open, and listening to their needs to provide a healthy and positive work environment.
It doesn’t have to be this way
One of the biggest factors for reducing stress is ensuring you have the right support in place. At Setfords, we invest heavily in our support teams. They’re here to help our lawyers grow their businesses in a way that makes sense for them. From day-to-day admin support to business development leads, we have everything covered. Our lawyers can focus on what’s most important – their clients and their lives outside of work.
So, our consultancy model removes some of the biggest stressors associated with traditional firms, but what does this look like in practice?
Freedom from billing targets
Our consultants don’t have the pressure to meet monthly or annual billing targets. This freedom allows them to focus on the quality of their work rather than purely on quantity.
Autonomy over your time
Our consultants have full control over their schedules, tailoring their workdays to suit their personal and professional needs. This flexibility makes it possible to prioritise family time, personal health and wellbeing while still achieving professional success.
Backed by a comprehensive support system
No other law firm supports its lawyers like we do. While our consultants have the independence to run their practice as they choose, they’re never alone. Our comprehensive support package is here to help you from the day you sign your contract.
Dedicated Wellbeing Department
Wellbeing isn’t a buzzword here—it’s our commitment to your success and happiness every step of the way. Our dedicated wellbeing department is here to check in and ensure you’re thriving, not just surviving. We understand the challenges of working in law, and our wellbeing initiatives are in place to support you.
LawCare support
LawCare is a leading mental health charity dedicated to supporting the legal profession. They provide confidential advice, support, and information to lawyers experiencing stress, anxiety, or other mental health challenges. They offer a range of services, including a helpline, online resources, and face-to-face counseling.
For more information and practice tips on managing stress, visit LawCare’s website here.
Get in touch
If you’re a legal professional seeking a more balanced and rewarding career, consultancy with Setfords is an ideal solution. With Setfords’ industry-leading support, you can take back control of your time, reduce stress, and achieve a healthier work-life balance. Explore the flexibility and support that comes with consultancy to build a career that aligns with both your personal and professional goals.
For a confidential initial conversation about how consultancy with Setfords could change your life, please get in touch today.
