As many as 1 in 3 practicing lawyers qualify as problem drinkers, and the New Year is a popular time to begin sobriety, whether experimentally in "Dry January" or with the intention to commit for a lifetime. Roughly 20-36%…
Formed nearly a year ago under the late Chief Justice Gants, the Massachusetts SJC Standing Committee on Lawyer Well-Being has been working hard on a number of initiatives involving leadership from across the legal community in the Commonwealth. In…
The National Judicial Stress and Resiliency Survey published on Dec. 23, 2020 indicates job-related stress is a serious health concern among judges across the US. Stress and Resiliency in the US Judiciary, a comprehensive report published in the 2020 Journal…
Kevin Curtin was a pillar, a devoted mentor, and an inspiring source of kindness and warmth in the Massachusetts legal community. The sudden passing of Kevin Curtin, Chair of the Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers Oversight Committee, is a tremendous…
The right habits can make a big difference for busy lawyers and law students -- but making them stick can be challenging. Shifting our focus to our environment (and 'keystone habits') can make a big difference. Some habits that…
The BBA recently hosted a discussion featuring Paulette Brown and Eileen Letts, two authors of a study recently published by the ABA Commission on Women in the Profession, also written by Destiny Peery, that demonstrates the urgency for change in…
The Massachusetts Black Lawyers Association has relaunched its Mentorship Program -- the deadline for application is December 18, 2020. The MBLA's mentorship program offers 1-on-1 mentoring between a Black law student and Black attorney. Mentoring pairs meet quarterly to…
Rachel Ramirez Gants, Chief Justice Gants' daughter, accepted the posthumous honor on her father's behalf in a virtual ceremony on November 11, 2020. The American Bar Association's Commission on Lawyer Assistance Programs posthumously honored Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Chief…
Building skills in trauma-informed legal advocacy is key for lawyers practicing in any areas that involve clients who have suffered trauma. We’ve compiled several resources on trauma-informed legal advocacy for the many lawyers whose clients have experienced trauma. Our thanks…
The "traditional" year end holiday season is typically a stressful time for many of us, and 2020 is tougher than ever. The end of the year has been a stressful time of year holiday season for many of us,…