In response to the needs of those who may be feeling the impact of the rapidly changing landscape, LCL is launching an 8-session support program specifically for lawyers working in the non-profit sector, as well as lawyers whose work has been impacted by the current government situation. The program will offer 4 sessions focused on peer support and stress management tools and 4 sessions focused on employment transition skills. While registration will be organized into these two categories, participants are welcome to attend any or all the sessions. Each session of peer support and stress management tools will be limited to 20 participants. Future offerings of this support group will be based on interest and registration strength.
We’re doing this because lawyers sit at an important intersection of our community. Lawyers serve others through the lens of their unique qualities and experiences. Much like the “sandwich generation,” lawyers often find themselves sandwiched between powerful external forces and the needs of the clients they serve. This becomes especially difficult when those external forces feel punitive or seem to be the root of undue suffering. Many of us have grown up in the practice of law with a particular view of how lawyering is done, and how the administration of justice is accomplished. So, when legal precedents are disrupted or the system for pursuing justice shifts dramatically, our stress responses can be activated.
Under the current government administration, we are seeing changes that many of us have never experienced before in our personal or professional lives. These shifts are not only procedural or policy-based—they also strike at the heart of who we are and the communities we care about. Such seismic change can deeply affect our capacity to function as legal professionals. For some, this has already resulted in job loss, separation from loved ones due to immigration enforcement, or the emotional toll of representing clients going through these ordeals. This is where LCL comes in.
At LCL, our mission is to promote well-being and resilience in the legal community, to improve lives, nurture competence, and elevate the standing of the legal profession. A healthy and thriving legal community is not only our vision—it is essential to a just and civil society. It’s also a large part of why I became a lawyer. As LCL’s executive director, I am honored to serve every legal professional who allows us to walk with them on any part of their journey. I’m equally privileged to lead a team of skilled and compassionate colleagues who share this mission.
At the heart of our work is the appreciation that each individual matters. Lawyers carry the capacity to affect exponential change in their communities. We all arrive at this work shaped by our life experiences and our well-being across what are commonly called the 8 Dimensions of Wellness. These factors influence how we interpret and respond to each moment, making it likely that who we are as people impacts the way we experience the practice of law and the way we practice law impacts our life experience. We are committed to honoring the contributions of every lawyer by ensuring our programs are accessible, inclusive, and relevant. Our clinical team provides confidential support to help individuals navigate personal and professional challenges. Our interdisciplinary approach includes coaching, practice management support, and ethics guidance to ensure that lawyers can meet the highest standards even in difficult times. Whether now, or in the future, LCL is here to help.
Stacey A. L. Best, Esq.
Executive Director, LCLMA
SESSIONS ON DEMAND
THE FULFILLMENT FORMULA: ASSESSING YOUR LEGAL CAREER [EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION SKILLS]
with Emily Hirsekorn, guest speaker
PAPER THAT PERFORMS: BUILDING A WINNING LEGAL RÉSUMÉ [EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION SKILLS]
with Amy Levine
ESSENTIAL NETWORKING STRATEGIES FOR A SMARTER JOB SEARCH [EMPLOYMENT TRANSITION SKILLS]
with Elena Deutsch, guest speaker
ACE THE INTERVIEW: A PREP GUIDE FOR LAWYERS [Employment Transition Skills]
with Amy Levine
Meet Our Presenters
Tracey Meyers, Psy.D.
Staff Clinician, LCLMA
Dr. Tracey Meyers joined LCL in 2020 following her work for the State of Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services where she spent over 17 years working as a clinical neuropsychologist and most recently as the director of behavioral intervention services for inpatient services. In addition to her over 25 years of neuropsychological assessment and psychotherapy experience, Tracey has a strong commitment to integrative medicine for mental health and wellness and leads mindfulness and yoga programs for groups, individuals, and professionals in the workplace.
Tracey graduated from Skidmore College in 1992 and completed her doctorate in clinical psychology from Florida Tech in 1997. She completed her internship and post-doctoral training in neuropsychology at the Miami VA and University of Miami. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, the National Association of Neuropsychology, the International Neuropsychological Society, and the National Register of Healthcare Providers in Psychology. Tracey is a licensed clinical psychologist in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York. In addition, she is an advanced yoga teacher, certified trainer in Mental Health First Aid, certified yoga therapist, and an instructor in Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Mindful-Self Compassion, Breath-Body-Mind, and Integrative Restoration (iRest).
Tracey has authored several publications including articles and book chapters around integrative medicine, positive behavioral support treatment for different mental health conditions, and developing collaborative relationships in healthcare settings. Tracey is the author of the book, Yin Yoga Therapy and Mental Health, a guide for well-being using the healing practices of yoga and meditation.
Tracey runs our Weekly Yoga for Busy Legal Professionals and Weekly Mindfulness for Busy Legal Professionals, as well as office hours and groups at Massachusetts law schools. She is on the board of Mindfulness and the Law Society (MILS) and regularly leads mindfulness practices for their national organization. Tracey is committed to reducing stigma around mental health in the law and co-facilitates Mental Health First Aid certification trainings for legal professionals.
Tracey can be reached at (617) 482-9600 or tracey@lclma.org.
Shawn Healy, Ph.D.
Staff Clinician, LCLMA
Shawn Healy, Ph.D. is the Director of Administrative Operations at LCLMA as well as a clinical psychologist on the clinical team. In his clinical role he provides individual clinical consultations and groups to law students, lawyers, judges, and legal professionals. He regularly presents and publishes on all manner of mental health topics germane to the legal community. Shawn is also a certified trainer in Mental Health First Aid and serves as a co-chair of the Massachusetts Bar Association’s Lawyer Well-Being Committee.
Shawn joined LCLMA in March of 2014 following his work in a private group practice in Cambridge. Prior to private practice, Shawn worked at the May Institute, Inc. for 10 years where he initially completed his pre-doctoral internship and post-doctoral fellowship. He later became the Clinical Director and finally the Director of Clinical Services and Operations for the Behavioral Health Division of the May Institute where he managed two outpatient clinics and four-day treatment programs. Shawn graduated from Suffolk University in Boston, MA in 2006 with his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. His dissertation and research interests are in the field of conflict resolution, and he has been involved in facilitating many conflict resolution workshops, discussion groups, and mediation and private conflict coaching sessions.
Shawn is a member of the American Psychological Association and of the Massachusetts Psychological Association and is licensed in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a psychologist.
Shawn coauthored the book The Full Weight of the Law: How Legal Professionals Can Recognize and Rebound from Depression (ABA publication, 2017 – available in our lending library) with another LCL Clinical Psychologist, Dr. Jeff Fortgang.
Shawn runs our ADHD Support Group Meetings & Workshops and co-facilitates Mental Health First Aid certification trainings for legal professionals. Shawn can be reached at (617) 482-9600 or shawn@lclma.org.
Amy Levine
Director of Programs & Volunteers, LCLMA
Amy Levine joined LCL in 2023. As Director of Programs and Volunteers, Amy coordinates our organization’s educational programming as well as contributions to our organization from across the Massachusetts legal profession.
Amy Levine has over 20 years working in the legal industry including working at Goulston & Storrs and Hale and Dorr (currently WilmerHale) and spent the last 15 years working as a vice president and legal recruiter at one of the top legal staffing firms in New England. She has experience in recruiting, coaching, counseling, professional development, and career management. She has presented at Boston University Paralegal Certificate program, the Massachusetts Paralegal Association and resume workshops. Additionally, she has coached Attorneys, Paralegals and Business Professionals on resume writing, job search techniques, and other elements of this process to find their ideal job. She received her Master of Social Work degree from Boston University and has dedicated her career to improving people’s lives.
Emily Hirsekorn, JD, PCC, ELI-MP, COR.E Leadership Dynamics Specialist
Emily Hirsekorn is a career leadership coach for lawyers with a background in private legal practice, anti-bias education, law career advising, and professional development. She is credentialed with the ICF—the gold standard in the industry—and is also certified with the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC) as an Energy Leadership™ Index-Master Practitioner and COR.E Leadership Dynamics™ Specialist. She offers iPEC’s robust leadership development curriculum designed to help maximize lawyer performance, influence, and fulfillment and delivers talks regularly on performance management and her signature framework The Career Leadership Code. Emily has supported thousands of leaders, lawyers, and law students over the past decade through individual coaching, group programming, and corporate retreats, having worked most recently with organizational clients such as Littler Mendelson, Northwestern Mutual, the Florida Justice Association, and the South Asian Bar Association. As a mother of two, entrepreneur, and involved community member, Emily brings to her work a personal understanding of the competing needs of work and home.
Elena F. Deutsch, MPH
Leadership and Career Coach
Elena F. Deutsch, MPH has been a leadership and career coach for 20 years. After working with many unhappy women attorneys, she founded WILL – Women Interested in Leaving (big) Law.
She helps clients have clarity on what else they could do, in law or out. She guides lawyers to identify their strengths, figure out what they truly want, and kick inner critics out of the driver’s seat. Many of her clients continue to practice law in new ways, start businesses or embark on a new career.
Her work has been featured in Above the Law, The American Lawyer, Bloomberg Big Law Business and The Wall Street Journal. She led presentations and workshops for the NYC Bar, New York County Lawyers Association, Beverly Hills Bar, DC Bar and more.
Find her at www.womeninterestedinleavinglaw.com or on LinkedIn.