Lawyers are among some of the most stressful occupations, according to a recent analysis made by the Washington Post, which used data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The study found that “a white collar [job] appears to come with significantly more stress than a blue one.”
The Washington Post analyzed data obtained from four American Time Use Surveys conducted between 2010 and 2021. The surveys inquired about the significance of respondents’ activities and their emotions such as happiness, sadness, stress, pain, and fatigue, on a six-point scale.
Lawyers were listed in the most stressed sector that had a rating of 2.7 on the six-point scale.
The American Bar Association reports one of the main causes of stress in the legal field is the pressure to constantly perform at a high level. Lawyers are expected to provide expert advice, make critical decisions, and work under tight deadlines, all while dealing with the constant demands of clients, colleagues, and the court system. This can lead to burnout, anxiety, and depression, which are all too common in the legal profession.
Carson Smith, an assistant public defender for Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office in North Carolina, said he feels fortunate in the career path he has taken but admits that being a lawyer is often exhausting.
“There is a tremendous amount of pressure that comes with representing clients,” Smith said. “In my job, my performance could be the difference between someone going to prison for years or remaining free. With civil attorneys, custody of a child or a huge amount of money could be on the line.”
To mitigate the stress and burnout associated with the legal profession, it is important for lawyers to prioritize self-care and work-life balance.
“I’ve worked hard to find healthy outlets to unplug and disconnect from that stress,” Smith said. “Bottom line, no matter how much you love the work, do not make your work your identity. Prioritize your personal life and find things that bring you joy unrelated to work. It will make you a better, and happier, attorney.”
You can read more about Carson Smith in the upcoming Winter 2023 issue of preLaw magazine.
