Success: time to reframe

For many in the law, success is viewed as synonymous with position and salary. There is an expectation that begins as a law student that you will give up much of your life to study, train and work hard in the law, resulting in money and eventually a greater level of autonomy. 

The legal professional model is largely built on this view of success, but for many it simply doesn’t work and is problematic. Some never really feel like they’ve achieved success and remain disillusioned and unsatisfied, or struggle with imposter syndrome. For some people in the law, they will only feel they have “made it” when they become a partner, or sometimes when they retire or exit the profession with the money they have saved. By the time they have reached the level they aspired to, they are often exhausted and disenchanted, and do little to improve the profession for those coming into it. And so the cycle continues.

On the LawCare support service we hear from many lawyers, particularly at the junior end of the profession, who say law just isn’t working for them as a career. Around 65% of those who contact us are under 45, and many are frustrated with the competitive, hierarchical, long hours culture. They have no time to spend with family and friends or pursue hobbies or other interests, and this can significantly affect their mental health and wellbeing. They are often perfectionists, putting huge amounts of pressure on themselves, and are terrified of making mistakes. They have spent years and lots of money studying, fought off competition to get a training contract, and sometimes moved far from home, only to feel that life in the law doesn’t suit them. Many are getting to a stage of burnout, and they are leaving the profession in their droves.

A report published earlier this year by the International Bar Association revealed that one in five young lawyers were thinking about leaving the profession completely. Our 2021 Life in the Law research found that legal professionals are at high risk of burnout, worn down by constant pressure, client demands and workload. Do we need to reframe what a successful career in law looks like, to attract and retain people in the profession?

Can’t buy happiness

Success might be traditionally viewed in terms of money and power, but we know that this is not what makes people happy. Research shows that happiness is found from human connection, gratitude, performing acts of kindness to others, an investment in experiences not things, and surrounding yourself with positive people. In terms of earnings, a 2010 study found that once people had met an earning threshold of around £54,000 (about £65,000 in today’s money), their happiness stayed the same or began to decrease. Often the kneejerk response to the recruitment problem is to raise salaries, but if this doesn’t increase people’s happiness, it won’t solve the problem. Organisational psychologist Adam Grant says: “In burnout cultures, people are judged by the sacrifices they make. Hobbies, vacations, and even family time are viewed as distractions to penalise. In healthy cultures, people are judged by the commitments they keep. Interests outside work are seen as passions to celebrate.”

For firms wanting to keep staff and attract new blood, ask people what is important to them and use the data to develop a new set of policies that support wellbeing. It might be acknowledging the importance of rest from work by introducing a ban on emailing people on annual leave, or a recognised time off in lieu policy. For those feeling like they’ve lost their way, ask yourself what a different version of success could look like for you? Look to find a role in the law that meets your values and what you consider to be important in life, whether that’s a firm that is family friendly, or prioritises the wellbeing of its staff, or has a strong commitment to a particular environmental or social issue. It could be looking at changing department or specialism, or using your legal skills in a different setting. Ultimately a successful lawyer is happy, healthy, thriving and doing their best work – there is no requirement to follow a set path through the profession in order to achieve this.

You can contact LawCare for support on 0800 279 6888, email support@lawcare.org.uk or access online live chat and other resources at www.lawcare.org.uk

Join our Tell Ten campaign for World Mental Health Day, and tag 10 colleagues or friends on social media or send an email or text, to let them know about the free, confidential service LawCare offers everyone working in the law. You never know when someone might need us.