IBA launches Professional Wellbeing Commission

The International Bar Association has announced the creation of its Professional Wellbeing Commission – a new, permanent body within the IBA dedicated to improving the wellbeing of lawyers and legal professionals around the world.

The initiative represents the IBA’s response to the growing recognition of the importance of the wellbeing of the legal community, and the need for action. It has restated its commitment to prioritising the welfare of its members, as well as that of the wider legal community.

Key objectives of the new Commission include:

• promoting the importance of wellbeing as a core issue and priority for the global legal community;
• identifying, coordinating, and organising various global stakeholders in changing or modifying the culture and mindset of the legal profession;
• raising awareness of the challenges and stigma surrounding discussions of wellbeing, while keeping in mind the cultural differences needed when engaging with this issue;
• highlighting the ways in which wellbeing issues, needs, and responses vary between different demographic groups;
• promoting and sharing policies and working practices that help to promote positive and sustainable wellbeing within the legal profession; and
• making recommendations to change or modify the practical and regulatory environment of the legal profession at all levels, where possible.

A planned course of activity includes the Commission bringing together representatives of organisations from different jurisdictions, sections of the IBA, and outside experts with an interest in advancing wellbeing in the global legal community; identifying issues and concerns that are common across jurisdictions and where collaboration will be beneficial, while also highlighting and acknowledging the need for targeted jurisdictional interventions; helping to develop and disseminate the IBA Wellbeing Principles; and contributing to the creation of a global portal of resources and best practice via the Commission’s website. 

Co-chairs of the new Commission are Steven Richman and Deborah Enix-Ross (both USA), with tenures for two years. During this period, they will help coordinate the work of 15 commissioners, comprising an international team of IBA members and external experts.

In a joint statement, they said: "The wellbeing challenges faced by the profession seem to be growing in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. It is vital that any response to this crisis is coordinated at a global level, and so we look forward to working with our commissioners, and dedicated IBA staff, to make a difference to lawyers and other legal professionals wherever they may be in the world. We are extremely excited by the opportunity to continue the great work of the IBA presidential wellbeing taskforce, initiated by a former IBA President, Horacio Bernardes Neto. Our hopes for the success of the Commission are high and we are honoured to be entrusted with its launch."