January 2024

IWIL ALERT

NEWS & MORE

THE ED REPORT – Denise Gaskin

New Yearís Intentions.

The New Year always causes me to stop and reflect on what the past year brought and what might be up next, personally and professionally.

Not necessarily New Yearís Resolutions, but more along the lines of intentions for the year. What might bring something valuable this year?

Here are some resources that could support New Yearís Intentions.

Join us at the Nationís Largest Legal Well-Being Conference, January 23-25. Register here for three days of well-being education, ideas, and connection.
Mary Beth OíConnor shares her article about the benefits of a Dry (or Damp) January through abstinence or reduction of alcohol.
Stephanie Mitchell Hughes shares her story about workplace toxicity and how she survived and found her way out and beyond. You can hear Stephanie speak live at the Well-Being Conference!
Dr. Matt Thiese provides compelling information in his article on Mental Preparedness. He delivers a roadmap to help us regain good mental health or maintain current levels of resilience.

Happy New Year, and hereís to more Well-Being in Law!

Denise

IWIL CONFERENCE

Join us for the Nationís Largest Legal Well-Being Conference on January 23-25, 2024!

#IWIL2024

We provide four unique well-being tracks: Individual, Workplace, State & Local Task Forces, and Law School.

Over 50 experts share their stories, research, ideas, and inspiring messages to support individual and workplace well-being.

Dr. Laurie Santos, Professor of Psychology and Head of Silliman College, Yale University, presents the Keynote on Getting Unstuck: Reconnect, Re-Engage, & Revitalize.

FROM IWIL’S CATALYST TEAM

Original content from the IWIL community on the subject matters that matter:

Dry January by Mary Beth OíConnor

There is a time-honored tradition that over 20% of Americans participate in each January- abstaining (dry) or reducing (damp) the amount of alcohol intake for January. Learn why considering a Dry January could be beneficial.

Read Here

You Will Not Break My Soul by Stephanie Mitchell Hughes

Stephanie Mitchell Hughes shares her story of the toil of working in a toxic environment and how she discovered a new path of hope and well-being, letting go and moving on.

Stephanie will also speak at #IWIL2024 during the Wednesday session Journeys Unveiled: Navigating Mental Health and Advocacy for Black Women in the Legal Profession at 11:00 am ET.

Read Here

Mental Preparedness for All by Matthew Thiese, PhD, MSPH

Dr. Matt Thiese brings us a look at the intense stress of the legal profession, ways we can acknowledge the unique pressures faced in our field, and ways to foster a healthier, more productive professional life. Learn critical strategies for improving or maintaining good mental health.

Read Here

WHAT WE ARE READING

Gavin Alexander wrote about his observations and suggestions about the impact of supervisory and managerial relationships on lawyer well-being and how these relationships can be improved by focusing on achieving non-judgmental clarity.

Here is a link to Gavin’s article in PLI Chronicle: Influencing Lawyer Well-Being with Collaborative Clarity

Laura Mahr, Esq. again provides us with some articles she shared with the NC State Bar Journal and the NC Lawyer Assistance Program.

Bypassing Burnout Beliefs: Eight Steps to Transform Beliefs that Exhaust You (NC Bar)
10 Questions to Unearth Subconscious Stuckness and Transform Limiting Beliefs (NCLAP)
The podcast Transform Limiting Beliefs correlates with the “10 Questions” article and gives listeners a chance to listen as I guide Candace Hoffman, NCLAP Field Coordinator, and podcast host, through the ten questions and then allow listeners to try it for themselves. (NCLAP) ??
Mental Health Support is Top Lawyer Wellness Perk (Bloomberg Law)
Making it Back: Bruce Simpson tried to take his own life, then he started healing (ABA Journal)
Law360 Post regarding IWIL’s Response to the 5th Circuit Decision (Law360)

WELCOME NEW IWIL BOARD MEMBERS

IWIL welcomes five new Directors to our Board this month. We are so grateful for the talent, enthusiasm, and dedication for well-being in law. Welcome aboard!