TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on May 19, 2021

A new study finds that depression symptoms, anxiety and stress are higher in women attorneys since the pandemic, the ABA Journal reports. The report also finds that a larger percentage of women than men are engaging in risky or hazardous drinking, and one in four women have considered leaving the profession due to mental health concerns. Causes identified include disparity in power in the workplace, disparity in promotions and pay, discrimination and lack of opportunity. The study was conducted by a University of Minnesota psychiatry professor and a lawyer who also is a licensed and board-certified alcohol and drug counselor. The pair write about their findings in “Stress, drink, leave: An examination of gender-specific risk factors for mental health problems and attrition among licensed attorneys.” Related, another recent survey from legal recruiter Major, Lindsey & Africa found about one in five respondents have not been satisfied with how their firm has supported parents during the pandemic. Westlaw has more on that study.