A new survey by the New Jersey State Bar Association found that 68% of its members reported experiencing anxiety during the two-week time period, 56% reported a high prevalence of alcohol misuse and 10% reported having suicidal thoughts. Research by other bar associations, including New York, Massachusetts, California and D.C. reached similar conclusions: Attorneys suffer burnout, depression, suicidal thoughts, substance use disorders and anxiety at significantly higher rates than the working population.
The New Jersey bar recently asked the state’s supreme court to eliminate a question about mental health conditions on the character and fitness questionnaire, arguing that such questions deter people from seeking help. Meanwhile, some law schools are experimenting with a new tactic to identify struggling students and get them help.
More from the legal industry …
Law schools say the U.S. News rankings include faulty job data, amid delays in release. New York’s Senate confirmed Rowan Wilson to lead the state’s highest court, making him the first Black judge in the role. The Democratic National Committee parted ways with longtime lawyer Marc Elias. President Biden nominated a Texas judge for the conservative-leaning 5th Circuit. A lawyer with a client list boasting Elon Musk, Mark Cuban and Hunter Biden launched his own litigation firm. The 3rd Circuit weighed a free speech challenge to a Pennsylvania attorney conduct rule. The State Bar of California has outspent its general fund revenue in recent years, a new auditor’s report showed. Robert Corn-Revere has left Davis Wright Tremaine to be chief counsel for non-profit Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression.
MOVES:
- In Washington, D.C. …
President Joe Biden’s former chief of staff Ron Klain joined O’Melveny. Quinn Emanuel hired a former DOJ trial lawyer as a co-head of its new False Claims Act practice group. Simpson Thacher added a financial institutions partner. Clifford Chance added antitrust partners amid an enforcement push.
- In New York …
The judge who oversaw the bankruptcies of Purdue Pharma and Sears will join Skadden as of counsel. Mintz brought on a private equity partner from Troutman Pepper. Ropes & Gray hired an intellectual property transactions partner from Shearman & Sterling. Milbank added three partners specializing in structured finance from King & Spalding, including the head of the firm’s practice. Mayer Brown enhanced its leveraged finance, private credit and restructuring capabilities with partner hire from Gibson Dunn and hired a cybersecurity leader from New York’s state government as a litigation partner.
- In Boston …
Finnegan welcomed a trademark and copyright attorney as of counsel. Covington & Burling opened an office in the city.
- In Houston …
The leader of Shearman & Sterling’s energy innovation practice joined rival Weil.
- In Silicon Valley …
Allen & Overy welcomed a data privacy and cybersecurity partner.
- In San Francisco …
Hogan Lovells added a class action litigator from rival Arnold & Porter who specializes in California’s unique cancer-alert law.
- In London …
Eversheds Sutherland hired the head of Herbert Smith Freehills’ infrastructure finance practice. O’Melveny added a finance partner from Gibson Dunn in a rare London hire.
- In Milan …
McDermott tapped a Willkie Farr partner to be its new head of litigation in Milan.
- And finally…
Orrick added partners from Eversheds Sutherland in Germany and France, including a head for its restructuring practice in Paris. Norton Rose Fulbright expanded in the United States with six new partners from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner.
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