Why Does The Legal Profession Have Such A Big Problem With Burnout?

As prestigious as the profession of lawyer is, many will tell you it comes at a cost. In fact, a YouGov survey found that 92% of lawyers have faced job-related stress or burnout, and over 25% experienced this daily. And yes, the UK does have a general issue with work negatively impacting mental health, but the issue in the legal sector, particularly, is enormous.

So why does the legal profession have such an issue with burnout?

Firstly, we must understand what burnout actually is. Often perceived as a sudden inability to cope with high-pressure, it is actually a slow-burning condition, usually arising from extended periods of stress. The reason the slow nature of the build-up to burnout may not be recognised is likely that stress in the legal sector has become so normalised. Long hours and heavy workloads are expected, both for junior lawyers and those more senior. This can lead those newer to the profession to believe that if they hyper-focus on their career early on, taking on excess cases and dedicating themselves to a work-heavy lifestyle, they will climb to a position earlier that will enable them to slow down and achieve a better work-life balance. Unfortunately, the data indicates otherwise. Although more senior lawyers may expect more support from paralegals and junior staff, expectations and pressure are likely to grow as they take on bigger or more complex cases. And those aspiring to make partner will be faced with the pressure of needing to prove themselves and excel beyond that of their peers.

The reality is that if lawyers do not learn to manage stress and overwhelm, then it is likely to plague them throughout their careers, often leading to burnout and, in some cases, the decision to leave the profession. But law firms must also play an integral role in prioritising wellness and easing pressure on their people.

Law firms must take measures to prevent burnout

Apart from the desire to care for their employees, law firms should be taking the issue of work-related stress and burnout seriously if they are to grow and thrive. After all, absences and fatigue arising from poor mental health in the workplace have a cost attached. UK-based mental health platform, Unmind, published a report in 2024 that estimated smaller firms, with an average of 600 staff, lost an average of £6.8m due to work-related stress. Mid-sized firms, with an average of 1,400 staff, lost £34m, and those with an average of 2,400 staff, lost £65m, making the average loss across all firms £26m. Lawyers experiencing burnout may require time off, and, as well as the cost of sick pay, this can increase the workload of other staff, which can lead to passing the problem onto others. Those powering through stress and fatigue are more likely to make mistakes and will certainly not be operating at their best. Mood will also be affected, and this can damage workplace culture. Workplace dissatisfaction spreads through an organisation much like a sickness, impacting working relationships, fuelling negativity and resulting in loss of talent and high staff turnover.

Key causes of burnout in the legal profession

Going beyond the obvious - heavy workload, long hours and pressure to deliver for clients - there are many other factors that perpetuate high levels of stress amongst lawyers. Certainly, it is not an easy profession to get into - requiring years of study and dedication, resulting in eye-watering student loans. When so much work has gone into pursuing the profession one has long aspired to, it can be difficult for lawyers to admit if they’re struggling, or simply not enjoying their work anymore. The culture of quiet can also be attributed to why workplace stress is too often not attended to, at least until it becomes unmanageable. When it is taken for granted that certain professions come with high pressure, it can be difficult to speak up, especially in environments where colleagues are dealing with similar stress and appearing to cope. Nobody wants to be seen to be in need of ‘special treatment’. And despite our wider cultural understanding of how crucial wellbeing is in the workplace, there are still sectors where mental health struggles are taboo. Given that the rates of burnout are so exceptionally high in the legal world, it does indicate that it is a problem not being properly addressed, and this is often because discussions around the issues are not being had.

But could these above-average rates of workplace stress also be a result of the nature of the profession?

A reactive industry that challenges work-life balance

By its very nature, the legal profession is predominantly reactive - acting on precedent, crisis management and solving problems as, and when, they arise. Other reactive sectors, including healthcare, also report high levels of work-related stress. Being responsive carries an emotional weight and can make it challenging to ever switch off, making a healthy work-life balance hard to achieve. Those in roles that carry the burden of professional responsibility for clients often struggle to properly detach from the work mindset, so even when out of the office, emails are being checked, the to-do list looms, and anxiety over casework continues to build. Without proper dedicated time to emotionally separate oneself, respite is ineffective, and the opportunity to refuel is lost. Although this may appear to be an individual issue, it can only really be solved in a meaningful way if law firms seek to change their culture and actively support their people in their wellbeing.

What law firms can do to prevent burnout

Law firms must support their people in prioritising their mental health, advocating for a healthy work-life balance where time off really is time-off. Ultimately, this comes down to ensuring there are enough resources available to manage the workload, allowing for proper time off and avoiding caseloads becoming overwhelming for any individuals. However, it can also be about steering away from fostering a competitive environment and instead nurturing a culture of support and collaboration. In reframing wellness as a pathway to resilience, firms may be able to overcome the taboos associated with taking time to tend to mental health.

Education and access to information are key, but enabling is also important. Asking overworked lawyers to use their free time to practice wellness is unrealistic and potentially adds to the burden. Away days and workplace wellness programmes can have a similar effect if the workload is still looming over participants. Better management of workload, from the top, is essential for wellness initiatives to truly be effective. And, although the responsive nature of the sector can make this challenging, helping your people properly switch off from work when they’re not there means not contacting them outside of working hours. Moreover, conversations need to be open. Check-ins should not only be about case updates but also about whether lawyers are getting the support they need to thrive. Lawyers working extended hours should not be viewed by default as dedicated but as potentially under-resourced. Embracing technology and investing in software and caseload management systems that can ease administrative burdens can also assist in reducing pressure. Whilst making meaningful change is no easy endeavour, doing so has the potential to drive productivity in the long run, avoid costs associated with absence and build a workplace culture where people are enabled not just to survive, but to thrive.

Options for lawyers seeking to reduce stress

Prolonged periods of stress have a huge impact on mental health, and workplace pressures seep into other parts of our lives. In my role as a Legal VA, I’ve met many lawyers who have left firms to set up on their own in the hope of achieving a better work-life balance. For those who get to a point where they can no longer thrive within a law firm or as an in-house lawyer, self-employment is an option. Independent lawyers are responsible for how much work they take on and are, to a certain extent, able to manage their time. This can reestablish a better life-work balance and offer a pathway into a healthier way of working, without leaving the profession. Becoming a Consultant Solicitor is also an option. Consultant Solicitors are self-employed but usually work through a firm, choosing the client work they wish to take on and controlling their workload, without the stress of having to actively source clients themselves. Find out more about working as a Consultant Solicitor in my recent article, Can Consultant Solicitors Really Achieve Better Work-Life Balance.

Of course, becoming self-employed can carry additional pressure. Independent lawyers often don’t have the resources provided by larger firms and can end up losing billable hours to administration and operational activities. This is where Jam Virtual Support comes in. Our ambition is to ease the burden on solicitors by providing tailored virtual assistance and paralegal support. Working with legal professionals, consultant solicitors and platform law firms, not only do we free up your time to focus on billable hours, but we also help to streamline and enhance client experience through meticulous management of behind-the-scenes operations. With over a decade of legal experience and 5+ years of legal education, we provide the sector-specific expertise that enables us to make an immediate impact on your business. Get in touch today to find out more about our services and how we can support you.