NURTURE YOUR MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH PRO BONO WORK: A VITAL PRACTICE FOR ATTORNEYS

In the high-pressure world of law, attorneys face constant challenges, long work hours, and difficult cases. Balancing the demands of clients and legal obligations, social and family responsibilities, and physical health is a constant challenge. Far too often, we neglect our mental and emotional well-being and in doing so risk burning out. Professional burnout is characterized by symptoms of exhaustion, cynicism, and decreased efficacy and job satisfaction. Burnout can affect multiple aspects of a person’s life beyond just their job performance including mental and physical health, relationships, and overall wellbeing. However, a powerful solution is readily available: pro bono volunteer work. Beyond its community impact, pro bono volunteer work can significantly enhance the mental and emotional health of attorney volunteers and provide a renewed sense of professional satisfaction.

Engaging in legal volunteer work offers attorneys a valuable avenue to alleviate stress. Participating in altruistic activities triggers the release of endorphins, which naturally reduce stress and anxiety. A study published in the Journal of Health Psychology demonstrated that individuals who volunteered experienced decreased levels of depression and an overall improved sense of well-being. These findings are particularly significant for attorneys, who often grapple with the emotional strain of their profession.

Legal volunteer work also offers attorneys a chance to find purpose beyond their individual legal career. By connecting with causes and organizations that align with their values, attorneys can experience a renewed sense of significance and fulfillment. Volunteering at a clinic can provide the immediate satisfaction of directly and concretely addressing an individual’s legal problem in the moment. So many legal professionals engage in work that is drawn out over long periods of time, volunteering at a clinic provides a sense of immediate satisfaction and often positive feedback from relieved and grateful attendees.

Engaging in legal volunteer work not only benefits the community but also expands attorneys’ social circles. Interacting with diverse individuals beyond the legal realm exposes attorneys to new perspectives, ideas, and networks. This connectivity can lead to personal growth, offer support during challenging times, and even provide avenues for professional opportunities. Many of our legal clinics include partnerships with service providers and community support organizations like the YWCA of Knoxville and the Tennessee Valley, the McNabb Center, Blount County Library, churches, and senior living and support organizations. Volunteering at clinics or taking cases with LAET clients can provide you with the opportunity to interact directly with social workers, advocates, and community workers who can help broaden your social and community horizons and reaffirm community ties.

Research highlighted in the Journal of Social Service Research found that volunteers reported increased levels of social integration, emotional support, and overall life satisfaction. For attorneys, who often experience isolation due to the demands of their profession, the sense of belonging fostered by legal volunteer activities can be particularly impactful. More experienced, established attorneys can also volunteer to serve as a mentor or resource for newer volunteers. This is a wonderful way to not only nurture your community but your profession by helping new attorneys gain the skills and confidence to grow their practice and take on new areas of law both as volunteers and as professionals.

Skill Augmentation and Enhanced Resilience

Legal volunteer work presents attorneys with opportunities to develop and refine their skills. Whether it’s communication, leadership, or problem-solving, engaging in legal practice outside the normal scope of your practice enhances adaptability and versatility. Furthermore, volunteering exposes attorneys to challenges that differ from those encountered in their daily work, fostering increased resilience and the ability to handle diverse situations.

A great way to take advantage of this aspect of pro bono volunteering is to pick an area of law that wholly differs from your dayto-day practice. Doing the same thing day after day inevitably becomes monotonous and can decrease your professional satisfaction. LAET has a wide range of pro bono cases that need placement for full representation ranging in scope from family law issues to probate, estate planning to bankruptcy. We also have an extensive collection of documents, pleadings, and other templates we can provide as well as links to training materials and professional mentors to support attorneys exploring new practice areas.

Conclusion

In the legal profession, where stress and demanding responsibilities often take precedence, attorneys frequently neglect their mental wellbeing. Pro bono volunteer work not only benefits the community but also profoundly enhances the mental wellness of attorneys. Through stress alleviation, enhanced mental health, social cohesion, skill development, and increased resilience, legal volunteer activities offer attorneys a holistic approach to maintaining a balanced and healthy life. By engaging in pro bono volunteer work, both at clinics and through full case representation, attorneys can counteract stress, mitigate burnout, and regain a sense of purpose.

There are many ways to volunteer with the Pro Bono Project at Legal Aid of East Tennessee. Check out Pro Bono Matters on our website www.LAET.org to browse cases currently available for full representation, we update it regularly! Check out our upcoming events section to see clinics across our service area or check out the KBA’s website and emails for clinic opportunities in the Knoxville area. Finally, email or call me directly at ctorney@laet.org or 865-251-4951. We welcome all volunteers and are eager to find a way you can volunteer your time and skillset that works best for you!

Citations:

1. Musick, M. A., & Wilson, J. (2003). Volunteering and depression: The role of psychological and social resources in different age groups. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 44(3), 368-382.

2. Thoits, P. A., & Hewitt, L. N. (2001). Volunteer work and well-being. Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 42(2), 115-131.

3. Kim, J., Pai, M., & Kang, H. (2019). The impact of volunteering on social integration, emotional support, and life satisfaction among older adults: An analysis of the National Survey of Older Americans. Journal of Social Service Research, 45(2), 179-188.

By: Mital D. Patel Managing Partner, TriAmicus Law, PLLC