Scroll down to read along with the imperfect transcript
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the legal profession faced a profound metamorphosis. As a seasoned practitioner deeply attuned to the struggles and triumphs within our community, I present this episode not just as an observer but as a guide through the intricate journey of change. Sharing these insights is valuable because they pave the way for a new era in legal practice, one that prioritizes well-being, flexibility, and authenticity.
Key Takeaways from the Episode
Self-Reflection in Crisis: COVID forced a pause, allowing lawyers to reflect on their lives, exposing both the strengths and weaknesses of traditional legal practice.
The Dual Nature of COVID: Acknowledging both the gift and curse aspects—unveiling opportunities for personal and professional growth while navigating mental and emotional challenges.
Catalyst for Change: Lawyers have the power to be catalysts for change, not only in their own lives but in shaping the future of the legal profession.
Hybrid and Remote Practices: The necessity of embracing new ways of working, including fully remote or hybrid models, to foster a more fulfilling and balanced professional life.
Leadership Evolution: Recognizing the evolving landscape and preparing for a leadership shift, where those open to innovation and progressive practices can shape the future of law.
Select Quotes from the Episode
“COVID was a GIFT – it gave us time to think and feel and experience life with the sun outside; see our families in new ways – virtually reconnecting with lost loved ones, and spending time with families in the daylight hours, even if they annoyed the heck out of us in the other room while we were trying to focus on that brief.”
“COVID was a catalyst for us to look at our profession for how it can EVOLVE. And one day, those old guard who are still making the rules, who still see the practice of law through a traditional lens, will retire. And those of us who are open to new and exciting ways of practicing law, including using AI for good – to help us Socratically – hybrid, on a balcony overlooking a beach somewhere… we will eventually step into those positions of leadership.”
“Be a catalyst for change in your own life, so you can be a catalyst for change in our profession.”
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Imperfect Transcript from this Episode
Alright, so let’s talk about what we came here to talk about: COVID. It was a gift and a curse. It was also a catalyst for change in our profession, and there are a LOT of firms that are trying to go back to the way things were before COVID, and those firms, they’re not going to be able to go back. It’s a gift, and it’s a curse.
First things first, let me just say in the first part of the pandemic, there was fear. Lots of emotion came up for all of us, and I can imagine for you, too. There was enough of a pause for you – for me, for all of us – to see how the legal profession is killing us. And as someone who grew up in an HIV-household (recall that my parents died when I was 12 and 16, and I raised my younger sister) … COVID was like a death defying ride I couldn’t get off of. I clammed up. I shut down. I locked everything DOWN. I was deathly afraid of losing my life, losing my partner’s life – we’re a high risk household. I felt like I spent a good 9 months just holding on for dear life, trying to make sense of all the conflicting information. And while all those feelings were going on inside, what I realized was that COVID was the best thing that ever happened to me. I had been working ot make my hybrid firm completely virtual for several years and I was about 95% fully virtual. COVID created the space I needed to fully transition all my clients over to a fully virtual practice. Because I’d stopped litigating in 2017, I didn’t have cases, but that space allowed me to act as a consultant and coach, and I helped lawyers take a breath, re-strategize their cases, connect with their clients, and more than that – reconnect with themselves.
COVID was a GIFT – it gave us time to think and feel and experience life with the sun outside; see our families in new ways – virtually reconnecting with lost loved ones, and spending time with families in the daylight hours, even if they annoyed the heck out of us in the other room while we were trying to focus on that brief.
It was a CURSE because so many lawyers had trouble mentally and emotionally coping with the isolation of working remotely due to COVID. The stress of uncertainty produced by COVID, re-triggered past stressors and traumas. Here in Louisiana, that was Hurricanes Betsy, Camille, Katrina, Rita, Issac, Gustav, etc.; the Louisiana flood of 2016, etc. and it brought up PTSD associated with those events. There were lawyers who recently relocated and who were looking for work because their hours were reduced on a remote-consulting contract and they couldn’t get a traditional firm job because everyone was at home. There were lawyers for the first time realizing that they were interested in exploring other kinds of law, but weren’t sure where to start. There were lawyers working in-house, owned by private equity and the pressure to produce (make money) during COVID was more pressure than they’re ever experienced before, which was completely counter and unrealistic. So many lawyers took on too much and were unsure how to do their best while also taking care of their team and themselves, especially during COVID. Every single one of these are from clients I worked with during the early parts of the pandemic. Because COVID was a curse, yes, but it was also a GIFT – a GIFT of us seeing ourselves and our unhappiness and burnout and families for the first time. Really truly seeing clearly about what mattered in life. For me, I already knew that. Having lost my parents so early, I knew and I know that life is short. And now, everyone else does, too. There aren’t many of us who weren’t touched by COVID in some way.
But here’s the problem I see right now.
Everyone went back to their lawyer lives when it was allegedly dubbed safe to return to the office, as if nothing had happened. As if they could go back in time and pretend they didn’t know how unhappy they were. Or how much they enjoyed being with their kids, or tucking them in at night, or making pancakes for them in the morning. And then, eventually, lawyers started speaking out. They started saying NO. That they needed that hybrid or fully-remote life back. And we’re not putting up with it anymore. And there are very few lawyers who were happy to go back to the office. Those are what we call “office people” and that’s cool – we can let y’all go back … but so many other lawyers are those writers, who need quiet, uninterrupted time to focus and craft their argument. And you can’t do that when your colleagues are constantly walking into your office, or trying to get you to go to lunch with them, or drinks after work. COVID was a catalyst for us to look at our profession for how it can EVOLVE. And one day, those old guard who are still making the rules, who still see the practice of law through a traditional lens, will retire. And those of us who are open to new and exciting ways of practicing law, including using AI for good – to help us socratically – hybrid, on a balcony overlooking a beach somewhere, or in my case, back in my Brussels flat, overlooking my favorite little town square … we will eventually step into those positions of leadership. And when we do, we can CHOOSE to put forward the next wave of the practice of law. A new wave, a new WAY, to practice – one that serves our clients, our businesses, and OURSELVES.
Now, the question is, what did you realize during COVID that you liked and disliked about practicing law? And what steps are you going to take towards your joyful and thriving lawyer life? It’s up to you. Be a catalyst for change in your own life, so you can be a catalyst for change in our profession.