May 2025 eBulletin Now Available

Dear Fellows:

May is Mental Health Awareness Month in the United States. The purpose of the observance is to raise awareness about mental health concerns and to reduce the perception of stigma that often surrounds mental health issues. Over the last few years, the College has been mindful of mental health issues and how they affect our Fellows. We have featured speakers at our national meetings and, under the leadership of Past President Susan Harriman, created a Mental Health Task Force to provide advice and insight on how the College could best bring attention and resources together to address mental health concerns. And simultaneous with the issuance of this eBulletin, we are releasing a new episode of the College podcast that is devoted to this topic. Host Amy Gunn interviews Judicial Fellow, the Honorable John Broderick, former Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court. Justice Broderick has been a passionate advocate on issues of mental health.

Mental health awareness is critically important to trial lawyers due to the intense, high-stress nature of the trial work that we do. While most Fellows will tell you that they love trial work, that does not lessen the reality that trial work requires long hours under intense pressure, while managing demanding caseloads, strict deadlines, and ofttimes, emotionally charged situations. Such an environment can contribute to burnout, anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. Being effective advocates requires that we find the balance between excelling at the work we love and do well, and acknowledging the toll that such work can take on our well-being. We must also recognize that the intensity of our work can often have collateral effects on our families and loved ones.

Mental health concerns can also directly impact the quality of the legal services we provide. Lawyers struggling with untreated mental health issues may experience decreased concentration, impaired judgment, and reduced productivity, all of which can negatively affect their ability to advocate effectively for their clients. The College will continue to urge legal institutions and law firms to invest in mental health initiatives—such as counseling services, wellness programs, and supportive environments. These commonsense approaches not only support their partners and associates but also helps uphold the integrity and reliability of the justice system. The College recognizes that mental health is not just a matter of individual wellness; it is essential for the strength of the profession as a whole.

Finally – and as an aside – I refer to the various statements that the College has issued in support of the Rule of Law and in defense of Judicial Independence. Lawyers across the political spectrum recognize that preserving the rule of law requires a judiciary and legal profession that are free from intimidation or retribution. Without that, the fairness and impartiality of the justice system—key tenets of any democracy—are put at serious risk. Fourth Circuit Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III recently issued an opinion that reminds us of those core principles and offers a welcome perspective on why those principles must be defended. I encourage every Fellow to read Judge Wilkinson’s thoughtful opinion.

Richard H. Deane, Jr.
President

To read more from the May 2025 eBulletin, click here.