The New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Wellness in the Law, established in 2023 by Chief Justice Stuart Rabner, is dedicated to providing extensive online support for attorneys, judges, law students, court staff, and all members of the legal community. This platform serves as a central hub for accessing a wide array of resources aimed at enhancing and maintaining well-being within the demanding legal profession.
Recognizing the unique pressures and challenges faced by legal professionals, this initiative offers a curated collection of written, audio, and video materials designed to foster a healthier and more balanced lifestyle. Beyond immediate support, the committee also highlights upcoming wellness events and encourages community contributions of additional resources and event information, which can be shared via email to [email protected]. This collaborative approach ensures the platform remains dynamic and responsive to the evolving needs of the legal community, much like how comprehensive support systems, including 4 Https Www.seton.net Behavioral-health-care Outpatient-programs, are vital for overall well-being.
Immediate Assistance
For individuals facing immediate struggles or crises, help is readily available.
Dial 988 or text 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, offering immediate support and resources for those in distress. You can also access online chat support at 988lifeline.org.
In cases of medical or other emergencies, always call 9-1-1 for immediate response and assistance.
New Jersey Lawyers Assistance Program (NJLAP): 1-800-246-5527, https://www.njlap.org/ (Accessed March 20, 2024). NJLAP provides confidential assistance and support to New Jersey legal professionals dealing with substance abuse, mental health issues, and other challenges. Further details are available in their brochure.
NAMI New Jersey Hotlines: NAMI NJ offers a comprehensive list of hotlines covering various topics, providing both national and local support networks. https://www.nami.org/support-education/nami-helpline/
Upcoming Wellness Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan. 21, 2025 | 2025 Institute for Well-Being in Law Conference (Virtual) |
| Jan. 22, 2025 | 2025 Institute for Well-Being in Law Conference (Virtual) |
Essential Informational Websites for Well-being
New Jersey Lawyers Assistance Program (NJLAP), https://www.njlap.org/ (Last Visited, March 20, 2024). NJLAP is a crucial resource for lawyers in New Jersey, offering confidential support and resources for mental health and substance abuse. Their brochure provides more in-depth information about their services.
N.J. Judiciary Attorney Ethics Hotline: 609-815-2924 For ethical guidance and support, this hotline provides direct access to information and assistance.
N.J. State Ethics Commission Hotline: 1-888-223-1355 This toll-free hotline offers support and information related to state ethics matters.
N.J. State Bar Association, Member Assistance Program (MAP): Providing 24/7 access to mental health professionals, the MAP is a valuable benefit for members of the N.J. State Bar Association. Information can be found here.
The Garden State Bar Association, https://www.gardenstatebar.org (Last Visited Sept. 29, 2023). This association offers resources and support to its members, contributing to the overall well-being of legal professionals.
Institute for Lawyer Well-being (IWIL), https://lawyerwellbeing.net/ (Last Visited March 20, 2024). IWIL is a national organization dedicated to promoting lawyer well-being through research, education, and resources.
Mindfulness in Law Society, https://www.mindfulnessinlawsociety.org/. This society explores and promotes mindfulness practices within the legal profession to enhance well-being and reduce stress.
Lawyer Well-being Massachusetts, https://lawyerwellbeingma.org/ (Last Visited March 20, 2024). A state-specific resource, this website offers information and support tailored to lawyers in Massachusetts, but with broadly applicable insights.
LawyerBrain, https://www.lawyerbrain.com/ (Last Visited Sept. 29, 2023). LawyerBrain provides resources and tools aimed at improving lawyers’ mental and emotional well-being.
N.J. Department of Human Services, Directory of Mental Health Services (2023), https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmhas/home/hotlines/MH_Dir_COMPLETE.pdf. This comprehensive directory lists county-by-county mental health services in New Jersey, including outpatient services, community support, and crisis intervention. This directory is essential for finding local behavioral health care outpatient programs and various support systems.
Psychiatric Advanced Directives, N.J. Department of Human Services, https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/dmhas/resources/mental/pad/ (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). Information and resources regarding psychiatric advance directives in New Jersey.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), New Jersey Chapter: NAMI NJ offers various support programs and resources.
- NAMI Connection Online Support Group, NAMI, https://naminj.org/programs/nami-connection/ (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). A support group for individuals with mental health conditions, offering meetings in English, Spanish, and Mandarin.
- Multicultural Outreach, NAMI, https://naminj.org/programs/multicultural/ (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). Reaching out to diverse communities to provide mental health support and resources.
- Navigating a Mental Health Crisis, NAMI, https://www.naminj.org/where-to-get-help/navigating-a-mental-health-crisis/ (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). Guidance and resources for managing mental health crises.
- Peer Respite & Crisis Houses, NAMI, https://www.naminj.org/where-to-get-help/peer-respite-crisis-houses/ (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). Offering alternative crisis support and respite care options.
Rutgers University School of Law: Rutgers University provides a range of resources for student well-being.
- Counseling Services, Rutgers University, http://health.rutgers.edu/medical-counseling-services/counseling/ (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). Confidential counseling services for students.
- Other Resources on Campus, Rutgers University, https://womens-studies.rutgers.edu/resources/other-resources-on-campus/1382-other-resources (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). A directory of additional support services available on campus.
- Therapy Options, Rutgers University, http://health.rutgers.edu/medical-counseling-services/counseling/therapy/ (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). Information on therapy services available to students.
- Counseling and Student Wellness, Rutgers University, https://grad.rutgers.edu/life-at-rutgers/counseling-and-student-wellness (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). Resources aimed at promoting graduate student well-being.
- Behavioral Health Care, Rutgers University, https://ubhc.rutgers.edu/ (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). Comprehensive behavioral health care services offered by Rutgers.
- Health and Wellness, Rutgers University, https://law.rutgers.edu/health-and-wellness (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). Health and wellness resources specifically for law students.
Seton Hall University School of Law: Seton Hall also provides significant mental health and well-being resources.
- Mental Health Resources, Seton Hall University, https://www.shu.edu/counseling-psychological-services/mental-health-resources.html (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). A dedicated page listing mental health resources available at Seton Hall.
- Counseling and Psychological Services, Seton Hall University, https://www.shu.edu/counseling-psychological-services/ (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). Information about counseling and psychological services offered to students.
- Online Mental Health Screenings, Seton Hall University, https://www.shu.edu/counseling-psychological-services/online-screenings.html (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). Access to online mental health screening tools.
- Crisis & Consultation, Seton Hall University, https://www.shu.edu/counseling-psychological-services/crisis-consultation.html (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). Resources for crisis intervention and consultation services.
- The Office of Student Services, Seton Hall University, https://law.shu.edu/student-services/index.cfm (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). Student services office providing various forms of support to law students.
News and Reports on Lawyer Well-being
New Jersey Lawyer: Lawyer Well-being Issue (Feb. 2024) https://newjerseylawyer.mydigitalpublication.com/nj-lawyer-february-2024 (last visited Mar. 20, 2024). A recent issue dedicated to the topic of lawyer well-being in New Jersey.
Press Release, N.J. State Bar Assoc., NJSBA Report Digs Deep into Mental Health (April 10, 2023), https://njsba.com/njsba-report-digs-deep-into-mental-health-recommends-path-to-ease-areas-of-stress-in-the-legal-profession/. Report highlighting mental health challenges within the legal profession and recommendations for improvement.
N.J. State Bar Assoc., NJSBA Report Digs Deep into Mental Health (April 10, 2023), https://www.law.com/njlawjournal/2023/04/10/bar-report-april-10-2023/. Coverage of the NJSBA report on lawyer mental health in the New Jersey Law Journal.
Karen Sloan, ‘A Profession in Crisis.’ N.J. Report Latest to Highlight Lawyer Mental Health Problems, REUTERS (April 14, 2023), https://www.reuters.com/legalindustry/profession-crisis-nj-report-latest-highlight-lawyer-mental-health-problems-2023-04-14/. Reuters article discussing the New Jersey report and the broader issue of lawyer mental health.
Ed White, Judge on Michigan’s Top Court Getting Mental Health Care, AP NEWS (April 18, 2023), https://apnews.com/article/michigan-justice-richard-bernstein-mental-health-e31054439a90311d7f2ff18b6793446b. News report on a judge seeking mental health care, highlighting the pressures within the judiciary.
N.J. STATE BAR ASSOC., The Bar Report: Well-being Week Returns for Five Days of Webinars Supporting Attorney Wellness (Apr. 17, 2023), https://njsba.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/04_17_23-Bar-Report.pdf. Report on Well-being Week and related webinars for attorney wellness.
N.J. STATE BAR ASSOC., PUTTING LAWYERS FIRST TASK FORCE (2023), https://images.law.com/contrib/content/uploads/documents/399/94862/PLF-lttr-CJ-Rabner-And-Report-Excerpt-4-7-2023.pdf. Report from the task force focused on prioritizing lawyer well-being.
INST. FOR WELL-BEING IN THE LAW, 2020-2021 HIGHLIGHTS FROM STATE WELL-BEING TASK FORCES (2021), https://lawyerwbstg.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/IWIL-Survey-Sept2021.pdf. Highlights from state-level well-being task forces across the US.
INST. FOR LAWYER WELL-BEING, Update on State Task Forces (May 23, 2023), https://lawyerwellbeing.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IWIL-State-Task-Force-Updates-as-of-May-23-2023.pdf.. Updates on the activities and progress of state lawyer well-being task forces.
AM. BAR ASSOC., NATIONAL TASK FORCE ON LAWYER WELL-BEING (2017), https://www.americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/task_force_report/. Report from the ABA National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being, a landmark study on the issue.
AM. BAR ASSOC., THE PATH TO LAWYER WELL-BEING: PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR POSITIVE CHANGE (2017), https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/images/abanews/ThePathToLawyerWellBeingReportRevFINAL.pdf. Practical recommendations from the ABA task force for improving lawyer well-being.
Well-Being in the Legal Profession: Well-Being Pledge Campaign, AM. BAR ASSOC., https://www.americanbar.org/groups/lawyer_assistance/well-being-in-the-legal-profession (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). Information about the ABA’s Well-being Pledge Campaign encouraging legal organizations to prioritize well-being.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and Educational Materials
Trauma-Informed Law, J. Kim Wright Trauma-Informed Law Article. Article on incorporating trauma-informed approaches into legal practice.
N.J. Courts Presents: Attorney Wellness, YOUTUBE (May 2, 2023) https://youtu.be/-413085f1nM. YouTube video presentation on attorney wellness by the N.J. Courts.
New Jersey Lawyers Assistance Program – 2023 Lawyers Well-Being Week: Resources and materials from the 2023 Lawyers Well-Being Week.
- N.J. LAWYER ASSISTANCE PROG., Optimizing Physical Well-being to Maximize Professional Outcomes, YOUTUBE (May 1, 2023), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQBBP6mW_NA. YouTube video on optimizing physical well-being for professional success.
- N.J. LAWYER ASSISTANCE PROG., What Does Spirituality Have to do with it? Finding Meaning & Value in Personal & Professional Life (May 2, 2023) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsLQ_Z9y-4U. Exploring the role of spirituality in lawyer well-being.
- N.J. LAWYER ASSISTANCE PROG., How We Put Lawyers First (May 3, 2023), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia1q6DrErnU. Video discussing how NJLAP prioritizes lawyers’ needs.
- N.J. LAWYER ASSISTANCE PROG., “Put Away Your Legal Pad!” How to Stop Arguing Ourselves Out of Good Relationships (May 4, 2023), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGzeyYjVgtE&feature=youtu.be. Strategies for improving relationships by reducing argumentative tendencies.
- N.J. LAWYER ASSISTANCE PROG., Self-Care for Lawyers (May 5, 2023): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5XYuy0IVx8. Guidance on self-care practices for lawyers.
Free Member Benefit CLE Library, AM. BAR ASSOC., https://www.americanbar.org/cle-marketplace/cle-library/ (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). Free CLE library for ABA members, potentially including wellness-related courses.
CLE On-Demand, N.J. Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), https://njsba.com/njicle/cle-on-demand-cds/?ss=wellness&areaoflaw=&productcategory=&searchbutton=Search (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). On-demand CLE courses from NJICLE, searchable by “wellness” or “ethics.”
Diversity & Ethics CLE, N.J. INST. CONTINUING LEGAL EDU., https://njsba.com/njicle/diversity-ethics-cle/ (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). CLE courses focused on diversity and ethics, potentially related to well-being.
CLE Courses, Quimbee, https://www.quimbee.com/cle/courses?jurisdictions%5B0%5D=New%20Jersey (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). CLE courses available in New Jersey, filterable by “Ethics” and “Diversity and Inclusion.”
Wellness Courses, LinkedIn Learning, https://www.linkedin.com/learning/search?keywords=wellness&upsellOrderOrigin=article-ssr-frontend-pulse_guest_nav_menu_learning&trk=learning-serp_learning-search-bar_search-submit (last visited Sept. 29, 2023). A wide range of wellness courses available on LinkedIn Learning.
Bill Tilley, Five Ways to Improve Lawyer Well-Being Using Legal Technology, LINKEDIN (Mar. 28, 2023), https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/7-ways-improve-lawyer-well-being-using-legal-bill-tilley. Article on leveraging legal technology to enhance lawyer well-being.
ROBERT CIALDINI, INFLUENCE: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF PERSUASION (HarperCollins, 4th ed. 2021). Book on the psychology of persuasion, relevant to legal professionals and potentially stress management.
LEAH LAGOS, HEART BREATH MIND (Harvest, 2020). Book on mindfulness and well-being practices.
Podcasts on Well-being in the Law
Mighty MERP podcast (Melissa Rosenblum, Esq.), https://www.mrp-law.com/podcast/. Podcast hosted by Melissa Rosenblum, Esq., likely covering legal topics and potentially well-being.
Reclaiming Time: A Trial Lawyer’s Journey to Inner Counsel | David Bruno, TedX talk, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgGOlGN4_Hc (Oct. 20, 2023). TedX talk by David Bruno on reclaiming time and inner well-being as a trial lawyer.
The Path to Well-Being in the Law, INST. FOR WELL-BEING IN THE LAW (2022 to date), https://lawyerwellbeing.net/podcast/. Podcast from IWIL dedicated to lawyer well-being topics.
Dr. Larry Richard L’72 on Law Firm Leadership and Lawyer Well-Being in the ‘New’ Normal, U. Penn. Law (Aug. 16, 2021), https://www.law.upenn.edu/futureprofessioninitiative/law2030/podcast/dr-larry-richard/. Podcast discussing law firm leadership and lawyer well-being in the changing legal landscape.
Building Resilience for Lawyers, LOD Law (Feb. 17, 2022) https://www.lodlaw.com/our-thinking/lodcast/building-resilience-for-lawyers/. Podcast episode focusing on building resilience in the legal profession.
This compilation of resources is designed to support the well-being of everyone in the New Jersey legal community. By utilizing these tools and engaging with these programs, legal professionals can proactively address the challenges of their profession and cultivate a healthier, more sustainable career.
