Mental Health Essentials
Understanding mental health in the legal profession is not just important, it is essential. This year, Blank Rome hosted a research-based program led by nationally recognized expert Patrick Krill titled Mental Health Essentials for a Modern Legal Environment. The program explored how stronger mental health awareness and a thoughtful focus on well-being can support organizational success and reduce risk across the profession. Patrick covered the latest research on mental health in the legal industry, the real costs of struggling or impaired attorneys and business professionals, how to distinguish illness from impairment, and practical ways to challenge stigma. He also walked colleagues through the warning signs of distress and substance misuse, why they are often overlooked, and how to approach a colleague of concern with care. The program emphasized that greater awareness builds confidence, connection, and shared responsibility, and reinforced a message at the heart of our culture: looking out for one another is something we can all learn, practice, and do well.
Business Professionals Program Hosted by Dr. Rebecca Heiss
Stress is often treated as something to endure, but what if it could become a tool? Our Well-Being Committee partnered with our Professional Development team to host a program for Business Professionals led by Dr. Rebecca Heiss, a stress psychologist and author of Springboard: Transform Stress to Work for You. Dr. Heiss challenged colleagues to reframe stress as a skill to be developed rather than a burden to simply manage. Colleagues learned how to work more effectively with stress; take actionable steps to reduce burnout and build resilience; and convert pressure into energy, focus, and momentum.
Voyage Partnership for Well-Being Challenges
A strong culture of wellness is built through shared commitment, and a little friendly competition does not hurt either. Through The Voyage app, colleagues can pursue personal well-being goals and track progress in areas like physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and stress management, with chances to earn friendly bragging rights and monetary rewards. This year’ s challenges included:
• Better Plate Nutrition
• Lifestyle and Condition Management
• Walk It Out Challenge
• Nature Time Stress Management
The NBA Playbook to Success in the Legal Profession
What can elite sports teach us about thriving in the legal profession? Quite a lot, it turns out. Ben Kenyon, former director of performance for the Philadelphia 76ers, has spent his career coaching elite athletes and high-performing professionals, and he brought that expertise to our entire Blank Rome community. Drawing from his book, Climb: 14 Proven Steps for Emerging Leaders to Grow and Achieve, Ben walked colleagues through two powerful concepts: Prepare, which focuses on recognizing the early warning signs of burnout; and Perform, which offers techniques to streamline daily workflows and strengthen decision-making.
Well-Being Week in Law
Each May, during Mental Health Awareness Month, the firm joins organizations nationwide for Well-Being Week in Law, a dedicated week of reflection, resources, and renewal. In partnership with the Institute for Well-Being in Law and the American Bar Association, we provided colleagues with daily resources aligned to themed focus areas. To close the week, colleagues were encouraged to end work one hour early to disconnect and spend time on activities that support their physical, spiritual, intellectual, social, or emotional well-being, a small but meaningful reminder that taking care of ourselves is not optional; it is essential.
Financial Well-Being by Shahar Ziv
At our Associate Retreat, financial educator Shahar Ziv led a candid session on the money questions that matter most— from saving for a down payment to navigating market volatility and understanding firm-specific policies like insider trading rules and retirement benefits. Colleagues walked away with practical tools to make informed decisions and build long-term financial confidence as a core element of overall well-being.
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