Wellness ? Who cares !
This month The Docket is focusing
on wellness , a fitting topic following the varied stressors we faced in 2020 . Let me ask you — is your physical and mental wellness something you make enough time for ? My guess is for a great number of attorneys and legal professionals , the answer is no . We tend to view wellness as a luxury that should only be afforded to those who have “ made it ” and reached certain desired goals either in our careers or financially . Often , we expect new attorneys and legal professionals to put in years grinding before they are permitted to openly prioritize wellness .
Caring for mental and physical wellness might mean a walk on the beach , spending time with family , cooking a delicious meal , attending therapy , exercising , or having a relaxing whiskey . Wellness is often equated with a lack of productivity , i . e . the idea that time spent on wellness should be spent being productive instead . But what if working on our wellness allows us to be more productive on the whole ? It would be a win-win situation , and I argue this is in fact the case .
We often play lip service to wellness but when do we actually put it into practice ? As I move forward in my career , I would like to see the paradigm shift so that wanting to care for your wellness is not seen as being entitled or weak but smart . After all , the
President Sara Castro
President-Elect Patrick McArdle
Secretary Caroleen Brej
Treasurer Natasha Selvaraj
Imm . Past President Brian Goodrich
YLD PRESIDENT ’ S COLUMN
Sara Castro , Esq . Farr , Farr , Emerich , Hackett , Carr , & Holmes , P . A .
YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION
YLD Board of Directors 2020 – 2021
DIRECTORS Warren Chin Jade Davis Alisa Heedy Pamela Hernandez Mallory Moretti Robert Young Frank Malatesta , South County Rep . legal profession has higher rates of alcoholism and suicide than many others , something that would undoubtedly be improved by a concerted effort to practice wellness . Legal technology available today allows for efficiencies never before possible in the practice of law , something I believe we should utilize to make room for wellness as part of our daily lives . Maybe it means a small break in the morning and afternoon in addition to a lunch break . Maybe increased technological efficiency can simply translate to less pressure on staff and attorneys , thereby improving mental wellbeing . Whatever form it takes , as we enter 2021 , I suggest we make a real , concerted effort towards wellness for ourselves and others where we have the power to do so .
The YLD has made a concerted effort this year to provide opportunities for wellness . Virtual events in the fall included morning yoga , an evening book club , and a wine tasting followed by a few hours of very entertaining networking . Coming events in the spring ( open to the entire membership ) include a presentation from a certified health coach on wellness tailored to attorneys , comical relief in the form of Judicial Cake Wars , a “ book ” club evening to discuss the movie Just Mercy , and another evening networking event
COMMITTEES
Social / Events Warren Chin , Chair
Health & Wellness Yuliya Swaim , Chair
Charitable Jade Davis , Chair
Diversity Jill Bowen , Chair
Education Patrick McArdle , Chair
I will not miss hearing the phrase “ Zoom fatigue ” when we return to normal .
involving sharing a drink and a chat ( precise format TBA ). To further the wellness of others , the YLD hosted a mask donation drive that reached many recipients in need in our community , providing over 3900 masks that were distributed by the Multicultural Health Institute . The drive was spotlighted by the National Association of Bar Executives as “ an idea to steal ,” reaching over 250 state , local , and national bar associations throughout the country . Keep in mind that we now have a reducedprice affiliate membership open to paralegals , legal assistants , and law office administrators , so please encourage your colleagues to join to take advantage of these wellness events as well .
Please send me an email with your thoughts on whether wellness fits into your career and life , including any suggestions or complaints you have . Please also feel free to email me and disagree — I enjoy a good debate ! If you know anyone serving on the SCBA as a board member , section leader , committee member , or Docket editor ( and of course also our wonderful Executive Director Holly Lipps without whom we would cease to function ) please make sure to thank them . This 2020-2021 bar year , the attorney volunteers that make this organization run have worked very hard to serve the members under unprecedented conditions , providing opportunities for members to engage in charitable giving and connect with each other through virtual programming . Let me tell you , I will not miss hearing the phrase “ Zoom fatigue ” when we return to normal . Thank you for continuing to be a member and I hope to see you at one of our spring events .
The Docket · January 2021 7