Research/Academic Showcase

Study Reveals Push/Pull Between Private and Work Lives of Attorneys

Lack of time spent with their families and excessive work hours are driving qualified attorneys toward the exit door, according to a research report written by Texas Tech University School of Law professor Susan Saab Fortney.

The research, funded by the National Association of Law Placement Foundation, studied managing and supervised attorneys practicing in law firms, government offices, and corporate legal departments.

The report, titled In Pursuit of Attorney Work-Life Balance: Best Practices in Management, details the findings from responses of more than 100 managing attorneys and almost 600 supervised attorneys.

Fortney, the George H. Mahon Professor of Law at Texas Tech, found that more than 70 percent of supervised attorneys report having moderate to major problems in handling personal health and fitness needs, household responsibilities, and partner and family needs. Almost half of all supervised attorneys reported feeling stressed and fatigued most of the time.

“To address these problems, the report discusses practical steps that employers can take to create work environments where attorneys can thrive and deliver quality legal service,” Fortney says. “The study identified several economically-feasible initiatives, including family-inclusive events and the use of flex-time. Study findings also reveal that effective work-life initiatives positively impact attorney satisfaction and retention.”

“What we see is that work-life problems can affect quality for work for clients, as well as quality of life for attorneys,” Fortney says. “Working long hours, coupled with sleep deprivation, may adversely affect attorneys’ cognitive performance and ability to think critically and creatively. Understanding this, employers should implement strategies to assist employees in balancing their work and personal lives.”

Fortney explains that many attorneys are exploring alternatives to work environments that require them to sacrifice fulfillment outside of work in order to advance in their careers. Increasingly, attorneys are seeking reduced-hour arrangements. Fortney points to study findings indicating that nearly half of supervised firm attorneys and 41 percent of supervised corporate attorneys reported that they would be willing to make less money in order to work fewer hours.

“The study’s findings are significant in providing actual data on the extent of attorney work-life conflicts, the effects of these work-life conflicts, and information on desired and effective initiatives to help employees attain more balance without sacrificing client service, productivity or profitability.”

- Michael Castellon

 

Jan 15, 2020