WisLAP Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program

Well-Being Week in Law: Emotional Well-Being. Recognizing what you feel, managing stress, and seeking help when needed: As this week comes to a close, consider one practice you can carry forward. A weekly walk, a peer check-in, a gratitude note, a new support routine. Whatever you choose, remember that you are not alone. WisLAP is here beyond this week. 📌The Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP) offers confidential support to lawyers, judges, law students, and other legal professionals as a benefit of State Bar membership. WisLAP staff can answer questions about mental health and substance use, provide guidance on well-being practices, and match members with attorneys trained in peer support. Call (800) 543-2625 or email callwislap@wisbar.org #lawyerwellness #WellbeingWeekInLaw #lawyerwellbeing #wislap #wisconsinlawyer #wisconsinlaw #wisbar

Well-Being Week in Law: Social Well-Being. Law can be isolating. Connection is protective. Reach out to one colleague. Invite someone for coffee. Reconnect with a mentor. Join a meaningful group. And remember: WisLAP is available for confidential support and peer connection across Wisconsin’s legal community. 📌The Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP) offers confidential support to lawyers, judges, law students, and other legal professionals as a benefit of State Bar membership. WisLAP staff can answer questions about mental health and substance use, provide guidance on well-being practices, and match members with attorneys trained in peer support. Call (800) 543-2625 or email callwislap@wisbar.org #lawyerwellness #WellbeingWeekInLaw #lawyerwellbeing #wislap #wisconsinlawyer #wisconsinlaw #wisbar

Well-Being Week in Law: Career & Intellectual Well-Being. Rediscovering joy at work may start with one small question: What part of your work still gives you energy? Feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected? WisLAP offers consultations, referrals, peer assistance, and education to help Wisconsin legal professionals take the next step. 📌The Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP) offers confidential support to lawyers, judges, law students, and other legal professionals as a benefit of State Bar membership. WisLAP staff can answer questions about mental health and substance use, provide guidance on well-being practices, and match members with attorneys trained in peer support. Call (800) 543-2625 or email callwislap@wisbar.org #lawyerwellness #WellbeingWeekInLaw #lawyerwellbeing #wislap #wisconsinlawyer #wisconsinlaw #wisbar

Well-Being Week in Law: Spiritual Well-Being. Joy can be found in service, gratitude, and small acts of kindness. Today, thank a colleague. Check in on someone. Offer patience where you can. What gives your work meaning? WisLAP is built on the idea of lawyers helping lawyers and judges helping judges. 📌The Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP) offers confidential support to lawyers, judges, law students, and other legal professionals as a benefit of State Bar membership. WisLAP staff can answer questions about mental health and substance use, provide guidance on well-being practices, and match members with attorneys trained in peer support. Call (800) 543-2625 or email callwislap@wisbar.org #lawyerwellness #WellbeingWeekInLaw #lawyerwellbeing #wislap #wisconsinlawyer #wisconsinlaw #wisbar

Well-Being Week in Law: Physical well-being is not separate from your practice – it supports it. Take an “awe walk,” try a new activity, or step away from your desk for 10 minutes. Small choices can help restore energy and resilience. 🤔How do you support your physical well-being? Share a tip in the comments! 📌The Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP) offers confidential support to lawyers, judges, law students, and other legal professionals as a benefit of State Bar membership. WisLAP staff can answer questions about mental health and substance use, provide guidance on well-being practices, and match members with attorneys trained in peer support. Call (800) 543-2625 or email callwislap@wisbar.org #lawyerwellness #WellbeingWeekInLaw #lawyerwellbeing #wislap #wisconsinlawyer #wisconsinlaw #wisbar

What does joy look like in your legal career? As we begin Well-Being Week in Law, we’re focusing on this year’s theme: Tending Joy. Joy in the legal profession isn’t accidental – it’s something we build through connection, support, and intentional care for ourselves and each other. WisLAP is here to help Wisconsin lawyers do exactly that. Whether you’re navigating stress or simply looking for support, confidential help is available. www.wisbar.org/wislap Start the week by checking in – with yourself or a colleague. #wisconsinlawyer #wisconsinlaw #wisbar #WisLAP #WellBeingWeekInLaw #lawyerwellness

Is anxiety quietly undermining your law practice? Lawyers face unique pressures that can fuel anxiety – and in turbulent times, those pressures intensify. The good news: there are real, practical strategies to help you regain control and keep doing your best work. From breathing techniques and cognitive-behavioral methods to sleep hygiene, exercise, and social connection, this article breaks down what actually works. Recognizing anxiety – and distinguishing it from productive intuition – is a critical professional skill for lawyers navigating today's uncertain landscape. 👐Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP) offers free, confidential support to Wisconsin lawyers, judges, and law students. You don't have to manage this alone. #wisconsinlawyer #wisconsinlaw #wisbar #wislap #lawyerwellness

Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Dorow shares her deeply personal story of loss and resilience, offering insights for legal professionals navigating emotional challenges in their careers. 🎧 Check out the latest episode of the Listening to Lawyers podcast wherever you get yours, or at wisbar.org/podcasts #wisconsinlawyer #wisconsinlaw #wisbar #listeningtolawyers #lawyerwellbeing #wislap #lawyerwellness #wicourts

🎧New podcast out now!⚡ Episode 6: How Trauma Shapes Judicial Practice - Insights from Judge Jennifer Dorow | https://lnkd.in/gHTfuNEQ 🎙️👂Find episodes and all our shows at Wisbar.org/podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts. Just search "Listening to Lawyers WisBar" Waukesha County Circuit Court Judge Jennifer Dorow shares her deeply personal story of loss, trauma, and resilience, offering valuable insights for legal professionals navigating emotional challenges in their careers. This episode explores trauma-informed judicial practices, self-care, and the importance of community support. Listening to Lawyers. Listening to Lawyers, an audio project of the Wisconsin Lawyers Assistance Program (WisLAP), features Wisconsin Lawyers sharing personal stories of the unexpected challenges that have shaped them. Theirs are stories of struggle, resilience, persistence, and creative and brave navigation through challenging territory while lawyering.  The show is hosted by Amber Ault, Ph.D, MSW, manager for WisLAP. Chapters 00:00  Introduction to Listening to Lawyers 00:29  Meet Judge Jennifer Dorow 01:22  Personal Tragedy and Professional Impact 07:40  Navigating Roles: Judge, Lawyer, and Friend 11:51  Motherhood Amidst Grief 14:03  Coping Mechanisms and Self-Care 17:22  Lessons from Past Trauma 21:30  Supporting Colleagues in the Legal Community 22:48  Advice for Judges on Handling Trauma 26:30  The Importance of Debriefing 30:43  Conclusion and Call to Action #wisconsinlawyer #wisconsinlaw #wisbar #wislap #lawyerwellness #lawyerwellbeing #lawyering

Are we silently rewarding stoicism over seeking help?🤔 Even as rhetoric about lawyers' health and well-being has shifted, the law-practice environment remains largely unchanged. This gap sets the stage for a crucial issue: How to address the persistent risks faced by male attorneys specifically. 📊Despite increased awareness of lawyer well-being, the data tells a troubling story. While 71% of legal organizations now offer mental health benefits, only 25% of attorneys actually use them. Even more concerning: 87% of lawyers drink alcohol (far exceeding national averages), and 1 in 4 drink above recommended limits. ⏲️The legal profession continues to operate under high billable-hour pressure with little protected time for recovery – a model that erodes both performance and well-being. Male attorneys face particular challenges, often less likely to seek help due to ingrained stoicism. It's time to move beyond awareness campaigns to real structural change: ✅ Make support visible and accessible ✅ Pilot "unplugged time" initiatives ✅ Train managers to recognize distress ✅ Create safe spaces for open dialogue "We don’t need another awareness campaign. We need a community in which asking for help isn’t a risk, where strength isn’t measured by how much pain someone can carry but by whether they reach out before it’s too late." 🙏Thank you to Julie Bonasso, a consultant and coach specializing in lawyer well-being, for contributing! #wisconsinlawyer #wisconsinlaw #wisbar #lawyerwellbeing #lawyerwellness