Things We Don’t Talk (Enough) About in Law School

Most of us entered law school with high hopes and the promise of a rewarding career—but where do we stand today on this journey? Recent research paints a complex picture of job satisfaction and mental health in the legal profession. Is the challenge rooted in poor career design, skill gaps, workplace culture, or the nature of the field itself? In this monthly series, I’ll explore the struggles faced by legal professionals and practical ways to navigate them.

Constitutional law is a first-year subject, and for years, I asked my students why they chose to study law. While some admitted they were influenced by family members in the profession or made the choice without a clear intention, most cited familiar reasons: a law degree promises job security, a high salary, intellectual challenge, and social prestige. Many were also drawn to the idea of making an impact—lawyers are expected to be leaders, and the law is seen as a force for good. Others viewed a law degree as a valuable stepping stone to various career paths beyond legal practice.

These expectations are not only common but actively reinforced by universities. Consider these examples:

“Studying law will not only help you pursue a career as a solicitor or barrister: it will also help you develop a diverse set of skills which you will be able to apply in many different situations.” (Oxford) “And the advantages extend beyond law school, resulting in the practice-ready skills employers demand, better chances at prestigious clerkships, a high bar passage rate and support when you’re ready to launch a career.” (Stanford) “You are the ideal candidate if (…) as a student, lawyer, and citizen, you feel responsible for the state of our natural environment and society.” (ELTE)

Given these promises, one would expect a thriving profession—yet recent research reveals a more complex reality.

The Unhappy Profession?

Recently, I found myself in an international group discussion about who could benefit most from coaching. As the only lawyer in the room, I was struck by how quickly everyone agreed: lawyers need it most.

The perception that our profession is plagued by dissatisfaction aligns with recent research.

The 2022 report Towards a Healthy and Sustainable Practice of Law in Canada – Phase I revealed that 59.4% of legal professionals experience psychological distress, a number that jumps to 72% among articling students—compared to 40% in the general population. 28.6% of legal professionals report moderate to severe depressive symptoms, and 35.7% struggle with anxiety (compared to 15% and 13% in the general population, respectively).

The situation is similar elsewhere. A 2024 survey of U.S. attorneys found that more than 38% reported feeling stressed most of the time, with only 4% saying they never feel stressed and 10% rarely experiencing stress. In the U.K., the Life in the Law 2021 Report highlighted a high risk of burnout among legal professionals. A 2021 global study by the International Bar Association found that one in three legal professionals felt their work negatively impacted their well-being, while 41% were unwilling to discuss mental health concerns with their employer for fear of career consequences. Unfortunately, no comprehensive survey on these topics is accessible from Hungary.

As lawyers, we are trained to solve problems—which means we don’t have to accept this reality as inevitable. Researchers have explored the root causes of these challenges and proposed solutions. In the coming months, I’ll delve into three key themes that shape the well-being of legal professionals and discuss practical ways to address them.

Career dilemmas

Career dilemmas in law often trace back to the very decision to attend law school. Many of us began this path with little understanding of who we are, what legal work truly entails, and whether we would actually enjoy it. As Liz Brown points out, law is often a default choice for those who like to argue or write.[1]

From there, it’s easy to slide automatically from law school into practice without ever pausing to reflect. Some legal professionals don’t question their motivations, interests, strengths, or preferred work conditions until a mid-career crisis forces them to do so.

The realities of the profession also reveal themselves gradually. While we may have encountered lawyers before graduating, we rarely understood the trade-offs of different legal careers.

Many lawyers I’ve spoken with admit they don’t openly discuss these challenges with peers—making it difficult to recognize when support is needed. And even if these conversations happened, success looks different for everyone, requiring strong self-awareness to define and pursue.

The promise of a stable legal career doesn’t always hold. The industry is constantly evolving, demanding adaptability, focus, and proactive career management. Mentors can be invaluable during these transitions, yet in an already overwhelming profession, finding someone willing to offer guidance isn’t always easy.

Shifting between practice areas or legal roles comes with challenges, and leaving the profession entirely is even harder. The question “Do you really want to be a failed lawyer?”—whether from peers or an internal voice—can make change feel daunting. While legal training sharpens analytical thinking, it can also lead to decision paralysis, making career transitions all the more difficult.

Changing field, missing skills

The Future of Jobs Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum projects slight job growth in the legal field, so there’s no immediate concern that the world won’t need more lawyers. However, the industry is evolving rapidly.

A strong foundation in law is essential, but it’s no longer enough to build a successful career. Lawyers need a wide range of soft skills, many of which are valuable across professions.

Strategic thinking, crisis management, and analytical skills are just the beginning.

Project management is now a crucial competency—not only for handling cases but for roles in public service, academia, and beyond. (If you’ve ever organized an international conference or drafted comprehensive legislation, you know exactly what this means.)

A business mindset is also becoming indispensable. Many young attorneys struggle with branding, marketing, networking, and PR—skills that weren’t traditionally part of legal training. While law school emphasizes communication, it often overlooks modern outreach methods like public engagement and social media. Interpersonal skills are central to legal work as well, covering collaboration, teamwork, client management, and even leadership.

Finally, time management is a critical factor. Even employees often have a degree of autonomy in structuring their work, which brings both complexity and the need for intentional decisions to maintain productivity and balance.

Where should lawyers develop these soft skills—in university or through practice? And what are the most effective ways to learn them? While lifelong learning is a core value for many in the profession, branching into non-legal fields or asking for help (which can feel like admitting we don’t know everything) often presents a psychological hurdle.

Stress, burnout and other enemies

Most legal jobs come with intense pressure and high-stakes responsibilities. Reports highlight numerous stressors, including emotional demands, unpredictable workloads, excessive demands both in quantity and complexity, job insecurity, long hours, limited resources, blurred boundaries, perfectionism, impostor syndrome, and a lack of autonomy. Some of these challenges stem from the nature of the profession itself, others from workplace culture, while personal traits and past experiences also play a significant role. Left unchecked, these pressures can lead to overwhelm, burnout, and serious mental health struggles.

Adding to the complexity, lawyers are expected to be problem solvers—not just for legal matters, but often for the personal and professional challenges of their clients, colleagues, or students. This problem-solving mindset makes it even harder to acknowledge vulnerability or seek help. After all, when you’re the one expected to have the answers, admitting struggle can feel like falling short.

Let us start a discussion

This monthly series serves as a platform to explore the challenges legal professionals face and the strategies to overcome them. While I take a broad view of the legal profession, I feel a particular responsibility to address the unique struggles of those in academia and public law, so some posts will focus on their specific experiences. In the upcoming posts, I will share recent research on the state of the profession, examine issues from multiple perspectives, speak with experts, recommend insightful books, and interview law professionals about their journeys. I’ll also highlight best practices that are already making a difference. Ultimately, my goal is to spark meaningful conversations that lead to real change—helping to shape a healthier, more sustainable legal profession.

Join the conversation! I’ve created an anonymous survey to better understand the challenges lawyers face so we can address them here. Your input would be incredibly valuable—it takes just 10-15 minutes to complete. If you have insights, recommendations, or best practices to share, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to reach out at hello@ebodnar.com. Let’s start the conversation—it’s time to talk.

Eszter Bodnár is an associate professor at the ELTE Eötvös Loránd University and an adjunct professor at the University of Victoria. She is a certified career coach, supporting law professionals in a purpose-driven career and life.

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[1] Brown, Liz. Life After Law: Finding Work You Love with the J.D. You Have. 1st edition. Routledge, 2017. 3.

The article was originally published at the AlkjogBlog on February 7, 2025.