The legal profession may be old, but that doesn’t mean it has everything permanently figured out. In fact, new issues pop up all the time. As corporate lawyers, we need to keep up with the times, whether that means solving fresh problems or addressing old ones that have plagued the profession for years.
Here are three issues corporate lawyers should be working to address.
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Supporting Mental Wellness And Mindfulness
Everyone knows that the legal profession is stressful, but that doesn’t mean you should always feel stressed out. Burnout and mental health problems are not uncommon for lawyers, and it is time to start taking these issues seriously.
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But what can be done to improve the mental health of corporate lawyers? After all, working on high-stakes cases under strict deadlines is stressful! Part of the answer is to encourage the practice of mindfulness. By embracing helpful habits, we can take some of the edges off of the lawyer lifestyle.
When you may hear the word “mindfulness,” what comes to mind?
Many people think of a barefoot monk meditating in a Buddhist temple. While such a mindfulness practice may be perfect for some people, it isn’t for everyone. This is particularly not a strong fit for many corporate lawyers, who are more at home in a boardroom than a monastery.
Luckily, the acts of practicing mindfulness and supporting mental wellness don’t need to follow the stereotypical view of meditation; there are many other options, such as yoga, YouTube meditation videos, or meditation apps. There are more options than ever to support your mental health!
Think of it as a mental wellness buffet. There are many available options, but you need to sample them and find a combination that fits your taste. It’s also about practice, as these tools are not shortcuts to stress-free living. They are skills that need to be developed over time.
While many lawyers recognize the importance of mental wellness, many don’t know how to find the time. How do you fit mindfulness and meditation into your schedule when you’re dealing with pressing deadlines, long meetings, and endless paperwork?
Start by actually putting it into your schedule! Blocking off time on your calendar will ensure you take the necessary opportunities to support your mental health. Think of it as making an appointment with yourself. Would you miss an appointment with an important client? Well, who could be a more important client than yourself?
At the very least, a little mindfulness could help some of us loosen up a bit!
Taking Digital Security Seriously
Since the dawn of the digital era, experts have warned of the threat of hackers and digital attacks. Rumors about viruses and data breaches frequently circulate, but the problem almost never reaches the top of the to-do list. While there’s a high-profile case every couple of years, it is so infrequent that you wouldn’t think it could happen to you.
But things have changed. In recent years, ransomware attacks have become more frequent and more harmful. Digital security is no longer the problem of the IT department; the legal department needs to be the quarterback leading the business response to a cyberattack. How should your company respond to a successful attack? What are your responsibilities when private data is compromised? Which law enforcement and regulatory bodies do we need to contact? As lawyers, we understand that preparation and policy are vital for protecting our clients from risk.
Supporting Diversity In Legal Sourcing
It’s not news that corporate law has a diversity problem. White men have been overrepresented in law for a long time. This group has contributed to the maturity of the legal profession, but it is time for more diverse voices to be allowed into the conversation.
This issue is particularly pronounced in legal sourcing. Organizations led by disadvantaged groups, such as women and ethnic minorities, are less likely to be funded than those led by white men. It is time for law firms to not just question the diversity of their employees but also track the diversity of their vendors.
A Fresh Look At Old Problems
The pandemic has given us a reason to reassess so many aspects of our personal and professional lives. Longstanding issues that were once swept under the rug can no longer be ignored. Corporate lawyers may think they are protected from these shifts, but that is a naïve perspective.
The world is changing. Are you keeping up?
Olga V. Mack is the CEO of Parley Pro, a next-generation contract management company that has pioneered online negotiation technology. Olga embraces legal innovation and had dedicated her career to improving and shaping the future of law. She is convinced that the legal profession will emerge even stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive than before by embracing technology. Olga is also an award-winning general counsel, operations professional, startup advisor, public speaker, adjunct professor, and entrepreneur. She founded the Women Serve on Boards movement that advocates for women to participate on corporate boards of Fortune 500 companies. She authored Get on Board: Earning Your Ticket to a Corporate Board Seat and Fundamentals of Smart Contract Security. You can follow Olga on Twitter @olgavmack.