I still remember the first time I felt completely and utterly drained by law school. It wasn’t after four back-to-back final exams or during an intense negotiation competition; it was an ordinary Tuesday. I had spent the entire day bouncing between classes, prepping for an upcoming negotiation competition, and trying to stay on top of my outlines. By the time I got home, I didn’t even have the energy to make dinner. I just sat on my couch, staring at my cat, Binx, feeling completely disconnected from the passion that had driven me to law school in the first place. Having studied psychology at the University of California, San Diego, I knew all about burnout—its signs, its effects, and how easily it creeps up on others. But it wasn’t until law school that I realized what I was experiencing wasn’t just exhaustion, it was a warning sign.

Burnout is a word that is thrown around and one that we hear often, especially in high-stress professions like the law. Even so, many students, professors, faculty, and practicing attorneys don’t fully understand burnout until they’re in the middle of it. It’s not just feeling tired or overwhelmed after a long week. True burnout is a persistent state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by chronic stress. The World Health Organization classifies it as an “occupational phenomenon,” and it’s unfortunately becoming increasingly common in the legal field.

There’s no single cause of burnout in law, but there are several common factors that contribute to it. The demanding nature of the profession plays a huge role and the pressure to fulfill your billable hours leaves little room for rest or personal fulfillment. The emotional weight of the job also takes its toll on even the most established attorneys. Lawyers deal with high-stakes cases that impact real lives daily, and the constant pressure to advocate for others can lead to fatigue if the balance between compassion and objectivity is not carefully constructed.

Workplace culture is another major contributor to this overwhelming fatigue. Many law firms, and the field in general, still operate under the belief that operating like a workhorse is a badge of honor. Asking for help is often seen as a sign of weakness, and junior attorneys, especially women, feel pressure to prove themselves by working longer and harder than their peers.

As if the demanding nature and toxic workplace culture were not big enough contributors, perfectionism also gets thrown into the mix. Lawyers are trained to be meticulous and to anticipate every possible outcome, but that mindset can be exhausting when applied to every aspect of life. It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that anything less than perfection is failure, which only fuels stress and self-doubt.

Burnout affects all lawyers, but women experience it at disproportionately high rates. A Bloomberg Law study found that female attorneys report significantly higher levels of stress and burnout compared to their male colleagues. Several factors contribute to this disparity.

First, there’s the double burden effect where many women in law balance demanding careers with caregiving responsibilities for children, aging parents, or other family members. The expectations placed on women both inside and outside of work make it even harder to prioritize self-care.

Then there’s the self-care gap. Research from the ABA Journal found that female lawyers spend less time on themselves and more time managing professional and personal responsibilities. Whether it’s skipping a workout to answer emails or sacrificing sleep to meet deadlines, these patterns create a cycle of chronic stress.

Gender biases also play a role in perpetuating the cycle of overexertion. Women in the law often feel they have to work twice as hard to be taken seriously, and they’re less likely to have strong mentorship or sponsorship within their firms. This lack of support can make burnout even harder to navigate.

Burnout isn’t just about feeling stressed; it has serious consequences for mental and physical health. Studies have linked burnout to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse. The chronic stress associated with burnout can lead to cognitive impairment, making it harder to focus, process information, and make decisions (Source).

Physically, burnout weakens the immune system, increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, and contributes to insomnia and digestive issues. In severe cases, burnout can lead to complete breakdowns, forcing lawyers to take extended time off or even leave the profession entirely.

The legal profession isn’t going to become less demanding overnight, but that doesn’t mean burnout is inevitable. There are ways to protect your mental health and find joy in the work you do.

1. Set Boundaries and Stick to Them

One of the biggest challenges in law is the expectation of constant availability. But setting firm boundaries, whether that means not checking emails after a certain hour or taking weekends off when possible, can make a huge difference in preventing burnout.

2. Make Time for Small Joys

For this article, I spoke with students and professors at my law school about how they find joy amid the stress. Their answers weren’t about grand vacations or elaborate ten-step self-care routines, they were about small moments: morning coffee rituals, listening to music during study breaks, spending time with pets, or taking a few minutes to step outside and breathe.

One student shared that remembering why they are pursuing law helps them stay grounded on hard days: "I remind myself why I chose the work I am doing and focus on the bigger picture." Another student said they find joy by maintaining a morning coffee ritual and taking intentional study breaks to listen to music or step outside. A professor added that the act of serving students and community members gives their work deeper meaning, which helps maintain motivation even during overwhelming periods.

Others emphasized simple pleasures: spending time with family and friends, organizing their schedules to avoid last-minute stress, or taking short walks to reset. As one respondent put it, "Comparison is the thief of joy. You will always be behind if you are racing someone else's clock — find happiness in your own small wins."

The takeaway? Finding joy doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about recognizing and appreciating the little things that make the day feel lighter.

3. Prioritize Your Mental and Physical Health

It sounds obvious, but so many law students and lawyers put their own well-being last. Exercise, sleep, and mindfulness practices like meditation aren’t just nice things to do, they’re essential for maintaining oneself throughout a challenging time. Even small changes, like taking a short walk or practicing deep breathing, can help reset your mind in moments where everything feels like it is closing in on you.

Students and professors also shared the small habits that help them stay afloat. One student emphasized the power of a structured schedule, saying, "I keep a thorough agenda planner so I can manage my time and prevent overwhelm before it starts." Another highlighted the importance of connection, noting that talking to friends or mentors helped relieve pressure and offered much-needed perspective. Others mentioned that carving out time for restful activities like reading a book, playing video games, or simply sleeping in gave them the reset they needed to return to their work more energized.

Protecting your health doesn't have to be perfect or all-consuming. It's about consistency and building routines that prioritize recovery, even in small ways, day after day.

4. Seek Support—You’re Not Alone

If you’re feeling burned out, talk to someone. Whether it’s a mentor, a friend, a therapist, or a professional coach, having a support system can make all the difference. It can be extremely difficult to find the strength to reach out, but there is always someone who is willing and wanting to listen. Many law schools and firms offer mental health resources because the hardships students face are widely known. Don’t hesitate to use them.

Several students shared that taking small steps to connect, like reaching out to classmates during stressful periods or checking in with professors they trusted, helped them feel less isolated and made the challenges feel more manageable. One student reflected, "Talking to others helped me realize I wasn’t the only one struggling, and that alone made a huge difference."

Support doesn’t always have to come in the form of formal therapy. Sometimes, simply knowing you aren’t alone can be the first step toward healing.

If you or someone you know is struggling with burnout or mental health struggles in general, here are some places to turn:

• Lawyer Assistance Programs (LAPs): Most state bar associations offer confidential mental health support.
• ABA Well-Being Toolkit: Resources for mental health and well-being in the legal profession.
• ABA Provided Mental Health Resources: This is a comprehensive list put together by the ABA to provide resources and help to those who are struggling.
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 (for immediate emotional support).

Burnout is real, but it doesn’t have to define your experience as a law student or in the field of law. By recognizing the warning signs, setting boundaries, and finding joy in small moments, you can build a sustainable career without sacrificing your well-being.

The legal profession values resilience, but real strength comes from knowing when to rest, recharge, and prioritize yourself. The work will always be there. The question is, how will you take care of yourself so you can keep doing it for the long run?

I am grateful to Professor Meera Deo, Christina Gabriel, and Liza Hayrapetyan for sharing their insights and experiences for this article. Some survey responses have been anonymized by request to respect privacy.

I would also like to sincerely thank Ms. JD for giving me the opportunity to write this piece, and I hope that it will help support students making their way through this complicated field. Finally, I want to thank my parents, sisters, friends, and family, whose constant encouragement and support have helped me combat my own experiences with burnout. I would not be where I am today without you all.