The alarming passing of Vanessa Ford, a well-respected law firm partner in London, prompted a more intense focus on lawyer well-being. There are so many questions: Why didn’t we know she was struggling? Was it the impact of working too many hours? Guilt over not spending time with her children? She was successful, respected, loved, and admired – how can this be? For many, it’s baffling and just doesn’t make sense.
Based on my experience, yes, it does. Women attorneys are struggling all around you with alcohol and mental health. One factor is our legal culture that celebrates alcohol as a solution for connection and coping with stress. Approximately 80% of attorneys drink in the United States, compared to the national average of 62%. The Stress, Drink, Leave report revealed that women attorneys are abusing alcohol more than men. Nearly 56% of women attorneys engaged in risky drinking and 34% in hazardous drinking, driven in-part by permissiveness towards alcohol in the workplace.
