Legal profession stress isn’t just about lawyers

Legal profession stress isn’t just about lawyers
Stress is a big problem in the legal profession; multiple studies highlight the pressure that lawyers are under and the proliferation of mental health issues.

But a new study highlights the stress that non-lawyers are also facing in law firms.

Canadian marketing research firm fSquared says that legal marketing and business development professionals are also facing increased stress and mental health concerns.

Its Legal Marketing Wellness Survey for 2019 shows that across the 200 professionals in Canada, the US, and UK, who responded to the poll, 98% agreed that “there is significant stress in the legal industry” and 96% agreed that that this affects legal marketing and related fields.

More than 8 out of 10 respondents put their own stress levels at 7 or above based on a scale of 1-10 while none had little or no stress.

Most respondents said they often feel overwhelmed at work and have too much work assigned to them; many said they are under-resourced.

Asked if they feel that lawyers don’t understand their role, 84% agreed.

The full study is available at fsquaredmarketing.com

Big Four firm to offer legal training
Deloitte is to offer legal training contracts in the UK in a partnership with the University of Law (ULaw).

It means that the Big Four services firm will provide training for new graduate-level legal qualifications within the UK Deloitte Legal practice. ULaw will also provide legal training for Deloitte’s apprenticeship program.

“We want to broaden access to the profession and make it as inclusive as possible,” said Michael Castle, UK managing partner for Deloitte Legal. “Deloitte Legal is a fast-growing and ambitious team that provides clients with new solutions to legal problems. Our trainees will be able to experience the future of law, today.”

Applications for the Deloitte Legal Training Contract 2020 are open now.

Trump trespass defendant asks judge for “undergarments” at trial
A trial in Florida took an unusual turn as the defendant requested underwear from the judge.

Shanghai-based consultant Yujing Zhang is accused of trespassing at Donald Trump’s Palm Beach Club and has already raised a few eyebrows by refusing the help of a public defender despite appearing to lack insight into US courtroom procedures.

But when she appeared in court this week wearing prison-issue clothing she said it was because no underwear was provided with the silk blouse she was given to wear for her appearance.

Bloomberg reports that Zhang asked US district judge Roy Altman via an interpreter: “Could you provide me the undergarments?” which the judge was unable to help with.

He did however, provide a short delay to proceedings to allow Zhang to change.

The case U.S. v. Zhang, 19-cr-80056, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida (Palm Beach) is the subject of much speculation as to the reason Zhang may have been at the Trump property with allegations that her account does not tally with evidence of federal agents.