I am responding to the fourth installment of “The Seven Deadly Sins of Lawyers” being written by Shari Klevens and Alanna Clair. Let me begin by thanking Shari and Alanna for their (and Randy Evans') many fine articles that I have found most helpful in navigating this thing that we call the “practice of law” and that I have done for almost 40 years.

I want to add something to Shari's and Alanna's list that I have found missing from their articles and from the articles that Randy has written that address the repercussions of, and responses to, the stress that often accompanies practicing law. What I want to add, and which seems to be the elephant in the room that firms do not want to mention, is time requirements. What I would suggest as an addition to the “Well-Being Pledge” is that firms agree to reduce the minimum hour requirements for all attorneys to reasonable levels … let's say 1,600 billable hours per year and 200 hours per year dedicated to firm or client endeavors.

I cannot think of anything that would reduce stress, depression, etc., more than attorneys having the time to develop healthy lives outside of what they do for a living.  How about it, guys, is anyone willing to sign on?

Martin G. Quirk

Quirk & Quirk

Atlanta