Lawyer burnout is a significant risk for the profession. Demanding deadlines, clients with urgent issues and the stress of generating fees and results can have an adverse impact on the mental health of lawyers. A 2023 survey of Massachusetts lawyers confirmed that 77% of those lawyers reported feeling burnout as a result of their law practice, and many law firms and bars have dedicated resources in recent years to help combat these symptoms.

Many experts recommend that the way to prevent fatigue or burnout is through adopting healthy personal habits (such as healthful eating and exercise), prioritizing sleep where possible and by taking breaks. Thus, taking vacation time every year is critical to lawyers’ success, including as a risk management tool to allow lawyers time to recharge.