Shilpa Coorg from Winston & Strawn

Early in my career, I received the well-intentioned advice to be mindful of typographical errors. As my colleague stated, if a client is paying tens of thousands of dollars for a brief, it better be perfect with every comma in the right place. Emails, I was told, were a reflection of my ability to pay attention to detail. I became obsessed with checking my emails for mistakes, sometimes reading a three-sentence email up to five or six times. Soon, I realized my habits were actually crippling my efficiency, and that while I should work to the best of my ability, I could not realistically expect myself to be completely error-free.

Perfection is an impossible standard. Yet, it is the standard by which many attorneys measure their professional success—or worse, personal worth. Perfectionism is a common thread in incidents that highlight the importance of mental health in attorneys, including the recent suicide of a Sidley Austin partner or the heroin overdose of a Wilson Sonsini Goodrich Rosati partner.

Millennials, more than any other generation, feel the pressure to be perfect. An American Psychological Association study of college students between 1989 and 2016 provides alarming statistics regarding the generational changes related to perfectionism: a 10 percent increase in self-directed perfectionism, 33 percent increase in socially prescribed perfectionism, and 16 percent increase in perfectionistic standards applied to others. Factors contributing to these increases may include the current economy with its diminishing middle class, increased societal emphasis on meritocracy, and increased competition in the job market. Millennials may also face the pressure of curating their personal lives on social media, contributing to the pressure to be, or appear to be, perfect in every setting.

For millennials who are attorneys, perfectionist tendencies can become amplified due to the realities of legal practice. First, clients rightfully expect high quality work. This expectation can trickle down to all members of legal service providers, including millennials who are already inclined to perfectionism. Attorneys may also feel the self-directed pressure of providing good work and not “letting down” their teams or clients. Second, mistakes can be costly, both for the life of a matter and in terms of career progression within the organization. For example, a mistake in a high-stakes matter could cost a client a case, cost a partner a client, or cost an associate an important intra-organizational relationship. Mistakes can also affect an attorney's reputation or prospects for promotion. Third, attorneys may feel constant pressure to appear confident and in command. This pressure may lead to a perception that vulnerability is undesired or weak, and create two layers of stress: the “original” stress of producing high quality work, and the “secondary” stress of having to hide any emotion perceived as negative, such as anxiety or nervousness.

Perfectionism in millennial attorneys may have a profound effect on mental health because perfectionism is a paradox: it sets a standard that is impossible to achieve, yet the standards can seem eminently reasonable. When the expectations (whether self-imposed or otherwise) are not met, it can lead to individuals feeling that they have failed or that they themselves are failures. Indeed, as studies have confirmed, there is a link between perfectionism and an increase in mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, and substance abuse. Attorneys who feel pressure to be perfect may be less likely to seek help when needed due to worries of what others may think and whether they will gain a reputation of not being able to “handle” the pressures of being an attorney.

It seems clear that a positive step toward improving mental health in millennial attorneys would be to minimize stress resulting from perfectionism and to offer coping tools to attorneys who experience it. The following are some tips for millennial attorneys:

• Ask for help if needed. Trained mental health professionals can be a great resource. The organization you work for may also have mental health initiatives and support services, such as mindfulness training, work-life balance programs, and/or professional coaches.
• Seek mentorship. Mentors can not only provide much needed perspective, but also substantive guidance on work product. Mentors need not necessarily be seniors. Your peers can exchange ideas with you regarding how to balance career pressures or navigate the political landscape of the organization. Additionally, meaningful connections with coworkers can help decrease feelings of isolation and make work more enjoyable.
• Utilize the resources at your disposal. Your organization may have resources to assist with tasks such as proofreading or cite checking. Taking advantage of these resources could prevent mistakes that are small, yet costly. Work collaboratively in a team when possible so the risk of mistakes can be minimized or distributed. Playing to the strengths of each team member may also help strengthen overall work product.
• Remind yourself that mistakes are natural. Even those you look up to, including the most senior partners, have made mistakes during the course of their careers. If it seems impossible to make everyone happy or get to everything, remember that you are human, not super-human. Give yourself the gift of forgiveness.
• Reframe mistakes as opportunities. Lawyers are often put in less-than-ideal situations, and it can be satisfying to think of creative solutions. Recognize that dwelling on the problem will not help. Own up to any mistakes and brainstorm options for moving forward. This may help assure those around you that you are willing to take responsibility for your mistakes in a manner that is productive for everyone. Thinking of a solution may also provide you peace of mind regarding the mistake or serve as a positive learning opportunity.
• Try mindfulness. The connection between mindfulness and mental well being is well-documented. Mindfulness is the practice of being in the present moment. Incorporating techniques such as deep-breathing, observing your surroundings, or meditating can have a profound impact over time.
• Avoid comparison. Every attorney and every career path is unique. Know that this diversity will only enhance the legal practice of your organization and embrace what you bring to the table.

Shilpa Coorg is an associate at Winston & Strawn in Los Angeles. She focuses her practice on patent litigation, including pharmaceutical litigation under Hatch-Waxman. She represents and advises industry leaders on intellectual property matters across a broad spectrum of technologies.