Working Towards the Resilient Lawyer: Early Law School Strategies

Abstract

We know that law students suffer disproportionate levels of depression compared with other students. This paper draws on research which suggests some possible reasons why and approaches to the development of resilience within the academic environment. It is argued that the resilient lawyer (one whose mind is well-furnished beyond the black letter law and whose understanding of self and ethical and other life problems has been developed ) is a reasonable goal for law schools to keep in mind. In planning for the first year experience it is useful to keep this in mind and begin to bed down some of the skills and attitudes which are most likely to enhance the development of the resilient lawyer.