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Overview AI Webinar Summary

Ethics, Well-Being, and the Modern Practice of Law

This presentation explores the intersection of lawyer well-being and professional ethics, drawing on personal experience and current research to highlight why mental health and sustainability are essential to competent legal practice. Attendees will learn about common barriers to well-being, the ethical rules that support a healthier practice, and practical strategies for both individuals and organizations to foster a more sustainable and fulfilling legal career. The session concludes with a forward-looking discussion on the future of lawyer well-being and the shared responsibility to drive positive change in the profession.

Duration of this webinar: 60 minutes

Originally broadcast: April 30, 2026 11:00 AM PT

Webinar Highlights

This webinar is divided into section summaries, which you can scan for key points and then dive into the sections that interest you the most.

00:00 The Speaker's Story

Emily Stedman, the speaker, shares her personal story, including her struggles with anxiety and perfectionism. She discusses the coping mechanisms she developed to manage her mental health and the challenges that she faced after entering private practice. She highlights the prevalence of mental health issues in the legal profession and the need to destigmatize these concerns.

11:01 Barriers to Lawyer Well-Being

Emily explains the holistic nature of well-being, emphasizing its importance beyond mental health alone. She cites the ABA's definition of lawyer well-being, which includes emotional, physical, and social aspects. The discussion highlights the challenges lawyers face, such as the billable hour, perfectionism, and lack of training. She stresses problems such as high demands, lack of support or accountability, and unpredictable workloads.

18:14 Ethical Responsibilities

Emily discusses the ethical responsibilities of lawyers to maintain their well-being to ensure competent representation. She highlights the risks of neglecting well-being, including impaired judgment and potential malpractice. Emily connects ethical rules to well-being, emphasizing the importance of competence, diligence, and communication with clients.

27:13 Time Management and Mindfulness

Emily describes time management as a form of self-care that also enhances competence and client communication. She shares practical time management techniques, such as time blocking and using technology to minimize distractions. Emily emphasizes the importance of managing expectations with clients and colleagues. She highlights the need for lawyers to assess their capacity and align work with their values and goals. Emily encourages mindfulness in client relationships and stresses the importance of recognizing signs of burnout.

45:39 Organizational Responsibilities and Cultural Change

Emily emphasizes the role of organizations in supporting lawyer well-being through programs and resources. She discusses the importance of destigmatizing mental health and well-being. Emily highlights the need for law schools to integrate well-being into their curriculum. She encourages individuals to say no to non-essential tasks and to delegate effectively. She discusses the importance of psychological safety and the ethical responsibilities of partners and managers.

Please note this AI-generated summary provides a general overview of the webinar but may not capture all details, nuances, or the exact words of the speaker. For complete accuracy, please refer to the original webinar recording.

Speaker

Emily Stedman Partner
Husch Blackwell LLP

Born and raised outside of Atlanta, Georgia, Emily Logan Stedman has called Milwaukee home since June 2013. She obtained her B.A. cum laude (Spanish and History) in 2008 from Wake Forest University. Next, she taught 5th Grade in Buckeye, Arizona as a 2008 corps member with Teach for America. In 2010, she enrolled at the University of Mississippi School of Law, graduating in 2013 magna cum laude and having served as Editor-in-Chief of the Mississippi Law Journal. Read More ›

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credits

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Alabama CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Ethics

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2026

Alaska CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Ethics

Earn Credit Until: April 29, 2031

California CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Wellness Competence

Earn Credit Until: June 30, 2026

Hawaii CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Ethics

Earn Credit Until: April 29, 2028

Illinois CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Professional Responsibility - Mental Health / Substance Abuse

Earn Credit Until: April 29, 2028

Nebraska CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Professional Responsibility

Earn Credit Until: April 30, 2028

New Jersey CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.20 Ethics/Professionalism

Earn Credit Until: April 29, 2027

North Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Professional Well-Being

Earn Credit Until: February 28, 2027

Ohio CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Attorney Professional Conduct

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2026

Pennsylvania CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Ethics, Professionalism, or Substance Abuse

Earn Credit Until: April 29, 2028

South Carolina CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Substance Abuse/Mental Health

Difficulty: All Levels

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2026

Texas CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Legal Ethics/Professional Responsibility

Earn Credit Until: March 31, 2027

Utah CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Professionalism and Civility

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2026

Vermont CLE

Status: Approved

Format: Live (Virtual), On-Demand

Credits: 1.00 Attorney Wellness

Earn Credit Until: April 30, 2031

West Virginia CLE

Status: Approved

Format: On-Demand

Credits: 1.20 Legal Ethics, etc.

Earn Credit Until: December 31, 2029

This presentation is approved for one hour of Ethics CLE credit in Alabama, one hour of Ethics CLE credit in Alaska, one hour of Wellness Competence CLE credit in California, one hour of Ethics CLE credit in Hawaii, one hour of Professional Responsibility - Mental Health / Substance Abuse CLE credit in Illinois, one hour of Professional Responsibility CLE credit in Nebraska, one hour of Professional Well-Being CLE credit in North Carolina, one hour of Attorney Professional Conduct CLE credit in Ohio, one hour of Ethics, Professionalism, or Substance Abuse CLE credit in Pennsylvania, one hour of Substance Abuse/Mental Health CLE credit in South Carolina (all levels), one hour of Professionalism and Civility CLE credit in Utah, one hour of Attorney Wellness CLE credit in Vermont, and one hour of Legal Ethics, etc. CLE credit in West Virginia. This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 1.20 hours of total CLE credit. Of these, 1.20 qualify as total hours of credit for Ethics/Professionalism. This course has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of Texas Committee on MCLE in the amount of 1.00 credit hours, of which 1.00 credit hours will apply to Legal Ethics/Professional Responsibility credit.

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