The Case for Mindfulness in the Legal Profession: Supporting Students, Strengthening Teams

As we near the end of Well-Being Week in Law, I’ve been reflecting on something powerful:

What if we gave legal professionals the tools to manage stress before the overwhelm sets in?

This week, I had the joy of leading a mindful walking session as part of the national Well-Being Week in Law initiative. I also visited my son’s 2nd grade class, where I introduced the idea of thought bubbles — teaching children that we are not our thoughts, and we don’t have to chase every emotion that arises.

Watching these young ones move, breathe, and begin to understand how to relate to their inner world with curiosity and kindness made me wonder:

What would the legal profession look like if we all learned these tools sooner?

🎓 Mindfulness in Law School = Tools for Life

Law school is a time of intense pressure, sky-high expectations, and often relentless self-judgment. Many students feel like they’re just trying to survive — and when they enter the profession, that survival mode can become a chronic state.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

When law firms and legal employers offer mindfulness and well-being resources to interns, clerks, and new associates, they are doing more than offering a perk — they’re planting seeds for long-term resilience, trust, and excellence.

As Jon Kabat-Zinn wisely said:

“It’s like weaving a parachute — and you don’t want to start weaving a parachute when you’re about to jump out of a plane. You want to have been weaving it morning, noon and night so that it actually works when you need it.”

Mindfulness isn’t just for moments of crisis. It’s a practice we build over time — so we have it when it matters most.

💬 A Story from the Inside

Several years ago, I offered the first 6-week mindfulness cohort at my former law firm. I wasn’t sure what the response would be, but to my surprise — we had a full group. Then another. And another. And another.

Here’s what my colleague Steve shared about his experience:

“I thought: this is my chance. The firm was offering mindfulness and I wanted to see what it was all about. And it really was kind of life-changing. You can use this for all sorts of things in your life.”

“If anyone’s on the fence about doing something like this — Courtney would be the person to do it with.”

It was a gift to me, too — not only deepening my own practice through teaching, but also cultivating a real sense of connection with my colleagues. Together, we created a safe space to explore, reflect, and recharge — and we grew stronger as individuals and as a team.

📺 You can now watch the entire episode on YouTube or

🎧 Listen to it here on Spotify.

🤝 It’s a Win-Win

When legal organizations offer mindfulness programming:
✔️ Associates feel supported and engaged
✔️ Teams develop stronger communication and connection
✔️ Burnout decreases, retention improves, and focus deepens
✔️ Clients benefit from more present, effective professionals

This is about more than stress relief — it’s about reshaping the legal culture into one that is compassionate, sustainable, and human.

🌱 Ready to Plant the Seeds of Change?

If your firm, organization, or legal team is looking for a way to support your people — not just during Mental Health Awareness Month but year-round — I’d love to talk.

Whether you’re interested in workshops, multi-week programs, or team-based mindfulness experiences, let’s explore what’s possible together.

👉 Reply here to start the conversation.

Let’s help the legal profession breathe a little easier — one moment at a time.

Learn More About My Guest, Steve Ahern

In addition to being a 6-time marathon runner and mindfulness student, Steve rescues turtles in his spare time — and is the co-recipient of the 2014 Disney Worldwide Conservation Award for his work with terrapin hatchlings! 🐢🌊