Mental `Health Awareness Week: Time for meaningful change

Mental `Health Awareness Week: Time for meaningful change

Time for meaningful change: tackling mental health challenges in the legal sector

By InterLaw Diversity Forum

Date and time

Thu, 23 May 2024 18:00 - 20:30 GMT+1

Location

Milbank LLP

100 Liverpool Street London EC2M 2AT United Kingdom

About this event

  • 2 hours 30 minutes

Mental Health Awareness Week
Time for meaningful change: tackling mental health challenges in the legal sector

Date: Thursday 23 May 2024
Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Location: Milbank, 100 Liverpool St, London EC2M 2AT

At a point when mental health in the legal sector is in the spotlight, do we have a window of opportunity to create lasting change?

Join Milbank and the InterLaw Diversity Forum for a deeply important discussion on the state of mental health and wellbeing in the legal profession. In an open and candid discussion, we will explore:

  • The unique challenges that come with working the legal sector - from perfectionist tendencies and client demands to the pressure of the billable hour
  • The toll these factors can take on our mental health, including the realities of alcohol and substance abuse in the sector
  • The steps firms and their leaders should be taking to support meaningful change, and whether current measures are sufficient

Our panel will share insights into how to spot the signs of poor mental health – in ourselves, our colleagues, and our loved ones. We will discuss practical ways to preserve our mental health and cope through periods of difficulty, and we will unpack the issues connected with tackling the symptoms of mental health issues in the legal sector without addressing the root cause.

Panelists:

  • Elizabeth Rimmer, Chief Executive, LawCare
  • Paul Hodkinson, Editor in Chief, Law.com
  • Justine Thompson, Executive Director, InterLaw Diversity Forum
  • Daniel Winterfeldt, Chair, InterLaw Diversity Forum (moderator)

This discussion is open to all. We particularly encourage leaders and managers who are committed to effecting change to join us.

Running order:
6:00 PM: Arrivals
6:20 PM – 7:45 PM: Panel Discussion
7:45 PM – 8:30 PM: Networking Reception

Tags

Organised by

InterLaw Diversity Forum

The InterLaw Diversity Forum works to foster inclusion for all diverse talent working in the legal sector, and to promote meritocracy in all sectors by working to 'level the playing field' in order to create environments where the best talent can succeed.

Since its founding in 2008 the InterLaw Diversity Forum has expanded its scope beyond LGBT+ to encompass all strands of diversity and inclusion, including Race & Ethnicity (BAME), Disability, Gender, and social mobility, with a particular focus on cultural change in the workplace and 'multiple identities'/intersectionality.

​Events and membership are free and open to anyone working in the legal sector, both lawyers (including private practice and in-house counsel), as well as non-lawyers and business services staff.

InterLaw’s work can be broken down into four key pillars supporting: (1) diverse and disadvantaged individuals in the profession; (2) law firms, chambers and legal employers; (3) government and regulatory bodies; and (4) the wider community.

The InterLaw Diversity Forum currently has more than 8,500 members and supporters from over 300 law firms and chambers, and over 500 corporates and financial institutions.​

The InterLaw Diversity Forum is a volunteer-led and run as a not-for-profit.

Awards & Recognition​

  • InterLaw Diversity Forum was shortlisted for "Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion" at the Law Society Excellence Awards (2019).
  • Our Race & Ethnicity (BAME) Network was awarded “Outstanding BAME Employee Network of the Year” at the UK Diversity Legal Awards (2017).​
  • InterLaw Diversity Forum was "Highly Commended" in the category "Innovation in Human Resources" for our Apollo Project and Purple Reign exhibition at the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards (2016).
  • ​InterLaw Diversity Forum was shortlisted for our Purple Reign project at the Law Society Excellence Awards (2014).
  • ​InterLaw Diversity Forum was shortlisted for "Excellence in Equality and Diversity" and "Excellence in Community Service" at the Law Society Excellence Awards (2010).​
  • InterLaw Diversity Forum was shortlisted for "Excellence in Equality and Diversity" at the Law Society Excellence Awards (2009).
  • ​InterLaw Diversity Forum was "Highly Commended’’ for "CSR Programme of the Year” at the Legal Business Awards (2009).
  • InterLaw Diversity Forum was “Standout Winner” for "Diversity" at the FT Innovative Lawyers Awards (2008).
  • InterLaw Diversity Forum was ‘’Highly Commended’’ for "Diversity and Inclusion" at the Law Society Excellence Awards (2008).