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About

Prioritising Wellbeing and Resilience for Sustainable Success

The legal profession is under unprecedented pressure to address the challenges of a rapidly evolving workplace and workforce while simultaneously addressing systemic burnout, poor wellbeing, and employee disengagement. The conference aims to bring together both health and law firm leaders to challenge the traditional models of leadership, organisational culture, and talent strategy.

Thank you to Inside Practice and Renee Branson for curating a fantastic event and all the wonderful experts who presented.

This was such a special day! Enjoyed meeting and exchanging ideas with you all. Such a well put-together program!

A fantastic conversation and seedling for something bigger and better in our profession

Full Agenda

Thursday 11th September

8:00 AM- 8:45 AM

Registration / Breakfast

8:45 AM- 9:00 AM

Chairperson's Opening Remarks

Chairperson: TBC

9:00 AM - 9:45 AM

State of the Industry:

Wellbeing and Mental Health in Law Firms

SPEAKER

Elizabeth Rimmer, CEO, LawCare

Gain insight from leaders as they explore the key wellbeing and mental health challenges currently facing the legal sector.

This discussion will examine the evolving risks to mental health in the workplace which are being shaped by the shifting cultural expectations of colleagues, clients and regulators, rapid technological change and the continuing high pressure work culture. 

Panel speakers will share insights and practical steps to build healthier, more sustainable workplace cultures that support wellbeing and mental health.

9:45 AM – 10:30 AM

Understanding Mental Health and Wellbeing from a Partner’s Perspective

SPEAKERS

Emma Danks, Partner, Taylor Wessing

Matt Fairclough, Partner, Clifford Chance

Will Normand, Partner, Travers

The role of a lawyer is highly rewarding and an intellectually stimulating career that attracts high achievers. Yet many lawyers may be ‘insecure overachievers’ and often ignore self-awareness and self-care, which can lead to professional burnout.

Hear leading law firm partners share their own professional journeys to reaching senior positions. The partners will discuss strategies utilized to remain psychologically and physically healthy and highlight successful and unsuccessful approaches to wellbeing.

The goal of sharing valuable wellbeing experiences is to reduce stigma around wellbeing and inspire others to seek support and guidance to achieve wellness goals and maintain excellence in an exciting profession.

10:30 AM - 10:40 AM

Interactive Wellbeing Activity

Stretching Exercises

Led By:

Jodi Montlake, Naturopathic Health & Fitness Coach

10:40 AM – 11:00 AM

Networking AM Coffee Break

11:00 AM - 11:20 AM

The Law Firm Maturity Index Review

PANEL

Stuart Woollard, Co-Founder, Maturity Institute

The Law Firm Maturity Index assesses, analyses and measures law firm health through a research-tested, human systems framework. LFMI helps firms to consider the key organizational and work-related factors that can impact mental health. For example, corporate purpose, decision-making, performance management, job/career satisfaction, trust, employee voice, or human ethos. The challenges relating to mental health, stress and burnout can be better understood by unpacking causal connections. LFMI data allows firms to link wellbeing, firm performance, value and impact. With the right evidence, wellbeing can become a strategic driver, redefining success by integrating human value alongside conventional financial performance. 

11:20 AM - 11:50 AM
Lamp House Strategy Annual Report:

Wellbeing Data Review

SPEAKER

David Johnson, Director of Client Services, Chambers and Partners

Explore the results from the Lamp House Strategic Report focusing on law firm wellbeing to identify areas of improvement for the overall mental health and wellbeing of law firm professionals. The goal of the report is to highlight opportunities for changes to law firm culture to generate a healthier profession to attract and retain the best possible talent. In addition, the report addresses both preventative and reactive support systems and tools and services that can be utilized by law firm professionals to improve wellbeing.

11:50 AM - 12:30 PM

Interactive Workshop: Capitalizing on Data to Introduce Practical and Systemic Change

SPEAKERS

To Be Announced

Utilize information and data from previous sessions to identify opportunities for enhancement in your own law firm wellbeing programs. Alterations to mentorship programs, employee assistance programs, technology solutions, time management, financial planning and resources, and enhancements to office design can all play a valuable part in wellbeing improvement. Capitalize on this workshop to create actionable items that can be implemented into your wellbeing program that will generate improvement and highlight ROI from your wellbeing investments.

12:45 PM - 1:20 PM

Networking Lunch

1:20 PM - 2:00 PM

Legal Wellbeing Across Multigeneration of Law Firm Professionals

SPEAKERS

Harry Clark, Associate, Mishcon de Reya LLP

Dasha Henderson, Organizational Development Manager, Clyde & Co

Law Firms are comprised of exceptional talent from several different generations. The experience, goals, and expectations differ dramatically based on each generation. It is critical for law firm leaders to understand the differences in characteristics and needs based on the generation of the employee as they set out wellbeing objectives.

The Gen Z workforce has a very different concept of long-term goals and work expectations than Gen X employees are used to. Therefore, it is critical to be able to cater to the wellbeing needs based on these differences.

Law firms must identify challenges, implement training and education, set clear goals and boundaries, and adapt the culture of the law firm to achieve its wellbeing goals.

1:55 PM - 2:35 PM

Benefits and Education: Positive Impact on Legal Wellbeing

SPEAKER

To Be Announced

Analyze different tools, solutions, training, and benefits that can be utilized to make a positive impact on employee wellbeing in your law firm. Collect and utilize valuable data to track which benefits are most valuable and provide the best outcomes.

Assess if different types of benefits are needed for specific roles within your law firm, with the understanding that one size does not fit all, and a targeted approach may be needed to ensure employee wellness. Additionally, it is critical to foster the mental health and wellbeing of supervisors overseeing wellbeing objectives for law firm professionals.

2:40 PM – 2:50 PM

Interactive Wellbeing Activity

Stretching Exercises

Led By:



Jodi Montlake, Naturopathic Health & Fitness Coach

2:50 PM - 3:10 PM

Networking PM Coffee Break

3:10 PM - 3:50 PM

General Counsel Perspective:

Wellbeing from a Risk Management Lens

SPEAKER

Andrew Cheung, General Counsel, Pinset Masons

Assess the importance of identifying potential risks and implementing preventative measures for the overall wellbeing of your employees. Analyze the need for training and education, monthly pulse surveys, mentorship programs, and overcoming stigma related to mental health as key components to reduce the protentional for occupational burnout.

Now more than ever, it is critical for law firms to take a proactive approach to offer support and guidance for employees working in a high-pressure profession, by identifying opportunities to change the culture of the law firm to improve wellbeing and reduce levels of anxiety, stress, and fatigue.

3:50PM - 4:30PM

Preventative Vs Reactive Approach:

Strategies to Overcome Burnout

SPEAKERS

Ann-Marie Goodbody, Speaker and Health & Wellness Coach

Sadie Restorick,  Co-Founder, Wellity

Law firm professionals work in a very high-paced, high-pressure role that has the potential to unbalance the mental health and wellbeing of employees in the firm. It is critical to understand the 12 stages of burnout and red flags that can be identified on the road to burnout.

Additional factors can contribute to psychological burnout including external factors such as personal relationships, raising children, and caring for elderly parents. All of these factors along with occupational pressure must be taken into account when preparing a wellbeing program.

It is critical for law firms to introduce preventative measures to ensure the health and safety of their employees, and minimize the risk of burnout, anxiety, and fatigue which can drastically impact the mental health of valuable employees.

Law firms need to invest in education, tools, and benefits to improve the culture of their firm, and protect the psychological safety of its employees to improve professional outcomes and mitigate risk.

4:30 PM - 5:10 PM

Breakdown of Real-Life Law Firm Wellbeing Issues

SPEAKER

Ann-Marie Goodbody, Speaker and Health & Wellness Coach

The goal of this interactive session is to collaborate with attendees to discuss real-life law firm related issues, identify the root cause, examine potential wellbeing and mental health outcomes, generate an action plan, and identify tools and services that can be utilized to benefit the wellbeing of the employee. Each roundtable will then share discussion notes and an action plan they have prepared.

5:10 PM - 5:30 PM

Interactive Wellbeing Activity

Stretching Exercises

Led By:

Jodi Montlake, Naturopathic Health & Fitness Coach

5:30 PM - 5:40 PM

Chairperson’s Closing Remarks

5:40 PM - 7:00 PM

Networking Reception