Kirkland Managing Partner Calls for Mental Health Openness to Combat Burnout
Kirkland & Ellis Managing Partner Jon Ballis urges open mental health dialogue to address burnout.
Why it matters: Legal burnout threatens attorney retention and firm culture; open mental health discussions can improve workplace well-being and productivity.
- Kirkland & Ellis launched its Wellbeing Program in 2019, led by a dedicated expert.
- Weil, Gotshal & Manges appointed Lori Pines as Chief Wellness Officer in 2022 to lead wellness initiatives.
- Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg signed the ABA Well-Being Pledge in 2019 and created their 'Being Well' program.
- Foley & Lardner introduced 'Confidant Connections' in 2024 to pair colleagues for peer support.
Addressing persistent legal burnout, major law firms are adopting structured mental health programs and encouraging open conversations to destigmatize mental health struggles within their ranks.
Kirkland & Ellis began its Wellbeing Program in May 2019, focusing on resilience and healthy habits. Managing Partner Jon A. Ballis has actively encouraged firm-wide candid discussions about mental health, framing openness as essential to changing legal culture.
Weil, Gotshal & Manges strengthened its approach in April 2022 by appointing litigation partner Lori Pines as Chief Wellness Officer, placing wellness at the leadership table through its Health and Well-Being Committee.
Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg committed to mental health by signing the ABA Well-Being Pledge and launching the 'Being Well' program in 2019, offering accessible mental health resources to all employees.
More recently, Foley & Lardner began 'Confidant Connections' in 2024, a peer-support program pairing colleagues for mutual guidance. The initiative aims to foster psychological safety and community at work.
Chris Parsons, Chair of India Practice at HSF Kramer, highlighted the ongoing stigma when describing his personal mental health journey: "There was no bravery in me seeking help. I was completely broken." His statement underscores the need for systemic cultural change in law firms.
These targeted wellness strategies coincide with rising legal industry concerns about mental health's impact on retention and performance. While independent evaluations of such programs remain sparse, they offer practical models legal professionals can adapt to improve attorney well-being and firm culture.
By the numbers:
- 2019 — Launch of Kirkland & Ellis Wellbeing Program
- April 2022 — Lori Pines appointed Chief Wellness Officer at Weil, Gotshal & Manges
- 2024 — Foley & Lardner starts 'Confidant Connections' peer-support initiative
Yes, but: Independent data measuring program effectiveness is limited, underscoring the need for clearer metrics and third-party evaluation.
What's next: Legal firms may increasingly formalize wellness roles and incorporate mental health compliance into ethics policies.