RESEARCH_FILE
Patrick R. Krill
Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation
Known for:Lead author of the 2016 ABA/Hazelden Betty Ford study establishing that 28% of licensed US attorneys meet criteria for depression and 23% for hazardous alcohol use — the most rigorous prevalence data on lawyer mental health to date
SEE THE PRACTICE
Turn a thought this research explains into one clear move.
THE THOUGHT
“Every hour I don’t bill is wasted”
YOUR RECORDED RESPONSE
“A body that runs is part of the workday too, even when it isn’t on the invoice.”
ONE PRIVATE MOVE
Set a private alarm for the hour you want the workday to end tomorrow. When it goes off, close your billing screen, put your pen or laptop in a drawer, and leave it there for the night—without adding anything else.
Key findings
- 2016
In a survey of 12,825 licensed US attorneys, Krill, Johnson and Albert found that 28% met criteria for depression, 19% for anxiety, and 23% for hazardous or harmful alcohol use — rates substantially elevated above both the general US adult population and other high-status professional groups, with distress correlating strongly with firm size, billable-hour requirements, and years in practice. The Prevalence of Substance Use and Other Mental Health Concerns Among American Attorneys ↗