Networking with a difference

Mental health in the legal profession remains a challenge. It is no easy feat trying to balance long hours, demanding clients and stressful working practices, with relationships, families and other commitments at home.

It was therefore (sadly) no surprise that mental health charity LawCare reported in its 2023 Impact Report a 14% increase in the amount of emotional support that it provided to legal professionals during 2023. Of those who contacted LawCare, 72% were female, and 68% were aged between 31 and 60. With these statistics in mind, it makes me question why, day after day, I receive invitations to a drinks party or an evening networking event which starts at 6.30/7pm on a work night.

And therein lies the problem. Most networking events not only revolve around alcohol – known to cause mental health issues, along with a host of other health problems – but they also take place outside office hours in the evening. This may suit younger people, or those who have few home commitments. But even though networking is essential if you intend to climb the proverbial career ladder, it can become a real problem for parents, care-givers and others when they are trying to achieve a work-home life balance.

I have no doubt that this conundrum largely explains why there is such a large gender gap at partnership level in most law firms. Women typically choose to sacrifice their career (some leave the law, never to return) to care for children. Despite more than 60% of solicitors in England and Wales identifying as women, the most recent Solicitors Regulation Authority figures show they comprise only 35% of law firm partners (this has risen by only four percentage points over the past decade).

Do not be fooled, though. Mental health does not discriminate. The Samaritans reported that the male suicide rate in 2022 was 16.1 per 100,000, compared to a female suicide rate of 5.3, with men aged 50 to 54 having the highest suicide rate of 23.1 per 100,000.

The good news? Change is happening; but it is just too slow. Law firms are recognising the importance of a diverse workforce, and of their employees’ wellbeing.

The Mindful Business Charter – created by members of the London Solicitors Litigation Association – is a good example. The charter seeks to ‘remove unnecessary sources of stress and promote better mental health and wellbeing in the workplace’. Since its launch in 2018, it now has 131 members, ranging from small, boutique law firms to monolithic global firms and banks. Firms are also organising their own wellbeing initiatives. Mental health champions, wellbeing seminars and, in some cases, recognising mental health days as an approved absence, are increasingly common. Better mental health can only lead to a happier, more productive and diverse workforce.

New networking groups are also being created. A Mindful Lawyer, a network that I created earlier this year with Maria Mulla, a barrister at Maitland Chambers, aims to provide mindful networking opportunities. Our slogan is ‘networking with a difference’. We were tired of networking over a glass of wine and not getting home until gone 10pm, when Maria would have long missed her daughter’s bedtime.

So we decided it was time for change. Since December 2023, A Mindful Lawyer has hosted a variety of events at different times of the day. From breakfast yoga sessions to lunchtime breath work and evening spin classes, we aim to keep the events varied and fun. We have also hosted some evening events, such as a seminar for International Women’s Day in March. There was also a coaching workshop run by Phoebe Waters and Deborah Glassbrook of Optimising Potential in April.

For a network that has been in existence for less than half a year, we have received some great feedback. We are pleased to offer networking opportunities for those who cannot always do evenings, or do not want to network over alcohol.

Change will continue apace only if everyone gets behind it. Preventative action is needed in the workplace to stop mental health problems developing. As Gandhi said, ‘be the change that you wish to see in the world’.

Charlotte Hill is a committee member of the London Solicitors Litigation Association and partner at Penningtons Manches Cooper