More than half said their caseload involved mainly traumatic material or traumatised clients
A new study has revealed that lawyers are experiencing high levels of burnout, trauma and psychological distress, with nearly one quarter, or 22.5%, considering leaving the profession.
The 163-page Law in Distress report, published by the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) with funding and support from the New Zealand Law Foundation, combines survey data of 370 lawyers with in-depth interviews with 49 lawyers, the NZ Herald reported.
The research found widespread emotional exhaustion and significant levels of vicarious trauma, secondary traumatic stress, moral distress, depression, anxiety and stress. More than two-thirds of respondents, or 67.6%, described their workload as heavy or extremely heavy.
More than half, 53.6%, said their caseload involved mainly traumatic material or traumatised clients. Meanwhile, 86% reported moderate to severe levels of vicarious trauma, while 50.7% recorded moderate to severe secondary traumatic stress.
The interviews supported the survey findings, with lawyers describing deep frustration with shortcomings in the legal system and moral distress when they found it difficult to act consistently with their professional values and ethics.
Participants also described the cumulative impact of exposure to traumatic cases and the emotional demands of working with limited support in an under-resourced justice system. One participant described the experience as bearing witness to “endless human pain” while feeling powerless to help, saying heavy case volumes compounded the problem.
Symptoms of moderate, severe or extremely severe depression were reported by 28.3% of respondents, while 34.1% reported similar levels of anxiety and 30.8% reported stress.
The study also found high levels of at-risk alcohol consumption. Some 59.8% of male respondents and 67.8% of female respondents reported drinking at levels classified as at risk. Participants described alcohol as a way of relaxing, sleeping or switching off from work.
The survey found 22.5% of lawyers intended to leave the profession within one to four years. Others had reduced their working hours because of stress and concerns about their mental wellbeing.
The report identified cultural and leadership change, greater access to external support and the integration of trauma-informed principles into legal education and professional development as priorities.
It also called for justice-system resourcing and workload reforms, particularly in legal aid, family law and criminal law, and greater awareness of psychosocial risk obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
The researchers said systemic and cultural change, supported by evidence, collaboration and investment, was required to address work-related distress among lawyers.
