Well-Being Week in Law 

Keynote Event with Gloria Mark, Ph.D., Author of Attention Span and Researcher on the Impact of Digital Media on People’s Lives (Hosted by the SJC Standing Committee on Lawyer Well-Being and the Massachusetts Bar Association)

Thursday, May 1, 5-7 p.m.

This keynote event will explore the significant challenges posed by digital media on attention, distractions, and well-being, particularly within the legal profession. Dr. Gloria Mark, an expert in human-computer interaction and digital media’s impact on individuals, will present her research findings and insights into how technology affects our ability to focus and maintain productivity. Her work is a crucial aspect of Well-Being Week in Law, emphasizing the need to address attention management as a core component of improving well-being in the legal profession. Understanding these challenges is critical for lawyers seeking to protect their mental health while navigating the demands of their work in an increasingly digital world.

The event will be divided into two parts:

• Keynote Presentation and Q&A with Dr. Gloria Mark on attention spans, digital distractions, and strategies to maintain focus.
  
• Panel Discussion with Dr. Mark and legal professionals, exploring how technology impacts well-being in the legal profession. Topics will include managing constant connectivity, the effects of multitasking, and practical strategies for improving focus and productivity in a digital environment.
  • Panelists:
    • Judge Angela M. Ordoñez, Ret.
    • Payal Salsburg, Esq.
    • Bernardo Cuadra, Esq.
    • Shailini George, Esq

    Register here

Dr. Meyers Guided Mindfulness (Hosted by Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers and Mindfulness in Law Society)

9-9:30 a.m.: Please join Dr. Tracey Meyers, staff clinician at Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers, for a guided mindfulness session tailored for attorneys to enhance their well-being and focus and support emotion regulation. Dr. Meyers will also provide a brief overview of how to start a mindfulness practice or continue to build on an existing one to manage the stressful demands of the legal profession along with a brief overview of how mindfulness can support mental and physical health. This practice will help you cultivate a sense of calm, improve your concentration, and foster resilience against daily stressors. Mindfulness practices can be portable tools to use not only in your personal space but also in brief moments throughout your workday, whether before entering the courtroom or during a pause between meetings. 

WWIL 2025 Kickoff: Boosting Well-Being With Connection (Hosted by the Institute for Well-Being in Law) 

Noon-1 p.m.: Dr. Anne Brafford and Tara Antonipillai, the Well-Being Week in Law Co-Chairs, will kick off WWIL 2025
with an engaging session that explains this year’s theme and leads activities to bring it to life. More information
coming soon!

Moving Together: Exploring Connection Through Movement, Exercise, & Dance (Hosted by the Institute for Well-Being in Law)

Kick off Well-Being Week in Law 2025 with energizing and interactive experiences that highlight the power of moving together. Physical activity is well known for boosting mood, improving cognitive function, and reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. But when we move in sync with others—whether through dance, exercise, or even a simple walk—it strengthens our sense of connection and belonging. Shared movement has been shown to release neurochemicals that enhance social bonding, reduce stress, and even lower pain levels.

The Moving Together program offers multiple expert-led movement sessions, so you can participate in whatever feels right for you. No experience is needed, and you’re welcome to turn your camera off if you prefer.

Choose from the Following Sessions:

1:30 p.m.: Yoga (tentative)
2 p.m.: Seated Boxing Workout – George Zakhary, Sit Grit
3 p.m.: Community Mindful Walk (Tentative)
3:30 p.m.: Qi Gong (Tentative)
4:30 p.m.: Ballet for Well-Being – Anna Wassman-Cox, Onco-Ballet Foundation

Join us and experience firsthand how moving together can strengthen both body and mind!

CLE credit will not be available for these sessions.

*SPECIAL DISCOUNT: Massachusetts Lawyers receive a 50% discount on race tickets for Spartan Races in North America, including two races in Massachusetts in August and November. Use code: MASSLAWYER

This year, we have general registration. When you register for Well-Being Week in Law, you’ll have access to the online event platform where all webinars will be available. Register for WWIL.

Work Smarter, Feel Better: Incorporating Well-Being Into a Successful Trial Practice (Hosted by the Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys)

11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Keches Law, 2 Granite Ave, Milton, MA

Featured Presenters:
Filippa Marullo Anzalone, Boston College Law School
Christopher Earley, Earley Law Group Injury Lawyers
Melissa Jones, Planet Depo
Alan Klevan, Law Offices of Alan Klevan, P.C.
Rhonda Maloney, North Shore Law LLC (Moderator)

This program and lunch are free, but we ask that you please register. Register Here.

Fireside Chat: Practicing in Recovery (Hosted by the Institute for Well-Being in Law)

Noon-1 p.m.

Speakers:
James D. Lawrence, Partner, BCLP
Casey L. Miller, Associate, Dechert
Steven R. Wall, Global Managing Partner, Morgan Lewis

Join us for an insightful and candid conversation with a distinguished panel of legal professionals who have successfully navigated their careers while embracing the journey of recovery. Our panelists will share their personal stories, challenges, and triumphs.

In addition to discussing the resilience and self-awareness that recovery fosters, the panelists will offer practical advice for those currently practicing law in recovery. We will also explore insights from recent IWIL research on long-term recovery in the legal profession, shedding light on key factors that support sustained well-being.

As part of the discussion, panelists will reflect on this year’s Well-Being Week in Law theme of connection—examining how social support, community, and professional networks play a critical role in recovery and long-term success in the legal field.

Through this open dialogue, attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the impact of recovery on career progression, strategies for cultivating a supportive work environment, and evidence-based guidance on maintaining well-being while practicing law.

We will apply for CLE credits, which will be dependent on individual states MCLE requirements.

This year, we have general registration. When you register for Well-Being Week in Law, you’ll have access to the online event platform where all webinars will be available. Register for WWIL.

The Power of Us: Uniting the Legal Community in Turbulent Times (Hosted by the Institute for Well-Being in Law)

12:30-1:30 p.m.: More details coming soon.

This year, we have general registration. When you register for Well-Being Week in Law, you’ll have access to the online event platform where all webinars will be available. Register for WWIL.

Community Connections Breakfast (Hosted by the Boston Bar Association)

9-10 a.m.: Join the Well-Being Advisory Committee for a revitalizing morning at their Well-Being Week in Law Community Connections Breakfast! For this breakfast, we will be exchanging well-being tips with one another. Attend and share how you prioritize your well-being while also learning from others. 

What to Expect:

• Networking: Meet and mingle with like-minded professionals dedicated to fostering well-being in the legal field.
• Insights: Learn well-being tips that can enhance your personal and professional life.
• Support: Engage in meaningful conversations that can help you build a healthier work-life balance.

Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your network and discover how prioritizing well-being can benefit you and your practice! Register Here.

Polyvagal Theory in Lawyering: Cultivating Support for Ethical Decision Making (Hosted by Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers)

Noon- 1 p.m.: This is the second presentation of a two-part series. The first presentation was held in February 2025 entitled “What is Polyvagal Theory? Applications for Navigating Stress & Resilience in the Legal Profession” which provides a helpful a foundation to continue this conversation.

This latest session is designed to provide legal professionals with valuable insights into how understanding and applying Polyvagal Theory can enrich their professional skills, promote integrity and resilience in their legal practice.  

Polyvagal Theory, developed by scientist and researcher Dr. Stephen Porges, revolutionizes our understanding of the autonomic nervous system by highlighting how its three key branches—ventral vagal, sympathetic, and dorsal vagal—affect our responses to stress, safety, and social engagement. This presentation provides insights into how our physiological states influence emotional regulation and interpersonal connections which can significantly impact a lawyer’s ability to handle challenging situations in professional and personal settings.  

Dr. Tracey Meyers and Stacey Best, Esq. will:

• Provide a brief overview of polyvagal theory and how the autonomic nervous system influences stress, resilience, and social engagement which is crucial for legal professionals.
• Provide a fresh framework through which lawyers can better understand or achieve best ethical practices.
• Talk about supports to enable lawyers to enhance resilience through a deeper understanding of the nervous system and polyvagal theory.