By Katie A. Mosher
As the days get shorter and the weather gets cooler, you may have noticed an increase in Bar events, activities, and opportunities to come together. Following the quiet of summer, year-long commitments like Inns of Court and Bar committees and sections are now in full swing. For practitioners of all levels of experience, the increase in “extracurriculars” may lead to some anxiety or even dread. How can we manage it all?
This question is not uncommon among members of the legal community. As Bloomberg Law explained in its 2024 Attorney Well-Being Report: The Divide between Health & the Legal Industry, “[a]ttorneys felt burned out almost half of the time at work in the second half of 2023. And with the average number of hours worked every week hovering around 50 during this period, it comes as no surprise.”1
What does burnout have to do with participation and engagement in the New Hampshire Bar? For me, participating and engaging in the NHBA, affinity groups, committees, and board work helps combat burnout. Even when workdays may be long, attending a board meeting or a networking activity after hours provides me with a meaningful opportunity to connect. Being around others, especially other attorneys, reminds me of how important the legal profession and rule of law is for society. It may sound lofty, but participation in the Bar centers me, provides perspective, and reminds me why we work so hard and do what we do daily.
Although I admit that I frequently face obstacles as I learn to navigate and find balance in my life as an attorney with three years of practice under my belt, I was flattered to be asked to write this piece. Initially, I was stumped on where to start, but I thought back to my days as a Daniel Webster Scholar and I leaned toward self-reflection and assessment.
Given that approach, I want to include some of my advice for (attempting to) balance active participation in the Bar and after-hours commitments with everyday life. Before sharing this advice, I provide a caveat – these suggestions may not work for everyone. So many unique, diverse people make up our Bar, and not all members will be able to relate.
As such, my biggest takeaway is to embrace exploration – try a few activities, events, or groups, and do not feel like you need to make a long-term commitment. The next few tips can also guide you as you try new things and discover what purposeful participation means to you.
Identify What Matters Most to You
I have participated in a wide array of Bar events, committees, and programs since starting practice. However, the most meaningful participation comes with self-reflection and contemplation. What issues or topics matter most to me? What affinity groups or organizations reflect my personal values or diverse experiences? What opportunities can improve my skills or benefit my practice?
For me, identifying issues and groups that align with my values has made participation more enriching and engaging. For example, I have been a member of the New Hampshire Women’s Bar Association (NHWBA) since my 1L year of law school.
When a mentor and now colleague, Caroline Leonard, approached me about an opportunity to join the board of the NHWBA when I was a first-year associate, despite my fears of joining such an esteemed group of leaders so early in practice, it was easy for me to say yes. The organization’s mission to support gender equity in the legal profession resonated with me. Becoming involved with the NHWBA, attending Book Club, Fall Receptions, Annual Retreats, and being part of the board enriches my life and provides me with a network of friends and colleagues from a variety of practice areas and firms.
Find Your People
You never know who you will meet and where they will take you. Relatedly, participation in Bar events and activities gives you the chance to find your people: when I was the NHWBA Programming Committee chair, my fellow board member and a mentor, Emily Gray Rice, frequently reminded our committee of the value of “finding your people” and hosting programs that facilitated network-building.
As many of us have heard or experienced, practicing law can be a solitary and sometimes lonely profession. Even if you are not a solo and you work at a firm or with a team of people, much of the work we do we tackle on our own. However, by “finding your people,” you can create a network of individuals you can turn to in many situations, whether connected to the profession or otherwise.
When Emily spoke about her network, I instantly thought about something I frequently share with newer attorneys, law students, and young professionals: For almost every job I have ever had, I got the position in part because of the people I knew. That is not to say I was not otherwise qualified for these jobs. Rather, the people I had met through networking and built relationships with often advocated on my behalf, provided resume or interview assistance, or spoke up for me – and those people helped guide me to where I am today.
Finding your people, and creating a network, may start with a single conversation over passed hors d’oeuvres, while you’re sitting at the Bar Center waiting for a CLE to begin, or working on a committee or section initiative. It all begins with participation.
Know When to Say No
Even though this piece is about participation, there is incredible value in learning when to say no. As we are often reminded, and as the Bloomberg survey demonstrates, there are only so many hours in the day. How you manage those limited hours is integral to your success and your ability to contribute to the profession (and function outside of work). The reality is that you need to say no to some commitments to pursue opportunities that are the most meaningful for you.
As a self-confessed people pleaser, I recognize that it is easier said than done. However, just as we say we “practice” law, we can exercise our ability to thoughtfully and reasonably decline opportunities that do not align with our values, are not feasible with our schedules, or otherwise impede our ability to serve our clients.
I was recently at a board meeting where the chair turned to me and asked if I wanted to join a specific subcommittee. I considered it but knew that I was already committed to other big tasks for the organization, and this subcommittee consisted of individuals I knew would serve the board well. I thanked the chair for the opportunity, but carefully explained that I was confident that the subcommittee would proceed effectively without me. The chair and some of the other directors mentioned that they were proud of me for recognizing my limits and exercising my ability to say no.
Participation in the Bar is an excellent way to grow your network, combat burnout, and work on behalf of causes you believe in. Be strategic – say no to what does not work for you. I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming Bar event, meeting, or activity when you find one that brings you meaning!
Katie A. Mosher is an associate attorney with Gallagher, Callahan & Gartrell, PC, focusing on state and federal litigation, including medical malpractice defense, healthcare, municipal, employment, civil rights, and property disputes. She is active in her community, serving on the NHWBA Board and as chair of its Networking Committee. She also serves on the NHPR Community Advisor Board, the Pope Memorial SPCA Board, the NHBA’s Ethics Committee, the Tri-State Defense Lawyers Association, and the Daniel Webster-Batchelder American Inn of Court. Katie is also a 2023 graduate of the Leadership Greater Concord Program.
Endnote
- 2024 Attorney Well-Being Report: The Divide between Health & the Legal Industry, Bloomberg Law, at p. 3, aboutblaw.com/bfC3 (last accessed October 24, 2024).