WHAT MAKES LAWYERS HAPPY? REDEFINING PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS Larry Krieger, FSU Law lkrieger@law.fsu.edu

KEY ISSUES IN THE PROFESSION: ETHICAL & PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR WELL-BEING/SATISFACTION MENTAL HEALTH & ADDICTIONS

SHARED SOLUTION? and Performance The key factors for Well-being also Integrity, Professionalism and Performance

CURRENT LAWYER STUDY Four diverse states 7,800 respondents (6226 datasets) Subjective Well-being … (“Thriving”) (Feel satisfied? high or low moods?) Standardized (Pearson) correlations

STUDY FOCUS or OBJECTIVE/EXTERNAL? WHICH FACTORS REALLY MATTER? PERSONAL/SUBJECTIVE/”HUMAN” or OBJECTIVE/EXTERNAL?

Objective “Success” Factors 1. Grades and money 2. Credentials (journals ...) 3. Status (prestige, partnership…) 4. Rankings (class, school, firm…) 5. All stressful (zero sum)

Subjective Factors 1. Human needs 2. Internal motivation 3. Intrinsic values 4. Supportive supervision

SPECIFIC FINDINGS: WHAT MAKES LAWYERS HAPPY?

(standardized correlations) FIVE TIERS WB FACTORS (standardized correlations)   SWB Tier 1 AUTONOMY SAT. RELATEDNESS SAT. COMPETENCE SAT. INTERNAL MOTIV. .66 .65 .63 .55 Tier 2 AUT. SUPPORT INTRINSIC VALUES .44 .30 Tier 3 VACATION DAYS CHILDREN MARRIED/LT EXERCISE ALCOHOL USE PRAYER (AFFIL.) .23 .20 .18 -.12 .07 Tier 4 INCOME SCHOOL DEBT CLASS RANK SCHOOL RANK LAW JOURNAL MADE PARTNER BILLABLE HRS.   .19 .12 .05 .01 .00 -.10  Tier 5 AGE OTHER DEMOG. .17 .00-.03

I. UNIVERSAL NEEDS FOR THRIVING Autonomy /Authenticity (can make preferred choices, choices based on true values/interests, express true self; . . . Integrity!) Relatedness (feel well-connected to others generally, closeness, intimacy with important others Competence (feel very capable, mastering hard challenges, successful at difficult tasks)

MOTIVATION AND VALUES FOR THRIVING Internal Motivation Activity is satisfying or enjoyable Supports personal values/goals Generates enthusiasm, energy, + results Intrinsic Values/Major Goals Self-Understanding & Growth Intimacy Helping others Community

CONTRAST 1: Income, Law Grades, & Happiness, 4 Lawyer Groups Lowest grades and pay (Service lawyers) --vs.-- Highest grades and pay (Prestige lawyers) But: Service Lawyers are Happier.

CONTRAST 2: “MAKING PARTNER” Junior partners: status and 69% higher earnings. But…… Well-being no better than senior associates.

GOOD NEWS -- THRIVING IS SUBJECTIVE Relationships to: SELF OTHERS WORK SUPERVISOR *Processes (not Outcomes or Objects) *Not competitive (Low Stress )

FOCUS ON THRIVING! (75-25) YOUR CHOICES Reflection,Support SELF/INTEGRITY House/Car AUTHENTICITY LEARN/IMPROVE ENJOYMENT MEANING COMPETENCE RELATING COMMUNITY HELPING JUSTICE RESPECT Prestige Partnership Competition Appearance KINDNESS Gpa/law review.. Outcomes Popularity YOUR CHOICES Reflection,Support Winning High Salary

AUTONOMY SUPPORT FOR THRIVING Authority (supervisor, parent, etc.): Appreciates other’s preferences, perspectives (Listen actively) Gives meaningful choices If controlling, explains why

BENEFITS OF AUTONOMY SUPPORT (WORK, SCHOOL, FAMILY) Well-being Integrity Internal Motivation Performance

SUMMARY ACTIONS EDUCATE SELF & OTHERS: What creates a happy lawyer. Redefine “success”? MAKE WISE CHOICES – life and career +Preserve internal/personal qualities +Choose internal motivations and values +Fulfill the critical needs +Seek autonomy support

Related Resources What Makes Lawyers Happy? (SSRN or Geo. Wash. Law Review, 2015) The Inseparability of Professionalism and Personal Satisfaction: Values, Integrity, and Happiness (Clinical Law Review, 2005) Hidden Sources of Law School Stress (LK or Ebook) Deeper Understanding of Your Career Choices (LK) THANK YOU!