Partisan Polarization

Anyone who has been following the news has seen the stories in recent weeks of the current administration targeting certain law firms while also being critical of the judges in cases the United States is a party to. In response to these actions, several large law firms have chosen to sue over the President’s Executive Orders while others have made deals with the administration to avoid the consequences of those orders. Meanwhile, the Speaker of the House has suggested defending or removing certain federal court districts in response to certain lower court rulings.

Some have argued these actions are partisan in nature. It is undeniable that we live in a period of heightened political polarization and these recent stories make it clear that polarization is spilling into the legal profession in ways we haven’t seen before. And that can exacerbate mental health challenges being experienced by professionals across the legal profession.

The LegalMind Society is concerned about how partisan polarization from both sides of the political spectrum can impact the mental health of those working in the profession. We would remind anyone out there that no one gets to define you or your worth. Not the partners at your firm, the judges you appear before, or officials within the current presidential administration. Know too that if you are stressed by current news cycles, you are not alone. Support is available, including the peer support offered here at The LegalMind Society.

It is also important to know that it is okay to take a break from the news coverage if it is too distressing. It is okay to not be okay and okay to ask for help. That is why we are here, why things like Employee Assistance Programs and Legal Assistance Programs exist. It is not a weakness to take advantage of those services.

The rule of law is important to the functioning of a proper society. We hope that both sides can work to restore faith in the legal system while keeping partisan battles out of the courtroom.