For the Record Monthly Column: Legal Life: The Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs of the Everyday Attorney

March is National Criminal Justice Month—a time to reflect on the causes and consequences of crime, as well as strategies for prevention and response. But as we recognize this month, let’s also acknowledge a critical piece of the justice system that often goes overlooked: the people fighting to ensure fairness for those who would otherwise stand alone.

Welcome to “Legal Life: The Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs of the Everyday Attorney,” a new monthly “For The Record” column. This collaborative effort brings together the voices of our New Lawyer Division members to share the real, unfiltered experiences of life in the legal profession.

In this column, we’ll dive into the everyday challenges, frustrations, and occasional victories that come with being a new lawyer. From the burnout balancing act of juggling work and family life to the awkward dance of networking events, we’ll explore it all with a healthy dose of humor and honesty.

Our goal is simple: to remind you that you’re not alone in this legal journey. Whether you’re struggling with that gym membership you never use or questioning the role of AI in our profession, rest assured that your colleagues are right there with you, facing the same dilemmas and asking the same questions.

We hope this column will serve as a reminder that the same things that annoy you likely annoy all of us. It’s a space where we can laugh at ourselves, commiserate over shared experiences, and maybe even find some creative solutions to the unique challenges of our profession.

So, buckle up and join us as we navigate the sometimes absurd, often challenging, but always interesting world of being a lawyer. Remember, we’re all in this together—and sometimes, the best way to deal with the pressures of our profession is to share a laugh about it.

The Burnout Balancing Act: Work, Family, and the Gym Membership I Don’t Use

Have you ever noticed how attorney burnout seems to be the new badge of honor? It’s like we’re all competing for who can work the longest hours while juggling family responsibilities and trying to squeeze in a bit of self-care. I mean, who doesn’t want to be a superhero, right? But let’s be real: sometimes it feels more like we’re just spinning our wheels.

The Gym Membership Dilemma

Take my gym membership, for example. I pay $20 a month to not go. That’s right—$240 a year for the privilege of knowing that I could be getting fit if I weren’t so busy working late or trying to keep up with family obligations. It’s almost like I’m supporting the gym’s coffee fund instead of my own fitness goals! Every month, I think, “This is the month I’ll start going regularly!” But then reality hits, and suddenly I’m too exhausted to even think about lifting weights.

The Irony of Balance

Isn’t it ironic? We spend so much time trying to balance our work and personal lives, yet we often end up neglecting our health in the process. We’re told that self-care is important, but when you’re buried under a mountain of case files and deadlines, who has time for a yoga class or a leisurely walk? The irony is that we know we should take care of ourselves, but we often prioritize everything else—clients, cases, family—over our own well-being.

The Family Time Tug-of-War

And let’s not forget family time. You want to be present for your kids’ soccer games or your partner’s dinner plans, but then that one case lands on your desk that demands your immediate attention. “I’ll just finish this brief,” you tell yourself, only to look up hours later and realize you’ve missed dinner altogether. It’s like a tug-of-war between your professional responsibilities and your personal life—and let me tell you, the rope is fraying!

A Call for Balance

So, here’s my challenge: let’s find a way to truly balance our work and personal lives without sacrificing our health. Maybe it means scheduling time for the gym like it’s a client meeting or setting boundaries on work hours so we can actually enjoy family time without feeling guilty.

Until then, we’ll keep navigating this tricky landscape of attorney burnout while secretly wishing for a world where we can be both dedicated professionals and healthy individuals—preferably without having to pay for gym memberships we never use!