A 2023 analysis by the Washington Post, based on the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), ranked law as "the single most stressful occupation" of the last decade. This isn’t too surprising, considering how fast lawyer burnout is spreading across the industry.

In a report by Axiom, 78% of surveyed lawyers said they’re burnt out, with 29% actively searching for new jobs.

This is a crisis that demands urgent attention. And if we don’t take swift corrective measures, the industry might plunge into a dark era marked by mental health issues, substance abuse, and high attrition rates.

In this blog post, we'll discuss tips for avoiding burnout, why we're having more burned-out lawyers, and warning signs you should look out for.

TLDR? This guide discusses the following points:

• "Lawyer burnout" happens when the constant pressure and demands of the legal profession leave you physically, mentally, and emotionally drained.

• Lawyers who work long office hours, do many repetitive tasks, and have limited resources are more prone to burning out.

• If you're constantly stressed, feel unenthusiastic about your job, or take a lot of caffeine to get through every workday, it might be a sign that you're burning out.

• To prevent lawyer burnout, you must prioritize rest, automate repetitive tasks, and make time for life outside work.

What is lawyer burnout?

"Lawyer burnout" (or attorney burnout) is a term that describes extreme physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion caused by chronic stress and the excessive demands of the legal profession.

It’s far more than just being tired after a long week or feeling stressed before a big deadline. It’s a slow drain that steadily sucks away at your motivation, makes even routine tasks feel overwhelming, and turns work into something you just endure.

Unlike physical fatigue, attorney burnout doesn’t go away with a good night’s sleep or a weekend off. It sticks around, making it harder to focus, stay engaged, or even care about the job that once felt meaningful.

Also read: Are Lawyers Happy? A Guide To Career Satisfaction In The Legal Profession

What causes lawyer burnout?

Source: Google Trends

A look at Google Trends shows an uptick in searches for "lawyer burnout" over the last 12 months.

Lawyers are getting stretched to the limit, and the legal industry can no longer ignore the toll it is taking. But before we discuss the way forward, it is important to carefully examine the culprits driving this crisis.

#1 Overly long working hours

Source: Sreya Bhar via Linkedin

The standard office week is capped at 40 hours. But in legal practice, it's super common to find lawyers working 12-hour days and over 50 hours per week.

A study by Bloomberg revealed that lawyers work an average of 53 hours a week. 20% reported pushing past 80 hours in their busiest week.

Working such outrageously long hours means poor resting habits, social withdrawal, less personal time, and an increased risk of burnout.

#2 Constant work overload

“You need to be more strategic about what you're doing than just doing whatever work comes to your desk. If you're doing everything, then it just jeopardizes your work and your health.”

‍~Brenda Perez, Senior Legal Ops Manager at Apollo.io
Aligning Legal's Limitless Potential to Business Goals

85% of CLOs say they manage at least three non-legal functions for their organizations, in addition to their natural legal responsibilities.

Modern organizations and law firms now require legal counsel to offer more than just legal advice. To maintain relevance, they must contribute to business strategies, understand operational dynamics, and keep up with trends that shape the company's bottom line.

On top of that, they’re always buried in paperwork, reviewing a pile of documents and responding to impatient clients. Being in this high-stress environment can take a toll on your personal well-being, and soon enough, you'll find yourself edging closer to burnout.

#3 Low resources

Source: Shashank Bijapur via LinkedIn

“Do more with less” is a mantra that has echoed throughout the business ecosystem and it hasn’t been quite favorable for legal professionals. 96% of GCs reported budget cuts in the last 12 months, yet their workloads continue on a steady climb.

In addition to this, 81% of legal departments say they do not have enough resources to do their jobs effectively. This means each legal counsel would have to work twice as much to keep up with established quality standards.

#4 Too many routine processes

53% of in-house counsel say they’re still bogged down by repetitive tasks that add little value. Tasks like contract review, renewal management, legal research, and document drafting are often super routine and mind-numbing.

Constantly doing these repetitive tasks can make the job feel monotonous. Job satisfaction drops, and showing up every day becomes a struggle.

#5 Maladaptive perfectionism

Lawyers are wired to chase perfection. But this often turns into an unhealthy obsession.

The constant need to get everything exactly right leads to overworking, self-doubt, and refusing to delegate—because trusting someone else feels like a risk.

With time, the lawyer starts to feel the impact on their mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

“Our profession is plagued with mental illness, stress, and even substance abuse. A way to mitigate those circumstances is knowing yourself, your values, what you care about, what's not going to mesh with you, understanding the business landscape, and figuring out a way to marry all these elements.”
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~ Akshay Verma, Head of Legal Ops, Coinbase
‍Shaping a Purpose-Driven Career in Law with Akshay Verma

Recognizing the early signs of lawyer burnout

Source: Shashank Bijapur via LinkedIn

Lawyer burnout doesn't just pop out of nowhere. Long before it fully takes over your life and career, you'll feel a combination of "symptoms." Recognizing these warning signs is your best chance to stop burnout before it becomes a serious problem.

Here are common signs to take note of:

#1 You’re constantly feeling stressed

Stress is part of the job. But when it becomes your default state, then it’s something to worry about. If you’re constantly on edge, having trouble focusing, or feeling overwhelmed even with routine tasks, it’s a sign that you might be burning out.

#2 Your enthusiasm for work has dwindled

You used to find meaning in what you do, but now, it just feels like you’re going through the motions.

Everything feels like a chore, and you just can’t wait to clock out. It might seem like you’re going through a rough patch, but if you don’t take a closer look, you could be missing one of the most glaring warning signs of lawyer burnout.

Also read: Alternative Legal Careers for Lawyers: 20 Realistic Ideas

#3 You’re easily irritated

Things that never used to bother you now get under your skin. A simple client email, a colleague’s follow-up check-in, or another meeting on your calendar suddenly feels unbearable. 

You’re snapping more, losing patience faster, and finding it harder to keep your frustration in check.

#4 Your sleep patterns have gotten worse

You spend nights replaying conversations, worrying about deadlines, or dreading the next day. Maybe you're waking up multiple times, or perhaps you sleep but never feel rested. Either way, burnout could be the culprit stealing the downtime you desperately need.

#5 You’re having frequent headaches

Persistent headaches, tension around your neck, and random aches are common physical signs of prolonged stress. If this starts happening more often, then it’s time to step back and assess what’s wearing you down.

#6 You’re relying more on caffeine or alcohol to get through the day

Coffee is a staple in many work environments. But if you start depending on it to stay functional throughout the day, then you’re likely burning out.

The same applies to alcohol. If drinking has become the only way you unwind after a hectic day, it's a sign that something is off. Relying on something external to get through the day is a sign that your body is running on empty.

How to prevent burnout

What’s the best strategy for combating burnout? The answer lies in the words of Dutch philosopher Desiderius Erasmus: prevention is better than cure.

If you’re currently feeling the signs of burnout, you must make a conscious effort to get yourself back in shape. It’s far easier to manage the warning signs than deal with a full-blown burnout. 

Here are some of our best recommendations:

#1 Stop and recharge

You might be thinking, "Let me just check a few more tasks off my to-do list, then I'll call it a day." But the truth is, there will always be another email to answer or another contract to review. And pushing through the exhaustion will only expose you to more wear and tear.

You have to make rest a priority. Otherwise, burnout will make the decision for you.

Get your standard 8-hour sleep, and use your lunch breaks for actual rest. Your body is already sounding the alarm, and you need to stop and recharge.

#2 Set boundaries and stick to them

Source: Aaron Baer via LinkedIn

It’s easy to let work spill into your evenings and weekends. But if you don’t draw the line, no one will do it for you. Set a clock-out time that works for you and stick with it.

That means no checking emails in bed, no “quick calls” during family dinner, and no working just because your laptop is within arm’s reach.

“Life is a lot to manage. Figure out what your standard non-negotiable is. For me, after many years in a law firm, I do not work weekends unless there is an emergency. Emergencies pop up and I'm around and I'm jumping into action. But that should be the rare exception, not the norm.”

‍~ Megan Niedermeyer, CLO, Apollo.io
Aligning Legal's Limitless Potential to Business Goals

#3 Lean on technology

Technology has opened our eyes to so many possibilities in recent years. With AI assistants, legal research tools, and Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) platforms, you can now have a full day of work without spending a minute buried in mind-numbing routine work.

Take SpotDraft (an AI-powered CLM), for instance. This platform comes with a plethora of tools designed to automate various processes at every stage of the contract management lifecycle.

With this platform, you can draft, review, approve, and track contracts in minutes, thanks to automation.

The less time you spend on repetitive chores, the more brainpower you save for what really matters.

Also read: Future Trends in Legal Tech Every In-house Counsel Must Know

#4 Make more time for life outside of work

When work consumes all your time, you lose sight of the world beyond the office. You need a life beyond billable hours, contract management, and court filings.

Pick up a hobby, spend time with your loved ones, or just take a walk without thinking about your next deadline. The law will still be there when you get back.

#5 Reach out to your support network

“Be honest and forthright with whoever's mentoring you. Allow the mentor to just advise you on how they tackled challenging issues throughout their career, overcome adversity during their career, or just how they've been successful in some of the decisions that they've made.”
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~ Adam Glick, ex-Head of Legal, Intercom
Cultivating Meaningful Connections for In-House Legal Success

Sometimes, talking to someone might be all you need to feel like yourself again. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to someone who understands the pressures of the job.

A fellow lawyer might have personal strategies for handling work-related stress, while a mentor could offer perspective on work-life balance. If you feel like you need professional mental health support, don’t hesitate to give it a shot.

At the end of the day, you don't get extra points for toughing it out alone. The brightest lawyers know when to ask for help.

Also read: The Key to Navigating Adversity in Your Legal Career

You should be living your dream

Burnout shouldn’t be the price you pay for success as a legal counsel. The long nights, the endless paperwork, the constant pressure—it’s easy to feel like they're part and parcel of the legal profession.

But the truth is, you can have a fulfilling legal career without running yourself into the ground.

That's precisely why SpotDraft's Counsel Corner exists. 

It’s a hub of wisdom from top legal minds who’ve been through the tough seasons and come out stronger. Here, you’ll find real, unfiltered insights on managing stress, collaborating with others, and building a career that doesn’t drain the life out of you.

Ready to check it out? Click here to begin.

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