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FDCC News
Meaning Connection
and Rest
Strategies for Lawyer Well-Being
in Turbulent Times
by Claire E. Parsons
Every day seems
to bring a new
headline showcasing
political turbulence.
Sometimes it comes
from across the
Claire E. Parsons
world. More often
lately, it is from right here at home.
Coupled with these headlines
are orders, actions, or comments
from elected officials to decipher
and react to on behalf of clients.
Lawyers are the people to whom
clients turn to amid confusion and
change. In times like these, though,
we as lawyers may feel confused,
unsteady, and concerned. How
do lawyers maintain steadiness in
turbulent times like these so they
can guide clients, and hopefully our
country, in the right direction?
While there are no magical answers
for this, research suggests that
meaning, social connection, and
hope are among the best ways to
manage stress and weather hard
times. To that end, in this article
I will share the three things that
have helped me the most as I have
navigated political turbulence in my
law practice.
1 MEANING
Did you know that there is
more than one way to respond
to stress? Of course, “fight, flight,
freeze” happens when we see
stress as a threat. Other responses
to stress, and the ones helping me
most now, are “tend and befriend”
and “challenge.” When we see stress
as an opportunity to help others or
to rise to the occasion, we respond
to it differently. Our courage
rises, well-being is protected,
and performance may even be
enhanced.
As a lawyer who works
primarily with schools and local
governments, I know that political
turbulence affects my clients.
Though I cannot prevent these
problems, I can offer steadiness
and sound advice to help clients
navigate them. This purpose
forces me to stay positive and kind
because the welfare of my clients
38 Summer 2025 | Federation Flyer www.thefederation.org