Burnout in the Legal Profession: A Silent Epidemic We Can No Longer Ignore

I worked in the legal profession for nearly 30 years. During that time, I had my fair share of moments when I felt burnt out—but I just kept going. It wasn’t particularly healthy.

But one moment stays with me.

I was in the car with a barrister I deeply respected—professionally brilliant and personally grounded. During the journey, they broke down in tears. They couldn’t take any more. 

This wasn’t someone weak. This was someone strong, competent, and focused. But like so many in our field, the weight had become unbearable.