Choose Your Lawyer Like You’d Choose a Partner: With an Eye on Their Mindset (Not Just Their Degree)

Mental Health in the Legal Profession

Let’s be blunt: not every person with a practising certificate is the right lawyer for you.

We tend to select lawyers based on specialisations, fee structures and whether they wear cufflinks or Converse. But in reality, the most important question might be: Are they mentally and emotionally fit to represent me — or anyone — right now?

What the Legal Profession Isn’t Saying Loud Enough

According to the Being Well in the Law guide (published by the Law Society of NSW, ANU and NSW Young Lawyers), the legal profession continues to report:

• High levels of depression and distress

• Elevated anxiety and burnout, particularly in early career stages

• A growing need for emotional intelligence and ethical alignment — not just technical ability

The guide underscores a fundamental truth: wellbeing is not a side hustle. It’s core to how lawyers think, act, relate to others, and make decisions — especially under pressure.

In other words, if your lawyer’s mental health is spiralling, so might your case.

Choosing the Right Lawyer (And Spotting the Wrong One)

You wouldn't continue with a business partner who ghosted meetings, misappropriated your finances, contradicted themselves, or treated your clients like a nuisance. So why would you settle for a lawyer who behaves the same way?

Red Flags to Watch For:

• Emotional volatility masked as “passion”

• Poor boundaries — they overshare, under-deliver, or flip between pessimism and criticism

• Lack of preparation — they’re winging it, and not in a cool TED Talk kind of way

• Disrespect for time, process or clients

• Unethical behaviour or shortcuts disguised as efficiency

Just like in business, choosing a lawyer is a form of partnership. It demands shared values, clear communication, and mutual accountability.

Mental Fitness > Legal Fitness

The Being Well in the Law guide advocates for a new standard: not just technical competence, but mental fitness.

That includes:

• Emotional intelligence

• Resilience under pressure

• Ethical decision-making

• Self-awareness and regulation

• Ability to handle trauma without transferring it onto clients

Mental health doesn’t mean “flawless” — it means someone who is aware, supported, and emotionally stable enough to perform at a high level. As the guide puts it, "most Australian lawyers are well, competent, capable and effective — but many struggle." Know the difference.

So What Should You Look for in a Lawyer?

Ask yourself:

• Do they stay calm when things get messy?

• Do they already display mental health issues?

• Can they handle pressure without lashing out or shutting down?

• Are they motivated by clarity and service — or just money and chaos?

• Do they reflect your values or rattle your nervous system?

If you're trusting someone with your case, your company, or your future — you want more than legal knowledge. You want character. You want capacity. You want clarity of mind. You want ethics, And you want alignment with your values.

Why We Exist: Bane Legal Services

That’s why at Bane Legal Services, we don’t just match you with lawyers based on skillset — we look for mindset. We connect clients with legal professionals who are not only technically excellent, but commercially sensible, emotionally grounded, and aligned with your values.

Because when the stakes are high, you need more than just legal advice — you need clarity, confidence, and calm under pressure.

And that's where our referral service comes in.

Talk to us.

BaneLegalServices.com