THE OKLAHOMA BAR JOURNAL 50 | NOVEMBER 2025 Statements or opinions expressed in the Oklahoma Bar Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Oklahoma Bar Association, its officers, Board of Governors, Board of Editors or staff. to help with errands and kids’ activities. During trial, that stops completely. I am physically present at home but mentally absent – staring into space, consumed by the case. This understandably causes resentment. This burden explains why trial attorneys face so many occupational hazards: divorce, substance abuse, smoking, drinking, obesity, insomnia. Imagine being a trial attorney who, on top of the trial itself, is still expected to maintain household routines. It is crushing. AFTER THE VERDICT Reaching a verdict is a relief but not an end to the emotional strain. I typically still cannot sleep. My family, friends, staff and other cases have been neglected for days, if not weeks. Emails pile into the thousands. I obsess over every detail of the trial: Did I ask that question correctly? Did I look bad to the jury? Should I have called that witness? Was my theme strong enough? Even after a win, I replay everything in my head. After a loss, the self-doubt is overwhelming. And the brutal truth is that prosecutors, public defenders and Oklahoma Indigent Defense System attorneys are often expected to start preparing a new jury trial the very next Monday, regardless of when the last one ended. THE BIGGER PICTURE The statistics are alarming. The 2022 ALM Intelligence, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Survey of 3,400 practicing lawyers found: 44% agreed that attorneys’ mental health and substance abuse problems are at a crisis level. 55% believed those issues are worse in law than in any other profession (only 9% disagreed). 35% reported severe depression (versus 9% in the general population). 64% felt their marriages or personal relationships had suffered due to law practice. 75% said their practice of law harmed their mental health over time. 66% suffered from high anxiety (versus 18% in the general population). 19% had contemplated suicide (versus 5% generally). One in three lawyers reported substance abuse problems (versus 5% generally). These numbers are staggering, though sadly not surprising. I’ve lost colleagues to suicide, drugs and alcohol. Many lawyers quit entirely. In just one month, I knew of two attorneys who left the profession altogether. WHAT HELPS So what can we do? Personally, I’ve found that splitting cases with co-counsel helps immensely. Sharing the weight, playing devil’s advocate and having another set of eyes and shoulders reduces the burden. I’ve also learned to be selective with clients. If I sense a conflict during the initial consultation, I decline. Not every case is worth the personal toll. I advise potential clients to seek second opinions and remind myself that no retainer fee is worth sacrificing my health. I am also mindful of why I take certain cases. If I personally identify with an issue because of my life experiences, I risk secondary trauma or compassion fatigue, which can mirror PTSD symptoms: nightmares, irritability, headaches, isolation. I now pause and check my motivations before accepting a case. Cooling down between trials is essential. I take days off, spend time with family, and most importantly, I openly ask for help. What I once saw as shameful – admitting I needed support – has now become the foundation of a healthier, more fulfilling life. Finally, I debrief after trials. I journal thoughts, fears and lessons Trial attorneys, especially public defenders and prosecutors, must remember that acknowledging and asking for help is not a weakness; it is survival.
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