How Social Work Impacts the Lawyer Mental Health Crisis feat. Sara Ellis

Sara Ellis, a Lawyers Depression Project board member and social
work student, explains why the legal community must create better
messaging and more empathy for mental health issues. 



After attending law school at the University of Tennesee, Sara
thought it was a natural progression to earn her Master’s Degree
at the University of Tennessee. Because Sara enjoyed her
copyright course while an undergrad, she wanted to continue
focusing on musicians and working in IP law. Sara practiced music
copyright litigation for ten years and left this practice because
of the long work hours, which often included working all seven
days a week. 





Founded in 2019, the Lawyers Depression Project is a peer support
group for legal professionals. Sara Ellis discovered the project
in 2022 and began working with the project as a board member and
later joined the executive committee. 


“Lawyers, judges, paralegals, legal admins, if you’re in the
legal space, the Lawyers Depression Project can provide support.
And it’s not just about depression,” explains Sara Ellis. 


The Lawyers Depression Project offers a safe space for legal
professionals to gain resources and share their mental health
issues. Sara explains that many lawyers were expected to deal
with and never mention issues, but the conversation is becoming
more visible and inclusive.





LISTEN TO LEARN


Leaving an IP litigation role to become a social worker

Free resources for every member of the legal community:
lawyers, judges, law office staff, paralegals, and law
administrators

How to protect your mental health






WE ALSO DISCUSS


Why the Lawyers Depression Project was created

Moving to South Florida as a graduate student

Music business undergrad degrees and copyright law






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Connect with Sara Ellis


Sara Ellis is licensed to practice law in Tennessee. Learn more
about Sara Ellis:  


Lawyers Depression Project: www.lawyersdepressionproject.org


Sara’s work with the Lawyers Depression Project:
https://www.lawyersdepressionproject.org/515-2/



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