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For decades, lawyers working at BigLaw could expect some version of the following: working long hours, including nights and weekends, with minimal free time, giving up almost all semblance of a social life. The reward: money and a potential partnership. And if you didn’t like it, there was the door. And if you have mental health or wellness issues, suck it up and get on with it.
Whether it was the idea that stress was just part of the job or that taking time for your well-being was a sign of weakness or a lack of productivity, the legal industry hasn’t always made mental well-being a priority. Some law firms are trying to change that. One such company is O’Melveny & Myers.
The firm has made wellness a top priority for its attorneys. In 2019, it launched the ‘Living Well’ program which focuses on mental, physical, nutritional, social and spiritual wellbeing. The program aims to help lawyers and staff reduce stress; focus on personal resilience and financial health; and, if necessary, address addiction and substance abuse.
Under the leadership of George C. Demos, O’Melveny’s chief operating officer, the program got a boost in February, when the company hired its employees. first full-time director of welfare.
In this episode of the Podcast for legal rebelsDemos talks to the ABA Journal’s Victor Li about his firm’s wellness program, as well as the legal industry’s ongoing efforts to address mental health and wellness – an issue that is personal to him.
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In this podcast:
George C. Demos
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George C. Demos
George C. Demos is Chief Operating Officer and Partner at O’Melveny & Myers. As COO, Demos oversees all facets of the law firm’s operations, with an emphasis on maintaining O’Melveny’s innovative position within the legal profession. He is a member of the company’s leadership team, which develops and implements O’Melveny’s strategic plans. He also leads the firm’s “Living Well” program and is a recognized advocate for wellness in the legal industry. Outside of O’Melveny, Demos holds numerous leadership positions in his community.