By: William Jones
In the legal profession, exhaustion is often mistaken for excellence.
Long hours are applauded. Boundary-setting is questioned. Sacrificing health, relationships, and identity is quietly framed as “the price of success.” Burnout isn’t just common in law; it’s often seen as normalized. Sometimes, it’s even glorified.
But Stacey Stevens, a lawyer-turned-speaker and leadership voice for high-achieving women, is challenging that narrative head-on.
“Burnout isn’t part of the job,” Stevens says. “It’s the result of playing by rules that were never designed to serve us.”
The Culture That Rewards Self-Abandonment
From the earliest days of law school, lawyers are conditioned to equate commitment with overextension. Billable-hour targets, client urgency, and an always-on culture reward those who push hardest, longest, and loudest.
“The system praises lawyers who are constantly available,” Stevens explains. “We wear exhaustion like a badge of honour. And when we do that, we normalize suffering as success.”
The data confirms the cost. National studies from the Law Society of Ontario and the Federation of Law Societies of Canada reveal a profession under strain:
Nearly 64% of women lawyers report psychological distress.
30% leave the profession within five to seven years.
Distress rates are even higher among younger lawyers and those from marginalized backgrounds.
Burnout is not a fringe issue. It’s a systemic one.
The Hidden Reason Burnout Feels “Normal”
According to Stevens, burnout persists because it’s been internalized.
“When everyone around you is struggling, you stop questioning the system and start questioning yourself,” she says. Maybe I’m not tough enough. Maybe I’m just not cut out for this.
She calls this pattern self-abandonment, a quiet but powerful form of conditioning where women override their own needs in pursuit of approval, safety, or success.
“Running yourself into the ground because suffering has been framed as commitment isn’t resilience,” Stevens says. “It’s deterioration dressed up as dedication.”
From Burned Out to Living on FIRE
Stevens’ talk centers on disrupting this cycle through her FIRE Framework, a leadership model designed to move high-performing women from burnout to personal power:
- Fulfilled — aligning work with values instead of external validation
- Inspired — reconnecting with purpose beyond performance
- Resilient — building capacity without self-destruction
- Empowered — taking ownership of your story rather than letting the system define it
“FIRE is about redefining success,” Stevens explains. “Excellence doesn’t require exhaustion. Leadership doesn’t require self-erasure.”
Practical Ways to Break the Burnout Loop
While systemic change takes time, Stevens emphasizes that individual agency matters immediately. She encourages lawyers to start with small but powerful shifts:
- Redefine commitment: Move away from measuring worth by hours worked and toward value created.
- Challenge the script: When you hear yourself say, “That’s just the job,” pause and ask: Is this actually healthy?
- Set micro-boundaries: Protect small moments of rest and recovery. Consistency builds resilience.
- Model a new standard: Leaders shape culture by what they normalize. Leaving on time, taking vacations, and respecting boundaries are acts of leadership.
A Cultural Reset, One Choice at a Time
Wellness programs and policies matter, but Stevens is clear: transformation doesn’t begin on paper.
“The system changes slowly,” she says. “But we don’t have to wait. Every lawyer can choose to stop glorifying burnout today.”
Her message to the profession is both direct and hopeful: burnout is not the cost of ambition. It’s the cost of staying silent in a system that needs rewriting.
“We don’t need more exhausted lawyers,” Stevens says. “We need lawyers who are more aligned and empowered.”
If you are interested in booking Stacey to speak to your organization, connect with Stacey Stevens on LinkedIn.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, medical, or professional advice. Always seek the advice of a qualified professional for any concerns related to your health, career, or legal matters.
