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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