Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 18

FEATURE
balancing
Finding Harmony in Life and Law
By Jeffery Leon
It's no secret that the practice of law is demanding. Attorneys often feel pressured to do it all
when it comes to handling cases, communicating with clients, developing new business, and staying on top
of legal developments, often to the detriment of their personal lives - and sometimes their careers.
In a 2024 American Lawyer survey, more than 70 percent of 2,500 attorney respondents said that they are exhausted.
Almost 77 percent said that the profession has had a negative impact on their mental health over time.
So, what's a lawyer to do to avoid burnout? Five D.C. Bar members shared with Washington Lawyer their
essentials for navigating busy legal careers while also finding time for themselves and their families.
REBECCA GELLER
Juggling a career in Big Law with two young children, Rebecca Geller
wanted a work-life balance on her terms. She achieved it by launching her
own law firm, the Geller Law Group, in 2011. " I felt like there had to be a
better way where I could be an actively involved parent but also still be a
lawyer, " says Geller. " I didn't feel like the two had to be mutually exclusive. "
Starting at her kitchen table, Geller sought to create a firm that met the
needs of working parents. She incorporated remote work into her practice
years before it became commonplace and embraced a less rigid law firm
environment.
The women-led Geller Law Group now has 16 lawyers working in the District
of Columbia and Virginia. The firm handles business and family law,
estate planning, and civil litigation. At every step the firm has championed
working families, understanding that flexibility is needed for that balance.
" Business development doesn't have to be a steak dinner and golf; it's
sometimes done at a mom's club with all of our kids playing together, "
says Geller, who handles the firm's business and her caseload while parenting
three active children.
Geller says that all attorneys constantly juggle tasks, but the balls they
keep in the air aren't all the same. Some are like rubber, easy to drop and
pick up later, like a small task. Others are like glass and can't be dropped,
such as a deadline or important project. Geller says that attorneys have to
assess the differences in their tasks and accept that they won't be able to
handle them all. And no matter how important the task, attorneys must be
ready to pivot when an emergency arises, such as a child getting sick,
Geller adds.
" When you live the busy life of a lawyer, you're constantly triaging and prioritizing, "
Geller says, adding that no one is perfect, and it's okay if attorneys
aren't able to finish their daily to-do lists.
18 WASHINGTON LAWYER
* JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2025
ACT
Embrace Flexibility

Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025

Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025
From Our President
Calendar of Events
Practice Management
Toward Well-Being
Making the Case for Civility
Chief Judge Milton Lee Gavels for Service
How to Master the Art of Bringing in Business
Life in Law: A Balancing Act
Honoring Your Humanity While Practicing Law
Thanks for the No: Finding Value in Rejection
Special Section: CLE Abroad
Taking the Stand
Member Spotlight
Newly Minted
Attorney Briefs
Worth Reading
Speaking of Ethics
Disciplinary Summaries
The Pro Bono Effect
A Slice of Wry
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Cover2
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 1
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 2
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 3
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 4
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 5
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - From Our President
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Calendar of Events
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Practice Management
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Toward Well-Being
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Making the Case for Civility
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 11
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 12
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 13
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Chief Judge Milton Lee Gavels for Service
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 15
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - How to Master the Art of Bringing in Business
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 17
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Life in Law: A Balancing Act
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 19
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 20
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 21
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Honoring Your Humanity While Practicing Law
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 23
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 24
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 25
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Thanks for the No: Finding Value in Rejection
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 27
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 28
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 29
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Special Section: CLE Abroad
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 31
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Taking the Stand
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 33
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Member Spotlight
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 35
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Newly Minted
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Attorney Briefs
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Worth Reading
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 39
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Speaking of Ethics
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 41
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Disciplinary Summaries
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 43
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - The Pro Bono Effect
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 45
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 46
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - 47
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - A Slice of Wry
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Cover3
Washington Lawyer - January/February 2025 - Cover4
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