Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Committee Makes Recommendations for Major Workplace Culture Changes

 A Call for Flexibility as the “Model” Rather than the Exception

Boston – June 4, 2021: Today, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) Standing Committee on Lawyer Well-Being released its “Recommendations for Legal Workplaces Post-Pandemic.” 

The need to make changes to the culture and structures of the legal profession in order to improve well-being, and to do so by taking a “top-down” approach that requires buy-in and role modeling from top leadership, was highlighted in the 2019 SJC Steering Committee Report. In carrying out its charge by the SJC to implement the recommendations of that Report, the Standing Committee provides this statement to influence legal workplaces to rethink norms, structures, and policies that will benefit everyone in the workplace, and to take concrete steps to create a culture of inclusion.  

The pandemic made clear that flexibility in legal workplaces is possible and in fact permits lawyers across many demographics to succeed and thrive. Previously, the assumption was that full time, in-person work was always preferable, an assumption that generally ignored or excluded the lived experiences of those who balance work with individual challenges, disabilities, or significant external obligations (such as caring for themselves, young children, aging parents, or others). 

This moment represents a critical juncture for the legal community to demonstrate the true extent of support to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in the profession; an opportunity to make positive changes in the legal workplace that will truly support the well-being and increase diversity, equity, and inclusion of our entire profession, including those from underrepresented and historically excluded backgrounds and identities. 

The recommendations stress acceptance of flexibility as a standard and emphasize that decision-making among legal organizations, including with respect to post-pandemic workplace formats and structures, must include voices from diverse identities, backgrounds, experiences, and interests. As a measure of accountability, the Standing Committee plans to follow up with the legal community with a survey in approximately one year and to publish that data in aggregate form to evaluate whether this was a moment of evolution and culture change in the profession. 

http://lawyerwellbeingma.org/s/Recommendations-for-Legal-Workplaces-Post-Pandemic-June-3-2021.pdf