68.7% of lawyers report anxiety. Nearly half say they’re losing motivation. Attorney attrition can cost firms up to $500K per lawyer lost.

I spoke about this crisis—and more importantly, what we can do about it—in my keynote, “The Connected Mind: The Science of High Performance,” at A&O Shearman’s Well-being Week in Law.

In high-pressure environments, the challenge isn’t just workload. It’s how our nervous system responds to it. When we’re overwhelmed, distracted, or depleted, our ability to think clearly, communicate effectively, and make sound decisions begins to erode.

I introduced a simple, practical framework: The Decision-Maker’s Reset. These are four science-backed practices that take under 90 seconds, require no equipment, and can be done right from your chair between meetings.

These aren’t “wellness” add-ons. They’re tools for reclaiming attention, regulating stress, and making better decisions under pressure. While the world may not slow down, our relationship to it can change.

Deep gratitude to James McEwen and the team at A&O Shearman for the invitation and for investing so thoughtfully in their people this week. It was an honor.