Bloomberg Law Taps Mental Health Advocate Adam Wehler for Insight on Attorney Loneliness and Well-Being

Bloomberg Law published "Loneliness in Law—A Look at Associates’ Isolation Data," highlighting survey results that show more than one in three associate attorneys reported experiencing loneliness in the past year. The article explores the impact of isolation on attorney well-being and what law firms can do to foster connection.

In the story, Adam Wehler, Smith Anderson’s director of eDiscovery strategy and litigation technology and co-founder of Sustained: A Wellness Summit, shared his perspective on one of the profession’s most pressing challenges. He noted that for many associates, the perception of having "no time for meaningful connection or having the belief that there is no time for meaningful connection" may be one of the biggest obstacles to well-being for associates at law firms. "An associate’s workday can seem infinite," Adam explained, "making it difficult to pursue things that make them whole."

Adam also emphasized that firms must move beyond surface-level perks such as ping pong tables and happy hours, advocating instead for building "healthy cultures" where associates can safely express feelings of loneliness or overwhelm to their peers or supervisor. "This creates real human connection," he said, pointing to the importance of intentional programming that supports authentic relationships and mentorship within law firms.

Bloomberg Law’s coverage highlights the urgent need for the legal industry to address attorney well-being through meaningful cultural change—an issue Adam continues to champion through his leadership at Smith Anderson and beyond.

Far from being just another quoted voice, Adam brings formal training and active leadership in the well-being space. He is certified in Adult Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid by the National Council for Wellbeing, and he serves as Co-Chair of the International Legal Technology Association’s Mental Health/Well-Being Bi-Monthly Group.

Bloomberg Law subscribers can view the full article here.

About Bloomberg Law

Bloomberg Law is a leading legal research platform and news service that provides in-depth analysis and reporting. Part of Bloomberg Industry Group, it combines real-time news coverage of legal and regulatory developments with comprehensive primary and secondary sources, including court opinions, statutes, regulations, and expert commentary. Bloomberg Law is widely recognized for its authoritative reporting on the legal industry, attorney well-being, litigation trends and regulatory change.