February 6, 2025
When I first entered the legal field, I was ready to fight every battle with tenacity and grit. As a woman navigating the traditionally male-dominated world of workers’ compensation law, success required toughness, resilience and a determination to be heard. Those early years were about proving myself — delivering results for clients, winning cases before the New York Workers’ Compensation Board, and building a reputation as someone who could take on and overcome challenges.
Over the years, the way we litigate claims, communicate with each other, and even how we move a case towards closure in workers’ compensation have all changed. The workplace has shifted as well, and the people in it have evolved to new ways of working, employing new thinking, technologies and best practices. Issues of mental health, burnout, and work-life balance play a bigger role in professional development now, not only for employees but also for the professionals who serve them. As managing partner at Jones Jones LLC, I have learned toughness alone is not a defining factor in driving success in the modern world of business or law. The power of mindfulness — both in life and in work — has transformed the way I lead, litigate and mentor.
The Case for Mindfulness in Workers’ Compensation
Workers’ compensation law is defined by litigation in almost every single case along with deeply personal stories of injury, recovery and resilience. As attorneys our role centers on balancing the interests of employers, insurers, and injured workers amid emotionally charged situations. It is easy to become consumed by the constant pressure to produce results, and more specifically, wins.
Mindfulness provides a reprieve from that stress. Being mindful does not make you less driven, but rather it is about being present, intentional and aware. It allows us to approach problems with clarity, listen more effectively, and make decisions that are not only strategic but also compassionate. Frankly, practicing mindfulness makes us better attorneys.
For example, when collaborating with clients on settlement initiatives or developing strategies for large-scale cost mitigation, mindfulness allows me to see the bigger picture. I am able to look past the urgent need to close cases and ensure all stakeholders feel heard and respected in the process, which is all part of getting to the goal of closing cases. The goal is the same, but the process of achieving that goal through employing mindfulness is more thoughtful, more inclusive and, often, more precise.
My Journey to Mindfulness
My journey to mindfulness was born from necessity. Driven by the pressure to prove myself early in my career, I worked long hours, was constantly stressed and had little time for reflection. As I grew into leadership roles, I realized this approach wasn’t sustainable.
I started small: incorporating moments of quiet reflection before court appearances, practicing gratitude after successful outcomes, and taking time to engage with my team and clients. Over time, these small practices built a foundation that transformed my approach to work.
Today, mindfulness is an established aspect of my leadership style. It informs the way I mentor young attorneys, encouraging them to be resilient yet reflective. It shapes the way I approach industry challenges, whether speaking on panels about workers’ compensation trends or mentoring through the Women’s Alliance Mentorship Program. Mindfulness has helped me reach my goals over the years and now allows me to pass that success on to the next generation of leaders in our industry.
The Path Forward
Whether navigating new legislation, addressing the mental health needs of injured workers, or embracing technological innovations, our ability to successfully adapt to change will depend on our willingness to approach these challenges with an open mind.
Adding mindfulness to your routine does not require abandoning the toughness or tenacity that has helped guide our professional achievements. Instead, mindfulness is meant to complement those qualities with reflection, empathy, and intentionality. It means recognizing, in the end, that our work is about people — and the best results come from meeting them where they are.
By embracing mindfulness, we can create a legal landscape that is not only effective but also sustainable — for our clients, for our teams and for ourselves.