Acting Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Gerald Lebovits says he has not experienced high levels of stress on the bench—he describes himself as “lucky, optimistic, happy and fulfilled”—but he suspected that many other judges struggled with the pressures of the job. So he began researching the topic and wrote what became the June cover story of the New York State Bar Association’s Journal: “Judicial Wellness: The Ups and Downs of Sitting New York Judges.”
The article confronts the confluence of stressors that state judges can face, from the pressure of making life-altering decisions to the frustration of not being able to address criticism, or even lies, spread online by disgruntled litigants. Even a lack of resources, coupled with heavy caseloads, can lead to burnout. “Judges can’t confide deep, dark secrets to other judges, even judge-friends. There’s competition among judges to get elected and promoted.” He also discusses the isolation many judges feel. “Trial judges are each stranded on their own islands,” he wrote. This, he found, can lead to self medication, “bullying from the bench,” and poor overall job performance. However, the article does include a host of tips to help judges be physically and mentally healthier.
