Chapter 11: Making a Case for Self-Compassion as Core Curriculum in Law School

A legal education can empower members of marginalized communities to positively and equitably influence the future of government, politics, business, education, and the law. However, evidence shows that the classic law school model deteriorates mental and emotional health and unevenly burdens BIPOC LGBTQI+ law students. Professors and students have been sounding the alarm for 50 years. Researchers have flagged the issue as being of “substantial human and social significance, given that the level of adjustment of graduating law students is likely to carry over into professional practice and may set the stage for the unparalleled frequency of psychological distress … among lawyers today” (Sheldon & Krieger, 2007). Self-compassion is empirically tested with a well-developed pedagogy that can help law students reduce psychological distress and cultivate resilience (Neff, 2023). Educators who foster self-compassion can incrementally and systemically transform legal pedagogy and shape the future of law. In this chapter, I make a case for self-compassion as a core curriculum in law school. I cite evidence of law students’ distress and how self-compassion can radically improve their lives. I sound the alarm for BIPOC LGBTQIA+ law students.

I ask law students and faculty to review the self-compassion pedagogy, implement programs, and apply self-compassion today.