The Victorian Legal Services Board and Commissioner has launched a practical tool that equips leaders of legal workplaces to take effective action to safeguard their own wellbeing and that of their staff.

The Wellbeing Guidelines for Legal Workplaces, authored by industry-leading expert in lawyer wellbeing Dr Carly Schrever, provide steps for immediate action in legal workplaces of all sizes, whether it’s their first wellbeing initiative, or the next in an established wellbeing program.

The Wellbeing Guidelines follow the release of the Lawyer Wellbeing Systems Theory of Change, which brought together evidence and input from the legal profession to illustrate the need for change at all levels of the legal system – individual, interpersonal, organisation and sector.  The VLSB+C is committed to supporting system-wide change, and the guidelines provide a clear set of actions to support leaders to drive change at the organisation level.

Victorian Legal Services Board CEO and Commissioner, Fiona McLeay, says that if the Theory of Change gives us the big-picture, longer-term shared outcomes to work towards, the Wellbeing Guidelines for Legal Workplaces detail actionable steps for organisational leaders to improve lawyer wellbeing in every workplace.

“With a thorough and rigorous Theory of Change in place, it’s time to move from theory to practice, and these Wellbeing Guidelines give legal workplaces a clear set of evidence-based actions to follow.”

“Whether your organisation is striving for good, better or best practice in lawyer wellbeing, with this practical tool, leaders across Victoria can confidently take action, led by the best research and evidence, to improve the wellbeing of our profession.”

The Wellbeing Guidelines bring together the latest local and international research on lawyer wellbeing. They also align with the Victorian Government’s Mentally Healthy Workplaces Framework and WorkSafe Victoria’s forthcoming Occupational Health and Safety (Psychological Health) Regulations.

To support legal leaders to use the Wellbeing Guidelines in their workplaces, VLSB+C is running a series of Continuing Professional Development-accredited sessions and panel discussions throughout August and September 2025. The Wellbeing Guidelines’ author, Dr Carly Schrever, will share practical tips and insights about how to apply the guidelines, targeted to principals and people leaders.

Register for a CPD session and find out more on the Wellbeing Guidelines for Legal Workplaces webpage.