Well-Being in the Legal Profession: Altruism, Justice, and Legal Reform

Well-Being in the Legal Profession: Altruism, Justice, and Legal Reform depicts a legal system jeopardized by lawyers’ and judges’ mental distress and shows how regenerative altruism could simultaneously improve their well-being and repair this broken, dysfunctional system. Emphasizing altruism and correlated traits like courage, compassion, and meaning, the book presents proven concepts to quickly and reliably elevate individual well-being and promote justice.

Reviews of this book state:

“Blending psychology, empirical analysis, and practical insight, Randall Kiser has long been an astute commentator on how lawyers can improve their thinking. This book explains how lawyers can both enhance their own mental health and remedy systemic injustices by placing greater emphasis on altruism. Read it!” – Jean Sternlight, author, Psychology for Lawyers, professor UNLV Boyd School of Law, and Founding Director, Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution

“I’ve been a fan of Kiser’s work since reading Soft Skills in 2017. This book is no exception. Its multidisciplinary exploration of the current state of the US legal system comes from a place of deep curiosity, genuine concern, and an underlying respect for all who are impacted by lawyers’ choices.” – Sarah Schendel, Professor, Suffolk University Law School

“What makes this book distinct in the legal profession is its thorough examination of the mental health crisis afflicting lawyers and judges, linked to systemic flaws within the legal system itself. [The] focus on regenerative altruism as a path forward invites legal academics, practitioners, and reformers to rethink how compassion and fairness can be restored in legal practice, making it essential reading for those seeking fresh perspectives on improving both individual and institutional well-being in law. … If you are involved in legal academia, practice, or reform, this book will deepen your understanding of how personal wellness intersects with broader legal system health.” – BookAuthority, “7 New Legal Profession Books Reshaping 2025”

“Well-being in the Legal Profession illustrates how the profession has devalued altruism and the harm done to caring lawyers in the process. As lawyers are infected by the system’s perverse incentives, justice for the people who depend on the system remains elusive. Kiser pushes us to grapple with this challenge. We should accept his invitation to do this necessary work.” – Jonathan Rapping, author, Gideon’s Promise, MacArthur Foundation “Genius Award” recipient, and professor, Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School