The Generosity Effect: Why Giving Matters in Law

What if one of the most powerful ways to reduce stress, build stronger teams, and feel more fulfilled as a lawyer or legal professional didn’t require more hours or another certification?

What if it just meant being a bit more generous?

Last week, I had the privilege of emceeing the Lawyers Concerned for Lawyers (known as LCL, Minnesota’s Lawyer Assistance Program) annual breakfast - a room full of people quietly doing life-changing work and supporting well-being in the legal profession. It was more than just an event. It was a reminder of what makes this profession incredible: compassion, courage, and community. I sit on the board of LCL, and it’s such an honor to be a part of this impactful and vibrant event in our Minnesota legal community.

At EsquireWell, generosity is something we actively practice. It’s one of our core values as a business, and we try to live it out in real, tangible ways. In addition to the time we spend volunteering, we currently send financial contributions to over 35 organizations committed to building greater well-being, mental health, inclusion, and justice in some way locally, nationally, or internationally, including every state’s Lawyer Assistance Program that we could find to which we could give a direct donation. As EsquireWell continues to grow, so will the size of the gifts we can share - which is very exciting to us!

You can see who we support here: www.esquirewell.com/makinganimpact

Lawyer Assistance Programs are essential; they’re often the first place a lawyer turns when they’re struggling. Please consider supporting your state’s Lawyer Assistance Program (full list here.) And if you’re connected to a state LAP and can help us donate directly, please reach out. We want to support you and the life-changing work you do.

What the Research Says About Generosity

Generosity doesn’t just benefit the receiver; it transforms the giver, too. And there’s science to back it up:

Reduces stress and boosts mood: A 2017 study published in Nature Communications found that even small acts of generosity activate reward pathways in the brain, increasing happiness and reducing stress.

Improves physical health: Generous people have lower blood pressure and live longer, according to research from the University of Michigan and the Mayo Clinic.

Builds stronger teams: A Harvard Business School study found that generous workplace cultures lead to higher employee engagement, better collaboration, and lower turnover.

Supports emotional resilience: Giving promotes meaning and purpose, which are linked to greater resilience and lower burnout, especially important in high-stakes fields like law.

How to Practice Generosity (Yes, Even During a Busy Week)

You don’t have to start a foundation, make a big donation, or volunteer ten hours a week. Here are specific ways lawyers and legal professionals can show generosity at work and beyond:

Mentor generously: Make time for a junior associate, law student, or colleague. Share your experience, review a resume, or just listen.

Give credit: In meetings, emails, or pitches, highlight someone else’s contribution—especially someone who might be overlooked.

Be generous with grace: When someone misses a deadline, stumbles in court, or forgets to loop you in—lead with empathy, not judgment.

Share what you know: Offer that helpful brief, precedent, or CLE resource to a colleague without being asked.

Make space for others: If you’re in a position of influence, use it to amplify diverse voices, create more inclusive events, or bring someone along to a client meeting.

Support well-being: Encourage someone to take a break, unplug, or use their vacation days. Sometimes generosity looks like reminding others (and yourself) that rest is productive.

Give to a cause that strengthens our profession: Whether it's your local LAP, a legal aid organization, or a pipeline program, your support matters.

When we show up with generosity - even in small, quiet ways - we make our profession more human, more sustainable, and more connected.

Let’s keep supporting each other. 

Let’s keep giving what we can and receiving what we need.

Recommended Resources

[Article] A Neural Link Between Generosity and Happiness | Nature Communications: Generous behavior activates brain areas associated with happiness, even with small acts. 

[Article] Giving, Rather Than Receiving, Leads To Lasting Happiness: Study | HuffPost Life: Frequent acts of giving generate sustained happiness over time.

[Article] The Mental Health Benefits of Simple Acts of Kindness | Psychiatry.org: Describes the emotional benefits of generosity on anxiety, depression, and community connection.

[Video] Is Generosity the Most Underrated Leadership Skill? | Joe Davis | TED

[Video] The value of kindness at work | James Rhee | TED Talk

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