The Iowa State Bar Association’s Shift Happens: Surviving the Law Profession Masterclass Series continues Tuesday, April 7, with Part Seven, “Change Agent,” a program focused on building workplace cultures that support both well-being and long-term success.
Burnout and high turnover remain persistent challenges in the legal profession, often signaling deeper cultural issues within organizations. This session will examine how leaders can take an intentional approach to workplace culture to better support staff while strengthening overall performance.
Melissa Byers, executive director of the St. Petersburg Bar Association, will lead the program. With more than a decade of experience guiding a voluntary bar association of 1,200 members, Byers has championed initiatives that address the high rates of depression, substance use, and suicide within the legal profession. Her work includes the “Healthy, Happy, Holistic Attorneys” wellness initiative, which emphasizes sustainable, meaningful change beyond surface-level solutions.
The program will highlight practical strategies for fostering environments where attorneys and staff can thrive, recognizing that true cultural change requires more than temporary perks. Attendees will gain insight into how a strong, wellness-focused culture can positively impact both employee retention and organizational outcomes.
The webinar is approved for one state CLE hour and one wellness hour. Registration is free for all categories.
Participants can register for this session and are encouraged to also plan to attend the final program in the series, “Harness Your Habits,” scheduled for Tuesday, May 5, from 4 to 5 p.m.
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