2025 The subtle art of setting (and respecting) boundaries

Sponsored by the Standing Committee on Well-being in the Profession

As lawyers, we all face challenges balancing work obligations with life, outside interests, and other responsibilities. Setting appropriate boundaries, and encouraging and respecting the same of our colleagues, is one key to maintaining productivity and engagement. And identifying your goals and priorities is an important first step in establishing which boundaries will be most effective for you. How can you set boundaries while also consistently achieving excellence? How can you learn to better appreciate, understand, and respect others’ boundaries? And, importantly, why is it crucial to do both? Participants will consider how (and why) to set realistic intentions for the year ahead, learn strategies for setting boundaries to support those intentions, understand how to respect boundaries, and then participate in an interactive (poll-based) discussion around a boundary-setting scenario lawyers might encounter at work. We will end with some practical tips participants can employ to create healthier, more productive, work environments for themselves and their colleagues.

Speakers: Mollie Farrell Khazaeli, Aspire, St. Louis; Kelli Dunaway, Aspire, St. Louis

Opinions and positions stated by presenters of MoBarCLE programs are those of the presenters and not necessarily those of The Missouri Bar. This program is intended as information for lawyers in Missouri, in conjunction with other research they deem necessary, in the exercise of their independent judgment.