By Erika Harold, Executive Director, Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Professionalism
I was recently asked by the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois to deliver a CLE focused on helping lawyers build resilience after having been bullied.
Members of the WBAI and me with therapy animals from SOUL Harbour Ranch.
While I often deliver CLEs on similar topics, the
venue was particularly special this time.
The CLE was held at
SOUL Harbour Ranch, which provides animal therapy in Chicago and its suburbs. Take a look at its website, and you will see miniature therapy horses, therapy dogs, and therapy cats providing love and support to those in need.
As I put on my Western hat and walked into the ranch to deliver the CLE, I was met by two therapy pigs playing the piano and miniature therapy horses standing majestically in their stables.
The event was organized by Hon. Antara Nath Rivera, a member of the WBAI’s Board of Directors. She said they chose the location for its focus on connection and community, which are valuable bonds when discussing the painful topic of bullying.
Both the CLE and the location were grounded in restoration, or bringing people together to help heal what has been broken.
I witnessed many special things that day, but I wanted to share three that I hope you can apply in your life and work in 2026.
Members of the WBAI and me with therapy animals from SOUL Harbour Ranch.
1. Vulnerability builds connection.
The CLE intentionally allowed time and space for attendees to share experiences of being bullied, and strategies they have used to advocate for themselves and their colleagues.
I was pleased that the lawyers and judges in attendance felt comfortable enough to share from the heart, expressing deeply personal stories and poignant insights, and that several made plans to reconnect after the CLE.
While the legal profession often masks vulnerability and incentivizes perfection, authentically sharing your struggles can foster supportive connections and provide others with the courage to share their struggles as well.
Miniature horses and piano-playing pigs.
In the new year, if a colleague asks you how you are doing, share honestly. And when you ask someone how they are doing, lean into the conversation – being present with your body language and eye contact – and express interest in receiving a genuine answer.
Only through authentic connection can we begin to collectively address some of the bullying, loneliness, perfectionism, and stress that pervade our profession.
2. Time with animals can be restorative.
During the event, Jodie Diegel, RN, MBA, Founder and President of the SOUL Harbour Ranch Animal Therapy Program, spoke about the power of the bond between humans and animals.
She said that interacting with animals can provide unconditional acceptance, increased empathy and relaxation, physical activity, and a greater sense of perspective.
And I felt this when engaging with the animals, whether it was walking Sunshine, a 29 1/4″ tall horse, or playing with Betty, a German shepherd/corgi mix. I felt joy, more relaxed, and a bond with the little animal with which I was engaging.
From left to right: Hon. Antara Nath Rivera, me, and Jodie Diegel with therapy animals.
In the coming year, whether it is walking your dog, volunteering at an animal shelter, or taking care of a friend’s pet, consider spending more time with animals to reap the benefits of this restorative bond.
3. Being in nature can boost your performance.
The CLE was held on an idyllic fall Saturday. Before and after the CLE, we walked among the animals in their beautiful stables and pasture, and were surrounded by the crisp autumn foliage.
I normally present CLEs in conference rooms, courtrooms, or via Zoom, so speaking at the ranch, with the barn doors open, was different. However, I felt that the closeness to nature boosted my performance and made me feel more engaged and present with attendees.
My experience is not unique, as research shows that spending time outside can bolster people’s productivity and creativity. According
to an article published by the Harvard Business Review, being in nature may strengthen attention, improve memory, foster better decision-making, enhance creativity, and even increase people’s willingness to aid others.
Next year, if you find yourself struggling to structure an argument section in a brief, draft terms for a complicated transaction, or develop an innovative way of marketing your practice, consider taking a brief walk outside to leverage the performance powers of nature.
With the upcoming holidays, maybe you can even get a head start and test some of these strategies before the new year.
On behalf of the Commission on Professionalism, I wish you a very happy, healthy, and restorative holiday season!