What is Joy in the Law®?
We believe that the practice of law can, and should, be a joyful pursuit. It's a sentiment that may sound radical in a profession often weighed down by old stereotypes of endless conflict, grueling hours, and a singular focus on winning at all costs. But what if there was another way? Joy in the Law® (JITL) is a growing movement dedicated to helping lawyers find that way. It's a call to action for every attorney, whether you're already content in your career or longing for a deeper sense of fulfillment. Our goal is to inspire lawyers to align their work with their values, to build a professional life that feels authentic and rewarding, and to rediscover the passion that first drew them to the law.
The Spark of a Movement
The seed of Joy in the Law® was planted in the quiet stillness of a silent meditation retreat. Our founder, Diana Maier, attended the Awakening Joy retreat at Spirit Rock in Woodacre, California, and was captivated by the central idea: that where we place our attention profoundly shapes our experience. The retreat, led by James Baraz, followed James’ book and online course of the same name. The idea behind Awakening Joy is that where we put our attention has a huge impact on how we feel about things, and when we focus on finding joy, it shows up much more often.
As she reflected, she couldn't help but notice how, despite her early doubts about ever becoming a lawyer, she had consistently found her work to be a source of happiness. It was a realization that made her wonder why this felt like such a rare experience for so many others in her profession.
Diana concluded that the traditional model of lawyering, with its emphasis on adversarial practices and a rigid, "joy-killing" patriarchal structure, didn't serve everyone. She had, in her own way, rejected that model. Instead, she had focused on building meaningful connections with her clients and her community, finding her own unique path. She was left with a powerful desire to share these insights with other lawyers who felt unfulfilled, and as she did, she discovered she wasn't alone. Many other attorneys were also yearning to leave the old ways behind and practice law in a way that truly aligned with their values.
Finding Joy, One Connection at a Time
Inspired by her insights, Diana brought together a group of passionate volunteer attorneys to organize the first Joy in the Law® Conference in Marin County in 2016. The enthusiasm was contagious, and a second conference followed in 2018. We are now excitedly planning for our third conference for September 19, 2025.
Our gatherings, whether they are our larger, co-ed conferences or our more intimate, women-only groups, are all centered on a single, vital question: What brings joy to our professional and personal lives, and how can we cultivate more of it? We’ve found that the lawyers who are happiest in their careers are the ones who were brave enough to follow their hearts and stick to their values, even when faced with societal pressures and the stereotypes of "success." These attorneys understand, almost intuitively, that unkind and unethical behaviors drain the joy from their work. They’ve chosen a path of integrity that has led them to a fulfilling life in the law, whether that means earning a million-dollar salary or choosing a more modest income in favor of more time with family and friends.
In addition to our conferences, we have email groups and host smaller, focused gatherings. These include Closer Connections for women in-house counsel and LEAP for women labor & employment attorneys, both primarily centered in the San Francisco Bay Area. These meetings are all about creating a supportive community where we can share insights, enhance our professional success, and, most importantly, find more joy in our shared legal journey.