The Class Every Law School Should Offer

There’s a class being taught at Mitchell Hamline School of Law that I wish had existed when I was in law school. Honestly, it should be mandatory at every law school in the country.

It’s called Resilient Practice for Clinic Students, and it’s taught by my guest on the Powerhouse Lawyers Podcast, Professor Natalie Netzel. This isn’t just another legal theory course or a lecture on contracts—it’s a course that teaches law students how to be lawyers without losing themselves in the process.

Let’s be real: law school teaches us how to think like lawyers. But it doesn’t teach us how to be lawyers in a way that is sustainable, healthy, and aligned with who we are. And because of that, so many women in law find themselves burned out, disconnected from their purpose, and wondering why the “success” they worked so hard for doesn’t actually feel that great.

The Silent Crisis in Law

If you’ve been in the legal field for more than five minutes, you’ve seen it firsthand—the grind culture, the pressure, the unrealistic expectations. The all-nighters, the prestige chase, the belief that suffering is just part of the job.

And yet, success in law school doesn’t necessarily translate to happiness in law. Research shows that many law students who achieve the highest academic success actually experience a decline in mental health. Why? Because somewhere along the way, they lose touch with their values. They become so consumed with excelling that they forget why they started in the first place.

That’s why Natalie’s class is revolutionary. It forces students to pause. To reflect. To build the actual skills they need to navigate this profession in a way that doesn’t break them.

The Lessons Law Schools Don’t Teach (But Should)

What if law students were required to take a class that taught them:

? How to set boundaries—because working 80 hours a week isn’t a badge of honor, it’s a fast track to burnout.

? How to prioritize self-care—not as a luxury, but as an essential lawyering skill.

? How to navigate the emotional toll of law—because dealing with trauma (whether your own or your clients’) is part of the job, and ignoring it doesn’t make it go away.

? How to redefine success on their own terms—because no title, paycheck, or courtroom victory is worth it if it costs you your joy, health, or relationships.

Natalie’s students don’t just talk about resilience; they practice it. They learn about vicarious trauma, perfectionism, and self-compassion. They learn that being a great lawyer doesn’t mean sacrificing yourself for the job—it means showing up as your whole self because that’s what makes you a better lawyer.

The Hardest Lesson I Learned in Law

If I had taken this class, I wouldn’t have spent years thinking something was wrong with me because I was miserable in a job that looked great on paper. I wouldn’t have assumed that everyone else had it together while I was secretly falling apart.

I would have understood that law doesn’t have to be a struggle. That I could choose a career path that aligned with me. That success wasn’t about climbing a pre-determined ladder—it was about building a life I actually wanted to live.

And that’s exactly why I built Powerhouse Lawyers.

Because if law schools won’t teach these lessons, then I will.

If You’re a Lawyer Feeling Overwhelmed, Here’s What I Want You to Know

If you’re in law school, early in your career, or even 20 years into practice and still wondering why doesn’t this feel the way I thought it would?—you’re not alone.

But you don’t have to accept the way things have always been done.

You don’t have to grind yourself into the ground.

You can build a career on your own terms.

So let’s start having these conversations. Let’s stop pretending that struggle is just part of the deal. Let’s normalize success with joy.

Because resilience isn’t just about surviving. It’s about thriving.

Listen to the Full Episode

Connect with Natalie Netzel

About the Author: About the Author: Erin Gerner is a lawyer turned coach, entrepreneur, and host of the Powerhouse Lawyers podcast. She helps female lawyers step into their power, break through limiting beliefs, and build lives they can’t wait to wake up for. Learn more about her coaching programs and schedule an obligation free strategy call, connect with her here.?