LAURIE CAPPELLO: VICE PRESIDENT
MINDFUL LEADERS IN THE LAW: An interview with Laurie Cappello
by Christopher Lhulier, Esq.
Welcome to the December edition of Mindful Leaders in the Law. Each month we feature a “q & a” style interview with a leader from the MILS community. Our goal, through this series, is not only to strengthen our community by sharing interesting conversations with some of the amazing individuals who make-up MILS. We hope, by spotlighting the paths and practices of others, to also inspire and empower our members to build their mindfulness practices in creative ways that are uniquely satisfying to them.
This month I talked to MILS’ vice-president and New England Chapter Co-Chair, Laurie Cappello. Laurie is the director of Human Resources (Benefits & HRIS/Payroll) at Mintz. She is also the architect and co-founder of Mintz’s mindfulness program, which was one of the first programs of its kind in the country and continues to grow and evolve heading into its fifth year. I have had the pleasure of being Laurie’s colleague and friend for a number of years. So, I can speak directly to her dedication to her mindfulness practice, not only “on the cushion,” but also each day out in the real world as she consistently does the work necessary to grow as a person and inspire others to do the same. She is equally dedicated to bringing more mindfulness and well-being practices to the legal community. As someone who leads by example, we are lucky to have Laurie as one of MILS’ leaders. We hope you enjoy our conversation with her:
Q: How did you begin practicing mindfulness?
A: In 2017 Brenda Fingold led an 8-Week Mindfulness Program at Mintz. Although I had been practicing meditation for a few years, and felt the benefits of meditation, I did not know the rich origins of the practice, and the science that supports the benefits. It was Brenda’s program that introduced me to mindfulness meditation, which took my practice to a whole new level, and was the beginning of my mindfulness journey.
Q: Has your mindfulness practice helped ease some of the stress and uncertainty that has come along with the pandemic?
A: My mindfulness practice has been a reliable ally during the pandemic. I practice every morning, and it helps me to begin the day from a centered place. Thanks to my mindfulness practice, I generally become aware very quickly when I’m beginning to feel off balance or stressed. When this happens I take a few deep breaths which helps to connect me with my inner stillness, return to the present moment, and create a sense of calm.
Q: Does your firm offer any well-being/mindfulness programs or services to help its legal professionals and staff to better manage during this difficult time?
A: I am very fortunate to work at a firm that considers well-being to be part of our culture. Mintz implemented a well-being program in 2006, and added Mindfulness in 2017. We continue to offer an annual 8-Week Mindfulness at Work series led by Brenda, have a Mindfulness page on our intranet that contains links to articles, recorded meditations and additional resources, including MILS Mindful Monday, and the Brown Medical Center daily sits. One true joy of the program is having a community of mindful colleagues, and the opportunity to connect (now virtually) via our weekly live sits each Wednesday, which I have the honor to lead. We have great relationships with ESI, our Employee Assistance Provider (EAP), the CA, DC and MA State Lawyer Assistance Programs (LAPs), and our health care providers, Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA and Kaiser, who provided excellent well-being resources for our employees. We remind our employees frequently about these resources, offer educational presentations, and have dedicated pages on our intranet site with information that can be accessed at any time.
Q: As a law firm administrator, do you think the current trend in firms towards having more well-being programs and resources available to their employees, will continue?
A: In one word – YES, and it must continue! The legal industry has been moving in that direction, thanks to the efforts of the ABA Attorney Well-Being Committee and the National Task Force on Lawyer Well-Being and their report containing the data necessary to demonstrate the need to focus on well-being. This focus has inspired the creation of well-being efforts and Committees in all areas of the legal profession. Many states have also developed their own Committees, such as the Massachusetts SJC Standing Committee on Lawyer Well-Being. As the pandemic has had a devastating effect on well-being, the continued focus on well-being is crucial.
Q: If you were asked to create a well-being program for your law firm from the ground up, what are the main components you would include in it?
A: As mentioned previously, Mintz implemented a Well-Being Program (MPower) in 2006, and I was fortunate to be involved in the creation of the program and its continued development. The program started out with a focus on Physical Fitness, and over the years has evolved to include Physical Health, Mindfulness, Financial Health and Mental Health. Mintz recently hired a Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DE&I). I look forward to collaborating with the Director of DE&I on initiatives that support and align with DE&I, and to incorporate DE&I as the newest component of MPower. To have a successful program, it is important to have support from leadership, and to identify allies to serve as champions. Another tip is to identify resources that are currently available through your health insurance and EAP providers, as well as LAPs. For those building from the ground up, I recommend beginning with one or two areas, then continuing to build over time. I am happy to serve as a resource for anyone interested in developing a program.
Q: It has been a little less than two years since you co-founded the New England section of MILS. How would you say it is going?
A: Becoming affiliated with MILS, and having the opportunity to Co-Chair the New England Chapter with Brenda, has been a true honor. I believe the Chapter was a success from the beginning. Brenda and I were amazed at the number of individuals who attended the first meeting (see the picture on the New England Chapter page on the MILS website) and we continue to grow! Our membership consists of lawyers, law professors, law students, law firm administration professionals, and well-being professionals who serve the legal community – a wonderful group of individuals connected by our passion for mindfulness and well-being.
Q: Do you have a go to mindfulness practice for those days when you do not have time to do a formal sitting?
A: Focus on breath is my go to practice – it can be done any time, any place.
Q: Do you have a favorite quote or expression about mindfulness that reminds you of why mindfulness is a priority in your life?
A: I often say “I don’t know what I would do without my practice”. Aside from the pure truth of this expression, it became especially meaningful when I discovered that this expression was also the title of a chapter in “Coming to Our Senses” written by Jon Kabat-Zinn – the man who developed the MBSR Program that has been so influential in my mindfulness journey. Jon, his program and the wonderful teachers who lead MBSR training have been the inspiration for my goal to become an MBSR teacher so that I, too, can share this wonderful offering.
Q: In one sentence, why should someone who is considering to start practicing mindfulness but is skeptical about its benefits, give it a chance?
A: Practicing mindfulness daily can positively impact your physical health, your mental health, your work life and your personal relationships – you’ve got nothing to lose by giving it a chance!