SHIANNE BOWLIN: TREASURER

MINDFUL LEADERS IN THE LAW: An interview with Shianne Bowlin

By Christopher J. Lhulier

Welcome to the March 2021 edition of the Mindful Leaders in the Law series.  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’ Treasurer and Student Law Division Chair, Shianne Bowlin. Shianne is currently a 3L at the University of Maine School of Law. She was first introduced to mindfulness in 2008. After falling out of practice, she renewed her mindfulness journey in law school. She frequently incorporates mindfulness practice in her work with children with developmental disabilities. Outside of school and work, She enjoys traveling, playing the ukelele, and reading. 

I had a chance to ask Shianne about her personal mindfulness practice as well as her thoughts about the level of awareness and interest in mindfulness and well-being that other law students have. I also asked Shianne how important it is for her, as an emerging lawyer, that potential employers offer programs for, or are at least receptive to, the well-being of their employees. As a smart and thoughtful voice for the next generation of attorneys, Shianne’s perspective on this and the other topics we discussed is extremely refreshing and enlightening. 

Q: How did you begin practicing mindfulness?

A: I started in middle school. I was in marching band and a big part of our daily rehearsal included mindfulness practice. Unfortunately, I fell out of practice during college. I started to get back into it slowly during law school. Once the pandemic hit, I fully committed myself to practicing mindfulness and am very grateful that I did. 

Q: Law school is notoriously demanding, especially the first year. Have you found a way to balance your mindfulness practice and well-being with the demands of working towards a J.D.?

A: I found that it’s extremely important to physically schedule it in my day. I put it on my calendar so nothing else can be scheduled during that time, and so I can’t make up excuses about forgetting due to being busy with other things. By maintaining a mindfulness practice, I’ve noticed that my productivity has increased. I’ve been able to focus better and think more clearly, which has reduced the amount of time I spend on schoolwork and has resulted in having more personal time.

Q: In your experience, are topics like mindfulness and well-being freely discussed and emphasized in the law school community, or do they remain somewhat on the fringe of law school life?

A: At Maine Law, I’m fortunate to have a professor who is very dedicated to mindfulness. Because of her dedication, we implement mindfulness practice at 1L orientation, in class, and at many other times. With this, students have been more receptive to the idea of mindfulness. However, I feel like there’s still some hesitancy to committing to a mindfulness practice. From my experience talking with other students, they acknowledge it’s helpful and either can’t find the time or they still find it a little bit “hokey.”

Q. Have many of your classmates and friends adopted a mindfulness practice and/or do they make a conscious effort to maintain their well-being?

A: I have noticed more friends and classmates have adopted a mindfulness practice since the pandemic started. It’s been a great way to combat Zoom fatigue. The flip side of that is sometimes students are so “Zoomed” out that they can’t gather the energy to attend virtual sits. Fortunately, there are various mindfulness apps that don’t require Zoom. Many of the people I have spoken with use those. 

Q: From your perspective as a law student getting ready to enter the legal profession, will the well-being programs and policies of potential employers play a role in your decision where to work?

A: Absolutely. One of the first questions I ask potential employers is how they value employee well-being. I prioritize potential employers based on their dedication to maintaining a strong work-life balance. Not only does that make my personal work product better, but it also makes the work environment more enjoyable. 

Q: Do you think that legal employers recognize that an increasing number of graduating law students are prioritizing their well-being and are employers receptive to this change in the mindset of incoming lawyers?

A: I think it’s definitely becoming noticeable that well-being is a priority among graduating law students. I also think that employers are becoming more receptive to this change. However, I do think that the idea of well-being as a priority is still a little taboo in the legal profession. The culture in the legal profession seems to still teeter more towards “This is the way it’s always been” rather than the preferred mentality of “This is too much for one person to handle. Let’s change things.” I would like to see employers prioritize well-being more affirmatively rather than it being a fallback. It would be great to see employers offer mental health days, in addition to sick days and vacation time. I interned at one place that prioritized mental health tremendously, and the employees seemed much happier. They would shut down the office randomly during 2020 when current events were just a little too much to handle, or when the weather was really nice after months of bitter cold. They always included a message recognizing everyone’s hard work and how each person should take time for themselves to recharge. This is what gave me hope that the culture within the legal profession is changing.

Q: Do you have a go to mindfulness practice for those days when you do not have time to do a formal sitting?

A:  I always do a Loving Kindness meditation practice before bed. So, even if I didn’t have time for a formal sit that day, I still make time for myself to extend positive energy and compassion to those around me. 

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 really enjoy Thich Nhat Hanh. Two of my favorite quotes are “We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize” and “The most precious gift we can offer others is our presence. When mindfulness embraces those we love, they will bloom like flowers.” They both remind me of the importance of maintaining agency over our actions, and not letting the anticipation of the future cloud the impact of our present words, feelings, and actions.