Introduction

Summary

The legal profession worldwide is suffering from a failure of individual lawyers to thrive. The lawyer well-being crisis is impairing our performance. We must examine our culture, and we can learn from neuroscience and psychology research to improve this problem. Neuro-intelligence is a critical competency in the legal profession because lawyering is a cognitive profession and leading is a cognitive skill. Neuro-intelligence development is centered on an understanding of neuroplasticity, the brain’s superpower to constantly rewire with every action, experience, and thought; and neurogenesis, our brain’s ability to grow new brain cells. Our brain is shaped by our daily habits, and it is influenced by our efforts, successes, stressors, failures, and traumas. Lawyers must process information quickly and accurately, solve complex problems, and demonstrate resilience. A high-functioning brain is essential. This book translates scientific research into actionable information. It is designed to help law students, lawyers, and leaders of legal organizations understand how to avoid or heal cognitive damage, optimize cognitive performance, and build, maintain, and protect the most valuable tool in their briefcase, the lawyer’s brain.