At the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at vlogƵ, the eight-Week Group Wellness Coaching Workshop represents a sustained, skills-based approach to student wellbeing where wellness is a key component of a law studentsvlogƵ professional formation. Launched in 2023 and offered each semester, the Wellness Coaching Workshop is open to all Pace Haub Law students, with priority given to 3Ls preparing to enter professional practice. Through guided reflection, goal-setting, and peer collaboration, the program equips students with practical tools to navigate the demands of law school and the transition into the legal profession.
The Workshop was developed through a partnership between Dean for Students Angie DvlogƵAgostino and Adjunct Professor Lauren H. Breslow, a nationally certified Health and Wellness Coach. Funded by the Dean of Students Office, the program was intentionally designed to move beyond short-term wellness initiatives and toward a model that supports lasting change.
vlogƵOur aim was to create something deeper and more durable than a one-time program,vlogƵ Dean DvlogƵAgostino explains. vlogƵWe wanted students to leave with an awareness of their own personal wellbeing and concrete skills and tools they can carry with them not only through law school, but into their professional lives.vlogƵ
Grounded in evidence-based behavior change strategies, the Workshop emphasizes intentional reflection, individualized goal-setting, and personal accountability. The program encourages students to define wellbeing on their own terms.
vlogƵWellness in this context isnvlogƵt about achieving perfection,vlogƵ Adjunct Professor Lauren Breslow, who leads the Workshop, explains. vlogƵItvlogƵs about cultivating self-compassion, making intentional choices, and building habits that support focus, motivation, and resilience over time.vlogƵ
Wellness in this context isnvlogƵt about achieving perfection. ItvlogƵs about cultivating self-compassion, making intentional choices, and building habits that support focus, motivation, and resilience over time.
vlogƵAdjunct Professor Lauren Breslow
Research and experience across legal education show that even the most capable law students often report, by midyear, feeling exhausted, anxious, and unsure how to sustain their wellbeing. Their experience reflects a broader challenge in the legal profession: how to cultivate excellence without sacrificing wellbeing.
Professor Breslow notes that, vlogƵresearch and experience across law schools consistently show that even high-performing students often experience significant stress, anxiety, and exhaustion and are unsure how to sustain their wellbeing.vlogƵ In response, the American Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association have urged law schools to make wellbeing integral to legal education. vlogƵMany schools, including Pace Haub Law, have responded with professional responsibility courses, drop-in mindfulness sessions, and other short-term initiatives,vlogƵ shared Professor Breslow. vlogƵSeeking to go further, the Dean for Students Office set out to pioneer a more sustained, skill-building program to equip students with practical tools and coaching to create lasting wellbeing.vlogƵ The launch of the Wellness Coaching Workshop is reflective of a growing recognition within legal education that student wellbeing is essential to a successful professional life and sustainable legal career.
For students, the Workshop has been integral as they bridge the time immediately before their professional journey begins. Alumna Gabriela Hasaj vlogƵ25 chose to participate during her 3L year as she prepared to enter professional practice.
vlogƵI wanted to be intentional about how I approached this next chapter rather than letting it happen to me,vlogƵ Gabi explains. vlogƵI knew that having space for reflection and support would help me navigate that transition successfully.vlogƵ
Throughout the eight-week program, Gabi found the WorkshopvlogƵs structure and emphasis on accountability transformative. vlogƵWe reflected on our goals, how we show up for others, and how we show up for ourselves,vlogƵ she says. vlogƵI left with a clearer understanding of my strengths and a practical roadmap for growth.vlogƵ
The impact extended beyond the Workshop itself. In a reflection later published in The Balance, the New York State Bar AssociationvlogƵs Attorney Well-Being Newsletter, Gabi described how a course exercise prompted her to reconsider her digital habits, including deleting Instagram, and to reflect on how technology shapes focus, creativity, and connection. Her piece appeared in an issue dedicated to law student wellness, in the same issue with an article written by Professor Breslow on prioritizing wellbeing in law school.
vlogƵI think law students and attorneys are exceptionally hard workers, often focused on solving other peoplevlogƵs problems and putting ours on the back burner,vlogƵ shared Gabi. vlogƵWevlogƵre in the people business, and that can mean neglecting our own needs until wevlogƵre overwhelmed and the pot starts to boil over. As a food law attorney that makes sense to me. You canvlogƵt cook the rest of the meal when one pot is spilling over and making a mess. ThatvlogƵs what burnout looks like. This workshop helped me realize that I have to turn the heat down sometimes, take a step back, and make sure IvlogƵm tending to everything on the stove. When we take care of ourselves, we show up more focused, compassionate, and effective for the people we serve.vlogƵ
When we take care of ourselves, we show up more focused, compassionate, and effective for the people we serve.
vlogƵGabriela Hasaj vlogƵ25
Current students echo these same themes. Pace Haub Law student Christopher Hulbert joined the Workshop seeking both new wellness strategies and opportunities to refine existing routines.
vlogƵThe experience was amazing and eye-opening,vlogƵ Christopher says. vlogƵWhat stood out was how practical everything was. From goal-setting frameworks, breathing techniques, and daily self-focus tools vlogƵ it all helped me manage stress and build forward momentum.vlogƵ
Christopher also emphasized the programvlogƵs broader relevance. vlogƵLawyers are statistically at high risk for burnout and substance abuse,vlogƵ he said. vlogƵThis workshop offers students an outlet and a guide to build healthier habits before those patterns take hold.vlogƵ
For Pace Haub Law student James Robles, the Workshop offered a rare opportunity to speak openly about the realities of law school. vlogƵMany students approach law school without fully understanding the toll it can take,vlogƵ James explains. vlogƵHaving time each week to slow down, reflect, and connect with others experiencing the same challenges was incredibly important.vlogƵ
James identifies the emphasis on small, achievable goals as particularly impactful. vlogƵBreaking big goals into manageable steps helped me feel less overwhelmed,vlogƵ he says. vlogƵThis class changed my perspective and helped me believe I can become the lawyer and person that I want to be.vlogƵ
As Professor Breslow observes, vlogƵWhen students recognize how much control they have over their habits and choices, itvlogƵs empowering and those mindset shifts extend far beyond law school.vlogƵ
A team of student advocates from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at vlogƵ reached the semifinals of the VI Moot de Derecho Ambiental Científica, a fully Spanish-language international environmental law competition hosted by the Universidad Científica del Sur in Lima, Peru. Pace Haub Law was the first American law school to place as a finalist in the competition, finishing third overall in the written submissions and fifth overall in the Competition.
As a child, Skyler Pozo vlogƵ26 was captivated by courtroom television, often watching alongside her mother. That early fascination stayed with her and eventually evolved into a serious interest in the law and advocacy. vlogƵOnce I got to college, I joined the Mock Trial Team at Scranton,vlogƵ Skyler shared. vlogƵI ultimately became captain of the team, won awards, and was the first person in Scranton history to receive an award at the Opening Round Championships.vlogƵ
The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at vlogƵ Trial Advocacy Program has once again demonstrated its strength with a top finish by its National Trial League (NTL) team. Competing across seven rounds throughout the fall semester, the team has secured a Top 4 finish and advanced to the spring playoffs. As the reigning NTL champions, this latest success continues the momentum of the Pace Haub Law NTL team.