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Finals week can be an era of increased pressure for numerous students. For those studying law, the burden can become even more intense.

Research indicates that 75% of law students experience considerable stress and anxiety, a concerning trend that has escalated nationally in recent years. Florida State University College of Law Professor Lawrence Krieger is taking proactive measures to enhance students’ mental wellness and overall health.

“At FSU Law, we are devoted to furnishing our students with the academic resources necessary for success and offering the mental health assistance and wellness tools they require to flourish,” stated Erin O’Hara O’Connor, dean of the FSU College of Law. “We acknowledge that genuine achievement in the legal field necessitates both academic accomplishment and well-being.”

Krieger, a 34-year veteran at FSU Law, has garnered international acclaim for his groundbreaking research in psychology and law. His work centers on comprehending and enhancing the welfare of law students and legal practitioners. Through his classes, initiatives, and personal guidance, Krieger empowers students to cope with stress and foster resilience, ensuring they possess the psychological and emotional resources needed to excel in law school and throughout their professional journeys.

“Law school can induce substantial stress and anxiety for students who are armed with the appropriate mindset and strategies to navigate it,” Krieger elaborated. “Research shows that these emotions can lead to considerable mental health obstacles. While academic success is highlighted, the significance of well-being is frequently neglected. Our aim is to assist students in realizing that success in law school transcends grades or reputation — it encompasses discovering joy and satisfaction in their lives.”

“Our aim is to assist students in realizing that success in law school transcends grades or reputation — it encompasses discovering joy and satisfaction in their lives.”

-Lawrence Krieger, FSU College of Law Professor

Krieger’s influence goes beyond conventional law courses. Together with his wife, Rev. Theresa Krieger, he co-instructs a class entitled Transformational Leadership for Lawyers. This distinctive course imparts strategies to students for alleviating stress while cultivating the six dimensions of competence identified by the National Task Force on the Future of the Legal Profession. Krieger also mentors a multitude of students and alumni, in addition to leading weekly meditation and movement sessions to facilitate students in unwinding, refocusing, and recharging.

Research clearly indicates that well-being not only enhances health and quality of life but also boosts performance. FSU Law is dedicated to student wellness, integrating wellness practices into its curriculum and providing extensive mental health resources to students from the onset of their time at the college.

“We are profoundly appreciative of Professor Krieger’s invaluable contributions to wellness initiatives,” remarked Dean O’Connor. “Alongside his efforts, our ‘Raising the Bar’ professionalism program presents a variety of wellness initiatives, including Wellness Wednesdays, guest speakers, a fall Wellness Fair, and support from our part-time embedded mental health clinician. We also offer financial well-being programs to further bolster our students’ overall success and health.”

Krieger has received numerous honors, including distinguished service awards from the American Bar Association and the Association of American Law Schools. In 2013, he was acknowledged as one of 25 faculty members nationally in the Harvard Press publication “What the Best Law Teachers Do.”

Moreover, Professor Krieger was featured in a 2025 National Jurist article, where he investigated the ongoing challenges confronting lawyers, utilizing data from over 6,000 practicing attorneys and judges. His impactful publications on law student wellness are utilized in law schools throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia, reinforcing his role as a leading advocate for enhancing mental health within the legal arena.

For additional details, visit law.fsu.edu.

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