Welcome back to Legal Well-Being in Action, the podcast series presented by the New Mexico Well-Being Committee. We are excited to introduce our latest campaign: Lawyering: What We Do or Who We Are? This initiative explores the concept of professional identity and its impact on legal practitioners. As we launch this campaign, we invite you to join us in this episode while we examine the concept of empathy as a finite resource. Our Guest, Victoria Cvitanovic, discusses empathy—not as a fleeting emotion but as an intentional choice in how we engage with the world. Law, at its core, can be a compassionate profession, and understanding how we cultivate and sustain that empathy is key to long-term success. The conversation also offers practical tools for replenishing empathy. Tune in for insights on balancing professional obligations with personal well-being and learn how to cultivate a more mindful, compassionate legal practice.
Speaker Bio:
Tenessa Eakins currently serves as the Case Manager of the New Mexico Lawyer Assistance Program. She thrives in guiding and aiding legal professionals in their personal and professional well-being through the program. In addition to her role as Case Manager, she is a member of the NM Well-Being Committee, where she contributes her passion for enhancing the lives of those within the legal community.
Victoria J. Cvitanovic is a lawyer specializing in Psychedelic Medicine, Cannabis, Healthcare, and Corporate Law. With the women of Rudick Law Group, PLLC, she assists healthcare practitioners and businesses navigate highly regulated industries. She is also a passionate Zen Buddhist, a patient advocate, and a person living with a disability committed to crusading for accessibility. In addition to her law practice, Victoria serves as the President of the Board for Kinship Center, a senior center offering holistic wellness programming for people over 65.
Suggested Reading Material shared by Victoria Cvitanovic: Turning Suffering Inside Out: A Zen Approach to Living with Physical and Emotional Pain.
By Darlene Cohen
Disclaimer:
Thank you for listening! This episode was produced by the State Bar of New Mexico’s Well-Being Committee and the New Mexico Lawyer Assistance Program. All editing and sound mixing was done by the State Bar of New Mexico and/or the State Bar Foundation. Intro music is by Gil Flores. The views of the presenters are that of their own and are not endorsed by the State Bar of New Mexico. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment or legal advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
The thoughts and opinions discussed by Victoria J. Cvitanovic on this podcast are hers alone, and are not representative of Rudick Law Group, PLLC or any other organization. Nothing stated by Victoria J. Cvitanovic on this podcast should be taken as legal advice, legal opinion, or as an expression of intent to form an attorney-client relationship. Please consult a lawyer directly with any questions you have regarding a legal issue.