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News & Updates

Avoiding Burnout

Anyone can suffer from burnout related to their profession and employment.  Lawyers, doctors and other professionals are particularly susceptible to burnout.  It is important that each of us recognizes the signs and symptoms of burnout so that it can be addressed early on and possibly avoided.

 

Common signs of burnout in any profession or employment include:

 

  1. Exhaustion and physical fatigue
  2. Mental/emotional exhaustion
  3. Feeling cynical or detached
  4. Decreased job satisfaction
  5. Reduced productivity and motivation
  6. Difficulty thinking clearly or concentrating
  7. A feeling of lack of accomplishment
  8. Increased absences or tardiness
  9. Physical symptoms including headaches, digestive problems, anxiety, sleep disturbances
  10. Difficulty with co-workers

 

If you notice signs of burnout, it is important to take time for yourself. “Self-care” is an important part of avoiding and reversing burnout.  Milling Partner Bruce Cranner enjoys sailing on Lake Pontchartrain.  This activity gets him out of the office and into nature, which is one of the best recommendations for avoiding and treating burnout.  Associate attorney, Sarah Fisher, loves to recharge by hiking and by spending time at the many beaches along the Gulf Coast.  Even small tasks like exercise, yoga and a “spa day” help to reset and recharge. Expert recommend getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, spending time with family and friends and taking time each day to take care of yourself.

 

Mental health experts are best suited to assist with burnout and other issues that may arise from working in professions such as legal and healthcare fields. The rate of burnout in these professions is increasing with the demands of the work.  Take time to implement self-care and if that is not enough, please seek out professional help.

 

Dear Clients,

After 130 years of practicing law in the State of Louisiana, the law firm of Milling Benson Woodware, L.L.P. has closed its practice of law and will cease providing professional services, effective as of 5 PM, February 18, 2026. After that time the firm will no longer represent you or other clients in any matters, cases or files.

Contact Your Attorney

To ensure your legal matters are handled without interruption, it is necessary for you to contact the individual attorney that previously handled your file or retain new counsel as soon as possible. If you have not already been contacted by your attorney for the continued handling of your files, you may contact our office before March 27, 2026, and we will attempt to put you in touch with the attorney that previously handled your file. Some of the attorneys previously with the firm will continue to practice elsewhere, and you should reach out to them or your new attorney as soon as possible.

File Retrieval by March 27, 2026

If you believe that we have any of your client files still in our possession they will be available for transfer to you or your attorney on or before March 27, 2026. If you want us to see if a file is available for transfer to you or your attorney, please reply to this email and provide written authorization to make the transfer, including the name and address (or other contact information) of your lawyer. If you prefer to personally take possession of your files, you may pick up your file at our office located at 68031 Capital Trace Row, Mandeville, LA 70471, on or before March 27, 2026.

After March 27, 2026, we will promptly proceed with arranging for the destruction of any files (other than Last Wills) not transferred to an attorney or picked up by you (or our representative) from our office. The files not transferred will be destroyed by shredding to protect all confidential information. Since the firm is going out of business, we will have no office location available to further store client files.

The Last Wills and Testaments in our possession will be transferred to Kayla Martynenko, Attorney in Mandeville, LA, who can be reached by email at kayla@legacylitigator.com. Ms. Martynenko will be attempting to reach out to those who signed Last Wills for which she takes possession. Let her know if you want another attorney to take possession of your Last Will or if you want to pick up the Last Will from her office.

Should you need additional information or want to arrange to pick up your file, you may contact our office manager, Vicky Cochran, by e-mail at vcochran@millinglaw.com or by calling Vicky Cochran at (985) 292-2015. Be sure to contact Vicky by 5 PM, March 27, 2026, to arrange for transfer of your files.

We thank you for the opportunity to have served your legal needs and wish you all the best in your future endeavors.

Sincerely,
MILLING BENSON WOODWARD L.L.P
C. Randall Loewen Managing Partner / Liquidator