Host Tim Culbert welcomes Dean Michael Marin, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of New Brunswick, for an insightful conversation about anxiety, mental health, and wellness in the legal profession. Michael shares his personal “blueberries and bar exam” story, which illustrates how anxiety shaped much of his academic and professional life before he finally sought help. For years, he believed that anxiety was the key to his success, only to discover through therapy that it was actually holding him back. Michael discusses the lessons he learned about catastrophizing, imposter syndrome, and the importance of self-awareness, routine, and seeking support. Tim and Michael also explore how lawyers can better support colleagues experiencing mental health challenges, why empathy is often more effective than problem-solving, and the role of community in fostering resilience. Michael shares insights from his work on the Law Society of New Brunswick’s Mental Health and Wellness Task Force, including efforts to create resources that help lawyers navigate workplace challenges before they become larger crises. Throughout the conversation, Michael emphasizes that while the legal profession faces real wellness challenges, its core values of service, ethics, lifelong learning, and collegiality are deeply compatible with well-being. This episode is a thoughtful and hopeful discussion about anxiety, recovery, mentorship, and building a healthier future for the legal profession. About Michael Marin, KC | Dean and Associate Professor, UNB Faculty of Law Dean Marin joined the UNB Faculty of Law in 2016, after teaching at the University of Ottawa for four years. He was appointed Associate Dean in 2018, Acting Dean in 2020 and Dean in 2021. In 2022, he was appointed King’s Counsel. Dean Marin’s focus is the implementation of UNB Law’s Strategic Plan, a bold agenda that will affirm UNB Law as one of Canada’s top law schools. The Plan includes new experiential learning opportunities, a graduate program, research chairs, an intensive term, a pre-law program and upgraded facilities. Dean Marin is active in the legal profession through service on administrative tribunals, professional organizations and continuing legal education. He currently serves as Vice-Chairperson of the New Brunswick Labour and Employment Board and previously served as Vice-Chairperson of the Workers’ Compensation Appeals Tribunal (WCAT). In the latter role, he authored nearly 100 decisions on the rights and obligations of injured workers and their employers. Dean Marin also serves on the Atlantic Regional Committee of the Supreme Court Advocacy Institute, which provides support to lawyers appearing before the country’s highest court. He is a member of the Councils of the Law Society of New Brunswick and the Canadian Bar Association New Brunswick Branch, as well as the Executive Committee of the Council of Canadian Law Deans. Dean Marin is a frequent presenter at conferences organized by the Canadian Bar Association, the National Judicial Institute and other professional organizations. His teaching and research focus on administrative law, workplace law, corporate governance and torts. Before entering academia, Dean Marin practiced civil litigation at an international firm in New York City and clerked at the Supreme Court of Canada for the Hon. Ian Binnie. He has a law degree from the University of Ottawa, an MA in Public Policy and Administration from Carleton University, and an LLM from the University of Cambridge, where he studied as a Gates Scholar. Dean Marin was named a Fellow of Action Canada, a program that supports the development of Canada’s public policy leaders. He is a member of the Law Society of New Brunswick, the Law Society of Ontario and the Bar of New York. Resources discussed in this episode: University of New Brunswick Faculty of LawLaw Society of New BrunswickNational Study on the Psychological Health Determinants of Legal Professionals in Canada (Université de Sherbrooke)Supreme Court Advocacy InstituteCanadian Bar Association – Wellness ResourcesCanadian Mental Health Association— Contact Tim Culbert: LinkedInPurvis Culbert Law LinkedInInstagramFacebookContact Dean Michale Marin | University of New Brunswick: University of New Brunswick - Department of LawLinkedIn: Michael Marin
