The Science of Mindfulness: Enhancing Legal Education and Student Resilience
Scott L. Rogers, Amishi P. Jha
Edward Elgar Publishing eBooks July 18, 2026 DOI: 10.4337/9781035314843.00010 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Law students |
| Interventions | Mindfulness-Based Attention Training (MBAT) mindfulness practices |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Relevance law Cognition Resilience materials science Legal education Psychological intervention Psychological resilience Mood Engineering ethics Component thermodynamics Empirical research Applied psychology Legal practice Psychotherapist Public relations Pedagogy |
| Key findings | Argues that mindfulness practices, especially those cultivating attention, meta-awareness, and emotional regulation, can mitigate stress, anxiety, and cognitive decline among law students, with MBAT and other interventions showing measurable improvements in attention, working memory, and mood. |
Abstract
This chapter explores the role of mindfulness in enhancing resilience, attention, and well-being among law students, drawing on the latest findings in cognitive neuroscience. Legal education places intense cognitive and emotional demands on students, often resulting in stress, anxiety, and cognitive decline. The authors present empirical evidence demonstrating how mindfulness practices—especially those that cultivate attention, meta-awareness, and emotional regulation—can mitigate these effects. The chapter introduces research on the Mindfulness-Based Attention Training (MBAT) program and other interventions that show measurable improvements in attention, working memory, and mood in high-stress environments. Practical mindfulness techniques and classroom applications are discussed, with an emphasis on their relevance to law student performance and long-term professional success. By integrating mindfulness into legal education, the chapter argues, institutions can promote clarity, compassion, and resilience in future legal professionals. This science-based approach reframes mindfulness not as a soft skill, but as a core component of legal training.