According to the New York Law Journal, the economic climate is causing more lawyers to grow nervous about the job market.

Even in good times, depression is a part of a career in law because of the high stress atmosphere. In bad times, it's much worse.

"There is anxiety and depression over being underemployed or unemployed, or marital difficulties if they lost their job and the question is, how do they handle the anxiety," said Eileen Travis, head of New York City Bar Lawyer Assistance Program.

More lawyers are calling the program and a greater number have been suffering from depression that stems, at least partly, from the decline in their personal and professional prospects brought on by the economic downturn.

The organization this month started a support group, where for an hour each week for six weeks, lawyers can commiserate and share stories about their struggles. Thirty-one people signed up for the first session, led by Sylvan Schaffer, a licensed psychologist who also is an attorney.