How Secondary Trauma Affects Attorneys Mental Health
1 CLE / 1 E - On Demand Seminar
Attorneys often represent people who have been traumatized as victims of abuse, crime or other adversity. As the matter unfolds, lawyers, staff and judges alike may be exposed to emotional stories, highly charged situations, as well as gruesome and disturbing evidence, which can lead to secondary or vicarious trauma. Symptoms include burnout, PTSD, irritability, difficulties with sleep and concentration as well as diminished pleasure and interest in activities.
Join Cindy Sharp and Becky Howlett for this timely educational webinar as they explore secondary trauma. Case studies of legal professionals who have experienced the adverse effects of vicarious trauma are included. Certified Meditation Instructor and Attorney Becky Howlett will teach and lead mindfulness practices throughout this session.
Attendees will learn:
● How to identify situations that may lead to secondary trauma
● Symptoms of vicarious traumatization
● Ethical Implications of secondary trauma: Analysis of MRPC 1.1 - Competence, MRPC 1.3 - Diligence, MRPC 1.4 - Communication, MRPC 8.4 - Misconduct
● Specific steps you can take IMMEDIATELY to manage and avoid the ill effects of compassion fatigue
● Tips on how to approach a colleague who is exhibiting “the signs”
● Strategies to implement a trauma-informed approach
● How to use mindfulness tools to develop deeper awareness about secondary trauma
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Faculty:
Cynthia Sharp, Esq.
CEO, The Sharper Lawyer
Veteran Attorney Cynthia Sharp (J.D., LL.M. - Taxation) works with motivated lawyers seeking to build sustainable law practices. After building and selling her boutique firm which she ran for over a quarter of a century, she embarked on a professional speaking and consulting/coaching career. For the past 13 years, she has dedicated herself to sharing practice-building strategies and processes with solo and small firm attorneys throughout North America. Cindy has established a national presence as an author and speaker on topics of ethics in the context of practice management and marketing - lecturing extensively to law firms, bar associations, and other legal organizations. In recognition of her contributions to the profession, the ABA GPSolo Division named her Trainer of the Year in 2019. During the pandemic, she co-founded legalburnout.com, a community dedicated to the well-being of lawyers.
Rebecca Howlett J.D., C.P.T.
The Legal Burnout Solution, Kansas City
Rebecca Howlett (she/they) is a lawyer, legal education innovator, and certified Contemplative Practices Teacher committed to promoting well-being in the legal field and beyond. After graduating from KU Law cum laude with a Tribal Lawyers Certificate in 2014, Becky focused her career on Indian Country advocacy, developing an expertise in federal Indian law and policy. Becky’s experience emphasizes relationship building, inter-disciplinary collaboration, and program development, including delivering educational trainings and CLE re: cultural competency, implicit bias, and lawyer wellbeing.
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How Secondary Trauma Affects Attorneys Mental Health
1 CLE / 1 E - On Demand Seminar
ICLEF • Indiana Continuing Legal Education Forum, Indianapolis, IN • Premier Indiana CLE