Thank you

Thanks for participating in this webinar. We hope you found it informative and left with some useful tools you can use right away! Don't forget to visit INNovation Education to take your quiz, get your certificate and find out what you need to do to self-report for CLE credits. Questions? education@innsofcourt.org

Description

The impact of trauma on people who provide service (you) to those who suffer from trauma (your clients) is a downside to practicing law, and exposure to traumatic stories can lead to serious mental health concerns, including depression and anxiety. While not all legal professionals turn to substance use as a means of coping, many do. Practicing the law with professionalism requires that attorneys be healthy and are able to engage in good decision-making.

Attorneys are often unsung superheroes whose powers can change the lives of their clients for the better, whether it be getting charges dropped, concluding a messy divorce or gaining financial restitution. The impact of trauma on professionals working with those who suffer from trauma can lead to serious mental health concerns including depression and anxiety.  While not all legal professionals turn to substance use as a means of coping, a 2016 study showed that 1 in 5 lawyers reported problematic use of drugs and alcohol at some point in their life.

Of these, nearly 3 out of 4 indicated the problem usage started after they joined law school. In 2017, lawyers were reported to be almost twice as likely to suffer from alcohol abuse compared to the general population. This is disheartening information. Practicing law – especially cases that involve trauma – can be worrisome and sometimes isolating. Many lawyers find themselves stressed, feeling alone and without healthy and productive tools to deal with it all. After this webinar, you will be able to:

• Recognize what trauma can look like in yourself and others;
• Discover how administrative practices and office cultures can support or hinder attorney wellness;
• Develop skills to help de-escalate emotional reactions and trauma responses; and,
• Identify steps you can take to help others and engage in self-care.

Join the exploration of this difficult subject in an open, accepting and non-judgmental environment; leave with proactive and positive steps you can take for handling mental health and substance abuse issues as you continue to conduct the difficult and important work of representing your clients with professionalism and changing their lives for the better.