Conflict Management Associates, providing mediation and conflict management services to families and individuals facing family relationship decisions, made a presentation to Family Law students today. Using professional mediators, family law attorneys, individual and family therapists, and financial advisors to help families make informed decisions while working toward agreement, these professionals focused on the subject of attorney and client wellness, and how to gain the experience after graduation to become a successful family attorney.
Led by Tazewell Hubard, JD, who was joined by Hetal Challah, JD, Sidney McCoy, JD, and Kimberly Roddy, MDIV, this team provided a wealth of information significant to lawyer health and welfare during the practice of law, law student wellness during bar exam preparation, and general guidance on how to handle trauma.
Of particular note was a discussion surrounding the concept of Secondary Trauma Experience. There is a very high potential for attorneys to experience secondary trauma when hearing of events during the representation of clients who are victims of violence, or share really alarming or challenging life events and circumstances. This secondary trauma can lead to anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and avoidance for lawyers who experience it. The solution: afford yourself attention, balance, and awareness. Helping others can be extremely challenging for any lawyer, and wellness checks are vital in the marathon of a law practice. The best wisdom is to take appropriate and needed breaks from work, during the day, week, month and year, to stay healthy. A lawyer should also keep a focus on his or her calling and purpose.
Bringing family restoration to others is a challenging calling. Taking care of yourself is essential in any lawyer’s life.
I really appreciate the insight of professionals on the topic of lawyer wellness. At the end of three years in law school, I better understand the struggle that I will face as a lawyer in practice. I hope to put my mental health as a priority during practice.
ReplyDelete