Trauma Informed Lawyering Makes a Difference

 This guest post is from Elie El-Habr, Regent Law 3L:

"What on Earth is wrong with this person?" This is likely the most commonly asked question after just one day of observing courtroom proceedings in Virginia's Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. But sometimes, the question ought to be asked differently. As lawyers, we must ask it differently. "What on Earth happened to this person?" is probably a good place to start. 

Our past trauma, whether experienced in adulthood or childhood, influences almost everything we do. It affects how we deal with happiness or grief, success or failure, love or hate, and calm or stress. Almost every human emotion is flavored by trauma. We can somehow take this precept as a truism, but still struggle with conducting ourselves in accordance with it. Am I really to consider opposing counsel's childhood trauma when I am on the verge of seeking Rule 11 sanctions against him? Do I really need to worry about my client's trauma when deciding how to advise her in a divorce lawsuit? The answer depends on another question: Who am I, as a lawyer?

If I view myself as a hired gun, then considering my client's trauma could not matter less. But I strive to be more than just that. "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you," Matthew 7:12. As lawyers, we are gifted. We have the gift of stepping into the role of trusted stewards, bold advocates, and wise counselors. Our clients will most likely seek our assistance during their life's lowest moments. Being a trauma-informed advocate is thus paramount. I firmly believe that to live my life with Christ as a model, to achieve the highest possible level of self-actualization, to maximize fulfillment, and to promote the kingdom of God and His glory, I must seize every opportunity to contribute to my client's personal well-being---not just his legal well-being. It starts with knowing my client. And you do not really know people until you know what happened to them.

Personally, my childhood trauma affects nearly everything I do. It was not until recently that I discovered that, but growing up in an abusive household never leaves you (with every meaning the word carries). It's a double-edged sword. Wield it properly and it can propel you to prosper. Falter with it and you'll be on your way to failure. Through my relationship with Christ, I am learning how to wield it properly. But I also want to learn how to help others deal with their trauma and how to better serve others with an understanding of how their trauma affects them.