While lawyers tend to get a bad rap, many are attracted to the legal profession because they care about people and genuinely want to help them. And they live stressful lives as a result, many working incredibly long hours and unable to take a break lest they disappoint their clients. Beyond the typical burnout that most experience, there is a special type of burnout called “secondary traumatic stress” or “compassion fatigue”. The ramifications of trauma and compassion fatigue aren’t discussed as commonly as typical stress and burnout, but for attorneys, these issues require attention.

Secondary or vicarious trauma can result from the cumulative effect of listening to a client or witness relay stressful, often graphic, stories and experiences. This problem is not exclusive to attorneys, and exists in all professions when people take on the pain, suffering and burdens of the people they are helping. It is felt physically, emotionally, or mentally and can affect a person’s life in countless ways.

The recent rise in alcoholism, addiction, and mental health disorders among members of the legal profession has only exacerbated this issue. The statistics are compelling and clearly indicate that 1 out of 3 attorneys will likely have a need for substance use or mental health services at some point in their careers.

This CLE course will comprehensively address this issue and include discussions of:

• Detecting the early warning signs of impairment, with special emphasis on stress, burnout, trauma and compassion fatigue.
• Methods of approaching an impaired individual
• An examination of the barriers that prevent lawyers and judges from seeking help
• The importance of education in breaking the stigma and fear associated with addiction and mental illness in the legal profession
• The availability of free services from the Lawyers Assistance Programs provide to lawyers, judges, their family members and law students.