No One Is Unscathed: How Trauma, Stress and Burnout Affect Our Lives (Webinar)

Attorneys hopefully recognize that like many other professionals, their lives are filled to the brim with stress. It's important to be proactive in dealing with it. The consequences of shrugging it off can be catastrophic -- not only for them but for their family, staff and friends.

And then there's trauma. The ramifications of trauma aren't discussed as frequently as those of stress and thus, for many attorneys, trauma is a topic in need of attention. Trauma can be secondary or vicarious. Trauma also results from a personal loss such as the death of a family member or a close friend.

Now that we are all dealing with the unexpected impact of a generational and societal traumatic event -– the COVID-19 Pandemic -- it's important to recognize the signs of trauma in yourself as well as in your office staff, family and clients.

Hear from our experienced speaker as he shares his personal story of trauma and learn how you can recognize the unhealthy and potentially life threatening shadow it can cast.

Recent studies have shown that there has been a dramatic increase in impairment due to alcoholism, addiction and mental health disorders among members of the legal profession. 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.

The presenter will discuss:

• The early warning signs of impairment, with special emphasis on stress, burnout and vicarious trauma.
• Tips for dealing with the anxiety, stress and fear that the COVID-19 pandemic has created.
• The barriers that exist that prevent lawyers from seeking the help they need.
• The role that education plays in breaking the stigma and fear associated with addiction and mental illness in the legal profession.
• Ethical challenges imposed by the imposed isolation of the pandemic and its possible long lasting effect on the legal profession.
• The free services that Lawyers Assistance Programs provide to lawyers, judges, their family members and law students.

Provider:
Jenkins Law Library, an accredited provider under the Pennsylvania CLE Board's Rules, will serve as the CLE provider for this course. The course has been approved by the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board for 1.0 hour of CLE credit in ethics.

This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 1.0 hour of total CLE credit in ethics/professionalism.

Note:
This webinar will be presented using Zoom, a free videoconferencing service. For more information on Zoom, please view the following short videos:

• Join a Meeting (1 minute 9 seconds)
• Joining & Configuring Audio & Video (1 minute 42 seconds)