Practising Law Institute is offering a one-hour briefing via webcast entitled Trauma-Informed Lawyering: Strategies and Best Practices on January 7, 2021 from 1:00 PM-2:00 PM Eastern.

Registration: $25

Full scholarships and discounts to attend PLI programs are widely available to attorneys working in nonprofit/legal services organizations; pro bono attorneys; government attorneys; judges and judicial law clerks; law professors and law students; senior attorneys (age 65 and over); law librarians and paralegals who work for nonprofit/legal services organizations; unemployed attorneys; and others with financial hardships.

All eligible attendees are urged to complete and submit a PLI Scholarship Application.
https://www.pli.edu/probono/pbscholarship

Overview

Whether you are an attorney in the legal services, law firm, or corporate setting, if you are working with pro bono clients, it is critical to incorporate trauma-informed lawyering into your practice.  Many pro bono clients have experienced some form of trauma, and understanding how trauma impacts client-attorney interactions can help you build effective attorney-client relationships.  Working on pro bono matters may feel challenging at times, but being prepared and understanding best practices will help you help your client.  And pro bono work is extraordinarily meaningful and rewarding.  This One-Hour Briefing will address how trauma can manifest itself in client relations as well as best practices you can use to build trust and help your client.

Topics include:

• How traumatic memories work and how manifestations of trauma can affect client interactions (20 minutes)
• Best practices for building trust (10 minutes)
• Best practices for preparing for client interviews and meetings (10 minutes)
• Best practices for discussing sensitive topics and developing strategies for the case when clients are not able to discuss critical facts (10 minutes)
• Best practices for ongoing communications and maintaining a strong and trusting relationship (10 minutes)

Faculty:

• Hamra Ahmad, Her Justice Inc.
• Nicole Fidler, Sanctuary for Families