Trauma Informed Law

Just a reminder that tomorrow Wednesday 27th November, as part of our Wellness Wednesday initiative The City Law School are hosting an event entitled : Responding to the Human Curve Ball - essential skills for all aspiring lawyers Led by Trauma Informed Law. Learning the letter of the law is one thing, but future interview panels, clients, judges, (and future you) want to know that you can understand and respond to the human elements too. No matter your intended area of law, at some point, because we're all human, the law becomes unexpectedly messy. Using real-life examples from legal practice this Webinar led by two of our Alumni will allow you to explore situations that arise in relation to heightened emotions, distress and trauma. Camilla Wells Coaching and Rebecca Norris will give you insight into training material currently being delivered to lawyers already in practice - to equip you for interview panels, training and sustainable success within the legal profession. There will be an opportunity for questions. This is a must for all aspiring lawyers particularly our BVS and SPP students so do come along if you can. For more details visit and for how to join visit the events page on lawbore https://lnkd.in/expbaReV Alternatively please contact jane.bradley-smith@city.ac.uk.

Just a reminder that tomorrow Wednesday 27th November, as part of our Wellness Wednesday initiative The City Law School are hosting an event entitled : Responding to the Human Curve Ball - essential skills for all aspiring lawyers Led by Trauma Informed Law. Learning the letter of the law is one thing, but future interview panels, clients, judges, (and future you) want to know that you can understand and respond to the human elements too. No matter your intended area of law, at some point, because we're all human, the law becomes unexpectedly messy. Using real-life examples from legal practice this Webinar led by two of our Alumni will allow you to explore situations that arise in relation to heightened emotions, distress and trauma. Camilla Wells Coaching and Rebecca Norris will give you insight into training material currently being delivered to lawyers already in practice - to equip you for interview panels, training and sustainable success within the legal profession. There will be an opportunity for questions. This is a must for all aspiring lawyers particularly our BVS and SPP students so do come along if you can. For more details visit and for how to join visit the events page on lawbore https://lnkd.in/expbaReV Alternatively please contact jane.bradley-smith@city.ac.uk.

🌟Managing trauma and self-care in legal aid: insights from the frontline🌟 Legal aid work is as challenging as it is vital. Practitioners face emotionally charged cases, systemic pressures, and the toll of vicarious trauma. At the recent Legal Aid Practitioners Group (LAPG) Conference, a session led by Dr Laura Janes and Emma Louise Trevett sparked crucial discussions on managing stress and embracing self-care in the legal profession. Key takeaways included: ✅ Supporting clients: clear, trauma-informed communication, signposting to resources, and creating space to truly listen. ✅ Supporting lawyers: open dialogue about challenges, sharing workloads, and setting realistic goals. Emma’s powerful account of her 2020 stroke highlighted the need for proactive self-care. Her tips on rest, mindfulness, and balance resonated deeply with attendees. Notably, this session took place the day after The National Pro Bono Centre's #ProBonoWeek event on supporting and empowering clients in distress (hosted with Advocate and LawWorks), which touched on similar themes of trauma-informed practice and sustainable client care. Together, these discussions underscore the importance of supporting both vulnerable clients and the lawyers who advocate for them 🤝 🫂 📚 At the National Pro Bono Centre, we are committed to empowering legal professionals with tools for sustainable, trauma-informed practice. We’re excited to be working with LawCare - the mental health charity for the legal sector to develop training for volunteer lawyers and pro bono charity staff that ensures pro bono help is delivered safely - for clients and practitioners alike. Watch this space! 💡 How do you manage the challenges of emotionally demanding work? Read more about the session on Laura's blog here 👉 https://lnkd.in/ekUP3p6i #LegalAid #Wellbeing #SelfCare #ProBono #TraumaInformed

"Where have all the Criminal Barristers gone?" Joanna Hardy-Susskind leads with Front Cover article for Counsel Magazine   RLC member Joanna Hardy-Susskind has shared a poignant and powerful reflection on the stark realities faced by criminal barristers today. Writing for Counsel Magazine, she describes the relentless challenges faced by Criminal Barristers, from overwhelming workloads and insufficient pay to the emotional and physical toll on practitioners.   Read piece here: https://lnkd.in/eXbp5Fjj #CriminalJusticeSystem #CriminalBar #CriminalBarrister #TheBar

Huge congratulations to our Senior Associate Casey Lee J., the newly appointed President of the London Criminal Courts Solicitors' Association (LCCSA)! Casey represents the interests of London’s criminal solicitors with energy and dedication. Being recognised as the Leader of the criminal solicitor profession in London is both an immense honour and a testament to the high regard in which she’s held within LCCSA. Well done, Casey, on this amazing achievement! Read more about Casey: https://lnkd.in/efJ6kudF

🌟 What an absolutely inspiring evening we had at our #ProBonoWeek event, "Supporting & Empowering Clients in Distress", last night! 🌟 A heartfelt thank you to our exceptional panel of speakers: District Judge Lynda Nightingale, Rebecca Wilkie (Advocate), Louise McCarthy (Sidley Austin LLP), Naga Kandiah (MTC Solicitors), Rebecca Norris (Setfords, Trauma Informed Law) and Ollie Persey (Garden Court Chambers). Your insights were invaluable! The panel dove into crucial topics such as trauma-informed lawyering, effective management of client expectations, and the essential boundaries that both protect pro bono volunteers and empower the clients they serve. For a deeper dive into the event highlights, check out our X thread here 👉 https://lnkd.in/ehJgSehp Below are the panel's top tips for anyone involved in pro bono work: 👇 ❓ Louise: "Ask the awkward questions." 🤝 Naga: "Treat pro bono and paid clients the same." 👩 Rebecca: "Remember we're all human." 💪 Oliver: "Focus on empowering your client." ✅ Lynda: "Do it, and enjoy it!" We’re excited to announce that this event is just the beginning! Stay tuned for news of training we will soon be offering in partnership with LawCare - the mental health charity for the legal sector, aimed at equipping all lawyers engaged in pro bono work. Lastly, a huge thank you to Sidley Austin LLP for their generous hospitality in hosting us in their beautiful offices. Let’s continue to champion #AccessToJustice together! 💪 #WeDoProBono #AccessToJustice #TraumaInformed #BoundarySetting #Wellbeing #LegalCommunity #Legal #Law

So pleased to have been featured in the Gazette discussing with Natalie Sutherland of Burgess Mee the importance of mandatory trauma training in family law. Trauma can deeply affect clients and their experience of the family justice system (and the professionals working within it) but also potentially the outcomes of their cases. Click below to read more: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/ePbxQseC Together with Burgess Mee, we have created a trauma resource for our clients, Within the Window, to help clients stay within their “window of tolerance” functioning optimally outside of the major trauma responses in order to better cope with the challenges they face. https://lnkd.in/d_kpwdjn #FamilyLaw #TraumaTraining #DivorceSupport

❗ We're really pleased to announce that now Thursday's tube strikes have been called off, our #ProBonoWeek event 'Supporting and Empowering Clients in Distress' is DEFINITELY going ahead! 🥳 Please ignore any communications to the contrary! In partnership with Advocate and LawWorks, we'll be hosting in-person at Sidley Austin LLP, where we'll hear from a panel of fantastic speakers: - District Judge Lynda Nightingale - Ollie Persey, Barrister (Garden Court Chambers) - Rebecca Norris, Barrister (Setfords), Co-founder of Trauma Informed Law - Naga Kandiah, Solicitor (MTC Solicitors) - Louise McCarthy, Pro Bono Counsel (Sidley Austin LLP) - Rebecca Wilkie, CEO (Advocate) will be moderating the event. 👋 6:30pm - registration and welcome drink 🗣️ 7-8pm - panel discussion and Q&As 🤝 8-9pm - networking and nibbles. This session is on such an important topic and will cover: - Well-being strategies and boundary setting for practitioners - Adapting communication styles when working with clients in distress or facing injustice - Tips and strategies to improve the client experience during difficult times - Trauma-informed lawyering and empathetic questioning - Managing expectations when clients face clustered issues, and advice is limited or one-off - Overcoming barriers in working with vulnerable clients and learning from others in the sector on supporting clients with complex needs. There's still time to register for this FREE hybrid event here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eYQWkqnk #WeDoProBono #ProBono #AccessToJustice #TraumaInformed #Networking #Law #Legal #Volunteer #ManagingExpectations #Wellbeing #WellbeingStrategies #BoundarySetting